Saturday
Our Saturday morning began bright and early! Ryan headed off to the gym first thing and I opted for a rest day, so I got a little work done on the computer and, once Chase was up, I made a big breakfast for the three of us to enjoy together, including Greek yogurt pancakes and scrambled eggs.
After breakfast, we took Sadie on a two-mile walk around our neighborhood and hoped to beat the rain that was on the forecast for 10 a.m.
It didn’t end up raining until the late afternoon but we played it safe and scrapped our boating plans in favor of spending the rest of our morning at Discovery Place in the city.
A membership to Discovery Place and Discovery Place Kids for our family has been more than worth the money and we love visiting the museums/play-places when the weather is a little iffy and we need something fun to do indoors with Chase. He seems to enjoy it more and more as he gets older!
Ryan and I both really love trivia and it seems like Chase inherited this love because we had to pry him away from the trivia station… Either that or he just loves pressing buttons right now (<— More likely).
We lucked out during our visit to Discovery Place on Saturday because the traveling Ripley’s Believe It Or Not exhibition was available to explore inside the museum!
Fun fact: Did you know Prince was only 5’2’’!?
We spent right around two hours at the museum before ordering some fresh made-to-order mini apple cider doughnuts to enjoy before driving home.
Holy cow those things were GOOD.
While we drove home, I placed a quick online order for us for sandwiches from Fresh Chef Kitchen so we had something to eat the minute we walked through the door.
Once we were all full, Chase went down for his nap while Ryan and I worked around the house and multi-tasked by folding laundry and watching another episode of House of Cards.
The rain started pouring as Chase slept, so we figured another indoor activity would be best for the afternoon and Ryan suggested a return to the Sea Life Aquarium in Concord since Chase’s love for marine life knows no bounds these days.
He loved the new turtle exhibit but spent most of his time searching the tanks for Dory and Nemo. Thankfully the aquarium did not disappoint! They had both clown fish and royal blue tangs, so Chase finally FOUND Dory and Nemo and was in heaven.
Since the aquarium is located in a mall and it was pouring down rain when we were finished, we decided to walk to Bass Pro Shop to browse around a little since we figured it would be a place Chase would love thanks to lots of boats, animals and more fish.
The kind man working near the boats offered to let Chase “drive” a boat which made his day. What a cute lil’ captain!
By the time we arrived back home from the mall, it was nearly 7 p.m. so we did the “express version” of Chase’s bed time routine after dinner and eventually Ryan and I crashed hard on the couch and I ate two of my chocolate chip almond butter bars to satisfy my sweet tooth!
I couldn’t keep my eyes open for very long on the couch and ended up passing out in bed by 9:15 p.m. like the party animal I am!
Sunday
My early night’s sleep on Saturday night must have paid off because I woke up feeling awfully energetic and suggested a family hike at Lake Norman State Park to my little gang. Chase gets so excited anytime he sees the hiking backpack!
We made it to the trails by 9 a.m. and hiked five and a half miles with Sadie leading the way.
(In case you are extra observant, yes I did wear the same outfit two days in a row. No shame.)
We took a snack break about halfway through but made it back to Ryan’s car in just over two hours.
After a quick pit-stop at the grocery store, Chase was ready for a smoothie and a nap when we got home, so I whipped up a smoothie for him and his and hers smoothies for me and Ryan. Once Chase was snoozing away in his crib, I began working on this blog post while Ryan did some work in the yard.
The rest of our Sunday was spent at Hope Park in Mooresville searching for the 32 hidden race cars hidden around the playground which entertained Chase to no end!
We made it back home around 6:15 p.m. and had a low key Sunday evening: Bath + bed time for Chase + Reading in bed for me and Ryan!
And now I’m off to hit the ground running on this beautiful Monday morning! Hope you all have a fantastic week!
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Looks like the perfect weekend! The discovery place looks like so much fun, is it a chain? Or all the more reason to move to Charlotte? Have a wonderful week Julie!
I think they’re just in the Charlotte area but I think most medium/large cities probably have something similar/a fun children’s museum!
I LOVE how you are in athletic wear and Ryan is in normal shorts! This is for sure always a thing at our house- my husband wears workout clothes to well workout only. I love them and wear them pretty much every chance that allows…if we are doing a fast Saturday activity I often wear those and he is more “dressy”. But chasing a toddler (16 weeks pregnant too!) is all about function and comfort at this point!
Wow prince was only 5 foot two!? What a fun weekend. It’s always good to have default options when it’s raining keep kids happy and occupied!
Ha! Glad you found that as interesting as I did! I was so surprised!
I wrote down the smoothie recipe you posted on your Instagram story yesterday and can’t wait until I get a blender to make it. Have a great week!
https://maureengetsreal.wordpress.com/
Who makes the backpack you’re carrying? My never-ending search for the “perfect” diaper bag or backpack for my 2.5 year old is endless.
Sounds like the perfect weekend! Love that you all love to hike!
Love your shorts! Where are they from? (7 months pregnant now but longing and planning for the days I’m back to normal clothes) 🙂
I would have put Prince at 5’6″ lol, I also love trivia! Glad you guys had a fun weekend.
I love how adventerous you all are! Always going to cool museums and getting outdoors! Definitely parent goals for me when i get to that point in my life 🙂
Sounds like you took advantage of a few rainy day activities on Saturday. Sometimes I like the rainy days to either have a reason to lay around the house, or visit a new museum or exhibit. Happy Monday!
I love museums so much! I was so surprised to hear that he was only 5’2″! I’m short but that makes me taller than him!
Looks like another beautiful weekend in the books! I love those shorts on you!!! I know you posted about them a while back… are they the same ones? That hamburger looked good! lol We love Bass Pro Shop…. and the fishies they have there are a double bonus! haha!
Thank you! Yes! Those are the new shorts! 🙂
Weekends are made for wearing the same outfit two days in a row!
Glad we’re on the same page 😉
This random ben & jerrys video popped up on my Facebook feed but when I saw the oatmeal cookie flavor in it, I thought of you! Haha.
https://www.facebook.com/benandjerrysUS/videos/10154763861201461/
Haha! Love it! Thank you for sharing!
Julie you look amazing in hats. I’ll try to be happy for you and not too jealous! 🙂
Looks like a great weekend. I love that you seem to enjoy each other so much. That’s a real blessing.
What snacks do you take on your hikes??
ha ha some days I sleep in a shirt and wear it the next day to workout, no shame. Looks liek a fun weekend!
Hi Julie! You guys do so many activities on a weekend day, I swear! And from the looks of his smile, Chase enjoys them all hehehe. And I have DEFINITELY worn the same outfit over the course of the weekend many times before. No shame is right. Enjoy your Monday! 🙂
My baby girl just started walking and now is so much more interested in exploring and going places. I need to start to find some fun activity places like this in Boston!
I can see why Chase had fun at the aquarium – it looks like a fun place for adults too. It sounds like you live close to national parks too. I love that the mountains are only an hour car ride away from me. It’s definitely something that I’m grateful for.
That hike sounds like so much fun! I am looking forward to doing more of that this summer! Also, I love how you and Ryan read in bed together! You have totally inspired me to get back into reading and I am loving having a novel that I can get lost in. Thanks for your reading encouragement 😉
GIRL! Your weekends stress me out. Do you guys get any downtown with your little guy? I couldn’t hang with your family!
Sounds like such a fun weekend!
I can’t believe you did two activities each day!!! I’m totally impressed. I have a baby which dampens our plans with our toddler, but even before we had the newest addition we never managed so much! Thanks for the tip on the Sea Life Aquarium, we haven’t been and I bet my little guy will love it. He may be disappointed there are no whales though lol!
I love how ya’ll tag team the gym. Have a great week!
Love that color too!!! Is it a racerback tank from Lululemon?!
Does your child know how to play independently? Or is it go, go, go? Not a great thing
Mom of 2
He does know how to play independently at home and I know a post like this may make it seem like there is no downtime but we definitely do have quiet/downtime every day! This was a busier two days for sure though!
I always love reading about your weekends, Julie! It looks like it was another awesome weekend for you guys! I love that discovery place, it seems so fun 🙂 I’m usually the party animal around here too falling asleep by 9:30 everynight, my husband actually makes fun of me often calling me a grandma and telling me it’s past my bedtime even if it’s just like 4:00. Haha!! I hope you have a great week! Xoxo
Your weekend sounded so fun! I love your ideas of things to do when the weather is yucky. I love your balance of healthy meals and treats. How often do you bake? I love to bake and can’t wait to try your almond butter bars. Oh, and I love House of Cards! What do you think of Season 5?!
I love that hat in your hiking picture! Where is it from?
It’s CALIA and I got it at Dick’s!
Great post- sounds like a fantastic weekend! Which lulu shorts are those? I think we have somewhat similar body types (I think you’ve mentioned having a little extra in the hips/thighs dept too) and I’m always looking for shorts that aren’t complete booty shorts on me.
Hi! I was wondering how you like your tomtom watch? I am looking to buy a new watch since the band on my garmin broke. I have been looking at garmin and fitbit mainly. Thank you!!
I LOVE it. Definitely my fav fitness watch I’ve owned. It’s the Spark 3!
I too wear the same outfit two days in a row! Sometimes it was washed, sometimes not 😛 Anyhoo feel free to ship me some of those almond butter bars, they look great!
Hey! I was wondering what hiking backpack you use? Do you recommend it? Thanks! Gilly
Looking ripped my friend! xo