No More Cabin Fever!

     With the SUPER COLD weather and snow that we've had (not anything we aren't used to, but an annoyance none the less) we haven't left the house much. Froggie doesn't have snow pants (and we can't find Big Brother's old ones) so we don't go out to play in the snow much which means that we spend A LOT of time in the house.
     I think at this point we have all started to experience a little cabin fever. We leave for school every day but then once we come home re rarely leave the house. Big Brother gets pretty rambunctious since there isn't a lot of "run around space" where he isn't running over Froggie, a dog, or me.
     Today we went to tumbling like normal but decided to get out of the house in the afternoon as well. However, Big Brother decided he didn't want to go with us. He normally doesn't get a choice but my mom said he could stay with her. So Hubby, Froggie and I headed to the mall, a place we typically don't go to unless we need something so it was kind of a strange trip all around.

Testing out the set up for tumbling

Playing with Froggie before tumbling started

Hula Hoop

Hula Hoop!

     Our first stop was the craft store where we picked up some yarn for some new projects, some St. Patrick's Day craft materials and Hubby even picked out a pretzel baking kit. Then we walked around to a few other stores and picked up some small stuff (including some much needed coffee) before heading into the book store. They didn't have the book that Hubby was looking for but we got Big Brother an AWESOME dry erase work book, and we started heading back for our car.

Mmmm Oatmeal cookie from Starbucks!

     Froggie got antsy in the stroller asked to get down so we let her out and she walked a pretty long stretch of the mall holding hands with either Hubby or I. 

Walking at the mall

     When we got home we had pizza and gave Big Brother his new book, which he started using right away and did REALLY well with. He's a lefty so Hubby and I have some issues teaching him since we're both right handed. While he worked in his book Hubby and I made some pretty delicious pretzels! They turned out a lot better than I thought they would. Overall it was a nice change to sitting inside, but now I have some yarn to use up!

Big Brother testing out his new book.

pretzels before

pretzels after

Zoo Boo 2013

     Since the weather doesn't look so great for the rest of the week we decided to head to Zoo Boo at our local zoo this evening. I did some running around after work and picked up dinner so we could eat dinner in Hubby's office and get geared up.

     Big Brother was REALLY excited to dress up as Iron Man though the promise of the zoo AND candy to a 2 year old pretty much did it before Iron Man was even involved. We've gone in a the past with Big Brother but I think this year was, by far, our best year. The decision to go tonight was a last minute one after I looked at the forecast. Despite trying to have everything packed up we were missing a few things. We picked up some lighted bracelets and Big Brother picked out a mask for me. 

     We ran through the drive thru on our way to the center and had dinner in Hubby's office while everyone got changed and ready to drive down the street. It was a struggle to find parking and we arrived less than half an hour after Zoo Boo started. I took some pictures of the kids while we waited for Hubby to come over and meet us from the other parking area. 

     Upon entry you're given a bag and tickets which you turn in for treats. Though Froggie wasn't supposed to get anything the nice women at the gate gave her one. We walked around and collected our treats while checking out the animals. We also rode the carousel and train before the wind picked up and the rain started. We got everyone packed up just as the rain began to fall a little harder. 

     Overall it was a great night and my little Iron Man even got up and danced with a bunch of kids and did the Cha Cha Slide! He even did well with the left and right directions. 

Posing before we went into the zoo

Posing before we went into the zoo

Posing before we went into the zoo

In the zoo, ready to go!

Trading tickets for treats

Watching the Polar Bear

Walking with Hubby

Dancing with the other kids

The back of Froggie's costume

IronMan riding the carousel

Sleepy Froggie and I on the carousel

Family picture!

Froggie feeding herself some dinner

The kids and I

Snuggling while we wait for the train

riding the train

The Kids posing before we left

Love this one!

October 5K Day

     Today was our 5K for the month of October. We headed out to Hermitage House to participate in their "Heart to Home" Festival. This is the 5th year they have done a 5K and even though I've been working with their art club for the last few years I have had a variety of reasons not to do the 5K. As part of my decision to do at least one 5K a month I knew that I would do this 5K this year.
     We came away with one of our best times (even though it wasn't the fastest overall). We finished in about 46 minutes AND Big Brother ran approximately half of it. This is the first time we've let him run more than a few hundred feet since our first 5K in July which took us over an hour to complete. We bought him brand new running shoes yesterday so he was REALLY ready to run this morning!
     It was nice to see a lot of people we haven't seen for awhile and I'm really proud that Big Brother likes to run. After the 5K there was live music, a chinese auction, hay rides, pony rides, games, food, and a lot more. We tried our luck at the chinese auction and Big Brother got to ride a horse for the second time in a month all while Froggie slept! She woke up briefly but did spend the majority of our morning asleep in the stroller.
     I must say that I have a new found appreciation for the people I see running along the side of the road! Today's 5K was ran primarily on dirt roads and the side of the road. It's A LOT harder to run in the dirt and over rocks and dips than it is to run on the pavement. Hubby thinks he bruised his foot because he's still getting accustomed to his Vibrams.
     We did a lot of running around this afternoon and the kids were exhausted this evening. I'm finding that the more time we spend out and about the harder it is for me to stay awake in the evenings and I've been falling asleep holding Froggie quite a bit.
     Right now she's keeping me company snuggled up on the couch cushion beside me. I suppose at some point she will have to sleep in her crib but I love snuggling her so much and it's nice not to have to worry that when she wakes up to eat that she'll wake up Big Brother too.

Before the race

Our view while we ran

Running with a 2 year old can be fun

Hubby and the stroller

After the race

Showing off his shirt and shoes w/a mouth full of banana 

Waiting to ride the horse

Going for a ride

He did a great job!

Tobin's AutumnFest 2013

     We decided to make the most out of our day and headed out to another fall fest before the Steelers game started. Today's autumn fest was nice, but not as child friendly as Port Farms was yesterday. They had a bunch of local crafters and vendors set up with a few areas that were decorated and set up for the kids. Big Brother REALLY wanted to push Froggie in the umbrella stroller and despite images of him pushing her right into the pond or nearby ditches we let him. He did a great job and only needed help steering a few times. I think he was really proud of himself for pushing his baby sister. Hubby got to buy his apple cider and Big Brother picked out 2 more "little pumpkins" for he and Froggie.
     Big Brother then got to go get up close and personal with a horse! A local training camp for horses had brought four of their smaller horses out for children to ride. He said he wanted to ride but we weren't sure if he would be afraid once it was his turn. We were lucky enough to be able to let him meet the horse and have me walk alongside him while he rode. Hubby and my mom couldn't get any smiles out of him while he was in the saddle but as soon as we got off he said he wanted to get back on!

   

Big Brother pushing Froggie

Doing a good job

Picking out "baby pumpkins"

The kids and their pumpkins

Happy Froggie

Apple cider!

Meeting the horse

waiting to ride

Riding the horse

Doing great on the horse

making laps

Happy little pumpkin

Just for fun!