Wonderwild

Last week, Grandma treated us to a little fun. Big Sis DIVA had the opportunity to check out a local indoor play scape, Wonderwild . It was fabulous. An air condioned indoor safe zone, incredibly important here in the Texas heat, that tots can roam free and play, play, play, all while momma can keep eyes glued on them while sitting calmly and feeding a baby and gossiping with grandma. FABULOUS!

Wonderwild has something for every tot. A safe crawling area for non walkers filled with toys and books and puppets and balls and you name it, it is here. Enclosed so crawlers do no escape into the paths of the crazed tots racing from inflatable slides, climbing structures, kid powered trains, and giant jumping pillows. Wonderwild offers an assortment of intriguing classes that range from art to a variety of movement centered learning. Theme parties are also put on by this fabulous play scape, such as tea parties and Darth Vader events. Between the incredible space, design and toy structures as well as the inviting staff and clean facility, I would have to say this place is a definite permanent fixture on our play date rotation, especially throughout the summer heat.

Big Sis DIVA ran like crazy and made some new friends. One thing that I really liked about Wonderwild, that I usually do not find at these indoor play areas, is that they do allow you to bring your own food in. There is a section set up with high chairs and tables so you may dine on your own snacks. This is great for many reasons! Mostly, so that parents may control the food their kids eat, but also helps with budgeting, as many of us are so keen on these days. Also on the baby dining front, there are plenty of areas to discreetly feed your little tot as well as comfy chairs nestled in the restroom in a lovely sitting area to feed if you are a little more shy. Major points with this boob feeding momma!

We had a great time at Wonderwild and really look forward to going back to Wonderwild real soon! Perhaps we might even have a party or two there in the future!

Nutella playdate

Recently Baby DIVA and I happily accepted an invitation to a fabulous shindig at lovetoshopmom's casa. Love To Shop Mom and her Little Miss Diva in training hosted a nutella party. And oh my goodness, this is one way to throw a happening playdate. The kiddo's played and played and then dined on scrumptious treats whipped up by love to shop mom. And Critter2 might have enjoyed this delicious treat too! Whilst I enjoyed the adult conversation! Fun Fun!

Snacking on Nutella Brownies

The yummy spread courtesy of Love To Shop Mom

Two Diva's swapping Nutella recipes!

Thank you Love To Shop Mom for having us over for such a wonderful playdate!

Princess Party

Baby DIVA had a wonderful thing happen this last weekend. Her bestie turned 2 YEARS OLD!! And her bestie had a PRINCESS PARTY! It was totally awesome. the girls dressed up in cutesy princess attire and danced about squealing in delight and stuffing sugar in their mouths. The Birthday gal had a sensational bday and Baby DIVA was honored to be a part of it! So one more time Happy 2nd Birthday Lil Miss DIVA in training!!

Playground etiquette

The last couple of weeks here in Texas have brought a much needed, yet over abundance of rain. We have had a ton of tropical moisture creeping up and flooding our streets and disrupting our play dates at local parks. The kids are starting to go nutty, so other plans must be made.

Last week, during one of these flood gates opened days, I met Lovetoshopmom and her Tot at the local mall so our TOTS could play in the TOT area and work off some energy. I know we were receiving a ton of rain. I know it is summer and that all the kids are out of school and bored. That is fine. However there is absolutely NO REASON what-so-ever for a 8-10 year old large child to be zipping about the tot spot at the mall, running like a mad man, jumping off the tot climbers, squishing tots and just being a brat.

Baby DIVA got squashed twice by this child. I approached him and told him to please mind the little kids, he replied with a "you are not my mother" comment. BOY i tell you what I wanted to reach over and let this kid know a thing or two. But I didn't. Nope I looked around for his mother and when she was no where to be found, poor Baby DIVA was forced to leave the play area. We went and rode the carousel instead. Talk about a big bummer! Half an hour later upon return to the play area, that same child had climbed up on top of one of the large climbers (in fact an area the kids are not allowed to climb on) and was jumping off and running like a mad man, still. So we left the mall completely.

I felt so bad for Baby DIVA. I was also so angry at this misbehaving boys parents. Where they heck are they? Why are the letting this obviously too old child, to run around like a crazed lunatic in a toddler play zone. It is unacceptable! I have taken the Big Kids, Sassy Gal and Video Dude to this play area in the past, and they always follow my rules and do not play on the equipment when there are little kids around. I simply tell them NO! And oh my goodness, They mind me!

I think parents need to remember that the mall playground does not babysit your children. You still must be an active parent and watch out after your child. If not for the safety of your own, at least for the safety of other children.

Memorial City Castle

Now that Baby DIVA is at a playdate friendly age, we have been out and about exploring our fine city and looking for fabulous things to do. And of course, my frugal self is keeping the frugal theme rolling in these adventures, always scouting out free or cheap fun for moms, dads and tots. This last week we had our first adventure over to a well known HOT SPOT playdate place. The soft CASTLE play area of Memorial City Mall.

I can definitely see why this is a hoppin' play date place. The castle is amazing. Gorgeous and caught my eye. I can only imagine what it must look like through the eyes of a toddler!

We teamed up with Love to Shop Mom and her little Miss Diva, and headed off to find the CASTLE. It was a breeze to find. The mall maps were plentiful and the mall was very stroller friendly. Quickly us moms and our tots caught site of the fabulous castle and it was ON. Baby DIVA shrieked with excitement as we parked the stroller, removed our shoes and were allowed access into the soft play area by a security guard behind a gated and locked entry, Which I found lovely, in a weird sort of way.

At first Baby DIVA had to do the usual toddler move, of "oh mom I am so shy, let me hide behind your legs". But she very quickly was invited in by all the bright colors and mystical decor that the soft castle had to offer. After a quick introduction and demonstration by me, showing her that it was safe, Baby DIVA became the Castle's Queen. She was totting about, climbing stairs, crawling through secret passages, sliding down drawbridges and swimming in the castle river, which is a blue pit of sorts that the tots adore.

We spent a good couple of hours at this lovely play area. Baby DIVA had a ball. I was impressed that there was not a huge crowd, we were there from about 10am until noonish. The weather outside was disgusting, so the small crowd made me very happy. The facility was very clean and the kids had a blast. I would highly recommend this play area to all local moms who are looking for an indoor fun and unique place to go! And the best part: IT IS FREE!!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Play dating!

Wordless Wednesday: Tot spottin' playdate

Last week Baby DIVA had a wonderful playdate with Little Miss Diva in training while Pink Haired Momma snagged a few moments of adult conversation with Love to Shop Mom! Playdate at the Tot spot was a huge success for both girls and momma's!

Heading out to play at the Tot Spot!

Making friends with herself!

Hello! I playin' ma!

Having a fabulous Tea Party with Little Miss Diva in training

Tea Party and Chupy's



And this was Baby DIVA before we left the Tot Spot parking lot!