Better Homes & Garden - Test Garden Picnic

A while back I heard that Meredith Corp, who publishes the Better Homes & Garden magazines, has a test garden in Des Moines {downtown} and that every Friday from noon to 2p, they open it to the public to view.  So, last Friday, the kids and I went to check it out.  They several little areas to sit and have a picnic, so we did.  I would highly recommend this to almost anyone {well, maybe not 'manly men'--but anyone who enjoys outdoors, flowers, picnics, nature, etc.}  The kids loved it--especially the pond with fish, frogs, & tadpoles. :)

Not impressed that I made him face me fore a photo! :)

After our picnic, we came back to Ankeny to play at Dean Park & splash in their little splash pad.  

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Some of our favorite LOCAL EVENTS

I've posted in the past about Phelps Youth Pavilion, Seven Oaks, Sports Class, Science Center of Des Moines, Glitterazzi, Art Class @ the Des Moines Art Center, Elmo Live, iCubs, Shear Madness, B&B Deli, Triad Tumbling, Zoo Tots, The Ritz, Baconfest, Backyard Adventures, SkyZone, Sculpture Park, Zoo Tunes, Iowa State Fair 2012, Iowa State Fair 2013, Iowa State Fair 2014, Tubing at SevenOaks in Boone, Free Little Libraries, Jumpin Jacks, and tons of local Christmas Activities.  I've briefly mentioned the farmer's market {which is a pretty big deal here} few concert and shows, and tons of restaurants, but there are so many places we've been and things we've experienced around this city that I haven't even mentioned.  

*None of these places have any clue who I am or what this little blog is.  I pay for our entrance/membership like any other customer and blog only my honest opinions.

Dating Your Kids | Unique Date Ideas

So many people have been interested in the monthly dates I take the kids on.  So I thought I would do a little post on it.

My favorite 'trick' or suggestion if you will, is to take your kid{s} on a date the date of their birthday.  For instance, Cullyn was born on April 19th, so I try to make his date on the 19th of every month.  And Jordyn was born October 23rd, so we go on our date on the 23rd of each month.  I do this partly so I don't forget {so I'm not taking the kids on a date the last day of every month} Also because it adds variety to our dates {sometimes we have to sneak in breakfast dates or post bath dates} Plus our weekends are usually crammed with other stuff and don't offer a lot of time to take the kids solo. It's simple and easy to remember, and adds variety--works for me!

The other thing people are always asking for is date ideas.  We all think of the obvious, dinners, movies, bowling, park play dates, etc. {all dependent upon age, of course!}  Speaking of age, we started this when Jordyn turned 18 months {Cullyn was a newborn and we thought it would be important to let her have some one on one time with us}.  So you truly can do this with almost any age kid.  Here are a few of my ideas {again pick and choose what works best for your climate, age of children, monthly budget, etc.}


Active
Dance lessons
Go golfing/ to the driving range
Kick a soccer ball
Lazertag
Play baseball/basketball
Nature Walk/Scavenger Hunt
Rock Climbing
Run/walk
Shoot hoops
SkyZone/Jump House
Swimming
Take a fitness class {of any level--at the gym or kids tumbling}
Toss a football

Dining
Enjoy a silly progressive dinner {Chick-Fil-A for appetizers, McDonalds for dinner, Dairy Queen for dessert} 
Go for dessert {ice cream, froyo, cupcakes--whatever!}
Go on a Picnic {regular, fast food, or pizza-->my kids' favorite!}
Go out to breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner
Pretend to be a food critic/make dinner at home and pretend you're hosting a cooking show
Take your son to fancy restaurant and teach him how to be a gentleman {opening doors, appropriate dinner conversation, silverware rules, pulling out chairs, picking up the tab, etc.}

Seasonal
Airplanes {watch them take off/land}
Aquarium
Arcade
Batting Cages
Birthday Day {skip school & do what they love}
Book store
Bowling
Car Ride {to a favorite/meaningful place}
Cooking Class
Concert {indoor/outdoor/professional/local}
Fire/Police Station
Fishing
Fly a Kite
Go Carts
Hair Studio
History {real or your history -- childhood school/home/college}
Library {take turns turns reading to each other}
Mini Golf
Movie {Theatre, home, drive in, or outdoor--don't forget popcorn!}
Museum
Music Class
Nail/Hair Salon {Manicures/Pedicures -- salon or buy polish & do at home}
Pet store/humane society
Photoshoot
Play {live at a civic center/high school/performing arts center}
Play Place {mall, restaurant, etc}
Pottery/art studio
Science/Art center
Shopping {Boutique for girls, Bass Pro for boys}
Skating
Spa {real or home}
Special Trip {Disney at 11, Ocean at 17, etc.}
Sunset Watching
Watch a game {basketball, baseball, bowling, softball, football, etc.}
Zoo

Fun
Beach
Biking
Boating
Camping
Canoeing
Circus
Fair
Feed the Ducks
Hiking
Ice Skating
Play at the Park
Skiing
Sledding
Swimming
Tubing

One thing I've learned...as long as I show excitement for our one on one time, the kids are thrilled.  I could say we're going on a 'date' to the dentist and they would be thrilled.  Okay, maybe not.  But you get my point.  Have fun. Make it about them.  Do something they love, or do something completely new to them.  As long and you're focusing on each other it probably doesn't matter what you're 'doing' :) 

And a video of a really sweet date...

This & That {w.4}

Did this:
Shot an engagement session
Celebrated Uga's 8th Birthday
Had a playdate at Barnes & Noble
Skipped J's follow up ENT appointment 
Got an oil change on the van
Went to Omaha for a concert 
Potty trained Cullyn, so we spent a lot of time lounging at home

Instagrammed that:

Edited this:

Shot that:

Scheduled this:

M: This & That

T: Texas

W: My Kids 3/52

T: Our Finances {ugh!}

F: A Photo{Maverick}

Go Vikings

A few photos from preseason...

Play Date [in the Tub]

Last Wednesday night we watched our friend's kids for their anniversary.  They are 3 & 2 [& jordyn is obvi. 1] so it was fun to watch them all interact.  Bathtime was by far my favorite!  They all loved it!  Jordyn has been playing in the bath tub longer and longer each night she's had a bath since then.  I don't think she really knew what to do in their before. 

They had bubbles [before they all landed outside the tub] and green water, tub crayons, and lots of toys.  They played in their forever!!  So cute!