Great (Free) Weekend Activity at Lowe's

Thanks to a tip from another mom, I recently discovered Lowe's Build and Grow Workshops! They are hands on activities for kids where they actually get to build things. Best part - totally free. You sign-up online,  show up at your local Lowe's and get a project to make. This week? A Monster's University toy chest. Disclaimer: the upside down M and U are mom error - A had nothing to do with it :)

He thought it was totally cool to hammer on a flat bed cart

At first, the little guy wasn't so into it. He hammered once or twice and then thought running around would be more fun. However, once he realized what we were making - he got really excited! He put the nails in all the holes, helped hammer them in and then got super excited by the stickers ;) 

Once it was done? I couldn't even get him to look up for the camera - he was that in love with his box. 

I can't wait to sign up for the next one! They were out of the cool work aprons this time, so we have to wait until the next one. We need somewhere to put his cool patch! He is going to be very excited that it is Toy Story related. Always looking for fun, free kid's activities. Especially ones on weekends - working mom's want to have some fun too :) Know of any more?

Zoo Trips - America's Teaching Zoo

One of the things I've really been trying to do recently - is enjoy time with my family. Life is short, and time is precious. Seeing the joy on discovery through a two year old's eyes is pretty amazing.

Close to our home is this little zoo called "America's Teaching Zoo" - it's part of Moorpark College and it's a great spot for little kids. It's only open weekends from 11-5, so it's not always easy to fit in a visit with naps :). However, it's pretty small, so you really don't need more than an hour and a half.

 One of the great things about it is that it really is a teaching zoo! So all the shows are by students and there are always folks out practicing their training techniques with the animals. By far the best part is the "monkey" section in the back. All A can talk about is going to see the monkeys!

He also loves the reptile house and the "Did you know board!" Who new opening little doors could be so exciting?

Of course the show is great - though it's at noon - so having it right at lunchtime can mean a cranky kid if you don't prepare (I did not bring enough snacks last time - learned my lesson!). The beaver swimming in the pond was pretty awesome!

Definitely worth buying a family pass if you live nearby. Right now there is a great deal on groupon for half off admission! A perfect quick trip for a Sunday afternoon. I noticed last time that there was a birthday party going on - the kids seemed to be having a great time. One woman kept telling me the party food was ready - I almost took her up on that, even though I wasn't a guest :)

There is also a great book about the students at the zoo if you want to know more!

My Cat, My Dog ~ Book Review

We love reading in this house. 

I'm not sure if A loves it as much as I do, or if the 20 books (give or take) before bed is really just a stalling technique! I'll assume it's a love for books :)

Therefore I was thrilled to be able to review "My Cat, My Dog" by Katrina Streza and illustrated by Brenda Ponnay. 

It is an incredibly cute book - I LOVE the illustrations...they are perfect for young readers. You could almost frame the illustrations for some wall art! The story is also great for learning, perfect toddler repetitiveness. A wanted to read it over, and over and over again....and then he told me over and over again all about what the "guau guau" (dog) and "mau mau" (cat) were doing! It's definitely a keeper!

The book is published by Xist publishing - which produces books for the touchscreen generation, geared for toddlers through beginning readers. Yes, my 2 year old can already use an ipad!

Hope you enjoy it as much as we did :) It's only $2.99 on Amazon!

*I was provided a copy of this book for review - all opinions are my own.

Jane Yolen and Dinosaurs!

When I was in middle school, I was fairly obsessed with the "sci-fi/fantasy" genre. I think I flew through everything Orson Scott Card, Anne McCaffrey, and Mercedes Lackey ever wrote (among others). One of my absolute favorite authors during this time, however, was Jane Yolen.

I loved, loved, loved "Sister Light, Sister Dark." It spoke to me in a way that most other fantasy novels did not. I was sad that there were only a few books of these characters. I liked them so much that a few years ago I went in search of these books again (not so easy to find) and re-read them. Still loved them.

Fast forward to a couple of months ago. A received some great books for his first birthday! We are a book loving family after all...and two of them were about dinosaurs - How Do Dinosaurs Love Their Dogs? and How Do Dinosaurs Say Happy Birthday? how they treat their dogs and celebrate birthdays. I thought the story has great and A loved them, so overall a win (Thanks Rick and Jo!). They entered the normal rotation.

My mom was visiting a few weeks later and read him a few books - including starting with reading the title and author (what a great idea!). So next time I sat down I did the same. To my utter surprise these dinosaur books were by Jane Yolen! My favorite author from my teenage years. No wonder I liked them so much. I had no idea she also wrote children's books!

There is quite the series of them now...they have great drawings, a fun story and teach kids manners, how to be a good pet owner and to appreciate your parents(!)...all very important lessons. I'd highly recommend them when looking for your next book!

Little Pirate

This book was a hand-me-down from a good friend (thank you!). 

A LOVES it. It has flip-up panels and a cute story. What he really loves, however, is the last page. It is a big fold out page. It gives you things to search for like a "ball" and you have to find them. Sort of like "Where's Waldo?" I was so impressed the first time when A picked out the ball right away. I am always amazed when he learns new things and surprises me!

Apparently there is a whole series of these books. So much fun!