Officially a Part Timer! And Nostos and High View Park

Last month I was transitioning and now it's my first week with my new part time schedule - yippie! Yesterday Mark and I had a lovely lunch date at Nostos near his office. Mark commented that we've probably had 5 week day lunches in our 13 year relationship so I proposed we do this monthly. Nice part time perk! Anyway, the decor at Nostos was very simple and clean, and even though I haven't been to Greece (yet!), it was what I imagine restaurants are like there.

We started with the combination of dips:

This picture looks not very appetizing but they were! I liked the feta dip, Mark liked the eggplant and we were both "eh" on the fava. For lunch we both ordered items from the special menu, after I confirmed with the waiter that the fish was a filet, aka not served with a head. Pan seared trout - yum!

I love checking out new restaurants and this place was great!

Today was playgroup day and it was a beautiful sunny day to go to the park. Mason and I jogged over to High View Park which was a nice mile plus run. I think this is one of my new favorite parks. There was a section specifically for toddlers and it was all fenced it.  There was a play structure, swings, large sand area, and playhouse.

Mason had a great time playing and since everything was age appropriate and safe I enjoyed chatting with the other moms.  Great play group today!  (As a note, there is no shade in the tot area but there is a covered pavilion with picnic tables.)

Westover Park

I was busy getting us ready for playgroup and I noticed Mason sitting in his chair like a little Puma model. He looks like such a cool guy!

We took the stroller over to the park and checked out the houses along the way. It's amazing to me that there are all these neighborhoods a mile from our house of 7 years that we've never explored.

Westover Park was great for our playgroup age (17mos-2yrs). It was much more compact than Hayes Park so I felt like I could talk to the other moms but also watch Mason. Here is Mason enjoying the slide and teacup spinner.

They had multiple slides, swings and some climbing structures for older kids. We spent an hour with everyone and took off. Mason was so worn out he fell asleep as soon as he was in the stroller. I think that's a sign of a good playground!

Hayes Park

One of my personal goals in going part time is to get back into a regular running routine. I'm excited to say that today I went on my first run since November! Here is Mason and me pre-run.

We took the long route to our play date at the park, got in a few miles and enjoyed the lovely spring weather.

Last year I joined MONA (Mothers of North Arlington) and through that recently joined a weekly playgroup. The playgroup is 7 other moms and their kids all similarly aged to Mason and we rotate meeting at homes, parks, etc.  We've only been involved two weeks but I think this is great for Mason and me.  Anyway, this week's playgroup was at Hayes Park. This park has a fairly decent sized fenced in playground and has activities for kids of varying ages. Mason loves the slide so we spent the majority of our time there, although somehow I have no sliding photos.

In the summer months they have a spray park which I think Mason will love.  We will definitely be coming back!