Small Things Are Big Things

Has it been a week???

Cy was sick then I was sick. And if your house is like mine, you know the world stops when mommy is ill.

            

Before all the illnesses hit we had a family Date Night at Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlor. We should have known something was coming when Cy refused to eat ice cream! Our sundae was a hit but Cora Jane thought the birthday songs were too loud…

Summer shoes… check!

Just happened to go to Old Navy on their $1 flip flop sale. I’ve never gotten them before but I couldn’t be happier with the fit. Got 3 for me and 2 pairs for each of the kiddos. I’m thinking the $1 sale will be a new summer tradition!

When Cy’s fever hit, it hit hard. His highest was 104.1! Our happy baby was a grump. We were up most of the night with the lil’ buggar. All my kiddos have REALLY high fevers while teething. Is that normal??

Eli likes his hair long (like Samson) and I keep trying to get that long flippy surfer boy look… but it mostly ends up looking like trailer trash. We were so surprised when he announced he wanted to cut his hair!

Listening to scripture time before bed is rad!

         

McCafe + cupcake + park = our once a week routine

Storytime at the libray = another weekly routine

I like routines.

Kitchen counter.

If you haven’t seen the new In-N-Out Burger onsies, you need to! Cute overload.

Runny nose, watery eyes, tired and cranky. I think the tired and cranky might be from the fetus. Either way, the green tea has been a flowin’ and the messy house is a growin’.

I’ve mentioned my fetus is lazy and non moving (boy?). At my monthly appointment I become a nervous wreck thinking they won’t find a heartbeat. My mind goes down a slippery slope of thoughts about infant loss. And it makes me cry. Irrational, I know. But I think I’ll start scheduling my appointments for earlier in the day to keep my crazy thoughts at bay.

Happy InstaFriday and join in over at Life Rearranged!

We were invited to check out Ridemakerz over at DownTown Disney last weekend. Here’s how it went…

As you walk in the kiddos may have trouble concentrating on the Ridez because of the giant car hanging from the ceiling. It’s pretty cool to a preschooler (and their parents!).

                       

The place is filled filled filled with car choices and everything is VERY organized for lil’ folks to easily pick and choose to their hearts’ content. In the center of the shop is a pit-stop(ish) work station, where the kiddos can do all the building themselves. It’s cool.

We had the privilege of meeting the ZEO (CEO) of Ridemakerz and he was rad. Really! He loves what he does (Who wouldn’t? Kiddos + cars + Disney + making people happy = AWESOME) and his enthusiasm is infectious! Really!

      

They give you these fun lil’ baskets so you can gather all your custom car gear. You choose your chaise, tires, and rims (they have fun stuff like dragons, pirate skulls & hearts). The baskets were about as fun as choosing the ridez. (Aren’t lil’ boys awesome??)

I think what I loved most about the heart of Ridemakerz was their TRUE desire for the children to have an experience. One where the kiddo feels empowered to make choices, as well as watch their project go from dream to reality with their own sweet lil’ hands! (Dads like it too!)

Did I make one?

You bet ya!!

There are all sorts of different car models to choose from, including the stars the best kiddo car movie out there! Within seconds of walking into the shop Cora Jane had her heart set on Mater. I tried to sway her a bit toward Sally or a pink car, thinking she would change her mind. She didn’t… in fact, she has slept with her Mater Ride since we got it!! She did customiZe it with pink stickers.

Things you should know before you go…

~The Ridez are durable! You are paying more than a drugstore remote control car but this car can take a beating. Really!

~The Ridez go fast (again it isn’t a cheap car) so a daddy or bigger child will still have fun with it.

~The shop can get busy in the afternoon so try to go in the morning if you can.

~The monster trucks and cars have different steering on the remote. Hot Hubby says the monster truck one is easier for kiddos to control. (just ask while you are there to make your own choice)

~Each ride has stock options that are included in the price and there are hundreds of things you can add on for extra $ (they are reasonably priced but can add up). If you have a budget warn your kiddo BEFORE you start choosing to prevent meltdown. (One of our favorite ‘extras’ were the construction cones. We use them to make car paths/courses.)

~I would recommend a one on one parent/child day. The whole experience is all about hanging with your kiddo, and I think if you don’t have to divide your attention your kiddo will have a more memorable time! (just my humble opinion)

~They have birthday parties!

~Since it’s at DownTown Disney, if you have Disney passes you can stop off at the park for the afternoon on the same day. Or if you don’t have passes you can tell your kiddos DownTown Disney is Disneyland… ahem…

~Use this coupon!! Father’s Day gift AND activity is DONE!!

In case you were wondering what Cy was doing…

… just being a-dorable the whole time.

RIDEMAKERZ®
Downtown Disney® District
1540 S. Disneyland Dr., Suite 103
Anaheim, CA 92802
Telephone: 714-776-0216

(They also have locations in Arizona, Florida, Missouri & South Carolina)

A few months ago I started seeing Instagram links on twitter. After my nervous breakdown I got an iPhone and now I can join the fun! AND I discovered through Joy’s Hope a weekly carnival over at Life Rearranged where you share the everyday moments of your week through your phone photos.

Fun fun fun!

 We visited Nannie (grandmom) and she let someone empty a whole tissue box. He was in pure bliss.

Bundled up for Daddy’s playoff softball game. They lost. I was happy because then there wasn’t a late double header… don’t tell Hot Hubby.

We went to Ridemakerz at Downtown Disney. It was A-Mazing! If you have boys you must check it out. I’ll be doing a post about it next week with an AWESOME coupon!!

Eli was touching head to toe in his toddler bed so it was time to upgrade. Since we are short on space and tall on kiddos, bunk beds were in order. We found beds and mattresses made in the USA (you know I love that!) and the kiddos LOVE them. Now I’m trying to find non-lame-not-overpriced bedding. Suggestions please!!

 

So in love with this child!! Cyrus can say #1 on command. Totally prepping his “tricks” before his first b-day party. Tiki theme at the beach… in case you wanted to know.

Rain. Which means we got to wear our rain boots. Since that only happens like 4 days a year, it’s a big deal. We splashed all day. Awesome.

Pregnancy craving at the moment. Chocolate chip cookies. I get sick from eating too much every day. I just can’t stop. When that first one touches my lips… (sigh)

Something new for Eli’s Lids. Yep. Think the perfect show-stopping-baby-shower giftie for boys (and tomboys)!! 

Hot Hubby and I love anything live – plays, musicals, ballets, symphony… and of course you all know we {heart} stand up comedy. There is just something magical about planning for a show, having tickets in hand (sometimes weeks in advance), and getting all gussied up for a live performance. We hope to pass this love on to our kiddos.

Two weeks ago we won tickets to Gala of the Stars from Debbie in the OC over at the Barclay Theater. Time to see if our kiddos will love the theater as well!

 

I donned my pearls and decked the boys out in their ties (the family coordinating in black/white… you know me!) and we started the evening with a swanky dinner…

I packed bribery treats snacks, stickers and a few quiet toys, just in case, and on the way we talked theater etiquette… which kinda made me wonder why going is so fun!

“It will be dark. No talking. Stay in your seat. People are going to dance around on stage. Clap for them.”

Aside from Cora yelling, “What’s Next??” after each dance it was awesome! Much to the dismay to the couple in front of us, Cy was doing a lil’ baby gabbering now and then, but all things considered I’m so happy we went. We did leave at intermission because it was already way past bedtime and I wasn’t going to press my luck. I want the children to want to come back!

By far the best performance was from Daniil Simkin, of the American Ballet Theatre. He did a hysterical piece (Moorhuhn)  as a chicken that lays an egg at the end. There was also a gun shot in the music which Eli thought was awesome.

Anyway, take your kiddos to the theater!

Because it’s rad.

(I’m thinking the Family Series at the Segerstom Center is in our near future.)

AND

To all the earring winners and movie ticket winners…

Your loot is in the mail!

(Learn how to make these earring cards over at OC Family)

We discovered UltraStar Cinema’s weekend Kidtoons at the end of last year and have had more fun going to a monthly movie with the kiddos! (Remember the awesome Care Bear birthday party??) Regular movies can be pricey, especially when you have to pay for kiddos who may only pay attention to half of the flick, go on 2-5 potty breaks, and run up to the screen at least 3 times. Not to mention all the noise you make shuffling around your purse for the snacks you sunk in (not that I would ever do that… ahem). UltraStar helps us out a lot by offering their weekend Kidtoons for only $2.50 per person BUT they are going to one-up that by doing a monthly Kidtoon giveaway right here at Eli’s Lids!!!

Yay for free family date days!!!

This month Kidtoons is showing…

 Aren’t the Olivia books just adorable and now you can enjoy a movie to boot!

 

UltraStar has gifted me with LOADS of ticket and I’m ready to give them away!!

Prize (10 winners!!!):

Tickets for your family to attend May’s UltraStar Kidtoon movie, Olivia.

 

How to win:

Mandatory entry: Leave a comment on this post with the amount of tickets you want. (Invite friends or have your bday party there! UltraStar has gifted me with enough tickets for all!!)

 

Extra entries…

Follow UltraStar on twitter here. They give out free passes every week!! (1 entry)

Fan UltraStar on Facebook. (1 entry)

Follow Eli’s Lids on twitter. (1 entry)

Follow Eli’s Lids on Facebook. (1 entry)

Tweet about the giveaway with this tweet:

OC Folks – Win free movie tickets from @UltraLuxeCinema over at

@ElisLids: http://bit.ly/k3Cj75

Facebook about the giveaway linking to this post: http://www.smallthingsarebigthings.com/ultrastar-kidtoon-giveaway/ 

For every extra entry, be sure to leave a separate comment on this post! i.e. If you follow Eli’s Lids, and Facebook about the giveaway leave 2 separate comments!

Yay for family dates at the movies!!

***Giveaway will only run for 3 days (ending Friday 13th, 9pm) so I can get those tickets out before the weekend!

(next month it will run for a whole week!)

Kiddtoons every Saturday and Sunday at 10:30am

321 West Katella Ave, Anaheim, CA 92802

We REALLY do wear our Lids all the time around here, and of course I’m always snapping pictures. Somehow they just don’t make it to the blog… till now! We’ve added Lid-Tastic Tuesday! Most Tuesdays we’ll do a flashback post of pictures I never got to put on the blog.

Flashing back to Mother’s Day 2010…

I was about a month away from birthing Cy and the weather was too blah for our annual Mom’s Day picnic so we took a bike ride. Our kiddos were tucked in and cozy wearing Lids, of course!!

 

We rode on down to Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory where I got a caramel and chocolate covered apple (one of my HUGEST pregnancy cravings with Cy).

Did I share it?

Hells NO!

After all, it was Mother’s Day…

 

There is a lot of power in being a mom! I’m not talking power trips or the power to do good or evil. Though being “mom” certainly does allow opportunities! I’m thinking more along the lines of the power to be a fun mom. Maybe power isn’t the best word… choice? Yeah, the choice to ignore the messy living room for a day and have a water fight instead! I have a feeling my kiddos won’t remember a few months days in a cluttered house but they will remember the fun of spraying the heck out of each other with H2O on a hot day. And the flip side – they probably would cringe at memories of a mom whose need for a spotless house kept the family on pins and needles every time a toy was pulled out.

Maybe one of my favorite family buzz words, intentional, is the best to describe our Mom-power. Being intentional about my mommy decisions is key in my daily mom-ness. I’m intentional because I know that what I teach them will have long lasting effects. Now, I’m not saying I always make the best mom-choices (that’s unintentional, of course) and I most definitely won’t be the “fun mom” that buys beer for her 16 year olds, but sometimes I get it right. Like letting a certain lil’ fellow use a stick he found on a walk as a fork for his snap peas.

(pics from June 2010)

Happy Mother’s Day tomorrow!

I’ll be at the beach enjoying my annual Mother’s Day picnic.

I’m still alive my invisible friends!!

It’s been a week, and I can’t say why I haven’t posted. A whole lot of busy and a whole lot of business as usual! I’m still preggers but I haven’t felt the baby kick yet. I’m a bit on edge being just over 20 weeks along and all. Is that strange??

I don’t have much to complain about as far as pregnancy symptoms go. No nausea, heartburn, swelling blah blah blah around here. I did fall asleep 3 times yesterday while playing with the kiddos. One second I’m playing My Little Ponies get attacked by pirates and the next my eyes are rolling and I’m full-on-asleep drool and all.

AND I crave toast, cereal and fruit. I can’t get enough. The picture above is a dinner I made for myself while preggers with Cy. Tonight the family will have enchiladas for Cinco de Mayo and I’ll be savoring the sweet tastes of Shredded Wheat!

Remember a couple of weeks ago when we when I invited you to Fabulous Fords Forever? If I didn’t say “hi,”  it’s because there were about 15,000 people at the fun event!!

Ford debuted the 2012 models (is that that the right word?? styles? designs?) and Hot Hubby was trying to convince me the Mustang would be a great family car. HA!

I’ve always thought the  Ford Taurus was ugly (sorry) but the new one is super cute! Before I knew what it was I commented on it to Hot Hubby, when he said “Taurus,” I was shocked!

Take a look:

(Look closely and you’ll see JP is wearing one of our earliest Lid styles. He insists on wearing it inside-out with the brim down! How awesome are kids?!?!?!?)

Some of our closest friends came with us and we just couldn’t stop snapping pic of the kiddos with the cars…

I’m sure the windex bearing car show folks were shaking in their shoes when they saw our sticky fingered children come close!

By the end, one lil’ gal was very done with the picture taking. But how could I resist this Orange County car!?!??

My faves were the old Model T’s. How awesome if we all still rocked some T action? (Maybe I wouldn’t have gotten a speeding ticket!!)

A pic of us with the race car beauty, Linda Vaughn, along with an awesome pic of her back in the day. Take a look at her drooling admirers in the background! I’ll give you 2 guesses why she is so popular…

 

If you guessed personality and poise then you were right! (Oh, and she has giant boobs.)

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Fabulous Fords Forever happens every year (this was year 26!) and it was a great FREE family day out! Pack a picnic lunch and check it out next year.

 

Follow Ford on Facebook here.

Follow Ford on Twitter here.

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Ford has some pretty amazing things up their sleeve… I mean under their hood, as well! Their all-female Biomaterials research team is working on technology to grow (YES, GROW) car parts. This video is fascinating: