#26 - Join (or start) a mommy/child group

Some of you may remember that when I turned 28 I made this 30 before 30 list which comprised of some things I would like to do before I turn 30. Some of them were realistic (#13 - Make and drink a pomegranate martini - I mean, come on it was super easy and tasty) and others not so much (#1 - Run a 5K - not sure how I can manage that with my knees). I have been whittling away at these 30 tasks very S.L.O.W.L.Y. Now the big three-oh is looming a mere 8 months away and I have a whopping 22 more tasks to complete (I have not blogged about 2 of the completed tasks in case you are keeping track). That means I need to complete roughly 2.75 tasks per month. :) oh buddy!

This leads me to tell you about #26 - Join (or start) a mommy/child group. Shortly after we moved to Fairfield, I began my search to see if I could join an existing moms group or if I would have to create one. My sister-in-laws have both been active in various MOPS groups, I have sorority sisters who talk about watch mommy run groups, and Stroller Strides is big in the south but not so much here so I wasn't sure what I might find. When I started my search I stumbled upon something that has become near and very dear to my heart - the MOMS Club of Fairfield. I had never heard of MOMS, which is short for Moms Offering Moms Support, but I am so glad I have found them. They have playgroups, moms nights out, meetups at the park, a cooking club, a book club, and they are all close in proximity to me!! I was kind of nervous to go to the events at first because they all knew each other so well and I felt like the new kid on the block but now I fit right in and love meeting new members and hanging out with those who have been in the club for a long time. Another thing that is great about being in the group is Lucas having the opportunity to interact with other kids. He loves all the commotion and going new places. Those naps after a MOMS get together are made up of a deeper kind of sleep ;-)

The above picture is from our Christmas party and below are from when we went to Ross's office for Children's Dental Health Month. So awesome.

Paul McCartney Concert

I went to the Paul Mccartney concert at Great American Ballpark...it was AMAZING! It is a little embarrassing to admit that I cried twice without even realizing it. I guess there are some songs that I love so much and I never imagined I would hear them live that I was just overcome with emotion. This was undoubtedly the best concert of my life - 3+ hours of pure musical genius :)

The Girls!

setlist:

1. Hello, Goodbye

2. Junior's Farm

3. All My Loving

4. Jet

5. Drive My Car

6. Sing the Changes

7. The Night Before

8. Let Me Roll It / Foxy Lady Tease

9. Paperback Writer

10. The Long and Winding Road

11. Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five

12. Let 'Em In

13. Maybe I'm Amazed

14. I've Just Seen a Face

15. I Will

16. Blackbird

17. Here Today

18. Dance Tonight

19. Mrs. Vandebilt

20. Eleanor Rigby

21. Something

22. Band on the Run

23. Obla Di Obla Da

24. Back in the USSR

25. I've Got a Feeling

26. A Day in the Life / Give Peace a Chance

27. Let it Be

28. Live and Let Die

29. Hey Jude

Encore

30. Lady Madonna

31. Day Tripper

32. Get Back

Encore 2

33. Yesterday

34. Helter Skelter

35. Golden Slumbers / Carry that Weight / The End

#18 Find something I love at a garage sale and buy it!

I found this great train toy at a garage sale drive by and I must admit that I love how much Lucas loves it. Every morning he crawls straight to it and squeals with excitement when it lights up and plays music. He has been using it to learn to pull up to standing and then sitting back down as well as pushing it while crawling. It won't be long before he is walking behind it! I would recommend this toy or something similar for all babies at this stage of development!

#25 Go to a concert of a band or singer I really like

NKOTBSB
My best friend and I went to the highly anticipated NKOTBSB concert in Cleveland this past week!! It was super fun to sing to songs I remember from way back, dance/jump nonstop for 3 hours, and scream at the top of my lungs (I mean, Donnie Wahlberg took off his shirt....what else was I going to do?). This concert was hilarious because the fans were mainly women (ages 20-40) and we were all acting like teenagers cheering for heart throbs from the past who were singing on a gigantic stage shaped in the most phallic shape you can imagine. We made some sweet 80's inspired shirts using fabric paint, stencils, and iron-on letters. Too fabulous for words!

#3 Have one of my dogs become a Canine Good Citizen

Archie and me after the test for the beginner class
Archie and his awards

Archie and I have been taking training classes at a local dog training club (www.adtc.us) in hopes of earning his canine good citizen certificate....and after a few months of dedicated time, he did it! CGC is a program put out by the AKC promoting responsible dog ownership and good doggie manners (www.akc.org/events/cgc/program). There are 10 tests Archie passed in order to gain this honor :)

1. Accepting a friendly stranger

2. Sitting politely for petting

3. Appearance and grooming

4. Out for a walk (walking on a loose lead)

5. Walking through a crowd

6. Sit and down on command and staying in place

7. Coming when called

8. Reaction to another dog

9. Reaction to distraction

10. Supervised separation

Archie has also passed 2 training classes (beginner and pre-novice) with 3rd place and 1st place honors. Some of the above tests are harder for Archie than others (specifically reaction to another dog and walking on a loose lead) and all of the tests can become more difficult within a new environment. So, I guess he will always be a work in progress - as all dogs are :)

And of course Lucas likes to pretend he is a dog...or maybe this is just a result of him having as much interaction with dogs as he does with humans.

#13 Make and Drink a Pomegranate Martini

This was our first Valentines Day as parents, so, we decided not to battle the throngs of lovers at the restaurants and movies opting instead for a nice meal at home. I made twice baked potatoes and red velvet cake while Ross was at work...and pumped enough milk so that I could enjoy a drink or two ;-) Ross researched the ingredients for a pomegranate martini and made me my first cocktail for the evening. Then while he grilled up some steaks and asparagus, I completed #13 from my 30 before 30 list and made my second martini! I don't know why pomegranate flavoring has seemed to dominate the grocery the past few years. This proposed super food can be found flavoring yogurt, juice, and salad dressing to name a few places it has appeared. Whatever the reason, I LOVE it almost anywhere I find it! A pomegranate Martini is no exception - it provides just the right amount of tartness to offset the strong flavor of vodka. Here is the version we made - you can adjust the amounts to your liking (or your tolerance level). I think it is better when you add the Champagne after you shake it to retain the bubbly.

Pomegranate Martini

4 oz Pomegranate Juice

1 oz Vodka

1/2 oz Triple Sec

1/2 oz Champagne

Lemon juice and sugar garnish

My Valentines

30 Before 30

My birthday was this weekend and it was super fun! We went out Saturday night to my favorite restaurant in town with friends (including my friend Maggie who has the same birthday - how cool is that?!?). Then on Sunday Ross, Lucas and I hung out around the house and had a nice relaxing day. Ross made me my favorite cake - Funfetti with Rainbow Chip icing (this is probably every American '80's baby's favorite). Ahhhh the yummy goodness of childhood in a box :)

The birthday girls

And now for my 30 before 30 list...I got this idea from some dear friends :) and would love to accomplish these things in the next 2 years!

1. Run a 5K
2. Make my own ravioli
3. Have one of my dogs become a canine good citizen
4. Learn to sew
5. Plant a garden
6. Make applesauce
7. Join and be active in a Bible study
8. Learn to play a lifelong instrument
9. Take ballroom dance classes with Ross
10. Write a children's book
11. Bake a cookie cake
12. Have a zoo membership (or aquarium)
13. Make and drink a pomegranate martini
14. Make another baby
15. Visit Erin and Ryan in NY for a fun NY weekend
16. Make Lucas a Christmas stocking
17. Read a Shakespearean play I have not yet read
18. Find something I love at a garage sale and buy it
19. Have beautiful Christmas presents that match
20. Dress up for Halloween
21. Host a dinner party
22. Plant bulb flowers
23. Volunteer somewhere
24. Learn all the words to Amazing Grace by heart
25. Go to a concert of a band or singer I really like
26. Join (or start) a mommy/child group
27. Take a cooking class
28. Go to a play or musical
29. Join a book club that is successful
30. Become good at crocheting washcloths