Lessons at Goldfish Swim School {3}!

19 Wednesday Apr 2017

Posted by Planning for Paris in Daily Happenings, Life's Loves

Tags

advice, baby, fun, Goldfish Swim School, health, learning, Life, lifestyle, spring, summer, swim, swim lessons, swimming, toddler, water safety

Good morning!! Eleanor has officially graduated to mini 2 classes at Goldfish Swim School! Mini 2 classes are for ages 16 months-35 months and at 35 months she will be ready to swim on her own! She has developed so many skills already, but the one we are the most excited about is her confidence in the water. If anyone remembers back to that first lesson, Eleanor screamed her head off which was super embarrassing because I’ve actually never seen a child cry or even throw any kind of fit at Goldfish. It’s the happiest place on earth. But that first lesson was rough. Luckily, we had a great instructor who loaned her his baby doll and we made it through. With each lesson since she has grown to love swim lessons and her time in the water. She happily jumps back into the water when she practices crawling out, collects the balls without any help kicking, and goes under water without freaking out and sputtering when she comes back up.

Another key part of E’s lessons that we really appreciate is how she is learning to get out of the pool. With just a bit of a nudge, she can get herself up out of the pool. It will obviously take some time before she can truly do this on her own, but she is learning the skills that she could use in an emergency if she needed to. It is never too soon to start learning water safety! The week of May 14th will be Water Safety Awareness Week at Goldfish and they will have a special focus on the skills needed to be safe in and around the water all summer long!

Has anyone else started swim lessons? What skills has your little one mastered? Which do you appreciate the most??
If you are interested in getting your little one signed up you can check here for a location near you to get started! Summer will be here before we know it!
Hope you all have a great day!
Erin

*This post was sponsored by Goldfish Swim School, but all opinions, as always, are my own!

Spring Style for the Toddler Girl!

12 Wednesday Apr 2017

Posted by Planning for Paris in Fashion, Life's Loves

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

baby, essentials, fashion, gear, girl, growing, Janie and Jack, June and January, shopping, spring, spring style, style, summer, summer style, Target, toddler, toddler style, Wunderkin

Spring has sprung, people! Here in Ohio, the temps have stayed at a fairly steady 60-70 degrees and the little person in our house is loving it. I think there would be riots if there was even a hint of snow in the forecast. With all the baby prep, spring kind of snuck up on me this year. E loves to get outside and all of sudden I found that her plentiful wardrobe really didn’t contain many warmer temperature pieces. I think we’ve finally reached the point in her life/growth that we have to actually shop every season. Before, she just had tons of stuff that were a wide range fit (think 6-12 months) that we got at showers, hand me downs, or that I bought when I saw a good deal, etc…and I just mixed and matched to fit the season. Now, she is growing like a weed and is now a healthy 2T. Plus, last year she didn’t really play much outside so I could get away with less summer specific items. She has a lot of sweatshirts and sneakers that fit, but she was lacking in sandals that fit, spring dresses, and short sleeves. Leggings will make a great transition piece, but soon it will be all shorts all day!

There are so many great pieces out there for girls right now (and don’t worry boy mamas–I have a post coming next on toddler boys!) so let’s get to it!

1. Eleanor has these sunglasses in blue and they are by far my favorite thing ever. She doesn’t keep them on long, but I think she’ll grow to love them like her bows which she now tries to put on herself. 🙂

2. These bows are seriously darling. I also love her June and January knotted headbands.

3. It’s still pretty chilly in the mornings and in the evenings so a jacket is a must. This one would also double nicely as a rain jacket!

4. Off the Shoulder Top

5. This dress would be perfect with a cardigan and can be worn well into the summer. I’m thinking this would be a perfect dress for Memorial Day and/or Fourth of July! And at $13?! It’s a steal.

6. Love these linen shorts and these striped shorts, I actually kinda want them to come in my size?

7. E has these Native shoes in multiple colors and sizes. They are the same texture as Crocs, but closed in which I think is great for this age!

8. Just ordered these rainboots in the next size E will need so they are ready to go when she outgrows her yellow Hunter boots! Rainboots are solid gold in toddler world.

9. I mentioned these sandals in last week’s favorite’s post and I cannot wait to get them!! Gah, baby toes!!

10. A couple of weeks ago I also posted a roundup of Swimwear for the Littles!

Happy shopping and wahoo for warmer temps!!
Happy Wednesday!
Erin

Friday Favorites!

07 Friday Apr 2017

Posted by Planning for Paris in Daily Happenings, Life's Loves, Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

beauty, deals, fashion, Glossier, Life, mommy and me, pretty things, retail therapy, shopping, stickers, style, Target, The Baby Cubby, toddler, treat yo' self

Holy happy Friday!! Yowza it’s been a long week. I decided it might be time for a little retail therapy. I mean, was this week seriously long for anyone else?? Maybe it’s because Ohio experienced all four seasons this week?! Either way, I’m treating myself. Here’s what I’m loving this week!!

How cute is this list pad?! Neeeeeed!
I’ve been thinking for awhile that I need a keychain that’s on the brighter side. Finding my keys has become a really annoying struggle lately. A struggle that feels unnecessary. This bright keychain is amazing.
Ok. Has anyone tried Glossier Cloud Paint?? I keep reading that it is best thing since sliced bread. Anyone local wanna go in on the 2/$30 deal with me??
I know I would never actually light this candle because it’s just so pretty. So, so pretty.
I will be posting what’s going in my hospital bag this time around here in a few weeks and I’m realllllllly thinking this hair tie needs to be in there. So Darling.
I couldn’t help myself, I bought Phoebe Fawn for Eleanor’s Easter basket in addition to everything else. She’s just too cute, plus all Hazel Village dolls are 20% with code SPRINGFLING20 at Baby Cubby!
The prettiest spring polish.
I will be doing a whole spring/summer toddler clothing post next week, but I’m ordering these shoes for E as we speak. Her sweet toes in these sparkly shoes is more than my heart can handle. I can’t wait.
My sister got me these shoes for my birthday and I was finally able to bust them out yesterday, you know, before it started it snowing today. I absolutely love these shoes (I also have them in the brown color) and bonus…all shoes at Target are buy one get one 50% off right now!
E is going through a sticker phase and it keeps her little fingers busy at restaurants, church, etc…I have been saving stickers for her for years because I knew if she was anything like me she would be sticker obsessed, but we are already running low so I am officially stocking up!!

Ok. So, what else do I need? Give me all the things!

Hope you lovelies have a great weekend!
Erin

Life Lately…

05 Wednesday Apr 2017

Posted by Planning for Paris in Daily Happenings, Life's Loves

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Columbus, easter, family, fun, holiday, inspiration, learning, Life, lifestyle, mommy and me, shopping, spring break, staycation, stroller, style, toddler, two under two, zoo

The weather has finally been nice enough to get out and play a bit. We definitely have an outdoor girl on our hands. She will just start bringing you items one by one to put on her and yourself…coats, hats, etc…and then will grunt and point outside. I really need the nice weather to stay because my toddler does not understand fickle Ohio weather.
E’s shoes/Leggings

I posted about E’s Transition to her new room and one adjustment we’ve made is having her sleep with her Grand Dockatot in her crib first before we switch her over to using it in her bed. She’s been sleeping so well ever since…no more waking up at night (knock on wood!!!!). Be sure to check out the whole post for links to items and to see what else we’re doing to make the transition a bit easier!

I also posted about E’s eating and we celebrated St. Patrick’s day in style!
hairbow/shirt/leggings/necklace/table/chairs/plates

I posted all about what’s going in the girls’ Easter baskets–I cannot wait!!!

Little miss diva’s uncle Paul came to town so we headed down to the Brewery District and had a fancy lunch at Rockmill Tavern!
E’s boots

I finally got my hair done over spring break and when I went to pick up E at the sitter she didn’t recognize me. Yowza, gotta do maintenance more often.

I wrote a post about trying out this stroller that will eventually become our double stroller!
E’s shoes/my bag/my shoes

E’s first trip to the zoo of the season! She was very unsure of the large animals like the gorilla, but LOVED the animals that she sees on Barney and in her barn books. She waved at them and everything. Pretty much the cutest thing ever. I cannot wait to take the girls this summer!

Seriously, can it please stay warm out all year long?!

It’s been a mix of sun and rain here in Ohio which I kind of love! So fun to be outside right before the storms roll in!
headband (similar)/sweatshirt/shoes

E graduated to Mini 2 at Goldfish!! I posted an update this month here!

Last weekend we got takeout from Milestone 229 and headed down to the river with some friends to have a picnic and walk around! It is seriously so gorgeous down there!
E’s Sippy/sweatshirt/jeans

I am almost 32 weeks and starting to get to that really uncomfortably large stage so picking up E has become quite the task…especially when she just wants to run after ducks and trash.

Time seems to be flying now that we are in the home stretch…June 2 will be here before we know it–we’re ready to meet you baby girl!

What have you all been up to? Hopefully out there enjoying the sunshine when you can get it!!
Hope you are having a fabulous week!!
Erin

Strollin’ Round Town!

27 Monday Mar 2017

Posted by Planning for Paris in Daily Happenings, Life's Loves

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

advice, baby, baby essentials, baby gear, compact, design, double stroller, Life, stroller, style, toddler, travel, two under two

Good morning!! Happy Monday, friends! Spring break is officially over for these gals, but we definitely made the most of our time together. I realized they were the last days I will have off before baby arrives as I am due the week we get out of school. There is definitely a bittersweet feeling with that realization. We are so excited and SO ready to meet our new little baby girl, but with that also comes the worry about our #1 and what it will all mean for her. So, I really tried to soak up the mommy/daughter time. With the exception of a two hour hair appointment, we were out and about town together everyday!
Pretty soon we are going to need the double stroller to do all the fun things E and I have been able to do. It’ll be summer time when this babe is born as opposed to December like E so there will definitely be a need for a double stroller ASAP. phil&teds contacted me to see if I wanted to try their Dot Stroller with double attachment and I jumped on it! We have loved her poppy highchair. The products they make are really high quality and have a little bit more style to them so they aren’t such an eyesore.

We tried it out this week as just the single and it was really simple to pop her in and out of…especially at the zoo when we did it a thousand times between animals. The rail on the front is really nice for her to grab onto and pull herself up a bit. I did find that the actual seat sits up higher too so she can see better. Eleanor doesn’t want to sit for long in our other stroller because I don’t think it sits up high enough for her liking. She was really content in this seat the entire time we were at the mall and while we were at the zoo, she even crossed her little feet at the bottom footrest. Swoon.

I am excited to put on the double attachment and get that part figured out! Post will be coming soon on that! When we were thinking about double strollers, we mostly thought about size–this is a really compact version of a double stroller which will make it nice for when I just take the girls places because those doublewides are SERIOUS. Not sure I’m ready to wield something like that by myself.

What features do you look for in strollers? Good features? Bad features?

Hope you all have a great start to the week!
Erin

Also: Be sure to head to my Instagram page where I am giving away a Doddle & Co. Pacifier in Coral! Ends Friday!!

*This post was sponsored by phil&teds, but all opinions, as always, are my own!