I'm Big on Little Rock: Wrapping up Christmas Break

I just realized that I didn't put the finishing touches on our extra long Christmas break in the Rock Town!  Let's go back to where we left it.  On New Years Eve my mom, Alli, and I went to Pinnacle Mountain to get Alli out of the house.  It was actually a warm day (and by warm I mean not freezing) so we had a great time playing on the new playground equipment and even taking a walk.  I can't tell you how many times I went to that park as a child, so it's always so much fun to take Alli on the same nature trail and visitors center.

Alli was pretty excited to actually hike the mountain, so we promised her we'd come back the next day.  That evening, Ryan and I celebrated our ninth wedding anniversary at the Packet House, which is a really old house that overlooks the river.  We had a four course meal, and I got the wine pairings too.  Fabulous!  

The next day I was anxious to get the New Years resolutions off right, so I went on a three mile walk with Dad followed by hiking Pinnacle with Ryan and Alli.  The views were amazing, and spending day one of 2014 conquering a mountain?  I can't think of anything more symbolic than that!

That evening, Mom made an awesome roast with mashed potatoes and of course black eyed peas.  Even Alli ate some, so good luck is sure to be ours this year.  And Riley got to be held by her Nini.  Sometimes I wish I were still small enough for Nini to hold me.

We spent the next several days working and working out, and then Saturday we took Alli to Altitude, which is a new trampoline park in Little Rock.  It was awesome.  There was a foam pit that we could jump into, a dodgeball court, and trampolines on every available surface.  We could hardly keep up with Alli - she was literally bouncing off the walls.

Sunday morning, Ryan drove back to Fayetteville in the snow, but we Lowe girls stayed on in Little Rock due to some unforeseen circumstances.  We made the best of it and spent lots of time with my parents.  Alli and Riley are nuts about their Diddy and Tata.

We had to get back to reality last Tuesday night, and I finally got my Christmas stuff down Saturday (horror of horrors) so that I could go back to judging people who hadn't done it yet.  I'm really terribly sad that the holidays are over because we had such a wonderful time with our family.  Blessed, blessed, blessed.  I can't say it enough.

Museum of Discovery

Surprise!  We're back down in Little Rock soaking up the end of the summer (and maternity leave).  I can't believe it's winding down.  Alli has this week and next before she heads to third grade, and I have one more week after that before I go back to work and Riley starts daycare.  We decided to hang here for another week to get as much Tata and Diddy time as we possibly could.  Today I packed the kids up and met Mom downtown at her work for lunch.  They have this delicious cafe in the Heifer Village - I've been dreaming about that turkey melt since the last time we went.  After lunch, we went to the newly remodeled Museum of Discovery.  I frequented this place as a child (and a daycare worker), but they've given it a complete facelift since I was last there.  Alli, John Patrick, and I had a great time.  Riley?  I am not sure she even knew we were there.

There were several different rooms with different exhibits.  I tried not to look too hard at the human body exhibit with the blood and lungs and hearts, but there were some cool things to do there - like check your balance:

Check your flexibility (John and I totally failed this, Alli did awesome):

There was also a hall that taught you a lot about sound and light waves.  Here's John and Alli adjusting the frequency on a sound played into a tube of tiny balls.  See the wave it made?

In the section on force and motion, Alli learned that she could pull herself up using a three pulley system, but no less:

And everyone gave laying on the bed of nails a go, even though Alli needed some convincing...

Who doesn't love the ball balancing sideways over the air?

In the weather area, Alli made cloud puffs while John Patrick created and destroyed a tornado.

And then they both gave a weather report.

We only had about an hour and a half before Riley lost patience, but Alli had a great time and was already planning her next trip.  I can't recommend this place enough to people visiting Little Rock (or even those of you who live there!).

I'm Big on Little Rock: Maternity Leave Edition

Ryan is having to do some traveling with his new job, so as soon as we were settled at home with Riley, we (over)loaded up the Pilot and headed down to my hometown of Little Rock.  I was excited to spend a few weeks with the 'rents - something I haven't done since I landed my big kid job six years ago.  We're in Little Rock for a week and a half before we shove out for the Emerald Coast.  We've been here since Sunday, and it's been wonderful!

The best part is that we haven't even done that much.  We've met my mom for lunch at her work, done a very little shopping (like Target for diapers and Babies R Us for a Rock 'n' Play - LIFESAVER), and been to the pool a few times.  But it's so nice because all I really have to do is hold Riley, feed Alli, and keep up with my own laundry.  I also try to pick up around the house if I get a chance, but no one is too upset if I don't.

Riley has had a new sleep cycle since we've been here - like not sleeping.  She naps fine during the day, but her night time routine has been no bueno.  She will NOT sleep in her pack and play right now.   I was at my wit's end until I read about the Rock 'n' Play - she'd been sleeping in her bouncy chair.  Last night she slept from 10:30PM until 3:00AM!  Woohoo!!  I think that's the most consecutive sleep I've had in months!

Mom and Dad did an awesome job setting up the game room for Alli with the Xbox, a recliner, and a coloring station.  She's had a fun time hanging out up there, and it's made my life much easier.  And I've really enjoyed having my brother around to talk to all day.  I think we're going to meet my parents for lunch tomorrow, and then get Riley out to meet Ryan's dad this weekend.  I also have a smidge of shopping to do before beach time (I cannot believe it's time for that yet!!).

I'm Big on Little Rock (Half Marathon Edition)

No really.  Call me crazy, but I love my hometown.  Sure, it's in the top 10 most dangerous cities in the country.  But I love me a good trip to the Rock Town.

We went down this past weekend because my amazing daddy was running in his first official half marathon.  He's supported me so much over my life - softball games, riding lessons, etc. - that there was no question in my mind that we needed to go support him.  He has run the distance before, almost exactly a year ago, but he did that on his own.  This time it was going to be official.

He's been struggling with some tendonitis in his heel, so I think he was a little nervous about how that would go, but he rested it pretty thoroughly leading up to the race and iced and stretched it a lot on Saturday.

Sunday morning was in the upper 20s or lower 30s, and we got up at 6:30AM to head downtown.  The race kicked off around the River Market, so we saw him off, and then headed quickly over to mile 1.  We held up the signs Alli made and cheered loudly the minute he passed.  Then we headed to Ashley's at the Capitol Hotel to eat breakfast.

Daddy spent the next portion of the race on the North Little Rock side of the river, so we wasted some time at breakfast and then went across the street to the Peabody Hotel.  The ducks weren't out yet, but Alli rode up to the 17th floor in the glass elevators no less than four times.  Mama only made it half of that time - yikes!!  Talk about queasy.

Once we had sufficiently wasted time and stayed warm, we tromped to the finish line.  We got to see one of my best friends Lara cross, and then a few minutes later - here came Daddy!!  It was so exciting to see him!!  He was exhausted after the half, understandably, and said he couldn't feel one of his feet, but he was so happy to have finished.  We found out later that his time was 2 hours, 13 minutes - I was so impressed!  One day I'll blog just about how wonderful my daddy is, but let me tell you.  You'll never find anyone more hardworking and dedicated.  I am so proud of him and all he has accomplished!!

Making signs for the Didster

Alli and Diddy before the race

Scenes from the race - doesn't he look so happy?

 Congratulations to my daddy - love you!!