I Can't Put My Arms Down! -Happy Monday!

(Let's pretend it's Monday and that I'm totally on time with my Happy Monday post, mmmkay??)

This weekend just totally flew by and before I knew it we were facing another Monday.  Also returning way too quickly were the freezing below zero temperatures.  As I was helping Ethan bundle up before we headed to the bus stop to brave the -12 degrees outside I started to laugh to myself.  Trying to stuff him into all these layers and wrapping a scarf around him made me think of one of my favorite Christmas movies, A Christmas Story.  In fact, everyone in our house loves that movie.  As soon as I told Ethan I was thinking about that movie he knew exactly what I was talking about and with a chuckle exclaims "I CAN'T PUT MY ARMS DOWN!" to which I reply "Put your arms down when you get to school".  I love when Ethan and I can share a laugh in the morning. It's a wonderful way to start the day!

Our morning wasn't quite this exhausting but you get the idea.

Happy Monday!

Day Dreaming - Happy Monday!

Next year the hubs and I will be celebrating our 15th wedding anniversary (!) and we've decided we're going to try to take a romantic trip to celebrate.  No kids, no friends, just us.  One of the places I'm looking into is St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands.  Neither of us has ever been and it looks beautiful.  There seems to be quite a lot to do and see and there are plenty of beaches if you choose to do nothing at all!! A little R&R and some quality time alone with my love?  Yes, please!  So I've decided to post one of the many gorgeous pics of St. Thomas that I find myself staring at during random parts of my day that help me, even for an instant, forget that it's winter here in Ohio and absolutely cold and blustery outside.

Happy Monday!

Ruth & Idgie - Happy Monday!

This is an article I saw last week on E! Online.

Meet Ruth (the cat) and Idgie (the dachshund). They are best friends (that's how they got their names, from the inseparable duo in Fried Green Tomatoes), and you're about to be very jealous that you can't be their best friend too.
When the two were found, abandoned at the end of a driveway in Florida last October, 2-year-old Idgie refused to leave 7-month-old Ruth's side, protectively barking whenever anyone came near his kitten friend.
"It was really a strange situation. Both of them were found in fairly good shape. Not filthy or malnourished," Diane Gagliano, of the local animal services, tells the Orlando Sentinel. "So it seems as though they probably had a home at some point."
She continues, "But on the flip side, no one came and claimed them, and how could the cat get very far without the owner knowing?" That is because Ruth is paraplegic must drag herself with her front paws, as her back legs are limp ("Something she was born with," Gagliano suspects).
Now, Idgie and Ruth have a forever home at the Hollywood Houndz Boutique & Spa, where owner Jacqueline Borum has adopted the friends. And Idgie is still protective of his pal: The two share a pen and whenever another dog approaches, the dachshund will stand between Ruth and the other dog and bark.
"When Idgie gets a new toy, she always takes it over to the cat, Ruth," Borum says. "They pretty much share everything.
"I mean, we've seen friendships between dogs and cats before, but never anything like this. Idgie would take a bullet for that cat."
www.eonline.com

Happy Monday!!

Hooray for Play Cafes!!

Here in Ohio, we're used to getting cold weather and lots of snow.  This winter however has been unusually cold.  This last week in particular, we've experienced frigid temperatures.  For about three or four days in a row the average temperature with the windchill was an incredible -6.  NEGATIVE 6 people!!!!!  Schools were cancelled and we were all forced to stay inside.  Typically,  I wouldn't mind it too much.  After all there's nothing I love more than curling up on the couch in my sweats, watching movies and spending some extra Q.T. with my boys but this winter is a little different.  This winter I have a toddler with an enormous amount of energy and staying in the house day after day isn't an option.  I didn't nickname him "Monkey" for nothing!  This kid isn't happy unless he's running, climbing, falling and making messes (what toddler isn't, right?)  So every now and then I take advantage of one of our local play cafes.  Over the last year or two, play cafes have been springing up all over the area.  Play cafes are indoor play areas for children usually up to the age of 6 that also offer healthy deli types of food and snacks along with coffee/tea/cappuccino and most offer wifi.  GENIUS idea!!  Now parents can take their little ones somewhere fun to get all their sillies out even when it's cold or rainy.  I used to take Eli to the play area at local malls which is still sometimes fun but after about 20 minutes he's more interested in darting out of the area into a sea of shoppers than he is of actually playing.  Not to mention these play areas are usually packed and keeping track of your little one can be more of a pain than anything.  So, today when we woke up I decided we should get out of the house and head to the play cafe he really enjoys called Eat Play Love (how cute is that!?).  We arrived around 10 and immediately I knew I made a good decision.  I couldn't get his coat off fast enough!  He was ready to play and I was ready to sit back and relax while he burned off some of that toddler energy.  This place is so bright and inviting.  It's clean and offers lots to do for small children.  From train tables to jungle gyms, play kitchens, puzzles and books, you name it.  And did I mention it only cost me $6?  Not too shabby.

There's definitely enough to keep the kids busy.  We stayed for a couple of hours then it was time to head home for lunch.  We had a wonderful morning and now my little monkey is sleeping soundly.  Oh how I love nap time!! Check out www.eatplayloveplaycafe.com if you need something fun to do with your little one!!

Happy Monday!

 

 

 

So, I've decided that each Monday, I will feature a video, article, picture or whatever it is that makes me happy in a series I'll call Happy Monday!  Everyone can use a little happy on Monday, right?!  

Today's video is from a traveler named Matt. Matt's story is a wonderful one. He was a (self-proclaimed) deadbeat who one day decided to quit his job and travel the world. He started a website to chronicle his travels. Not long after he decided to record himself in all these awesome places doing his "stupid dance" and now these videos are Youtube sensations! Check out the video below and then check out his website.

Happy Monday!

 

 

www.wherethehellismatt.com