Oh to be a...

KID!!

Nolan and I went with our meetup.com Mom's group yesterday to O2B Kids. I wasn't sure what all they had but I knew the day would start with a puppet show then some free play time.

The place was amazing. I'm still gushing about it because we had such fun. As members, every Tuesday and Thursday they have a play group day. Basically starting at 10 for an hour they have different activities based on the ages of the children. Yesterday as guests we got to participate in everything and get a feel for the place.

We started with a morning puppet show that introduced songs, rhymes, letter and numbers. Nolan had fun and was ready to run up on the little stage himself. Next, was art class which I was a little leery about. I've wanted to start doing such things at home but still was afraid he was too young. Although he enjoyed the Play-doh toys more than the actual dough I was just glad he didn't eat it (yes, he chewed on some of the toys)!

 Seeing my little baby sitting on a big boy chair was definitely adorable too.

 They had a fun "sand table" which was an idea we might borrow for home. In "sand" consisting of rice and pasta noodles of various sizes and shapes were different digging and scooping toys. It was much cleaner than sand and probably safer if eaten too!

We then got some energy out in the gym. This tumble area had a great running trampoline, a balance beam, and lots of fun foam shapes to climb. It was a blast and by the end Nolan would even jump a bit on the trampoline. He was a jumper as a baby in his different toys but now that he walks it is really a difficult skill to master. I was glad to see him trying.

We finished up our day with some free play in the toddler area. There were plenty of toys to climb on and explore here and a nice area for moms to sit and relax!

This last picture says it all... WE HAD FUN!!!

P.S. Anyone know how to put two pictures side by side in Blogger?

Christmas Tree!!

We picked out Nolan's second Christmas tree yesterday. It seems crazy that he is on go around two now for all the holidays! Last year he was just a wee blob in my arms but now he is Mr. Personality. He explored the tent while we searched for the perfect tree.

What do you want mom?

He was a big boy exploring on his own and running, yes I said running, back and forth.

Finding cool things to play with

...and to eat

Climbing by myself

...and not holding still for a nice picture!

Happy, but disappointed!

I should be really excited but I can't help but be a little disappointed. I won 4 tickets to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas at Disney World! I'm sure you're asking, "how could she possibly be disappointed?" Well here is what happened.

I've spent the past two weeks entering a contest on our local MomsLikeMe forum to win 4 tickets to Disney's Christmas special, 2 nights in a Disney resort, and a $100 gift card to spend while there. Basically in order to enter enough times to have a shot at winning I spent about 30 minutes online every night after putting Nolan to bed. That's a lot of my free time!! I figured it would all be worth it though if I won!

The email I received telling me I could pick up the tickets at the local news station said I had won 4 tickets but didn't mention the other parts of the prize package. I re-read the official rules and indeed more than just the tickets was offered. When I went to pick up the prize, all I was handed was four tickets that are only good on one specific night and a Sunday night at that.

I asked the person in charge of the contest about the other parts of the prize package and she said that she had made a mistake and they were supposed to go with a second contest being run for Disney annual passes. The rules for that contest don't mention anything about a giftcard or hotel nights being offered. I understand mistakes but suddenly the prize is waaaaay less valuable. It seems like a mistake was made but since it was listed that way they should be offered with this contest.

I'm trying not to feel greedy but it's really hard!! You can't run a contest for a prize then only give away a third of it!

Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving!! I'm thankful for my wonderful family amongst many other things!

...even when they are cranky!

I can't believe how big my little turkey is now and how little he was last year.

We'll end this little "parade" of pictures with Santa of course!

Purple Potatoes!!

So I'm kind of gullible when it comes to "new" foods. I was one of the 6 people in America who bought the grapple. Yep, they were apples that tasted like grapes. Just the other day I say a pear that tasted like an apple or vice versa can't remember. Tim gave me the look and we left the store without them. Afterall, I can just buy a pear if I want one! I usually end up disappointed in whatever new and fun food I try to buy anyways.

So when I was shopping at our local health food store and saw organic purple potatoes I just had to get them!!

Here is a shot of the potatoes half peeled. You can see both the skin and flesh are indeed a dark purple!

I cooked them this week as part of a beef stew. It was fun and a bit weird as without the carrots the whole dish would have been one color. As it was, it still kinda looked like dog food! I'm hoping to be able to use fun little meals like this if Nolan ever decides to be a picky eater! Here is a shot of the stew cooking before the meat was browned.

The stew turned out great and both Nolan and I enjoyed it!!

Losing the Locks!

We finally did it! Nolan has had his first haircut. I've wavered for some time on getting his hair cut. I love the shaggy look but keeping it out of his eyes was getting more complicated and he can't yet tuck it behind his ears.As I knew and feared, he looks more grown up. I need that itty bitty baby look!!

We went to a salon that specializes in only children. Nolan got to ride in a boat while getting his haircut.  Our stylist was really great with him. There was no negativity associated with it what so ever. She simply let him sit there and play with a Thomas Train while she chopped. We didn't use a cape this time because we were trying to keep him as calm as possible. I'm amazed at how good it looks considering there was no restraining him whatsoever. My big boy didn't shed a tear which is amazing after his traumatizing day with Santa earlier this week (post to come later!).

Now for the fun part...

So what do you think? I really like the cut but when I look back to yesterday's shaggy photo shoot I get a little sad!

Art Playdate

Nolan and I met our mommies group at The Cummer Museum of Art today. We knew better than to take a dozen rowdy toddlers through an actual art gallery but the museum has spectacular gardens and a kids section. Besides taking amazing garden pictures.....

...Nolan and I had fun with the psychedelic music and art creator. Basically they had the contraption that would turn you and your movements into a TV like art. I snapped shots of us playing there. See if you can find us in the artwork!