This Week's Tour

This week's stop on the tour is a new Metro Park- Scioto Audubon. Typically, I don't put Metro Parks on the tour because we are always doing their programming (see below for additional informtion on that!) http://www.metroparks.net/ParksSciotoAudubon.aspx

There is an amazing climbing wall and many other fun things to do in this park. I love the urban feel this park has with it being so close to downtown!

Programming:

If you have not experienced programming with the Metro Parks- I encourage you to do so! They have specific 'Preschool Programs' (all which are FREE!!) and there are more family programs as well. Typically, the Preschool Programs are fine with siblings coming along and I think they are some of the best programs around. Some you need to register for in advance, others are open and you just show up! The entire schedule can be found here: http://reservations.metroparks.net/programs/

As with most activities, you will find some parks that you will prefer over others. Our favs are Inniswood, Battelle, Highbanks, and Sharon Woods. The others are great too- but these parks are a good hour of crafts, songs, nature education and I feel they go a bit more above the other parks.

When making plans to visit- make sure you read what is needed. Some classes require you to wear closed-toed shoes or that there will be a hike involved. Most of the times, these hikes aren't for strollers. And don't think because it is cold outsite you will be inside! Dress like you are planning to be outside no matter what the weather is like! (Speaking from experience!!!)

We try and go to every program we can with the Metro Parks. I hope that you will do the same! :)

Toy Story 'Little Green Alien' Cupcakes on a Rainy Afternoon!

After a couple of rainy and super-hot days, we decided to make the most of our indoor fun! Going with a theme of Toy Story....we watched Toy Story 2 and made 'little green alien' cupcakes!

I used a chocolate cake mix and used foil cupcake holders. I colored the icing green and used the following for decorations:
*Mentos for eyes
*cut up green sour gummi bears (poor guys....) for the ears, antennas
*black gel icing

The boys loved helping and there was plenty in this project each of them can do. Originally, the idea came from Family Fun Magazine, but I did edit it a bit because of the boys ages (3 and 5) to make them easier to get the same look. I iced the cupcakes for them and let them go to town on the decorating. I made one 'example' and let them do the rest. One alien only had two eyes and there were some other differences, but in the end- they looked cute and tasted great!! :)

High of 95 today....

http://www.10tv.com/live/content/weather/weather.html

Today is suppose to have a high of 95 with an air quality alert. We are suppose to be playing at the All Children's Playground in Worthington http://www.worthington.org/services/cityparks.cfm. Please use your own judgement based on how your kiddos act towards heat.

Some alternatives if you would like to stay out of the heat:

Firefly Play Cafe- geared towards ages 2-5- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=853729874#!/pages/Columbus-OH/Firefly-Play-Cafe/123559237656633?ref=ts&ajaxpipe=1&__a=23, located just south of Morse Rd on High Street. Additional information is provided in the previous post.

Library- Did you know Columbus Metropolitan Library was named the '2010 Library of the Year'? And there is many good reasons for that. They have great summer programming at each branch. Schedule of events can be found here: http://events.columbuslibrary.org/evanced/lib/eventcalendar.asp?Lib=ALL&dt=sd or for the Worthington branches here: http://www.worthingtonlibraries.org/. You can also look for craft books there that offer many 'supplies that you have on hand' crafts and games to do.

Carriage Place offers $1.50 movies: http://www.cinemark.com/theater_showtimes.asp?theater_id=172

Local malls all have indoor play structures



COSI - Cosi.org









Next week we are visiting Huber Village Park in Westerville: http://www.westerville.org/Portals/0/Huber%20Village.pdf. Hopefully the heat wave will be done with by then! Thank you to all who are making this a fun and successful event!