Zoo-Loo-Ah

One of the best things about living in Fort Wayne is that it's extremely family oriented. The Fort Wayne Children's Zoo is in the top of our favorites list. 

Today we went to the zoo and apparently it was Zoo-Loo-Ah. I knew I got a postcard on this event but had since forgotten about it. Zoo-Loo-Ah is a members-only event to show appreciation to their members. They provide free ride passes (1 per person), lunch, and a desert. There is also free entertainment and bounce houses galore. 

We were there from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., which is a long time for us, but we invited Aunt Molly & Myles up, and wanted to spend time with them/show them the zoo.

 I love having our zoo membership because we can just go for an hour or so and be done for the day. 

If you haven't checked out the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo, it's a must! They have fun rides like the sky ride, log ride, carousel, train & pony rides. If you do rides, get a ride pass (12 punches for $20) as it's a better deal. 

Check out some of the pics from our fun today!!

Top 10 Things

Today I went with the hubs to try and update his work attire...FUN!! Totally not fun, I feel for these guys who have to try and find descent work clothes in this area on a Sunday. 

Here's the top 10 things I learned:

10). Avoid Glenbrook area; stay southwest Fort Wayne. You'll end up wasting so much time there for nothing! Sorry but we've never had any luck at Macy's, Sears, JCPenney, & Carsons is a joke as far as selection goes. Dan found better luck browsing online while he walked the mall than any of these stores. Ha! 

9). Fitted dress shirts are a joke, as well as broadcloth. Traditional is the way to go.

8). Shopping with a 4 & 5 year old is entertaining. They fought over who could go in the changing room with daddy. Wow!! Sorry Olivia, you had to come with me. 

7). Good customer service goes a long way. 

6). Environment is also a selling point. Ex: Macy's vs Von Maur. Where would you rather shop if you could get the same prices?? Von Maur...yes, I'm a VM junkie, it's cool. There's a support group for people like me, I'm certain.

5). Von Maur seriously has some awesome sales, even better prices than Kohl's. They had some dress shirts for $17...WORD!

4). We found a new fav store, Jos A Bank...despite it being bought by Men's Wearhouse, it's a great place to get men's wear. They also have good sales and will ship for free if you find a shirt in a different color but they don't have your size in the store! Score!!

3). Every brand of shirt has a different fit & size. Ex: Enro is half size bigger than Jos A Bank. 

2). There are a million little pins in men's dress shirts that they have to get out before trying on shirts. Geeze!

1). Thought I'd save the best for last...Apparently they make SPANX for MEN!!! Oh my stars, there are no words for this realization. Thankfully, my hubs isn't interested. 

Ok, I'm off to bed. I hope you learned something new. Lovies!!

Deep Thoughts

Today I learned of someone that I work with who lost her son and daughter-in-law in a tragic car accident. Her twin grand babies (~6 months old) were also in the car accident and one is ok but the other is in critical condition at a hospital. 

First of all, this is extremely heart breaking for my co-workers family, and prayers are continually being lifted.

Second, it really hits home, as the last thing any of us want is to pass away too early from our children. Two years ago, as we were driving back home from the lake, we saw a car completely flip over and roll onto the side of the road on I-69. Luckily, Dan pulled over and rescued these strangers and they were ok, but this really hits home as we are driving back and forth from the lake with our little family of 4. 

The same question pops back in my mind, as to who would take care of my two beautiful children if an unforeseen accident occurred. Dan and I have discussed this at great length in the past  and the discussion always ends the same...we have no clue. 

Do any of you feel the same way???

That's all for now, deep thoughts! 

Gabe's 4th Bday

Today is Gabe's 4th Birthday and we made the most of this glorious day! 

First, we had Lucky Charms for breakfast...now how do you beat that?! 

Then we dropped off a door prize to a new parishioners house & surprisingly they had a 5 year old boy that Gabe enjoyed briefly playing with...so fun!!

After that we went to meet Allison Labrie & her daughter, Gracie at Java Mama. The kids had fun playing and the nice lady working the kids room read them a book. Susan Reynolds stopped by to say hi, which was nice and then we briefly saw Chanda Blair (which was so cool running into her and her beautiful little girls). 

Next, we met Dan and Grandma Rhonda & Cocoa (Grandpa Joe) at Chic-Fil-A for lunch. The nice gentleman sang happy birthday to Gabe & gave him a cow beanie along with free ice cream coupons. They have the best service ever for fast food!!

Afterwards, we went home to try and relax, AKA, mom to try to clean the house/fold laundry/do dishes, while the kids played, colored, & watched tv.

Then Dan came home and we went to a Tin Caps game at Parkview Field (thanks to Ash Brokerage & Principal Financial). We got front row seats, too...score!!

We didn't end up staying for the fireworks bc it was getting cold and late, but overall I think Gabe had an outstanding 4th Birthday!! 

I thank God everyday for my sweet Gabriel James! So blessed! XoX

Mom's 60th Birthday!

Today was my mom's 60th birthday! She sure looks great!!

We surprised her and drove down to Indy for dinner at Cheesecake Factory (Keystone Crossing). She seemed surprised and we had such a nice time with family! 

Happy Birthday, Momma! I hope I look as good as you at 60! XoXo

Fort4Fitness Kids Marathon

Today I signed Olivia up for the Fort4Fitness Kids Marathon. http://www.fort4fitness.org/fort4fitness-kids-marathon.asp

For only $10, you can enroll in this awesome program, which includes a t-shirt and drawstring bag. You get a log book to record your child's miles, in efforts to run 26.2 miles total! The last mile is a fun run together at Parkview Field on 9/26! How cool is it that my sweet 5.5 year old will have ran a marathon?! 

Well...we tried running tonight and let's just say, we have a ways to go, but it's a start!!

Who else wants to do this with us?!?! Let's set good healthy examples for our kids!!

$2.95

Last month at my hair salon, Pin Up Curls I heard from one of the stylists (Danielle) about a super cheap way to print pics from your phone. Apparently she saw it on shark tank.

I was super excited to try it out because I'm always taking tons of pics with my phone and then they just sit there in the icloud and I hardly ever get them printed. It's nice to have those pics printed for work, home, etc, so I gave it a try. 

I downloaded the app called Groovebook. It's $2.95/month (no contract) and you get up to 100 prints, plus it includes shipping!! I couldn't beat $2.95 for 100 pics, even though I was a little curious about how the pics might turn out. 

I've been anxiously waiting for my Groovebook to come in the mail and it finally arrived!! 

I have to say that I'm impressed. I wasn't sure what kind of paper that the pics would come on but it's photo paper that has perforated edges at the end; however for $2.95, HOLLA!! 

Plus it prints the date that the pic was snapped from your iPhone. How cool is that?! 

IF you want to try it free once, use this code at checkout: MINNICH29

I promise that I don't get any incentives from this. I simply love to share new discoveries!!

Check it OUT!!

Just a MonDay in the Life of a Suburban Mom in Pics

VBS

Lake visit

Storms

Downtown Library with Dan

Impromptu Play date

Sometimes an impromptu play date is just what you need to lift the spirits! 

Tonight I was driving home from work and saw some neighbors outside in their front yard. I don't know them that well, but know that Olivia will be in Kindergarten with their daughter, Addyson. 

I stopped just to pull over and say hi, but the mom, Michelle asked the kids to come play bc the girls were curious to play with each other. 

I'm so glad we stopped because Olivia and Addyson got along so well! I feel so fortunate to have them just right down the street! Who knew?! Thank you for welcoming us, Michelle. 

The morale of the story is that a smile can go a long way, open your heart up to welcoming others and your heart will be happy! 

Summer Bucket List

This summer I'm working on my summer 2014 bucket list...so far so good!!

1). Try out Java Mama (done)

2). Hit up Buckner Park (done)

3). Go to the downtown library (done)

4). Go to our neighborhood pool (done)

5). Have Olivia go to dance clinic (tried)

6). Go to YMCA Pool (done)

7). Check out Two EE's Winery (done)

8). Have Olivia meet more Kindergarteners at her new school (working on this)

9). Go to the lake 

10). Run the Seton Miracle Miles 5K

11). Go to Seton Fest

12). Go to a Tin Caps game

13). Go to Sky Zone

14). Go to Indian Trails park

15). Go to YoYo's

16). Go to Mocha Lounge (done)

17). Check out a Friday Nights Live event at Jefferson Pointe (done)

18). Lose 20 pounds 

19). Celebrate Gabe's 4th birthday

20). Think about the future, decisions, decisions. 

That is all! 

Peace & Blessings,

Amy 

Dance Camp

I've been pondering putting Olivia in dance but wanted to see how she'd do before signing her up for a full season. My friend, Angie Jurczak informed me about a free dance clinic at Premier Dance, so I signed her up. She said that dance was something she really wanted to try.

This past week I've been trying to build her up to be excited about it and let her know that mommy couldn't be there with her, but that her friend Ava would be there, so she'd have fun! 

She was fine, until we got out of the car and I tried to get her into the studio. I should have known that she wasn't having it. I tried to go into the studio with her for a few minutes to ease her into it, but she cried and wouldn't let me go. I asked the teacher what she thought and she indicated that we should leave. 

Well, at least we tried. I'm trying to help build her confidence but nothing seems to work. Hopefully she grows out of this shy phase soon. 

Then today when we got home she told me this, "Mommy, I love you much more than dance!!" And now I'm just in awe of her beautiful 5.5 yr old self and realize that she's still a little girl. She has the rest of her life to try new sports! 

That is all. 

Peace & Love,

An anxious mother 

Water Day

Today the sun was shining and we decided to take advantage of the high temps by having a water themed day! 

First we headed to Buckner Park, where the kids had fun on the playgrounds, and splash pad. Then we went to the neighborhood pool, where we were the only ones there and it was awesome!! 

I was told by my kids that I am the "best mom ever!" So I'm soaking it up!! Three cheers to summer and making memories count!!