Who DOES that?




Taken from us too soon. :(


This weekend, the whole family enjoyed a lovely day at the Houston Zoo. The Conductor had been asking to go for weeks, so since the temperature was going to be below 100 (finally!), we decided to head out. We packed up our lunches, plenty of water, and the stroller and took the short drive to the zoo. For those of you who aren't familiar with Houston, down here we consider anything under an hour a short drive.


We got there early and got great parking. Score! Before we left the house, the Conductor made his priorities clear: he wanted to see zebras and ride the merry go round. Naturally, upon entry we headed in the direction of the hoofed animals, until we were informed that he wanted to go see the s-s-s-snakes. So we made our way to the reptile house and discovered it doesn't open until 10 a.m. It was 9:15. No tragedy though, because C decided he was ready to see the elephants.




Sitting with the chimps

 After we watched the elephants get a bath, we checked out the African Forest exhibit and watched the Dora and Diego 4D show, where we left our stroller unattended for at least (gasp) 20 minutes for the first time of the day. I did take the diaper bag and my boba carrier. After the show, the stroller was still there with everything in it. This is significant; you'll see.




Me no likey

 We saw a few more animals and then stopped to ride the carousel where we left the stroller unattended for the second time that day. We left everything in it except my wallet. I'm not that dumb! Again, it was there when we got off the carousel, which, by the way, C loved and little Dozer hated.


We saw everything at the zoo we came to see and headed over to ride the Hermann Park train as is our routine after zoo trips. It knocks C out every time and this time was no exception! We got our tickets, parked the stroller with all the other strollers in the train station parking area, grabbed the diaper bag, and boarded the train. We did have our "valuables" with us as there are signs everywhere that they are not responsible for lost or stolen items. We've left our stroller at the station about a dozen times without incident and assumed this time would be no different. You know what they say about assuming? Well, it definitely applied this time. Uh huh. Big time.


After a leisurely ride through the park, we approached the station, with me craning my neck to make sure our stroller is still there, as I always do. Usually I spot it and can chill until it is time to get off the train. Much to my surprise, I didn't see it where we left it. Keep in mind it is a double stroller and it takes up a bit of real estate. I scanned the entire area, thinking maybe, just maybe, someone moved it elsewhere. By this time, I was in full blown panic mode and jumped off the train, holding little Dozer, and ran to the stroller area, asking the ticket agents if they had moved any of the strollers. They said no (as I knew they would) and then my blood began to boil.


I stormed off to "find my stuff," even though I knew it was in vain. Because a smart person would take the goods and get the heck out of there. But if you are stealing baby strollers, you probably aren't a smart person. Especially by nabbing our low end Graco Duoglider. I mean, seriously, if you are going to steal a stroller, at least take a nice one like a Bugaboo or Phil & Teds that can make you a little money on Craigslist! You know what I'm sayin'?


We didn't find it despite cruising the park and doing a quick search of  the zoo. Whoever took it is lucky too, because I was fuming mad and I do not take kindly to being stolen from. (Our house was robbed in January. I am sick of this crap!) I was ready to kick some ass!


Anyway, rant over. All in all, it was a good day and I'd do it again. Although next time . . . I would take our stroller to the car before riding the train. Lesson learned.

Awesome Day!

What a great day! We had a ton of fun with our family at the Astros game tonight. The Astros lost to the Brewers pretty badly (2-8), but there was still a fun time had by all. Enjoy the pics!

The Conductor

My eldest son (a.k.a. the Conductor) is obsessed with Thomas the Tank Engine and all his little train friends. And I do mean ALL his friends. His most prized possession these days is his tattered copy of the Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway Yearbook.

For those of you who don't have a train-crazy little boy, this "yearbook" is a promotional catalog that lists the the entire Thomas line of products and is innocuously slipped into the boxes of the pricier Thomas toys as a "bonus." The Conductor got this "bonus" book in one of his birthday toys back in April, and it got put on the bookshelf with hardly a second look.

Up until recently. This book has become his bible. He has each page memorized. He knows the names of all the trains and track sets, and even wants to bring the book to bed at night. Which we allow, since that is not a battle worth fighting.

Knowing the names of all the trains and sets is all well and good (and kinda cute even), but now he is asking mommy and daddy to buy the trains for him. All of them. He's even hit up Grandma and Grandpa for train money. We've told him, "Maybe you can ask Santa for trains for Christmas," but I'm pretty sure that what he heard was: "You are getting every single last item in that book for Christmas." Eek! This little "bonus" book has turned our sweet little boy into a greedy beggar.

This could be dangerous. Damn you, Thomas!



P.S. The worst part is that the book is falling apart; several pages have already had emergency surgery. So our options are limited to the following choices:

1. Listen to big tantrums. Uh, no thank you.

2. Buy a copy of the crap promotional book. (Amazon sells them. Seriously. I've looked.)

3. Buy a new toy to get a new copy.

Toys 'R' Us, here we come! Hopefully trains are on sale. The things we do for our kids!

Mommy By Night...The Beginning

Hello! I'm Crystal, a busy working mommy to two sweet boys, a wild active two year old and an adventurous almost 11 month old. My goal is to become a stay at home mom, but until then, I'll have to settle for mommy by night. I have an awesome husand and honestly, I'd be lost without him (he's a pretty good "daddy by night"). I hate leaving my boys every morning, but it keeps me motivated to be an awesome mom in the time we do get to spend together. I plan to share the day to day adventures of keeping up with my family, job, and life in general!

We'd also like to become greener (more green?), so I'll chronicle those happenings as well, if/when we get to it. Life with two small children can be . . . hmmm, lets say unpredicatable. I'm sure anyone with kids knows what I mean. Best laid plans and all.

Oh, and I recently became a couponer/bargain hunter, so I'll be throwing in some great deals here and there. But only the really, really good ones, 'cause there are already plenty of awesome deal blogs.

Any questions? I'd love to answer them! Well, maybe. Depends on the question. :) Or leave a comment; I definitely would love that.