3 Days of Summer- Pandora Park

Ninja Warrior Tryouts- Junior Division

In the evenings we have been watching a lot of episodes of Ninja Warrior. The kids are just as excited to watch as we are. This park in Pandora is super cool. Isaac's kindergarten class actually had a class trip to this park last year. Today we needed to go up that way to pick up a table and chairs so we were able to go up early to let the kids burn off some steam.

So you must watch the video of Olivia going across the rings. Too funny. I love how she starts to swing her legs like she's going to dismount at the third bar.  She's watched way too many episodes of ninja warrior.

Isaac also completed the course in record time. Jeremy and I sat on the benches and watch them run like rats through a maze. There was no one else there, so they were enjoying having the castle to themselves. Playing together and nicely is always a plus!

11 Days of Summer- Wapak School's Playground

Playing at Dusk

Tonight we got to head down to Auntie Ann's and Uncle Jason's to celebrate Ann's and Sheri's birthdays. They live relatively close to the school, so after the party the kids begged to go to the playground. How could I say no? This playground is so cool, even I want to play. So we headed over at dusk and I said we could play until it got dark, which I knew wouldn't be long.

From the video you can see Olivia and I's favorite piece of playground equipment. Forget the old fashion merry-go-round, here you have your own personal tilt-a-whirl! Her and I could sit on that thing forever and spin in circles. Isaac prefers to run. There are two main playgrounds, and on one playground we like to play a game when you hit the floor you're out. Trying to stay balanced throughout the ropes and spinning pieces is a riot. Lots of yelling out, "You fell in and the crocodile ate you!"

When it started to get dark, it was hard to get the kids to go. They could have played there for hours. I told them we'd come back some other time, but it will most likely be months before we come back. It's such a cool playground, it's actually worth the drive there. The kids who attend Wapakoneta school are lucky to have such a cool playground to play at throughout the school year!

22 Days of Summer- Elida Elementary Playground

Training Session

Isaac wanted to go play on the playground at school. We had some extra time between Paw Paw's viewing and Olivia's dance class, so I let them eat some Rapid Fire and run off some of their energy. 

I thought it was cute while we were eating Isaac started to explain the rules to Olivia since she'll be playing on this playground this upcoming school year. She listened intently to him then proceeded to do her own thing. Still was so adorable to hear big brother laying down the laws. 

I sat at the picnic table and was watching from afar. I was pretty impressed when Isaac went across all the monkey bars so I asked him to do it again so I could take a video of him. After nailing it the first time, once I pulled out my phone to video, he dropped off like five times before I was able to catch him doing it again. LOL. Poor kid had blisters and I kept after him to do it again. Enjoy the video of one of my favorite monkeys! 

30 Days of Summer- St. Bernard's Playground

Hanging Out With Grandpa Ron

Isaac decided he didn't want to go to the fair but instead wanted to stick around with Grandpa Ron for the day. Olivia tried to talk him out of staying with him and instead coming with her to ride the rides. But after being at Kings Island a few days ago, the rides were not that enticing. No rollercoasters. So in Isaac's world, no fun.

Instead he opted to stay with Grandpa and do "boy" things. Isaac talked him into going up to New Washington to the dairy queen for some ice cream. Not too far away is St. Bernard's, a catholic church with a elementary school.  So here is the picture I got sent to my phone while we were doing our thing at the Seneca County Fair.  Looks like his decision wasn't too bad. Grandpa was entertaining him just fine. Let him run out his energy. From what my Dad tells me, he didn't run it all out. That evening Dad took Isaac over to his Mom's. My grandma has Alzheimers and she asked Isaac all night if he ever ran out of energy?! Dad said she asked him 10 times at least while they were there.

The answer? Nope.... he never does run out of energy. If I could only find a way to bottle it up and sell it, we'd be millionaires!

36 Days of Summer- Columbus Outlets Playground

Another Day With Mom Shopping

I love this age. The age where you can take your kids almost anywhere with an iPad keep them quiet. Today I had another internship visit in Delaware, Ohio. I brought the kiddos along with me and they hung out with my student while I spoke to her supervisor. Then with iPads in hand, they went out to lunch with the student and were awesome.

After having such a smooth and great visit, I told them I would like to head over the outlet mall in Columbus that is only about 10 minutes from Delaware. Not overly excited, they said ok. We made it about half way through the stores when we discovered this beauty. How fun. It was all I could do not to jump in and play along. Instead I took pictures from the sidelines and sat in one of the nice Adirondack chairs.

Both really enjoyed climbing the rock wall and were so excited when they'd reach the top. The was a secret passage (or a shortcut as Isaac called it) through the bottom of the tree. It's nice that they are close in age to chase each other throughout and freak out if they can't find each other. Makes the fear of losing one while I'm not watching 100% less likely because the other will come say they can't find them.

Jeremy and I were just talking about the other night how we think the kids are at the "perfect" age. Old enough to do things on their own, still little enough to want to hang out with their parents, and cognitively able to process rules and such. Such a fun age to take places and so blessed to have the means to do so. I love that when we get back in the car from something like this (most of the time) they thank us for taking them or doing whatever with them. Makes my heart melt every time.

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!