17 Days of Summer- Menchies

Can I interest you in some delicious yogurt?

We love Menchie's. Do you need me to repeat that again? No seriously. This deliciousness is something. It's sorbet is my favorite. The kids love to sample other flavors, but typically get the same thing every time with the same toppings. You get charged by the weight of your bowl, so it's perfect for our family.

The other favorite thing about our Lima Menchie's is Lauren. Yep, we never knew Lauren before we started going here, but she is fantastic. She quickly learned the kiddos names and now she always addresses them by name. We've become Snapchat buddies and she's been known to send me snaps of the trains across the street for Isaac. How adorable is that?! She is the sweet one in the picture above with the kiddos showing off their Menchie's tattoos. 

If you want some amazing frozen yogurt and you find yourself near a Menchie's, do yourself a favor and stop! You won't regret it!

41 Days of Summer- Harrod's Railroad Memorial Park

Another Train Display Close to Home

According to TouringOhio.com, Across the road from Veterans Memorial Park is the Railroad Heritage Park has a 1905 Shay Train Engine (Serial Number 1568) built at the Lima Locomotive Works for the Tioga Lumber Company in West Virginia. Also included is the attached tender and caboose along with a 100 year old lumber office building and inside, plenty of artifacts and memorabilia.

I dressed the kids up to head over to Harrod, Ohio to check out this park that is featured in the Allen County Travel Guide. If you have never picked up a copy of this magazine from the visitors bureau, you should! Doesn't matter what county you live in, every county in Ohio has one. Go check it out.

So in the magazine what this Railroad Heritage Park that was only about 20 minutes away. I wondered as we drove there if it even existed because I hadn't ever heard anyone talk about it. Wow, for the train lovers, I ask....why aren't you talking about it? Do you know it exists and children can climb on it and explore? It was amazing for my train lover and his sister. 

The engine allows kids to jump on and pretend they are driving. Isaac and Olivia reenacted the scene from polar express, throwing coal into the coal car and pulling down on the emergency break. The caboose is cool too.  I wish we were able to walk through it, but it was locked. I'm guessing they open it up when people are there to watch. 

This park is complete with a ticket booth place and railroad crossing sign. Isaac was in heaven. So if you have a die-hard train lover like I do, be sure to take the short drive to Harrod, OH to check out the Shay Engine and Caboose. 

53 Days of Summer- Shawnee Prairie Preserve

Great Adventure in Great Outdoors!

This place. OMG. Make time to check this out because it is 100% worth your time. Located in Greenville, Ohio, Shawnee Prairie Preserve and Nature Center was beautiful. As a photographer I was IN LOVE.  I couldn't decide what I loved more, the log cabins and fences or the wildflowers. It was just picture perfect. 

We started inside at the welcome center where a wonderful greeter told us about the trails outsides and the classrooms inside. We decided to walk outside first. It was hot, but the kids loved it. They have an entire section of the part dedicated to kid activities and encourage those to pick up logs/sticks, ect. and rearrange. Along with a huge sandbox and cool underground tunnel, it was hard to keep the kids moving.  We started back into the woods, but about 100 yards in I was getting eaten alive and I didn't bring bug spray so we turned around. When we got to the log cabin and fence line, the kids started to react their favorite cartoon westerns.  

When we went back inside the nature preserve building to cool off and go to the bathroom, we got to check out some of their displays inside. You can see from the pictures, the kids liked watching the bee's make honey and Olivia became a turtle whisper. They had reptiles and other displays throughout that the kids liked looking at and touching. There was even a space to sit and bird/nature watch through the two-way glass. It was really neat. 

Before pulling away, I made the kids stand in front of the beautiful wildflowers. I want to dress them up and bring them back to take pictures. It's really that beautiful.  So if you are looking for a day trip that's free and worth the drive- check out Greenville!

54 Days of Summer- KichenAid Store in Greenville, Ohio

My Candy Shop- 

Oh and Kids Can Learn Too!

My first job out of college was working at Elder Beerman during the day and waitressing at night.  I was getting my own apartment in Ada. I couldn't wait to buy my first KitchenAid mixer with my store discount. I saved up and it was the first thing I bought when I moved out on my own. So to find out that the mixer stands are made right here in Ohio, we had to check it out.

In downtown Greenville, Ohio, right next to the visitors bureau, is a KitchenAid retail shop with every color mixer they make. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen! The store clerks politely directed me downstairs to check out the museum dedicated to KichenAid mixers made since the 1920s. The kids thought it was really cool. I thought it was neat to see how the mixer has evolved over the years.

They told me that they are gearing up for the end of July when they have their biggest sale of the year. You can bet that I'll be making another trip there for sure. Today we walked away with a cookie sheet (Isaac's pick), spatulas (Olivia's pick), and a little ceramic thing that says it prevents your pots from boiling over (My pick). I'll keep you posted on how well that ends up working. I'm hoping it's the best find ever!  
You are going to see in the next post where else we went in Greenville, but this was worth the drive down. There were plenty of super cute shops downtown and we ate at a delicious new restaurant/bar called The Merchant House. Highly recommend checking out Greenville, Ohio!

59 Days of Summer- Columbus Zoo

Super Zooper

For the past five years we have a had a family zoo past. We have varied between Ft. Wayne and Columbus, but for the first time we let it expire. As the kids get more active it became harder and harder to get away, and when we do, they're old enough to do so many more things. The thing I loved about it was we always got the pass that we could bring two guests with us and we loved finding friends to bring along. It's never hard to find friends to join you at the zoo!

Going to ONU, my favorite exhibit is always the polar bears. Olivia has a obsession with elephants, so that's a must see too.  Isaac- well he likes trains. LOL. Sad news, the train at the Columbus Zoo is down for the summer. We had one disappointed little boy. But everyone has a favorite and we always try to hit every part of the zoo.  Even go through the reptile exhibit for Jeremy- YIKES!

A new addition a few years back was the African part of the zoo. Giraffes were a great add to this portion of the zoo. For a few bucks you can buy a few pieces of lettuce and feed them. Camels were also added and for a little extra you can ride on one of these beautiful beasts (even if it's not Wednesday!). We never have even looked into doing it, but maw and paw were in charge and you know how grandparents are with their grandkids. A few bats of the eyes and begging to ride turned into (according to Olivia) the most amazing thing ever.

So if you are looking for something to do and want to fill your day with animals and adventure, check out the Columbus Zoo.

60 Days of Summer- Kaleidoscope Park: Bellefontaine, Ohio

Releasing Our Inner Child

Mary Rutan Park in Bellefontaine, Ohio is a wooden playground masterpiece. Located on 28 acres of wooded area, it hard to believe this park is in town. I have been here before with a friend who met Isaac and I for lunch when she worked in Bellefontaine. I remember him being so young but absolutely loving ever minute. There is a shelter right next to the playground so you could pack your lunch and watch the kids play while catching up with friends- a win-win! Now that both kids are older, it is a perfect spot to let them run freely and explore the wooden castles and great hiding places.  

It didn't take long for them to squeal with excitement when approaching the park. Between the rock wall and the tall peaked castles, both kiddos were running towards the play area with bursting anticipation. Typically I wear workout clothes to chase them around the thing if there aren't any other kids to knock over. The city pool is next door to the playground so if you really want to make a day out of it, bring along your swimsuit. Indian Lake isn't far away either and the beach there is free! 

76 Days of Summer- Lima's Children Garden

Growing with Excitement

Lima is lucky. We have an amazing spot to picnic, wonder, take pictures or have story hour! According to the website, located at the Allen County Museum complex, this garden has grown to include over 30 mini-theme gardens and child-inspired works of art, with historical elements which relate to Allen County's rich history.  It is an interactive green oasis for "children" of all ages. 

The kiddos little imaginations run wild throughout the garden that is made just for kids. Isaac calls it the Gumball Garden... As seen in the picture they've painted bowling balls and lined the side of the garden path with the balls. The stones are multicolored to give the illusion of the gumballs.  After you enter under the arch, they lead around the gardening shed within the grounds. 

While Isaac is running, Olivia has discovered the Dr. Suess borrow a book mailbox.  Located next the cutest tree forest, kids are encouraged to take a book and sit down and read. One of the ladies who works in the garden said children can take a book home, but are to bring it back. I don't allow my kids to take the books, but instead to sit and read it while we are there. 

I tried to read it to her first and then she would know all the words, but she told me know to worry about it and the boy statue wouldn't know. LOL.  So here is the video of her reading the book to her friend. Go check out the Children's Garden if you are ever around Lima.  It's worth it!