Easy and fun way for your child to help carve a pumpkin

Fall foliage is in full force!  It's apple picking, pumpkin carving, trick-or-treat time!! 👻 

Last year we went to carve our pumpkin and realized just how complicated creating a jack-o-lantern can be.  We choose a LARGE pumpkin that had deep grooves which made it near impossible to draw shapes for Daddy to cut out.  The marker couldn't even make a straight line.  Then Ivan's pin pricking kit came into play!

How we figured out a short cut to pumpkin carving that included Ivan participating in a very helpful role:

1. Design your pumpkin face - need inspiration? search online for different jack-o-lantern faces
2. Draw the mouth and eye shapes on white paper 
3. Then, place each eye and mouth on the pumpkin & secure with painters tape
4. Let your child pin prick the pattern directly on the pumpkin
   *the pins are SHARP, not toys!
5. Remove the paper shapes and see the trail of pin pokes left behind
6. Have an adult cut out shapes & circle around top
7. Clean out guts of pumpkin
8. Light & Enjoy!  

Pin-pricking isn't just a good way to carve your pumpkin, it is used in Montessori classrooms as a way to reinforce the proper grip for a writing skills, it strengthens fine motor hand muscles, and a great exercise for concentration! We've put together pin-pricking kits you can use in your home.  Each kit includes a holding case (3 colors available: blue, green, pink); sponge, pin pricker, assortment of fall colored leaves and an apple!  Order your pin-pricking kit with fall leaves + apple here.

Last year, I used brown packaging from an amazon shipment to make a tree in on our home office wall and this year a Trader Joe's paper grocery bags.  Ripping the paper in long strips I just taped the strips on the wall in the shape of a tree trunk & branches.  Ivan could come in and pin-prick 1 or more leaves and hang.  It ended up being super cute and a great little activity for him.

How to use the pin-pricking kit to build your fall foliage tree:

1. Rip long strips of brown paper, to build a trunk & branches, taping to the wall 
2. Have your child choose a leaf or apple shape to pin prick
3. The shape gets placed on top of the sponge to avoid pokes in your table!
4. Your child should poke along the line of the shape and may need help poking the shape out when complete
5. Your child can tape to the tree!

Why Didn't I Think Of This Sooner?!

See how inviting that looks?!  No toys ... serenity!!!  Photo compliments of Emilee Ramsier Photography

Putting myself at the bottom of the priority list is something I have successfully learned from my Mother.  It’s also the thing about her that bothers me the most … imagine that!!  Since school has just started (and we are now in full day Pre-K, Yay!) I decided I would take a short little trip to visit my sister in Atlanta.  Being the fabulous freelance photographer that she is, a job popped up at the exact time as my visit, so it got postponed!  Not wanting to waste a babysitter all lined up (to pick up from school), I made the executive decision to book a hotel room for myself and check out of Motherhood/Wifehood for 12 hours!  What a genius decision!!

Posting up at a brand new local hotel was just what the doctor ordered!  I ate dinner alone, watched a movie in my room alone, slept in and even got some work done!  Much needed headspace.  Upon re-entering my life, I found everyone was alive and well … actually thriving.  It was nice to realize my Husband was capable of making the bed AND he ACTUALLY knows where the dishwasher is and how it works!!

Next time, I am thinking a little more time, and being further away might be a better way to unplug and recharge … ocean waves … feel me? 

A little perspective always does everyone good!

Places to go WITH kids in Columbus, Ohio

Today while picking up my son Ivan from school, I met a Dad who just moved his family to Bexley, Ohio from Peru!  He was asking with soccer program Ivan was in ... here is the quick list of our favorite places and things to do around Northeast Columbus with preschool to kindergarten aged kids with the links to make it as easy as possible!

Art with Anna, in Bexley … art classes for adults and children.  She also hosts workshops, camps and other artsy programming.

Blendon Woods Natural Playground – Natural Playground is new … hike a small trail with natural obstacles to play on.  My favorite part - it is undercover of the trees = shade!  On a 85 degree day it is the best thing to do outdoors (other than the pool of course)!  When you pull into Blendon Woods Park, follow the signs to the 'Natural Playground' (first right).  There is also two traditional playgrounds nearby that are both in the SUNSHINE.

Ivan loving Blendon Woods Natural Playground

Columbus Zoo – Best zoo in the USA!  We LOVE feeding the giraffes!  If you make a few trips a year, a membership easily pays for itself with parking and admission!

COSI – fun kids science museum … if you make a few trips a year a membership is the way to go!

Dave & Busters – video games! And a bar ;)  Not my first choice, and we've only been once, but Ivan is a RAVING FAN!

Franklin Park Conservatory – My personal favorite!  Butterfly exhibit in the spring/summer and family/kid events all year long.  Beautiful spot for holiday (or anytime) photos.  Lot's of amazing plants and climates to explore.  On nice days, we end our visit with a visit to the playground outside on the grounds.  Membership pays for it’s self very quickly!  More details in a past blog here

Top: Franklin Park; Bottom: World of Bounce & Columbus Zoo

Get Air Trampoline Park – great place to exercise when it’s yucky outside

Glow Putt (indoor putt putt that glows in the dark!) – weird spot, but kids seem to love it.  It’s dark, lit by black lights so the balls and holes glow.

Inniswood Gardens – Beautiful grounds, often have children’s programs going on, check website for times and programs!

Bexley Library – Great resource and cute kids section, exceptionally friendly and helpful staff!

Millstone Creek Park – best outdoor playground I know of in Columbus!

Piccadilly Play Café – We visited indoor play cafe's more when Ivan was younger (walking -2/3 yrs old), but they are in Bexley and have parents night out and other programming/events that may be worth checking out for older kids.

Recreations Outlet – This place sells outdoor playgrounds and trampolines, and has an indoor playground you can visit to just play and/or check out new swing sets, etc.  They even host birthday parties.  The trampoline we bought there, may be the best thing we ever bought Ivan!  Endless hours of great exercise & fun!!

Sky Zone – indoor trampoline park ... known to Ivan as the "orange sockie place".  Make sure to register/pay online before you drive up there!  They can sell out of a time slot and have limited 5 yrs and under jumping days & times.

Star Lanes – bowling alley and video games … bar ;)  I'm not a video game fan, but this place had fun video games for kids, gotta give them that!  Bring your wallet, not quarters ;)

Westerville Mini Golf – Two very pretty outdoor 18-hole mini golf courses in nice condition.  Driving range & batting cages.  Usually not crowded!

World of Bounce – Indoor inflatable playground.  Open 9-12 pm weekdays, and Wednesday evenings for family night.  Great spot for a birthday party or rainy day.  Not my favorite spot - it's kinda darkish inside, and in my mind a germ haven, but it does the job when exercise is NEEDED!  You can bring snacks and water bottles, etc.  Just make sure to WASH HANDS!  And bring your own socks! (there is nothing unclean about this place other than there are kids in bouncy houses, they do a nice job of keeping it clean - I'm just a WASH YOUR HANDS kinda freak)

Top: one slice of Millstone Park; Bottom: Westerville Mini Golf hole-in-one winner & Wendy's Gymnastics

Seasonal Spots:

Arnold Classic Kids Expo - March 3-4, 2018 at the Ohio Fair Grounds.  Great gathering of EVERY sport I can name and more!  Archery, bowling, hockey, soccer-foot-golf, bouncy houses, ninja warrior courses, volleyball, tennis, and so much more! ... All under one roof!

Fantasy of Lights, Alum Creek State Parkgrounds - Drive through Holiday light show and Santa Claus stop.  We have never ventured into see Santa, the line is always too long and the cabin too small!  Plus Ivan has not cared or been interested in poor ol'Santa!  The light show is pretty special ... so much better when covered in snow!

Franklin Park Conservatory – Exhibits change seasonally.  Butterflies in spring/summer.  Beautiful décor for Christmas.  Build gingerbread houses event (my personal fav)

Lynd’s Fruit Farm – Berry picking in June/July; apples & pumpkins in fall.  In fall they also have a family area with bouncy houses, hayrides, hot cider, hay rides, etc.  Find info on their Facebook page for fall fest

Scioto Mile Fountain– Seasonal.  Downtown fountains that kids can splash through

Snow Trails, Mansfield - About an hour north of Columbus, Snow Trails has great ski programs for kids starting as young as 3-4 year olds!  We had a blast last year.  Ivan got to go to ski school and the Mommy's got to ski!

Zoo – Has Halloween (October) weekend and Holiday lights in December

Top Left: Lil Kickers Soccer; Top Right: Arnold Classic Kids Expo; Bottom Left: Thanksgiving Turkey cookie craft at Franklin Park; Bottom Right: Fantasy of Lights at Alum Creek State Camp grounds

Organized sports & recreation:

Bexley Pool – something for every age!  Zero entry, small waterslide, 2 large waterslides, diving board

CESA

Chiller Ice Rinks – hockey or figure skating or just plain family open skate!

Flag Football

Lil Kickers, Gahanna – they did not hold summer 2017 classes and I’m not sure if they are going to do fall 2017 classes or not!  Hoping they do!!

Locker Soccer – we have never tried, but have heard great things from friends

(Awesome soccer store in Westerville Soccer Plus)

Wendy’s Gymnastics – Ivan takes weekly classes and attends some open sessions as well.  This may be his favorite!  We have also attended and hosted birthday parties here ... crowd favorite.  It's large and fun!

Top Left: Snow Trails ski school for 3-4 yr olds; Top Right: Columbus Zoo; Bottom Left: Sky Zone; Bottom Right: Wendy's Gymnastics

Good resources for upcoming events and other spots to make your favorites:

Macaroni Kid NE Columbus

Kids Linked Columbus

Yelp

Library books to check out! Great books for preschool aged kids

Once Ivan finds a book he likes, he LOVES it.  Which means we read it over, and over, and over again!  Nothing worse than him locking onto a book that is dreadful to read!  I defiantly have my favorites ... and may or may not be responsible for books that have disappeared in the past ...

When we visit the library, I try to skim the books we check out in the attempts to find GOOD ones ... meaning, we will both enjoy them!

Here are two GEMS that shined from our last library outing.  Worth hunting down at a library near you (If you are in the Columbus, Ohio area, you can reserve online here Billions of Bricks & The Lion Inside)

Billions of Bricks, by Kurt Cyrus

WHY we love Billions of Bricks: Rhyming, Counting, Process, Construction + Building, & STEM

The Lion Inside, by Rachel Bright

WHY we love The Lion Inside: Beautiful illustrations, great story about different perspectives!

Places to go with toddlers aged kids in Columbus, Ohio during the winter months. Our favorite outings

Toddler by definition: 12 - 36 months | 1-3 year old
Most of these are obvious, but all of them are Ivan approved!  Get out there and have some FUN ...

COSI | Columbus, Ohio - Large open spaces filled with wonderful sights for little (& big) eyes!  KidSpace is a great indoor playground with water tables, Practical Life areas, and all kinds of sensory things to discover.  With a Premium Family Membership, you can get into KidSpace at 9 am on weekdays (10 am without).  Bring a packed lunch and eat in the cafeteria and/or partake in the cafetaria.  They have healthy options (grilled chicken, pasta, salad, cut veg, yogurt, etc) along with the usual kid choices - mac n cheese, chicken fingers, and fries.

Daddy's Office Hallways - My husband calls it "running the bull" ... this lil'man of ours, has a TON of energy and being stuck indoors makes getting all the gitters out, OUT.  We defiantly too advantage of the evening and weekend hours in long hallways to drive mini power-wheels, scooters & RUN.  Get creative - you might have access to heated spaces you are not considering!

After hours at Daddy's office

Firehouse Museum | 260 N. Fourth Street, Columbus, Ohio - I credit a former Sitter for this gem.  Found Downtown Columbus, this small & quaint firehouse museum has dress up gear, a pole to slide down and buttons to push.  What more do you need?!

Fire Chief, Ivan to the rescue!

Franklin Park Conservatory | Columbus, Ohio - HUGE fans of Franklin Park ... probably my absolute favorite.  The humid air, flowers 24/7/365 and ever changing exhibits win me over!  Ivan is now 4 years old, and in the past 4 years, it seems to me they have done an exceptional job at adding more Family/Children Programming.  Most weekends they have special shows or guest visitors that are included in admission (some crafts come with a $2 or $3 fee).  If you're not a member, consider looking at that option - it works out being MUCH CHEAPER if you go only a half doz times!!

Gymboree Play & Music | Gahanna, Ohio - This was probably Ivan's #1 favorite pick!  We tried an art and/or music class, but he was all about the gym.  Walking past the gym and going into the art/music room was enough to get him to scale the walls, so we don't have much experience in there (other than when he was a baby).  For a time he participated in a weekly class and we also took advantage of the Open Gym times.  We also went through a phase of just doing the Open Gym pass (about 1/2 price) because he was more interested in FREE play than participating in the group.  Check them out - they usually do unlimited classes in the months of Jan and Feb.

Indoor Pool Near You - we liked Westerville Rec Center because it was close for us!  They have a Pre-School Swim for 6 yrs and under most weekday mornings.  There is also an indoor playground in the lobby with big slide!

Library Story-times | Greater Columbus, Ohio -  Ivan wasn't much for sitting still (as you can probably guess), but I liked how they did a story, then songs and had sensory items for them to play with, so wiggles were anticipated and welcomed!  Check link above for times and programs at your neighborhood branch!

Lil Kickers Soccer | Gahanna, Ohio - Ivan started at the ripe ol'age of 18 months and has been loving it!  The BUNNIES class (18-24 months) is a Parent-Child class that is played on an indoor soccer field and uses bubbles, parachutes, balls, cones, and more to promotes balance and coordination (Classes for kids without a care giver start at 3 yrs).  We've always had very passionate and patient coaches and a great overall experience with Four Seasons, Lil Kickers in Gahanna.  We've even had Ivan's 3rd Birthday Bast there ... bounce house and all!!

Polaris Mall | Columbus, Ohio - and NO not the germ infested play area (although after some time, he remembered about that place and demanded we stop ... there is a restroom nearby so you can soap and water hands immediately after!)  Our Polaris Mall loop happened by accident but works out great every time!  We park on the upstairs of Von Mar (usually spots near the door) and stop by the kids section for the train table.  I've also found some great shoes for him there - they seem to always have a great selection for kids shoes!  After Von Mar we walk down to Pottery Barn Kids (turn left out of Von Mar) and go play in there.  An Ivan fav are the doll strollers!  Next Disney Store.  Seems crazy, but 30-45 min have already passed!  I bring the stroller along for snacks, coats and tired legs.  And if I must, the play area downstairs below the Disney Store!

Polaris Mall, Von Mar kids department

Ride the Cbus | Short North, Columbus, Ohio - Ivan had a BUS obsession phase.  One day I could not hear the word "bus" come out of him mouth one more time!!!  I pulled the route up online and decided to give him what he was demanding so!  The C-BUS is Columbus's FREE downtown circular that stops at each stop every 10-15 minutes (map on like above).  I wasn't sure how long he would sit, if this was a good idea and it was cold outside ... SO, we parked at a meter right next to a stop (LUCKY MOMENT).  We sat and waited for a few min, when I saw the bus approaching in the rear view mirror, we popped out and jumped on.  Our driver was super sweet, there was only 1 or 2 other people on it the entire time and we had a blast.  We did not do the entire loop (too long for this bus fan) but we simply walked across High Street at one stop to go back to the car.  Operation Bus Ride complete!

"bus, bus, BUS!!!"

Skyzone | Lewis Center, Ohio - Toddler Time, Tuesdays 9:30-11 am & Sunday mornings, last I checked!  An ocean of trampolines and a foam pit for 5 yrs and under ... What more could you want!  Happy nap-time after this outing.

Toddler Time a SkyZone

Columbus Zoo | Dublin, Ohio - Oh the magical Columbus Zoo!  Probably my Mommy #2 favorite on the list.  Unseasonably warm days (like last weekend) are great winter days to visit.  We went last weekend, and all the animals were moving around.  We got to see more action from them than normal!  I've found this to be true on cooler days .... it was approx 55 degrees.  The Red Panda's were jumping about in their tree house ... Ivan was especially impressed with their digs and the Solar Bear was prancing around.  Those are 2 exhibits I can't say I ever remember seeing much activity from!  Come March 2017 The Little Explorer's Base Camps start back up.  Not enough words to express how amazing the Columbus Zoo and it's programs are!  

Beautiful Day at the Columbus Zoo

And perhaps there are some new spots that have popped up ... check out Macaroni Kids list here

Places to go in Columbus, Ohio with your 6-9 month old

A dear friend recently asked me for suggestions of places to take her darling 6 month old in Columbus, Ohio.  That got me thinking of all the FUN FIRST places and activities Ivan and I visited together ...

Walks.  Stroller walks.  Baby Bjorn carrier walks.  Walking Isabelle.  Walking around Franklin Park Conservatory – and it’s prime time for a trip there, the butterflies are a flutter!  The Columbus Zoo is also a wonderful place to walk.  Not too much (aside from the active fish) to attract the eye of a 6 month old, but it’s a great location to scope out different stroller models and other parenting accessories that may make future outings easier!  There are TONS of great parks and hiking trails and just in time for SPRING!

Gymboree Play & Music – located in Gahanna, Ohio – this is still one of our favorite places to play!  They have music, art and gym classes as well as open gym times that are open for all to play!  Level 1 is for ages 0-6 months, so they are ready for you when you get there!!

Columbus Metropolitan Library has wonderful storytime’s for all ages … starting with Baby Laptime, 0-18 months.  I remember being quite impressed at our first Baby Laptime.  They read books, played music and even had toys and musical instruments to interact with.

Mommy and Me classes … such as Mommy and me yoga offered by Yoga on High

Swimming.  While no activity lasts too long at approx. 6 months, it’s fun to get the sensation of water be it at home or away ... there are lots of neighborhood pools around and Ivan turned his water table into a swimming pool at first!

Painting.  Finger painting.  Painting with different objects – sponges, toys feet, cars wheels, cotton balls, anything you can imagine ...  This messy project might only last 60 seconds, but when you start little by little the love of colors, creating and stimulating the senses add up to a brilliant happy child!  Art with Anna is a Columbus, Ohio art studio for kids.  Ages 4+ can be dropped off for various events – and everyone is welcome during open studio sessions to partake in all the studio has to offer!

Get out and enjoy the world through your little one’s eyes … it’s a wonderful world out there!!

Getting creative indoors ... Plastic Easter-egg fun!

Ivan is well versed at watching YouTube on the iPad.  Recently he has discovered quite a lot of videos of people opening plastic eggs to find random things inside.  It's amazing how he will watch them and interesting to hear him learning his colors in doing so!

Now that Easter is approaching, I was able to find those plastic eggs at the store.  We have had a lot of fun playing with them in all sorts of creative ways - and I'm surprised to report they keep him busy for twice as long as I would have guessed!

BEANS IN THE KITCHEN - Ivan has a cupboard with a plastic mixing bowl and dry mix of beans (kidney, black and white beans).  We have been playing with those for the past 6+ months, pouring them into different sized containers, spooning them into muffin and mini-cupcake tins etc.  Add the plastic egg's and we've kicked the bean game up a notch!  I fill the eggs with a bean mixture and place them in the mini-muffin bake tray.  Ivan then opens the egg and dumps the beans into the mixing bowl.  This is a great game to play for counting and learning colors!

WATER IN THE BATHTUB - On the first evening of the eggs + beans the egg's had to go into the tubby for Ivan to go into the tubby!  Fill with water, open & dump.  Sounds pretty straight forward but you can search for colors and opening the eggs is a lot more fun than it sounds!!

PLAY-DOUGH WRAPPED EGGS - YouTube inspired, we brought the eggs into a play-dough session at Grammy's on a snowy Saturday morning!  I couldn't wrap them fast enough ... he LOVED opening them and getting the play-dough ball out from the inside.  Aside from keeping him entertained, this was yet another way to reinforce his colors - although I think he's got them down!  ... Perhaps I need to find some pastel eggs to elaborate on his color palettes! 

Playing with play-dough wrapped plastic eggs at Grammy's house

PASTA SHAPES IN HIS PLAY KITCHEN - I think I may have exhausted the egg play ... I got different shaped dry pasta and filled the eggs in his play kitchen.  I think part of the thrill here was dry pasta in his pots and pans!  He counted to 8 all by himself, clear as day!  That was worth the pasta on the floor!

Ivan playing with dry pasta & plastic eggs in his play kitchen.  Great for learning numbers & colors!

How to survive an Ohio winter with a toddler

It's March in Ohio.  Most days are cold and gray and all the pretty shoes are tucked away.  Everyone is starting to get restless.  Isabelle needs to run.  Ivan needs to run.  I need some fresh air ... AHHHH.  BUT the good news is I think Ivan and I discovered the secret to surviving the tail end of winter this weekend ... LOOK FOR SPRING! 

This past weekend Franklin Park Conservatory & Botanical Gardens opened the Blooms & Butterflies exhibit, which made it very easy to start LOOKING for spring!  We then went for a walk (in 45 degree heat wave) and found some great puddles to JUMP in!

Ivan getting the mileage out of his (waterproof) winter boots puddle jumping!  Him and Izzy have more in common every day!

ENJOY WHAT WINTER HAS TO OFFER ... we made sure to build a snow man, play in his sled (I am no Alaskan Husky, contrary to Ivan's ideas), go skiing, perfecting hot chocolate and getting super creative indoors.

Last ski of the season at Snowtrails in Mansfield, Ohio

I am definitely looking forward to spring break and the leaves to return to the trees ... yet in doing so, trying hard not to wish time away!!

taking a break from a tough game of indoor hockey to catch up on his YouTube ABC video's

YouTube to the rescue!

What an amazing resource YouTube is!  I love being able to elaborate on a subject with my (almost 2 year old) son with a quick and easy clip on YouTube.  It makes things come alive in a way that is thrilling to watch and can be a great distraction to get a quick diaper change done without getting poop EVERYWHERE!  Below I've included links to some of our favorite YouTube videos.

Ivan's progression of entertainment started with his LOVE of ELMO ... There are great videos that are only a few minutes long of the Elmo and friends singing.  I usually start with Elmo's Got the Moves and find great suggestions from there.

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Hey, gingers stick together!!  Sesame Street LIVE Spring 2014

On vacation, Ivan started honing his love of the steering wheel and Daddy's "vroom" car!  We then progressed to Disney's Car's and Car's 2 movies.  As his love of motors started blossoming, MOTORCYCLES were the next item of interest.  We often visit our downtown area and walk up and down High Street watching the buses, motorcycles, and bicycles pass.  Now add in trains!  This YouTube video has the same effect as Baby Einstein on my lil'Einstein and the historic train engines are quite beautiful!

Earlier this week, we took Ivan to the first pre-season NHL Columbus Bluejackets game and while walking to the arena saw a train under the foot bridge.  That was obviously pretty LOUD and of course COOL!  Tonight we were in the same area and Ivan remembered the tracks.  He ran to the railing and couldn't understand where the "choochoo, choochoo, choochoo ... " was.  Not long after, we heard a train on a nearby track that we could not see.  The entire ride home, "choochoo, choochoo, choochoo ... " until I couldn't take it any longer!  I searched YouTube for train noises and found some pretty fun clips with amazing audio and video!  I can't believe it took me until tonight to really realize how amazing YouTube can be! 

Until our YouTube adventure this evening, Ivan has really only seen 1, maybe 2 real trains since he's been paying attention to them ... with the YouTube videos I can show him all kinds of trains (old and new) faster than we could sit an wait for the next train to pass.  I'm just loving watching the world unfold in his eyes ... !!

We have also found some video's that are great for learning ABC's, numbers, and colors.  The Pete the Cat book series is also a fun dance to get dressed to in the morning!

Fun things for toddlers to explore at the Ohio State Fair 2014

This morning we ventured out to The Ohio State Fair, the gates open at 9 am and we got there shortly after.  Admission is $10 for 13-59 yrs and kids under 5 are FREE.  Kroger sells the 13-59 year old tickets for $6, so plan ahead!

In each and every direction there was SOMETHING interesting and magical to look at ... we got to see the Budweiser Clydesdale's getting their morning exercise.  There were being walked, 4 at a time, behind their stalls so we got to get as close as we were brave (there was a lot of flying poop going on!) 

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Colorful action EVERYWHERE ... Ivan was loving all the support vehicles buzzing around!

I could not help but to notice the "LOST KIDS BOOTH" ... I wasn't quite sure this was an option, but apparently you can rely on the Ohio State Troopers to help babysit!  Who knew?!

In the Kiddie Land section, Ivan had a blast watching all the rides zipping around.  He was getting quite sluggish with all the cool fresh air (and nap-time nearing) but he perked right up in Kiddie Land ... I'm not sure if it was all the kiddie-energy or the aroma of cotton candy filling the air that got him!  36" was the height restriction for most rides ... If he can pull off 3-4" in the next 365 days our trip to the fair will be quite different next year!

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Ivan playing in the JD Equipment tent - Running with the Bulls!

On our way out we had to have some french fries and of course I got the healthy ones (haha) the sign did say NO trans-fats!  As we made our way to the car, we got to wave to the tractor pulling people in from the parking lot, see the State Troopers car lights flashing, and see a field full of semi-trucks parked by Crew Stadium. 

In our almost 2 hour stay, I'm most certain we missed 85% of the fair excitement!  We will be heading back before it's over, August 3, 2014.  Hope you get to check it out too!

We found a HAPPY PLACE in Franklin Park Conservatory

In the routine chaos that is motherhood, there are days and times I need to, as they say, "stop and smell the roses."  When those thankless & redundant tasks us mothers tackle round-the-clock cause that overwhelming feeling of non-completion I NEED A HAPPY PLACE!  It's these days that are PERFECT days for me visit Franklin Park to gain some perspective and regenerate!  Not only do I enjoy the sensory overload, but I know Ivan does too! 

I highly recommend finding a place or two you can share with your little one that provides the same rejuvenation.  One of our favorite places to visit is Franklin Park Conservatory located on East Broad Street in Columbus, Ohio.  This year marks the 20th anniversary of their Blooms & Butterflies Exhibition that runs from March 8 - September 28, 2014.

Not only is Franklin Park a perfect place to visit on an off weather day (snow, rain, or too much humidity), but it's a great place to experience the magic Mother Earth has to offer.  Flowers, amazing plants, butterflies from around the globe, multiple waterfalls and streams, fish, hands-on interactive games/stations for kids, birds, and even a choo-choo train!

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Ivan loves visiting Franklin Park

On a routine visit, I bring the stroller with water and snacks, and we start our tour in the Pacific Island Water Garden (left after the entrance).  I love stopping by the windows were you can watch the caterpillars in their cocoons and the butterflies emerge!  Viewing this metamorphosis is as equally as magical to me as the experience in making my little (1 year old) nugget, Ivan! 

As 100's of butterflies fly about you can take in all the sounds, smells, and visuals of all the amazing plants and flowers that fill this space.  Ivan loves visiting the fish, waterfalls, and spotting flying butterflies.  Next we pass through the basement that has a few hands-on stations for kids to play with before heading into the next section that includes the Desert Biome (out of my respect for the incredible cacti, Ivan is not allowed to run free in this space) ... then we enter the Rainforest Biome that is home to Max and Mic the two resident Macaw's that scare the pants off of both of us every time with their abrupt greetings ... After the Rainforest is the train room, AKA, the Himalayan Mountain Biome that features another waterfall and other delicious visual treasures to discover (look up after you pass the over the bridge and round the corner).

The Palm House and Showroom also feature seasonal exhibitions that host all kinds of events from weddings beyond ...

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The Hungry Caterpillar becoming a Beautiful Butterfly ... AMAZING!! & One of the hands-on features, a giant light bright!

If your kids are older, there are classes and workshops for all ages (kids-adults) offered year round.  Check the website for more information here.

The Blooms & Butterflies exhibition is now through September 28, 2014 ... I hope you plan a visit!

and as Ivan ends The Hungry Caterpillar book .... [waving] "Bye, bye!"

Attention all toddler's … it's Touch A Truck time!

One of my complaints as a new mom is not knowing what I don't know … I've learned about so many things I feel I should have known about prior to finding myself in the trenches of motherhood (such as play café's).  Luckily enough I have heard of Touch A Truck from my sisters experiences raising my nephew.

If you haven't already heard, Touch A Truck is a magical event for little ones … It's a parking lot filled with every type of vehicle imaginable for the kid's to climb up in and check out!  Ivan's first Touch A Truck was in Worthington, Ohio in Spring 2014 where is was able to check out a trolley, buses (of all types), The Chiller's Zamboni,  a Magic Mountain race car, Uhaul trucks, helicopter, motor-home, utility trucks, swat vehicle ... on and on!

This Friday, July 25, 2014, (weather permitting) will be Touch A Truck #2 for Ivan.  If you haven't checked out a Touch A Truck event or just didn't have this one on your calendar make note!

TOUCH A TRUCK - JULY 25, 2014
THE SPORTS COMPLEX, 325 N. CLEVELAND AVE, WESTERVILLE, OHIO 43081

Admission is FREE ... We hope we see you there!!

RuummMMM ... Beep, BEEP!!

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Ivan's first Touch A Truck in Worthington, Ohio.  Spring 2014

Bathtime Rave!

Daddy always comes up with the most fun activities!  He started performing light shows for Ivan by swinging and dancing around with glow-sticks ... you know, the ones you could buy for $5 a piece during firework shows or concerts to wear around your neck as a kid!  In the spirit of trying to be fun myself, I ordered a tube of necklace length glow-sticks from Amazon for one of Daddy's Christmas presents (who knew how easy they are to find!) and the sporadic light shows continued ...

One night I was giving Ivan a bath and of course, I am not as entertaining as Daddy can be, nor was I ready for him to come out of the tub ... then a LIGHT BULB went OFF (in my head)!  Light show in the tub!!!  And that's how the bath time rave was born.  See!  Mommies can be fun too!  

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Ivan swimming in the tub with a beach ball + glow-stick; and singular glow-sticks in varying lengths (all from Five Below)

After my Amazon purchase of the tube of necklace length glow-sticks I have also had luck finding glow-sticks at Target (in the $1 bins near the front door) as well as super cool glow-in-the-dark sticks, balls, etc at Five Below stores.