Don't forget! Tomorrow, (Friday, July 8th), is FREE Friday at The Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal! I *Know* you don't want to miss out on this amazing bargain for your family!
For more details, see this post I did a while back! And I hope we see you there :)
Sharing My Family Fun Adventures, and Helping You Create Some of Your Own.
Showing posts with label Rainy Days. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rainy Days. Show all posts
Jul 7, 2011
May 19, 2011
Free Friday's at The Cincinnati Museum Center
These are usually in the summer and offer free admission for everyone from 4-8pm. This year, the dates for FREE Friday's are: June 3rd, July 8th, August 5th and September 9th.
This year Free Fridays include the Museum of Natural History & Science, Cincinnati History Museum and Duke Energy Children’s Museum. Cleopatra, OMNIMAX, and parking are extra.
Parking is $6 per vehicle ($4 per vehicle after 4:30pm), and OMNIMAX Theater is $7.50 adults, $6.50 seniors and $5.50 children (ages 3-12). Cleopatra is Adult: $23, Child: $15, Senior: $19 Member Adult: $14, Member Child: $10
The Cincy Museum Center if a REALLY FUN place to go, and my girls especially love the Children's Museum. It is made up of four areas, which are: Kid's Town, Little Sprouts Farm, Energy Zone, and The Woods. Plus, there is a Water Play area that all children love, (parents-not so much!).
And if you need snacks while you're there, no worries. They've got you covered! The food court offers two options: Track One Pizza that serves pizza slices and bread sticks; and the Gateway Cafe, which offers sandwiches, hamburgers and hotdogs, soup, salads and more. Food is generally available during museum hours. Drink machines and snack machines are available in the concourse area of the Rotunda.
Enjoy the Rookwood Ice Cream Parlor for something sweet. It's open until 5pm on Friday's. So mark your calendars now and plan to visit the Museum Center this summer...and I'm sure you'll see us there, too!
May 17, 2011
EnterTRAINment Junction Review
This past weekend, an awesome family that we are lucky enough to be friends with invited us to Entertrainment Junction, which is a Huge Model Train Display and Family Entertainment Center, in West Chester, Ohio.
Girls who aren't really into trains.
But no need to worry. My girls thought it was WAY COOL!
The first thing you see when you come in is this really cool old train station looking area. It is actually a snack bar/eating area, and a gift shop, but it looks so neat..very nostalgic!
Our Awesome Friends...The James'
They have Season Passes, and this month, they could bring a friend for FREE. And since we are so happenin' and fun, they invited us!
We were excited to go, but I was kind of wondering how much fun my girls would have since, well, they are girls.
But no need to worry. My girls thought it was WAY COOL!
The first thing you see when you come in is this really cool old train station looking area. It is actually a snack bar/eating area, and a gift shop, but it looks so neat..very nostalgic!
After you pay, (which is normally $12.95 for adults and $9.95 for kids 3-12. 3 and under are free), you go into the Train Journey, which is the World's Largest Indoor Train Display! I was extremely impressed, as were the girls. This exhibit runs throughout the entire building, so it is expansive, and the amount of detail is extraordinary...truly something you should see in person!
There is also an area called Imagination Junction, which is a Children's Interactive Play area. Think McDonald's Play land with a train theme. They had a tunnel/slide thing, a small train ride, (that is $1 per ride), and a few other play things.
The kids loved this area because they could run and get a bunch of energy out. There were also benches for parents, so it was a nice break for us too!
Another nice feature is that there was a separate place for Toddlers or younger kids within the play area, so that they didn't get trampled on, and that has toys etc. geared more for their age group. There were also nice bathrooms located here so that parents don't have to go far, which definitely came in handy.
***One note I would make is to make sure you bring socks, (if your kids aren't already wearing them!), if you plan to play in Imagination Junction. They are required.
There was also the American Railroading Museum located within the exhibit, which I honestly didn't get to see much of. My girls aren't really patient enough to stop and let me read about things of actual importance, (but if it were a Barbie or Princess museum, they would have been all over that business!).
The kids also enjoyed some outside rides that they had available. The rides package is an additional $3 per person and it includes unlimited rides during posted times.
An interesting and new addition to Entertrainment Junction this year, is the Fun House! This is a carnival like experience that includes a Mirror Maze, Clown College, (which had a tilt room and Ames room), Outer Limits, (which has the Claustrophobic Hall, The Vortex Tunnel, and a Black Light Room), and Curtain Chaos. This is an additional $9.95 per person for this experience, but totally worth it!
The Fun House was a hit for sure with our crew! Even the grownups got in on the fun.
I would say that no matter if you have boys or girls, this place should for sure be on your to-do list! I know it sounds pricey after you add on all the stuff, (although the Season Pass is only $175 for a family of 4, which is a great deal for how much we would go!), but it really is so much fun!
Our girls got to experience something they didn't even know they were interested in, and we got to watch them having a blast with their friends.
May 4, 2011
Once A Month Mom Guest Post
Okay let's start with a quick survey, which of the following sounds least appealing to you: 1) cleaning the greasy grime out of the drain in the kitchen sink, 2) visiting the dentist, or 3) preparing a meal for your children?
My answer? Number 3 hands down! There is nothing as daunting to me as facing down my children and trying to come up with something that they *might* consume. And let's face it, that sandwich they can't live without today is tomorrow's old news. Their tastes and desires are always changing, leaving me pulling my hair out on most afternoons.
I will say that lunch and dinner have gotten better around these parts due in large part to my new approach to mealtimes. That was half the battle. The other half of the battle was coming up with a rotation of meal ideas that would keep my kids engaged, but eating nutritious meals. Part of my new lunch plan was to create a selection of meals that I draw from each week. In addition to that, I try to work in a new recipe here and there as well. Variety is the spice of life, right?
And here are some tried and true Once A Month Mom Kid-Friendly recipes that you might also find helpful to have in your meal rotation. The great thing about all of these is that each and every one of them is freezable! That means that you can make large batches of them, freeze them and have them on hand when the hunger riot breaks out in your home.
Lunch lined up and ready to go on the table!
My answer? Number 3 hands down! There is nothing as daunting to me as facing down my children and trying to come up with something that they *might* consume. And let's face it, that sandwich they can't live without today is tomorrow's old news. Their tastes and desires are always changing, leaving me pulling my hair out on most afternoons.
I will say that lunch and dinner have gotten better around these parts due in large part to my new approach to mealtimes. That was half the battle. The other half of the battle was coming up with a rotation of meal ideas that would keep my kids engaged, but eating nutritious meals. Part of my new lunch plan was to create a selection of meals that I draw from each week. In addition to that, I try to work in a new recipe here and there as well. Variety is the spice of life, right?
And here are some tried and true Once A Month Mom Kid-Friendly recipes that you might also find helpful to have in your meal rotation. The great thing about all of these is that each and every one of them is freezable! That means that you can make large batches of them, freeze them and have them on hand when the hunger riot breaks out in your home.
Breakfast
- Homemade Pop Tarts
- Frozen Fruit Cups
- French Toast Sticks
- Strawberry Orange Smoothies
- Granola Bars (Gluten & Dairy Free)
- Breakfast Cookies
- Strawberry Chocolate Chip Scones
- Apple & Banana Pancakes
Lunch
There are also a ton of recipe and menu ideas at Once A Month Mom if you are looking for ways to save time and money in the kitchen. We offer Traditional, Diet, Gluten Free & Dairy Free, Whole Foods, Baby Food and soon Vegetarian menus. In the next few months I will also be coming out with a eCookbook specifically for breakfast and lunches for kids, so head on over to the blog and get signed up to follow along so you don't miss out on that.May 3, 2011
Cookin' Up Some Fun!
I can remember when I was a little girl, sitting at the kitchen table watching my momma cook up a meal for our family. They were usually pretty big, and always yummy, (yes, I blame her for ALL my poor eating habits!). Some of my favorites were BBQ ribs, chicken noodle casserole, cabbage rolls, and vegetable soup.
Great, now I'm hungry.
Anyhow, I enjoyed watching my mom cook, but what was really fun was when she let me help. It started with simple things like adding ingredients to a bowl. Then she taught me how to make some basic things on my own, like eggs and french toast. Before long, I was making complete dinners for my family, and I LOVED it! It was a way for me to be creative and I also loved that with food, you can make people happy and show them you care.
These days, I am cooking for my own family, and let's just say it doesn't have exactly the same feeling as it used to.
I mean, I still love to cook, but it gets a little frustrating when you have four different people who have four different tastes. And everyone has an opinion. An everyone likes to share their opinion. Loudly. Right after I have spent an hour in the kitchen cooking.
See my point?
But one thing that seems to help is letting my girls do some of the cooking with me. (Could this be why my mom had me helping her in the kitchen too? Hmmmm...) They are definitely more likely to eat the food without complaining if they had a hand in preparing it. Plus, I like spending the time with them, and creating memories for them that they will have forever.
I can totally imagine them sitting down to blog some day about how their momma used to let them pull up a stool to the stove so that they could stir the soup, or mix the cake, or mash the potatoes. I love thinking about that.
So even when it's not convenient, I try to let them help me as much as I can. And one thing that makes it easier is having lots of kid-friendly recipes around. These are recipes that are easier for little hands to help with, and also ones that they will like to eat.
Fortunately, I have a SUPER FAMOUS blogger friend who has a site that has TONS of kid-friendly recipes to choose from. If you aren't already following Once A Month Mom, you TOTALLY should be! Her site is mostly dedicated to meals that are freezer friendly, (you cook once, and you have a bunch of freezer meals to pull out all month long!). It's super easy because she does all the work for you, (grocery lists, directions, etc.). Plus, she has diet meals, food allergy meals, and KID-FRIENDLY MEALS!
And aren't you Lucky because tomorrow, Once a Month Mom is going to be guest posting right here! I am so excited that I can hardly contain myself! I mean a real blogger. Uber famous. Right here!
So make sure to come back tomorrow to check it out! You DON'T want to miss this!
ALSO, if you haven't already, don't forget to enter for the Papa John's Giveaway! Because we all know, a momma can't cook every night! :)
Great, now I'm hungry.
Anyhow, I enjoyed watching my mom cook, but what was really fun was when she let me help. It started with simple things like adding ingredients to a bowl. Then she taught me how to make some basic things on my own, like eggs and french toast. Before long, I was making complete dinners for my family, and I LOVED it! It was a way for me to be creative and I also loved that with food, you can make people happy and show them you care.
These days, I am cooking for my own family, and let's just say it doesn't have exactly the same feeling as it used to.
I mean, I still love to cook, but it gets a little frustrating when you have four different people who have four different tastes. And everyone has an opinion. An everyone likes to share their opinion. Loudly. Right after I have spent an hour in the kitchen cooking.
See my point?
But one thing that seems to help is letting my girls do some of the cooking with me. (Could this be why my mom had me helping her in the kitchen too? Hmmmm...) They are definitely more likely to eat the food without complaining if they had a hand in preparing it. Plus, I like spending the time with them, and creating memories for them that they will have forever.
I can totally imagine them sitting down to blog some day about how their momma used to let them pull up a stool to the stove so that they could stir the soup, or mix the cake, or mash the potatoes. I love thinking about that.
So even when it's not convenient, I try to let them help me as much as I can. And one thing that makes it easier is having lots of kid-friendly recipes around. These are recipes that are easier for little hands to help with, and also ones that they will like to eat.
Fortunately, I have a SUPER FAMOUS blogger friend who has a site that has TONS of kid-friendly recipes to choose from. If you aren't already following Once A Month Mom, you TOTALLY should be! Her site is mostly dedicated to meals that are freezer friendly, (you cook once, and you have a bunch of freezer meals to pull out all month long!). It's super easy because she does all the work for you, (grocery lists, directions, etc.). Plus, she has diet meals, food allergy meals, and KID-FRIENDLY MEALS!
And aren't you Lucky because tomorrow, Once a Month Mom is going to be guest posting right here! I am so excited that I can hardly contain myself! I mean a real blogger. Uber famous. Right here!
So make sure to come back tomorrow to check it out! You DON'T want to miss this!
ALSO, if you haven't already, don't forget to enter for the Papa John's Giveaway! Because we all know, a momma can't cook every night! :)
Apr 29, 2011
Papa Johns Giveaway!
One of my family's favorite things is Family Pizza Movie Night. Usually, this takes place on a Friday, but we have also done Saturday's and the occasional Sunday evening, (we're Crazy like that...).
Most of the time we get our movie from the Library, (which is FREE...and you KNOW how I love FREE!). But Redbox is also a great deal, and since they are just about everywhere, it's also very convenient. Other options we have taken advantage of are On Demand (Pay-Per-View), a movie we own but haven't seen in a while, OR a movie I recorded on the DVR for just such an occasion.
Now, the other important element in our Movie Night is the PIZZA! It just doesn't sound as cool when you say 'Casserole Movie Night' or 'Baked Chicken Movie Night', and since we are definitely the coolest family in town (you've figured that out by now haven't you?), we have to get Pizza!
We are a little picky about our pizza choices here, and since we all have different tastes, it sometimes makes our decision a little difficult.
My husband won't eat any pizza with veggies, which happens to be my favorite. And Addy always insists on Pineapple, and Faith only wants cheese. We also have varying opinions on crust. I like thin crust (think Marions or La Rosa's). Jeremy likes a good tossed crust, and Addy likes Pan pizza. Faith only eats the toppings off of her pizza, so if there were a pizza with no crust, that would be her choice.
So what we do most of the time is mix it up. One week we do Jet's Pizza, which has a really good pan (they call it deep dish), and we do half pepperoni and half cheese. Then another week we do La Rosa's and use a buy 1 get 1 free coupon (always available on their website!). And if you are ordering La Rosa's then you MUST order the Boneless Barbecue Wings! They use Montgomery Inn Sauce and they are AMAZING!
But the pizza we come back to most often is Papa Johns!
And I must admit, we have never had a bad experience with Papa Johns. They get it right every time, and consistency is something this momma really appreciates.
Now, the other important element in our Movie Night is the PIZZA! It just doesn't sound as cool when you say 'Casserole Movie Night' or 'Baked Chicken Movie Night', and since we are definitely the coolest family in town (you've figured that out by now haven't you?), we have to get Pizza!
We are a little picky about our pizza choices here, and since we all have different tastes, it sometimes makes our decision a little difficult.
My husband won't eat any pizza with veggies, which happens to be my favorite. And Addy always insists on Pineapple, and Faith only wants cheese. We also have varying opinions on crust. I like thin crust (think Marions or La Rosa's). Jeremy likes a good tossed crust, and Addy likes Pan pizza. Faith only eats the toppings off of her pizza, so if there were a pizza with no crust, that would be her choice.
So what we do most of the time is mix it up. One week we do Jet's Pizza, which has a really good pan (they call it deep dish), and we do half pepperoni and half cheese. Then another week we do La Rosa's and use a buy 1 get 1 free coupon (always available on their website!). And if you are ordering La Rosa's then you MUST order the Boneless Barbecue Wings! They use Montgomery Inn Sauce and they are AMAZING!
But the pizza we come back to most often is Papa Johns!
Everyone in the family is happy with Papa Johns. We either get 2, (when we have a coupon of course), or we get 1 Extra Large, half Pineapple and half Pepperoni. And if we're really feeling like livin' on the edge, we add bread sticks which the girls LOVE (there is just something about dipping sauce...)!
And I must admit, we have never had a bad experience with Papa Johns. They get it right every time, and consistency is something this momma really appreciates.
So, to get you started with your own Family Pizza Movie Night, I am giving away a $20 Gift Card to Papa John's Pizza! There are a few way's to enter, but make sure to leave a comment for each one! And don't forget that you can enter MORE THAN ONCE!
1. Sign up to Follow My blog (you will need to create a blogger account if you don't already have one)
2. Link this Giveaway on your Facebook
3. Link this Giveaway on your Twitter
4. Visit the Papa Johns Facebook Page and 'Like' it (make sure to leave a comment on my blog to let me know you did it)
5. Leave a comment about this Giveaway on the Papa Johns Facebook Page (again, leave a comment here too!).
6. Comment on how much you want to win this Giveaway OR about your favorite Papa Johns Pizza.
7. Comment on your own Family Movie Night traditions.
But Hurry, because you only have through Thursday to enter. Winner will be announced on the blog next Friday Good Luck!.
Apr 26, 2011
An Indoor Idea
Last week we wanted to get together with some friends for a play date. Usually we would go to the park for that. But if you live in Ohio, then you know that it has been raining.
And raining.
And raining.
It has seemed, at times, like we would need to start building an ark. But I am holding off on that for now, and trusting that dryer days will come.
(But I may start pricing wood just in case...)
(BTW, what kind of wood do you need to build an ark?)
ANYHOW, since a park date was not an option, I was thinking that we would need to meet at a fast food play area again.
(Is it bad when the Chick-fil-a people start to know you by name?)
But my friend told me about this church that has an indoor play area that is open to the public from 11-4 Monday thru Friday. What? How have I never known about this until now? This is a GENIUS idea!
So on Thursday we met at Stillwater United Methodist Church on Fredrick Pike. We brought lunches, (they have tables available to eat at from those who want to use them), and then the kids took off into the play area while the mommies found a place to sit and chat. We stayed for about 2 hours and Faith had a great time, and so did momma! They had a huge tunnel/slide thing (think McDonalds), and then they also had play houses, play kitchens, and benches for younger kids or for when the older ones want to be a little more creative.
I seriously am always saying that a REAL restaurant, (not just fast food) should have play areas. That way, parents can go and enjoy a nice meal, that doesn't include chicken nuggets and fries, and kids can have a fun time too. But doing it at a church is even better! We can bring our own lunch, if we want, and it's FREE!!!
The only down side is that it's not very close to where I live. It took me about 20 minutes to get there, which isn't horrible, but not ideal either.
If you are out that way, or are up for a short drive, I highly suggest checking it out. Here is the link to the church if you want more info.
And raining.
And raining.
It has seemed, at times, like we would need to start building an ark. But I am holding off on that for now, and trusting that dryer days will come.
(But I may start pricing wood just in case...)
(BTW, what kind of wood do you need to build an ark?)
ANYHOW, since a park date was not an option, I was thinking that we would need to meet at a fast food play area again.
(Is it bad when the Chick-fil-a people start to know you by name?)
But my friend told me about this church that has an indoor play area that is open to the public from 11-4 Monday thru Friday. What? How have I never known about this until now? This is a GENIUS idea!
So on Thursday we met at Stillwater United Methodist Church on Fredrick Pike. We brought lunches, (they have tables available to eat at from those who want to use them), and then the kids took off into the play area while the mommies found a place to sit and chat. We stayed for about 2 hours and Faith had a great time, and so did momma! They had a huge tunnel/slide thing (think McDonalds), and then they also had play houses, play kitchens, and benches for younger kids or for when the older ones want to be a little more creative.
I seriously am always saying that a REAL restaurant, (not just fast food) should have play areas. That way, parents can go and enjoy a nice meal, that doesn't include chicken nuggets and fries, and kids can have a fun time too. But doing it at a church is even better! We can bring our own lunch, if we want, and it's FREE!!!
The only down side is that it's not very close to where I live. It took me about 20 minutes to get there, which isn't horrible, but not ideal either.
If you are out that way, or are up for a short drive, I highly suggest checking it out. Here is the link to the church if you want more info.
Apr 18, 2011
Memory Monday
So I decided to start doing Memory Mondays on my blog. Basically, it's a time for me to share some of my favorite memories with my girls.
Sometimes, it will be something cute they said.
Sometimes, it will be a fun trip we took.
Sometimes, it will be a picture.
Today, I was looking at the forecast for this week, and unfortunately, lots of rain is in the near future. But it made me think about a time that Addy was a little over a year and a half. It was pouring down rain outside, so I opened our front door so that she could stand at the screen and watch it.
She was fascinated at all that water coming down and said, "momma, look!".
I said, "yes, that's the rain coming down outside."
Then she said, "Wow! Now turn it off!" :)
I just loved that perspective. She thought I could just turn off the rain like a faucet. If only that were true...
Now, don't forget to enter the contest for the Thirty-One Giveaway! There are a number of ways to win this fabulous giveaway, but make sure to leave a comment for each one! (And, you can enter more than once!)
Sometimes, it will be something cute they said.
Sometimes, it will be a fun trip we took.
Sometimes, it will be a picture.
Today, I was looking at the forecast for this week, and unfortunately, lots of rain is in the near future. But it made me think about a time that Addy was a little over a year and a half. It was pouring down rain outside, so I opened our front door so that she could stand at the screen and watch it.
She was fascinated at all that water coming down and said, "momma, look!".
I said, "yes, that's the rain coming down outside."
Then she said, "Wow! Now turn it off!" :)
I just loved that perspective. She thought I could just turn off the rain like a faucet. If only that were true...
Now, don't forget to enter the contest for the Thirty-One Giveaway! There are a number of ways to win this fabulous giveaway, but make sure to leave a comment for each one! (And, you can enter more than once!)
1. Sign up to Follow My blog (you will need to create a blogger account if you don't already have one)
2. Link this Giveaway on your Facebook
3. Link this Giveaway on your Twitter
4. Schedule a Thirty-One Party with Mary
5. Order from Mary's Thirty-One page here
6. Comment on how much you want to win this Giveaway OR about other Thirty One products you like
7. Comment on some of your favorite Picnic spots around town.
But Hurry, because you only have through Tuesday to enter. Winner will be announced on the blog Wednesday morning.
Also, be sure to check out Mary's Thirty-One page for all the great products from Thirty One. Click here to see the current catalog.
Good Luck!
Apr 14, 2011
Free Chick-Fil-A
Thanks to my friend The Energizer Mommy for reminding me about this!
I wanted to let you all know that today, (Thursday)
is Chick-Fil-A's Customer Appreciation Day.
That means:
You go today for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Order what you want, and it will print on a yellow receipt.
- SAVE YOUR RECEIPT -
Then you bring back your receipt on a later date
and you will get everything on your receipt again - for FREE
I know that the Chick-Fil-A in Washington Township is participating, but not sure about any others. You may want to call before you head out! Hope I see you there!
I know that the Chick-Fil-A in Washington Township is participating, but not sure about any others. You may want to call before you head out! Hope I see you there!
Apr 12, 2011
Indy Children's Museum Review
This past Saturday we headed over to the Indianapolis Children's Museum for a day of fun with the girls. We had been to the museum a few years ago, and our girls really loved it, so they were excited to go back!
When it was time for lunch, we headed down to their food court. I was pretty impressed with all of the options available. There are the standard pizza, burgers, nuggets etc., but there was also a deli section with turkey and cheese sandwiches, fruit, granola bars , and other healthier options. I will warn you, though, the food is not cheap! But you can also bring your own lunch and they have lockers available to rent so that you don't have to carry it around all day.
After lunch we went to a production of The Frog Prince in the Lily Theater on the lower level. You have to get tickets, but they are free, and we were lucky enough to snatch up the last four tickets for the 1pm show! It was a really nice theater, and my girls really loved the show, and after it was over the characters came out to take pictures with the kids.
Next on our to-do was the Barbie Fashion Experience. (I think I was just as excited as the girls on this one!). This is just a SUPER COOL exhibit for girls. They have all kinds of collector barbies, a station for kids to dress up mannequins, and even a Cat Walk! I was tempted to walk down it myself, but I let Faith have the spotlight instead, (sigh).
The last time we went, we got into Indianapolis the night before and got a hotel room, but this time, we decided just to make it a day trip. (If you do decide that you want to stay overnight, we have stayed at The Westin in Downtown Indy several times and always had a great experience. Also, I have heard that Holiday Inn North is great, too. They have an indoor water park, and you can get a package deal that includes tickets to the museum and Indianapolis Zoo also!)
Since they opened at 10am, and we wanted to get there when they opened, we got up early in the morning, packed the car with plenty of Goldfish crackers, Fruit Snacks, Bananas, Pretzels, Apple Juice, DVD's and toys, (AMAZING what you need for a 2 hour road trip with the kids...), and got on the road.
We were kind of bummed because it rained pretty much the whole way there, but the girls were great and we made good time. I was pretty happy to see that they parking garage that they were doing construction on the last time we were there is now finished, so we were able to park, (for FREE!), and walk across the indoor sky walk to the museum. It was MUCH BETTER than having to walk in the cold rain!
I was prepared to have to wait for a long time in line, but was pleasantly surprised. The line moved quickly and we only waited about 5 minutes. Plus, there was this really cool, HUGE Transformer right in the entrance area that kept talking, so that kept the girls' attention.
Another thing you can do to save time is buy your tickets online before you go. Admission is $16.50 for adults, and $11.50 for kids 2-17 (under 2 is free). So it's not necessarily a cheap day, but it's definitely worth it! Plus, if you plan to go more than twice in one year, you can get a family membership for $125, and it has lots of benefits! (Click here if interested). Also, they have Target Family Free Nights on the first Thursday of every month from 4-8pm. They also have a few other days throughout the year that are free. The next one is Sunday, May 1st.
One thing we did, (which I highly recommend), is starting at the top floor, where the Carousel is, and working your way down. Most families start on the first floor, and by the time you get to the top, the line for the Carousel is really long. (By the way, The Carousel is $1 per person to ride!). On the top floor, they also have these little houses for the kids to play in, and also a fun house with crazy mirrors and black lights.
When it was time for lunch, we headed down to their food court. I was pretty impressed with all of the options available. There are the standard pizza, burgers, nuggets etc., but there was also a deli section with turkey and cheese sandwiches, fruit, granola bars , and other healthier options. I will warn you, though, the food is not cheap! But you can also bring your own lunch and they have lockers available to rent so that you don't have to carry it around all day.
After lunch we went to a production of The Frog Prince in the Lily Theater on the lower level. You have to get tickets, but they are free, and we were lucky enough to snatch up the last four tickets for the 1pm show! It was a really nice theater, and my girls really loved the show, and after it was over the characters came out to take pictures with the kids.
Next on our to-do was the Barbie Fashion Experience. (I think I was just as excited as the girls on this one!). This is just a SUPER COOL exhibit for girls. They have all kinds of collector barbies, a station for kids to dress up mannequins, and even a Cat Walk! I was tempted to walk down it myself, but I let Faith have the spotlight instead, (sigh).
On that same floor, they also have a Dora and Diego area, Take me there Egypt, and a special exhibit of different costumes from movies, (LOTS of Star Wars and Super Hero costumes!).
We also visited the Power of Children area, where kids learn about other children who have made a difference, and the Dinosaur area. Our girls always like looking at the dinosaurs and how ENORMOUS they are!
Finally, at about 4pm, we told the girls it was time to go. I know that they must have been ready too because they didn't even ask to go into the gift shop as we left!
We really had a fantastic day and I know this is a place that we will come back to again and again. If you are planning to go, make sure to check out their web site before so that you have all the info, you need.
Apr 10, 2011
CoCo Key Review
On Thursday we went to CoCo Key and had an AWESOME time! We had never been before, and we were excited to try it out. Plus, we found an great deal, so that made it even better.
It opened at 4pm on Thursday, so we got there just before 4 and stood in the small line outside until they opened the doors. I had pre purchased our tickets online, so as soon as we checked in, (and got a locker for $6), we headed inside to find a table. Fortunately, there were a lot of them, and they were located all over the indoor park, so no matter where your kids would be spending time, you could be close by.
Faith was more into the younger kids area, (for kids under 48'), which included 2 slides, a water mushroom and a zero entrance area. It also had a large screen with cartoons playing overhead.
Addy was all over the place! There was an area in the middle, called Parrot's Perch, mainly for kids 3-8 that had twisting slides, lots of sprouting water, bridges, and a HUGE bucket that tipped over the whole area when it was filled...lots of fun for kids, not so much for adults trying to stay dry :)
There was also a lazy river that our whole family enjoyed, (and Addy found from friends from her school that she went on it with, too!), and a Super slide that Addy and Jeremy did twice.
We also had dinner there and while there weren't a ton of options as far as food goes, (pizza, burgers, chicken fingers, and hot dogs), we were all able to find something we liked, and our family of 4 ate for $25, which I didn't think was bad. There is also the Wet Rooster Bar, for adults, that serves cocktails and other drinks if you need it, (and if your kids are as crazy as mine, you just might by the time you are done)
There were a few areas our family did not check out, which included the ho tub, (it wasn't in service while we were there), The Coral Reef Cavern, which has water basketball and the lily-pad adventure, or the Arcade.
The water park stayed open until 9pm that evening, but mom and dad, were worn out by 8, so we packed up to go. And while the girls insisted that they had more energy and wanted to stay longer, something tells me they were pretty exhausted too.
We will definitely be back to visit CoCo Key again, hopefully soon! I think Addy said it best when she said, "The only bad part, was the having-to-leave part". Apr 6, 2011
Do you Think My Girls Are Ready...
For Summer??
(or a FAB vacation with mommy?)
Haha! This is how I found them the other day when I came into the room. I think they are trying to tell me something :)
Addy in her Chic new sunglassesIf only they knew how much momma wants to be in the sun also!
Faith relaxing by the, uh, dining room table....
Oh how I love these girls!
Apr 2, 2011
Chuck E. Cheese- an Unexpected Date Night
The other day my sister asked me to watch her 2 older kids for a little bit in the evening, which was fine, but I didn't really have a dinner plan and it was during dinner hours.
So what's a girl to do?
Tell her husband that we were going to take all 4 kids to Chuck E. Cheese.
Let's just say he was a little less than thrilled.
Anyhow, I had some coupons, (NOTE: If you sign up on the Chuck E. Cheese site for emails, they send you GREAT coupons pretty regularly. You even get absolutely free tokens on the kids' birthdays and half-birthdays! Click here to sign up!), and the kids were SUPER excited.
Corey and Addy showing off their skillz With my coupons, we ended up with a gazillion tokens, so we divided them up among the four kids, and off they went. It was Awesome because Addy and my nephew, Corey, are old enough now that they can go off on their own and they just know to come back every little bit to report in. Plus, my niece, who is in middle school, was able to hang out with my younger daughter the whole evening. We seriously were able to have like a whole hour to ourselves! And I know that you are wondering how good that hour could have been at Chuck E. Cheese, but since it was a week night, it really wasn't that crazy, and we had a booth with no one next to us or behind us, so it was actually pretty quiet, (or as quiet as Chuck. E. Cheese can be. I have also been in the mornings, and that is a great time to go too.).
Faith and Kami playing Air HockeyMy husband even commented that it was actually a one of the first times all week that we had been able to just sit down and talk to one another. I think he might be a Chuck E. Cheese believer now :)
The kids couldn't thank us enough for the fun night. And since I don't get hugs and kisses from my niece and nephew that often anymore, that was worth it all right there! So next time you are looking for some good family time -or maybe a date night- think about Chuck E. Cheese...you never know!
Mar 30, 2011
Free Movie for Spring Break!
My friend, Jan, passed along this info. to me, so I wanted to pass it along to you! It seems that Rave Movie Theatres is playing Despicable Me for FREE at 10 am (Tues/ Wed/ Thurs/ Sat): Dayton South (by Home Depot) 3/29-4/2 The Greene 3/29-4/2 Huber Heights 4/5-4/9 Click here for details. Hope you can take advantage of this great deal!
Mar 27, 2011
Board Games Keep the Boredom Away
I think that I mentioned before that our family likes board games. I have loved them since I was young and can remember evenings at our house growing up playing Yahtzee and Monopoly among others.
I couldn't wait until our oldest, Addy, was 3 so that I could get her Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders, and Hi Ho Cherry-O. Right away, she was hooked also.
One of the things I like about board games is that it brings the family together and focused on one important thing...WINNING! We are kind of a competitive family. Especially when it comes to games.
So what if I hold a grudge?!
So what if my 7-year-old likes to yell "Take That!" as loud as she can when she beats her 4-year-old sister?
So what if I won't allow certain games to be played anymore because I never win them?
The point is, even though it's competitive, and even though we may get a *little* over-sensitive about certain things, we are having FUN.
Today we pulled out the Disney Kid's Edition Rummikub and SORRY!. What I like about Rummikub is that it is easy for Faith (who is 4) to play, and she doesn't really need a lot of help. It also holds their attention for the whole game. Plus, the Disney characters make it extra fun for them to match up.
SORRY! is definitely a family favorite also. The thing I love about it is that while it is easy enough for the kids to play, it keeps Jeremy and I interested too. In fact, we have been known to pull it out after the kids have gone to bed to play by ourselves.
Don't be jealous.
I know our life sounds fabulously exciting!
If you haven't already started playing board games with your kids, or maybe have put them away and kind of forgotten about them, go ahead and pull them out. Your kids will love playing against mom and dad, and you will enjoy spending time with them in a fun and relaxing way.
Okay, maybe not so relaxing if you play like we do...but you get the point :)
And if your family likes board games too, share with us some of your favorites!
Mar 26, 2011
Morning at The Movies
This morning we woke up early, (for a Saturday), and headed out to catch a movie at The Danbarry Dollar Saver. The company my husband works for had a free day at the movies which included admission, popcorn and a drink for each family member.
For our girls, going to the movie theater to see a movie is an extra special treat. Partially because spending $50 for our family to see a single movie is NOT my idea of fun. Also because, in the past when our girls were younger, the TEN trips to the bathroom during a movie, (usually just to check out the facilities), were kind of a hassle.
Moms everywhere know what I mean.
So, usually we try to wait for movies to come out on DVD. I must say, however, today was a lot of fun. First of all, Danbarry is a great bargain for families. The normal cost is $3 per person, (and on Tuesdays, it's only $1.75). But today it was FREE, and you can't catch a better deal than that! Plus, our girls are a little older now, and don't care as much what the bathrooms looks like. :)
The movie we saw today was Yogi Bear. This movie was great for kids because it had lots of silly humor and a cute ending. There were definitely a lot of laughs throughout. And of course, getting yummy treats like popcorn and candy can only add to a fun experience!
If you have been avoiding the movies becuase of the higher prices, I encourage you to check out Danbarry and give them a try. And I hope your family has as much fun as mine did today :)
Moms everywhere know what I mean.
So, usually we try to wait for movies to come out on DVD. I must say, however, today was a lot of fun. First of all, Danbarry is a great bargain for families. The normal cost is $3 per person, (and on Tuesdays, it's only $1.75). But today it was FREE, and you can't catch a better deal than that! Plus, our girls are a little older now, and don't care as much what the bathrooms looks like. :)
The movie we saw today was Yogi Bear. This movie was great for kids because it had lots of silly humor and a cute ending. There were definitely a lot of laughs throughout. And of course, getting yummy treats like popcorn and candy can only add to a fun experience!
If you have been avoiding the movies becuase of the higher prices, I encourage you to check out Danbarry and give them a try. And I hope your family has as much fun as mine did today :)
Mar 22, 2011
Spring Broke
Everywhere I turn, people are talking about the fun places they are going for Spring Break. Hilton Head, Jamaica, New Orleans, DISNEY...the list goes on. I am happy for all my friends and family that get to go on all of these fun vacations.
Really.
I am.
The only problem is, I wish I were going with them. Well, that, and the fact that we have no money for vacation this year.
So we will be spending our Spring Break at home. Some like to call it a Staycation.
I won't lie...that word kind of annoys me.
All moms knows that staying home in NOT a vacation (of Any kind!).
But I am trying to get in the spirit of things. I am already searching out fun and different things to do that week so that my girls will feel like they really did have a Super fun break! Some of the things on our list are the Cincinnati Museum Center (Children's Museum), Magic Castle, and CoCo Key Water Resort.
Are you traveling to a fun place for Spring Break or will you be at home also?
What are you doing to making your Spring Break fun?
Share your ideas...we WANT to know! :)
Really.
I am.
The only problem is, I wish I were going with them. Well, that, and the fact that we have no money for vacation this year.
So we will be spending our Spring Break at home. Some like to call it a Staycation.
I won't lie...that word kind of annoys me.
All moms knows that staying home in NOT a vacation (of Any kind!).
But I am trying to get in the spirit of things. I am already searching out fun and different things to do that week so that my girls will feel like they really did have a Super fun break! Some of the things on our list are the Cincinnati Museum Center (Children's Museum), Magic Castle, and CoCo Key Water Resort.
Are you traveling to a fun place for Spring Break or will you be at home also?
What are you doing to making your Spring Break fun?
Share your ideas...we WANT to know! :)
Mar 19, 2011
Sometimes, It's The Simple Things
Yesterday we headed over to Books and Co. at Town and Country Shopping Center to check out their free Saturday Story Time. This week's theme was Barbie stories, and since my girls own just about every Barbie movie ever made, plus a gazillion Barbie dolls, I was pretty sure they would enjoy this activity.
We got there a little early, so we had some time to check out the kids section of the store, and I have to say, I was pretty impressed. They have lots of little nooks and benches for kid's to browse through their favorite stories, and of course, my girls found a few.
They also had a train table available to play on, which is great for the little ones who may not read yet or be interested in looking at the books, (or older one's who have an attention span of about zero :)
After a few Barbie stories, the reader handed out Barbie coloring sheets for the kids to color while she finished the rest of the stories, which was a great way to keep the their attention focused.
After the Story time, we strolled on over to W.G. Grinder's which is attached to the Baskin Robbins at Town and Country. It was awesome because kids eat free everyday with an adult meal purchase, so were all able to get lunch for a great price! Plus, I had a buy 1 cone, get 1 free coupon for the ice cream, so the girls were THRILLED to be able to get ice cream, too!
As we were leaving to head home, my girls thanked me for such a fun Saturday afternoon. Often times I feel like I have to "WOW" them with doing big adventures, and spending lots of money, and sometimes, that's fine. But today, they were just as happy to have this pretty simple and very inexpensive afternoon with mom and dad. And that makes me happy!
Mar 15, 2011
Rainy Day Fun
This has been a long and cold/snowy/rainy winter, and I am beyond ready for spring. I long to be able to wear short sleeves and shorts. I need to be able to keep my windows open and let the fresh air in. I am craving the sunshine and the energy it gives me.
Today is chilly and rainy. No short sleeves, no open windows, no sunshine, and very little energy. (Big Sigh)
But part of being a parent is finding a way to entertain the troops even when you're stuck inside. Some of our favorite 'rainy day' activities include playing board gamed (SORRY! is one of our family favorites!), snuggling up with a good movie, (Tinker Bell is playing now), and a snack, baking a yummy treat for daddy when he gets home, playing dress-up, and coloring/writing stories (We have been known to act out a few of those stories as well. American Girl dolls make a fabulous audience!).
I have also been known to venture out into the cold/rain to find a little fun. Chick-fil-a play areas, Chuck E. Cheese, or Bounce U are great places to go when the cabin fever sets in and your kids MUST get out!
What are some of your favorite rainy day activities? What keeps your kids entertained indoors when all they want to do is be outdoors? With the way this season has been going, I am *sure* we could all use some fresh ideas!
Today is chilly and rainy. No short sleeves, no open windows, no sunshine, and very little energy. (Big Sigh)
But part of being a parent is finding a way to entertain the troops even when you're stuck inside. Some of our favorite 'rainy day' activities include playing board gamed (SORRY! is one of our family favorites!), snuggling up with a good movie, (Tinker Bell is playing now), and a snack, baking a yummy treat for daddy when he gets home, playing dress-up, and coloring/writing stories (We have been known to act out a few of those stories as well. American Girl dolls make a fabulous audience!).
I have also been known to venture out into the cold/rain to find a little fun. Chick-fil-a play areas, Chuck E. Cheese, or Bounce U are great places to go when the cabin fever sets in and your kids MUST get out!
What are some of your favorite rainy day activities? What keeps your kids entertained indoors when all they want to do is be outdoors? With the way this season has been going, I am *sure* we could all use some fresh ideas!
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