Back in January we decided to go somewhere we hadn’t been in about 2 years: Cedar Ridge Christian Church at 87th and Lackman in Lenexa, Kansas. They have a big carpeted room with large Little Tikes toys for kids to play around and a few tables for moms to hang out at. They used to have puzzles and books and toys, but kids probably stole them, so now the place is pretty bare.
They also have a gym that you can play in as long as it isn’t already reserved by another group (like those crazy homeschoolers or attachment parenting mamas). The gym has tables to sit at and basketballs, scooters and small ride-on toys. Some kids bring in their own Razor scooters.
There’s also a small rock wall just inside the doors of the church.
The best part for me, though, is the Parkside Café. HEAVEN! Their coffee drinks all rock, but recently I got a Peach Extreme smoothie that transported me to a tropical island, where in my mind I sat and watched episodes of The Real Housewives while sipping my magical drink.
They have no problem with you bringing food in as long as you clean up after yourself. That day we hit Aldi on the way and brought juice pouches and Lunch Buddies (a Lunchables knockoff I never let the kids get). I dropped 5 bucks on my smoothie, but it was so worth it.
Now I just want to know … where’s the coffee bar at MY church?
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
Kansas City Field Trip: Crown Center, Fritz’s, Kaleidoscope
For the last 2 years the kids and I haven’t been hitting the town like we used to. Toward the end of my pregnancy with Sam I was pretty sick (turned out to be an infection I should’ve gone to the doctor for or maybe Sam wouldn’t have been born with meconium aspiration … I’ll ask God when I’m dead).
Then having 5 kids was just a bit overwhelming as far as taking them all places, since my oldest was only 8 at the time. Whenever I’d do it, I was so proud of myself! We went to the zoo a few times and even made it to Crown Center once last fall. But Callie sleeps in, then by the time we get around Aron comes home for lunch, then Sam naps, then school is out, then it’s dinnertime. The days fly by, often without us leaving the house!
This time was different because we got to take along Jordan, who was out of school. It was a Friday in January. I love going to Crown Center because I used to work there … at Fleishman-Hillard Public Relations. My old boss, Betsey Solberg, told me on the day she canned me that I needed to “focus.” The trouble was, I was focused on having babies someday and wasn’t the best worker I could be!
So having kids for Aron and me (or is it still I?) was obviously a dream come true, and taking them to Crown Center, where I used to dream of them in advance, is always special and emotional.
Then having 5 kids was just a bit overwhelming as far as taking them all places, since my oldest was only 8 at the time. Whenever I’d do it, I was so proud of myself! We went to the zoo a few times and even made it to Crown Center once last fall. But Callie sleeps in, then by the time we get around Aron comes home for lunch, then Sam naps, then school is out, then it’s dinnertime. The days fly by, often without us leaving the house!
This time was different because we got to take along Jordan, who was out of school. It was a Friday in January. I love going to Crown Center because I used to work there … at Fleishman-Hillard Public Relations. My old boss, Betsey Solberg, told me on the day she canned me that I needed to “focus.” The trouble was, I was focused on having babies someday and wasn’t the best worker I could be!
So having kids for Aron and me (or is it still I?) was obviously a dream come true, and taking them to Crown Center, where I used to dream of them in advance, is always special and emotional.
Before you call The State on me for letting my kids play in fountains in January, keep in mind it was an unseasonably warm day! Here are some pics:
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Mommy Got to Wear Heels
A couple of weeks ago Aron and I got to go on an actual date. Our last date was in October for our anniversary, and it stunk because Michael was having OCD stuff and we went to dinner anyway and pretty much scowled at each other the whole time because we disagreed on how to handle the OCD (turns out Aron was right). Anyway, we try to go out on a date once a year whether we need to or not, so we went out recently for Valentine's Day, leaving all 5 kids in the capable hands of Jordan for TWO HOURS ... almost a record! We ate at On the Border and ran into the best boss I ever had and his awesome wife. So ... let's recap. I got to wear stretchy skinny jeans with these heels, I got to be alone with my husband, didn't have to cook, had adult conversation with other people, and none of my little people even cried while I was gone. We may just have to work this sort of thing into the budget THREE TIMES A YEAR!
How about you? Ladies, when was the last time you wore heels, or do you wear them all the time? I personally love the look of them but hate the feel. These are the only heels I own, along with my other like 5 pair of shoes. I know, I'm such a guy.
As for dating, how often do you date? My friend dates her husband weekly. Some do it annually and have a strong marriage.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
No Artificial Birth Control for Us
I don’t really think that often about the ways I’m different from regular folks (even though technically I’m a total outcast hippie freak).
Then I realize something like how I haven’t been on The Pill since 1996 (amazing how those headaches disappeared!) … .that’s 15 YEARS! This also includes nothing else going into my body or on my man’s body.
It’s a wonder we only have 5 kids, right?! (don’t forget that Natural Family Planning is NOT the old rhythm method … I’m not even going to capitalize it because it doesn’t deserve it because it failed more often than not I’m guessing).
At a cost of at least $10 per month for the Pill (actually, our copay is probably double that), I’ve saved about $1800 … so far. Natural Family Planning isn’t just good for the Catholics; it’s also good for those who want to go green, do something natural for their body and save a ton of bank!
Then I realize something like how I haven’t been on The Pill since 1996 (amazing how those headaches disappeared!) … .that’s 15 YEARS! This also includes nothing else going into my body or on my man’s body.
It’s a wonder we only have 5 kids, right?! (don’t forget that Natural Family Planning is NOT the old rhythm method … I’m not even going to capitalize it because it doesn’t deserve it because it failed more often than not I’m guessing).
At a cost of at least $10 per month for the Pill (actually, our copay is probably double that), I’ve saved about $1800 … so far. Natural Family Planning isn’t just good for the Catholics; it’s also good for those who want to go green, do something natural for their body and save a ton of bank!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Future Breastfeeders of America
January 26, 2011
Today 15-month-old Sam wanted to nurse and I was busy, so Callie lifted her shirt for him to nurse.
He looked at her funny and pulled her shirt down for her.
Then he headed back to me, saying “nay nay” (nursing), which he’s been saying for months.
Someone recently asked me if size matters when you’re nursing (his wife has big ones, apparently). Nah, size doesn’t matter. My breast is always bigger than my newborn’s head, and, amazingly enough, I haven’t smothered one yet.
Today 15-month-old Sam wanted to nurse and I was busy, so Callie lifted her shirt for him to nurse.
He looked at her funny and pulled her shirt down for her.
Then he headed back to me, saying “nay nay” (nursing), which he’s been saying for months.
Someone recently asked me if size matters when you’re nursing (his wife has big ones, apparently). Nah, size doesn’t matter. My breast is always bigger than my newborn’s head, and, amazingly enough, I haven’t smothered one yet.
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