Puttnplay fun!

So, a lot of times things fall in our path that seem random--and we're starting to think we're just lucky.  Yesterday, in the aftermath of her party and in need of some outdoor, but not in-the-sun time, we decided to run errands. 

Leaving the Michaels, Eric drove out the exit by Home Depot, and I noticed the huge "Grand Opening" at the PuttnPlay http://www.puttnplayfuncenter.com/ and the noticeably empty parking lot--and decided we had to explore.  This went up, maybe not even a year ago--and I knew Crisha (a friend from middle school) and her family ran it (or so I'd heard), but we just hadn't made it over to check it out.

We parked and went in, and just as I'd expected, it wasn't that busy.  For one, it was almost dinner time, 2, it was about 90 degrees out, and 3, a Sunday afternoon--Memorial weekend, but 'go us!'  They informed us that the Grand Opening was actually the day before, but that we were free to go in and check things out.

Amara (and us) were literally the ONLY ONES interested in the bounce house/ giant slides.  All the other families were playing putt-putt, or using the batting/ soccer cages, etc.  (which, will be fun for a date night w/ E, but not for Amara yet :))

Amara bounced in the giant bounce house--with awesomely attached slide for quite a while.  When she needed a change, we headed to the giant slide, and up the stairs with daddy without blinking an eye.  Eric said when she got to the top, the guy had to hold her back, for fear she'd go down solo in her own lane, rather than wait to ride on his lap!

In the blink of an eye, down they came!  I couldn't believe it!  Smiles all the way down, not an ounce of hesitation--only "AGAIN"  was what I heard out of their mouth when they came to a stop.  Back up the stairs they went again, and the same thing--zipping to the bottom.  I think they only made it twice ( I can say from experience, carrying her and a burlap sack up 3 flights of stairs in the heat is exhausting!) before we decided to pack up and get in the A/C again--but we were SO happy to have stopped!

We poked our head in the party room, and glanced at the course before we headed out.  As much as I loved those places growing up, I'm sure it will be a destination for us very soon, and what a great group of folks--the place was clean, fun game room, just a nice establishment.

We will definitely be coming back, and REALLY appreciated the hospitality and opportunity to try out some new fun things with the little girl.  I told Eric, "you realize, this is the great light for all giant slides at the Lancaster fair this fall, right?"  It'll be a race now with she and the boys.  Awesome.

Happy 2nd Birthday Beanie!

Amara's birthday started off more with a whimper, than a bang.  Still in the midst of her cold, we opted to cancel her 2 yr. photos with Susie, to stay home and rest.  We stayed around the house and kept things low key--Eric and I piddled in the yard, moved the grill and replaced it with the popcorn machine, decorated, etc. 

At last, Beanie woke up just after 8:30--a relatively normal time for her...but we had no idea how the rest of the day would play out :)  We PLANNED that she'd take her nap at her usual 1 o'clock, and we'd have 2 hours to decorate, clean, etc.  HOWEVER, she missed that memo, and decided to lay in her bed and talk, or say "daaaaaaaaaaady" endlessly.  Finally, around 2 o'clock when MeMaw Jackie got here with the cake (the party started at 4), we made a game-day decision to cancel the nap--this mind you, is a HUGE deal, as she takes a 2-3 hour nap every day, when she's NOT sick, let alone how...

ANYWAY...as Grandma brought her downstairs, we quickly realized we'd already set up her gift table, tricycle, etc. so there was no turning back.  She'd spotted it.  She was on the bike in a flash, figuring out the bell Eric had installed the night before, and thoroughly enjoying it.  Seconds later, it was the doorbell--we have a guy we love to deliver our balloons--and he was here.  http://greateventz.com/home_columbus.htm  In he came with (I think) 5 dozen BEAUTIFUL balloons, in every color of the rainbow.  I always joke that you could get Amara balloons, ice, and your attention, and she's happy.

We arranged the balloons and MeMaw took Amara on a quick car-ride for lunch, to give us at least a few moments to shower, before guests arrived--what a change of plans!   The clock was ticking and then Papaw and Eric had to get started on the assembly for the extreme coaster--another surprise, they needed to get done before she got back!

Guests started arriving just after 4, and believe it or not--we were mostly ready!  Kristin helped me with the punch...papaw brought the strawberries from yesterday, MeMaw Young brought Amara's favorite mints, and everyone started celebrating and having fun!  Eric fired up the popcorn machine and the kids played in the back yard--until the Extreme coaster unveiling...at that point, we all moved to the front yard, while the kids had a blast and the adults melted in the near 90 degree sun.


Some of the kids were apprehensive at first, but after their siblings or the older kids did it, they were hooked!   A line quickly formed and they couldn't wait until it was "their turn!" a HIT!  Also a hit, was Eric's sucker tree--(flashback to the sucker tree obsession from the Easter Eggstravaganza) he was so proud of it, and KNEW Amara would love it, and she did--so did the other kids, and we had fun letting them pick suckers and get prizes too.  I am pretty sure they were all walking around with suckers in-mouth, or in-hand most of the party.

We had a cake-break, opened presents, handed out goodie bags, and the kids all played.  Amara LOVES all her presents, and I mean ALL.  We've spent the last two days playing with every single present she received, and we are so thankful that all her family and friends could share the day with her, and for the wonderful gifts! 

At the end of the day, Amara (crashed) was in bed shortly after 6--poor thing just couldn't make it.  We stayed and caught up with some of her guests for a little while, while the Grandmas' helped us start the clean up/ tear down (sorry Grandma's, it's trashed again already). 

The cheese cubes are in baggies for lunches this week, popcorn machine is back in the house, most of the balloons are on the floor.  Eric is finally about done with the punch leftovers--and the rainbow cupcakes are starting to dry out, but we can't wait till next year and the next party, and being able to share our special little girl with even more family and friends.

Picking berries

We LOVE strawberries in our house.  So much, in fact, we made Strawberry jam as our wedding favors, back in the day.  Fitting then, that we'd want to continue those traditions and share them with Amara.  I made a strawberry pie last week, and the berries were so great, we knew we wanted to go and pick more berries for Amara's party. 

After a rest and break from the heat of the zoo earlier, we headed out to Hann Farms http://hannfarms.com/ to get picking--we wanted to have some for our guests, plus another pie, fruit pizza or something like that, before they are all gone.

Amara used the bucket, while Grandpa used the hat--and we all ate them and enjoyed them...as well as the littlest picker who went after the biggest and the reddest ones :)

Granted, we had been in the sun at the zoo--and it was about a 15 minute car ride, but Amara just wasn't feeling herself.  We (quickly) picked some for her to get the feel of what she was doing and experience doing it for herself, but headed back to the car with the air on HIGH!

There were some other families coming into pick as we were leaving--and I know Amara would have enjoyed that, but we'll go again--it just wasn't in the cards for us to stay for a long time, but she enjoyed what she did, before "go home" became the mantra.

We caught a little Memorial Day/ Rush hour traffic on the ride home, but enjoyed our time outdoors.  We left Papaw in the patch to 'carry-on' our berry picking and will surely enjoy more this weekend!

Birthday zoo trip: Polar Bears

We decided to start off Amara's 2nd birthday weekend celebration similarly to how we did last year--at the zoo.  We had heard amazing things about the new polar bear exhibit, so I have to admit, I was geeked! 

Amara was actually starting to get a little Spring cold--so we debated whether or not she'd actually feel like going, but she awoke happy, and we all got dressed and headed up.  Because we didn't get there right at opening, it was already busy--but we try to go to just a few concentrated things when we do a zoo trip, so straight to the Polar Bears we went.

Back through North America, past the petting zoo, and the railroad tracks, FINALLY we got there.  We first headed underground, to the water exhibit.  It was pretty neat, because you're under the water, and can see their paws swimming about.  It was some big field trip day, so dozens of kids were standing around taking video and giving the play-by-play.  Amara loved watching the kids as much as the bears!

We headed up to the above ground observation areas, and these guys were HAMMING IT UP!  There were two AMAZING, beautiful bears.  They ran and played and were kind of tackling each other, when one took this dramatic run down the hill, up on a rock, and belly flopped into the water, right in front of us!  Then, he proceeded to get what I called his "toy box" and carry it around and swim around with it, litterally inches (and 6 inches of glass) from our face.  The sweetest (and saddest at the same time) was Amara saying "wanna jump IN, wanna get IN" because she REALLY wanted to jump in the water with the bears. 

We told her that they were so big, they might accidentally hurt her, but she didn't seem to get it, and we had to pry her away.  On the way out, we saw some beautiful black and brown bears in their new habitat, but it was too crowded to even snap a photo!

We also passed the new Arctic Fox exhibit--an apparent close cousin to our pup Ily, and of course, Amara wanted to play with them.  One was even carrying a tennis ball around, which further complicated the issue of her not being able to get in the cage and play...so we quickly moved on.

Since we'd crossed the train tracks on the way in, it was no surprise that Amara asked to ride it.  We were apprehensive because the line was QUITE long and it was getting warmer by the minute (our car said 92 degrees when we left) but we waited--and also got a ticket for the pony rides while in the line too.

The train ride was fun--though, in this pic, it's kind of sad--because you can see how sick her little face looked, but she was having fun, and was bound and determined to keep going.  She makes me feel like I can NEVER complain about being sick myself, EVER!  We saw the moose, and passed the Polar Bear exhibit, and saw a few other critters, and were quickly back at the train depot.

On to the pony rides we went.  A VERY long wait there--but we finally got to ride Socks.  Socks is a 19 year old pony, who has only been with the zoo about 5-6 years, but his handler said he'd retire in another year or 2...though, the average life-span is around 30 for them (I know, I totally irritate the workers).


We had a quick jaunt around the path.  Amara was pretty quiet, but did 'pat' him a lot--and a few times as we got off him as well.  We met up with daddy and headed out to the car.  It was quickly getting later, and we knew we had a long car ride home (not to mention this was the Friday of Memorial weekend, and the day before her party) so we just wanted to get her comfortably resting in her bed.

Last year, exiting the zoo, we got her a pink trucker hat with a monkey on the front.  This year, I had decided we really didn't need anything, so I wasn't going to stop, but Eric said "aren't we going to get her something?" :)  We hit the kidddie gift shop, and the two of them found a cute little Polar Bear, to commemorate her visit. 

She was immediately snuggling with him in the car as she and daddy watched Mickey Mouse in the back seat--so E had me snap this quick shot before we pulled out.

It was a great time and a lot of memories for all of us.  I can't wait to go back and see those guys again!  If you haven't been to the zoo lately, I tell you--it is worth the trip, JUST for those big, silly, white bears.

Congrats Kristin & Jim (and ...the flower girl)

Congratulations Kristin and Jim!  

As it always seems with events like weddings, you never end up with the pictures you thought you 'got.'  Now i understand why we pay so much to wedding photographers!  We did manage to get a few from mom and Cathy Smith to at least put a post together--Ruth also sent us some via Snapfish, but I can't seem to get them digitally...but this is the gist.

Kristin was beautiful...Amara was beautiful...but ornery :)  She made it down the aisle, with daddy's hand (I was already up at the altar) and sat with dad in the back of the sanctuary for the remainder of the ceremony.  It was very sweet :)

Quick to get outside, Amara was glad to get a snack and play with all the guests and her ribbon wand.  After pictures, she left with Grandma, Grandpa and dad, to get a break and a bite to eat.

On to the reception, she enjoyed her FAVORITE mints (courtesy Kristin and MeMaw Young), cheese, crackers, and just being the center of attention.  She was also (as this was 7 o'clock) approaching slap-happy time, as E and I call it--and was really cutting up!

She ended up with her hand in her drink, that turned into a game with me wiping her hands off, and her plunging them right back in--hey, whatever keeps her happy right?  (P.S. BOTH our dresses were headed STRAIGHT to the dry cleaners!!)

Eric was asked to give the blessing, and did an amazing job (as usual--considering this tends to be 'his role' at most family events).  Memaw and Pappaw had to get on the road with her before dinner, but they all had a great time while they were there.  In the car, the ribbon wand continued to entertain her with the windows down, hair blowing!

Eric and I enjoyed our dinner and a little family time (sans, sleeping beauty), caught up with family and enjoyed the scenery.

We all had a great time, but were glad to get home after a long day--and the bride and groom were whisking away to Punta Cana for some much needed R&R.

Best wishes to Kristin & Jim!  Thanks for including all of us and for having us be a part of your special moment.

Kickoff to Summer

Even though it's not officially Summer till late June, 2 things are always a kickoff for us--going to the boys' games, and ice cream (well--used to be for E and I ...now is a big deal for Amara too).

We headed to Windsor Park to catch up on some games.  It was catch up day on some tournament games, and there were lots of rain delays.  Having to find a way to pass the time, we stopped by the park, and on the way to the park, Amara spotted suckers at the concession stand.

Papaw too charge and got her right up to the line.  This is a VERY familiar site for us, and mom and I both grabbed for our cameras.  Tim has played on this field WAY back as far as I can remember...now the boys, so I guess you could say we've been coming to this park on and off for 40 years--and always this concession stand. 

She grabbed a sucker and a hot dog, and we headed out to the cars.  Mom got a new car that has a DVD player in it, so Amara LOVES that feature and jumped in.  On the way out--we spotted a water tower (something else Amara loves) and told her that just like the one near Grandma and Grandpa's house, it says "Grove City" on it.  She repeated back "says Grove City."  Now, every time she sees large lettering on something, she says "says Grove City!"

After a day of ballparks, getting mulch, a visit to the park, and just enjoying the weekend, we headed to UDF.  Eric and I are realizing that Grove City has a dozen or so ice cream places--and we're going to try to go to different ones.  I had noticed a sign for some new "Summer flavors," so we headed in.  I think the green was called Dinosaur egg, and the blue was Paintball or something like that.  One of them was "mine," but really--she shared between the two until she had her fill.  She did really well with them--she picked them out herself after tasting a half dozen, so we were relatively confident.  Big Summer ahead!