The Simple Things: Sisters

Sometimes I think I am absolutely crazy for having the girls only 20 months apart. 

But then I watch them interact and just LOVE on each other

(even if it's only a few minutes each day)

and am so thankful that they are close in age.

They had a good time together last week in Michigan.

As shown above.

Union Pier, Michigan - This Saturday's Shout-Out

So I know at least one of you is a consistent reader because you actually missed me last week.  Ha!  No I wasn't boycotting blogging .  Yes, we went on VACATION!  Well if "vacation" means "exhausting week of chasing 3 children around a place that is definitely not childproof while also not following a routine nor normal sleeping arrangements (which was interrupted every couple of hours by a TRAIN that literally sounded like it was coming through the walls it was so close and then thunderstorms between the trains) in order to relax on the beach every day in the sun reading a book entertain aforementioned children at the beach on sunny days by enduring frigid waters/waves/sand in crotch and finding indoor activities on rainy days to keep us all sane."  Whew!

In all seriousness, we actually had a great time.  The best part of all was that the drive was only 6 hours.  Including potty breaks.  Including a lunch stop.  Including an ice cream break.  SIX HOURS door to door.  Pure Michigan.  Freaking fantastic Michigan!  We headed to Union Pier this year due to a recommendation from a close friend.  And we are happy we did.  We made it home today and now I'm unpacking, etc. 

Check back on Tuesday for my Top 10 Reasons Why Union Pier is AWESOME for Families.

Are you vacationing this summer??

Top 10 Ways My Job is Like Being a Mommy

So most of you know that I am in an HR function in the corporate world.  A small part of my job includes facilitating training programs and team-building events.  I've been doing even more of it lately due to a corporate initiative I'm in charge of and some extra StrengthsFinder  team-building workshops I've been helping departments with.  I've come to realize that training is a lot like mothering and participants are a lot like children.  Good thing I've always wanted to be a mommy.  Here are my top 10 similarities:

1. Like children, participants want and expect to be fed.  At any time of day.  Most feedback on evaluations has nothing to do with program content, the facilitator, etc.  No, it is ALWAYS about food - too little, more needed, not the right kind, etc.  (And second place always goes to room temperature - too hot, too cold, etc.)
2. Participants need toys to play with in order to pay attention.  We HR folk like to call these "finger fidgets" as shown above.  Because it sounds less motherly than toys, that's why.
3. Participants need potty breaks.  Every 2 hours just like toddlers.
4. Just like infants and toddlers never seem to want to conform to your schedule (poopy diaper when you are walking out the door and already late) participants never seem to understand the START time of a training class.  They stroll in 10 minutes late without any concern for your agenda.
5. And just like kids who always ask "Are we there yet?", participants have their own questions which they always ask right from the start..."Will this really go until (enter scheduled end time)?" or "What time will we really finish?" or "How early will we get out?" and just like "Are we there yet?" they repeat it at every break.
6. As an instructor you have to repeat directions and key points over and over and over.  Because participants don't listen.  DO YOU HEAR ME??
7. Give participants markers and paper and yes, they will color and draw pictures.  Happily.  Coloring and drawing makes everyone happy...toddlers, kids, adults, etc.
8. Did I mention food?  Remember #1?  They also expect CANDY.  And lots of it.  And nothing is worse for people than a sugar rush and then crash at 3:00 PM.
9. Participants ask a lot of questions.  And sometimes I have to admit to not knowing the answers...just like with my kids.
10. Participants almost always leave a mess behind.  I always wonder who on earth they think is going to clean up after them?  And then I find myself throwing away candy wrappers, dumping drinks, and cleaning up the papers they left behind.  Did their mommas not teach them better?  Seriously?  I wear the hat of a corporate facilitator...not their housekeeper.

And guess who makes the WORST participants of all???  Facilitators!!!  I'm guilty of a few of those above myself when the role is reversed.

Polar Water Bottles - This Saturday's Shout-Out

So, remember on Wednesday when I clued you in about cycling?  That's when I learned about Polar Water Bottles.  I love them.  They will keep stuff cold almost forever.  And now they come in all sorts of cool patterns and colors.  I got a pink one a few months ago.  Not because I was thinking of riding my bike again.  Of course not.  Because I went to the bike store to pick up something for Charlotte and BAM! right in front of me was a PINK! water bottle.  All of ours were getting old and YUCK so I didn't hesitate to grab that pink one.  And I got an orange one for Andy.  Everything is a bit better with a splash of color.

Say What??

So I just jumped through a TON of hoops and red tape in order to babysit my BFF's foster child.  Part of this process included finger prints, background checks, etc.  And one important document was being delayed by months due to cut-backs, etc.  So I FINALLY got the final paper about a week or so ago and glanced at it.  Then could not believe my eyes.  Remember, this was REQUIRED to be an official foster care babysitter.  Can you squint your eyes and read the last paragraph?

"The Central Registry was not designed to be used as an applicant screening device (for child care related employment or volunteer work, or for foster care)...blah, blah, blah...and should not be used for this purpose."

Say WHAT?  Seems contradictory to me.  But now I'm all official and stuff.  Funny how the BFF waited until I did all of the paperwork before adding the foster child's sister to the picture.  I'm officially crazy for watching her 4-5 kids whenever she needs!

At What Point Do They Revoke My Mommy-Card?

Moms are tired, exhausted and constantly multi-tasking while trying to do their best in front of everyone.  Every day.  But sometimes we fail and we need to fess up and let other moms know that it's ok to make mistakes...here's my most recent failure.

Thursday nights are busy at our house...straight from work to daycare to home to swim lessons by 6:00.  The "home" part is always the tricky part.  I try to get out of work early enough to be able to sit the kids down at the table for a quick dinner before loading up for the pool.  However, that plan doesn't always work.  Take tonight as an example.  I was cruising on time and then WHAM! the construction that normally ends by 4:30 was still going strong causing a one-lane closure near daycare causing a late momma.  As time ticked by I knew I was not going to get dinner at the table tonight.  However, I wasn't angry because I was in my AC in the van while the fully clothed cop directed traffic while dripping sweat in the 100+ weather.

So, it suddenly became "treat" night as I turned into McD's which is so conveniently located right next to daycare.  This happens probably twice a month...my kids getting McD's...so I knew they would be thrilled with Happy Meals for dinner.  I ran into daycare, snatched them up, and headed home to get the swim bags.  We've done this before...they sit in the car in the garage and finish the Happy Meal while mom grabs the bags, grabs dinner for Henry and waits for dad to pull in.  No. Big. Deal.   Usually I keep the van door open and the door between house/garage open so I can hear/see from the kitchen since they love to bicker, etc..  I chose to keep the car doors shut today because the garage was sweltering and I wanted to keep them as cool as possible in the AC and they were as happy as could be chomping on their McD's.

So I was gone all of 5 minutes and back I returned to find Stella in absolute hysterics.  And Charlotte grinning ear to ear. 

Conversation:

Me, the mommy - Stella, what is the matter?
Stella - Charlotte...fed...Henry...her...cheeseburger (through SOBS)!
Me - What?  (Thinking I heard wrong, but immediately looking from Charlotte to Henry who seems unphased - he sits next to her in the car.)
Stella - I was so, SO mad.  She fed him and I told her not to. (More sobs)
Charlotte (Big grin) - Henry want more...He like it!
Me - WHAT? (Thinking WTF? What have I done? Why did it never cross my mind she could do this?)
Me - Charlotte, WHAT did you feed him?
Charlotte - Some bun.  He hungry.

Yikes. Strike (insert some number larger than it should be) against mommy.  Lesson learned.  No more unattended kids in the car for 5 seconds let alone 5 minutes.  Thank you so much Grandma Dot and Grandma Virginia for being our guardian Angels today and watching over Henry while he had his first taste of McD's. 

For the record...he did smile, so I'm guessing he was thinking "I'm lovin' it!" in good ol' McD's fashion.

Whatcha Might Not Know...Cycling

This summer I am teaching my 4-year-old how to ride a bike.  I, however, have not been an active cyclist in many years.  Some of you know that Andy and I have road bikes and he still rides when he can (usually on the weekends).  But my poor bike is collecting dust in the basement.  It's not that I don't want to ride it, but life gets in the way.  Mainly, I don't prefer to ride alone and now-a-days Andy and I going out on an hour ride together just isn't in the picture.  So if I get a chance make the effort to exercise, I am on the treadmill or head outside for a walk/run.  Which, again, has not been happening lately due to numerous excuses reasons and I am realizing how much I miss it and need it.

This photo was taken way back in May 2005 during my longest ride.  Andy and I went to Longleaf Trace on our way to New Orleans.  We biked 72...yep, SEVENTY-TWO miles in one day.  And on purpose.  It was awesome!

A Sunday of Doing



Sunday was a day filled with decisions:

Eating donuts with the kids OR Eating at the computer

Catching bugs in the yard OR Catching up on laundry

Filling the baby pool and watching them splash OR Filling the dishwasher

Creating pictures in chalk on the driveway OR Creating the grocery list

Going down the slip 'n slide with my clothes on OR Going on errands

Eating a picnic lunch on the patio OR Eating while standing in the kitchen

Cleaning out the flower gardens with the girls OR Cleaning out the dining room

Running through the sprinkler OR Running even more errands

Fixing pretend mud milkshakes OR Fixing dinner on time

Having a dance party in the yard OR Having a fit over a mess (called our house)

I'm happy to report my house is in shambles and

NOTHING on the "to-do" list got accomplished.

But, boy oh boy, memories were made!

It was personally difficult to watch none of the "chores" get accomplished especially knowing I'd be at work today.  However, I kept thinking of this quote below that Mary Lauren pinned on Pinterest (from THIS blog). 

Thanks for the reminder: MUST KEEP DOING and treasure it!

GNO Anyone?

Anyone else do a regular Girls Night Out?  Some of you know (much better than others) that I am a planner by nature.  I always seem to be planning something.  One of these things happens to be my "local" Girls Night Out.  I say "local" because on the invite list is basically neighbors and other women living within a close proximity.  Lately we've been frequenting Dewey's Pizza.  And we've been having so much fun that the past two times we've shut the place down. On a Sunday night.  Closing time is 10:00.  Go us.  Never really thought of Dewey's as a place for a 4-hour dinner until now!

As much as I adore my husband and my children, I need time alone.  Time away from them.  But also time away from work.  Because, yes, I get to go there and be alone during the week and speak to adults and drink my chai tea in peace and eat my entire lunch in one sitting, but it's just not the same as GNO. 

What I really love about it is the diversity of the group.  About 20 women are on the invite list and it's usually a different mixture of 5-6 that actually show up...some are college friends, some daycare friends and some neighbors and some that have just been brought along by one of the aforementioned and then get added to the list...most with kids the same ages dealing with the same issues.  So it's our time to share stories, ask advice and escape it all while enjoying a glass of wine (or 2), a great salad and some spectacular pizza.

(Sadly tonight over half of us also hit the grocery store afterwards before going home.  Because we are still moms after all.  And people will expect milk on their cereal in the morning.  So that chai tea will be much needed for me in the morning.)

Bandolino - This Saturday's Shout-Out

I am business casual at work every day.  And therefore, I am in dress shoes - often heels.  Bandolino are by far my absolute favorite brand of shoes.  People thought I was CRAZY for wearing heels while 9 months pregnant.  But to me, Bandolinos are SO comfortable.  For real.  My feet just sing with happiness when they are wearing them.  So I generally look for the brown box with the pink lid when shopping.  We just recently have gotten the approval for open-toe at work so this summer has been so much more fun with shoes.

However, I tend to be much more traditional in style.  I see lots of shoes I love but just wouldn't have the guts to wear.  Therefore, most likely, my next pair will be one of the six above (pictures from Zappos).

Speaking of...anyone use Zappos? Where do you shop for shoes? Recently I've been stopping in DSW or Marshall's to find my Bandolinos.

Oh Baby!

I am happy to report that my close friend had her sweet baby girl today!  I have not yet had a chance to snuggle her in my arms...but that time will be here in a day or two.  Speaking of babies...let's talk about baby showers.  And sprinkles.  And diaper dumps.  And sip-and-sees.  Please comment - someone is looking for some advice.

I find it so interesting that we generally follow our "regional" norm or family traditions, etc. when it comes to celebrating the announcement/birth/arrival of a new baby.  Here are some definitions based upon my personal experiences.

Baby Shower = 1) Generally a great reason for a gaggle of women to get together and ogle over an emotional and fat and clueless woman (who can't drink) while saying "aaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwww" while teeny-tiny pastel items are passed around the room and every gift is accompanied by a receiving blanket (which is why you NEVER register for receiving blankets).  Ok, so that might be an exaggeration.  Or might not.  2) How about...a gathering celebrating the arrival of a couple's first child.  Typically thrown by a family member or close friend.  The couple often has 3-4 of these (mom-to-be side of family, dad-to-be side of family, co-workers luncheons, close friends, etc.).  Can be extremely overwhelming to the parents-to-be..."WTF do we do with this stuff?  And what the heck is (insert odd baby gadget here)?  Google it!"  Can be EXTREMELY awkward/sad/emotional for that one person invited that is trying to get pregnant but not having any luck.  Can be boring for younger women who are years away from considering babies.  Can be a comedy show for moms who already have 1+ children or older women..."hahaha...I remember when I was pregnant with my first and CLUELESS.  We didn't need (insert newly invented contraption) when I had a baby.  These girls have it easy now-a-days."  Can involve RIDICULOUS baby "games"...guess the jarred baby food, drink out of the baby bottle, guess circumference of the pregnant belly, guess which candy bar was melted in the diaper and now looks like poo (but smells awesomely like chocolate and peanut butter), etc.  However, all of this is often much appreciated by the expecting mom. 3) That event at work that sucks $5-20 from your wallet or your spouse's wallet over and over and over again to contribute to a department gift.  Especially fun when it's for a male co-worker who then has to open gifts and try to hide the puzzled look over and over and over again.

Sprinkle = Typically held for a pregnant woman having her 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc. baby.  It's a down-scaled "shower".  Meaning guest lists and gifts are often down-scaled...instead of swings, strollers, high chairs, etc. (already received for baby #1) the gifts are more focused on new clothes, blankets, burp cloths, books, toys, etc.  Not too common here (that I'm aware of) unless there is a big gap between the expected baby and the last child born OR if gender is different this time around.

Diaper Dump = Held for a pregnant woman where specifically diapers and wipes are requested.  Again, common for 2nd, 3rd, 4th baby where the assumption is that the necessities are already covered.  Often thrown as a SURPRISE event here.

Sip and See = I only discovered this concept when living in Birmingham.  Apparently this is the norm in the south.  Once the baby has been born there is a party to meet the new arrival.  People sit around and "sip" some drink while they "see" the new baby.  And I believe this is common for every child born...not just the first.

Here in Cincinnati and in my circle of friends I've mostly been to Baby Showers as defined above.  I've been to very few Sprinkles and I've thrown a Diaper Dump for someone having her third child.  Personally, I had one Baby Shower for Stella (photos above).  It was LARGE because I included both sides of the family and friends and I opted to have it at my own house (because I didn't want to have to tote the gifts back home...why not just open them at home and show everyone the nursery??  No worries, I was not involved in any planning or preparing.).  I really enjoyed it and I LOVED the fact that everyone (unknown to me) was asked to contribute a book for the baby's library and sign it instead of buying a greeting card.  I will say that I received a TON of gifts when Charlotte was born and I was shocked.  Especially since she came so soon after Stella and was, yet again, a girl.  There were even LOTS of gifts for Big Sister Stella.  And meals delivered.  However, when Henry was born the gift-receiving and meals dropped off tremendously.  We did get a lot of cute boy-focused items, but not as many as with baby #1 and baby #2.  And nothing was even expected so it was still all appreciated...particularly the blue items!

So, what have you experienced?  Is it ok to have some sort of party (call it whatever) for EVERY new baby?  Or is the 1st born "traditional" baby shower enough?

I find it odd that often it's considered "rude" or so abnormal/taboo to have an event for babies 2, 3, 4, etc.  (First of all, don't we shower a bride-to-be with a shower gift and then turn around and purchase a wedding gift?  And sometimes a bachelorette party gift and housewarming gift?)  Ok, so back to kids.  Don't we celebrate a child's birthday every year...over and over and over?  And generally ask the same people to buy gifts for said birthday over and over and over?  So shouldn't every baby be celebrated before/after his/her birth?  Is it taboo because generally gifts are tied to the event and there are already kids in the picture?  Is it because of baby registeries?  Did some repeat mommies out there re-register for EVERYTHING and ruin it for everyone?  And therefore, the pregnant mommy looks selfish?  Someone explain this to me.

I'll admit I didn't have any event for Charlotte or Henry because I didn't want people to see it as a call for more gifts.  So how do you overcome the stigma?  And just celebrate this awesome occasion?  I always make it a point to at least send a gift to all new babies of friends and family.  (Now, if I missed your 2, 3, or 4th child...FORGIVE me.  I meant to...but if you had that child during some chaos point at my house...the action might have slipped through the cracks.  And if you just had a baby within the last 6 months...I've still got time and you're on my list!)

This topic was specifically requested from someone who wants to see others' opinions, so please comment.  She's trying to decide on how to handle her own situation with baby #3 due to arrive in the coming months.  I say CELEBRATE! 

It Comes in Threes

(Today Andy is Embracing the Camera...just go with it, dear!)

Three blind mice...three Wise Men...three little pigs...three Musketeers...

You've all heard things that come in threes.  Well, this week it is BABIES!!  Lots of babies born this week in my world.  First, a sweet baby boy over the weekend to a friend I haven't seen in YEARS...sadly I still need to meet her two girls.  Then a sweet baby girl was born to a new mom and past co-worker in the early hours of today.  I am so excited to start reading her motherhood stories.  Both of these new babies are far, far away, but I will definitely enjoy them through pictures, emails, blog posts, and FB statuses/photos.

AND...a very close friend is about to have her third baby as well today or tomorrow.  I am extremely anxious about this little girl arriving because I can cuddle her up in my arms soon. 

Knowing the full details of one of the birth stories and thinking about all three of them in labor this week has solidified the fact that I NEVER want to do it again.   So apparently, things will come in threes in our house as well!

Blessings to all of them!

Whatcha Might Not Know...Gas Station Ice Cream

<Whatcha Might Not Know are Wednesday posts that are just that...something quick that you may or may not know about me, my family, my neighborhood, my city, my world, etc.>

So here in Cincinnati, we love our ice cream.  And we have LOTS of local choices, regional choices, and even "regular" grocery store choices.  The hubby LOVES ice cream.  And although we ate it as a child, I would generally rather have a cookie or a brownie growing up.  Until I got married.  Then his love of ice cream slowly trickled over into my love of ice cream.  When we first lived in Birmingham and were repainting the inside of our entire house and worked late each night...dinner was often a scoop or two of Bruster's ice cream that was new to us (none in Cincy at the time, but ironically one opened near our current house right after we moved back) and way too close to our new house. 

One of my current favorites?  You get it at the gas station.  Yep.  It's true.  Fill up your tank and grab an ice cream cone.  For some of you that aren't local (but you may have had the Homemade brand ice cream by the same folks), it may cause you to go, "Huh?"  And yes, I typically won't eat gas station food.  Am I just being snobby?  No.  After one horrifically bad stomach experience after eating at a Subway in a BP in Nashville we swore off gas station food for life...other than the packaged convenience store food/drinks during road trips.  Because how do you survive road trips without a Code Red Mountain Dew and some Peanut M&Ms?? 

But after moving back to Cincinnati, into the UDF convenience store at the gas station I went.  Happily.  Giddily.  And even the girls now scream "UDF!" when we pass one.  Because many of them do actually have ice-cream-parlor-like seating which is a popular father-daughter weekend afternoon date at our house.  But you are still inside a GAS STATION.

My favorites?  All-year long?  My #1 Go-To?  Mini PB Cups & Fudge.  Summer seasonal?  Peach.  Homemade brand?  Black Raspberry Chip.  But I also love some Graeter's (almost too rich for Andy and HOLY COW LaRosa's even delivers it now with your pizza), Dairy Queen, and a good Steak 'n Shake milkshake.  I just feel the brain freeze coming on already.

So every now and then we run to the gas station for a pint or two...a special treat.  Monday night I went on a "run" after the kids were in bed (you didn't expect me to share a pint, did you?).  Then last night I went to toss my empty pint of PB Fudge yumminess into the garbage and noticed this:

Oh no, Marshall.  Many thanks to YOU.  Eaten with pride by Tricia.  Every last spoonful.  Now I'm off to exercise...to start on the peach.

What's your favorite ice cream brand?  Flavor?

Top 10 Writer's Block...It's Been a LONG Day

Yesterday was my day off and although we got a lot accomplished, (Stella's 4-year vaccinations, Henry's first eye appointment, Krogering, Costco, Slip 'n Slide party with the neighbor, etc.) that meant that TODAY was my Monday back in corporate.  Argh.

And it was a busy one...an 11-hour one.  Double ARGH.  So instead of having great ideas for today's Top 10 Tuesday, my mind just couldn't pull it together.  I was facilitating a 4-hour workshop tonight on Competencies and felt pretty incompetent.  What 10 things to blog?  Current favorite TV shows?  Top 10 Celebrity Crushes?  (Only got 6 on paper so far...seriously, mind = mush.) And then there's the topic of baby showers floating in my head due to a suggestion/question from a friend...tried to turn that one into a Top 10, but failed.   (But baby shower post soon to come this week!)  So, no Top 10 this week.  But if you have ideas for future topics, let me know.

What else was clouding my mind today?  Babies in restaurants...or the banning of them.  Click HERE for this hot topic today.  A restaurant is banning kids aged 6 and under.  I've got many thoughts around this one, but not the energy to put structure to it.  Basically, more power to them.  It's my right to choose not to go there.  But I probably would!  A dinner without kids?  HEAVENLY.  As always, the comments are most amusing.  BUT, more importantly, that article led me to this ABSURD article...click HERE.  Seriously?  SERIOUSLY? 

But the biggest time sucker (notice, I didn't say WASTER), has been my discovery of this great blog:

Seriously, go to it and start from the beginning.  Click HERE for the first post.  And then work your way forwards from January until now.  I just finished March and am loving post after post after post.  This gal is brave, insane (in a I-can't-believe-she's-choosing-to-do-"insert blog topic" kind of way), funny, and down to earth.  It's honestly like reading a great book you just can't put down...but she's living it and telling the story day by day and so I'm climbing into bed with the iPad night after night instead of working on that stack of actual books by my bed.  Have you clicked over yet? Do it.  But definitely come back.

And for all of those great bloggers that had their heads together today...check out their lists by clicking below...I always find one or two titles I just can't refuse...generally followed by great content on the other side of the click.

And Right There at Target...A Miracle Happened

Not too long ago Stella and I ran to our local Target for two items...shown above.  What?  Don't all moms write their "lists" in crayon? 

Anyway, as we entered, I remembered seeing a shirt I liked in the weekly ad so I detoured and grabbed one.  Then I heard, "But mom, it's not on the list."  Busted.  By my (then) 3-year-old.  First thought?  Damn it...who the hell taught her to read?  Second thought?  Why did I give her the list to hold?  Third thought.  And who sticks to a list?

I truly never was a fan of Target until we lived in Birmingham and had an actual "Super" Target...which we don't have here in Cincinnati.  I fell in love and it pretty much stuck even though the stores here are truly no comparison to a SUPER Target.  Currently, what really gets me is the $1 bin.  Or the $20 bin once I've been through it. 

So today after only spending $50 at Costco (I know!  First miracle because I NEVER get out of there less than $100.) I managed to go into a Target, look around and LEAVE.  I was in shock.  My cart was EMPTY.  They didn't have what I was looking for and I went straight by the $1 bin without stopping. 

And do you know why?  Because I had all three kids with me.  Definitely enough to shorten a trip and get out of there as quickly as possible.  Don't see what the big deal is?  Borrow 2 toddlers and an infant, go to Costco, then stop at Target right before lunch and naps.  Try it.  Then report back.  If you are still ALIVE.

So what's your favorite Target-like place to shop?  And if it's Target, does the $1 bin get you to?  I know some of you are going to camp out for the opening of the new one on Hunt Road this fall...fess up!

The Simple Things: Pouty Face

This girl keeps us on our toes with her 2-year-old mood swings.

And she definitely lives out her middle child status.

But then she smiles and giggles and melts your heart.

 

Puddle Jumpers - This Saturday's Shout-Out

I've read LOTS of things that are against the use of water wings, swimmies, floaties, or whatever you want to call them.  The biggest "against" being that they provide a false sense of security and some swear that the child will never learn to swim without them, etc. 

Both of my girls are in swim lessons every week at a great place.  However, neither one of them can swim alone yet.  My oldest is not a fan of getting her face wet.  Kind of a problem since swimming involves...wait for it...WATER.  But she's been doing better lately.  My youngest is a FISH.

While in Florida this past weekend I picked up two things at Target...a pool noodle and some Puddle Jumpers.  Swim lessons use the pool noodle with the oldest so she loved being able to use that in the pool on our trip.  Now the noodle is DEFINITELY NOT a reliable flotation device, but Stella was used to it, loves it, and someone was always right there with her.

The Puddle Jumpers were a life saver for the youngest.  Although someone was ALWAYS within an arm's reach of her, she had the freedom to kick and swim and jump off the steps all on her own.  AND it gave me the ability to take both kids to the pool by myself one afternoon.

So if you are looking for a great option for your toddler, I highly recommend it.  At $17.99 it's more expensive than the $5 blow-up water wings.  BUT for a few hours at the pool (again, by myself with a 2 AND 4 year old), it was well worth it.  And it's even a Coast Guard approved life jacket.

And, just to throw this in there for you "false sense of security" folks...I made both of them see what would happen WITHOUT the floaties...yep, they know what it feels like to SINK.