Final trip to Melon Bean

I finally got pictures on the computer so it's time to start updating. For my own sanity, I'm going to try to stay in order....you all know I'm weird like that. :) The Saturday before we left Rochester, I met Danielle at Melon Bean so that we could spend some time chatting, let the boys play, and I could enjoy my usual sandwich made by Andrea. (I have already copied her and made my own Mediterranean Turkey Bagel for lunch here, but it tastes better when you make it, Andrea.)

This is Andrea. I truly think she is an amazing person. I know we only knew each other for a short time, but the hard work and dedication she put into Melon Bean is inspiring. I told her I'd love to open my own place here similar to Melon Bean, but I don't want to work as much as she does. :) Although she really didn't want to, I convinced Danielle to take a picture with me. The lighting is awful for some reason and makes us both look pretty pale (ok....I'm already pretty pale) but I'm glad I have a picture of the two of us. It's so comforting to know that we're 1000+ miles apart but we'll still be friends forever. I miss you already, Danielle, and wish I could be there to meet Connor!

So, while we chatted, the boys ran, and ran, and ran. That's one of the reasons I loved it there so much. Andrea was always so laid back and the kids never bothered her, no matter what they were doing. I, of course, took advantage of their cuteness and snapped away. I love these pictures. Evan and Gavin are such great friends.

Check it out!

Thanks, Andrea! If you're in the Rochester area, you have to stop by Melon Bean. Try a Mediterranean Turkey Bagel on Asiago with a Raspberry Cinnamon Latte. (The latte isn't on the menu....just tell her Jen suggested it!) And, of course, check out Journal Jars by Jen while you're there!

http://melonbeaneatery.blogspot.com/

Do you think Gavin watches too much Wheel of Fortune?

Gavin loves this show! It's taught him many of his letters, so we don't mind that he watches it. We actually think it's cute how he says all the letters and waves, "Bye, Pat!" at the end of the episode. Well, recently Gavin and I got out of the house and headed to our favorite place, Melon Bean, for lunch. We had yummy bagels (plain for him, Mediterranean Turkey on Asiago Cheese bagel for me) and he played while I talked to Andrea. There was a little boy there doing a puzzle, and Gavin walked up to him and said, "Prize Puzzle!" :) I think he may watch Wheel a little too much.

Two Christmas surprises

I'm just finishing up dinner on the 23rd when Erin calls. She tells me that she'd booked double massages for her and John, but he wasn't up for going, so she wanted to see if I was interested in taking his place so it didn't go to waste. Ummm....let me think about it...... YES!!!! So I got to relax with an hour long Swedish massage! Awesome surprise.

The next morning, I ran into Melon Bean to have Andrea make up a little basket to give to Erin to thank her for the massage. I walked in and she said she had something for me, but that it wasn't from her. Ok...I was confused. She hands me an envelope and tells me to open it. Inside is a gift certificate for Melon Bean made out to me, from Megan! She'd called into the store, and explained to Andrea that she lived in Ohio but wanted to buy a gift card for me. How awesome is that? It was a great surprise, and made my day!

I know you're eager to hear about our Christmas and see our pictures, but you'll have a wait a bit. I've been working hard to get all our pictures transferred to Shutterfly so I can finish our calendar for next year, so I haven't uploaded Christmas pictures yet. They're coming though....I promise!

Fun Times Friday

Shhhh! It's a Secret Santa! Gavin had his first ever Secret Santa gift exchange with the playgroup at Melon Bean this week. We had so much fun!

Two of our new additions to the playgroup

Gavin LOVES his food set from his friend, Evan! It came with 96 pieces off food that spends most of the day scattered all over the living room floor. Daddy really loves that :) It's been great though. He is already learning new words to label the foods. Thanks, Evan!

Melon Bean Eatery

The Melon Bean Eatery is AWESOME! It's the type of place I wish we had when I lived back in Ohio! It's one of the places that I now love about Rochester. I have found so many places here that are geared toward kids. It's really great to have so much to do to keep us busy in a new place now that I am a stay-at-home mommy. On Saturday, a few of us from the playgroup tried Melon Bean for the first time for a morning coffee/coupon swap playdate. It's a great little place with good coffee, sandwiches, and desserts AND a play area for kids. I loved the whole idea of the place. Lindsay used to joke all the time about wanting to open a place like this back home. I didn't have my camera to get pictures, but check out her blog. And if you ever want to come visit, I'll take you here for coffee!

http://melonbeaneatery.blogspot.com