It's the Great Pumpkin Patch Season, Mamas! And this weekend we burst onto the scene with uninhibited enthusiasm (despite Mama's broken toe). A corn maze, a hay ride and fresh cider are all hallmarks of our favorite pumpkin patch, Jones Family Farms in Shelton, CT.
Looking for a pumpkin patch, hayride or corn maze near you? Check out Pumpkin Patches and More. Scroll down for a list of states, click your state and then scroll down for area autumn adventures.
Happy pumpkin hunting!
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Olivia's Pick--14 September 2009
Olivia and Mama are both loving Olivia's new duvet cover from Saffron Marigold, a small textile company offering handprinted linens in traditional Indian style.
It's beautifully made, with a wood button enclosure. Olivia loves the girlie rose print we picked together. Mama loves that it's machine washable.
It's beautifully made, with a wood button enclosure. Olivia loves the girlie rose print we picked together. Mama loves that it's machine washable.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Olivia's Pick--6 September 2009
Last week's pick: solved.
How'd I do it, you ask? And so quickly? We got rid of the nap.
I admit, I held onto it--selfishly--as long as I could. But her rigorous new school schedule made me realize that we weren't long for napping anyway around our house. She'll be coming home from preschool too late to start a nap.
So, we went cold turkey.
And while it's led to a couple of meltdowns and several bouts of uncontrollable laughter, it has also made bedtime a dream.
Our current routine now consists of bath, two books, lights out. And, after 8.5 minutes: silence.
How'd I do it, you ask? And so quickly? We got rid of the nap.
I admit, I held onto it--selfishly--as long as I could. But her rigorous new school schedule made me realize that we weren't long for napping anyway around our house. She'll be coming home from preschool too late to start a nap.
So, we went cold turkey.
And while it's led to a couple of meltdowns and several bouts of uncontrollable laughter, it has also made bedtime a dream.
Our current routine now consists of bath, two books, lights out. And, after 8.5 minutes: silence.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Olivia's Pick--31 August 2009
"Mommy, Mommy. I need some water."
"Mommy, Mommy. I need a book."
"Mommy, Mommy. I need to go on the potty."
"Mommy, Mommy. I need you to come back upstairs and into my room because I don't want to go to sleep."
OK, in truth, she hasn't actually said that last one. But that's what every other "need" she suddenly discovers at bedtime boils down to. This, dear Mamas, is most definitely what she's into this week. And I'm sure she's not the only 3 (or 4 or 5) year-old with this particular affinity.
I'm trying--most times gently--to break her of this affliction. Not only is it highly annoying, but, on the worst nights, it robs her of an hour of sleep. (Not to mention that it also robs Mama of an hour of Mama time.)
Bedtime has never been a big deal around our house. So I'm not used to jumping through these hoops just to get her to go to sleep.I
t's likely that I'm handling the situation all wrong. I've been walking that tightrope between sweet words of understanding and fire-breathing dragon Mama. I'm hopeful, however, that preschool will prove so utterly exhausting for her that, in less than two weeks, this problem will seem but a distant dream.A Mama can hope, right?
"Mommy, Mommy. I need a book."
"Mommy, Mommy. I need to go on the potty."
"Mommy, Mommy. I need you to come back upstairs and into my room because I don't want to go to sleep."
OK, in truth, she hasn't actually said that last one. But that's what every other "need" she suddenly discovers at bedtime boils down to. This, dear Mamas, is most definitely what she's into this week. And I'm sure she's not the only 3 (or 4 or 5) year-old with this particular affinity.
I'm trying--most times gently--to break her of this affliction. Not only is it highly annoying, but, on the worst nights, it robs her of an hour of sleep. (Not to mention that it also robs Mama of an hour of Mama time.)
Bedtime has never been a big deal around our house. So I'm not used to jumping through these hoops just to get her to go to sleep.I
t's likely that I'm handling the situation all wrong. I've been walking that tightrope between sweet words of understanding and fire-breathing dragon Mama. I'm hopeful, however, that preschool will prove so utterly exhausting for her that, in less than two weeks, this problem will seem but a distant dream.A Mama can hope, right?
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Olivia's Pick--17 August 2009
Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!
It's been a zooey summer for the little one. We've explored, we've safaried, we've petted. From camel rides to train rides, Olivia's seen just about everything a zoo has to offer--and she even has the mountain of gift shop paraphernalia to prove it.
This summer's best zoos:
1. The Bronx Zoo
2. The Toledo Zoo
3. The Central Park Zoo
4. The Beardsley Zoo
And I'll also mention the Butterfly House in Whitehouse, OH. It couldn't be a more out-of-the-way location, but their indoor butterfly garden is simply spectacular. I'd even go so far as to say that it's better than the butterfly garden at the Bronx Zoo. Now that's wild.
It's been a zooey summer for the little one. We've explored, we've safaried, we've petted. From camel rides to train rides, Olivia's seen just about everything a zoo has to offer--and she even has the mountain of gift shop paraphernalia to prove it.
This summer's best zoos:
1. The Bronx Zoo
2. The Toledo Zoo
3. The Central Park Zoo
4. The Beardsley Zoo
And I'll also mention the Butterfly House in Whitehouse, OH. It couldn't be a more out-of-the-way location, but their indoor butterfly garden is simply spectacular. I'd even go so far as to say that it's better than the butterfly garden at the Bronx Zoo. Now that's wild.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Olivia's Pick--9 August 2009
"Mama, I love Misha," she said this morning, speaking of our very old dog. Mama's best friend was around before Olivia and before Papa. "I don't want her to be anyone else's dog. Can we keep her?"
So, Misha, despite your stinky breath and daily med schedule, you'll be thrilled to learn that you've got a loyal and committed fan in the family.
Do you think that age 3 is too young to hand over doggie duty?
Need an old (or new) dog around your house? Check out Petfinder. They'll match you up with local animal shelters in your area.
So, Misha, despite your stinky breath and daily med schedule, you'll be thrilled to learn that you've got a loyal and committed fan in the family.
Do you think that age 3 is too young to hand over doggie duty?
Need an old (or new) dog around your house? Check out Petfinder. They'll match you up with local animal shelters in your area.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Olivia's Pick 27 July 2009
Leave it to Grandma to come up with the best birthday gift. Olivia doesn't want to take off her brand new backpack--even at bedtime!
Maybe it's because she's got the coolest new pack on the market, from the geniuses over at Skip Hop. Branching out from their baby background, these veterans of infant gear have created some adorable products for the preschool set.
They make Mama happy too, because this brand new backpack is BPA-free, Pthalate-free and PVC-free. And at 20 bucks, what's not to love?
Olivia tested, Mama approved!
Maybe it's because she's got the coolest new pack on the market, from the geniuses over at Skip Hop. Branching out from their baby background, these veterans of infant gear have created some adorable products for the preschool set.
They make Mama happy too, because this brand new backpack is BPA-free, Pthalate-free and PVC-free. And at 20 bucks, what's not to love?
Olivia tested, Mama approved!
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