tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88522760364451687662024-02-18T20:52:32.416-05:00This Oz Lifemom blog following our adventures around Columbus with kids and our every day life at home, trying to improve each day with cleaner and calmer solutionsStaciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06540583858157217482noreply@blogger.comBlogger663125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852276036445168766.post-7632395992545214642019-05-11T09:42:00.000-04:002019-05-11T09:42:38.332-04:00Disney 2018 Part 1In November 2017, I started planning a surprise trip for our family to go to Disney on Memorial Day weekend! I knew Matt would be in, because he loves Florida and we had tossed the idea around already. I just needed to pull the trigger, and began planning with Stephanie of Traveling Ears.<br />
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Merry Christmas! Although I probably won't ever gift that again for Christmas unless we are leaving the next day!</div>
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Did you know that <b>Disney planners offer FREE services</b>? It is 100% worth it to have someone there for advice, booking meals and fast passes, helping to change plans, and just generally helping along the way. A Disney trip CAN be done without much planning, but I feel like it would be very stressful and not maximize the time and money you are spending.<br />
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We chose to drive down and stay off-property in a 3 bedroom condo. One decision kind of led to another, because if we were driving, we would want to stay for a whole week, and if we are staying a whole week, we couldn't afford a WDW resort. And <b>staying off-property, you can't get the Disney Dining plan.</b><br />
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The kids loved having a little strip of land for playing, a balcony, and the 3 floors was nice for spreading out.</div>
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Amazing pool and clubhouse, typical FL pop-up storm</div>
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Our condo was perfect for us! Lots of room, a full kitchen, an end-unit where we couldn't hear any neighbors (and they couldn't hear us!) We were very close to the Publix grocery store, and about 30 highway minutes away from the parks. This is going to sound weird, but it was a good "starter trip" that helped us get the lay of the land. We were more comfortable in our own transportation rather than figuring out the buses this time around.<br />
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On Monday, we had a last minute brunch planned at <b>1900 Parkfare</b>. I say last minute because I had never heard of the restaurant until a friend said it was their family favorite, and we added it onto our non-park day. The restaurant is inside the <b>Grand Floridian hotel, which is worth seeing in itself!</b> We were in LOVE! We got to park for free because we had reservations, and explored the little beach, gift shops, and gardens. It would be my dream to stay here one day!<br />
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Someone offered to take our photo and then knelt down to shoot upward for the most flattering angle (whyyyyy?)</div>
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Everyone enjoyed this little strip of sand and water at the Floridian.</div>
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Our brunch was a <b>buffet, which is such a good thing with kids</b>. Now that I have eaten on the dining plan, off the dining plan, buffet, and table service, I would definitely recommend buffets on the dining plan. The kids could get whatever weird combinations they wanted, and Matt and I could get as much as we wanted. The character interaction was adorable here. It was truly the best start we could have had to our trip!<br />
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Larceny's first favorite Disney movie was Alice in Wonderland!</div>
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I loved how Mary Poppins wasn't messing around and straightened Rhys out when we was being slightly naughty. You can tell how he felt about that. </div>
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Perhaps their favorite character on our whole trip was the Mad Hatter. Oh, he was so funny!</div>
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Pooh is just so sweet. You can either take your own photo while you dine or wait in line for a Photo Pass shot with him. </div>
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For our first park on Tuesday, we headed to Animal Kingdom. It was a beautiful morning, but lines were already long for the parking lot trams. Security lines were SUPER long, and we quickly learned how to fold and unfold that double stroller (rented for $80 from Orlando Strollers) and to get our bags out and ready.<br />
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We had fast passes for the Safari tour, Expedition Everest, and something else I can't remember. The safari was cool. We got to drive through and see different African animals in an open-air vehicle, and my camera battery died on that attraction. So, I don't have many photos of that day. We probably <b>won't go back to Animal Kingdom during the day time for a while</b>. We have such an incredible zoo at home and this park just seemed SO congested. The kids weren't tall enough to ride most things, either. So...I think it looks like an awesome park for teenagers and adults or anyone who doesn't have access to an amazing zoo (and maybe the light show at night for families).<br />
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It looks like they are snuggling, but they were gifting in the road. They were using their heads like clubs!</div>
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One little kids' ride we found and liked (3/4 of us, ha!)</div>
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We ended our Animal Kingdom day pretty early, and were looking forward to EPCOT the next morning! We started it with an <b>amazing breakfast at the Garden Grill</b>. This restaurant is inside the Pavillion that also has a food court and 2 rides (The Land and Soarin'). The menu is completely different from any other, because meals are served family style. Having been there now for breakfast and lunch, I would definitely recommend the breakfast time over lunch. Eggs, Mickey waffles, breakfast meats, and fruit were a hit with all 4 of us.<br />
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If you want to <b>see characters without waiting in line, character dining is perfect</b>! Garden Grill is one of the only places to dine with Mickey, and you also see Chip and Dale, Goofy, and Pluto. They come to your table as the restaurant slowly rotates. You will have time for autographs, too, so have those autograph books ready!<br />
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We rode The Land, which the kids ADORED. It is not an exciting ride by any means, but it is an interesting trip behind the scenes of Disney and traveling through the history of farming. <b>I was thinking that, as we used fast passes, we would get to add a new one each time. But I quickly learned that you have to use all 3 before you can add any more</b>, and with our last fast pass at 5:30 PM, I knew we had to make a change! With the heat and crowds, we squeezed in a few more rides (Spaceship Earth, Figment, and another ride on The Land), took a halfway journey through the World Showcase, and called it a day.<br />
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I just remembered to mention that we were in Orlando at the same time as the first tropical storm of the season. Rain? To be continued....<br />
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<br />Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06540583858157217482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852276036445168766.post-10428379931481713782019-01-27T16:28:00.004-05:002019-01-27T16:28:59.182-05:00Outer Banks LoveAs part of catching up on almost two years of quiet, I wanted to record our best family vacation to date.<br />
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We both grew up either vacationing to Florida or other parts of the Carolinas, but had obviously heard of the Outer Banks. One day, I had the last-minute crazy idea to put a vacation together in 3 weeks. And it ended up being amazing! The car ride from Columbus is brutal (12 hours and TONS of traffic on our particular day), and the drive back makes you want to open the car door and roll out. But for the week that you are there, it's worth it.<br />
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Our family, Matt's mom and brother, and our niece and nephew stayed in a house on Hatteras island, the part of the Outer Banks that is much more remote than the northern portion. This is good (empty beaches! Nature! Closer to the lighthouse) and annoying if you need conveniences (14 miles to the nearest store). Our particular "city" was Salvo, which is between Rodanthe and Avon (Avon is where we'd stay next time for a little more convenience).<br />
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Our house was one row back from beach front, which is absolutely essential. If you're going to the beach, you don't want to drive to the beach each day. Our kids loved the water and sand, and I have never seen Matt enjoy himself more than he did that week!<br />
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We had an ice cream truck come through the neighborhood each night, had an amazing steam pot feast from Austin's, and enjoyed lots of meals together. Things I never want to forget are sitting up on the rooftop deck and watching the sun set, watching Shark Week every night, the kids adoring the sand and water, and watching cousins have fun together.<br />
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The Avon Pier and Hatteras Lighthouse were two of our favorite tourist attractions, and if we had had more time, I wanted to go off Hatteras to Okracoke Island.<br />
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Not sure if you remember hearing about the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/30/us/outer-banks-evacuation-power.html">power outage that hit the Outerbanks</a> in summer of 2017? Well, that happened on Day 4 of our trip. Yes, that's me in the article, but they made it sound worse than I really explained. I kept pointing them back to the way the community needs tourist dollars to help the small businesses stay afloat, but she wanted to know how terrible it was. It was a bummer and we were not refunded any part of our vacation, but even so, we would definitely go back to OBX!<br />
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<br />Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06540583858157217482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852276036445168766.post-48650757542324383972019-01-20T10:34:00.001-05:002019-01-20T10:44:02.567-05:00"Fragrance"This is the big one, guys. The opening of Pandora's Box on cleaner living....once you read this, you won't be able to un-know it. So, proceed at your own risk.<br />
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What's your favorite smell? Is it freshly-baked cookies? Strawberries? Those are my favorite, and I love Matt's cologne. Lakyn LOVES smelly candles and putting on makeup, lotions, etc. Fragrances have always been the only thing to give me a headache, so I kind of felt like I was missing out on fun fragrances. Until I found out what's actually behind <i>"fragrances"</i>.</div>
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If you watched the documentary <i>Stink </i>that I recommended, you already know what's up. It turns out that the word "Fragrance" is a term used for any number of chemicals that a company has put inside their product. They do NOT have to disclose what their "proprietary blend" is...it is a <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxic_Substances_Control_Act_of_1976">trade secret</a> </i>under the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1978. And, at the risk of sounding like a broken record, the FDA has nothing to do with protecting you in this way. Just read <a href="https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/labeling/ucm414211.htm">their explanation</a> of protecting trade secrets in fragrance and flavoring. </div>
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The lavender-scented Febreze does not come from a lavender field, and is in no way "natural" (another word that anyone can slap on a package). And, unfortunately, some of my favorite stores will even be sneaky and list "Natural Fragrance", which means....whatever they want it to mean. <b>The majority of fragrance ingredients are derived from petroleum. These are known <a href="https://www.ewg.org/enviroblog/2014/08/expert-panel-confirms-fragrance-ingredient-can-cause-cancer">carcinogens</a>, allergens, endocrine-disruptors, and irritants. </b></div>
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Matt's shaving cream (Gillette)</div>
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My Aveda hair smoothing serum. So much for feeling like they are "natural".</div>
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We still had some of this left in the shower, but I have definitely moved on. I don't want to mess around with body wash, since it covers the largest amount of skin!</div>
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Thanks, Whole Foods soap. What IS natural fragrance?</div>
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Literally everything he should not be using, all in one product. </div>
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When you smell a pure fragrance, it is derived from botanicals. Meaning, you will see "orange oil", "raspberry seed", or their scientific names. No one would ever write what is in their fragrance if it didn't sound lovely or gave away their secret. And, fun fact, the word "unscented" often means that they added a fragrance to mask the scent that was there. See if you can find a product that says "unscented" and then lists fragrance on the back!</div>
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But the truth is this. I have read multiple accounts of women who seek reproductive specialists in getting pregnant, and often find that their first "homework" is to <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=2ahUKEwjZ_-nqk_vfAhWs54MKHSXDCkUQFjABegQIBxAF&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.marieclaire.co.uk%2Flife%2Fhealth-fitness%2Fperfumes-linked-to-infertility-182863&usg=AOvVaw1EQkKoe_FPHQrh_7VqcVU6">toss any personal care items containing certain chemicals</a> (and that's an old article! This is not new, unfortunately). When friends of mine have gone through chemotherapy, doctors gave a strict list of product recommendations. </div>
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I remember having to ditch my prescription shampoo when I was pregnant. Shampoo? Affecting my baby? It. Matters. </div>
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My challenge for you today is to look at the back of your cleaning supplies, your room sprays, your lotions, your baby's bubble bath. Is there fragrance? If so, would you consider swapping it this year?</div>
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Your safest bet is to find companies that are transparent with their practices and ingredients. For instance, at Beautycounter, we do not claim to be chemical-free, because even water is considered a chemical. But we will always list every single ingredient. Our hand soaps, body washes, and everything else are scented with actual vanilla, peppermint, and orange. Not a canister of petroleum with "natural" fragrance. Other companies that I can recommend, based on lots of googling are:</div>
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<a href="https://auntfannies.com/">Aunt Fannie's Cleaning and Pest Solutions</a> (I can email you a 30% off coupon for your first order!)</div>
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<a href="https://www.nativecos.com/products/coconut-vanilla-deo-womens?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3N7fw9H83wIVUR6tBh2vpQz0EAYYASABEgJE2fD_BwE">Native Deodorant</a> (I haven't used yet, but my friends are fans, and I will switch when mine runs out)</div>
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<a href="https://swevencandleco.com/">Sweven Candle Co. </a>burns clean with pure essential oils instead of fragrance and coconut wax instead of petroleum or soy (and he is local to Columbus!)</div>
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<a href="https://www.honest.com/honest-standard">Honest Company</a> for diapers and bubble bath</div>
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I am <a href="https://blog.beautycounter.com/just-the-facts-fragrance/">proud to partner with an organization</a> taking on our current state of misinformation and providing families with products that <i>never</i> include fragrance. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2jWFxmq58TySDPFKt_mcUp8f0gJsZYhKCXZWWFAIxTme4rQGBR_pAapy1QZ9Ifi46FWifF20quKyLKg8IJUgM0VIPg_dLLl5dB8a5rVw_yaeZrWX_JDTPC72HoTfRCqV1cVF1QXeqoJU/s1600/icm_fullxfull.191322381_hnaogka61z40c0cc4osc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="636" data-original-width="1086" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2jWFxmq58TySDPFKt_mcUp8f0gJsZYhKCXZWWFAIxTme4rQGBR_pAapy1QZ9Ifi46FWifF20quKyLKg8IJUgM0VIPg_dLLl5dB8a5rVw_yaeZrWX_JDTPC72HoTfRCqV1cVF1QXeqoJU/s640/icm_fullxfull.191322381_hnaogka61z40c0cc4osc.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06540583858157217482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852276036445168766.post-56675664144035485152019-01-15T19:24:00.000-05:002019-01-15T19:25:39.233-05:00Reducing Plastic/BPA in the Kitchen Will you do me a favor and open up your pantry? OK, go ahead and count the number of plastic bottles, bags, and aluminum cans. Don't feel bad. Mine looks/looked like that too. It is the first place where I am overhauling our lives to be a little less toxic. Think I am over-reacting? Let's look at some stats.<br />
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Bisphenol-A is a chemical associated with obesity and endocrine disruption. Your endocrine system allows your hormones to be balanced, and disruptors like BPA...well, they disrupt. They are known to lead to cancers, fertility issues, behavior disorders, and cardiovascular disease. Check out the full story of where BPA is hiding <a href="https://universityhealthnews.com/daily/nutrition/5-alarming-sources-of-bpa-exposure/">here</a>.<br />
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BPA is hiding in aluminum can linings and plastics. Even if the plastics say "BPA free", I am still working hard to take the load off of the environment by reducing our amount of plastic altogether. If you are looking for ground zero to start changing habits, start in the kitchen! When plastics are heated in the microwave or dishwasher, the BPA leeches out into the food we eat. When food sits inside a can, the same thing happens, but is actually much worse (see the article above). On top of the BPA issue, plastic is literally causing trash swirls (5 of them) in our oceans and will stay in our landfills long after we are gone.<br />
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So, have I convinced you? Let's get down to it and make some swaps:<br />
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<b>1. Boxes > Bags and bottles</b>. Think about OJ in the carton, soup in a box, oils in a glass bottle, cereal in a box over bag. I know I am a sucker for novel packaging, and often that means that the noodles are in a bag. Resist!<br />
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<b>2. Mason jars to the rescue!</b> I used to think of these jars as overplayed, trendy, and annoying. I didn't see the point, until one day we ran out of our disposable plastic containers for leftovers. I was frantic to save this spaghetti sauce and get on with my night, so I poured it into a jar. And was quite pleased with my discovery. And yeah, I know grandmas have been doing this for 100 years. We use them for all our leftovers (even champagne!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVxoRqjv-QjUsDqwctUzoSGMEtcFqgIuDnmmRGM8Tj-z2NwMz5_VKEu9doYSOhNJAtrK-YWxoeULkQbC80VLEPgNQ5KuSo1Y62hZiad_zSpRiNDvx8YHi3kAe_kTlGujisQ07vwyp-yQ/s1600/IMG_0182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVxoRqjv-QjUsDqwctUzoSGMEtcFqgIuDnmmRGM8Tj-z2NwMz5_VKEu9doYSOhNJAtrK-YWxoeULkQbC80VLEPgNQ5KuSo1Y62hZiad_zSpRiNDvx8YHi3kAe_kTlGujisQ07vwyp-yQ/s640/IMG_0182.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>3. Glass/ceramic cookware > non-stick cookware</b>. This one will take me a few years to attain, but I am looking at <a href="https://www.organicauthority.com/organic-food-recipes/non-toxic-cookware-brands-to-keep-chemicals-out-of-your-food">these pretty choices</a>, along with regular glass bakeware from Target, to replace my non-stick stuff.<br />
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<b>4. Bento boxes > baggies</b>. Think of how cute your lunch will be with one of these options (and plastic-free, if you choose a stainless steel one. And you can be assured that your kids' lunch is packed safely, as well. And you can see my Lunchskins paper bag above (with the apples on it).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7l3Ki_MPVCX6RvbxYGSXcl7TgXd7QQL_H84O-PNQ5aivHXUxnUSTSnOawTY2c83NYM93jlGO0cEkA-qg2IGm3S3B8jIGVElW79P_gVNmUCRedUvPqTNK1yXJM00BbnMnLbdjyIXJ39gg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-01-15+at+5.35.05+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="518" data-original-width="614" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7l3Ki_MPVCX6RvbxYGSXcl7TgXd7QQL_H84O-PNQ5aivHXUxnUSTSnOawTY2c83NYM93jlGO0cEkA-qg2IGm3S3B8jIGVElW79P_gVNmUCRedUvPqTNK1yXJM00BbnMnLbdjyIXJ39gg/s640/Screen+Shot+2019-01-15+at+5.35.05+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<b>4. Buy in bulk</b>. I never realized how environmentally friendly the bulk section really is, if you do it the right way. If you buy 10 things and use 10 plastic bags, not so much. If you buy 10 things and bring your own bulk or produce bags tucked into your reusable shopping bags, there's no plastic!<br />
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<b>6. Bamboo/wood cooking utensils</b>. When you're cooking on the stovetop and you decide your spatula has had enough wear and tear, consider replacing it with a good old wooden spoon that will eventually biodegrade.<br />
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<b>7. Skip the Saran Wrap</b>. There are some really <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bees-Wrap-Assorted-Sustainable-Honeycomb/dp/B0126LMDFK/ref=asc_df_B0126LMDFK/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198090964233&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13007929570694896938&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9014901&hvtargid=pla-350339262875&psc=1">cool alternatives</a> to plastic wrap, which is a concerning product for <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3207138/Don-t-clingy-Amid-mounting-evidence-plastic-food-wrap-harbours-host-toxins-doctors-urge-people-stop-using-it.html">many reasons</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-15B1Ujyo3Mhtt0BiJ_poCIiXJWtLddEP1naRh60HTjmmqMi57g_Pv63rp7a0Q98LrXhQBS_o3eXP7mQJmRcH-A72XDOEFRlHd-uim4QaBN3h74C1WIJ2yy3RiDOcGhgiLGwfrru1dO4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-01-15+at+5.47.47+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="446" data-original-width="560" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-15B1Ujyo3Mhtt0BiJ_poCIiXJWtLddEP1naRh60HTjmmqMi57g_Pv63rp7a0Q98LrXhQBS_o3eXP7mQJmRcH-A72XDOEFRlHd-uim4QaBN3h74C1WIJ2yy3RiDOcGhgiLGwfrru1dO4/s640/Screen+Shot+2019-01-15+at+5.47.47+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>8. Reusable grocery bags > plastic bags</b>. They're so bad, guys. I am guilty of having 1 billion of them myself, so it makes me sick to think of the amount we collectively own. And it is NOT easy to skip that plastic bag in some stores. The cashiers really want to give them to you! I love paper bags and use them for our recycling. I am going to try my best to keep reusable bags in my car and remember to take them inside the store!<br />
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I don't think you need to change all 8 of these items today. Pick one per month, maybe. Which one will you try?<br />
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<br />Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06540583858157217482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852276036445168766.post-21823174884757597442019-01-13T19:31:00.003-05:002019-01-13T19:31:38.549-05:00Diggin' Up FunRhys turned 3, and we had such a cute construction party! I got way more into it than I expected, this being my very first BOY party (the last two birthdays were joint parties with big sis). If you want an adorable and easy theme (basically just yellow/orange/black and use the diggers you already own)!<br />
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We went back to Graeter's Ice Cream for their reasonably-priced party room that has an amazing indoor playground attached! He loves ice cream, it worked in the past for us, so why reinvent the wheel? Speaking of wheels...how cute are all these diggers?! Take a peek at our yellow, orange and black party for my favorite little construction-lover.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcTuPtZNWTaea3nZiyEuzs35Mqb9bBlMd65H1aP8hqJMq4z9Gnpg4l0H6iMJ7swlqLWDncSBxeE2jYMJ4d33PzorrmQMirsk47gcFLTyft5e9ZQsrKkB6HCnm99Yzc5YUWCbkFnN-bVoM/s1600/DSC_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcTuPtZNWTaea3nZiyEuzs35Mqb9bBlMd65H1aP8hqJMq4z9Gnpg4l0H6iMJ7swlqLWDncSBxeE2jYMJ4d33PzorrmQMirsk47gcFLTyft5e9ZQsrKkB6HCnm99Yzc5YUWCbkFnN-bVoM/s640/DSC_0001.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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The set-up was easy, and everything for the party was purchased on Amazon!</div>
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Chocolate dipped Oreos...we make these for pretty much every party, because they are so easy to match your party colors. We use the colored Wilton melts. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hEj1cUS3mBWhhRwgGCSwWmMxWS3QRp7pPwOItsFbtWipO5XkFucG2wvgAZIu6QWCELBECUHwydpB4_qaKNfJbQZ8lITZLUM0oa9w4VeZL4XL08FGPLkRX5IJapZkCqKitcrPNb7vBlk/s1600/IMG_0566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hEj1cUS3mBWhhRwgGCSwWmMxWS3QRp7pPwOItsFbtWipO5XkFucG2wvgAZIu6QWCELBECUHwydpB4_qaKNfJbQZ8lITZLUM0oa9w4VeZL4XL08FGPLkRX5IJapZkCqKitcrPNb7vBlk/s640/IMG_0566.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This cake was soon delicious. A simple 2-layer chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream and Oreo crumbs. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYr9hHgr8hOidTT7kaV2Ngfi0Ik1OqYdaloShfrn0FUaVfQrFt8m5jn0knyt9p5izhFXHbjd_50ZK6heU5Eb_MbsAudp7xzSgK2tlOvPVFhVsj8DBNEP_MhaZpw3_UwyYvcZiB_d3Nbb8/s1600/DSC_0004+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYr9hHgr8hOidTT7kaV2Ngfi0Ik1OqYdaloShfrn0FUaVfQrFt8m5jn0knyt9p5izhFXHbjd_50ZK6heU5Eb_MbsAudp7xzSgK2tlOvPVFhVsj8DBNEP_MhaZpw3_UwyYvcZiB_d3Nbb8/s640/DSC_0004+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Another items we always have is fruit salad. My Mother in Law makes the most amazing fruit dip with yogurt, cream cheese, and vanilla pudding mix!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYOEkhmnTMabOQXArGtrRHurfw6m3BXV22K82eKei47jTMiR4CW0BHJbhPMA_8m7Aj49zf4m5q3Fh657COmNmKdjdDtFZ1W_Carn_vLh-5FiX4WiMS-Q7AY473G_IgUPb00xNZ3JchScU/s1600/DSC_0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYOEkhmnTMabOQXArGtrRHurfw6m3BXV22K82eKei47jTMiR4CW0BHJbhPMA_8m7Aj49zf4m5q3Fh657COmNmKdjdDtFZ1W_Carn_vLh-5FiX4WiMS-Q7AY473G_IgUPb00xNZ3JchScU/s640/DSC_0005.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A close-up of that Oreo deliciousness.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie98hXax11WXWpjsNrBFz6MFEXLYCbB9B65mW5-9D6QYBDD1mZ4kodGx16FRePvEkAKqVUaiC9zD1MlvFnY1cTjokfpr-kKnvctrmxQONTO76AmkQciG2wL9rg-vjtwWC7-Kc8c9v_rSQ/s1600/DSC_0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie98hXax11WXWpjsNrBFz6MFEXLYCbB9B65mW5-9D6QYBDD1mZ4kodGx16FRePvEkAKqVUaiC9zD1MlvFnY1cTjokfpr-kKnvctrmxQONTO76AmkQciG2wL9rg-vjtwWC7-Kc8c9v_rSQ/s640/DSC_0006.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Party favors were Goldfish, M&Ms, and a little one little Tonka truck.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_HN9bYdHJXBrlFLe59y5E_jV9v8rSaUUe8gm60kv0Oy1bMIGmXgscgpdcqe8o_ym-bjL0yZvCy2cXc0tt_OR8ddBQcA41KWulodpvgk3bCErJFMET0S1X2Und_2WVaQCXNl6lWkWtlTQ/s1600/DSC_0007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_HN9bYdHJXBrlFLe59y5E_jV9v8rSaUUe8gm60kv0Oy1bMIGmXgscgpdcqe8o_ym-bjL0yZvCy2cXc0tt_OR8ddBQcA41KWulodpvgk3bCErJFMET0S1X2Und_2WVaQCXNl6lWkWtlTQ/s640/DSC_0007.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We thought it would be fun to use an orange cooler for lemonade, and then these are mini sandwiches from Kroger or Giant Eagle. The Mac and Cheese was from City BBQ (Rhys' favorite!)</div>
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This is the party host at Graeter's, and he was the BEST!</div>
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He made everyone's sundaes for them, which was a serious help.</div>
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Favorite moment of the day. His dreams actualized. </div>
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Science experiment with dry ice!</div>
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I had to wrangle him for 3 seconds for Kate to take a photo. </div>
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I thought he was going headfirst into his dirt cake. </div>
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Have you ever had a construction-lover in your house?</div>
Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06540583858157217482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852276036445168766.post-84814257065138170432019-01-13T11:27:00.000-05:002019-01-13T13:33:56.773-05:00MissedThe Eminem song "Guess who's back?" has been in my head for about a week. Maybe that's not even the title of the song, but I know you know it. Anyway...I'm back. This wasn't planned as a "comeback", I just missed this space and I took a snowy day to revamp it. I feel like it reflects me pretty well right now.<br />
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So much has happened since that last post about the Franklin County Fair. Where do I begin?<br />
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We were still broken into a million little pieces around that time. Trying to recover from my Father in Law's unexpected death that was unfortunately a traumatic and personal experience that I think about daily. Both our dads dying and me being the one that was called to the scene for both in less than two years will always be a part of how I deal with/don't deal with life. I let go of a lot of things around that time.<br />
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Anyway. We took an amazing, carefree vacation to the Outer Banks, I briefly considered moving the entire family there, and then we started back to school. Matt was juggling nursing school, a nursing job, and both kids were in school of some type. I pushed myself super hard in photography and stayed extremely busy in the Fall with family photo sessions. Oh, and I changed from kindergarten (the only grade I had ever taught!) to second grade. That was a HUGE positive move for me.<br />
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Last winter, for some reason (Oh, I don't know, maybe because it's HORRIFYING), the February school shooting really affected me. I wanted to move all of us to a remote mountain town like I see on Instagram. I wanted my kids to be safe. After Matt decided that nursing school was not a great fit (most stressful job in the world...I don't know how you nurses do it!), we put our house up for sale.<br />
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We didn't exactly know where we were going, but it just felt right. Prepping our home for sale was a nightmare I don't want to do again any time soon, but it sold within 24 hours of listing. We found a home in a quiet nearby neighborhood. The home is much more of a project than we thought, but we are on a court (I will never call it a cul-de-sac), have what appears to be a wooded backyard (but surprise, there is a train track!), and we just finally have room to spread out.<br />
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So. There's that. We went to Disney the day after moving in, which was insane. There will be a whole post on that, and we are actually headed back in a few weeks! Let's just say...you know I am sentimental, and I can't take this whole idea of time ticking away with my kids and all things magic.<br />
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Over the summer, in my attempt to find friends for Larkyn in our new neighborhood, I found something else! A new passion project of sorts. I joined Beautycounter as an advocate for changing outdated personal care laws, which I absolutely love. It was love at first application of the products, and once I did my research and realized WHY we need safer beauty and personal care products, sign me UP. That was the first domino to fall for me in a series of "let's clean up our lives" changes. I am building a team of new friends, earning a second paycheck, and most importantly, impacting the health of others.<br />
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Yes, I still take lots of photos. No, I will not be pursuing photo jobs in vain like I did for the entire first half of 2018. It was too much time away from family, for sure. Yes, we still explore Columbus, but my kids have their own opinions now. As a wise friend once warned me, "They're not going to be 'little' forever...what's your blog plan then?" I guess this is it. Just us, without the boundaries and pressure.<br />
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I plan to catch you up on lots of party and travel posts that have been neglected. Hope you enjoy following along again...Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06540583858157217482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852276036445168766.post-5018320577016906532017-07-19T07:29:00.001-04:002017-07-19T07:29:34.086-04:00The County Fair<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Growing up, I wasn't on any sports teams until I was in high school. I tried lots of things, but had only one passion: training and showing horses. So, the Franklin County Fair was my favorite week of the year. Memories of being so filthy that I could be hosed off along with my horse, hearing the tractor pull and midway games while trying to concentrate on riding, and just being a kid at the fair will always stay with me. </div>
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This year, the Franklin County Fair turns 100! Taking young kids to the fair is not for the faint of heart. It is HOT, there are lines, and they will want ALL the things. Luckily, county fairs are much smaller, so it's much more doable than the state fair. And it's one of those times when I, personally, just have to remember how much fun it was as a kid and suck it up, because watching them enjoy it is pretty awesome. And so is funnel cake. </div>
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<i>If you want to go, I listed a few suggestions at the bottom. </i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3xaqLMZAoDwVBd-U5I1UA7SzWjBYrcHWfsPvuS_H2TBYt4zRkDNYwKUaX2GhgRRzdxinJQ6N5Vf_SXUs4X8ndMmXge5LgV1tMtec1FZpWm_Z8-8S9eAgmi3gThiiIlido2VEu58ss58/s1600/DSC_0177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3xaqLMZAoDwVBd-U5I1UA7SzWjBYrcHWfsPvuS_H2TBYt4zRkDNYwKUaX2GhgRRzdxinJQ6N5Vf_SXUs4X8ndMmXge5LgV1tMtec1FZpWm_Z8-8S9eAgmi3gThiiIlido2VEu58ss58/s640/DSC_0177.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The shaded and cooled Childrens Hospital Tent was our first stop. </div>
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Followed by seeing all the 4H animals. Hands in the cage, I know. </div>
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This guy was our favorite. He was totally calling us over from aisles away with the goofiest sound. </div>
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Insert cry-laugh emoji here. They LOVE these things.</div>
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One of our favorite stops was the County Engineer's tent, with a truck table, amazingly arctic-feeling fan, and chairs. They also have generous swag bags that kept Larkyn busy the whole ride home. If you are into maps and learning about the construction all over Columbus, this was pretty interesting.</div>
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Weaver Park is attached to the fairgrounds, and had so many fun (and photo-friendly) things for climbing. </div>
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He discovered the horn. Ever heard a 1920s Ford horn?</div>
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Also, when she got up, she found a "KEEP OFF" sign that was sitting in the seat. Whoops. So, keep off of this car. </div>
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Sweet little church, sweet little girl watching the birds. </div>
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First midway game. The lady who ran this game was so kind to them, letting him sit up there and giving him a little parting gift, even though she won.</div>
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By the time the rides opened, we had been there for two hours and he was kiiiiind of over it. Until this started going up and down. Then my little adrenaline junkie was back. </div>
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My favorite moments with this girl have been on a carousel. </div>
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She's keeping him out, because he has this "thing" with waiting for the operator to open the door. </div>
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Thanks, mom for taking this and coming with us! </div>
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Of course there will be whining and the usual kid-stuff x 100, but it is so worth it. If you want to go, I'd suggest: <b>Not going early. </b>We start most days with an adventure beginning by 10:00. This should be the exception, because the rides and most food do not open until 12:00. I saw a (smart and prepared) moms group in Weaver park with picnic food while we were trolling the food trucks and melting. <b>Get the ride wristband. </b>So much easier than tickets, and you never know when they'll want to ride something twice. <b>Take breaks</b> in those two tents I mentioned above. There is very <b>easy and free parking</b> on Northwest Parkway, which is off Avery Road. And on Saturday 7/22, there will be Made Local Marketplace craft show. </div>
Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06540583858157217482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852276036445168766.post-19509648859970687272017-07-15T16:11:00.002-04:002017-07-15T16:11:51.744-04:00ResetIf you follow me on social media, I may have been a little extra whiney lately. Sorry. The beginning of July always causes a bit of a funk (July 5 marks 2 years since my dad died)...and Columbus always seems to just get gloomy and rainy for a few weeks.<br />
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We hibernate...we take a pause in the adventuring, and it is welcome. The space between busy and wonderful June, full of the promise of summer, and August, when we hold on to every last second of golden light, fireflies, and sleeping in.<br />
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But that took a toll on my family. We were not wired to stay in, and all the things that have been frustrating to me as a mother became evident by day 14 of July. We needed an escape, a change of routine, <i>something</i>.<br />
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Historically, a farm has always, always brought me back to myself. So, out to the peach farm we went.<br />
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We've never picked peaches before, and I had been eyeing a local orchard (<a href="http://branstoolorchards.com/">Branstool)</a> about an hour away. The staff made us feel at home with their friendliness, and the kids did not want to leave their sweet dog. Best of all, no crowds or lines. I will travel an hour for that any day.<br />
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waving to the tractor driver (Rhys' dream job)</div>
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My dad LOVED stone fruits of any kind, and I am a big peach fan. I don't know why it reminds me of him, but peaches, plums and nectarines (and ice cream) always add a little extra enjoyment because of him.<br />
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"See, I took a bite, mom."</div>
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Having several pounds of peaches on our counter will hopefully inspire me to try making a few new recipes. Do you have any favorite peach standbys? For our last batch, I made peach tea. Refreshing, but not so peachy. I bought some cobbler mix from the market at Branstool, and I'm hoping it is great!</div>
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Rhys was adamant that he wouldn't try one, but by the end, he held on tight to a particularly juicy one. Success!<br />
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You can't go out to Utica without stopping at the Velvet ice cream factory. My girl and I shared her first banana split...birthday cake ice cream for her, Buckeye for me. So good. But seriously, we could only eat about 1/3 of that. And then, ending the morning with their little playground was the cherry on top. Ha.<br />
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It was such a good day trip. and just what we needed. Lesson learned...don't ever think a leopard can change his spots...our crew was made to explore.Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06540583858157217482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852276036445168766.post-61716242283667389842017-06-27T14:31:00.001-04:002017-06-27T14:31:10.574-04:00The Heart of VacationSo, the heart of a vacation isn't in the "we went here, and here's what we thought". This part is what we remember how we felt...the richer, messier, and more fun part.<br />
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Trying to fit 2 kids and our beach bag into a wagon AND maneuver it. They LOVED it. </div>
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That very first glimpse of the water. She has always played the same game of jump-the-waves...</div>
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When you want to do what you're "supposed to be doing", but don't like water as much as your sister...</div>
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Getting the view from a dune because you had to chase your son up there. And then you realize why he keeps going back up. </div>
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That freedom of just...throwing stuff. It doesn't matter at the beach. Sticks, sand, a kite that your mom brought and can't figure out...</div>
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Nailing the shot you've never gotten because the Atlantic doesn't have sunsets over the water...</div>
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Just absolute, unequivocal JOY</div>
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Always a little education in any vacation with a teacher mom. These smooth, oval pebbles are in place of shells, and we collected a bucket of them.</div>
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Playing "Humpty Dumpty" down this entire ridge. </div>
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Little boys in just the swim diaper. You know he sprayed her 5 seconds later.</div>
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Ultimate summer goal has been achieved.<br />
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Nothing feels better than being carried by daddy at a hot festival.</div>
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No caption. Just all the heart-eyes.</div>
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That feeling when you watch your partner love them as much as you. </div>
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This is she second vacation where the two of them bond over the tiger. </div>
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With this one, there's always the element of being brave. She desperately wanted to feed these birds. And when one finally landed to feed, she was less than thrilled. She stuck it out and didn't drop him, though. She just handed him to me.</div>
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Being the mom who overhears another mom say, "Does this concern anyone else or am I the only one watching this?" and being confident enough to ignore her. No, it does not concern me, and go helicopter on someone else's dune. </div>
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The thrill of "GOING IN WITH MY CLOTHES ON!" because it was a little chilly that night...</div>
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Finding your favorite thing ever on the beach...</div>
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Helping mommy take the traditional year in the sand photo. </div>
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Finding a hole someone else dug. You just have to jump in, right?</div>
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Not being able to tell the sand from the lake from the sky...</div>
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Being oblivious to what's happening in front of you, because you are having so much fun...</div>
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And then finally you see it. "Orange sun, mommy. See?"<br />
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When dad lets you play Mario on his phone because the cottage literally has 4 channels of TV and it's raining. (And shares his mac and cheese)</div>
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Flying...</div>
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Thinking the world is pretty damn good.</div>
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That final ride back from the beach...</div>
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And the first time in a "sleepover" style arrangement, complete with a movie to fall asleep because, vacation. </div>
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Even though it's not as easy as it used to be, my husband knows there is nothing I'd rather spend money on than traveling. They forget about material objects within a day or two, but they will never forget the pink cottage at the beach. </div>
<br />Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06540583858157217482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852276036445168766.post-15513170536184752062017-06-23T17:12:00.002-04:002017-06-23T17:18:16.650-04:00South Haven with Kids<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit;">In the past (aka: every year of my life), my summer vacations have taken me to our familiar beach house on quiet Bald Head Island. Because of circumstances out of our family’s hands, we had to sell the home where our hearts belonged and are now out in the world of planning new beach vacations.</span><br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYzY94R_n3XYGl47k6t3lKvZ7yZusgUglxDuj155i7eSFI1J7uj3RRDhZhyphenhyphenIhC-g6dnCvl5LO6JY1scP5JtSkjNACIARHc8cizfs-ZuvhlE9K39yXshdZkT5T1sArAFlydhVI2OyRFp1E/s640/DSC_0326.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Where would we go? We didn't want crowds, nor a 12 hour drive or flight. I’d seen beautiful photos and heard stories of how wonderful the Lake Michigan coast can be. So, we thought we would find out for ourselves by trying out South Haven. At a mere 5 hours away, we were excited to go see what Michigan is all about. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Our cottage</u></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">By far, the location of <a href="https://www.vrbo.com/339163">our cottage</a> was the best part of our whole experience. I could definitely get used to walking across the street to the general store (which serves Sherman’s Ice Cream), 2 blocks to the beach, and a longer walk across the fun drawbridge to downtown. If you go, I would definitely recommend staying as close as you can to Dyckman Avenue/North side. You’ll want access to the drawbridge, which is the only way to get to the other side of the Black River. </span></span></div>
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<i>We had the right (East) side of the cottage and the other side was empty for most of our stay. At the end of the street is the beach!</i></div>
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<i>This was our favorite establishment in South Haven. Hot dogs? Sand toys? Adult beverages? fresh sandwiches? Yep. </i></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Renting the cottage was an easy experience through VRBO, and we were lucky to get anything at all with booking just 6 weeks before we traveled. Do not wait this long! It was clean and tidy, and had some great bonuses like a beach wagon, beautiful deck, and a fenced in yard for playing. But it was super small. We were on top of each other most of the time, and really missed having a dining table. We don't need a lot of space, but...this was a squeeze for us to be comfortable. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Staying Busy</u></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Like I said, the beach was at the end of our street. Dyckman was a small beach with private beaches on both sides. You can walk across the private beaches, just not set up camp there. We took several walks from Dyckman to North Beach, which is the perfect distance for little ones. There, you can find a simple slide and some swings. You can NOT access the lighthouse from here. </span></span></div>
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<i> The perfect walk for this little guy, who was way too busy exploring to play in the water. </i></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Across the drawbridge, the downtown is adorable. We loved Harbor Toy Store, The Blueberry Store, and the various souvenir shops of course. This is a great place for moms to come during nap time and just browse all the pretty things. My favorite shop was Plaid Britches, with cute and trendy women’s clothes and accessories.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Also across the bridge is the catwalk to the South Haven Lighthouse on South Beach. It is a little tricky with a stroller, but definitely doable. You’ll need to hold hands, as there is no railing into the water. No one wants a swim lesson like that. There are informational signs all over the area to tell you about the history of the area and light house. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>South Beach is definitely more active than North Beach, and was our kids’ favorite area.</b> The playground is huge, there is a great snack shack with lunch items and Sherman’s Ice Cream, and public restrooms. Sidenote: the neighborhoods surrounding South Beach are full of the CUTEST Victorian houses you’ve ever seen. Take a walk up the hill if you are a sucker for beautiful homes. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">One day, we drove out of South Haven to the zoo in Grand Rapids (<a href="http://www.jbzoo.org/">John Ball Zoo</a>). I loved all the shade, the natural play area, and the reasonable price ($35ish for our family of four). And everyone loves a zoo, right? Don’t miss the flamingoes and otters, which are up close and personal. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There are a ton of neighboring cities that I thought we might visit (St. Joe’s, Saugatuck), and we just didn’t need to do it. Maybe when the kids are older and get bored more often (insert eye-roll here), that would be on the agenda. But for the 8 and under crowd, there’s really no reason to leave South Haven if they like the beach. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There is a bike trail called Kal-Haven, which is supposed to be a great ride. This is a perfect town for bike-riding!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Eats</u></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The days of taking both kids out to restaurants are kind of over for now, unfortunately. We do a lot of carry-out or just taking Larkyn out. On our trip, we mostly cooked in our cottage and then had meals from:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>I know...I tried to switch seats with her, but she was intent on sitting here. In front of the giant MGD.</i></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><b><a href="http://www.mariastasteofitaly.com/">Maria’s Taste of Italy</a>: </b>We got amazing stuffed shells and pizza. Their gelato bar and </span></span>housemade<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> desserts looked great, too, but we had eaten about 12 desserts by dinner time. ALSO, they have an entire root beer menu for aficianados. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="http://www.sucasa-restaurante.com/">Su Casa:</a> </b>This has a great patio overlooking the patio. I would </span></span>recommend getting a drink and trying their chips and avocado salsa. This would be a good snack place to recharge. </div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g42716-d3454028-i218100161-Captain_Lou_s-South_Haven_Van_Buren_County_Michigan.html">Captain Lou’s</a>: </b>Say hello to our favorite meal of the trip! Leave time to enjoy, as the wait time is not great (but the food and music are!) The fried shrimp and the Cajun fish tacos were SO good. Bonus: you get to watch the bridge go up and down while you wait (pictured above).</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/bundesgoodeats/">Bunde’s Bakery</a>: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">One thing that will get me motivated in the morning is knowing that </span></span>Starbucks<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> is waiting. This bakery has the </span></span>full<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> Starbuck's menu, in addition to satisfying muffins, turnovers, coffee cakes, and pecan rolls, etc. I didn't get to try the <a href="http://www.iceboxbrand.com/">fabulous looking ice </a></span></span><a href="http://www.iceboxbrand.com/">cream</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><a href="http://www.iceboxbrand.com/"> bars</a> in the corner, and that may be my biggest regret of the entire trip. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>The Weather</u></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We knew that Michigan would not be HOT compared to the Southern vacations we usually take. But some days were pretty chilly. If you like warmer temps, definitely wait until July. But the water was not as freezing as we had heard. Larkyn did not hesitate to get in, so that tells me it wasn't freezing. Some nights, the water was warmer than the air, and felt great. Just bring a variety of layers and you'll be good. </span></span></div>
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<i> Harborfest (This day was HOT...)</i></div>
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<i>This day was cold!</i></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">We had fun exploring this quaint little lakeside town, and it was perfect for our pace. Next up, just photos and stories from our trip. </span></span></span></div>
Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06540583858157217482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852276036445168766.post-54519798373043490172017-06-02T14:33:00.003-04:002017-06-02T14:33:45.617-04:00A Million Reasons to Love SummerAnd none of them involve scrolling on my phone. I am trying HARD to break my addiction of mindless phone-wandering. My brain has become wired to want to see all the pretty things and stay "informed" on what national holiday it is or what sort of buffoon comment will come from the podium of #45. I digress. <div>
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This summer, there are so many other things to look forward to that will make me forget about my phone. <b>Like breakfast on the deck</b> and the first two hours with no devices (except for me because our neighbor's <i>awesome</i> dog barks at 5 AM, so I will do some scrolling then, thank you). </div>
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Like <b>going to the farm</b>. I tell ya, Stratford is the perfect place to forget about phones and everything else while they play until it's significantly past nap time. I am so happy we met up with our friends from The Diaperbag Diaries for the day.</div>
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And yes, <b>catching up with friends in general. </b>We went to a concert today and the kids were so excited to see neighbors, school friends, and the Shazzbots. I am taking the kids to the sitter once week-ish this summer to allow more time for <b>actual conversation over adult food.</b> </div>
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Let it be known that this child, does indeed like music, as long as no one acknowledges it.</div>
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<b>Staying out late</b>. I LOVE for those summer nights when we are drowsily driving (Don't worry, I'm not the drowsy one) home from a night well-spent as the sun sinks over a favorite park or in the backyard of a friend. </div>
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<b>Lunches at home. </b>This is a weird one, but I do not miss trying to figure out lunch for myself and Larkyn each day. We are much healthier (and save $!) by foraging out of our fridge of few months.</div>
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All the meals will be spent outside until further notice!</div>
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<b>Purging stuff</b>. I can't get it out of here fast enough. </div>
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<b>E! on TV. </b>Not sure if that is any better than the phone, but I feel like following a storyline is probably good for my mental strength (ha!) I am not going to go as far as saying I will read a novel this summer, but we can hope. </div>
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<b>Planning my big move to second grade</b> is going to be good for my mind. I mentioned in my last post that I was struggling to find enjoyment and was a little stagnant in my 12 year kindergarten position. The only way to grow sharper is to try something new or throw a good old challenge into the mix, in my opinion. I hope to use this summer to plan my classroom, my first few weeks, and get to know what second grade is all about. </div>
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So, that wasn't a million. Do you find yourself wanting to look at your phone 1,000 times per day? </div>
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Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06540583858157217482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852276036445168766.post-11262665252624254432017-05-30T15:09:00.002-04:002017-05-30T15:14:04.992-04:00BreatheIt has been almost half a year since I've written. I have wanted to, thought about it, but just haven't done it. A few weeks ago, a friend said "I miss your blogging." I said, "There are plenty of people blogging about what to do in Columbus, and they are much more focused than I was..." To which she replied, "No. I mean I miss your voice." Oh.<br />
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If you have followed along my social media path (Facebook and Instagram), you have heard me complain (sorry) about the way 2017 has unfolded. It has been one big steaming pile of job dissatisfaction, working my tail off for a different job that was dissolved after I interviewed, Our house almost burning down and the subsequent smoke cleaning, and most recently the unexpected death of my father in law on May 18th.<br />
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Suffice to say...my head has been absolutely churning with ideas, but no time to get them out. Until I was scouring my father in law's Facebook page to collect photos for his funeral video. In between the alternating photos of grandkids and cars, there were links to all my posts. He complimented them and shared my writing with his friends. I had no idea, but it motivated me.<br />
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So, where to begin? I have a lot of ideas. But I'll start with a favorite tradition of ours and our fresh breath of summertime...strawberry picking.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VY18Fclav_mQjdKuzcRyBcUzcggA6o3ThZ0osuFvV0GruZ2Cu4W7zfJSUfuCrhM-cvHgy1beIUHob4yiFf9Ewgb7iEkncwcCdeczFXer1upMXgWfkdjQ9kXuLr-Y1DqzS9FHiZfH-g0/s1600/Strawberrykids-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VY18Fclav_mQjdKuzcRyBcUzcggA6o3ThZ0osuFvV0GruZ2Cu4W7zfJSUfuCrhM-cvHgy1beIUHob4yiFf9Ewgb7iEkncwcCdeczFXer1upMXgWfkdjQ9kXuLr-Y1DqzS9FHiZfH-g0/s640/Strawberrykids-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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First, I'll start with the time my heart exploded. His face might be slightly unfocused, but that strawberry smile kills me.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9vXeE8i32_BuKP36O4QUCtxYseJpCxHoqzQpfxwAO__HQd5cr8tCVhbNVfZ68dWL2TtmaFmLmjYvx2S1eNx5K0enufAwyulM5xFePlMdRwSEJywEw0jygQjEO2kimm-pNQzf4cPuGMSU/s1600/DSC_0067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9vXeE8i32_BuKP36O4QUCtxYseJpCxHoqzQpfxwAO__HQd5cr8tCVhbNVfZ68dWL2TtmaFmLmjYvx2S1eNx5K0enufAwyulM5xFePlMdRwSEJywEw0jygQjEO2kimm-pNQzf4cPuGMSU/s640/DSC_0067.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This one is titled "I wanted you to see the back of her dress"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglpQ1HCkgWzqH2v35lOyXemNUH_hL9l-g8_PTcMvNlxrYlKT-0n5xNAsqL2QlFI6vBc9LL2C9XyXHLwhu0Jp2-8yK7WELT3Pzg71jkZYR9k93g0vKpf9pHr-tZzX45TQ4eudcUziOm4zw/s1600/DSC_0064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglpQ1HCkgWzqH2v35lOyXemNUH_hL9l-g8_PTcMvNlxrYlKT-0n5xNAsqL2QlFI6vBc9LL2C9XyXHLwhu0Jp2-8yK7WELT3Pzg71jkZYR9k93g0vKpf9pHr-tZzX45TQ4eudcUziOm4zw/s640/DSC_0064.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Pretty sure this kiddo will have a farm one day. </div>
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He's stolen my heart. Sometimes he throws it back at me when he is hauling ass through a serene field of flags, but for the most part...I'll keep him.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CwrwOPgYKAk8wIa9vtv0WA0hA5nTKuAGIhcdUEMFUcvTDDrKyT96U9WsnMi-Fi1_gcZpRP24a8tXg_uOH2CzGFwWtoHLbuSdyFsPbdmkUOKoQCqCbGUM8Z6qZsxSstJMM8eDj4eFWjk/s1600/DSC_0028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CwrwOPgYKAk8wIa9vtv0WA0hA5nTKuAGIhcdUEMFUcvTDDrKyT96U9WsnMi-Fi1_gcZpRP24a8tXg_uOH2CzGFwWtoHLbuSdyFsPbdmkUOKoQCqCbGUM8Z6qZsxSstJMM8eDj4eFWjk/s640/DSC_0028.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Pig: "Uh, yeah...were you going to give me something to eat, or....?"</div>
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And I did mention we were picking berries, right? We got a little caught up with the farmer's animals and the "Old MacDonald had a Farm", which is what Rhys calls anything resembling a barn.</div>
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Everything is a race. Everything. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYXZndx6120Poa9B8o-_ob4h_Ergtt_5ep1gJwhEC5mVy3LTI63nlGpfL5UEL7WPYeK_H7xvXb_48kb8u18SANvxSb2DIfv9PcdtHqckmbmTOJAuZaQMyJYaDh4zDODUnllCX273dX90E/s1600/DSC_0061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYXZndx6120Poa9B8o-_ob4h_Ergtt_5ep1gJwhEC5mVy3LTI63nlGpfL5UEL7WPYeK_H7xvXb_48kb8u18SANvxSb2DIfv9PcdtHqckmbmTOJAuZaQMyJYaDh4zDODUnllCX273dX90E/s640/DSC_0061.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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"Look, mom. I'm a tree. Can you see me?"</div>
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And this guy, who won't touch a strawberry at home, did the old "pick one, eat one". </div>
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I was so proud of both of them. The last two years with this activity have been my cardio for a week, chasing him up and down the rows.</div>
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She got a sour one!</div>
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This efficient little lady filled up two containers. No idea what we are going to do with them.</div>
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Sorry. No, I'm not. </div>
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This makes me wonder what or who was behind me.</div>
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Like I said, we have done this every year since Rhys was born, so this is our 4th picking. Definitely, definitely our easiest. No wipe-outs in the parking lot, no electric fence scares, and no Olympic sprint competitions. I'd say our summer has started off on the right foot. </div>
Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06540583858157217482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852276036445168766.post-35024195220183908362016-12-12T19:05:00.000-05:002016-12-22T19:06:05.129-05:00A Year at Goldfish It is hard to believe it has been over a year since we started our swim journey with Goldfish swim school. Our first lesson consisted of tears from all three of us, and the staff was so supportive that we kept going. By week three, we were sold! I am grateful for the opportunity, and even more grateful to watch from the outside of the pool as my kids form trust with their instructors and grow every week.<br />
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The kids began as hesitant swimmers, afraid to put their faces in or sometimes to even get in the water at all. We had embarrassing nights (a lot of them) filled with screams and tears. I feel for those parents when I see it happen around us, because we have been there.<br />
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But look at them now!<br />
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Rhys is in a class without me (game changer), and is doing a great job trying to swim to the island (with help), wear goggles, and showing his safety skills (click clacks along the wall).<br />
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Larkyn is still in the same swim level, as she is unsure of herself in areas where she needs to show independence. But, she is putting her face in and is willing to try many new skills at an increasing speed.<br />
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Last week, I saw her jump from the wall to the island, inhaling a huge gulp of water. She was upset and I thought "Well, that't the end of this lesson". Nope. It looked like her instructor was able to give a good balance of "dust yourself off" and "oh poor baby", and she was over it in about a minute. That is huge for this little girl. Just this summer, you can see that she needed assistance going to the island. But now, she just jumps!<br />
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When we go on vacations now, the kids are excited for pools and hot tubs. Before our swim experience at Goldfish, we would have to take turns watching the kids and swimming, because they wouldn't go near it.<br />
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When I ask the kids, "Where do you go if you fall into water?", they know the answer. Back to the wall. The fact that this experience could equip them with lifesaving skills is not lost of me. With one kiddo in school, a full job time, and a side gig of photo shoots and editing, there is precious little time for anything extra. But this 30 minutes per week is important.<br />
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I am so proud of my little swimmers and again, and so thankful for the gift of Goldfish swim school.<br />
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<br />Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06540583858157217482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852276036445168766.post-88920954366837522172016-11-01T20:12:00.000-04:002016-11-01T20:12:16.262-04:00Our OctoberOur October was unique. Typically, it has been one "festive" event after another, trying to fit it all in. I love all that and I think the kids do too. But I found myself waking up and looking at the calendar more weekends than not, wondering "should we really do this or just play at home?" I notice that the kids don't actually care where we go, just that I am giving them some undivided attention. So, I tried to find some balance with staying in and going out with them. Intentional time.<br />
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I had photoshoots every weekend and have had so much fun with the new families I am meeting. I have learned that (though I was scared to work with them), seniors are much easier and more fun than I anticipated. Toddlers are adorable and always on the run, and dads blink a lot. I learned how to head swap and eye swap in Photoshop to make up for the blinking dads.<br />
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The time away from the kids during photoshoots is a challenge, but I know that not every month will be like October. I don't anticipate many people wanting to book outdoor photos in January. And the extra income is so welcome in a bit of an uncertain time with Matt's career path.<br />
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I stepped back from the blog partly out of necessity (editing photos takes a lot of time) and partly out of desire. I became obsessed with Sons of Anarchy, and it has given me something to look forward to at night (or while waiting for my mom in eye surgery, or during nap time...) and a story line to follow. I didn't know I missed that until I got hooked.<br />
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But I still wanted to catch up here and document our October days....<br />
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Out at pumpkin farm #2. Picking pumpkins we eventually would leave at the farm due to the insane line to pay for them. And picking up candy corn dropped in the pumpkin patch. </div>
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We went to visit Matt's grandparents and family in the Cleveland area. I always love this trip, especially the incredible food his grandma makes for us. That was one of two apple pies she made from scratch, with 9 pounds of apples!</div>
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Mo and Declan came over to make Halloween puppy chow. We were missing several ingredients and saw the biggest spider in my house EVER, but man is that puppy chow the best.</div>
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This Fall, Homestead Park is home to a gorgeous field of cosmos. They go as far as you can see, and are so inviting for the kids to run through, tackle each other, etc. </div>
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And pretend you didn't see these. They will probably be on our Christmas cards.</div>
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In the back of our neighborhood, we often take a trail. Each time, there is something new. This time, we found the perfect climbing tree, massive maple leaves, and a doe who stared at us until we left. </div>
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One Sunday morning, I went on my third Columbus Food Adventures tour. This was the mother of all tours: Brunch! We went to four restaurants, and I tried everything from Akoori (Indian scrambled eggs) to chiliquiles (breakfast nachos, kind of), a HUGE breakfast skillet, poutine, and of course, chicken and waffles. These tours continue to be my favorite adult indulgence, learning about the food, the businesses, and the history of our city on the way. </div>
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Another adult moment: our first Buckeyes game together! We bought the tickets on a whim and had the BEST weather of the whole season. Next time, we will spend more time walking around outside the stadium, but I was anxious to get to our awesome seats. </div>
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The pumpkin she helped scoop and design...</div>
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Yum!</div>
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My beautiful Alice in Wonderland! She has loved this movie for years, and decided on this costume months ago. It might be my favorite one yet. </div>
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It's a long story, but this guy wanted nothing to do with costumes. I finally found a shirt that was acceptable to him and attached a cape to the back without his knowledge. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfx28c_5zhh55EDOehXVV1R8qxT80BA-GCzVnCU2erM5-sz6_diUw_aXMIXlmPtcafUTOB2t1yZDXBqFEqtbVoPMjkdovcXeiH0HG1zqgTP9cqIsHhjbg9pVsyzMMrbsiLOumgxer-zs/s1600/DSC_0015.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfx28c_5zhh55EDOehXVV1R8qxT80BA-GCzVnCU2erM5-sz6_diUw_aXMIXlmPtcafUTOB2t1yZDXBqFEqtbVoPMjkdovcXeiH0HG1zqgTP9cqIsHhjbg9pVsyzMMrbsiLOumgxer-zs/s640/DSC_0015.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0sSxxktZCsu9lcZQUy0Ux0rePWXm0_gT_MdvY52jvoGFTyHSpPrwdS_PCzKxPZ537qWhA7mBAiS2zCEh0Fsh5brIL7BauNMk9207KMtmaWtjAG7pkkOvNO0uZBN8f7Tu9c25wmEP6bqI/s1600/DSC_0022.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0sSxxktZCsu9lcZQUy0Ux0rePWXm0_gT_MdvY52jvoGFTyHSpPrwdS_PCzKxPZ537qWhA7mBAiS2zCEh0Fsh5brIL7BauNMk9207KMtmaWtjAG7pkkOvNO0uZBN8f7Tu9c25wmEP6bqI/s640/DSC_0022.jpg" width="458" /></a></div>
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Off she goes! Rhys and I hung back in the stroller while she skipped to every door, knocked, waved, and was polite as could be. She lives for this night!! </div>
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I am looking forward to my favorite month of the year. November brings our anniversary, anticipation for the holidays, and a little more calmness in my professional life. </div>
Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06540583858157217482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852276036445168766.post-68385303022046743642016-10-08T08:54:00.000-04:002016-10-08T08:55:03.033-04:00Homecoming 2016It was January 2001 when I transferred from monstrous Ohio State to little Otterbein College after one disastrous quarter at OSU. I knew I needed the accountability of a smaller school, and I thrived there for the next 3.5 years. A huge part of this was due to pledging to Theta Nu.<br />
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I'll spare you all the details, but pretty much as soon as I started school, I went through rush and immediately had built-in friends. Some people laugh at the idea like it's "buying friends", but it was the perfect way for me to start fresh and join a group of girls who are still my friends.<br />
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Every fall, we try to go back to Homecoming, but I think this was Rhys' first time. They loved it! Minus the confetti cannon blasting into power lines during the parade and me almost crying over the parking situation, it was the perfect morning with my sisters and our little Violets...<br />
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<img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3UPrAp7vSLUki0RlCC0-_l91n-JuRxxbcQ8W4x2Ncd8DcDQG10s8bX0pP2DqXo22XSthSuGLtn1SH70G-Q15EGWrIlMrZHOnF8SpjAcH3CNZra09wxW_huFiqL63F-Iwmb4NBzkH7wc/s640/DSC_0007.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXdFEZTRI1-Ycf8XzKCttcNBFP145wphI2Sh-DvKTEcoXalcOQskJkSLTFojuKoqC83LyNit5ptilk-1w7T_KJHzq4fMSJRiyRjJlTx0wNFpqe-j6jgE1C0edRGZcQkZURRq59QKfqzK4/s1600/DSC_0013.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXdFEZTRI1-Ycf8XzKCttcNBFP145wphI2Sh-DvKTEcoXalcOQskJkSLTFojuKoqC83LyNit5ptilk-1w7T_KJHzq4fMSJRiyRjJlTx0wNFpqe-j6jgE1C0edRGZcQkZURRq59QKfqzK4/s640/DSC_0013.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPH2hAd03wa5xYO-Kwevu09U6p7US5CWt5M98vkjO6nH2lxqZTotbHmMAZ4Ng3K5RpVa9xsSjB2jZqJWJrenRtn397q0iIrsVorLKCcGz1Ft5MwtPv-8KI4lAAEQ5RXeyi9liMhTwV8o/s1600/DSC_0014.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPH2hAd03wa5xYO-Kwevu09U6p7US5CWt5M98vkjO6nH2lxqZTotbHmMAZ4Ng3K5RpVa9xsSjB2jZqJWJrenRtn397q0iIrsVorLKCcGz1Ft5MwtPv-8KI4lAAEQ5RXeyi9liMhTwV8o/s640/DSC_0014.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Qm81vr1FhLZMwSrrE3dZb9LsPRFqbtzm3MK7e2JDzWQAp0dlV8sHU-hybuiyFbXMX6MVGLeqoTkn99do3U1j5ccbLni6sQLeCwirUYkTB3YL4RbQipbGHtnzqGRfFJM0G6sw_M5_wbY/s1600/DSC_0018.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Qm81vr1FhLZMwSrrE3dZb9LsPRFqbtzm3MK7e2JDzWQAp0dlV8sHU-hybuiyFbXMX6MVGLeqoTkn99do3U1j5ccbLni6sQLeCwirUYkTB3YL4RbQipbGHtnzqGRfFJM0G6sw_M5_wbY/s640/DSC_0018.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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The theme was super heroes, so this guy was loving it. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzmoIcVpBlwHEM51Y-_jqhwy3W4rBq2A3CoC1I4Zia0Rn1bVFg85gZESQY6UaOx0BfFlNW48-J9tiIm_Dj1xfkv7jmTrDDxKPup3URDXwaulzTrJCgk0jfoISn2Bv27X_eB5reDE0dtIY/s1600/DSC_0019.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzmoIcVpBlwHEM51Y-_jqhwy3W4rBq2A3CoC1I4Zia0Rn1bVFg85gZESQY6UaOx0BfFlNW48-J9tiIm_Dj1xfkv7jmTrDDxKPup3URDXwaulzTrJCgk0jfoISn2Bv27X_eB5reDE0dtIY/s640/DSC_0019.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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You ain't nothin, Spiderman...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7P39jxNpawLVetPmFyPkFT0qKoZaK5PvG8dHDa6l4N-xZtbdJ-o2Imon4RUUZ4ZDaeVyczhuln1VyXGyOVdkcfhs6rg5oLAHElkev_zczPp2eGXMUtU_jzgQLMTQJLcApq0outDFRIKI/s1600/DSC_0022.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7P39jxNpawLVetPmFyPkFT0qKoZaK5PvG8dHDa6l4N-xZtbdJ-o2Imon4RUUZ4ZDaeVyczhuln1VyXGyOVdkcfhs6rg5oLAHElkev_zczPp2eGXMUtU_jzgQLMTQJLcApq0outDFRIKI/s640/DSC_0022.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Clapping along to the Theta Nu cheer</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdxE9XCWUXjR1uc2TOKIL4YW119p7ay9K8TatIogqpJIBjDZi9SfmnVEduFi0P3JtmfdUAqGz_3QzMjy6Ud8S9cW_GFOFCION2rFIC8zXtzTefXfPkMbg57PBz-a4qcV3eeAoBNRQ5S9M/s1600/DSC_0028.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdxE9XCWUXjR1uc2TOKIL4YW119p7ay9K8TatIogqpJIBjDZi9SfmnVEduFi0P3JtmfdUAqGz_3QzMjy6Ud8S9cW_GFOFCION2rFIC8zXtzTefXfPkMbg57PBz-a4qcV3eeAoBNRQ5S9M/s640/DSC_0028.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Candy thrown at you: Obviously the best part of parades. </div>
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And active sisters who need to be added to my babysitting list...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUPRGkLtcfRz_DBtkOc0_owxaF_YfN8kadpRDjrtcAh1D7Csksrj_stXCN82aIRKuSaZpjOAXbj2bMpvrC2HbZm7-tC2xHNtvsY_TmunvX215kO0gDUANQBAH13RBfaENh5O3pr5h1MYU/s1600/DSC_0033.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUPRGkLtcfRz_DBtkOc0_owxaF_YfN8kadpRDjrtcAh1D7Csksrj_stXCN82aIRKuSaZpjOAXbj2bMpvrC2HbZm7-tC2xHNtvsY_TmunvX215kO0gDUANQBAH13RBfaENh5O3pr5h1MYU/s640/DSC_0033.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Alumnae plus our spawn</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_ueHJI1bPzXkFingGjxI8A5zlq2wqThSZuvHtQzic1MAAaPwvr7nZHtgyT9VLfYr15om4rxZlphdygF969GWqv3_6G22TYUcg0AuSf179BPc0WHG14-Nf0Srtu8hExy7ao3qBlJlXNw/s1600/DSC_0039.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_ueHJI1bPzXkFingGjxI8A5zlq2wqThSZuvHtQzic1MAAaPwvr7nZHtgyT9VLfYr15om4rxZlphdygF969GWqv3_6G22TYUcg0AuSf179BPc0WHG14-Nf0Srtu8hExy7ao3qBlJlXNw/s640/DSC_0039.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzS4qYHsiPwgOKUlXZ8mRB52Yxd-IIFPCVNpUDoZyvSA8i-0X1Xh0lC4bY3jj6FaGdeVu-Tv_ul_ZMh-9xMw5M1ucGTKAzNg4CNoRu8gaus3qXcu-h6f7_kbUPd36CoFCoS0UTKxTba7A/s1600/DSC_0041.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzS4qYHsiPwgOKUlXZ8mRB52Yxd-IIFPCVNpUDoZyvSA8i-0X1Xh0lC4bY3jj6FaGdeVu-Tv_ul_ZMh-9xMw5M1ucGTKAzNg4CNoRu8gaus3qXcu-h6f7_kbUPd36CoFCoS0UTKxTba7A/s640/DSC_0041.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Mommy, don't step on it. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMfTA-OdFc2GoJITdtuKdabgH506cBZLlVhzNPcDsbtgggt2V0jQxz60yKGaDjA1RlhyUlU4uJJdopKlMYmwOCfvxtICX_Ch7-mqOZGH9y1AKfChhO917V000WQcJbtzTWtBq19d4X6I8/s1600/DSC_0051.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMfTA-OdFc2GoJITdtuKdabgH506cBZLlVhzNPcDsbtgggt2V0jQxz60yKGaDjA1RlhyUlU4uJJdopKlMYmwOCfvxtICX_Ch7-mqOZGH9y1AKfChhO917V000WQcJbtzTWtBq19d4X6I8/s640/DSC_0051.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The line for the bouncy houses was out of control, so we walked uptown for Schneider's donuts, cookies, and a loaf of amazing pecan roll bread. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9h8QwdAlI-w2wAaD0lXfp4m2RUzS7qb4K1Ak5zF_hmGqmPjZtBuxKVRF2zfFq_XhwkXMPNnNG6fn3Fah5BilWLT7BXShd4mmFaFdQVmfvHjkDNcdmJa7YN5lqnnT2k999kKXk9JqRIck/s1600/DSC_0053.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9h8QwdAlI-w2wAaD0lXfp4m2RUzS7qb4K1Ak5zF_hmGqmPjZtBuxKVRF2zfFq_XhwkXMPNnNG6fn3Fah5BilWLT7BXShd4mmFaFdQVmfvHjkDNcdmJa7YN5lqnnT2k999kKXk9JqRIck/s640/DSC_0053.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Future cardinals??</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXH-cJ6R6AedHZMYoFqqDzxKhHa_bgNGkIub3WC0YD039cmBRirWibWMdE9S5EUqQom-xmOvLdMyYRPBouJXoyV3c1c7sebz-GeHoztBnOKkpH3ETx3OgA9tnLrRq-k8bbC23jKt-0Tc/s1600/DSC_0057.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXH-cJ6R6AedHZMYoFqqDzxKhHa_bgNGkIub3WC0YD039cmBRirWibWMdE9S5EUqQom-xmOvLdMyYRPBouJXoyV3c1c7sebz-GeHoztBnOKkpH3ETx3OgA9tnLrRq-k8bbC23jKt-0Tc/s640/DSC_0057.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06540583858157217482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852276036445168766.post-23938340749696844672016-10-01T16:01:00.000-04:002016-10-01T16:01:02.160-04:00Pumpkin time!I have probably titled four posts with those same words: Pumpkin Time! What else is there to say other than the end of September is always "pumpkin time" for us. By the time Halloween actually arrives, we usually have about 10 of them, all shapes and sizes, inside and outside our house.<br />
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Last weekend, we took a road trip (because that's our Saturday morning thing, it seems) to Radnor. There, we found <a href="http://lehnerpumpkins.com/">Lehner's pumpkin farm.</a> It was so perfect for younger kids, with it's jumpy pad, barrel train, and tons of ride-on toys. The major attraction for me was the indoor playground with a full restaurant so parents can eat while the kids play!!<br />
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Rhys was all over the place this day, so no photos of anything that didn't include him in my line of sight. Too many state routes and cornfields for him to explore. His favorites? The mini donkey and tractors. Hers? Running amok with her BFF Declan and the giant bounce pad.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj71d7N6ZsTKfnpsjvApl2Hlsq2dbx0R4gw4PGscHuCPHoLZ1C_sh0c4ZVcHis-DQr1106Wdb6dkCWts-FhOJNSjlSEmxOQ73i1Hkq81wJtAW11Bw4c2hp_GMtf4YLkL6udXRBS9FbdsYw/s1600/IMG_4433.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj71d7N6ZsTKfnpsjvApl2Hlsq2dbx0R4gw4PGscHuCPHoLZ1C_sh0c4ZVcHis-DQr1106Wdb6dkCWts-FhOJNSjlSEmxOQ73i1Hkq81wJtAW11Bw4c2hp_GMtf4YLkL6udXRBS9FbdsYw/s640/IMG_4433.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9RtSthN9OZsA3FQGeX1PVdrABi6VufbFn0v3bwHHUlq7eDS42mu36uRT2hGZ3nxZo_BafF0AIJsHPwpiwkwe81fpmrddbfItIYdGJSbbsyxDJC9DEnhV0-1c3-QuCc83ytxf2u4AjANw/s1600/DSC_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9RtSthN9OZsA3FQGeX1PVdrABi6VufbFn0v3bwHHUlq7eDS42mu36uRT2hGZ3nxZo_BafF0AIJsHPwpiwkwe81fpmrddbfItIYdGJSbbsyxDJC9DEnhV0-1c3-QuCc83ytxf2u4AjANw/s640/DSC_0001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxpNTGwMw_wTnia9AQoFxIC6IJhosJ56ESNmpD0wDC4M5d-N4OX2YSqg25jJCQDmMA3-uJFlLNP1lqfCupYKSWlJSs66FxGA2wqfgPY9PRAniiXotedHKGVQTiB8Cf_A4AbZHfZhssMQ/s1600/DSC_0009.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxpNTGwMw_wTnia9AQoFxIC6IJhosJ56ESNmpD0wDC4M5d-N4OX2YSqg25jJCQDmMA3-uJFlLNP1lqfCupYKSWlJSs66FxGA2wqfgPY9PRAniiXotedHKGVQTiB8Cf_A4AbZHfZhssMQ/s640/DSC_0009.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXy62JCRvGjKDECANqz1MXY4_Mg8VvP8ApbzdliNeex1bcT-ewIop1GH7G_ZPsF_7-wGkZ0yLLTpNwWEy7HoSVMHMG7mAv2AkojotJmwEdSR6-U9BuLcsZTOw-UMbPqTwaomIJSTXl8eM/s1600/DSC_0010.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXy62JCRvGjKDECANqz1MXY4_Mg8VvP8ApbzdliNeex1bcT-ewIop1GH7G_ZPsF_7-wGkZ0yLLTpNwWEy7HoSVMHMG7mAv2AkojotJmwEdSR6-U9BuLcsZTOw-UMbPqTwaomIJSTXl8eM/s640/DSC_0010.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGdfD54GCLHNyWAgdvD4dLdiRyqUx6tEnqjWSOa0WwgClrekMZlU2It7L6_0iY0sNB1F2_FhTV-M1XnK7gH6H2DNVFimEYjkdGJ36bOR74u9HvBGS9x8R4hLZ0RNpNBv_tTmmjqUzQbpQ/s1600/DSC_0019.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGdfD54GCLHNyWAgdvD4dLdiRyqUx6tEnqjWSOa0WwgClrekMZlU2It7L6_0iY0sNB1F2_FhTV-M1XnK7gH6H2DNVFimEYjkdGJ36bOR74u9HvBGS9x8R4hLZ0RNpNBv_tTmmjqUzQbpQ/s640/DSC_0019.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We have always gone to the same orchard, but because of rain the night before, we arrived to a closed orchard. I'll admit, pandemonium followed. We had already been in the car for 30 minutes and the nearest orchard was 30 more minutes away. My backseat was in mutiny, and I couldn't focus on where the map was telling me to go. Just get me some freaking apples.<br />
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Luckily, we found an amazing orchard (<a href="http://www.legendhillsorchard.com/">Legend Hills</a>), where we will definitely return year after year. It was low key, had a great market, and we were free to pick whatever apples we wanted.<br />
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The staff suggested the Melrose and Golden Delicious for their ripeness that day, and we added a few other nearby varieties.<br />
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Lakyn loved the hunt for the perfect apple, Rhys loved taking one bite and throwing it as far as he could. Nana was a big help, too. I have big apple sauce and apple crisp planned for these guys...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7xfa9_mDGMff3Kyp7KRcKrSMi8FGm3X2KKDTA_er0opF5ULABxkPf2ePYIJtJHahUltQKF63ndm4674HmK-LZmHO-5uzbESR5BoiTUS1lDQb6SNHYlYl-hlyNnVGUetDABYNZOCO0os/s1600/DSC_0091.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7xfa9_mDGMff3Kyp7KRcKrSMi8FGm3X2KKDTA_er0opF5ULABxkPf2ePYIJtJHahUltQKF63ndm4674HmK-LZmHO-5uzbESR5BoiTUS1lDQb6SNHYlYl-hlyNnVGUetDABYNZOCO0os/s640/DSC_0091.jpg" width="640" /></a>Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06540583858157217482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852276036445168766.post-1268446319286756992016-09-21T21:18:00.000-04:002016-09-21T21:18:04.599-04:00A month of changesI can't believe Larkyn has been in school for a month. I worried and worried about her sensitive little spirit and how easily she crumbles under pressure. The night before kindergarten, we both cried.<br />
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Her, because she <i>didn't want us to "smile and wave" </i>to her while she was driving away on the bus and me because I thought she wasn't ready. You read a lot about my worries this summer, and at that time, they were REAL! I thought we'd be in counseling by now.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfOufI48xcLlO8wWF9qyCrIWnEkWtuB17YiydIYTBe178F0qQo6H8fvHGHXlzbxT1I7uhYtgDLGdkZbSYwYjQsU4SRfhzSDgfNeexNlwIgmkm-RpqHEJOWEfhEs37XdW_UXcQcXJ_PT4/s1600/DSC_0260.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfOufI48xcLlO8wWF9qyCrIWnEkWtuB17YiydIYTBe178F0qQo6H8fvHGHXlzbxT1I7uhYtgDLGdkZbSYwYjQsU4SRfhzSDgfNeexNlwIgmkm-RpqHEJOWEfhEs37XdW_UXcQcXJ_PT4/s640/DSC_0260.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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It turns out that it was a lot of wasted energy, because this girl LOVES kindergarten. She loves packing her lunch, picking a snack, and getting herself ready by herself in the mornings. And she especially loves the bus. She got on so quickly that first day that I couldn't even get a picture. And I did promise that I wouldn't smile and wave (the horror).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUF_ROEzEj4kfEWPjGMQswren1POdHiwM6ZVGgumdfxfyf7Nj8E4z2w-UWoHBRFzYm2u9jXrgO73gqju3SjmCC2D4gtxeHrn4AsgtF4kZXu_M8oHEqI81RErGjBQslc0q9L_BjCIuW8oU/s1600/IMG_3598.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUF_ROEzEj4kfEWPjGMQswren1POdHiwM6ZVGgumdfxfyf7Nj8E4z2w-UWoHBRFzYm2u9jXrgO73gqju3SjmCC2D4gtxeHrn4AsgtF4kZXu_M8oHEqI81RErGjBQslc0q9L_BjCIuW8oU/s640/IMG_3598.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgargpHMbvZ_EZImeEzY2E9z7Ve30L7PnUpnurkZBkysqrFX5M9eCaxI8Qjdkx5EYowdt-kTAahruJ_El5BGdUyN8UCYaZ775Cqfo9hZOgHdfwLsZyzWtw5WtfoLuxpbiG_qBdY5S98mAw/s1600/DSC_0275.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgargpHMbvZ_EZImeEzY2E9z7Ve30L7PnUpnurkZBkysqrFX5M9eCaxI8Qjdkx5EYowdt-kTAahruJ_El5BGdUyN8UCYaZ775Cqfo9hZOgHdfwLsZyzWtw5WtfoLuxpbiG_qBdY5S98mAw/s640/DSC_0275.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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We've had a few "somebody was mean to me" conversations, a few fits about her lace-up Nikes not lacing perfectly, and she is pretty tired at the end of the day. But overall, this is going WAY better than I ever thought.<br />
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A week after school started, we entered our first race together (or ever). She pushed through some major perseverance struggles and finished the 1.5 miles with a smile, acting like the last 1.3 miles of tears didn't happen. It helps to have the American Girl store and Snocones waiting at the finish line. She has grown so much in one month.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3rbhF2mlq-VMPQ3C2s7TEPsCvjC3xYuMNAFcu9YfaSYfPvbbNkV9CR6oDGv2OcR59egV0ZBviPero8SFk3oQWMrKq2r94ylAlXFz9UNYa_zGmK48ws5OZ8c4dHl_LTkmDCPkihlRLD0/s1600/DSC_0295.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3rbhF2mlq-VMPQ3C2s7TEPsCvjC3xYuMNAFcu9YfaSYfPvbbNkV9CR6oDGv2OcR59egV0ZBviPero8SFk3oQWMrKq2r94ylAlXFz9UNYa_zGmK48ws5OZ8c4dHl_LTkmDCPkihlRLD0/s640/DSC_0295.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Hulking out of the stroller...</i></div>
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<i>The lace-up shoes I mentioned before...</i></div>
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And Rhys man. Hmm. We have definitely entered the terrible twos (which didn't exist with big sis, so I wasn't prepared for this). We have some sleep resistance, some aggression, and laughing/escaping when he's told "no". He brought out the word "stupid" this week, and we had to start ignoring it. The more we put him in time out and corrected him, the harder he laughed.<br />
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All the boy mamas, raise your hands. Is this really happening?<br />
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For Matt, he will soon be switching jobs from a job he has had for years. There are two prospects out there, and we aren't quite sure which one is the best fit. But that will be a huge milestone in our lives.<br />
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And me. Well, I am doing a lot of slowing down, saying "no thanks", and prioritizing. While I will definitely still be here blogging, it won't often be in the same capacity as before. Yes, there will be food, my kids, and Columbus activities. But I am blogging for fun now, and it may or may not help you plan your day in Columbus :) And it may be a month later than it used to be, because I have naps to take and babies don't keep.<br />
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I have been working on my photography website and can't wait for the logo to be sent to me so that I can show you!<br />
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Big changes for all of us, for sure.Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06540583858157217482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852276036445168766.post-91861478556071879462016-09-05T15:54:00.002-04:002016-09-05T15:54:35.032-04:00Last weekend of summer..<i>Before I begin, thanks for all the kind and encouraging comments on my last post. This was the first enjoyable post to write in a long time...</i><br />
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Oooooh do I have trouble saying goodbye, especially to summer. But I kind of already did it when we went back to school. This weekend gifted us the most gorgeous weather and time to take us wherever the wind blows. Or where the sunflowers grow, I guess.<br />
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An Instagram photo of a gorgeous sunflower field in Yellow Springs caught my eye on Friday night, and I asked the kids if they wanted to go the next day. This would be our fourth trip to YS in a year, so they actually knew what I was offering. YES! I promised a stop at Young's, after the flower field. </div>
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This is terrible, but #realmom time. I have found that the easiest way to make my kids happy on a road trip is to stop at a gas station on the way out of town. We pick 2 snacks (yeah, not organic and grass-fed) and a bottle of water for each. The novelty of food not brought from our house is enough to keep them happy for most of the trip.</div>
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We were there in no time, and this trip seems shorter each time. And the field was gorgeous! Both kids were as excited as I was (maybe not as excited as Larkyn, who proclaimed it "the best day of my life!"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-abJcIsWUgwp-8iTI4xvRA3iseeHAwsZ8M5zEfZfX2TIU0vyL4gTKwcIJ1aE21PeolYzgkwKtD0iuaB94uW-P-v8dsMTsF9tDpwAkcDg5Sh19V72YYOWTyVY91BwGYoWYV-N_hFgrHTo/s1600/DSC_0324.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgyr55Zd31lTkdmR_S0P7VvHcJJUrMxLQ6UTkVfjuoHq3zVRqqYavA1EcmL0D9c_LtAVPyiSOB9bolz-PyLybOgkJ5DTzkPdAoVtHT6v7htCIlmePNUUSSsBbCGi0hQh9x2P-wF4XEJvw/s1600/DSC_0339.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgyr55Zd31lTkdmR_S0P7VvHcJJUrMxLQ6UTkVfjuoHq3zVRqqYavA1EcmL0D9c_LtAVPyiSOB9bolz-PyLybOgkJ5DTzkPdAoVtHT6v7htCIlmePNUUSSsBbCGi0hQh9x2P-wF4XEJvw/s640/DSC_0339.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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There were approximately 6700000 bees, so I was a little wary, but we got a few photos and then I just let them run free. Not<i> too free</i>, because it is near a super busy road and half of Ohio was in town to visit said flowers.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2EDKrrvSis1VssA74ycheCR-8v1DwPOyk4mPxnGlIy9njkRoIWJznfn3cQ1HZD0PY_kfYvdmyy1VJB3ttQuvV6qwT14B4dJrbUSZNaSDPgnjQJ7AyopIgZLYGoWkVi8DadH2BZfvdy3o/s1600/DSC_0362.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2EDKrrvSis1VssA74ycheCR-8v1DwPOyk4mPxnGlIy9njkRoIWJznfn3cQ1HZD0PY_kfYvdmyy1VJB3ttQuvV6qwT14B4dJrbUSZNaSDPgnjQJ7AyopIgZLYGoWkVi8DadH2BZfvdy3o/s640/DSC_0362.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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When we started being destructive with sticks and doing backward somersaults, showing the world our undies, it was time to head to Young's. </div>
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Let it be known: I LOVE COWVIN's CORRAL. A shaded bounce house, corn bin, slides and ride-on equipment for $4/kid is my idea of mom Heaven. They were so happy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9hf8gvKTJmuOgADTdoIfbpImyeNuYWLVDqanybR5cCeHXHEnzb_CKxH4KBsd3j_1ggnCn-q741Ubc5rqu-PDkUx1KU11fWlwha6FXs17FTiFB6hDMRIiC4TutHVBmLpklaFX3snyI3o/s1600/DSC_0374.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9hf8gvKTJmuOgADTdoIfbpImyeNuYWLVDqanybR5cCeHXHEnzb_CKxH4KBsd3j_1ggnCn-q741Ubc5rqu-PDkUx1KU11fWlwha6FXs17FTiFB6hDMRIiC4TutHVBmLpklaFX3snyI3o/s640/DSC_0374.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZp0dU9RTVVoWjNw1_rfZM9Y6EEZhgWEMY3TtU1pQqMUaJUOUodglOeJWqEaiyNZQmpbA_KLOx1NX2_R_3XO_ov_L0ZNKKnqjmTWp2o_6WGJ_avScVL6VB0XgPnGLuo4ZjTlO91yH81k/s1600/DSC_0383.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZp0dU9RTVVoWjNw1_rfZM9Y6EEZhgWEMY3TtU1pQqMUaJUOUodglOeJWqEaiyNZQmpbA_KLOx1NX2_R_3XO_ov_L0ZNKKnqjmTWp2o_6WGJ_avScVL6VB0XgPnGLuo4ZjTlO91yH81k/s640/DSC_0383.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj695tKf_DyZdRvE4rOwNYzK00iQ4Sez98I5qNSxyKB4Z0yNwN45jLi2uWSCCZpNpTZWPwYgt10__B117gvbeDacSf0C6wrrNpDTBQ0vknXU_rmfIjkJpBBivjbP1iCGzMzH9XLSVQcok4/s1600/DSC_0386.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj695tKf_DyZdRvE4rOwNYzK00iQ4Sez98I5qNSxyKB4Z0yNwN45jLi2uWSCCZpNpTZWPwYgt10__B117gvbeDacSf0C6wrrNpDTBQ0vknXU_rmfIjkJpBBivjbP1iCGzMzH9XLSVQcok4/s640/DSC_0386.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<i>Do not make me leave this pool of corn. EVER. </i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDthlZcgJWHa3bbDfPxw9U5heRrwOyU-11amgfbTrtg-Y6D0DmjGtN1LoQhjmkbxvCf55rO6zi8Lg3CdF2f-gTQBc3adYARilPyf9YemvvCMZVhIZx7DEQp4nSclik0v5x-n99dEQtiLQ/s1600/DSC_0387.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDthlZcgJWHa3bbDfPxw9U5heRrwOyU-11amgfbTrtg-Y6D0DmjGtN1LoQhjmkbxvCf55rO6zi8Lg3CdF2f-gTQBc3adYARilPyf9YemvvCMZVhIZx7DEQp4nSclik0v5x-n99dEQtiLQ/s640/DSC_0387.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<i>She used this pose the entire way down the slide. Every time. </i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbxLr7o3W7L8G-iY17MRd2wi5zAbtlC22g6PYFbLy_JAT1BVr3JZfEUVmZfxk5OaSQEoJdmsPc2WZBW_GlWr6ZgNRAb0Cum4FH2iKIIKuCCLLN2nmlEoSU0Pnl8d-fhlFtU0H6LfkvRIg/s1600/DSC_0397.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbxLr7o3W7L8G-iY17MRd2wi5zAbtlC22g6PYFbLy_JAT1BVr3JZfEUVmZfxk5OaSQEoJdmsPc2WZBW_GlWr6ZgNRAb0Cum4FH2iKIIKuCCLLN2nmlEoSU0Pnl8d-fhlFtU0H6LfkvRIg/s640/DSC_0397.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We took a quick look at the animals, and a nice man gave Larkyn the rest of his goat feed to give the animals. Rhys was hell-bent on getting his fingers pecked off by turkeys, but she was really into feeding the animals once the man showed her they wouldn't bite. We planned to get ice cream, but as usual, the line was WAY too long for this mama, and we headed home. I have an idea for a fasts or a pager system at Young's...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjFDlby13BEbm9Q_6uHN06dp7AeiGR9OOB1G6zs56M1_6Xly7AwCrK255iT2SbcNscuowxPycIJVfQNdE2rau2SJu1eZviZfiJACPrXQgab8qmI0bcfHA0TO8nKrYyBDMscn_maEuGZY/s1600/DSC_0400.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjFDlby13BEbm9Q_6uHN06dp7AeiGR9OOB1G6zs56M1_6Xly7AwCrK255iT2SbcNscuowxPycIJVfQNdE2rau2SJu1eZviZfiJACPrXQgab8qmI0bcfHA0TO8nKrYyBDMscn_maEuGZY/s640/DSC_0400.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<i>"No, Rhys, this is not for you. This is not chocolate."</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDQyTv0jrrLcE0ewuKE5FQ8gCxXj0IyFLg5uC07BI9-vHeuwhx1FCU44obVa9AkU33noUlh_C4AFdTUv78ZDKQ-lK72yfipWaddqL3iaakBbLDEp7wwiRT50RI3qy_qvIrcLLN6My-40/s1600/DSC_0403.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDQyTv0jrrLcE0ewuKE5FQ8gCxXj0IyFLg5uC07BI9-vHeuwhx1FCU44obVa9AkU33noUlh_C4AFdTUv78ZDKQ-lK72yfipWaddqL3iaakBbLDEp7wwiRT50RI3qy_qvIrcLLN6My-40/s640/DSC_0403.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZUshlWSOoF5DfQaN7TPiqN_Jb5E_0ZamJc3YPc8HbUyhMzRTm1ggZivCfIRNNhoJNFjDfAZT_8bdSI9V8XzwUbakOcDI-XdfsT4Nkcby9COf1hRT2A3YoUfKIRscSOaeY40BedoxOOvQ/s1600/DSC_0405.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZUshlWSOoF5DfQaN7TPiqN_Jb5E_0ZamJc3YPc8HbUyhMzRTm1ggZivCfIRNNhoJNFjDfAZT_8bdSI9V8XzwUbakOcDI-XdfsT4Nkcby9COf1hRT2A3YoUfKIRscSOaeY40BedoxOOvQ/s640/DSC_0405.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTWvAP7bqUURuBJ33_CHADAQYYe2yeQ3FYZkqZRFmaPql7_uYf9HZT9XdlF3wgEZ2lw084cnmbjsdOsQ95-7QoXV3XDEyPdviPOJWnDBzHBNLNvsBB2cOBeN9-R4TSd7bXM5K03znSUc/s1600/DSC_0410.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTWvAP7bqUURuBJ33_CHADAQYYe2yeQ3FYZkqZRFmaPql7_uYf9HZT9XdlF3wgEZ2lw084cnmbjsdOsQ95-7QoXV3XDEyPdviPOJWnDBzHBNLNvsBB2cOBeN9-R4TSd7bXM5K03znSUc/s640/DSC_0410.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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That night was the church festival across the street from our house. Every year since we moved here, we have walked across High Street to Saint Michael's for the rides and general chaos of festivals. Only this time, Rhys could ride too! We had a late night and too much sugar, but so much fun.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRrtlmjXHE8OD1XxzKvvdUOtrj-_MMBVqO1eWvgliKbAEsXEV_sq2mJY8aOzI6-3B_VWQYrlsrgphpz6H46p0z2Q9M8nVRUUOvdnUik_cTZiRMVt8WBbCDzPjmfPuic6_gbA2rGCBpreM/s1600/IMG_4049.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRrtlmjXHE8OD1XxzKvvdUOtrj-_MMBVqO1eWvgliKbAEsXEV_sq2mJY8aOzI6-3B_VWQYrlsrgphpz6H46p0z2Q9M8nVRUUOvdnUik_cTZiRMVt8WBbCDzPjmfPuic6_gbA2rGCBpreM/s640/IMG_4049.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ZWkfIfxe-BX6wXenr0m6pnUXw4kjvQxWgCX0VzSUS40Ep4TtJoiKmliX9JwneDtNgf-KX6LjG_i2SU3UgMgt_symeXNPUTRSd9avrNj-CUsEgCVurpJc80KI-PwILMKju3yzgNkYzhI/s1600/IMG_4050.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ZWkfIfxe-BX6wXenr0m6pnUXw4kjvQxWgCX0VzSUS40Ep4TtJoiKmliX9JwneDtNgf-KX6LjG_i2SU3UgMgt_symeXNPUTRSd9avrNj-CUsEgCVurpJc80KI-PwILMKju3yzgNkYzhI/s640/IMG_4050.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCq52XxrtTDrlBx7odPo0JJM7zUThpX5_6yPxXELCRmwwzI1SQmt_rHL9MS6rgOVuFeMLQcuGFHfTcT4ODN8djPyGlfPMLvsh_N_nLMKpvhyphenhyphenhPMyvKpIQdecf34qSkco9r_9K41MqiQ8o/s1600/IMG_4054.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCq52XxrtTDrlBx7odPo0JJM7zUThpX5_6yPxXELCRmwwzI1SQmt_rHL9MS6rgOVuFeMLQcuGFHfTcT4ODN8djPyGlfPMLvsh_N_nLMKpvhyphenhyphenhPMyvKpIQdecf34qSkco9r_9K41MqiQ8o/s640/IMG_4054.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKEAII_Ft9LBVmArOlFAhSJdxCQs34Py4QobLoo1LvkSOHUWlWTXjrkSBfMcmNWKzbJprr7yTjziYtt6G_XftoqKfR0StIpa2OukeI4Hyj-D99J7XR4lfbD9K0UAQUHoUKWai20Dp5tVc/s1600/IMG_4100.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKEAII_Ft9LBVmArOlFAhSJdxCQs34Py4QobLoo1LvkSOHUWlWTXjrkSBfMcmNWKzbJprr7yTjziYtt6G_XftoqKfR0StIpa2OukeI4Hyj-D99J7XR4lfbD9K0UAQUHoUKWai20Dp5tVc/s640/IMG_4100.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnd9j-08BhfzzTs_vTphcMF8TkhfqaZpGGExGFVE379iLbLCgWCpiLQdt18mDdmsbwfgx3JARYtwZeaUGJsVLmhD54TbFtibZFo8RGgnCs0O8dqS8ghJYUok0pcnDi_I0vlCUQ6CT6AI/s1600/IMG_4107.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnd9j-08BhfzzTs_vTphcMF8TkhfqaZpGGExGFVE379iLbLCgWCpiLQdt18mDdmsbwfgx3JARYtwZeaUGJsVLmhD54TbFtibZFo8RGgnCs0O8dqS8ghJYUok0pcnDi_I0vlCUQ6CT6AI/s640/IMG_4107.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i>What a lovely night of funnel cakes and ice cream. I am never going to bed tonight. #truth</i></div>
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Our Labor Day was spent playing at Shale Hollow and having Nana over for a Labor Day picnic. Daddy had to work, so no cookout. If there is one upside to your husband having to work/be in school a LOT, it is that the menu becomes your decision. So, fried chicken it was!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA3JtoCbVN8Kcz6VjmtSDXq0aW3rNwcw2sIo1yCaYo6o26Pn44XVgRJroIHYaJ8wtG2hWkEaUeuGqyDhDWh0aWjShs6JxVvs5PHXbEQEcy5OCcp4mvUArXti9TVPIOW1wAUGTYzsALUlM/s1600/DSC_0036.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA3JtoCbVN8Kcz6VjmtSDXq0aW3rNwcw2sIo1yCaYo6o26Pn44XVgRJroIHYaJ8wtG2hWkEaUeuGqyDhDWh0aWjShs6JxVvs5PHXbEQEcy5OCcp4mvUArXti9TVPIOW1wAUGTYzsALUlM/s640/DSC_0036.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb9l1ErkeuDxURykWo3RbV8A1kwBNvFU_-3_JHWONVJgnoCJUrsmhnBaIRnElNhhjL-maIjO3ILFYnwDnUDglEITaZQ_R_ikEJZCqgoe4PXMwBy2rJZfTBv5X5zRX-0Zs5ZzT_x7c6pE4/s1600/DSC_0038.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb9l1ErkeuDxURykWo3RbV8A1kwBNvFU_-3_JHWONVJgnoCJUrsmhnBaIRnElNhhjL-maIjO3ILFYnwDnUDglEITaZQ_R_ikEJZCqgoe4PXMwBy2rJZfTBv5X5zRX-0Zs5ZzT_x7c6pE4/s640/DSC_0038.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36ac98q8w6nKRmeAYuY-m2a_TSjiYgIB0kKwBpbKtlUcDqMuuOo-E5C7N9ODSoXTVs07tzpaKHUf1zU3W05Xf7L16gF0HO6mt9LNhGkzM3pk7rYR3Jm4rlgUGg3ATRZgL3lijJk0X1gc/s1600/DSC_0050.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36ac98q8w6nKRmeAYuY-m2a_TSjiYgIB0kKwBpbKtlUcDqMuuOo-E5C7N9ODSoXTVs07tzpaKHUf1zU3W05Xf7L16gF0HO6mt9LNhGkzM3pk7rYR3Jm4rlgUGg3ATRZgL3lijJk0X1gc/s640/DSC_0050.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZov20jcx07rCXnHCiSGtsct5UE-pobzyC_VgYe8sjuKam7ULsh-Y7m3qDmMoEmJquMSt0S-Ro4RG_m6FK_g1pNfDZWjBmUviloUOFNxE0UarTtKQwh2_J1y8bv3G1-uMOkqDOAtrKhXo/s1600/DSC_0054.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZov20jcx07rCXnHCiSGtsct5UE-pobzyC_VgYe8sjuKam7ULsh-Y7m3qDmMoEmJquMSt0S-Ro4RG_m6FK_g1pNfDZWjBmUviloUOFNxE0UarTtKQwh2_J1y8bv3G1-uMOkqDOAtrKhXo/s640/DSC_0054.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I am grateful for the 3 days signaling the end of summer and letting us pause to drink it all in...</div>
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Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06540583858157217482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852276036445168766.post-48663739004480827982016-09-04T16:31:00.001-04:002016-09-04T16:31:28.564-04:00MetamorphosisThe original title for this post was "Retirement". Then I changed it, because we all know nothing is permanent, and often a little change is all we need.<br />
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With many of my life decisions, I suddenly see a path and take it. Quickly, without looking back. If something feels right, go. If something doesn't feel right, adios.<br />
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When I started this blog in 2010, it was for fun. The posts are ridiculous, but it was an outlet for my two favorite things: Storytelling and photography. Fixing up our first house, taking our dog (did you know we have 2 of them? And a cat) to doggie day care and dog parks. Then children came and I had a third favorite thing.<br />
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<img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgGKR1S5ZUAFAlfFHvhdP-ivV-6fTGR3KQil7Jzc1-rzMphFwAdXn_SwdKFX8DVMztwzbfXqtORXHQbNVYuAEh8a8wiWJq7LsntrEMfk3sZm6DIk1hgRnUdpQsk6E3GXHag4c81qpuVc/s640/DSC_0315.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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When I put all three together (and often added food), people started to notice. I got compliments and I got questions. Moms in Columbus wanted to DO the things I was doing, and that was fun to introduce people to the wonderful sights and tastes of Columbus. I reformatted the blog in 2015 to fully embrace this idea and made it my mission to carry the story of Cbus to Columbus parents.<br />
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It was while on a lunch date with my husband on Friday that I had a mortifying and humbling realization. We were on a lunch date. On a really nice patio! Eating calamari! And he asked "is this going on Instagram?" He didn't turn it into an argument, and he was just joking.<br />
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But when social media takes the place of real life (and it has), it is time to reevaluate and see where this blog is taking me. I LOVE going out to eat, I LOVE taking my kids to new places. And it is amazing when I meet followers in real life and they say that the blog has helped them experience Columbus with their children. That is fulfilling. But there is more than sharing the location and details of each special place in our city...there is heart.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFTGIfCG77sqoijljvNMd1MXABNHYuE89X74K1nIkj571r9DePrLzD90eHhCEvtTafaz_Rsm8ZzW3H4CgnuPPhzt-Kv7dS3b_2W33PmFqpyv2Ygb_9Wr3xlQSbMXCmSQHfbsmdIOYHxqo/s1600/IMG_3878.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFTGIfCG77sqoijljvNMd1MXABNHYuE89X74K1nIkj571r9DePrLzD90eHhCEvtTafaz_Rsm8ZzW3H4CgnuPPhzt-Kv7dS3b_2W33PmFqpyv2Ygb_9Wr3xlQSbMXCmSQHfbsmdIOYHxqo/s640/IMG_3878.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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But the "mom blog" scene in Columbus has changed. And for the better! There are suddenly lots of us, and that is OK. But any of my friends can tell you, I thrive on being different. It is in my blood to go against the grain and I am tired of creating something that doesn't seem necessary anymore. <br />
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I am tired of creating lists instead of watching Netflix, tired of creating original content that I think will get shares and likes (and it usually doesn't and WHO CARES?) , and tired of not choosing beauty.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy6QV2Fr5IJG3cdr9YLQewMSkGqDu1QI76E2D0LhLttsYRpfVOuxDe4tWuvKbtMAwk13hXDtu9YoC0jpQFJdfw4kw6VWx6JDfKv6Fhg7AJwqKwc9wSLfTNGW63ryhf49853jvoFTYI1Bk/s1600/DSC_0635.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy6QV2Fr5IJG3cdr9YLQewMSkGqDu1QI76E2D0LhLttsYRpfVOuxDe4tWuvKbtMAwk13hXDtu9YoC0jpQFJdfw4kw6VWx6JDfKv6Fhg7AJwqKwc9wSLfTNGW63ryhf49853jvoFTYI1Bk/s640/DSC_0635.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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That's the trouble. I want to tell the story through my lens. To show you beautiful photos of kids in an apple orchard, a bright orange leaf that makes my heart explode, and a portrait of my dad for no reason at all. My soon-to-be nephew, whose mama I loved photographing on our vacation. I don't want to worry about including the hours of operation and if there is a nursing station, or the details of how to visit our favorite vacation spot. I know you'll understand.<br />
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I'm not getting paid to do this and I do have a full time job with 45 children who also count on me to be spending time innovating for them too (current project is replacing my entire library of books, which is falling apart). And, as one of my best friends pointed out recently, my kids aren't going to be little forever. There is no long term future in writing about spots that won't be relevant for my little ones in 3 years (so depressing).<br />
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I am not retiring this blog at all. But the time has come for me to return to what I love. The content will change. I'm not sure of the exact path, but it will include more posts about first days of school, a fabulous food tour, roadtrips, anniversaries, and the beauty of this life. I have some commitments and partnerships that I value and want to continue, but will not be seeking sponsors or ads (though I am always open to them if they fit our values). <br />
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And I am so happy that this change will allow me to pursue my passions without the pressure of keeping up with ANYONE. Doing MY thing, and documenting life. For a while now, I've wondered, "Is this blog leading me to something bigger?" And yes, it is. I will be pursuing my photography career and freelance writing for sources that bring me joy while using the blog to document our family story in Columbus. You'll still see our favorite places and brand new places, but less about the details and more about our experience.<br />
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Thanks, as always, for following along. Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06540583858157217482noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852276036445168766.post-23031490698456346542016-09-01T23:03:00.001-04:002016-09-01T23:03:17.340-04:00The BIG Cbus Kids FALL ListHappy almost-Fall! I know you've seen the ceramic pumpkins taunting you in front of Kroger, and the thought of baking apple pies may be less than tempting when all you want is another iced coffee on the sunny deck. But, like it or not, September is here and there is LOTS to do. Get out your calendars...<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.experiencecolumbus.com/blog/index.php/2015/08/07/a-guide-to-columbus-farmers-markets/">Farmers markets</a> </b>(list courtesy of Experience Columbus)<br />
The produce and the feel of the markets changes in September, but farmers markets are always a hit and a good way to source dinner for the night while supporting local growers and makers. Our favorite is Worthington, but it is also convenient to stop at the weekday afternoon markets, such as Dublin, UA, or Hilliard.<br />
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<a href="http://www.fpconservatory.org/The-Experience/Events/For-Families"><b>Franklin Park Conservatory</b></a><br />
<i>(Downtown) </i>Zoo visits, maple leaf tessellations, reptiles, Trick or Treating, and lots of paper crafting...how will you choose?! Also, there are many <a href="http://fpconservatory.org/The-Experience/Classes/For-Kids/Art,-Food-and-Gardening">hands-on classes</a> that involve cooking and art (you must register for those). Don't forget, their cafe has delicious food and the lighting for pictures is <i>perfect</i>.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.metroparks.net/about-us/parkscope/parkscope-autumn-2016/">Metro Parks</a></b><br />
The link above will take you to the Parkscope, listing their scheduled activities this fall. <b>Darby Creek Day (10/2)</b> sounds amazing for little nature-lovers! Many parks do butterfly programs in September when the monarchs hatch, I see <b>Bison Day on 11/5</b>, <b>Fall Fun on 10/30</b>, campfires, dog hikes, and so much more. Of course, any day is the perfect day to go play, hike, and picnic on your own in our Metro Parks.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.stratfordecologicalcenter.org/index.html">Stratford Ecological Center</a></b><br />
<i>(Delaware)</i> There are many opportunities this fall to go visit Stratford, including farm chores, story times, campfires, <a href="http://www.littleadventuresawait.com/2015/09/a-visit-to-stratford-ecological-center.html">The Harvest Festival</a>, and just visiting on your own for a self-guided tour. This is the best time of year to see the colorful farm and hike the easy trails!<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.parkofroses.org/">Whetstone Park of Roses </a></b><br />
<i>(Clintonville) </i>Surprise! Roses peak again in September. The park is gorgeous through the fall months for family photos, and the playground and pond are a fun bonus.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Special Events, by date</span></b></h2>
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Although it is tempting to list <i>every</i> event in Cbus this Fall, I wanted to devote this to true festival atmospheres and FALL family fun. Subscribe to our email list for <i>everything.</i><br />
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<b><a href="http://www.columbusgreekfestival.com/">Greek Festival</a> </b>9/2-9/5<br />
<i>(Downtown) </i> I have never been, but have always wanted to go simply because the Cathedral is GORGEOUS! During the festival, you can take a Cathedral tour, see live music and dancing, learn how to cook Greek food during cooking demonstrations, and visits many street vendors. There is a kids' area as well.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.cwlaborday.org/">Canal Winchester Labor Day Festival</a></b> 9/3-9/5<br />
<i>(Canal Winchester)</i> This festival has a kids parade, rides, festival food of course, and a focus on music performances. There is a car show and canal boat races during this 3-day event.<br />
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<a href="http://www.uaoh.net/department/index.php?structureid=101"><b>UA Labor Day Arts Festival</b></a> 9/5<br />
<i>(Northam Park, UA)</i> This is one of my family favorites, as the artisans are of the highest quality. You will see some beautiful items, and I suggest bringing a second adult who isn't interested so they can take the kids to the kids' area while you have time to browse the artist booths. For the kids, there are arts and crafts, demonstrations, hands-on areas, and food trucks!<br />
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<b><a href="http://oldhilliardfest.org/">Old Hilliardfest </a></b> 9/10<br />
<i>(Hilliard)</i> This has been a hit with my kids in the past. There is a children's area (with games, inflatables, arts and crafts) in addition to a car show, music, and food trucks.<br />
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<b><a href="https://columbuszoo.org/home/visit/plan-your-visit/event-calendar#/3317bd32-bd2f-67d7-bdc2-ff0000bf4b43">Jack Hanna's Fall Fest</a> </b> 9/17, 18<br />
<i>(Powell)</i> Meet Jack Hanna, watch the animals bob for apples, and many more special activities and exhibits on this special day at the zoo.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.columbusoktoberfest.com/index.html">Columbus Oktoberfest </a></b> 9/23-25<br />
<i>(Ohio Expo Center, Fairgrounds)</i> Whether you are German or not, this is a great excuse to enjoy some of the best of Columbus' food scene all in one place (Schmidt's, Mozart's, Juergen's and DK Diner to name a few). Watch the stone throw, visit the merchant market, and check out the kids area (Kinderplatz). Did you know admission is free? (parking is not)<br />
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<a href="http://stratfordecologicalcenter.org/event/harvest-fair/"><b>Stratford Ecological Center Harvest Fair</b> </a> 9/24<br />
<i>(Delaware) </i> We hope to make it back to one of our favorites activities from last fall to see the animals, hike the trails, make cider, take wagon rides, and all sorts of other farm activities geared toward children.<br />
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<a href="https://oaklandnursery.com/page/sales-and-events/"><b>Oakland Nurseries Fall Festival </b></a>10/8 and 10/9<br />
(all locations) If driving out to a farm does not fit your schedule, drive to your nearest Oakland's Nursery for some fun. I don't know how you will pick which location, though! Each store has different features, like a pancake breakfast, fairy forest, hay rides, the OSU Marching Band, the Turtle Lady, live music, and many sale items. Grab your mums and pumpkins and stay for the fun.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.uaoh.net/egov/apps/document/center.egov?view=item;id=2965">Upper Arlington Fall Fest</a></b> 10/9<br />
<i>(Fancyburg Park, UA)</i> We loved the corn box area, inflatables, ride-on toys, face-painting, arts and crafts, and just running around in a safe grassy area to let off steam. Also, a chili cook off and fantastic kettle corn. Insider tip: If you know someone in the neighborhood, park at their place and walk together...parking can be tricky!<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.columbuszoo.org/home/visit/plan-your-visit/event-calendar#/564abd32-bd2f-67d7-bdc2-ff0000bf4b43">Boo at the Zoo</a> </b>10/21-23 and 10/28-30<br />
<i>(Powell) </i> Another great excuse to put on the costume and head to the zoo for some Halloween fun. My kids love seeing the pumpkins hanging all around the zoo, the creepy fog machine around the train ride, and the candy stops here and there along the way. Please check the website for hours of the activities, as they are different times on different days. <br />
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<b><a href="https://ohiohistory.org/participate/event-calendar/hallows">All Hallows Eve at Ohio Village</a></b> 10/15 and 10/22<br />
Bonfires, storytelling, characters, and pumpkin carving are all a part of these fun visits to Ohio Village at night (5:30-9:30)</div>
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<b><a href="http://eastontowncenter.com/manage/events/agenttype/view/propertyid/448">Easton Town Center Pet Parade and Fall Festival </a> </b>10/23<br />
<i>(Easton) </i>Dress up the pooch for a costume contest and parade. More details to be announced soon, but family activities including carriage rides are offered.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.pumpkinshow.com/">Circleville Pumpkin Show</a></b> 10/19-22<br />
<i>(Circleville)</i> I have never made the drive down for the famous festival but have wanted to every year! There are performers, demonstrations, a Little Miss Pumpkin pageant, and food GALORE.<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.ohiowildlifecenter.org/event/howl-o-ween/?instance_id=2890">Ohio Wildlife Center Howl-O-Ween Hike</a> </b> 10/28<br />
<i>(Powell) </i> Come see "creepy" animal friends like bats, owls, and snakes. Snacks, stories and crafts are all part of the event for this organization who does such good things for our wildlife. Costumes and flashlights are welcome!</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Ongoing Farm Activities</span></b></h2>
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<i><b style="font-style: normal; text-align: start;"><a href="http://www.lyndfruitfarm.com/u-pick-information/">Apple Picking at Lynd Fruit Farm</a></b><span style="font-style: normal; text-align: start;"> weekends </span></i><span style="font-style: normal; text-align: start;">beginning 8/26-10/30</span><i><span style="font-style: normal; text-align: start;"><i><br /></i></span></i></div>
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<i>(Pataskala) </i> </div>
We have been to Lynd's every year to get apples we use for many weeks. Pay attention to the picking schedule
on the link and note that traffic to get to the orchards can be very
heavy if you go on Honeycrisp weekend. We pick whatever varieties are
available in the orchards and buy Honeycrisp in the market.
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<b><a href="http://cherryhawkfarm.com/">Apple Picking at Cherry Hawk Farms</a> </b>(starting 8/27)<br />
<i>(Marysville) </i>I love the description on their site: "A simple apple picking experience like your grandparents might have enjoyed". No frills, fewer crowds, sounds nice!<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.lyndfruitfarm.com/#pumpkins">Pumpkin Picking at Lynd Fruit Farm</a></b> weekends beginning 9/30<br />
<i>(Pataskala)</i><br />
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<a href="http://www.lyndfruitfarm.com/corn-maze/"><b>Corn Maze at Lynd Fruit Farm</b></a> weekends 9/9-10/30<br />
<i>(Pataskala)</i><br />
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<b><a href="http://www.freemansfarm.com/index.html">Freeman's Farm Fall Festival</a> </b>weekends 9/24-10/30<br />
<i>(Galena) </i>Includes unique finds like kettle corn cooked over the fire, scarecrow making, and farm animals to pet.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mazeandberries.com/page/page/2802430.htm"><b>The MAiZE at Little Darby</b></a> weekends 9/19-11/1<br />
<i>(Milford Center) </i>Check out the aerial shot of that maze-whoa! Little Darby boasts a 9-acre maze, petting zoo, inflatables, corn cannons, hayrides, laser tag, and too many other attractions to list. They also have fall home decor items and mums for sale.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.hiddencreekfarms.com/">Hidden Creek Farm Fall Festival</a> </b> Saturdays/Sundays 9/19-10/25<br />
<i>(Galena)</i> <a href="http://www.littleadventuresawait.com/2014/10/pumpkin-pickin.html"> We absolutely love this event every year</a>! The farm is easily accessed from 71 in Galena, and there is plenty of grass parking. For $6, activities include a hay ride out to the pumpkin patch, playground, farm animals, corn pit (my kids are obsessed), and a hay maze. They have a delicious BBQ food truck that comes as well as their own market for specialty food items.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.leedsfarm.com/">Leeds Farm </a> </b>Saturday/Sunday 9/17-10/30<br />
<i>(Ostrander) </i>Come to feed the animals, pick out a pumpkin, examine exotic pumpkins, enjoy a barrel train and inflatables. This sounds like an active place, with a zipline and hayride! Leeds has plenty of lunch options and features pies, kettle corn, and baked goods.<br />
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<a href="http://www.jacqueminfarms.com/fall_field_days.php"><b>Fall Field Days at Jacquemin Farms</b></a> Daily in October<br />
<i>(Plain City)</i> We have been to the farm for strawberry picking, and love its convenience right outside of Dublin. There is a pumpkin patch, hay rides, a market, inflatables, grain boxes, and even raspberry picking!<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.circlesfarm.com/fallfundays.html">Fall Fun Days at Circle S Farm</a> </b>Daily in October<br />
<i>(Canal Winchester) </i>If you grew up in Columbus, you went to Circle S. And it was awesome. Come relive those days with the big slide, goats, hayrides, the pumpkin patch, and fall decor items. Stop in the bakery for treats to take home.<br />
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<b><a href="http://youngsdairy.com/fall-farm-festival/">Youngs Jersey Dairy Fall Festival</a> </b>10/1-10/2<br />
We made the <a href="http://www.littleadventuresawait.com/2015/10/a-day-at-youngs-jersey-dairy.html">trip out last fall</a> and it was a fun day! Be ready for crowds and to maybe skip the ice cream on this particular trip. Opt for the wagon ride first to get your pumpkins, then hit up the pumpkin donuts and lunch items before you go see the cows, goats, and Kiddie Corral.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.theorchardandcompany.com/">The Orchard and Company Fall Festival</a> </b>(weekends 9/10-10/30)<br />
<i>(Plain City) </i>For those of you on the West sids, this looks amazing! Everything from a little train to a fishing pond, bakery, and gem mining! On top of this, they also have an apple orchard for U-pick (pumpkins are available at the Pumpkin Castle, but are not U-Pick).<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.pigeonroostfarm.com/index.htm">Pigeon Roost Farm Pumpkinfest</a> </b>(Daily 9/17-10/31, some activities only on weekends)<br />
<i>(Hebron)</i><br />
There is so much to do on this road trip East that they even warn you will need over an hour to do it all! I have seen many photos of the famous Pumpkin Tower, as well as the <a href="http://www.pigeonroostfarm.com/Pigeon-Roost-Farm-Fall-Activities.htm">Great Pumpkin Fun Center</a>. There is a corn maze and even exotic animals.<br />
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<a href="http://www.lehnerpumpkins.com/activity-prices.html"><b>Lehner's Pumpkin Farm</b></a><br />
(Radnor)<br />
More people have personally suggested this one to me more than any other! Their listing includes suitable activities for toddlers (a whole play barn with simpler activities and an infant area), which can be difficult to find. But of course, there are the wagon rides and barrel trains, etc. to add excitement for all ages.<br />
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As always, I will continue to add more ideas as they appear on calendars. <b>If you'd like to see your event on the list, let me know.</b> Enjoy the most beautiful time to be an Ohioan!Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06540583858157217482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852276036445168766.post-35632283441794488992016-08-31T22:57:00.000-04:002016-08-31T22:57:16.436-04:00Grandparents Day in CbusSeptember 11th is Grandparents Day.<br />
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It is a holiday that may seem a little "Hallmark" to you, but an important day nonetheless. Grandparents are there for the spoiling that us parents refuse, the weekend trips for mom and dad only, and the last minute "I need a babysitter!!" calls. They deserve a special day, and we are here to help you plan it.<br />
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Sunday Brunch</h2>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit;">When it comes to brunch, who knows better than Dr. Breakfast? Nick Dekker, of </span><a href="http://www.breakfastwithnick.com/" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(4, 46, 238); color: #551a8b;">Breakfast with Nick</span></a><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit;"> shares his top picks for brunch with the grandparents. Visit his site or join him on a </span><a href="http://columbusfoodadventures.com/" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(4, 46, 238); color: #551a8b;">breakfast or brunch tour</span></a><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit;"> to get your next Columbus breakfast fix. </span><br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Double Comfort</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><a href="http://www.doublecomfortrestaurant.com/"><span style="font-family: inherit;">http://www.doublecomfortrestaurant.com/</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Fried chicken for breakfast? I think everyone can get behind that. Double Comfort features crispy and peppery Memphis-style fried chicken, and they put it to good use at brunch on top of chicken and waffles. They feature a number of Southern favorites like their Eggs Sardou or a duck and sweet potato hash. Bonus: Double Comfort donates their profits to groups like the Mid-Ohio Food Bank.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7rGfm-hKyPuJ3Ai5KBWIbJE1oLzvYr8vTrpjE9cXFi3H3CvDrh36CrUpt0Vek4rFE5fNR9qtrRfbtm4rNKDUkUyfnt92gFnXbimgn9U1HRC-dCLRUSjINzjtuP6PPAT6fKw_lUlt1ek/s1600/double+comfort.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7rGfm-hKyPuJ3Ai5KBWIbJE1oLzvYr8vTrpjE9cXFi3H3CvDrh36CrUpt0Vek4rFE5fNR9qtrRfbtm4rNKDUkUyfnt92gFnXbimgn9U1HRC-dCLRUSjINzjtuP6PPAT6fKw_lUlt1ek/s640/double+comfort.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Valter’s at the Maennerchor</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><a href="http://www.valtersatthemaennerchor.com/"><span style="font-family: inherit;">http://www.valtersatthemaennerchor.com</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Valter’s was a happy discovery of ours this spring. Valter Veliu, a local restaurateur, was invited to build a German-style pub in the home of the Columbus Maennerchor (a German singing club dating back to the mid-1800s). Valter’s weekend brunch includes American favorites like pancakes and corned beef hash, with some German-themed dishes like a sausage omelet or the Berlin breakfast sandwich. One item of note is the colorful Egg in a Bell, a take on eggs in a nest (or birds in a nest or whatever you call it) using bell peppers instead of bread.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy93XqGd6Ee45EvSw_5NOqQ6RTiHq1SvHWrZ0eqs-vKSIMwYxFFrkSl7a2P67Yv2rmq0kvwYC7bcrrH3g5fuZlGtxRxN6I5zK09Mfh2fHRIAUQazR-ONXAZKgSx7O_7m-KeWoxa_FSRCQ/s1600/valters+at+the+maennerchor.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy93XqGd6Ee45EvSw_5NOqQ6RTiHq1SvHWrZ0eqs-vKSIMwYxFFrkSl7a2P67Yv2rmq0kvwYC7bcrrH3g5fuZlGtxRxN6I5zK09Mfh2fHRIAUQazR-ONXAZKgSx7O_7m-KeWoxa_FSRCQ/s640/valters+at+the+maennerchor.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Milestone 229</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><a href="http://www.milestone229.com/"><span style="font-family: inherit;">http://www.milestone229.com</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you can catch it on a beautiful day, brunch on Milestone’s patio is ideal. The restaurant offers some of the best views of the city skyline and the riverfront. The brunch menu covers everything from French toast to eggs benedict to shrimp & grits, but the real bright spot is a creative kid’s menu. Bonus: you can visit the Scioto Mile fountains or hit up COSI when you’re done.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqRRmnjvWFaXAT7JmNeNISUKIyiZ5cTFjypg5RLlbMXpwaR_Hd865Drk7zNDlZxit3BhgJoN3JNwFXVqFCnhZ9HE2baN4_zTHdA2LUlPNDIzo83SSuXRg0SCdeVhuUZnPxELh_EFOAZk/s1600/milestone+229.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqRRmnjvWFaXAT7JmNeNISUKIyiZ5cTFjypg5RLlbMXpwaR_Hd865Drk7zNDlZxit3BhgJoN3JNwFXVqFCnhZ9HE2baN4_zTHdA2LUlPNDIzo83SSuXRg0SCdeVhuUZnPxELh_EFOAZk/s640/milestone+229.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Hudson 29</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><a href="http://www.hudson29.com/"><span style="font-family: inherit;">http://www.hudson29.com/</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cameron Mitchell Restaurants generally do very well at catering to the whole family. The know how to please kids, and not just by throwing chicken tenders and French fries their way. The short rib hash and smoked salmon may appeal more to the adults, but fun starters like pineapple upside cake donuts should be a hit for any age. Hudson 29 features two locations: Upper Arlington and New Albany.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjXebDpbBpbAoT_sn-ldPySS4q0TCXM6hQSy6IxL9CXyYGvyqGHZ6suCy6mGgeoVlHFGOkpB26GvDcXkeXCy-_vU3jJVbyBkrdDJeelKRDJoufcaP1W73EFk5bw9GtUowk5XZ_rv9DwXc/s1600/hudson+29.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjXebDpbBpbAoT_sn-ldPySS4q0TCXM6hQSy6IxL9CXyYGvyqGHZ6suCy6mGgeoVlHFGOkpB26GvDcXkeXCy-_vU3jJVbyBkrdDJeelKRDJoufcaP1W73EFk5bw9GtUowk5XZ_rv9DwXc/s640/hudson+29.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Third and Hollywood</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.thirdandhollywood.com/">http://www.thirdandhollywood.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit;"> and </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hollywood</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit;"> serves a Sunday brunch that's both elegant and easily approachable. Entrees range from steak and eggs to burgers to deep dish French toast. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sunday brunch often features live jazz, and if the weather is nice, you can gather on their patio, too. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBskX36ASnA2Sy_N5q0SLvUE5uQWYYQCEaLM9_BbN76JAnsqq575YQNQy4-bm-f6jqhkOrqq4irQK29ahnA4JeVmqQLMj_cx8eTf0hdBcIMO6dDVa8XeG4SA-jB3D0_zys_EUiTA6aGJQ/s1600/third+and+hollywood.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBskX36ASnA2Sy_N5q0SLvUE5uQWYYQCEaLM9_BbN76JAnsqq575YQNQy4-bm-f6jqhkOrqq4irQK29ahnA4JeVmqQLMj_cx8eTf0hdBcIMO6dDVa8XeG4SA-jB3D0_zys_EUiTA6aGJQ/s640/third+and+hollywood.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<h2>
<b>Local Gift Ideas</b></h2>
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<b>Farmer's Market basket</b><br />
Take a basket or a cute tote to a farmers market (or the North Market) and fill it with amazing produce and snacks that grandma and grandpa can enjoy all weekend long. Bonus if you include a bottle of their favorite wine from House Wine (part of the Worthington Farmers Market).<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.goodmakery.com/shop/">Goodmakery</a></b><br />
Stop in the Grandview studio to use the fun engraving machine and create a keychain or other item for grandma and grandpa. In a pinch, you can email handwriting samples to be made into gifts.<br />
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<a href="http://www.redgiraffedesigns.com/"><b>Red Giraffe personalized jewelry</b></a><br />
Grandma might love a personalized "Nana" or "Mimi" cuff or bar necklace from this Columbus favorite. Stop in their store in the Short North or email sales@redgiraffedesigns.com to place your order ASAP.<br />
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<b>Storge ideas</b><br />
Andi has the perfect little store in Powell (right by the railroad tracks with perfect public parking). Stop in one day soon to pick up some of her favorite gift ideas, and hang out with her for a while...she is the sweetest! (The Powell Street Market is on 9/11, so that is the perfect day to stop in!)<br />
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<i>The Gallery Wall Numbers By Art+Alibi $34 (cute to showcase how many grandkids they have)</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHm29ADeaQAHXeBsEP2nlha9_Y0g48V2uhojXgaUf5So1IZdmKN22iMdjLyKUJE3sFnW06E9Ps8CiPzdcN-NCq4zN7uGrCB6wkr9sv3zUNuMFU_1WE9BzRVqiebZkLwJxOREt4C_xhmdo/s1600/IMG_7271.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHm29ADeaQAHXeBsEP2nlha9_Y0g48V2uhojXgaUf5So1IZdmKN22iMdjLyKUJE3sFnW06E9Ps8CiPzdcN-NCq4zN7uGrCB6wkr9sv3zUNuMFU_1WE9BzRVqiebZkLwJxOREt4C_xhmdo/s400/IMG_7271.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<i>Welcome To Our signs....By RJ Creations $40</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB16agoXipbJLXGuWFcQJW91oYlyWoAtkAqmnPoiYPMDYFXKZAP7UE00I0CdMaoQZtki2Ickxc5vEQ690UJS97Mggh9dzNSolJ5kCST0VXMxp3QUTRUr17tuEFY5cuykx8PPp5xTu1yxE/s1600/FullSizeRender+7.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB16agoXipbJLXGuWFcQJW91oYlyWoAtkAqmnPoiYPMDYFXKZAP7UE00I0CdMaoQZtki2Ickxc5vEQ690UJS97Mggh9dzNSolJ5kCST0VXMxp3QUTRUr17tuEFY5cuykx8PPp5xTu1yxE/s320/FullSizeRender+7.jpg" width="312" /></a></div>
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<i>Candles By Legacy Candle Co. benefit human trafficking victims and come in some amazing varieties (like Sunday Brunch and Cranberry Cider...better stock up!)</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKEcAYsUkVTn-2tER0qN0sB5HTLI3bjXewCdK8RPPiFp2KZkTPlT6COBzQN_ysZ9JZh7fdkJ_eLz0nCekuUNGq97MWfzagUk4GyhEIeKwS_SOYmM64qnftcaSBh9kNXwVcSpYHUDg3LkM/s1600/unnamed-11.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKEcAYsUkVTn-2tER0qN0sB5HTLI3bjXewCdK8RPPiFp2KZkTPlT6COBzQN_ysZ9JZh7fdkJ_eLz0nCekuUNGq97MWfzagUk4GyhEIeKwS_SOYmM64qnftcaSBh9kNXwVcSpYHUDg3LkM/s400/unnamed-11.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<i>The Family Celebrations Wall Hanging By Route 31 Designs $40 (put the family members name and birthday or anniversary on the circle and hang it under the appropriate month).</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkVOKdvLClF1WycdvUKLtoJhvZutAaEoqKs5Eszh35BiBl2vAFBNuOVL8EUxDZScT8xCzjYD-Q2CX44ahtyw-hIkvkEw-cU4hSZAwKUM5YGDiaDJNUT1jNEOPyJIsXjhaGzJS5WUEPhE0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-08-31+at+10.23.44+PM.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkVOKdvLClF1WycdvUKLtoJhvZutAaEoqKs5Eszh35BiBl2vAFBNuOVL8EUxDZScT8xCzjYD-Q2CX44ahtyw-hIkvkEw-cU4hSZAwKUM5YGDiaDJNUT1jNEOPyJIsXjhaGzJS5WUEPhE0/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-08-31+at+10.23.44+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>And my favorite, a Photo Session WITH grandparents</b>, using <a href="http://columbus.citymomsblog.com/cbus/columbusphotographers/">a local Cbus photographer</a> (If you're a long-time reader, you'll remember why this idea is near and dear to my heart. I will never regret this gift.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzhGetdpAop2NRCyfUrL8e5E_R9H5yOWgTzz9w7hydS3oHauM13J-aidIrmETr_KQXCXmaCA5DUPIqAhylkHfIdnPPIMVMdoWMeGgwXu_p04Zmy_dY3pNjU-ccUvLnjEoF25MSlDXqmOg/s1600/DSC_0187.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzhGetdpAop2NRCyfUrL8e5E_R9H5yOWgTzz9w7hydS3oHauM13J-aidIrmETr_KQXCXmaCA5DUPIqAhylkHfIdnPPIMVMdoWMeGgwXu_p04Zmy_dY3pNjU-ccUvLnjEoF25MSlDXqmOg/s640/DSC_0187.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<h2>
Family Activities</h2>
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<a href="http://www.westerville.org/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/6067/35?curm=9&cury=2016">Grandparents Day Tailgate, Westerville</a><br />
For the Buckeye families, this could be a fun way to spend a few hours together!<br />
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<a href="http://www.fpconservatory.org/The-Experience/Events/For-Families/Family-Fun-with-the-Columbus-Zoo">Franklin Park Conservatory Columbus Zoo animal visits </a><br />
What a fun day you could have. Walk around the grounds outside, the conservatory inside, and visit with the animals.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7bQoGrnwiEA909s36LqPn6KUO6Hcz-SgI-ekHLKJf2tmGqVpiSOHbrFxQ52FcxjpW4zbDQTl_yBWMV-shKrO6FMx7S2UQUnIJFNB00ZGD_Y_fxEjDbodDTeATHvRnMIyyvxjyCVnpI7I/s1600/DSC_0021.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7bQoGrnwiEA909s36LqPn6KUO6Hcz-SgI-ekHLKJf2tmGqVpiSOHbrFxQ52FcxjpW4zbDQTl_yBWMV-shKrO6FMx7S2UQUnIJFNB00ZGD_Y_fxEjDbodDTeATHvRnMIyyvxjyCVnpI7I/s640/DSC_0021.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.columbusmuseum.org/visiting/">Free Sundays, The Columbus Museum of Art</a><br />
If the grandparents haven't been to the art museum, this could be the perfect chance to go as a family. Spend time playing in the<b> Wonder Room </b>as well as visiting the exhibits upstairs. And if it is nice outside, it is a <b>short walk to the Topiary Garden</b> (grab some snacks from the cafe inside the CMOA or the Main Library).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoapNIF5OqHm6_6zXbaON82g_VLgr_Wmaab_p151lE2dQto-w4tfbe6Ct20dEy-USqolbKe0Bvkw7yOB26Kv5ltVXFGlA62ag1DQTrNhLAUI58fsgs39iPi2YZhgr5FAZZH3imC7K6XDU/s1600/DSC_0133.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoapNIF5OqHm6_6zXbaON82g_VLgr_Wmaab_p151lE2dQto-w4tfbe6Ct20dEy-USqolbKe0Bvkw7yOB26Kv5ltVXFGlA62ag1DQTrNhLAUI58fsgs39iPi2YZhgr5FAZZH3imC7K6XDU/s640/DSC_0133.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://reservations.metroparks.net/programs/38355">Kids' Fishing at Homestead Park, Hilliard</a><br />
The quintessential activity for kids and grandpas: fishing! Combine that with a fun playground and pack a picnic for the gazebos and shelters, and you have a perfect summer day with family.<br />
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Homemade Gift ideas</h2>
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<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/270004940134469871/">Reasons why I love Nana card</a> (Come on, anyone can make this, and they will keep it on the fridge for 26 years).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAQcNCUzflml4bCDDSoctOsI81eifif9fKGllX9IuSzr59nvDrlDp-6En5C4tixsn-2pheHHTeAMGJH9sc5JiE1YbGriUJXv5-qBV9l_l479pjTP1-pLokW3fz-Jn8JExhptep7h0iys/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-08-31+at+9.30.40+PM.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAQcNCUzflml4bCDDSoctOsI81eifif9fKGllX9IuSzr59nvDrlDp-6En5C4tixsn-2pheHHTeAMGJH9sc5JiE1YbGriUJXv5-qBV9l_l479pjTP1-pLokW3fz-Jn8JExhptep7h0iys/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-08-31+at+9.30.40+PM.png" width="310" /></a></div>
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<i>via mamapapabubba.com</i></div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/market/grandparent_print">Personalize, download, print art from Etsy</a> (one of my favorites when I am short on time!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDN7tzecnqwyfQacUXSTZxlSwYDkJCTYgSvI2rbCHDR9nxLClhNzXYQnQP0DGotGyr1iEfFDvzXClDt6EmpIBNA7oV5pmYJTzDOgqDo2W0x79G2Vb_RhscPRYvBeYfJ8mLSFUH2OOSCGs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-08-31+at+9.28.42+PM.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDN7tzecnqwyfQacUXSTZxlSwYDkJCTYgSvI2rbCHDR9nxLClhNzXYQnQP0DGotGyr1iEfFDvzXClDt6EmpIBNA7oV5pmYJTzDOgqDo2W0x79G2Vb_RhscPRYvBeYfJ8mLSFUH2OOSCGs/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-08-31+at+9.28.42+PM.png" width="330" /></a></div>
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<i>via blackstarpress.etsy.com</i></div>
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<a href="http://porch.com/gigglesgalore/i-love-you-because-grandparents-day-gift/">Grandparents Day Printable (free)</a> (Your older child can fill it in independently, and you can dictate your little one's answers and let them illustrate).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYvv6L6tLelrCsvdSOEtepBlo-IHV5EVthF27ef9I4GQ-oEnsNq7lH395kRF85J6a0_zR__LJQ1bNlSwlauOfJv8zQ8st10cOTainW4-AxFzRIam-gX9rog73g3Z9zuaRBMpSPmcOxub0/s1600/grandparentsdaycraft.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYvv6L6tLelrCsvdSOEtepBlo-IHV5EVthF27ef9I4GQ-oEnsNq7lH395kRF85J6a0_zR__LJQ1bNlSwlauOfJv8zQ8st10cOTainW4-AxFzRIam-gX9rog73g3Z9zuaRBMpSPmcOxub0/s400/grandparentsdaycraft.png" width="345" /></a></div>
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<i>via gigglesgalore.net</i></div>
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My personal favorite is <b>simply taking a nice photo and framing it.</b> Always classic, always loved. Pinterest tends to make us overthink or go out and buy unnecessary stuff. You could make a sign, use chalk on the porch or driveway, or just pick your favorite photo from this summer. Tip: Make it worth your while and please print on matte paper instead of glossy!<br />
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I hope this motivates you to make Grandparents Day special this year. Enjoy!<br />
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Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06540583858157217482noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852276036445168766.post-50716419329763919962016-08-29T06:30:00.000-04:002016-08-29T06:30:34.204-04:00Cbus Moms Save Dinnertime!If you follow us on Instagram, it is obvious that we enjoy restaurant food quite a bit. It's often carryout, a cookout, or one of 3 go-to recipes at home that my kids will eat. Because LIFE. With a nightshift husband and two very picky kids... I literally can't even think about dinner prep when I get home from work most nights.<br />
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So. What do I do? Call in the experts. You can find me liking their photos on social media and wishing I was meal-planning like them. But for now, I will step away and let them introduce themselves and their dinner-time family favorites.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Courtney</span></b></h2>
<b>@Neighborfoodie</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm Courtney and I'm the quirky lady behind the blog <a href="http://neighborfoodblog.com/">NeighborFood</a>. I'm </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">also a wife, mom, and rabid Buckeye fan. I believe much of the </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">pleasure we receive from food comes from sharing it with the ones we l</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">ove. It's not about perfection or Pinterest perfect plates. It's </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">about gathering around the table, and bringing all the sippy cups and </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">wine glasses and spills and chaos with you. I believe cooking should </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">be fun, approachable, and always, always delicious. All of these r</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">ecipes fit that description, and it's why they make a regular </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">appearance at our family table.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><br /></span>1. <a href="http://neighborfoodblog.com/2015/09/creamy-chicken-sausage-tomato-tortellini-soup.html">Creamy Chicken Sausage Tomato Tortellini Soup</a>- This is everything I want in a soup--creamy, comforting, loaded with veggies, and great for freezing. It's exactly what I need on that first chilly, rainy fall night.<span style="font-size: 12px;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPErOPwZp4qPRYV3YmDPzxoEOwYBR_6PwuRWqGtyC2ZEUD-rxLNPKaCTsMslJJD8VR3q8bEjXwXF0zpOSj-0gjXnI0sLqw9TyliH2f2vKbaQUQUpSN7L5bbMan33mMOMBTEeeTqBMK4vw/s1600/creamy-chicken-sausage-tomato-tortellini-soup-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPErOPwZp4qPRYV3YmDPzxoEOwYBR_6PwuRWqGtyC2ZEUD-rxLNPKaCTsMslJJD8VR3q8bEjXwXF0zpOSj-0gjXnI0sLqw9TyliH2f2vKbaQUQUpSN7L5bbMan33mMOMBTEeeTqBMK4vw/s640/creamy-chicken-sausage-tomato-tortellini-soup-2.jpg" width="440" /></a></span></span></div>
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2. One pot and one pan meals are totally my jam these days, and this five ingredient <a href="http://neighborfoodblog.com/2016/04/sheet-pan-pesto-chicken-and-vegetables.html">Sheet Pan Pesto Chicken and Veggies</a> has saved us from takeout on more than one occasion.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15hMktwUShlUGESE7AyJWgI7pX9rLMJyolxuoHZezDx0RbV30c8R85XYaLUoPUETwLQS4Fpn3Phs3qC04Wv-qZoMk47k343SEtwDn-RCNcEOGXwTGP0CJJ5XDMTFmH5ru6FIlWmb8jgI/s640/one-pan-pesto-chicken-potatoes-3.jpg" style="font-family: inherit;" width="426" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">3. I love meals that are easy to adapt based on what you have on hand, and this <a href="http://neighborfoodblog.com/2014/10/easy-creamy-italian-pasta.html">Creamy Italian Pasta</a> is definitely one of those meals. The base recipe is stupid easy, and then you can add whatever veggies or meat you like. We like bacon, mushrooms, and cherry tomatoes, but also<br />use crab and peppers sometimes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4LSF8q2czfJBk2jolWO-vzboJj8oglGJdH7Pquzpc5LQvTdV3H1YEx8AAE9XFuLWJXKTo8iyXfXCFwInNphIXkn52xYI8l6MJcBIr-iLrvb08tq_RTV07GEfBoq48bShXv-mul_4Yy0I/s1600/easy-italian-pasta-recipe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4LSF8q2czfJBk2jolWO-vzboJj8oglGJdH7Pquzpc5LQvTdV3H1YEx8AAE9XFuLWJXKTo8iyXfXCFwInNphIXkn52xYI8l6MJcBIr-iLrvb08tq_RTV07GEfBoq48bShXv-mul_4Yy0I/s640/easy-italian-pasta-recipe.jpg" width="468" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">4. This <a href="http://neighborfoodblog.com/2012/06/crockpot-barbacoa-beef-and-killer-spicy.html">Crock Pot Barbacoa Beef </a>tastes better than Chipotle (yes, I said it), and has endless uses. We put it in tacos, nachos, and quesadillas, but have also added it to eggs, ladled it on baked<br />potatoes, and stirred it into mac and cheese. It's also one that freezes well.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="font-size: 12px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5nHye_HAk2RfE0uMgp_lk41JgXrkPE1jN9eZuwlQd96-W2ND9VdSTFFhv_CabIiMQ_QW_q9QI7kiZkjHrnIwtYXLP3glzLCGYL-YpWLQjazeBGZZ9C-l1YYUJw7NC1C5lwatbVsV6FWk/s1600/crock-pot-barbacoa-nachos.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5nHye_HAk2RfE0uMgp_lk41JgXrkPE1jN9eZuwlQd96-W2ND9VdSTFFhv_CabIiMQ_QW_q9QI7kiZkjHrnIwtYXLP3glzLCGYL-YpWLQjazeBGZZ9C-l1YYUJw7NC1C5lwatbVsV6FWk/s640/crock-pot-barbacoa-nachos.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">5. I just made these <a href="http://neighborfoodblog.com/2016/08/mediterranean-meatballs-with-dill-yogurt-sauce.html">Mediterranean Meatballs </a>for the first time a few months ago, but they're already making my favorites. They're super flavorful and great by themselves or in a pita sandwich. Oh, and they freeze well. Can you tell I like to freeze things?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwr6AspRrrTvfMZpvDwIXdcliFQ8i5OmoabJaJI6e2nGntVcuEwXROvlasVKy9hVIaCFdCXIGnzPe0zfIT5lMYsnHSdbVXsbAjkRPWzRpZQ5pvPsRjfU5PsRBY3MEJF8RWvit8nULWqNQ/s640/mediterranean-meatballs-dill-yogurt-sauce-3.jpg" style="font-family: inherit;" width="426" /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">M</span>elissa </span></b></h2>
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<b>@madebymelissalee</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hi, I’m Melissa and I write the food blog <a href="http://www.madebymelissalee.com/">Made by Melissa Lee</a>. I’m so happy to be stopping by Little Adventures Await today to share my top five family friendly meals! Even though I only became a mom last year, I already know how important it is to find meals the whole family will enjoy. These dinners have become quick favorites at our house and I hope they do at yours too! </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.madebymelissalee.com/italian-meatball-subs/">Italian Meatball Subs</a></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">After a long day of work and then shuttling the kids around to all of their extracurricular events, no one wants to spend much time making dinner. These tasty Italian meatball sub start with pre-cooked, frozen turkey meatballs, which helps get dinner on the table in a snap! Shhh… that will be our little secret. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i></i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV64COpl9m0v6yXfXuFtEZEzc88-x9sV0yngs8rOXKF8gyBmn-SgHHNlKzMRkFZtEbSBOMlnJlcRS5jECIdMx1XMcCReAw_87MqCMs4Zpjz0L7NLvKLXMmSFuk1NL5jocMGKrGEQwUxbc/s1600/Italian+Meatball+Subs+.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV64COpl9m0v6yXfXuFtEZEzc88-x9sV0yngs8rOXKF8gyBmn-SgHHNlKzMRkFZtEbSBOMlnJlcRS5jECIdMx1XMcCReAw_87MqCMs4Zpjz0L7NLvKLXMmSFuk1NL5jocMGKrGEQwUxbc/s640/Italian+Meatball+Subs+.jpg" width="482" /></a></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.madebymelissalee.com/pizza-dough/">Pizza Dough</a></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We celebrate the start to the weekend every Friday with pizza night! With minimal prep and ingredients, this is something the kids can help with too! Plus, by making it at home you have total control over the ingredients and have the ability to make it much healthier than the usual take-out. Our favorite combo is spinach (for me) and pepperoni (for my husband). Have your kids pick out their favorite toppings for a make-your-own pizza night that everyone will enjoy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtjyXqzu6RHtQ9rsLItwPLmPAamrXBo94K3LE9ImxQz3xWsIpzbk3lGsEEC3yV5WSjMlnptg3hBn_1deilH2YM2n0a0Frwzq2rkFSFldh9XBPDdkKU1zzEpBQPK7G3cBlmM5IUrjZLrYo/s1600/Pizza+Dough+1.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtjyXqzu6RHtQ9rsLItwPLmPAamrXBo94K3LE9ImxQz3xWsIpzbk3lGsEEC3yV5WSjMlnptg3hBn_1deilH2YM2n0a0Frwzq2rkFSFldh9XBPDdkKU1zzEpBQPK7G3cBlmM5IUrjZLrYo/s640/Pizza+Dough+1.jpg" width="466" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.madebymelissalee.com/baked-butternut-squash-mac-cheese/"><b>Baked Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese</b> </a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Who doesn’t love macaroni and cheese? I personally don’t know many. This version gets a healthy make-over with the addition of pureed butternut squash. It’s so cheesy that even your pickiest eaters won’t know there’s a “secret” ingredient hidden inside! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b></b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFW46u059SulV0L7Qjg4ccx8QRUAbKxapuW9hoN7ovUlWQU89OJnH_1zfM8donV2nDH4OcjX8dil42b77jrfcLWERZTSQ2xo4Gnpsg_ZSe-b7LVqn5Cercj-DHly4nzqGQuXnNjdlTXk/s1600/Baked+Butternut+Squash+Mac+%2526+Cheese+1.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFW46u059SulV0L7Qjg4ccx8QRUAbKxapuW9hoN7ovUlWQU89OJnH_1zfM8donV2nDH4OcjX8dil42b77jrfcLWERZTSQ2xo4Gnpsg_ZSe-b7LVqn5Cercj-DHly4nzqGQuXnNjdlTXk/s640/Baked+Butternut+Squash+Mac+%2526+Cheese+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.madebymelissalee.com/buttermilk-whole-wheat-pancakes/">Buttermilk Whole Wheat Pancakes </a></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We love having breakfast for dinner! While I don’t always like the amount of sugar in the syrup, I do like the fact this version includes whole wheat flour. It adds a little extra fiber and if you serve them with some fresh fruit, you’ve upped the health factor a little bit more. At the very least you can count on the kids not complaining about what you made for dinner, right? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn1_2kWgSP638kh1ZW18KDcnsH-hNRAJ765AtdO25f7WIFWh0MKUubANrMOhPWBtrD3Iwc_jxUUIHcbWcEQyZha79dAcmVH3q13EP2UvRqZEH7byoEz2ExjTOEjxvcsbujpehluA41IV4/s1600/Buttermilk+Whole+Wheat+Pancakes+1.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn1_2kWgSP638kh1ZW18KDcnsH-hNRAJ765AtdO25f7WIFWh0MKUubANrMOhPWBtrD3Iwc_jxUUIHcbWcEQyZha79dAcmVH3q13EP2UvRqZEH7byoEz2ExjTOEjxvcsbujpehluA41IV4/s640/Buttermilk+Whole+Wheat+Pancakes+1.jpg" width="506" /></a></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.madebymelissalee.com/crock-pot-fiesta-chicken/">Crock Pot Fiesta Chicken</a></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Let the crock pot do all the work for you on this super easy, chicken dinner. Simply throw some salsa, black beans, corn, chicken and spices into the crock pot and you’ll have a delicious dinner waiting for you at the end of the work day. We love to serve this over brown rice and topped with avocado, diced tomatoes and cilantro. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQv5Jj4SuJzEk6xzimqxAcWuDTK-3EOraLAuA53YtBhShsi27HxGG2caCBZ5e9ZimOQgfCHWtNKJfQ7P8V5Ox_9O93eb8dxoDucPi0R08aqKUi4QDR_uQFm4ss-awRyiprOrUR49oKbLY/s1600/Crock+Pot+Fiesta+Chicken.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQv5Jj4SuJzEk6xzimqxAcWuDTK-3EOraLAuA53YtBhShsi27HxGG2caCBZ5e9ZimOQgfCHWtNKJfQ7P8V5Ox_9O93eb8dxoDucPi0R08aqKUi4QDR_uQFm4ss-awRyiprOrUR49oKbLY/s640/Crock+Pot+Fiesta+Chicken.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Cat</span></b></h2>
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<b>@simple.pearls</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Bio: Hi I'm Cat I am the mom behind the blog of @simplepearls "insta-blog." @simple.pearls is a space full of simple and fun food plans for families. The account also features fashion ideas for mom and kids, along with many products reviews. I have very active twin girls who are always up for an adventure in Columbus. Search #pearlsmeals to checkout all my favorite meals ideas!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;"><b>1. Crockpot BBQ chicken quinoa sloppy joes</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">(Found this on Pinterest and it wasn't a fail)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;">1 lb ground chicken</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;">small onion, finely chopped</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;">¾ cup quinoa, dry</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;">1½ cups water</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;">1 medium-large carrot, shredded</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;">1 cup ketchup</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;">½ tsp salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;">5 tbsp apple cider vinegar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;">¾ cup barbecue sauce</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;">½ tsp minced garlic</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;">2 tbsp worcestershire sauce</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;">Brown the chicken the add the onion to the skillet and cook. Pour the chicken and the onion into a crockpot. Next pour the quinoa into the skillet and toast for 2 mins while stirring frequently (it will pop a little) then add to the crockpot. Next mix in all other ingredients. It will look very watery at first but the quinoa will soak it all up! Cook on low for 6 hours.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vh5g-mMVHzQdJscEvMzEOAmAuT-KLi8JjyLgCtVGVrzyfxv-Jrb8IRTFCUDt9SOeTf1klH48wUjZsvmM6XvUzzxO2Qku6tjO3650VYqqh3DeayDkcJsw9Hd1T1JLoqvy8IhYq307zM4/s1600/IMG_3936.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vh5g-mMVHzQdJscEvMzEOAmAuT-KLi8JjyLgCtVGVrzyfxv-Jrb8IRTFCUDt9SOeTf1klH48wUjZsvmM6XvUzzxO2Qku6tjO3650VYqqh3DeayDkcJsw9Hd1T1JLoqvy8IhYq307zM4/s400/IMG_3936.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;"><b>2. Easy Tomato, basil, mozzarella calzone</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;">-1 tube of Pillsbury pizza crust</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;">-3 Roma tomatoes </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;">- fresh mozzarella </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;">-1/4 cup basil</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;">-marinara sauce for dipping</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;">Heat oven to 425. Lay out pizza crust and cut into 4 squares. Layer on diced tomato basil and mozzarella. Fold edges over to make a pouch and pinch together place in a cookie sheet cook for 10 mins until golden brown.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZ7GUeNUBraAoZlamoxIqF2sXxAldGB_pdIiQvl6CrhSMd7XSX1aPI-0myXAYzQ84I27z0lay3rQx8E5HyuScJLfcUrTovToaOHWZKytu-aFbmEgpQTwydALKdRW1x7bEnysNtBA5cSY/s400/IMG_3935.jpg" width="400" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;"><b>3. Ham, honey and Swiss sliders</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;">-1 can jumbo biscuits</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;">-deli honey ham</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;">-simply nature wildflower honey</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;">-Swiss cheese</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;">Preheat oven to 350. Spray cookie sheet with Pam. Peel apart biscuits and layer with ham, Swiss and add a dime size amount of honey. Press top of biscuits to the bottom of biscuit to make a pocket. Continue until all biscuits are used up. Pop in oven for 15 minutes until golden brown. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM-ayxLFjVgfsOPcYUL2-y_cvd7h6WtzLln3SDI5_iz_7uobFjnNd4Sr2g81syk0p3P6oJTGDbzmwIsLQT7vQejrCvqnchO7vSl_zxQqEmlTTdEs2OattJuFG38vgXpwyFDFheP7EJ9jo/s1600/IMG_3933.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM-ayxLFjVgfsOPcYUL2-y_cvd7h6WtzLln3SDI5_iz_7uobFjnNd4Sr2g81syk0p3P6oJTGDbzmwIsLQT7vQejrCvqnchO7vSl_zxQqEmlTTdEs2OattJuFG38vgXpwyFDFheP7EJ9jo/s400/IMG_3933.jpg" width="398" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;"><b>4. Crockpot spaghetti squash and Italian sausage meatballs </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;">1 spaghetti squash cut in half and seeds removed </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;">1 jar of spaghetti sauce</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;">1 28oz can of diced tomatoes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;">1 lbs ground Italian sausage </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;">1 tbs of Italian spices</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;">Pour sauce and tomatoes into crockpot and put squash face down in sauce. Next, roll ground sausage into small bite size meatballs. Place the uncooked meatballs around the squash and fully in the sauce (they need to be covered to cook) add in spices. Cook on low for 5 hours. At end of cooking remove squash and shred with fork. Serve meatballs and sauce over squash and enjoy.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJVx-tZZiFQKdsLmD4t-cz0IPMg_tFuTPjKL9ymB2WzRqYOCDfGOHBKkj3SwVJktzhQ91Ghd33kdr1-dZnvN9CRglW8ayNDLo7-anAxd_QZcW-vbvg0Q61q-f_hWF5ca_jZhdqu0WwZDc/s1600/IMG_3934.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJVx-tZZiFQKdsLmD4t-cz0IPMg_tFuTPjKL9ymB2WzRqYOCDfGOHBKkj3SwVJktzhQ91Ghd33kdr1-dZnvN9CRglW8ayNDLo7-anAxd_QZcW-vbvg0Q61q-f_hWF5ca_jZhdqu0WwZDc/s400/IMG_3934.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></b></h3>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">Liz</span></b></h2>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/busymomsgetfit/">Busy Moms Get Fit Facebook group</a></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hello! I’m Liz Renneker, a busy mom to three and a healthy lifestyle coach. I am a nurse by trade with over 11 years of pediatric oncology experience but have found a second passion in helping other busy moms get fit. I specialize in creating positivity, self-love, health and balance in the busy mom life. The right fitness program, nutrition plan, and support go a long way to achieve health for yourself and family. </span></span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-3cbe6514-cd13-1257-795e-cde002ccea58" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I create and host online groups each month where I share healthy, and more importantly simple, meal plans for the week. I provide grocery lists, recipes, and helpful preparation tips to you. Each month there are varied meals or themes but having ideas and a plan presented have helped many busy moms simplify their daily routine and “what’s for dinner?” stress. Throughout the week we post daily motivation, helpful health tips, and mini workouts. Prizes are awarded throughout the week to keep it fun! I hope you follow my Facebook page, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/busymomsgetfit/">Busy Moms Get Fit</a>, and join a group in the future!</span></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For more information on how to enroll in these FREE groups please complete the brief questionnaire </span><a href="https://goo.gl/forms/eZEZuXlC7s8k6DJG2" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">here.</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here are my 5 top tips for family meal planning:</span></span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Keep it simple.</span></span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Serve at least one familiar and well liked food on your child’s plate.</span></span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Serve new foods multiple times to children before giving up on them liking it.</span></span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Use one day a week to prep your foods for the week.</span></span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Join an online group for new ideas and support of other moms!</span></span></li>
</ol>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Thanks, ladies! I hope their blogs, groups, and accounts help you in your dinner-planning. Enjoy!</span></span></div>
Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06540583858157217482noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852276036445168766.post-70256614510471970422016-08-22T06:30:00.000-04:002016-08-22T06:30:54.203-04:00Back to the SmokiesWhen we got home from our beach vacation (which Matt had to miss due to his first nursing clinicals), the first thing he said was "I need a vacation". His summer term was just about to end and I was just about to go back to school, so we would have to find a place fast!<br />
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We looked at Michigan first, because I have been dying to go. No luck. We knew we wanted a rental house, cabin, or cottage, so to speed things up, we just looked straight to Gatlinburg. Not too far away (7ish hours), the best cabin selection, stuff to do, and mountains! Check out last year's Gatlinburg trip <a href="http://www.littleadventuresawait.com/2015/08/roadtrip-to-smoky-mountains-tennessee.html">here.</a><br />
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I wanted a place with pool access because as much as I like to relax for a few hours in a cabin, keeping kids inside a vacation home or hotel room for any longer than a few hours is torture. We stayed at <b><a href="http://twincedarcabins.com/mountain-patriot/">Twin Cedars' Mountain Patriot </a></b>and I have zero complaints. We would book there again and recommend it to anyone. Look at the view from our deck and dining room window...</div>
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<img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_cMKeMxEQzVreW8K1AGSApJyKviVup8ZJRYhxXZYVleC5DfCeJRk82X5fI-vU1GI0vVUjFEmhWslWGKzA4obSSbdszebMbeVBC3jICB0hN2LfjnaVa1K1AEslu2OZmNtO8XpBn_jE7s/s640/DSC_0004.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Nsz4BBdamPy_aUpXBpzh-3OC34XaEDR46xgvk3Ss3J5ucmWJO0uk1IVzA7jwjibfgoFgG9pzgHG8EIPHMy2LjbVV6PG9OgVweX9eVWENNo7wnGAOslH_XF6ewHHLJvI2L9pH0zS6fnw/s640/IMG_3421.jpg" width="480" /></div>
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<i>Also, grocery delivery from <a href="https://www.smokymountaingrocery.com/">Smoky Mountain Grocery</a> saved us a lot of room in the car and the annoying task of grocery shopping as you enter the city (along with everyone else). You order on line, they call to confirm, they shop and stock your food. There is a delivery fee, but the groceries were not marked up. Next time, we will order a lot more!</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ZzkzlLjwSt88pO4pqezXeB6sT5Z3Sw0IjnDlOjT-TkiWE4Xrl4UzzwYZMrhDPdfGL5EEqYW3L1cKGePy_KY6-HGnjPUKpOjP6OzKhesT00ZzMo2-HJMiyWzSWlAxhTU3Dm_CY2LgEbI/s1600/IMG_3422.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ZzkzlLjwSt88pO4pqezXeB6sT5Z3Sw0IjnDlOjT-TkiWE4Xrl4UzzwYZMrhDPdfGL5EEqYW3L1cKGePy_KY6-HGnjPUKpOjP6OzKhesT00ZzMo2-HJMiyWzSWlAxhTU3Dm_CY2LgEbI/s640/IMG_3422.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<i>Our favorite house feature...the "chacutsie", as Larkyn called it, between the kitchen and living room.</i><br />
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That night, we stayed in and made ourselves comfortable with a lot of Olympics and a lot of s'mores (it was national s'mores day, of course).<br />
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That night was ROUGH putting them to bed for some reason, but we all made it out of bed the next morning for Dollywood! I used a highly reliable and scientific method to gauge whether or not we should go to Dollywood: Facebook. People love it, and now I know why. Clean, adorably Southern-themed, the nicest staff ever, and just fun things to do and ride all over the place. Of course, we paid about $100 in food and a few souvenirs, but we all know that happens at amusement parks.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxuXH0T55cP9Rme8zBt1LLKPN8cFPjFIOAEW6nYllN7Z4F5n7F5T-rWOT6JGAtXnoxYwxFcsKZZklNkdihI-Y8daRHsApgyd8P-2jci0AZIXBv9lB3iN2Hdw_03y2e_DMCELP5zpHzjFU/s1600/DSC_0084.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxuXH0T55cP9Rme8zBt1LLKPN8cFPjFIOAEW6nYllN7Z4F5n7F5T-rWOT6JGAtXnoxYwxFcsKZZklNkdihI-Y8daRHsApgyd8P-2jci0AZIXBv9lB3iN2Hdw_03y2e_DMCELP5zpHzjFU/s640/DSC_0084.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>If you need an AC break, the gift shop right by the Country Fair area is a perfect indoor play spot.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPnbzeFSldvm19G1wdk5I7YhlEzYMZw-qigswfs-kktgMpmX3hZW_KXWEbVuJn4TNLEONXDL_WNAZeEhu47wDSHvOEtJI3TRio4BMtGRZ7SaQfZ1AfZu_v3dXGzTcLg1Ahy_v9EkpvGI/s1600/DSC_0087.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPnbzeFSldvm19G1wdk5I7YhlEzYMZw-qigswfs-kktgMpmX3hZW_KXWEbVuJn4TNLEONXDL_WNAZeEhu47wDSHvOEtJI3TRio4BMtGRZ7SaQfZ1AfZu_v3dXGzTcLg1Ahy_v9EkpvGI/s640/DSC_0087.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>I wanted to take the kids on the train, but it had the loudest whistle in the history of the world. Trauma.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5UgFayqUZaz8e9kcsyYmhP0x2idAv3netO05mMvEwkiaKoNsM55jHtNGbUyHpsKgBkFD_44K7-2CUhTPGjc1Tid4fUoFlca_q1JTI6t46yhnD64PugCvIxbPClTuyy0d3BakQFobxRYA/s1600/DSC_0088.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5UgFayqUZaz8e9kcsyYmhP0x2idAv3netO05mMvEwkiaKoNsM55jHtNGbUyHpsKgBkFD_44K7-2CUhTPGjc1Tid4fUoFlca_q1JTI6t46yhnD64PugCvIxbPClTuyy0d3BakQFobxRYA/s640/DSC_0088.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq4Lt41QOfykZfGgmPmtckIMi2sxtuPzAVxg1GTqyZ9sNpKynAJC3BxNGXFCH5e3K5vS9sO4B0Bz9_O69QCrVSA4Apq_x3CjYT9Kq6Z8XucohmF-Bvi1ue31xyAypiCmWW4U-ba9HAIQ0/s1600/DSC_0091.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq4Lt41QOfykZfGgmPmtckIMi2sxtuPzAVxg1GTqyZ9sNpKynAJC3BxNGXFCH5e3K5vS9sO4B0Bz9_O69QCrVSA4Apq_x3CjYT9Kq6Z8XucohmF-Bvi1ue31xyAypiCmWW4U-ba9HAIQ0/s640/DSC_0091.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMVGN44Ht-BGtseSeRrJMOSUTfhyWqzbjkm7Fq4tipP_K4olWRMFSxhCNTBhxa2mHcjRtU7xuV2ZrTLJ2X3T0rJ43gphIBPNS4kwFAL8f4Cf61CUpPvdYls0A-4IUlxM4rGGxrKiQulZo/s1600/DSC_0104.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMVGN44Ht-BGtseSeRrJMOSUTfhyWqzbjkm7Fq4tipP_K4olWRMFSxhCNTBhxa2mHcjRtU7xuV2ZrTLJ2X3T0rJ43gphIBPNS4kwFAL8f4Cf61CUpPvdYls0A-4IUlxM4rGGxrKiQulZo/s640/DSC_0104.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<i>The photographer didn't offer to try again. Oh well. </i></div>
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Larkyn was in heaven, riding ride after ride. She switched between Matt and I riding with her, since most of the rides required an adult for her height. There was one section of 4 rides that little man could try.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMbcBfTMikNYJ3FKGBjwjdl-F1GyxjEvxq8rPlxveJxLknUyG7iJA9GOqM_SLJtYn-_CPq8GLmW9MnVtzLFmMeAsHlTjP5WdLSSMoMusSaSA6fY3e7g6eVP6qcgoDGlFBpv8hjM8qJH4/s1600/DSC_0054.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMbcBfTMikNYJ3FKGBjwjdl-F1GyxjEvxq8rPlxveJxLknUyG7iJA9GOqM_SLJtYn-_CPq8GLmW9MnVtzLFmMeAsHlTjP5WdLSSMoMusSaSA6fY3e7g6eVP6qcgoDGlFBpv8hjM8qJH4/s640/DSC_0054.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-i7W4ygObH2EiQip96BCjferSvmWgeQsDA3UKaKgl_QQeNfgdbBSo3fmQafuOmWLoB4O138UoTUrXUEqPoraWoa38mBFLZLrlrJqbrVKwp2h7cWQAjJg8akM3SULUrDmDK2iPsOXrbVg/s1600/DSC_0072.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-i7W4ygObH2EiQip96BCjferSvmWgeQsDA3UKaKgl_QQeNfgdbBSo3fmQafuOmWLoB4O138UoTUrXUEqPoraWoa38mBFLZLrlrJqbrVKwp2h7cWQAjJg8akM3SULUrDmDK2iPsOXrbVg/s640/DSC_0072.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcnkbS2CzT6X9j5wu1hAAoFSYrt0AgQfvOPxtdZv7Vz-BcO1DHNNRzyzP1-VFcC7Iynotf-NUAcH0h7_o5nGORvW6u0PLxYTqRGMRk8WciCBebMPjgGwyfUlwX9-7MDiWT66eEqLm4RY/s1600/DSC_0073.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcnkbS2CzT6X9j5wu1hAAoFSYrt0AgQfvOPxtdZv7Vz-BcO1DHNNRzyzP1-VFcC7Iynotf-NUAcH0h7_o5nGORvW6u0PLxYTqRGMRk8WciCBebMPjgGwyfUlwX9-7MDiWT66eEqLm4RY/s640/DSC_0073.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'll admit that I haven't been on rides in years, and probably not a roller coaster in like 15 years. Oy! That whole gravity thing is interesting when you grow up. The swings are her favorite and were always mine too, but looking down was not smart.<br />
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<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXI1YXYbimvOwTrOkSKcWq-XTAUaai9wh-7BVVEyq5o9qDHzQdq1v5SojNkGSwbIUGsl4AJMd1J-WqNrbUeTy_SZUnGGBzrFx9FEf6c-uyfdrDLo80nkl2kl3_69U-goaoRsELqrbrp8c/s640/IMG_3467.jpg" width="480" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyjludX5mLjrTdhg31WyHURlCJm1TKXYt6LhqW4ZhkkDcr5iv5mgLa-ymHyaSSoYQI0AgHnxQVz8BkyuxMYMlJMa0oskQLiwr7-tHQ-K8_uPi-SCd_TWSQ90LiiIKy1MowH2t1JiAsuc/s1600/IMG_3469.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyjludX5mLjrTdhg31WyHURlCJm1TKXYt6LhqW4ZhkkDcr5iv5mgLa-ymHyaSSoYQI0AgHnxQVz8BkyuxMYMlJMa0oskQLiwr7-tHQ-K8_uPi-SCd_TWSQ90LiiIKy1MowH2t1JiAsuc/s640/IMG_3469.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkd8fOAxwcCRy309ZNG7OqtjAc9zvD5_Yv0dTXrGsWS1Xl5KycgAcv5tKWWGjDRrzoq-A29QnPUY4YLSeHqm1Yndas6FwE-wB-3rVNQublB1YXB8M9tkhghcC_fWv3VjT31C-U-Z9J7k/s1600/IMG_3475.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkd8fOAxwcCRy309ZNG7OqtjAc9zvD5_Yv0dTXrGsWS1Xl5KycgAcv5tKWWGjDRrzoq-A29QnPUY4YLSeHqm1Yndas6FwE-wB-3rVNQublB1YXB8M9tkhghcC_fWv3VjT31C-U-Z9J7k/s640/IMG_3475.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I was dying to get into the <b>National Park</b> (I don't think the rest of the family was, but I made them). You can't go to Gatlinburg without actually entering the park, come on! I picked the Gatlinburg Trail, a simple path with water access.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfy1j6Fo5vQr69fCbiE9o2BoxpqS38G4NRrzz67kuclrqhHqMugwF34mWFEqK981qANIxukXyaHOIzkNu_-VVP6QWTnG-ZKO1t4gxtsBAwK22B4CyktSabroqe-RW0hPbWexLpgpN2ek/s1600/DSC_0121.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfy1j6Fo5vQr69fCbiE9o2BoxpqS38G4NRrzz67kuclrqhHqMugwF34mWFEqK981qANIxukXyaHOIzkNu_-VVP6QWTnG-ZKO1t4gxtsBAwK22B4CyktSabroqe-RW0hPbWexLpgpN2ek/s640/DSC_0121.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFfYt100kzj3Y6lRN4AmbaiRcYj5OH_uIhMu47qh9yjtfqeOFX7s0sBKKpZp6BBe8QsrFGZ3qDK454CGVJaV1h2GgrVX_IqO5PFF2S94vlORGz9H0kiG2pZR8Ps0Y6T3x5g-ej-0lutic/s1600/DSC_0122.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFfYt100kzj3Y6lRN4AmbaiRcYj5OH_uIhMu47qh9yjtfqeOFX7s0sBKKpZp6BBe8QsrFGZ3qDK454CGVJaV1h2GgrVX_IqO5PFF2S94vlORGz9H0kiG2pZR8Ps0Y6T3x5g-ej-0lutic/s640/DSC_0122.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJMRGE1_Dwzq-E5v9f_IAQjYGZpD_5-gRhgOYSc15m0LIyKCymkTqe4QkYRHu_ljCBPz_kdb6QEeeEbna89M1AmXI0xoYu_2kJsaSsqlrskdtNoaqX_9_WsYYKw9KWNC_VpskrwTWoyYs/s1600/DSC_0127.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJMRGE1_Dwzq-E5v9f_IAQjYGZpD_5-gRhgOYSc15m0LIyKCymkTqe4QkYRHu_ljCBPz_kdb6QEeeEbna89M1AmXI0xoYu_2kJsaSsqlrskdtNoaqX_9_WsYYKw9KWNC_VpskrwTWoyYs/s640/DSC_0127.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-r6TwYWshdJbeuV9RfJx4w_V-jX5kgBBBaKeJvxE4rpBDgyo7fWcBlrs20BL2dxHzx-PysEcFSE0dApnhNqzLeR_NOuRNFKI53MkfCFUnJPw8NrfjxhE9iYiqhyphenhyphenfZEXeNmn1Vtv1S5s/s1600/DSC_0131.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-r6TwYWshdJbeuV9RfJx4w_V-jX5kgBBBaKeJvxE4rpBDgyo7fWcBlrs20BL2dxHzx-PysEcFSE0dApnhNqzLeR_NOuRNFKI53MkfCFUnJPw8NrfjxhE9iYiqhyphenhyphenfZEXeNmn1Vtv1S5s/s640/DSC_0131.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The kids were in their element (and later we learned, poison ivy), and having a blast. The lowlight of our trip though, was packing up this fun and the whining and crying that ensued over the muddy shoes. If you go on this trail, <b>watch out for poison ivy and 100% bring a change of clothes and shoes.</b><br />
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More hanging around the house to decompress from hiking drama.<br />
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<img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcxmWbMQ1aicNz53NDW7lZtzsl9-NPqGvWy8SycJsMQNVsCBdEQKwjTFwmZfQn66-WH3tfOx3J881NwwblNy1IIfSBVGRwN7l5YWA0Ug3938uSYOrZpzIwrEuq50tnLQlmccQi5VRFQA/s640/DSC_0042.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvn1vcA35TcOG8diParbRjz1RANuPiTUQhpEsacR6aU8GnmsiAMXnGSgw2Xg9sAcVDVWNJ0-m5YsY6ZZ1OfJ8zxyKMHA7Nw3-FjzuN5Q8b60xSIIhpfcaRY4xe3Ydcwz-VbdDkOvTt7uU/s1600/DSC_0006.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvn1vcA35TcOG8diParbRjz1RANuPiTUQhpEsacR6aU8GnmsiAMXnGSgw2Xg9sAcVDVWNJ0-m5YsY6ZZ1OfJ8zxyKMHA7Nw3-FjzuN5Q8b60xSIIhpfcaRY4xe3Ydcwz-VbdDkOvTt7uU/s640/DSC_0006.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXBEV_qPvsBxzUgZmax2US510gRyDa1vI81rVBKcMLAx_6bsfgmVTTS2n5MTf4b36U4BbWqS7A4Rz1s6SQO96q8JFtU3wpjUwOIQnM8QUBBBpaUYfJJTMLrtn3VNa8fIfJfbanArxKnTo/s640/DSC_0117.jpg" width="426" /></div>
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And <a href="https://www.ripleyaquariums.com/">the aquarium</a> the next day! I was hesitant, thinking this was a strange place in the middle of a mountain range to put an aquarium. Would it really be that fun? YES. The kids loved having everything at eye-level, the selection of animals was fantastic, and the <b>shark tunnel </b>was amazing. Instead of people just going in and standing around, all jeopardizing precious viewing spots, you travel through on a slow people-mover. I want these installed<i> everywhere</i>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOU_EAK8adJuAT49rer0oJt2h8A0G7m-c-Nw7Zrrwh84v_WYTmse0zlhE9_k9Bsi5KO3BzgeKr6EVS2MTIuPbowcg7wWjkqI_j_XnczlNESQp1Ur3NNF9RfPrq7g3xAdyMYQwMeb0EV1Y/s1600/DSC_0146.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOU_EAK8adJuAT49rer0oJt2h8A0G7m-c-Nw7Zrrwh84v_WYTmse0zlhE9_k9Bsi5KO3BzgeKr6EVS2MTIuPbowcg7wWjkqI_j_XnczlNESQp1Ur3NNF9RfPrq7g3xAdyMYQwMeb0EV1Y/s640/DSC_0146.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-B8jOUc269DW1f98u9nGVRnvygAMs-MiBVFGelxO0WAcRdxPLleihushpF2lJjarWyQ7ItTxvZECJ2KisfzTWI0N4vamTLt6W_NyjRJ9N5h4JXUfrVb_iQ4w0qhQbe8Ar5qMXo_y7ebY/s1600/DSC_0153.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-B8jOUc269DW1f98u9nGVRnvygAMs-MiBVFGelxO0WAcRdxPLleihushpF2lJjarWyQ7ItTxvZECJ2KisfzTWI0N4vamTLt6W_NyjRJ9N5h4JXUfrVb_iQ4w0qhQbe8Ar5qMXo_y7ebY/s640/DSC_0153.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpOFGLnsxC_C-dZcF4alYsBMVmDuZzJWAGmfNvpbmUhsVaziMjrZ44cpRusTI3sG0SV2sapyOMb-owqRQ9OiTSSYJZZY8DUUALGl2rCYdRLfDYixII-4CUyfG9dMp1boATnJOZ154wQ94/s1600/DSC_0161.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpOFGLnsxC_C-dZcF4alYsBMVmDuZzJWAGmfNvpbmUhsVaziMjrZ44cpRusTI3sG0SV2sapyOMb-owqRQ9OiTSSYJZZY8DUUALGl2rCYdRLfDYixII-4CUyfG9dMp1boATnJOZ154wQ94/s640/DSC_0161.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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As we (literally) soaked up our last night in the hot tub, Matt quietly said "Hey, there's a bear" and I didn't believe him. Yep, there he/she was! Just casually walking down our driveway, eating grass. The bear didn't seem to notice us or didn't care that we were freaking out. But it was definitely the most exciting part of the trip.<br />
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We weren't ready to go home at all, but school started up for the ladies in the house.<br />
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Vacations have changed a lot for me, and sometimes that is hard for me to accept. When I travel, I want to LIVE the city--the food, the drinks, the shopping, the landmarks. And 5 and 2 year olds have little patience for that nonsense. Of course, my favorite part is watching them explore new places and experience things that they love. But I am ready for a vacation where we can do some adulting at some point. Any advice?<br />
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Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06540583858157217482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8852276036445168766.post-77840290826354435222016-08-08T06:30:00.000-04:002016-08-08T06:30:44.469-04:00Battelle Darby Bison and Nature CenterIt has been on our list forever, and we finally made it out to visit <a href="http://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/battelle-darby-creek/">Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park</a> and it's showstoppers: the bison. I was covering the story for <a href="http://ohio.org/">Ohio.org</a> (do you read it? You should if you want to know about and plan cool things to see allllll over Ohio).<br />
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Anyway, we were excited to go on a guided tour with a naturalist to see the bison. This Bison Walk is offered once a month and does not require registration.<br />
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The drive was interesting. I will say I had a general idea where the park was, and as soon as my map app started leading me astray, I should have shut her down. Others in my tour group agreed that their GPS did not take them to the right place as well, so the <b>simple directions are: West Broad Street to Darby Creek Road (turn left). Drive until you see the Nature Center entrance. </b><br />
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The nature center is modern and gorgeous, with a photographer's dream lighting inside. We listened to Tim Taylor, Battle Darby's Naturalist, give a 30 minute talk about bison. A few fun facts I didn't know:<br />
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<li>The leader of the herd is always the oldest female (theirs has the awesome name "Big Mama").</li>
<li>They can weigh up to one ton!</li>
<li>They eat only grass, and they typically die of starvation when their teeth wear out from use. </li>
<li>Bison are NOT buffalo. It has been a longstanding case of mistaken identify, started by the French, who likened them to water buffalo. </li>
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You will get a chance to feel some fur samples, see pelts, skulls, and learn much more about their background. Before you head out on the hike, stop in the Family Restroom (that has paper towels instead of hand dryers--a child's dream!) and a changing table. </div>
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The gravel path to the pasture did not seem to be a problem for families with wagons and strollers, and it was a very easy (but HOT) walk. That said, the bison move all over the place and have 50+ acres of pasture to scour. So, they may not always be in plain sight. <b>That's the tricky thing--you are not guaranteed viewing. </b>But the staff has cameras that can help them locate the herd and they know their habits, so you are better off consulting with them or joining a tour than trying to be a trail guide and find them yourself. </div>
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Once you find them, yay! Take a few photos, get brave and walk through the weeds and grass to the fence, and marvel at North America's largest land mammal. </div>
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After your tour (or before, if you aren't perpetually arriving 20 seconds before anything starts), take some time in the air conditioned nature center. The clear tanks hold many surprises for those patient enough to find them. There is a room with a few kid-friendly items (too many children who weren't mine to photograph it) and one room full of pelts, skulls, etc. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBa72GuacjzirUUVHz2uB-y3V-ZG91x0JY8gXRIbV6D4xzbued0Hp25rhP7s1Fs5xU5mDefLbyfAxzVlLaZ8p3J3TgTDEiOytdMoOgldjhOn6JCxcnoKGAexm5_et3yT6oPQrw3Tv7QdM/s1600/DSC_0089.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuf6E_epMK6r8sL5AMnLTbr9gzn59aKTpjo6q2KSjji4Ma28Nm_yhm6LxHDwxArM4vhUnozNvySZFez5vKNxMsjYg8tpdGEn9P2qrDlldQTbwpDbQUob3fec-MBcdPoULvn_rsuqrJGS4/s1600/DSC_0109.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuf6E_epMK6r8sL5AMnLTbr9gzn59aKTpjo6q2KSjji4Ma28Nm_yhm6LxHDwxArM4vhUnozNvySZFez5vKNxMsjYg8tpdGEn9P2qrDlldQTbwpDbQUob3fec-MBcdPoULvn_rsuqrJGS4/s640/DSC_0109.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBa72GuacjzirUUVHz2uB-y3V-ZG91x0JY8gXRIbV6D4xzbued0Hp25rhP7s1Fs5xU5mDefLbyfAxzVlLaZ8p3J3TgTDEiOytdMoOgldjhOn6JCxcnoKGAexm5_et3yT6oPQrw3Tv7QdM/s1600/DSC_0089.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH3Q0q_-FkVfCrdeGHfD2Q8svA3QAJySIoVI9mYtVEIyQsvHcA__4jKdvgoxotyoma2IDo0QWsHeN6YNsxSHDdfnOJ7ml-Di4I3vR-v3BiB4qi6ECWXZs8n_6-FqSR7_GpyMDYSwk4Ev0/s1600/DSC_0104.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH3Q0q_-FkVfCrdeGHfD2Q8svA3QAJySIoVI9mYtVEIyQsvHcA__4jKdvgoxotyoma2IDo0QWsHeN6YNsxSHDdfnOJ7ml-Di4I3vR-v3BiB4qi6ECWXZs8n_6-FqSR7_GpyMDYSwk4Ev0/s640/DSC_0104.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBa72GuacjzirUUVHz2uB-y3V-ZG91x0JY8gXRIbV6D4xzbued0Hp25rhP7s1Fs5xU5mDefLbyfAxzVlLaZ8p3J3TgTDEiOytdMoOgldjhOn6JCxcnoKGAexm5_et3yT6oPQrw3Tv7QdM/s1600/DSC_0089.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8cbE2dIGTVF6j6_CKBwxpzI5mRbInMmhxq09Lu2dE6Ho_INnnQ89grPAJrtow1vjwtcZHsCs_UVbWOrpeqfCPxiQUZjwl-28y2F89NX7Its22Tv_p7khzPPjAZ7z_ZpfajtfXSN2rELc/s1600/DSC_0101.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8cbE2dIGTVF6j6_CKBwxpzI5mRbInMmhxq09Lu2dE6Ho_INnnQ89grPAJrtow1vjwtcZHsCs_UVbWOrpeqfCPxiQUZjwl-28y2F89NX7Its22Tv_p7khzPPjAZ7z_ZpfajtfXSN2rELc/s640/DSC_0101.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBa72GuacjzirUUVHz2uB-y3V-ZG91x0JY8gXRIbV6D4xzbued0Hp25rhP7s1Fs5xU5mDefLbyfAxzVlLaZ8p3J3TgTDEiOytdMoOgldjhOn6JCxcnoKGAexm5_et3yT6oPQrw3Tv7QdM/s1600/DSC_0089.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Sh2jlxxL1jGnJrH7jQUDFtZmeduxo-SGIyIGeMakeJMcEOu_uuTFFVkkJLIReVHbVh0C9PO9X0hXqXLg5HYFAKOpz1G_5mPwS_85A29Ou8IVmmeExFjpSi3F-Y96gKbVSTrzKsUICL8/s1600/DSC_0099.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Sh2jlxxL1jGnJrH7jQUDFtZmeduxo-SGIyIGeMakeJMcEOu_uuTFFVkkJLIReVHbVh0C9PO9X0hXqXLg5HYFAKOpz1G_5mPwS_85A29Ou8IVmmeExFjpSi3F-Y96gKbVSTrzKsUICL8/s640/DSC_0099.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>That's an observation window in that little cave, looking up. You have to go in!</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfFfhEgT-liep4coua_CQ0cglq7M7Y5hETiwwSrNKe1yG3DE9iAEAeSjtZ5HQyi3vE3ZUA8tBzI10rg75eB_dPBKJHEZWI6IgouxIh_O430Gr8MvP7tcVe14emWGzKlvwTj-X3A7h8ziM/s1600/DSC_0089.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfFfhEgT-liep4coua_CQ0cglq7M7Y5hETiwwSrNKe1yG3DE9iAEAeSjtZ5HQyi3vE3ZUA8tBzI10rg75eB_dPBKJHEZWI6IgouxIh_O430Gr8MvP7tcVe14emWGzKlvwTj-X3A7h8ziM/s640/DSC_0089.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Can you see the frog's head to the far left? She wanted him "to feel the ocean waves". Hmm.</i></div>
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The volunteers in yellow shirts can answer any questions and are always friendly. And if you are Junior Explorers, you can fill out a card to earn a patch after completing a few park programs. </div>
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If you want to picnic, you can load back in the car and drive one mile south, to the Cedar Shelters. There, you can find picnic areas and playgrounds. Enjoy!</div>
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<b><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_byHOoMk_jWj9tD-Si9LDOkepmCA01wuAc3a5akQwBDRiLdo9FepkL-1DpXs44RmCUqLgYSZkXn9dArEqgBKgphq901U-YVaFhr6QEEBn8_wrja8pVLBQBBYgQHgyqmBmDfEk_vrHFQg/s640/DSC_0129.jpg" width="640" /></b></div>
<b><br /></b>Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06540583858157217482noreply@blogger.com0