MOVING TO NEW BLOG

SINCE I AM NO LONGER THE MOTHER OF MAX ALONE, I'M SWITCHING OVER TO A NEW BLOG TITLE. YOU CAN NOW FIND ME UNDER: LINKE FAM BLOG

Cannon Beach Trip

We just arrived back from Cannon Beach this afternoon. Had a great time. Kids did great in the car both ways (i.e. slept). Mya missed her swing. Max was in heaven with access to Sydney 24/7. I'm tired but glad for the adventure. Life is good!

Here are a few photos...

Mr. Manners

With Max entering toddlerhood and all that goes with it, I sometimes worry that I'm raising a social deviant. Typical of a toddler, he is full of whining, screaming fits. Yesterday he couldn't get enough attention and kept telling me to put Mya in the "swing!". A quote that I read in a parenting book kept running through my head, "I gave up 9 months of drinking for this?!"

This morning has been a bit hectic as I've been packing to get us out the door. We're meeting my mom and Sydney at Oaks Park at 9:30 to enjoy the toddler rides. Then at 11:30 we're leaving the park to come back, eat a quick lunch and head to Cannon Beach for a few days. Go, mama, go!

Max is sitting on the couch watching Berenstain Bears (save your lectures for another day) and I walked through the room to grab a few items. I sneezed and he immediately responded, "bless you!"....while staring absentmindedly at the tv. I thanked him then grabbed his juice cup to put upstairs. His immediate reply was "Juice please! Pllleeeease!" This is so much better than the typical whining squeal he's given to date. It warmed my heart a bit to think that at least he's learning manners from us. He may turn out to be a gentleman in the end.

Getting Bigger by the Day

Alternative Nursery Decor

Where to begin? One of these magnificent wildlife nursery sets can be yours for $9.88 from Cabela's. They offer it in Deer and Loons and there is a lovely variety of coordinating accessories (pillows, blankets, drapes, etc.) that are available as well.

I think a gun rack would look lovely above the crib, don't you?

Made in the USA of course. Happy shopping!

Summer Fun

Max, Mya and I have been having a great time on my maternity leave. A lot of this is thanks to my friend Melissa who has the best play date ideas. Some of our recent favorites include....

The Play Boutique in Lake Oswego

This is a 5,000 sq. ft. indoor play area located inside Wizer's shopping center. The room is filled with toys that Max loves. I enjoy that it is less crowded than OMSI and that I can lounge in the mom's area with Mya yet still keep an eye on Max.

My favorite play time is the Coffee Break Stay & Play. You can order a coffee and lunch on your way in the door which they deliver to you. Genius! They also offer craft time, music time and story time on those days.

Preschooler Rides at Oaks Park

We just returned from this. For $6 your child (6 and under) can ride unlimited kiddie rides from 9:30 to 11:30. I wasn't sure how Max would do but he had an awesome time and was such a big boy!

We started off on a tugboat ride that begins swinging and then spinning along a track (pictured above). As the ride started I tucked him in close to my side and told him how much fun we'd have. Apparently I was really selling it because a little girl in front of us turned around and squealed, "Yeah, and we're going to spin around so fast!" Off we went and I have to tell you that this ride had a bit more motion I expected. I took a peek at Max and his expression was perfectly calm. No problemo. At the end of the ride I had a hard time getting him to leave our seat.

After the tugboat he went on the motorcycles. He was a bit impatient to get the ride started but did great sitting on his bottom and riding on his own. Apparently the ride could use a bit more excitement because as we exited he was pointing towards the tugboat asking to go back.

Next was the airplanes which actually go up in the air. It melted my heart when he leaned forward to the gun in front of him to get his target in his sights like the bigger boys. (Yes, I do realize how wrong that statement sounds!) The carousel and train ride were a success as well. We'll definitely be back!

I'm looking forward to next summer when Mya will be 1 and better able to enjoy the activities around her. Although I won't be on leave then...sniff, sniff!

Ready For Her Close Up - Nearly 5 Weeks