Playtime: Play & Co.

We ended February with a trip to a new local indoor play place! Play & Co. is in the beautiful Hidenwood neighborhood beside the Christopher Newport University campus in Newport News. Maxine and Minerva had a blast!

When we walked in, we were greeted by the co-owner, Matt, and he immediately made us feel welcome! He explained the pricing ($10 for an all day pass, $8 for the second kid if I’m remembering correctly) and he mentioned the coffee bar for $3…I couldn’t turn down helping myself to coffee for the entire time I was there! He also told me that there is free WiFi (YESSSSSS). Matt asked Maxine what her favorite toys were and he even showed her around! Awesome right?!

Play and co. had different areas for different toys. I was pleasantly surprised with how organized things are. All the bungalows are very pleasing to the eye and they clearly show what the different areas are. Maxine and Minerva enjoyed the toy dessert shop the most!

We can’t wait to go back to Play & Co! They have a full calendar on their website for the different theme days that they have. They also have it all written on the chalkboard in the cafe area as well. Bring your laptop, grab some coffee, and let the kids have fun playing at Play & Co!!

Check out Play & Co. on Facebook and Instagram!

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.  

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.

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

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

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!

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

Rachel’s Wedding

 

 

One of my close friends got married to the love of her life this past Sunday at First Landing State Park. I was so happy to be there! Maxine was their flower girl–their cranky flower girl. Here are my favorite images from the day.

Rachel’s dress was so beautiful!

I loved her bouquet.

Maxine loves her Auntie Rachel very much.

Rachel picked out Maxine’s sweater and skirt. I added the boots and undershirt. She was the most adorable flower girl EVER.

Rachel’s mom and sister looked pretty amazing as well. I love seeing them.

Just married!!

Birdseed was in her hair.

All Bent Out of Cake did a wonderful job on this wedding cake. It matched the autumn theme perfectly.

Congratulations Rachel and Sean!!