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New pond farm | REDDING, CT

7/8/2021

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We found this little gem online and decided to visit. Cows were the main draw, but we went while an art show was going on and auction and all these fun summer activities! They have an entire building for art and culture exhibits and although that's not a draw for us, it's pretty great to expand sometimes. 

They have a ton of cows! They're very well kept and have their own rolling pastures. The hills and trees and mountains were gorgeous. The views alone made it a cool outing for me. There was two little baby cows that had been born about a month prior and inside the barn was about a dozen cows. They were inside because the flies were out. 

There's not much and it's more farm than attraction which is completely fine. The animals were all free ranging in their fields and we didn't get to see the sheep because they were so far out on the hill and we weren't about to hike that far. The owner recommended coming back in the afternoon because it was typically cooler and the animals were moved and fed at that time.

They also have a reptile area we didn't see because of the garden show festivities, but she said that they had snakes, various frogs, different lizards, and more. Lincoln would love that I'm sure!


Definitely a see if you like traditional farms, kind people who will give you lots of fun info on the animals and farm itself, and a quick trip to pet a cow, see endless chickens, and look to the hills for sheep!
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RIDGEFIELD PARKS & REC

7/8/2021

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RIDGEFIELD Parks and Rec playground has tons of little nooks to explore and plenty of space to grow into! Easy to make a day of fun and lots to climb, run, and jump on!

What I liked most was the room to run! There was a ton of stairs, climbers, rock walls, and ramps to run up and down and make quick turns and stops.

While Lincoln was able to do a lot of the equipment, there was a few climbing areas that he was too short or not really willing to try yet! It didn't deter from how much fun they had, in fact, it'll probably help that eventually they can do these spaces.

The equipment is metal but not too hot (we went on an 88 degree day!) and honestly all of it had siding so I didn't worry about kids falling off or getting hurt while they ran.

Overall, a super fun public playground with lots of space to run your energy out and explore new skills. Definitely a must play if you're in this area!

🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳
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SKYZONE | Norwalk, CT

7/8/2021

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NORWALK Sky Zone was an amazing hour of exercise, for all of us! They offer a "little learners" time on Saturday and Sunday from 9-11 and this was perfect for our family. It was quiet, no big kids to worry about, and lots of space to explore.

I feel like we didn't even get to see the entire facility because the little nooks weren't easy to see. Anything trampolines and ropes and balance beams was there! While some areas were definitely not for this aged kids, it's nice knowing that they'll grow into the harder courses.

Since we went during a quiet time, everything appeared super clean and well kept up. The toddler area had foam pieces that had clearly been bitten into but not dirty at all. They had sanitizing stations all over and attendants walking the building at all times. It felt safe and clean and easy to not run into others if you didn't want to.

So impressed and so happy the kids enjoyed it because we were worried they might be too little. Not the case! We loved it and the second we got in the car Lincoln said "that's a good place!"

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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Working for Care

7/8/2021

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How is it possible that two working adults can barely afford an early education for their children? Without a doubt, if I wasn't already in the profession of working in childcare, I would be a stay at home mom simply due to the fact that quality childcare is so damn expensive. I get a pretty sweet discount and still, barely make enough for groceries for the month. 

So, why do it?

The alternative is staying at home with both kids, maybe taking classes like music and gymnastics (probably virtually thanks to COVID), and doing things the enrich them at home. All manageable and doable, millions stay at home moms figure it out.
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Big 3-0

5/30/2021

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I hit a huge birthday milestone this week and while I'm excited to have hit a new decade, big thirty years old, and set some goals for myself and keep trekking on, I'm feeling a little weird about it. After all, I never really care much for numbers or big celebrations or the meaning of certain dates and birthdays. It's not that I don't care, I just don't see a singular day as defining or changing anything. 

But that's beside the point. 

I turned thirty and just felt weird, and different, and changed. I feel like a huge chunk of my life has passed and while I've accomplished a ton of things I really really wanted to, I don't feel done. And while I know I still have a long ways to go, I feel like time is running out for certain boxes I'd  like to tick. 
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Default Parenting

3/8/2021

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I’m going to rattle off some super basic parenting questions. Answer them honestly, and then we’ll talk default parent and what that really means (to me, at least). Here’s the thing, you either know exactly what I’m talking about, or you don’t. And there’s no shame on being a default parent or not. It is what it is and each role in parenting carries different perks and negatives. Here are some scenarios:

It’s 7 pm, kids are down and you need toothpaste. Do you A. Run out and get it or B. Ask someone to pick it up?

Your child gets a cut at school. Does the school call you first?

Schools out, snow day! Who’s the parent to stay home with them without much thought?

It’s 2:30 am and the baby is screaming in their bed. Do you jolt awake in bed or slumber through?
​

Doctor’s appointment and it’s time to fill out the forms…Do you have their information memorized or are you texting to find out answers?
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Snowy Construction Site

2/24/2021

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Sometimes when it's too cold to go outside, you have to bring the elements in! My two year old is obsessed with trucks and has been for a long time. We used a square sensory bin to make a snow site and added in various sized construction vehicles. 

To engage my younger toddler, 1 year old, I added in stacking cups in various sizes to fill and dump to create snow castles and boxes. 

One thing that's great to focus on for this activity is filling and dumping. And if you have a toddler, you know that they love dumping. The cups provide a productive way to fill that's fun for all ages.
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Power of The Outdoors

2/24/2021

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Quarantine was rough for us and a major factor was the fact that there was a newborn at home. With any newborn, there's a feeling of being stuck and not being able to go wherever you want. You're very much strapped down to a feeding and sleeping schedule, rinse and repeat. Despite the collic and endless wakings at night, I really found my footing in this mom of two being stuck at home life by getting outside. 

March in New England is still cold. It snows sometimes, is generally wet, and really not a great experience if you didn't have to go out. But once I made it a part of my daily routine to get outside in same way, shape, or form, my mood change and my mindset lifted.
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Layla's birth story

2/8/2021

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The quick facts:
December 2019, 7:12 pm
8lb 3 oz
20.25 inches long
8 hrs active labor
Vaginal delivery at the hospital
Epidural

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Potty Training | Week Two

1/28/2021

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It's official! We have a potty trained two year old boy and I don't know how to be more EXCITED for him! After a rough week one, we figured out a solution and he's been rocking it. Not a single accident (except a little dribble when I was cooking in the kitchen) and not a single tear all week long. The happy guy is back and so PROUD of himself.

​Here's how the past two weeks went down...
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