Running with an toddler can be a bit of a tricky situation. Toddlers love to be on the move and sitting still is usually not there forte. Due to my husband's work schedule, I find myself running with my toddler more times than not. This means I've had to devise a way to keep him occupied during our runs which can range anywhere from 3-5 miles at a time (we even managed a 6 miler once)!
How do we do it? Keep reading to find out!
Tips for running with a Toddler
Find a good jogging stroller - one that you enjoy and is a comfortable ride for your toddler. We purchased a Bob stroller and added the handlebar console which helps with additional storage for cups and my phone.
Bring along all the things - sippy cup, snacks, toys, etc. It's best to have things to keep your toddler occupied while out for a run. We found that having snacks along for our run really works out for both of us!
Handheld toys are also a great thing to bring along for the run as they can help keep your toddler occupied. Having the toy on a strap that is attached to the stroller will also help if your toddler tends to drop things.
Be prepared for anything - toddlers can be unpredictable!
If it's summer time and warm/hot outside, bring along a fan. This is a nice bonus and will keep your little one from getting too warm. Also, don't forget water for them, too!
Provide shade/hat/sunglasses (if they will keep the hat and sunglasses on!) Exposing your toddler to too much sunlight can be a hazard to them in the future (this is the oncology nurse in me coming out!) Our Bob has a great pull down shade which helps tremendously in the summer time.
If it's possible to run an out and back loop, try this! It will help your toddler stay focused and won't cause boredom if they see the same thing over and over again.
Running shortly before nap time can help relax your toddler - this has worked well for nap time as he has always transitioned well from a car seat/stroller to his crib. I know this doesn't work for everyone, but it has worked for us!
Be prepared to slow down your pace. You won't be able to run your normal pace while pushing a 20-30 pound toddler. It's good resistance training in my book, though! :)
Make sure the stroller tires are aired up. One time out on a run, I couldn't figure out why we were running slower than normal. Once I realized it was the tires fault and we filled them back up, it was smooth sailing from there!
I hope these tips will help you if you find yourself in a similar situation! I love running with my little buddy and although it can be challenging at times, I truly do enjoy our time spent together!
On Saturday, we hosted Brayden's 2nd Birthday party, themed after the Disney Junior show, Puppy Dog Pals.
Puppy Dog Pals is a relatively new show that revolves around Bingo and Rolly, two pug brothers that "Go On A Mission" in every episode - their missions involve exciting places all over the world and it's just a cute little show. Brayden fell in love with it last fall and I knew that it would have to be his birthday paw-ty theme for his second birthday!
In my search for ideas for Puppy Dog Pals themed parties, I discovered a consistent standard - hardly anything exists when it comes to ideas and items for these parties. Every idea I came across was homemade or something that could be purchased off of etsy.
Y'all know me - I love a good challenge! Mission: Accepted!
At the entry way, we had side walk chalk paw prints leading to the front door. I'm not an artist, so I used a paw cutout as a stencil for these paw prints. It worked perfectly! His party day was also very rainy and wet, otherwise I would have also added the paw prints on the walkway leading up to our front door.
On the front door, the signs read "Welcome to Brayden's Paw-ty" and "We're Going On A Mission"! (This is a common phrase used throughout the show.)
Just inside the front door was the entry-way table which contained "TWO" letters, a digital picture frame of his studio portraits from birth to now, a couple of centerpieces, and a "growth track" file I purchased from Etsy.
Beneath the table was a basket of the kids goodie bags.
Each goodie bag contained several items - a set of five stickers, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, and a Puppy Dog Pals Grab & Go pack!
Our living room and kitchen were the main "party spaces" I had to fill. A couple of banners were made using my Silhouette Cameo and decorations were hung in the windows. We also purchased balloons from Party City. The bug balloons you see on the ground were purchased on Amazon and filled with helium at our local Party City.
One of my favorite banners is the one you see hanging across our entertainment center. I attempted to utilize symbols from the show in the banner, so you'll notice a lightning bolt like the one on Bingo's collar as well as a yellow dog bone like the one on Rolly's collar.
The paw print banner at the fireplace was made with ideas from Pinterest and the cardstock was purchased at Hobby Lobby. On the Mantle you'll notice photos that were printed from his 2nd birthday session.
For this party, I also searched in my "party bin" to find decoration that matched this party color scheme. I found most of the items that you see hanging in the windows as well as a few extras here and there already on hand. Score!
Water bottle labels were made in photo shop and printed on card stock. If you're looking for a super easy way to make these, I just use packing tape on top of the cardstock to affix them to the water bottle.
It's super easy and adds a fun little touch to the party!
At the cake table, we had a patch of turf I found on amazon, desserts, a couple of centerpieces, and the giant "2"/two letters.
These centerpieces were scattered throughout the house - the fire hydrant being my favorite! I found this idea on pinterest and it was SUPER easy! We made four total and used toddler formula cans, empty toilet paper rolls, red bowls from Walmart, a ribbon holder, and a water bottle top.
Other centerpieces included a flower pot that was spray painted red (re-purposed from last year's Mickey Mouse party). Inside was a piece of green felt to symbolize grass, a doghouse cut out from the silhouette cameo, and a couple of Puppy Dog Pals figurines.
One of my favorite touches to this party was the sugar cookies! A lady in the next town over made these for the party and oh my goodness they were precious and added the perfect touch!
Brayden's cake also came from a local lady who makes cakes out of her home. I sent her a picture and she re-created his cake almost perfectly! The "Happy Birthday Brayden" piece was cut out from the silhouette cameo and the figurines on the cake were purchased from the Disney Store. I found the "2" candle at a local craft store.
For food, we served "Arf's Famous Pulled Pork" and "Hissy's Hot Dogs".
I also found the paw print napkins at Party City and mixed them in with plain blue napkins I already had on hand at home.
These dog bowls were my FAVORITE find! I came across the exact same bowls on Amazon but also found them at the Dollar Tree (you know, where everything is a dollar) for WAY cheaper! Score!
Themeing the food was so much fun! We had "Fetch Sticks" (pretzel sticks), "Pawtato Chips" (potato chips), "Paw-Berries" (strawberries), "Chew Toys" (Twizzlers), "Pup Corn" (Pop Corn), and "Ruffage" (Veggies)!
Brayden's outfit for the party was a two-parter...a friend made his shirt and I found the shoes at JC Penney in the little Disney Store! So cute!
There's the birthday boy! He was SO EXCITED to see everyone at his house! He would walk around the living room with a huge grin and would stomp his little feet out of excitement. It was adorable!
He also discovered that he could reach the "Pawtato Chips" and it was his birthday party, so you know...whatever goes!
Brayden did way better than I thought he would with opening presents. You never know what you're going to get with a 2 year old but I couldn't have asked for better!
Of course my dad purchased him a wiffle ball and bat!
Although I tried and tried to teach him how to blow, he didn't have it down by his party...next year though, it's on!
Brayden LOVES the Happy Birthday song! He went through a very short time last fall where he wasn't a fan, but he's so much better now! Thinking back, I'm pretty sure it scared him one time at a restaurant and that's what he associated the happy birthday song with. Once I realized he was scared of it, we started listening to the happy birthday song on pandora and he fell in love. He even asks for "more" "please" after it's over! So cute!
We sat our two toddlers on the couch for a picture and everyone was trying to make them smile. Did we get a smile? Nope. But we sure were funny in the process!
Now it's time to PLAY!
...and that's all, folks! Mission Accomplished!
I posted all of this in hopes that it might help someone else who is looking to throw their own Puppy Dog Pals party but has no idea where to start!
Brayden's second birthday party by far outlived any expectation I set. Actually, I didn't set any expectations because my dad warned me not to from horror stories he'd heard from other people. So yes, to say that Brayden's party was exactly what I hoped and prayed it would be is spot on! It truly was a great day and we had so much fun celebrating our precious blessing! We just love him so much and I'm already looking forward to party #3! Stay tuned for a full 2 year Brayden update coming in a few weeks! :)
For a video recap of the party, check out this YouTube link below:
