Family, Parenting, Playtime

Playtime: Mary’s Park Sensory Playground

Minerva turned one on Wednesday, so we decided to go check out the Sensory Playground at Peninsula Town Center.

There is highly interactive sensory and tactile play available. The park is Wheelchair-accessible too! The surface is playground rubber.

There was plenty of seating around the playground and some seating was in a shady area. The playground is surrounded by bushes and secured fencing.

I loved that the Minerva could climb some fixtures on her own. I did have to go after my brave baby at some points, haha!


The gravity bowl was so fun for Maxine once she understood how it worked. Her first go ended with her SCREAMING for me to help her stop. By the time we left, she had been back on several times.

The park was really fun! The bathrooms were a block over from the playground, but there was a drinking fountain in the park so that was convenient. We can’t wait to go again! We will have to check out their play fountain next time too.

Also, there is a smartphone app that goes along with the play area! You can listen to the Hans Christian Anderson stories that the park’s themes are based on: The Little Mermaid and The Ugly Duckling.  The stories are offered in 16 languages!

Mary’s Park Sensory Playground is an outdoor playground at Peninsula Town Center that was built in partnership with the Peninsula School for Autism.  

Family, fun, Parenting, Playtime

Playtime: Windsor Castle Park Natural Playscape

Smithfield, Virginia is my hometown and such a beautiful place! Maxine is at an age where she can enjoy playing on her own so I decided to take her to check out the new Windsor Castle Park Natural Playscape.

Maxine has her back facing everyone. She is at the top of the slide and hovering before letting go. The background is very green.

She loved it! I loved that they had a side for younger children. We stayed over there today.

Maxine is walking across small logs in the ground. The background is green and trees

The entire area was beautifully shaded by trees. It didn’t feel as miserably hot as the thermometer read.

Maxine is playing in a large sandbox

Maxine is flying down the slide.

This slide was the perfect size for Maxine and she went on it several times. The other slide on the big kid size is 30 feet!

Maxine is walking in a wide green park

Maxine is climbing a wall.

Max had a blast and we will definitely be back soon!

Family, Maxine, Parenting

Big Changes!

Maxine is turning three soon so we got her a bed as an early birthday gift! She loves all the Peppa Pig things and actually slept in her bed for most of the night Tuesday night. 

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Once I put the sheets and comforter on the bed, Maxine did not want to get out. Fingers crossed that she continues to love her bed! 

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Happy early birthday, Pep ❤️.