What Can YOU Do with Your Toddler in 3 Hours?

After the work day ended, what started out as a regular Monday, turned into a whirlwind of activities for my son and me. During the week, my wife or I will take our 2 1/2 year old for one or two activities. Somehow, today was different and I tried to pile on as much as I could.

I'll start by saying that my wife went to the doctor today and she was not feeling well, so I knew I needed to pick up the slack. I got home and I started the turkey tacos. I packed up some snacks for Max and then we took our nanny to the train station.

I wasn't sure, but I thought the post office closed at 5pm, and I wanted to rush and get some stamps. It was close by, so after the train station, we found a parking spot and walked to the post office. The line wasn't long, but the people getting help, needed more than just postal help in my opinion. Luckily there was a 2 year old girl in front of us and Max made some small talk. We got some Simpsons stamps, Hawaii stamps, and some polar bear post card stamps, then we were off.Max loves going to the car wash and I thought it would give me a good chance to give him a snack. We went to the gas station and then waited in line for about 20 minutes to get the automatic car wash. He had watermelon and ducky crackers.

Down the street there is a Crown Book Liquidators store and a Halloween store next door. I figured I could get a jump on things and check out the Halloween costumes and maybe buy a couple kids books at 1/2 off. We narrowed the costume down to Diego or a train conductor. Next door, we bought some flash cards and a birthday gift for someone for under $18.

Next up was the local library. We returned about 10 books and picked up 18. Yes, 18 books. Max recited the titles of all the books that he deposited into the book return slot.

Music class at Gymboree started at 6:15pm and we were only a couple minutes late. Each child does a dance move and Max's dance move is the robot. Today he was excited and kept yelling that he wanted to go first. If you think watching a toddler do the robot is a funny site, it is, but watching the adults try to do it, is even more funny!

After class, we waited outside and watched two trains go by, then headed home. All of that was done in 3 hours. That was a personal best as far as activities in a short time span go. I think it's taken longer to write this post! Please share your experiences... if you think you can hang!

Zing Zang Zoom, One of the Greatest Shows on Earth!

Last night I took my son to the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus and I can happily say, I had a blast. I was a little worried because I was supposed to go with my wife and son, but when my wife had to work late, I got a little nervous. You see I live about 45 minutes from the Honda Center in Anaheim and in LA traffic that can mean anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours. Fortunately, what started as a skeptical evening ended up being a great night out with the boys.

We had been invited by Mom Central and Feld Entertainment to attend a special pre show, followed by an official pre show, which all ticket holders are invited to attend, then the actual show itself. Both pre shows were an amazing opportunity to experience the circus like never before. Circus clowns, jugglers, elephants, dogs, zebras, oh my!! They were all available for meet and greets, autographs and photos before the show. This was an unexpected and nice touch that really created a comfortable and special atmosphere. For young children like my almost three year old son, I think it helped him feel comfortable in what must have been a very strange. colorful, night.

The show began shortly after and I have to say, all my circus stereotypes flew out of my head. See, here is my confession. I had been to the circus when I was about 4 or 5 years old. From what I remember, it was fun, but it was closer to the circus you see in scary Hollywood movies - slightly run-down, falling apart, tired animals, an older ringmaster and slightly spooky talent. I am pleased to say that rather than replicate a circus seen in the movies, this is a circus FOR the movies. With influences ranging from Cirque du Soleil to Asian acrobats, this is no Dumbo's circus. The Zingmaster is amazingly talented, energetic and young - full of energy and leadership to keep the crowd entertained throughout the evening. My son was mesmerized by the elephants, especially when one disappeared, and loved the dogs as they jumped through hoops and slide down slides just like he does at Gymboree! I could go on and on, but don't want to give anything else away so that you can check it out for yourself!

One final point about boys night out for which I am even more amazed and grateful for my son - after driving for a half an hour, I had the sneaking suspicion I was driving the wrong way when my son said "mama and papa live far away". We need a mousekatool (From the Mickey Mouse Club House television show) to get home." I realized that yes, we had been driving for a while and noticed that indeed, we were headed in the wrong direction on the wrong freeway!! I quickly corrected my mistake and we were home shortly after. All I can say is who needs a GPS when you have a savvy son!