What Kinsey Wore: Aquarium Visit

I am blessed to live by and patron a wonderful children's Consignment boutique The Chatterbaux Shoppe.  I went through a crazy phase of storing/organizing/sizing my daughter's outgrown baby clothes and ended up with a fairly decent pile of gently used clothes that I knew I wouldn't want to use for the future Baby #2 (and that's hoping we have another Girl.  Otherwise we're outta luck!)  So I made my trip to The Chatterbaux and got to unload.  Fast forward 8 months (because life happens.  Am I right?) when I made my return trip, I had earned $30 in credit!  So now I'm hooked and go back fairly often just to peruse the racks.  I have netted my daughter a couple of new tops, a pair of leggings, a handful of books and her favorite, a 3rd replica of her favorite "Bankie". 

 I'm pretty picky when it comes to recycled clothing so the clothes HAVE to be in excellent condition before I purchase; no piling, no stains (I suck at stain removal), no loose seams or thin fabric. Sometimes I'm tempted to get brand name items (Janie and Jack makes me drool) but if the price isn't right, I pass.  I make sure binding and pages are intact with books and there is no visible markings (teeth marks in particular) on Board books. I hope these guidelines will be helpful! 

Hitching a ride on a Sea Otter

Our local Aquarium recently reopened the newly renovated Sea Otter exhibit and I couldn't wait to go! Wanting to dress for the occasion I threw together a cardigan (I actually scored this one for a buck at a city- wide yard sale last summer. Score!) a hand- me- down dress (a size too big so I safety pinned the back; stylist secret, don't tell hehe) white leggings, ankle socks and pink Circo tennies. We had a great day even though it seemed busier than usual. It was a Girls Only trip AND the first time going without the stroller; she behaved wonderfully! I was pleasantly surprised (and relieved, truth be told.) 

 {Happy Wednesday!}

 Today's WKWW post is linked to OnelittleMomma! 

   

   

Mommy Meetups

For those times when you just want some time off from Mommy duty :)

I was introduced to Meetup by two good friends in two different mom Meetup groups. There is a website and a phone app and the concept is brillant- find a group that interests you (there are tons; ranging from foodie groups to crafting groups, couple groups to book groups. It's awesome!) You can search by inputting your zip code to find local groups. If you can't find a group of interest that's close by you can make your own! How cool is that?! (There is a monthly fee for group moderators btw.) The group moderator posts fun activities for certain days of the week and you 'meetup' at the designated time.

As I mentioned, I am a member of two Mom groups and I've gotten to meet some wonderful women whom also share the title of "mommy". It is so nice to relate and swap stories about all things mommyhood. For the most part the Meetups are for the whole family but there are dedicated Moms Night Outs which are lovely. (Of course the convo occassionally leads back to the kiddies, but who doesn't like to brag about their children?!) It is an easy and fun way to meet new people and also a good way for young children to socialize with others.

I hope you can check Meetup out! Are you already a member? Let me know!

***I'm not in any way compensated for this post, I just enjoy Meetup's services!***

Linking up with Erin.

 

Birthday Bound: Bethel or Bust

I just like a good alliteration to spunk up a title!

Love

This whirlwind weekend we celebrated my other half's 27th birthday. We are big birthday celebrators in our house and this year The Hubs wanted to take a trip to Sac to visit his BFF and his Family (the legendary Fisher's of Kim Walker Smith concert glory) and then all of us make our way up to Redding to visit Bill Johnson's Bethel Church.

Friday afternoon we embarked for Sacramento. Along the way we encountered the best smelling stretch of highway (honors go to I-5 before Santa Nella; the fragrance from the orange orchard blossoms was such an unexpected treat.) We arrived safely, our girls reunited, we chowed down on In N Out grilled cheeses and hit the hay.

Saturday was THE day my husband first entered the world 27 years ago (Happy Birthday Love!) and was also a day of firsts for me. I rented my first car (a Suburban for the crew) and we did a quick side trip to Davis en route to Redding. *** On a side note- I would totally go back for a long weekend in Davis. What a quaint town!***

The Suburban

I was wary at first on renting the car but it turned out to be quite enjoyable: I didn't have to drive, I got to nap, one tank of gas lasted the whole weekend and 3 car seats, 2 moms and 2 dads plus baggage (including 2 strollers!) fit comfortably. Did I mention I didn't have to drive? :)

Third-row sitting

                                                 

After checking into the hotel we cruised around downtown Redding with a quick walking tour and ended up going back into a suburb and eating at the Olive Garden. Somehow our trip coordinated with Prom and the wait time for tables was longer than usual. (But people watching was fun, all those prom fashions!) Only two things saved us from complete and utter chaos with  2, 3 and 5 year old girls: Netflix on the phone and appetizers. Our dinner lasted two hours with nary an outbreak. I think I held my breath throughout the entire meal. This was not by choice and something I wouldn't recommend but, the girls did great and we ended up with some coupons for future meals so it was a win- win.

Excited for Olive Garden

Sunday morning dawned bright with an early wake up call: it was time to get ready for church! And not just any church we were going to Bethel and we were going to be blessed with a sermon by Bill Johnson! If you haven't heard of Bethel or Bill check out the website here! You will thank me later.

Who doesn't like a good walking shot?

This was our second visit and we were all anticipating greatness and it was delivered! (To hear the sermon click here.) And I personally talked to Bill twice which I'll equate to meeting a celebrity because it was a big deal. This man's books are life changing and I highly recommend The Supernatural Power of a Transformed Mind. We left Bethel with a refreshed spirit and were ready for the trip back home.

Us with Bill Johnson

I'm still processing all the wonderfulness of this busy weekend. I know I will be filled for weeks to come and that keeps me smiling. Especially since I returned to work today, no time off for me! I'm just a rebel like that.

Family

How do you celebrate your birthday? Big bash or private affair? Do share!

 

Week of the Young Child 2013

This year the Week of the Young Child is April 14- 20th; this event is sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) to bring awareness to the importance of early learning and the needs of young children.

In celebration of this great cause, my School holds an annual Parade; each classroom designs costumes according to a theme (this years theme is "Spring") and marches around the parking lot. Families are invited and photo ops are prevalent. It is a fun activity and the children enjoy the festivities leading up to the Parade days!

If your child's school has any WOYC activities, please go out and support them! Not only will your child be thrilled to see you at their school, I'm sure the teachers would be appreciative too. Nothing says you're doing a great job like parent endorsement :)

I feel blessed to be able to work with children and their families (though I admit there is a part of me that wishes I could be a stay at home mom)  but I'm invested in my work because I know the importance of Early Childhood Education. And I think that makes my interactions as a parent stronger (or maybe I feel more prepared?) in that I understand ages and stages and developmentally appropriate milestones now that Lil lady is becoming Preschool- age. (How did that happen so fast?!)

How is your child's preschool celebrating Week of the Young Child? I'd love to glean new ideas!

 

I Believe

I Believe:

Jesus is Lord and Savior.
In learning from my mistakes.
My daughter is a genius.
Organic foods are best.
In Me Time: be it peeing alone in the bathroom. Going to work. Blogging during naptime. A solo trip to Target. A Girls Night Out once in a blue moon. (you get the idea!)
Chocolate works wonders.
In jeans and sneakers.
In soul mates. (namely, my husband)
In saying sorry and writing thank you notes.
In a good cry. But only occassionally.
A made-up bed instantly 'cleans' the room.
In making lists!
Cutting bangs is an instant make over.
In getting lost in a good book.
In Happily Ever After.

I'm linking up with Erin.