You want a Sandbox meetup? I say, ROAD TRIP!!!

I love the fact that with living in the DFW area, I'm able to meetup with so many Sandbox Mommas!  I've met up with various mommas and the kids in July 2010,   In June 2010,  In June 2009,  In October 2008 in Arizona,  and also our 1st Sandbox Meetup in September 2008!  We are so blessed to have met these beautiful women inside and out and have their friendship!  When Christina (although she'll further be referred as Fancy since that's her nickname now ;) ) mentioned we should drive down to visit their zoo since it has Dinosaurs I was interested.  Austin loves DinoRawrs so we started planning.  By 6:15 Thursday morning Austin and I were on the road for the 3 1/2 hour drive to Conroe. 

We've had practice before with our June trip to Oklahoma so I knew how to prepare oursevles for that length of a trip.  I do have to say that Austin did, yet again, FANTASTIC during the drive.  He, like most, got antsy around the 2 hour mark so we stopped in Madisonville for a walk around/potty break.  We apparently made great timing because we arrived a little before 10 AM.  Towards the end of the drive Austin was tired of his books and his other road trip toys so I gave him my phone.  Now. . . before you freak, just know that my son is a Genius (no, really! )  and knows what apps he is allowed to play with and which ones are off limits.  He also knows how to manuever around the certain apps he likes.  For example, the Kideo's app houses thousands upon thousands of shortclip videos ranging from Elmo to Backyardigans to Sid: the Science Kid.  He knows how to go to "channels" select the one he wants (ie: Mickey Mouse he knows to look for something that has 2 words and both start with "M" ---> like I said GENIUS!! ) So my iphone came in handy the last 20 minutes.

Once we arrived at the house, we unloaded and headed out to the Houston Zoo.  OMG their zoo is amazing!  Not only does it have DinoRawr's but it's landscaping and layout is beautiful and smart!  They even have an iphone app that hosts all sorts of things like giving you a map, telling you about a certain area, telling you when the zookeepers will speak as well as having a friend finder!  (I did find out that the Dallas Zoo up with technology.  They have one and it's free.  Fort Worth Zoo. . . cough, cough.  GET WITH THE PROGRAM!)

Peak-A-Boo!  We're heading to the Zoo!

Long Lost BFF's (Jackson & Austin)

Both born Feb 08

Momma Fancy with the boys

Having lunch inside the zoo at one of the pavillions

"Seriously Mom! You're making me SIT again even after a long car ride" 

Checking the Monkeys

Where's the DinoRawrs you ask?  Well funny thing - these awesome Dinosaurs move and actually growl (do Dinosaurs 'growl'?) so it was a little frightening!  We quickly moved on as fast as we could HAHA  Who knew?!

Trainride outside the Houston Zoo.  Yet again, another place with beautiful landscaping and scenery!

Thankfully the weather was gorgeous and so after the zoo we headed out back to unwind from the zoo before eating the OH SO YUMMY homeade stuffed shells with sauce. 

"What?!  Another camera!?"

They did have a cat and this was the first time that Austin was around a kitty kat.  He loved Bruce and was very interested in what Bruce was doing at all times! and NO, we will NOT be getting a cat!  LOL

The next day, Fancy, Jackson, Austin and I headed over to the Waterways at the Woodlands for some fresh air and a trolley ride. This place was, yet again, breathtaking. It kind of reminded me of a mixture between the Los Colinas Canals + the greenery and scenic views of White Rock Lake mixed with a little historic feel with the Trolley.  We watched the ducks enter the canal and talk to the boys LOL

Isn't it beautiful?

Getting a closer look at the ducks.  Jackson was showing Austin something 

The boys having fun.  Who knew a plant leaf would provide entertainment to flick about?!  LOL 

Here is a picture taken LAST YEAR at the Fort Worth Zoo (June 2009)  They are growing up SO fast!

The area even had a Koi Pond! 

After walking around we hopped on the trolley where it dropped us off in front of Barnes n' Nobles for a break of CARS book reading (what else would there be?!  ha!).  After that we stopped for lunch at the mall and then we rode the trolley back to the car.  Austin loved riding the "choo choo" and poor Jackson was getting irritated with me.  He kept looking at me with a frusterated look and kept telling me, "It's not a choo choo, it's a TROLLEY!"  LOL  True True lil fellow!

After that Austin and I headed back home around 2 o'clock.  Although we DID get stopped for 50 min ten minutes into our commute due to a wreck blocking all 2 lanes on the highway!  We were in a parking lot literally and I turned my car off - that just shows that we weren't moving.  Luckily Austin was taking this time to get his nap in so I was thankful for that!! 

I can't wait for another SBB Meetup!  We shall see who we meet up with and where we go next!  Stay tuned.  Although after doing 5 meetups now, I do have to say that I personally prefer the ones where the kids can play at the house while the mommas get to actually talk IN PERSON verses over the phone, texting, or the computer.  It was nice to spread out the fun over 2 days and Fancy and her family were so welcoming and perfect hosts.  We didn't want to leave!

Fall Fun

The other day after picking up Austin from Preschool we headed over to our nearest neighborhood park to play before the elementary school kids got out.  Austin loves the 'big kid' section of this playground (they have a pint sized area as well as a 'big kid' area) but gets a little apprehensive when older kids are running around with their newfound freedom from school LOL 

Austin told me this about this slide. . . "Red Car goes fast!  Goes weeee Super fast!"

LOL

There was only another little girl there - we later found out Macee was 5 (LOL about the things little kids tell strangers) - who was playing on the same playground.  She'd slide down the slide and encourage Austin to do the same.  Oddly enough, Austin loves our play set and our slide at home but when it comes to public slides he's leery.  We aren't sure why but it takes him a few minutes to get warmed up and some days he never goes down one.  Luckily Macee was persuasive and finally Austin joined in on the fun.  They played a game: climb up really fast (via the steps OR the slide itself LOL), slide down, REPEAT!

He was a little daring today as well!  He tried this 'ladder' about 8 months ago and it was difficult for him.  He hasn't tried since.  However today he couldn't get enough of it.  Once Macee left LOL he would climb up - after a brief instructional moment from momma - slide down the twisty slide and. . . REPEAT! 

At one point, I no longer felt the need to 'hover' just in case he fell so that I could snap pictures of my Spiderman

I love these two expressions especially below - The joy of a child!!

 

Handprint Playdate = ER visit?!?

Last week Austin and I met up with our Mom's Group: Mansfield Christian Moms & Kids to make handprint stones.  We did this activity last year and it was a disaster then.  Last year Austin didn't like anything stuck to his hands nor did he appreciate the purpose of this craft.  LOL  This year however, Austin's been experimenting with handpainting at his awesome preschool and has been loving it so we headed to do the handprint stones this year in hopes he'd enjoy it. 

What a difference, again, a year makes!  I say that a lot but when it comes to our growing, Lil Man it's true!  This year he loved when I painted his hands with paint (non-toxic. . . no worries to people who were wondering) and helped me pick out the colors.  He chose Red and Blue over the Yellow and Green.  Apparently he had a preference to what his masterpeice would look like!

Ammie's handprint stone

Nonna & Poppa's Handprint Stone

Our keepsake!

Where does the ER fall into this story you ask?!  Well while I was decorating the stones outside on the deck and waiting for them to dry after we applied the sealant, Austin was playing with the other kids on the slide, the swing, and other fun toys that were outdoors.  I heard Austin asking for me and showing me the #2 sign with his fingers.  I assumed maybe that he fell down and hurt them.  After looking it over and saw nothing I kissed it and off he went back to play.  About a minute later I hear Austin crying out for me and I go to him and see tears in his eyes and saw that his right middle finger was so swollen it was taunt/tight and shiny.  It was also very warm to the touch and discolored.  I didn't know exactly what happened and he didn't tell me.  All he was doing was crying HUGE alligator tears and screaming, "My finger! My finger" and "Momma, Help me!"  UGH broke my heart!  I placed a ziploc baggie full of ice on it and loaded him up in the car.  After calling the pedi - which OF COURSE they were closed for lunch, go figure! - I called Carolyn, my MIL who's also a nurse to ask her opinion.  I thought it would warrant an ER visit due to his symptoms but I didn't want to be "that mom" so I wanted validation I guess.  I was SO anxious and heartbroken.  I deal with crisis's everyday at work and handle them, in my opinion, very well, but when it's your own child.  HAHAHA not a chance!  I was fantic!

I rushed Austin to the nearest ER, which thankfully was less than 5 min away, and called Scott about the situation.  We waited in the ER for almost 2 hours (!!) before being seen.  I had a problem with their method of triage as my son was shaking, screaming and crying out waiting to be seen when others would be called back that appeared to be in no distress reading a book  WTH?!  What method of triage are you using here?!

Anyways, I digress.  We finally get back in and Austin gets weighed (he's currently 27.75 lbs) and check his oxygen (100% = perfect).  We wait in the ER room for a few min before the Dr. arrives.  He looks at Austin's finger while Austin is pefectly still.  I could tell that Austin knew he was getting help because he was perfect!  He stayed still while they looked it over, kept his hands in odd positions during the X-ray when the X-ray tech moved them and overall did well.  He did receive another ice pack and motrin while we waited on the X-ray results. 

Scott did his best to keep Austin preoccupied and happy.  Hence the chicken (the blown up glove) and the stick (tongue depressor) that Austin held onto the whole time! Also this is another reason why I LOVE my iphone.  CARS, the movie, always makes Austin happy!

After the x-ray report, we found out that Austin did NOT break his finger like we though but that he could have injured it or possibly been bitten my an insect.  As a precautionary, he was placed on an antibiotic for 1 week so that he doesn't get it infected and possibly get a staph infection from it.  At this time the swelling was still apparant, as was the warmth even though it was placed in an icepack for over 3 hours.  However, it wasn't as discolored as before so that's a good sign. 

waiting for the prescription from the Dr. before we could be released

It's been a week now and Austin's hand has fully recovered.  We still don't know what happened and we probably never will :( Once we left the ER Austin passed out - it was 3pm and he missed lunch and his nap - and slept like a rock until 5pm where he woke up asking for "meh cine" (medicine)  Yes, my son, THANKFULLY, loves taking his medicine!



Howdy Folks!

On Sunday, after I found out I was cancelled at work due to low census, Scott, Carolyn and I decided to make that day our Fair Day instead of waiting until the 11th to go.  We arrived at 10am to greet a MASS of people already inside the gates - doesn't help that it was Texas/OU weekend! 

(Austin wants to go to the 'wheel' aka Texas Star)

After we purchased tickets . . .

"one, two"

. . .we headed over towards the Fun FUN slide since we were already near the midway. We always, and I mean ALWAYS, go to Fletcher's first thing for a corndog and then look at cars but we decided to break it up a bit and do the slide first. On the way to the slide, we went through the KidZone so Austin and I went on his first rollercoaster. It looked simple enough - one big oval and then a small circle to ride on and that's it. . . or so we thought. Little did we know that you do it 4 times!! Austin was fine on the rollercoater until we'd get to the tight circle, where it was super jerky. When we'd get to that part, Austin would cry out, "ALL DONE! ALL DONE!" Poor kid. When it was finally over he was ready to get out but he never shed a tear, so overall it was a success. I mean I can't blame the kid, I was 'all done' when it got to that point too! LOL

After the ride we headed over to the slide and Austin loved it.  Carolyn, Austin and I went on the slide with Austin on my lap.  I'm so glad he's over 35 in so that he can sit on our laps for rides.  Apparently you have to be 42 in or taller to go by yourself but that won't be till next year. . . maybe?  His face was apparently in a frozen look of fear but the second we finished he stood up and started clapping LOL  Then afterwards kept talking about the slide. . . "Went Weeeeee" "go fast" "big slide" ect.  So cute so later on Scott and I took him again this time on Daddy's lap.

The infamous slide! 

What would the fair be without fried ____?!?!  This is what we had:

• Fried Snickers (Carolyn's favorite!)
• Fried Peanut Butter Cup (Scott said it was yummy)
• Fried Oreos (Austin and my favorite)
• Fried Moon Pie (very disappointing!)
• Fried Honeybun (apparently very very very good, I didn't try it)

We are going to go back on the 11th, so I want to try the Fried Smores! 

What's the other thing that reminds you of the State Fair of Texas besides Fletchers' Corn Dogs and fried food?!  CARS!! 

Scott showing Austin the real life "Snot Rod" (a character on the movie CARS) 

"Can I have this?" 

After the cars, we checked out all the pavillions with all their stuff to display.  There were so many things to see that with all the crowds we're thankful to be going back.  There was no way we could have done all the things we wanted while dealing with the lines and madness that was Texas/OU weekend!  We did stop by the sandpit for Austin to play in.  Silly boy wanted nothing to do with it.  Would only touch it with his hands until I threatened him that we were going to leave to see the other pavillions if he wasn't going to play.  That made him get a move on! 

 He walked the perimeter. . .

"I did it!"  LOL

then climbed up to the top. . .

 Then played for a while.  When it was time to go, he wouldn't come down!

Overall it was a great day at the fair.  The weather was absolutely PERFECT - high 70's - so it balanced out that there were so many people.  Here is a picture I took while at the top of the slide looking onto the KidZone/Midway.  

Stay tuned for more pictures and another blog post about our Great State Fair 2010, Part II.  Coming soon to a computer nearest you!

I wanna drive!

Last Thursday my moms group went on a 'playdate' to visit the Mansfield Firestation.  Last year when the group went Austin wasn't into it.  He loved seeing the firestrucks but didn't want to get IN one.  HAHAHA  What a difference a year makes!  This year Austin was 2 1/2 so of course he loves his firetrucks even more and loves being in the front seat of any vehicle therefore you couldn't get the boy OUT!

He Loved riding/sitting in the Ambulance.  His response, "So cool!"

Teaching the boy patience!  He already had a turn and wanted to get in again. 

 

This picture was Austin trying to get down to explore but was captured just right.  Silly momma wanted a picture with Lil Man.

I wanna ride this one!!  He was determined to get up there himself - Mr. Independent!

"I do it" was his response when I asked if he needed help.  LOL

This is my fav. picture. 

He was SO happy and on cloud 9 once he got in the driver seat.  I see a future fireman on my hands!  He literally would've been happy to sit in there all day long.  He kept saying "I drive!  I wanna drive!" when telling him it was time to get out and give someone else a turn.  Sadly, had to pry the boy away from his dream of being a 2 1/2 year old Firetruck Driver.  Shattered Dreams!

Exploring the inside of the Firetruck

 

The firemen were so sweet and patient with the kids!  I wish I could do more than just bring cookies on the meetup as a way of saying "thank you"  Not sure what?  Any ideas?  I'd love to hear your thoughts as I'm sure we'll be going again next year!

More exploring

"What?!  You mean I need to get down?" 

 HAHAHA!  No, the fireman wasn't wanting Austin to get down.  He was just being kind and asking if Austin was ready to get out since Lil Man started walking his way.  BOY what a look Austin gave!!  No he wasn't done  LOL

Future Fireman!

Cheesin' for the camera.  So cool with his shades on.  I swear his alter ego comes out when I give him his shades! 

The coolest part, in the moms opinion, was the end.  We were told at the beginning just in case the bells went off we needed to take the kids and step to the side so that the firemen could do their job and head out.  We were told that last year but nothing ever happened.  THIS YEAR. . . oh yea it did!  It was so cool!  The bells went off and one of the firemen patiently asked us to grab the kids out of the truck.  I grabbed Austin and another little boy and held them on my hips until we were out of the way.  Thank goodness for workouts!  Anyways, as the kids were screaming and getting upset that the firemen and trucks/ambulance were leaving, the moms were amazed and loved watching them in action.  That was by far the coolest part!  I wish I had it on video or at least gotten pictures of it but I was too busy holding back Austin who was upset that the firetruck was leaving.