Traveling with a Tot

As you may have noticed my absence, my husband and I decided to do the unthinkable: travel with the baby.  If you haven't taken a road trip with a 6 month old, don't leave without a plan of action.  No baby wants to be in a car seat for over three hours.  And no adult wants to be in a car with a baby who has been in a car seat for over three hours! 

Since we were going to Virginia (4 hours without traffic), we needed a halfway pit stop.  That landed us in Baltimore, Maryland, which is surprisingly kid friendly.  After a little research, I found Port Discovery, one of the nation's top five children's museums in the heart of Baltimore.  We were particularly attracted to the museum's "Tot Trails," an entire floor dedicated to activities and toys for newborns and infants.  What better place to let the baby get a much needed stretch from the car? 

Despite the sticker shock of a $13/per person entrance fee, it was well worth the visit.  Tot trail had a giant cushioned tumble area decorated like the sea with plenty of toy fish to play with.  There was also an indoor sandbox, a "butterfly" catching station, a reading area with plenty of good children books, a fish tank for kids to view, and a "mountain trail" for toddlers to climb.  The best perk was a family restroom with changing table. 

We spent a good hour and a half with the baby well entertained, but all good things must come to an end.  If I lived in Baltimore, I would be a member of this incredible children's museum.  It was a young kid's dream come true for unlimited fun.  We saw a three story tree house, "tiny diner" (where kids make parents a meal, a kid run "grocery store" complete with plastic groceries, cash registers, and even an "ATM machine."  I never saw a kid without a smile in Port Discovery, and that's saying something! 

The only bummer about the place was that there wasn't a real cafeteria, only vending machines.  For the health-conscious parent, there were sugar free juices available....but it was hardly enough to satiate an appetite built from all that playing.  I'd pack a lunch to bring along if you ever made it there.

The experience at Port Discovery made me want to check out other children's museums, but more importantly made me question why Phoenixville or the surrounding area doesn't have one of our own?  The closest children's museums are the "Please Touch Museum" in Philadelphia and the "Hands on House" in Lancaster, both of which I'll be touring in the future.  I think we could, and should, get a children's museums in the works for the kids in Chester county.  We certainly need one! 

Bridge Street Celtic Festival: Get Your Irish On!

After a disappointing day at the consignment sale, I ventured down to the Farmer's Market to grab a coffee and a Betsy's Iced Cupcake (if you haven't already had one of these heavenly treats, you need to!!!)  As baby and I were jamming to the musical stylings of the guitarist playing Beatles songs, we heard in the faint distance a bagpipe.  Could it be???  Yes it was!  Celtic Festival!

We wandered up the bridge to see a drum and fife band in full force as well as many clothing, arts, and food stands just waiting for us!  Although it's a bit gloomy out, a little green made my day.  So take a trip down and grab yourself a meat pie for lunch! 

Event Alert: Kimberton Bitty Bees Children Consignment Sale

Thanks to a loyal reader, I've just found out about yet another consignment sale, and you should know by now that I'm a sucker for a good sale!  The Kimberton Bitty Bees Sale is 5/14 from 8am-1pm and 5/15 from noon to 2pm at St. Basil's in Kimberton.  I have high expectations now due to the Just Between Friends sale, but if I can come away from this sale with one of those crazy activity jumpers I will be happy! 

This event is in Spring and Fall, so if you're not in the market for more goodies, you've got a couple of seasons to get ready.  Hope to see you there!

Mother's Day Ideas

This is my first year as a mom on Mother's Day, and I'm seeking something special for the occasion.  My guess is so are you!  So here are some potential ideas of local goodies for Mother's Day:

The Mother's Day Express on the West Chester Railroad rides on Sunday, May 8, Noon and 2 p.m.
The website proclaims a "nostalgic 90 minute train ride to through beautiful Chester Creek Valley ends with a stop at their quaint picnic grove in Glen Mills." Admission is $12.50 for adults, $10.50 for children (ages 2-12), free for toddlers (under 2), and only $5 for mom. I'm not sure how baby is going to do with a 90 minute train ride, but I haven't been on a train in over ten years, and it just sounds like a cool idea. 

Another fun option would be Longwood Gardens.  On both days this weekend there is a Mother's Day brunch that's a bit pricy ($57 a person) but also includes gratiuity, alcohol, and admission to the park.  Nothing would be nicer than taking a stroller ride through some beautiful gardens and then chowing down on a scrumptious brunch.

If you are up for some fun without baby, the Black Walnut Winery Tasting Room in Phoenixville gives moms get a free tasting (tastings are $6 for seven wines) throughout Mother’s Day weekend.  Don't forget to stop by Bridge Street Chocolates for a some delicious truffles to pair with your wine tastings!

Maybe you want (and certainly deserve) a nice massage or pedicure?  Verde Salon and Spa in Phoenixville is open Mother's Day and still has some open appointments.  Drop hints to your hubby and kids now, before it's too late! 

Last Mother's Day I made a big impression on my own mother by taking her to brunch at The Black Lab Bistro.  I do know slots fill up fast, so get your reservation in now! 

Well whatever you choose to do on Mother's Day this year, I hope it's a very special day for you!  I'm getting my husband to babyproof the living room: it's the best present I could think to get! 

Event Review: Just Between Friends Consignment Sale

Wow.  I'm impressed.  After the MOMS of Multiple Consignment Sale chaos, I was dreading the obnoxious Black Friday-esque crowds and hoarding of merchandise at another large consignment sale.  Also, since I was attending the last day of the sale, I expected it to be completely picked clean with only a few stained outfits left for grabs. 

I was very wrong and pleasantly surprised.  This had to be the best and most organized sale I've yet to witness.  Held at the Oaks Expo Center, the venue had plenty of space for stroller access and plenty of space for consignment items.  Despite my vow not to buy any more clothes, when faced with stuffed racks of clothes without having to fight other mothers for a peak, I went weak in the knees.  My expectant sister-in-law also found herself with an armful of clothes for an already well stocked baby. 

As for the other items, I bought a space saver high chair for THREE DOLLARS (at Babies R Us they were over $50!).  Although slightly more expensive, I got a Tickle Me Elmo which my daughter now adores.  Had I needed them, there were strollers, bouncy chairs, plays gyms, books, toys, cribs, blankets, bottles, breast pumps, boppy pillows, and anything else a mother might want. 

I will definately be back for the Fall sale (and post details closer to the date). I'm going to try my hand at consigning this time too.  The cashier told me that you get 65% of your sales and a check promptly two days after the sale.  Not too shabby.

Visiting the Easter Bunny

By now, I’ve seen about a dozen Easter Bunny photos on Facebook to know that my readers have been to one of the nearby malls to get their baby’s picture taken.  I used the Bunny Easy Pass online and purchased my portrait package so I wouldn’t have to wait in line.  The packages were relatively cheap, and I went with the package that included the CD and four 5x7 pictures.  I thought it was a great deal especially since I would receive a $20 gift card for Shutterfly in return.  Just because I thought it was super cute, I added a keychain for $2.99 so I could see her cute face even more often.   All seemed good in the world as I confirmed my payment and headed to the Exton Mall.

If I was worried about lines on a Monday afternoon, I was concerned for no reason at all.  There was only one kid in line so we didn’t have to wait long to get her on the bunny’s lap.  As far as Easter Bunnies go, this one wasn’t so creepy.  My own Easter Bunny pic would definitely make the SketchyBunny.com.  My daughter took being held by a giant rabbit in stride.  If a thought bubble could have appeared above her head it would have said, “This happens all the times in my dreams.”  I probably would have screamed bloody murder if this creature tried to hold me. 

The picture was a success! The staff took their time trying to get the right smile, and for that I’m grateful.  However, I never received my Shutterfly gift card (I’m wondering if anyone did…), AND I never got the picture that goes in the keychain!  They just gave me an empty keychain!  So I feel slightly ripped off by the Easter Bunny.  Worse yet, he didn’t even bring me candy this morning!  WTF Easter Bunny?  I’ll be coming for you next year.  

Anyway, I thought I should share the cutest photo ever with you all (note the Hartstrings strawberry outfit I had my eye on…leave it to grandma to spoil her grandchild!)

Event Review: Baby Toddler Expo

Despite some initial bad reviews from friends about the Baby Toddler Expo, I decided it was worth it to check out for myself (and for you) if this event was worth the $6 cover charge.  My verdict?  Yes and no.  For babies, there wasn't a whole lot to do other than stroll them around the expo center and look at the vendors who weren't necessarily baby related.  Sure Chicco was there with their high price (yet awesome) strollers, but most of the vendors were for vacation resorts, home improvments like window treatments/ insulation, and banks.  Worse yet, I ended up signing away my personal information for the chance to win several gift cards.  I expect a barrage of annoying solicitation calls to start any minute. 

The plus side of the vendors is that I got free chocolate milk from Leigh Valley Farms (that really made my day), a free childproofing kit, 2 free baby bottles, and a lot of samples (yummy Cabot cheese).  I  also found a particularly cool multicultural children's book stand and a some really nice bags at ThirtyOneGifts.   The most valuable resource I discovered at the Expo was MommySitters.com, a free planning calendar for moms to link up with one another to make playdates, babysit, etc.  I just set up a calendar myself!

As for the fun and games, we saw the diaper derby, and were asked to participate; but my baby is far from crawling.  That was about it for the wee little ones. Now for toddlers, this expo would have been awesome.  There was a petting zoo with the cutest darn piglet and the largest bunny rabbit I ever saw.  Elmo was running around saying hi to kids.  There were also inflatable bounce houses, sliding boards, jungle gyms, see saws, and magic shows for kids.  It looked like a lot of fun for the older kiddies.

Overall, I think it was worth the entrance fee.  I had fun, and let's face it sometimes you get a little stir crazy and want to do something, anything with the baby.