choo choo train house

Saturday my husband Kevin and I decided to make a last minute shopping trip to Dayton. We had several returns/switches to make from Christmas Gifts. The children's clothes needed to be exchanged for a larger size. We also thought being the end of the winter 'clothing' season in the stores, that we may be able to get some good bargains. 

It was a great drive down, the kids both fell sound to sleep - Olivia has learned a new noise she now zerberts - spits - constantly. She is very proud every time she does it - it's usually followed with a big ole smile. So she does this until falling asleep and Gavin soon follows. 

We make it to elderbeerman and we make our trades/returns and buy a ton of clothes for the two little ones, good deals - steals really. Then over to the men's department  - and as Kevin is trying on some clothes - I have both kids, and I decide that if we keep walking throughout the store that Gavin will keep busy and not get into any trouble - well it isn't long and he demands that I hold him (we have only a single stroller and Olivia is seated inside) So there I am carrying one on my hip and pushing the other - and of coarse by this time we are on the other side of the department store.. when I realize I can come up with a game. 

I tell Gavin that we are going to march - he loves to march - so quickly he gets down and stands on the ground I said - he has to march right next to the stroller - if i stop so does he... so there we are and he is shouting "March. March. March. March... do the March March March" and then suddenly I would stop the stroller and yell stop.... and he stops... then I'd start back up and he would start back up. slow down speed up. you get the point... this worked wonderfully. I knew where he was at. and he was excited to "play" 

a few ladies standing in the women's department began to giggle and tell me how precious he is... and I look down and suddenly i stop in my tracks - red faced I realize he has pealed the pants stickers off of my pants and Kevin's and has stuck one across his forehead and one across his chest - with out even knowing it - he has been marching around the entire store... with my size stamped all over his body... wow... what a MOM moment.

following this store we then decide we need to go somewhere to let him burn some energy off before heading home. We drove around, for what seemed forever, in circles looking for Chucky Cheese - we had never gone before but thought it would be nice, Gavin could run around a bit and we could get Olivia out of her car seat and she would just enjoy looking around at all the kids and lights and such. 

Well we found it - and no more than we pull in the parking lot - we both look towards each other, it was clear we would not be walking into that place. It was a Saturday night at 5:30, bad planning on our part - the place was packed. Kevin makes the suggestion that we go to mall and let him run around in the kids play area. Excellent idea I thought - he can burn some energy off, we can go to the food court and get a quick supper and the play area is free. 

Well we got there - and of coarse the store we parked in front of was on the wrong end of the mall for the play area - so we got our exercise in and began walking to the other end of it. Gavin clenched onto Kevin as he carried him and I pushed Olivia in the stroller - I asked Gavin what was wrong. He answered quickly - " I scared mommy" and buried his head in Kevin's shoulder. 

Poor little guy - we finally reached the play area and Kevin told me to just leave the kids with him and go up stairs and get us some steak escape subs. So I headed on up and as I looked back Gavin was just getting his shoes off. 
 .....
Heading back down the escalator I noticed that Gavin is still sitting in the exact same position he was when I went up - here Kevin quickly explains that Gavin no longer thinks the play area is fun - he now finds all the new kids and strangers - scary.... 

oh..... he is two.. and learning.... Kevin let me know that Gavin would not leave his lap. I said, well since he isn't playing do you want to go back upstairs in the food area and sit at a table and eat. Kevin agreed and we gathered the socks and shoes - coats, diaper bag, stroller, food, and drink and headed up the elevator. 

If someone would of told me that this would of been the wisest move ever I wouldn't of believed them, but it was amazing... 

the time in the food court is unforgettable. First of all the subs were amazing and we sat next to all the quarter machine rides and Gavin was at the perfect age that he just climbed and played on them for a half hour at least. NO QUARTERS NEEDED..... what made the adventure that much better on the second floor there was a choo choo train, large enough that a man drove it and pulled a little string that made a aloud choo chooo sound and smoke exited the large smoke stack in the front. following his cart was three little carry cabooses... that kids could pay three dollars to ride on. 



by seven thirty we realized it was time to go and we had wanted to stop at Once Upon a Child before heading home, we hurried up cleaned up our mess - hit the bathrooms and headed for our long walk across the mall back to our van. 

As we were leaving the mall parking lot my son says... "mum... i excited" i said awe whys that hunny and he says " I like the choo choo train house" 

apparently - to a two year old - that's exactly what the mall is... a giant choo choo house!

cold day

This morning while rushing around the house getting ready I walked past the living room to see in the corner of my eye my two year old sitting on top of his toy box just gazing out side the window. I decided to slow down a bit and see what was going on in that little mind of his, I walk over and say "what are you doing" and he says... snow mom? as if he wasn't quite sure. I answered with a yes! (A lot of it actually, the schools are delayed and there is at least 4-5 inches out there.) Do you like snow Gavin?

No! Snow Cold! - that's my boy! I continued on my way and finished gathering all the things for today at the sitters - and he has started to take of his jammies and say - I need clothes mom - it's cold! .... so for the first time today he took off his jammies on his own and got a shirt on! I helped with the pants.. but he was proud. Then after that socks and shoes and finally a coat. We started loading the van. All ready just about to back out of the driveway... and  MOM----- COLD!!!!!!! I NEED MY SNOW STUFF.

I didn't know what he was talking about at first until it hit me, that he wanted me to grab the bag of snow gear - boots and all from the laundry room. I ran in quick and grabbed it. Who knows the babysitters kids may be home all day today - SNOW DAY.... COLD DAY.