Minivan Problems (and KidzCanDesign giveaway)

We picked up the new minivan last week, and we are LOVING it.  The only issue that I am having a hard time with is the key.  I know it sounds ridiculous, but my old car had a keyless entry system with push button start, and leaving my keys in the bottom of my diaperbag/schoolbag/purse for 5 years has made me a very lazy girl.  

At least once a day I walk up to my car and wonder why it won't just open- which is especially embarrassing when driving coworkers out to lunch (I've got two car seats and everyone can still fit in! Woohoo!)  Baby brain + new, kinda important thing to remember = I HAVE to make my keys easy to find/something I don't mind having in my hand all the time.

Enter KidzCanDeisgn.  They specialize in converting your child's work of art (or photos, handprints, etc.) into a high quality, sterling silver, custom piece of jewelry.  When I was approached to review a product by KidzCanDesign, I knew right away I would chose a keychain.  And I knew right away the piece of art I wanted to use.  

JD painted this picture a while ago and described it to me and "Mommy and Keith holding hands and happy."  For anyone who's read or spoken with me about my divorce, you know that JD was very sensitive to my feelings- and especially concerned about my happiness level. It brought me to tears to know that he saw me as happy in my and Keith's relationship.  I framed it, and it has hung in our bedroom since.

The KidzCanDesign process was extremely user friendly.  I simply chose my item and uploaded a picture of the artwork.  Their site is full of beautiful examples to give you ideas of what you can have done.

I can imagine the kids would love getting a pendant made of some of their own artwork someday, too!

The final piece arrived beautifully packaged (think great gift idea for grandma or a special friend), and I am so happy with how it came out!  The quality really is great, and it still captures the feeling of JD's art.

Now for the fun part: We are giving a KidzCanDesign item away to a lucky reader, and they will get to design their own special piece!  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I was given the keychain for free for the purpose of this review.

Friday Favorite: One-On-One

I promise I won't play the Single, Working Mom Card often here, but when it comes to spending time with JD or O alone, it's pretty much impossible lately.  During the school year, I'm working most of their waking hours, and even then I only have every other weekend to look forward to.  There is no taking just one on an errand or to a special event without finding child care for the other.  And leaving one behind with a babysitter when I have such little, precious time with them leads to some guilt- not to mention the extra expense.

But I know it's important to have a relationship with them as individuals and take time with each to know them in that way.  So this summer I've taken advantage of my time away from work to have a little one-on-one.  

JD will sometimes ask to do things without his brother, so I knew he would welcome it.  I was a little more concerned about how O would handle it since he idolizes and depends on his brother much more. When I talked to O about having a "Mommy and O Day", he would add, "and JD". He seemed genuinely concerned about being away from his brother and not interested in enjoying undivided attention.  I planned a simple afternoon running errands so we could just go home if it truly upset him.  But when I was strapping him in the car to leave, he was giddy and kept repeating, "Mommy and O Day! Mommy and O Day"!

Shopping with mini carts doesn't go as well when 2 boys are fighting over them or treating them like bumper cars.

He was allowed to fill his cart with whatever he wanted.  He made sure to go down each aisle slowly.

The kid likes fruit and things that come in orange packaging.

I couldn't have imagined it better.  He was more independent and conversational than I would have guessed.  I learned so much about him as a little person that afternoon, it made me feel so guilty about not giving him that time sooner.  And after a little more than an hour out around town, he asked to go back to his brother, so we headed home.  We will be doing that again soon!

JD was much more excited about his time, and I knew he could handle a bigger outing.  We love going to the city, but JD usually has to compromise what he wants to do because of what works with O's schedule, or some things are just too hard/stressful with both kids by myself.  This trip with just the two of us was a treat.

Off to a great start when we got to sit by the Avengers on the train.

Playgrounds are so fun when your grownup can follow you wherever you want to go.

His wish was to come back again.  (I still laugh when I think about the first time he threw pennies into this fountain.)

He really enjoyed the art installation at Madison Square Park.  He followed it around the entire park and asked me to read each sign.

Two very awesome days!  And I'm guessing giving each a little one-on-one with our babysitter was good for them too.  I don't need reminders that they are different children with different needs and interests (I battle that each day), but giving them each a little special mommy time is something I need to get better at.  If you have more than one child, how do you balance it?

Have I Told You Lately That I Love... Our Children's Museum?

Over a year ago, I wrote about how awesome our local children's museum is.  (Go check it out. JD is a cute, little chubby thing!)  We've totally loved our membership to the Long Island Children's Museum, and we enjoyed an especially awesome day there last Friday with a couple good friends.  There is so much going on there that we hadn't taken advantage of yet!


Long Island Parent Source sent me to the LICM to review the museum's early childhood music program, and we very happily accepted the passes to see one of our favorite local musicians, Darlene Graham.  

wooohooo!

O was shouting "UP" and "DOWN".

We left the museum after exploring the first floor exhibits to grab some lunch at the Student Center of my alma mater, Hofstra.  Our friend Sonia's daddy is an alumnus also, so the kids thought this was so cool.

Thank goodness I have 15 years before I actually have to worry about him going to college.

Then it was back to the museum for a puppet show performance of Goldilocks & the Three Bears.  One of the puppeteers is a former student of mine and my friend, Heather, and it was so fun to see him perform!

O demanded to sit behind us all by himself.

JD giggled throughout the entire show.  Best sound in the world! 

After the show, we explored the new art exhibit.

The kids stepped into some famous works.

O's favorite animal lately is PIGS!

Upstairs, we spent a lot of time in the Feasts for Beasts gallery where we saw turtles, snakes, rats, and a beehive up close & personal.

This hive had an opening through the window, so we could watch them come and go from the museum.

Maybe they'll build me a patio someday.

We finished up the day with a walk over to Nunley's Carousel- a beautiful restored wooden carousel originally built in 1912.

I definitely need to get better at checking the events calendar for the museum so we don't miss more awesome days like this!

Best Play Date Ever

I knew this play date was going to be a success from the moment JD stepped out of the car onto the gravel driveway and exclaimed, "They have rocks here?!  I LOVE THIS PLACE!"


A little drizzle didn't stop us from swimming, sliding, and making personal pizzas with our friends.  A great time was had by all!

swimmin' in the rain, just swimmin' in the rain...

Straight-out-the-hose, cold water didn't deter O.  JD wasn't as brave.

Perfect outdoor play date lunch activity- especially when wearing swimsuits: English muffin pizza!  O did a great job all by himself! 

Somebody loves cheese.

It is no surprise that my friend is an elementary school teacher- she was such a fun & patient host to my little guys.  And her kids are equally charming and imaginative.  I have to start thinking of fun things to do when I host them... any ideas out there?  I guess I should go look at all those things I've been pinning.