{Surviving Winter with a Toddler}

Can you believe it's (almost) the middle of November?! How did that happen??

Well, along with panicking about the holidays and my little one's first birthday quickly approaching, I've also been panicking about the bitter cold weather that comes with the winter months. How will I survive being stuck in our small house with an active, now walking and soon to be toddler????

So I have been planning out what to do on the really bad wet, icy, snowy days. The days that all the layers in the world won't keep you warm. Yep, those days are coming.

What's that saying 'failing to plan is planning to fail' or something like that... Well I shall not fail! Well I'll atleast put up a good fight.

My adavice to all mama's, do your research! Google is definitely your friend, indoor playgrounds, YMCA, music classes and mommy & baby classes are your friend. Also, ask other mom's!

Here is wht I found in Boston/Boston area.

Kindermusik with Evan at Blissful Monkey Yoga Studio in JP - I've talked about how much we love this class in the past and I really can't say enough good things. Check the schedule and try a drop-in class for $15 and see what I am talking about! Evan also has Thursday class at the Rogerson House for $10 a class that we realy enjoy!

Early childhood Music & Movement Classes in Natick, Sherborn & West Roxbury

Mama & Me in Jamaica Plain, MA - parent and baby classes and toddler classes too! (We are registering for the Paint & Play.) (Prices Range)

Toddler Town at Marina Bay - Quincy, MA - ($5 - $8 depending on baby age)

Tot Plex - Canton, MA ($8 per child)

My Gym - Newton - Boston - Medfield (monthly pricing) - You can try a class for free!

*full disclosure we tried the one in Newton this summer and did not love it. We may try it again when she is a little older.

Gymboree - Needham - Quincy and other locations - Music, Art and Play & Learn classes for monthly fee. You can try a class for free!

Check your local library for Story Time - The one in Roslindale Square is Tuesdays at 10:30 AM

MSPCA - Little Bookworms Story Time on Wednesdays - 10am - Suggested Donation is $5

*full disclosure I tried the one in JP and it was a little hectic but the animals were fun to look at. I am thinking she was a little young for it.

Museums! check their sites for tips on where to take the littles.

LegoLand Discovery Center - PlayZone and Events - we may have to wait and do this with the mister!

Family Sing-along at Best Sellers Cafe - Medfield, MA some Wednesday at 10am

Whole Foods in Dedham, MA has a story & Smoothie Time on Wednesdays at 9:30am, I'll be going next week and will report back!

*I will update this list and post again next month.

Anyone else have some go-to's for getting the kiddos out of the house during the winter months? Please do share in the comments. I'll keep updating this list!

We started to supervised "coloring" last week while we wait for papa and it has been fun so I started a Bebe Activities board on Pinterest with some craft ideas that I'll be trying with Z.

Now for the big question, anyone up for a playdate this winter??!

xo

Natalie

#bebe

{Life Lately}

New mama confession: I still sit in the back seat of the car with Zoe when the mister drives.... Don't laugh but it is very true. At first it was simply what you did with an itty bitty tiny preemie with breathing issues sitting in a way to big car seat.

Then, it was to make sure she didn't scream the entire time because she was going through her I hate the car seat phase.

And now it's just a habit. And I love to see her cute face and when she "talks" to me.... I know I know I'll eventually stop making pretend I am being chaufered and sit with my honey. I know some of you are cringing on the otherside of this screen but one thing I've learned is during these last 11 months is, WHATEVS to what other folks are doing and do you. I promise I won't do it until she is off to college. Promise...

Oh since I took a blogging hiatus this week I thought I'd share some pics to make you smile.

Here is our life lately via el iPhone.

Zoe and her BFF Stella at Kindermuik, goodness she loves this class. And Stella makes me wantt o have another babe, really, that smile!!!

One, Z looks terified at the face I am making. Two, my thigh looks huge.

A babe in leaves, because I am sure you haven't seen enough of them.... But really, this girl's face is priceless.

Red peppers for pre-dinner snack. I hope her love for veggies sticks around.

Lot's and lots of park dates bwcause soon the cold will keep us inside.

I've making one big pot of soup a week, it is the absolute best Fall dish and the leftovers are a life saver, This one is a sage chicken, squash and white bean soup and it was so good I may need to remake and share!

Mama put on make-up, let's take a selfie. PS the greys??! Out OF CONTROL.

Representing dada's favorite team!

I may or may not have eaten this entire package in two sittings...I'll blame it on the cold I was fighting... So friggen good.

Another fall (crockpot) meal I make regularly is chili!! This squash, black bean, roasted corn and chicken one will be up on the blog soon.

This little chicklet is into everything.... Laughing after I found her with papas hard drive!

Coat season means pulling out the oldies but the goodies. This Zara one I bouht in Portugal 6 years ago and I am still so in love with it.

Multi-tasking.

Halloween tutu's are all the rave!

I may have to share my Target purchases because this was a GOOD trip! Hat for under $20!

Almost walking and mama is a basket of nerves.

Off I go to continue my blogging break but I'll be back to it next week and lot's of great things in the works!

Happy Halloween lovelies!! Hope this weekend is a great one.

xo

Natalie

#lifelately #bebe

{And She Eats: Muffins for the Littles}

All mamas will forever worry about their little ones eating enough of the right foods (I swear my moms still asks if I ate every time we talk!). And when these teething monsters become even pickier we need tricks up our sleeves. AKA a dish the babes can't resist and assure our mama hearts that they are eating the good stuff.

These muffins are the trick up my sleeve. Muffins, that I hide the veggies and fruits in them and leave out the sugar.

First batch were with berries and carrots but these are my "Fall Edition" and goodness she could not get enough. Hence getting any pics without chubby little fingers in them were impossible.

I hadn't baked with quinoa flour before but I knew the benefits were worth trying it out. And it was a success. The carrots and fruit keep them moist. The small squirt of organic light agave sweetened them just enough.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cup organic whole-wheat flour

1/2-cup quiona flour (don't have it, use all whole wheat flour)

3 tbsp butter (melted)

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp cinnamon

1tsp nutmeg

2 tsp vanilla

Squirt of organic light agave (use up to a couple tablespoons, depending on how sweet you want them)

1 large egg beaten

1/2 cup of shredded carrots

1/2 cup very ripe bananas

1 cup of peeled cored apple (3 small ones)

Recipe

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Grease 12-cup muffin pan

Cook apples, bananas, vanilla and agave with sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg until apples are soft, for about 10 minutes on medium heat.

Stir frequently.

In a large bowl, mix together all dry ingredients

In a second bowl, mix together melted butter, the egg, cooked fruit and carrots until just combined.

Spoon batter into muffin tins, leave room for them to rise.

Bake for 18-20 minutes or until knife comes out clean.

Cool in pan for 10 minutes before removing onto a cooling rack.

Goodness I love that little face.

I made these on the smaller side, which made 18, but you can get 12 regular sized muffins.

Let me know what your little one thinks of these and what tricks you have up your mama sleeves!

xo

Natalie

#dishes #bebe