The Child-FREE Life : When Having Children doesn't make cents!

Hi everyone, I came across this interesting article through a Facebook friend. And his questions was "Would you consider the thought of having children a financial decision? why or why not?" My response was I think having children is a financial decision after you have the first one. What do you think? I would love to hear your opinions. The topic came from an article on Single Black Male website "Having kids doesn't make cents" (click here to read full article). It is a very interesting article. 

 

Time magazine also did an article "The Child Free Life : When having it all means not having children" (click here to read full article)

 

1st Birthday Party Reminicising.....come walk with me!! :)

Where has the time gone??? In preparing for Croix's 2nd Thomas the Train themed birthday party. I started reminiscing on his progress over the past year. Two weeks after his first birthday he started walking and now he is running around and jumping off everything fearlessly, lol. All the words he has learned, the sentences he can say clearly, he's in the process of being potty trained.......he is just growing up so fast right before my eyes *TEARS*, lol. I held the party in my hometown of Chicago, so it was his first plane ride from DC. Which was extremely interesting. I had everything I could think of with me in preparation for the worst. I so did not want to be one of those parents with the screaming child on the plane. Luckily for me Croix did very well arriving, returining......mmmmm.....it was so-so! lol. He kept wanting to touch and talk to the person sitting next to us with slobby wet hands. I had to keep offering the man wipes and apologizing, lol. Glad he was understanding. Also there is the situation of flying with a child in your lap. All babies less then 2 years old can ride for free in your lap. Now, that's great for some, but here were the challenges I faced.

1. I'm 6'2!! Before having Croix my goal was to always sit in the exit rows on all flights. All tall people can relate to this. When you have babies with you, say bye bye to the exit rows. Your back to stiff knees.

2. Croix at age one was already the size of a two year old. So just imagine my big self in a seat with a two year old on my lap in a window seat.......yeah not comfortable

3. Now picture Croix not being able to sit still......now picture us both trying to sleep..........lol.

4. Beverage Time! I think I will order a ginger ale....."Thank you, ma'am" now go to set it on your tray.......Tray?! What Tray? You have no room to put the damn tray down....now your holding your drink and trying to hold a baby that keeps slobbing on the person next to you. HAHA!

Extremely challenging but when we finally arrived it was so worth seeing all my family and friends. I had so much funny designing and planning his first birthday party and I can't wait to have his 2nd party next month. I thought I would share with you a recap of his 1st Sesame Street Soiree party. <------Click there. Enjoy :)

XOXO,

Day Out with Thomas

Its been a while since my last post, but please forgive me. I've been extremely busy, won't let it happen again (xoxo).

Ok so down to business! Croix and I went to Day Out With Thomas Event and it was fantastic. There were soooo many things for him to do. It was held at the Baltimore Railroad Museum. It was really neat! They had tons of old trains and displays, you could go inside of a few of them and read there stories. Really Really cool! The entire event was very engaging. When you first walk in you see an actual Thomas train engine at the platform waiting to take parents on rides with there kids. Croix's eyes lighted up when he say Thomas "Mommy! Choo-Choo Thomas" as he pointed.

We played with blocks, we colored, we played on train tables, we ran....well Croix ran and I was forced to run after him, lol. There was a nice gift shop FULL of Thomas the Train items. I had to practice self control in the shop so I had to make a quick exit. There was a petting zoo, story time, mini train rides, a train slide that Croix never wanted to leave, lol. We literally hit every activity they had. I was so tired.

 

Our train ride was scheduled to depart at 2:30pm so we headed to stand and the wait wasn't bad at all. We got on the train fairly quickly. The conductors were dressed in the old uniforms and the carts were decorated with streamers. Croix and I were both excited about sitting down considering we were walking and running everywhere. When he pulled off from the platform Croix was really excited. He sat in my lap and looked out the window the entire time pointing and asking questions that I try to translate to myself, HAHA! When the train ride was over the conductor gave all the kids Jr. Engineer Certificates (so cute!). When we got off Croix got a chance to take a photo with Thomas.

 

I was hoping for more of a smirk smile or something, but by this time he was tired and almost fell asleep on the way back to the station, lol.

Our Thomas Fun Day was a huge success! When we got back to the car Croix fell out sleep within 2 minutes. My little guy was tired. I couldn't wait to get home and start brainstorming for his Thomas The Train themed birthday party. YAAAY My baby will be 2. Can't believe it! Time flies when your having fun with Croix :)

The CHAMP IS HERE!!!

His natural ability to learn the game of basketball is so impressive. He actually squared up to the basket and was focused on the rim. My baby is going to be a great athlete. I look forward to recording these moments so he will always have a this to look back at. I love documenting his accomplishments and milestones. Can't wait till he gets a bit older and I can put him one of those little kid basketball leagues. Can you just imagine him with his little jersey on!!! I will forever be his biggest fan, Booster Club Mom, Everything, lol.  I can't WAIT!! :)

Mommy & Son Date Ideas

I love doing things with Croix. I like introducing new things to him and exploring new things myself. Its important to keep that mother son bond strong. Getting to know your kids as individuals and learn there personalities is key I believe to having a successful and healthy relationship with them as they grow. I made a list of things I wanted to do with him before he was even born (Yeah I was a pretty excited, lol). My list is pretty damn long let me tell ya! I even broke things down into seasons HAHAHA! But I wanted to share a few general ideas with you mommies out there as inspiration to take your son(s) on dates. I am all about making memories. Have fun! :)

At Home:

• Have a picnic (indoors or out)
• Explore outside
• Play catch
• Practice soccer skills
• Build a fort in the living room
• Craft day
• Movie night at home
• Play hide-and-go-seek
• Build a puzzle together
• Play board games
• Bake some sugary goodies
• Dig in the dirt
• Water fight
• Have a dance party
• Go on a treasure hunt
• DIY project
• Play wrestling (although watch your nose its very fragile and will bleed easily, trust me!)
• Cook together
• Color in coloring books.
• Read together

Out and About:

• Miniature golfing
• Play football
• Go to a kid movie premiere
• Have a lunch/dinner date
• Play basketball (we do this in the house too, lol)
• Play at the park
• Go out for ice-cream
• Take a bike ride
• Visit a toy store
• Visit the zoo or local museum
• Go to the beach
• Go to a sporting event
• Go for a long drive
• Art class or pottery
• Go to a bounce house
• Shopping trip
• Visit a book store and pick out a few new books

If you have any other fun date ideas I would love to hear them. Feel free to comment and share. :)

VOTE FOR CROIX TO BE ON THE COVER OF PARENTS MAGAZINE!

 

Hey everyone,  I entered Croix in the 2013 Parents Cover Magazine Contest. Click on the link below and VOTE, VOTE, VOTE!!!!! Please and Thank you :)

 

http://www.parents.com/photos/parents-cover-contest-2013/2013-04-15/wy3d