Dom's Toddler Room

I'm in the beginning stages of creating Dom's new toddler room.  With work being chaotic & the holidays approaching, Dom's room design is my new zen place. I've decided on a Scandanavian look.  Think woodland creatures meet modern explorer. Imagine foxes & astronauts in the same playland.  Since the room doesn't get a lot of natural light int he afternoon, I wanted to make it a bright space.  Mom & Dad C helped us paint the dark beige walls a bright white/grey called Sodji White by Benjamin Moore.  I'm so excited that Nick is undertaking a wood wall. We bought knotty pine off Amazon & chose 3 stains. From those 3 stain colors, we made 7 total stains.  I think it's going to be so cool when it's finished.  I'm loving all of the design ideas I've found on http://www.spearmintbaby.com. Usually I love project nursery, but spearmint baby just brought me to so many new cool design & shopping sites.   Main inspiration:

• Scandinavian nurseries
• pallet walls on pinterest
• fox pillow from Etsy
• West Elm bedding (northern lights or circles... can't decide!)

• http://www.spearmintbaby.com/2013/03/scandinavian-minimalist-nursery

ICE!

ICE! Who knew that 8 degrees could be so much fun?  Omi & Granddad treated the family to Friday night pizza & then ICE at the Gaylord Texan.  It turned out to be a magical night for the adults & babies alike.  We had a fun family dinner at Palio's and then caravanned over to the Gaylord.  It started with a little movie about ICE, which was really cool. It centered around a big ice festival in China & the artisans that travel across the globe to do the carving in Grapevine.

Magic in his eyes - love a toddler at Christmastime

ICE itself was super chilly but worth it.  Dominic threw a massive tantrum about wearing the big blue parka. I fought my battle & lost.  oh well ;)  He also didn't want his gloves which panicked me because I swore he would get frostbite.  He came up about 5 minutes later pointing to his hands & wanting gloves. lesson learned, toddler. I will wait for your cues!

"I DON'T WANT THESE MITTENS!!!"

The ice carvings were beautiful & the ice slide was so much fun.  We didn't know until at the top that the babies could not ride on our lap. So, Ben & I made the decision to let them go. Dom screamed & cried as I let him fly. I felt terrible!  I quickly scooted down after him hollering "I'm coming!" as the guide at the bottom looked forlorn & helpless at this sad toddlers' rolling tears.   Then, down came Levi all by his 14 month self. About halfway down he started turning sideways & I totally packed that he may hit his head.  Becky had the same concerns & I could hear her screaming at the top of her lungs. oh man!  I caught him at the bottom but the little dude was going REALLY fast.  Oh man, it's funny looking back but not at that moment. ha!  Then, Beck, mom & I decided to do the big ice slides. It was so fast & so fun.

After ICE, we gathered for cupcakes & hot cocoa. The boys then spent a lot of time in the center of the Gaylord looking at the indoor river, playing on bridges, watching Christmas lights. That was magical.  It was well worth the drama & tears of earlier.  Happy Holidays, as they say!

Not sure about ICE... at first

family pic

lights at the Gaylord

hello levi, meet cupcake!

Granddad & Dom doing somersaults

The Ben Curcio Fam

The sugar rush hits & the boys are hollering & pulling on the bars.

Possum Kingdom Camp Out

We had a blast camping with the Chapmans @ Possum Kingdom. It was a little crazy getting out of the house on Friday because Dom had been a little under the weather that week. I didn't want to do my normal camping prep if we were going to need to cancel (flashback to our Sept camping trip.)  So, when the boy woke happy & ready to go on Friday, mom & dad had to get into gear.  We loaded our traveling circus into the car & started out on the 3 hour drive.

We've never been to Possum Kingdom before. It was fun driving through the countryside.  We arrived at the campground at a beautiful time.  It was 5pm, water was calm, sun was setting... so nice!  We set up camp & waited for the Chapmans.  They arrived after dark & their tent set-up/dinner was funny because it was SO dark & we forgot the big lantern.  This mama went to bed at 8:30 pm but Dom & dad chilled around the campfire until late. Sleeping was so cozy b/c our little man wanted on the air mattress with us & practically in my sleeping bag.  I did wake with a sore hip but the creaks of pregnancy went away after a morning walk.

The morning was FREEZING.  Winds at 30-40 mph & 30 degrees.  brrrr!   The moms took a Wal-Mart trip & it was fabulous.  a 45 minute drive (one way) with coffee, conversation & much to catch up on.  When we got back to the campsite, the gang had lunch & went for an awesome afternoon hike. The wind died, the sun was shining & we were warm.  I loved that our campsite was right on the water & so was the hiking.  After a perfect afternoon, we ended up calling it Saturday night & heading home. The Chapmans rain fly kept coming off & I was concerned that the wind (which had picked up) would keep dom up all night.  I was sad that we left early, but when we woke on Sunday I was happy to be in a snuggly bed, downloading all of the fun pics of the weekend.  We went to breakfast as a fan & it was SO the right call to end the weekend :)

We're so lucky to have such great friends in Erin, Chris & the boys.  What a fab time!

Dom's Favorites:  throwing stones into the water. hanging out with the chapman boys.  mini glow-in-the-dark light swords from Omi.  seeing various dogs at the campsite.  the neighbor kids play balls.  chex mix.  his super warm sleeper. 

One of my fave pics.  Happy Camper!

Night #1 - Mamas & their babies

Hiking!  The little man is in charge

Family of 4... for now!

The best way to nap at a camp ground

The moms' trip to Wal-Mart was a highlight of the trip. WARMTH & snacks. I had no shame. 

Lunchtime

Afternoon hiking. Much warmer than the morning!

I love that I married an adventurer & that the little mister is an outdoor guy

Dom is calling the shots on where to go

Nick & the Chapman boys having some deep thoughts (turns out they were talking about bathroom matters - ha!)

Happy Halloween

While Halloween was fun with Dom as a bitty baby & a 1-year-old, this year was the BEST so far!  It was so fun watching Dom get into the fun of Halloween.  It was hard to get him to leave his school party on Friday afternoon. Hard, that was, until I told him that it was time to go trick or treating. It was so funny because he has never been trick or treating, yet he was SO excited. I think he could hear it in my voice & knew it was something super cool.

We headed to Andrea's house for a most excellent Halloween fest. Her house was so cozy & adorable. She had the front stoop decorated, candles going, fireplace on and lots of mouth-watering apps.  I felt so loved & blessed to be in such a warm, cozy environment surrounded by great friends.,

Dom was beyond cute trick or treating. He loved walking up to each house & knocking on the door. Knocking is his new thing. He does it on every door & sometimes even the refrigerator if he needs food.  He knocks pretty hard, he's got his daddy's strength I guess ;) After trick or treating, I managed to get 1 nugget in him & 2 blackberries before he became obsessed with the candy.  He was hilarious on his sugar high.  He would twirl nonstop in the room then do his funny jumps.  The one time I tried to put him to bed, he was quiet for a few minutes and then out of the blue, he rolled over to me & said "no no no" in an excited tone.  He ran back out to the party & schmoozed.  I don't think I'll ever forget the hilarious moves, tones & dances he did that night or our mommy/son dance party in the living room.  He got to bed at about 10pm in the car & slept until 9:30 the next morning. What a darling this kid is!

Lots of fun showing mom & dad his school digs

Rocking soccer at the school festival.  We've tried to teach Dom to kick many a time to no avail. This soccer star got him to kick within 30 seconds. Way to go!

Games at the school festival

An astronaut with his hero

All ready to go trick or treating!

Trick or Treating fun!  I had such a blast doing this with him & watching him on his own.  I had no idea having a toddler on Halloween would be this much fun!  Plus, candyholic me loved his loot!

My 1st attempt at a homemade wreath was a success this season!  I'm going to change the sign for Thanksgiving