Archive for September, 2009

LOOOOOOVE the Yankee Candle scent and thought the candle holder was super cute! It’s the newest addition to our Halloween decorations!

Makes me smile

to beautiful Columbus Ohio! My little crew spent Labor Day weekend there this year and we really had a great time. My husband and his parents went to the Navy/Ohio State football game, while the kidlets and I experienced the Columbus Zoo.

The Columbus Zoo was voted #1 Zoo in America, according to the “USA Travel Guide”. It definitely deserves this title – the place is phenomenal.

The grounds were gorgeous and we were really able to get up close and personal with the animals.

As we walked into the zoo, two of the zookeepers had 2 flamingos out for visitors to pet. My boys were a little freaked by them, so they hung back and watched. Flamingos are beautiful birds!

The aquarium was a very popular spot for us. The boys were able to have a hands on experience with some starfish, sea urchins and hermit crabs. I think Jake loved this part the most!

I think the manatee exhibit was my favorite spot in the zoo. About 11 years ago, I was able to swim with these beautiful creatures in their own habitat and it was one of the best experiences of my life. I could sit and watch them swim all day – they’re SO big, but so graceful.

In front of many of the exhibits, there were statues of the animals. The boys loved to climb on them

This is Fluffy.

Here’s some info on Fluffy. I still giggle when I think about his name.

In addition to the animals, the zoo also has a small amusement park area. I found this to be a bit over priced, but the boys loved it. Jake was upset because he couldn’t ride all the rides. So, he found the few that he could ride and he rode them repeatedly. I had to drag the big boys out.

If you ever find yourself in Columbus, Ohio, take some time to visit the zoo – it’s a spectacular place. In addition to the zoo, Easton Town Center is another place you MUST visit. I would like to move there. I mean I want to move INTO the mall. It’s unbelieveable.

According to Mr. Random.org,  the winner of the thermometer is #2 and that’s Amanda!

Congratulations, Amanda!  You’ll be hearing from me soon.

Thanks to everyone who entered, as well.

{Disclaimer – I was selected by MomSelect to review this product and was given an extra thermometer to give away.}

Germs started taking over our house this week, so I figured I’d found the perfect opportunity to try the Reli On Temple Touch Thermometer! Henry (17 months) came down with a fever recently and his energy was zapped. He spent lots of time resting on my lap and this thermometer was perfect for taking his temperature then. It’s lightweight, but sturdy and it took his temperature quickly – we had a reading in less than 10 seconds! The digital display is clear and easy to read, too.

I would highly recommend this thermometer for older children more than the younger ones. Stillness is necessary to get an accurate reading and as moms know, it’s much easier to get older children to sit still. Henry was quite ill, so getting him to sit still was relatively easy. Now that he’s feeling better, I’m sure it would be much, much harder to get a good read.

Overall, it’s a great product!

Now, here’s your chance to win one! Leave a comment, tell me about your family! I will choose a winner Saturday morning, September 26th. Good luck!!

I spent the majority of this week feeling helpless. My baby boy was sick and I couldn’t take his pain away. What started out as a low grade fever turned into a knock down, drag out 104.9 fever that rendered my boy horribly lethargic, miserable and in the ER. While we were still at home, I tried Motrin and Tylenol and the fever would come down to 102 and it wouldn’t budge from there. Within an hour or so, it was right back up again. We spent several hours in the ER with a resident who was a bit of an alarmist (She walks into the room, takes one look at my boy and rushes out yelling, “I think we need to admit this kid”. I immediately start to panic and cry. She comes back in and says, “I didn’t mean to worry you.” Really!?!?!) Urine tests, chest x-rays and blood work all came back negative. They diagnosed him with a possible ear infection, gave him a whopper of an antibiotic shot and a script for more antibiotics and sent us on our way. Two days later, he wasn’t much better, so we went to his pediatrician. He was diagnosed with a throat infection there (docs in the ER said his throat was fine. ugh.). His pediatrician said that he’d start to feel better by Friday night or Saturday morning and that was true – by Saturday morning, he was feeling a little spunky and by this morning, he woke up cool as a cucumber and feelin’ fine. I’ve never been happier to see that boy show me his devilish, little smile. With Henry around, life is always interesting. Hopefully it will be a little less interesting for a while.

It’s the little, simple things, ya know? Roasted broccoli brings a smile to my face every time I eat it.

Yes, I’m a dork.

of tears (from me, not the kids). My boy is now officially a kindergartner. My biggest boy is now a 2nd grader.

That shirt screamed Jake’s name from the shelf at The Children’s Place on Sunday. I absolutely HAD to buy it – it’s his personality – fun and funky. As we were picking out clothes for the 1st day of school, it was between this shirt and a Spongebob one. I was so happy to see him pick this one. It just makes me smile. He makes me smile. It’s been too quiet around here today – my newest sidekick has been wandering around, looking for his brothers. I’ve been able to get some things done, without breaking up fights.

Will was so sweet and helpful to Jake this morning – it’s always nice to see that side of their relationship. I will say that I see it much more than I thought I would. I always imagined boys just wanting to beat each other up, tattle on each other and just bug each other. While that does happen (often), the sweeter, kinder side of them shines through a lot. It makes me feel like we’re
doing something right.

That’s what I’m trying to do. The first day of school is Tuesday. I’ve met both boys’ teachers and I believe they’re going to LOVE school this year. That makes me happy.

I’m not sure I can describe the feelings I have about sending Jake to school. I’m just not ready. He is SO ready. I can’t keep him here forever (but, I’d like to).

I’m desperately trying to push these feelings away. I want to show him that I’m excited for him to go, excited for him to learn new things and make new friends. I’m certain my eyes will fill with tears on Tuesday morning, while we wait for the bus. I’ve never been so happy to have transition lenses in my life – I WILL NOT show him my sadness. Instead, I’ll hug him tightly, smile and wish him a fabulous day. Once that bus drives away, I can’t promise the tears won’t fall. In fact, I’m certain they will.

My crew is heading to Columbus, Ohio tomorrow. The boys and I are going to the Columbus Zoo on Saturday morning while my husband and my in-laws go to the Navy/Ohio State football game. I didn’t want to sit around here by myself for the weekend, so we invited ourselves I’m geeked, the boys are even more geeked and I need a day or two in some new surroundings.

Pictures will follow in a few days.

Happy Labor Day!