Back in Town

It is funny how just driving around the streets of our home has become beautiful and wonderful, all because we have been living in Mobile, AL for so long now! Things I took for granted,like the beautiful flowers my neighbors have planted or the numerous wonderful parks and GREAT friends we have here, have come back to my full attention and I am so grateful for them all.

Today we went to play with Wendy and Mia at Pullen Park, which Little Dude loves because there is a little kiddie train we can ride on AND kiddie boats Mia and he can ride! I still had a ton of tickets left from the last time we went way back before our move, so it was kinda a free trip! (I didn't have to spend any more money, anyway!)

Mia and Little Dude are so great playing together, and since Wendy's husband and my husband work together AND they both went to NC State and also attend football games, it is fantastic fun to meet up and hang out!

I also wore JR in my new Maya Wrap ring sling, which I love even more than my other sling! (I didn't think it would be possible!) I got this new sling because the fabric of my other is really thick, and not so good for the hot weather we have in Mobile, though it will be perfect for winter.So, I hunted around, and found a small sized Maya Wrap ring sling on ebay for 1/4 the price online. VERY AWESOME. I lucked out in getting it in the pattern I loved online-it has beautiful striped bold colors (it even has a little pink!) made out of soft, breathable cotton.

And the best part?

It has a POCKET. AWESOME! So, today at the park, I wore JR, (he was in heaven) played with Mia, Wendy and Little Dude, AND carried my debit card, id, phone, and truck keys so I could leave the stroller where ever. I was not worried if anyone tried to steal something out of it, as all they would end up with would be a poopy diaper, wipes, extra diapers,some crackers, and changes of clothes for the kids.Nope, no one was going to get my debit card! And, when my son wanted some juice, all I had to do was get the money out of my sling pocket, instead of bending over and searching through my bottomless diaper bag for my wallet.

More Pictures!

My neighbor and I took our kids to Pullen Park a little while ago and it was SUPER fun! Pullen Park is great because not only is it a traditional park with swing sets, etc, but it has kiddie boats, a ride on train, carousel, paddle boats, and beautiful trails around a lake with tons of picnic areas. Tickets for one ride is only a dollar, so it was a great place to let the kids run off some energy! Here are some pictures from our fun day! Enjoy!

Pullen Park

The weather is getting FABULOUS here in Raleigh, so Little Dude and I will be out and about at one of the local parks today.

I plan on taking him to Pullen Park, right next to the NCSU campus. The park is great; there is a train, bumper boats, paddle boats (though he's still to little for them), slides, swings, and off to the side an entire baby/toddler area that is shaded and full of swings and climbing toys. There are also multiple fields and picnic tables which make lunch play dates super fun!

There is also the Aquatic Center, which is an indoor, heated building full of pools! On a nice day like today, where it is a bit nippy but not cold, a swim in the heated pool could be quite fun! They also have changing areas, and the girls room has a few hair dryers too! The cost is $2.50 if you live in Raleigh, $5 if you do not and for Babies it is free, though I think Little Dude might be over the cut off age for free, but at any case, I think he will still end up only being a $1 or so.

The park also has a community center that hosts different activities from dancing lessons to self defense! The "Theater in the Park" is located off the Hillsborough Street side of the park, and the plays there are fantastic. My favorite is still the performance of "A Christmas Carol" staring Ira David Wood. He was so great as Scrooge and all the supporting cast was just marvelous. For older children or as a low budget date night activity, seeing a play in the "Theater in the Park" is a great idea.

Eating at the park is easy, as there are plenty of tables and space to have a picnic, or you can walk over to Hillsborough Street and dine at one of the many wonderful mom and pop restaurants there. My favorite to take Little Dude is "Two Guys" pizza and pasta. They have high chairs and all the food is home made from scratch-it is like a cross of southern cooking grandma meets fat Italian chef. Think Paula Dean meets Mario Batali.

If any of you partake in Pullen Park, I hope you enjoy it! No matter where you live in the Triangle area, it is a fun trip well worth the drive.