71 Days of Summer- Texas Roadhouse Kids Night

Everything is Bigger in Texas?

We didn't really go far south, more like a few miles away. But the restaurant is called Texas Roadhouse, so expect everything to be a bit bigger right? Well on Monday night bring a BIG appetite to kids night!

Every Monday night throughout the summer Texas Roadhouse has kids night. Complete with games and face painters (we have had these same amazing peeps for birthday parties in the past!) and the ever-famous Armadillo. There is a prize table as you walk in and they allow the kids to each pick one item from the table. Mine picked the rocking country hats to match Andy the Armadillo. Oh, and did I mention that kids meals are only $.99?

 

In the summer in particular, I'm not one for cooking ever single night. We do many cookouts but sometimes it's just too hot to even do that. So we look for restaurants that have free kids meals. My kiddos want mac and cheese and I'm not paying $6 for a meal we could have cooked at home for $1. 

So here is a cheat sheet if you are looking to get out for a meal and want to take the kiddos without breaking the bank. Be sure to check before heading out to make sure they haven't changed the nights or the times!

1. Texas Roadhouse- Monday nights 4-7 p.m. ($.99)
2. Buffalo Wild Wings- Monday 5-8 p.m. ($1.99)
3. Buffalo Wings & Rings- Monday nights (free)
4. Skyline Chili- Tuesday 5-9 p.m. (free)
5. Denny's- Tuesday 4-10 p.m. (free)
6. Bob Evans- Tuesday 4 p.m.- close (free)
7. Fazoli's- Tuesday 5-8 p.m. ($.99)
8. Ruby Tuesday- Tuesday 5 p.m.- close (free)
9. Applebee's- Wednesday ($.99)
10. Bellacinos- Wednesday (free)
11. Ihop- Everyday 10 a.m.- 10 p.m. (free)

Hopefully you'll be able to escape for a family night out to eat with the kids this summer. Most have age restrictions of under 12, so if you have older kiddos this might now work. Yet another reason I need to hang on and savor this summer with young ones before they grow up. If you know of any kids eat free or discounted restaurants I have missed, please comment below.  I'll be sure to add them to the list!

72 Days of Summer- East Harbor State Park

Summer Sand and Sunshine!

East Harbor State Park is located in Marblehead, Ohio. It's the spot my mom would take us to when we were little. Now it was time for us to take our kiddos down there for a day of sand and sunshine. 

Now the waters aren't crystal blue and the sands aren't white sand, but the kids have never seen either so to them it's the ocean. LOL. I make them wear the lifejackets in the Lake water because I can't see the bottom and it drives me crazy. Remember this rant? I still have nightmares about it so if you're at the Lake and you're heading out in the water- Lifejacket!

I should have taken a picture of Olivia's sand castle.  After about 20 minutes working hard on her own, she placed a stick at the top and declared she made the Disney Castle. Yep, looked just like it. The boys wouldn't be outdone they embarked on their own sandcastle. Below is their masterpiece.  A smiley face. Well that's close right?

After about two hours swimming and playing in the water, our burnt cheeks had seen enough sun and everything we had brought to the beach had sand in it. We packed up and headed back to my parents. 

If you are camp-out type of person, you can also do that at the East Harbor. There is a great running trail too that I hop on every morning that spans two miles from end to end. If nature is your thing, there are plenty of trails throughout the woods, but I'm afraid of tics right now, so that isn't happening. We need to be better prepared for that adventure, but the hope is to do that later this summer.  Oh and we collected flat rocks for a project later this summer too!  Stay tuned. 

73 Days of Summer- Port Clinton Playground

   

Ahoy Matey! Fun Zone Ahead!

Back a few weekends ago when we we were up here visiting the Walleye Festival, we discovered the neatest themed playground I've ever seen. Built within the last year, this playground is all about Lake Erie. According The Blade, the playground cost $600,000. WOW- but it's amazing. 

We were able to stop for a very short time after the Walleye Festival, but it was going to rain so our visit got cut short. The kids haven't forgotten about it. So today our adventure was in downtown Port Clinton. In the middle of the playground is a replica lighthouse, as you can see in the picture...complete with the "spy glass" as the kids call it. The boat Olivia is driving below is fun too. Wheelchair accessible and large enough bench to fit our entire family, she loves pretending she is taking us out on the Lake.  

Isaac just loves to run. He wants me to chase him, but it's 90 degrees out today so I'm not much fun, nor fast, in this heat! The playground also has a giant swing my kiddos call the rollercoaster. I wasn't able to grab any pictures today because I was pushing them to go back and forth, but it resembles a swing suspended on a zip line. You know how some playgrounds have the handle thing you grasp on and then zip to the other side and then back? It's similar to that, but a swing you sit in while doing it. It's awesome (even for the adult children!). See if you can see it in this linked picture on the right hand side. 

After 50 minutes, we couldn't take the heat. Across the street was a public beach area, but we weren't prepared to go there afterwards. However you could definitely make a day out of it if better prepared! Bonus, this weekend was the arts and crafts show in the open lot beside the playground. Grandma Barb loved that! While I watch the kiddos she went and found another knick-knack to hang on the wall. A fish! I think we all agree we o"fish"ally had a great time!

74 Days of Summer- Vacation Bible School

Matthew 21:15-16 "But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant. “Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him. “Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read, “ ‘From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise’?”

This past week both kids attended Vacation Bible School (VBS). What's better than 2.5 hours of peaceful relaxation? Knowing your kids are having a blast and learning about Jesus. I can't think of a better 2.5 hours spent! 

I was out of town for business Monday and Tuesday of the week, so my mom had the kiddos. It just happen to be her church's VBS. So it worked out. Before the end of the summer they'll probably attend at least two other VBS. It's a win-win!

The theme of VBS is "You were made for a Purpose." Complete with songs that were sung non-stop for the past week, games and scripture was poured into these little people. I also thought it was pretty cool that my babysitter from when I was little was who was in charge of the games.  She's still chasing around mini-me's. I can't believe I didn't wear her out when I was a wee-tike. 

The last night the leaders put together a slide show with pictures from the week and also had the kids do six of their songs they had learned, complete with motions! It was super cute. After they performed everyone headed to the social hall for a snack and refreshments.  Both kids wanted to hang out with their new-found friends. Too cute!

Best part was when we went to bed. Olivia rolls over toward me and says, "Mommy, I was made for a purpose!" Yes you were sweet baby girl, yes you were.  

75 Days of Summer- Story Hour at Lima Library

A Storybook Ending to a Perfect Day

 Looking for something fun to do with your kiddos during these summer months that still stimulates the brain and works on much-needed reading skills? The library is where it's at my friends. The Lima library has a extensive list of fun activities for children of all ages. Check out its complete calendar. Today both kiddos learned about the life cycle of plants with activities based on the book, “Zinnia’s Flower Garden.” And today's story-hour happened in one of our favorite places- The Children's Garden! 

After hearing the librarian read the story, they next played a pretty cool game to emphasis what they learned. With a yellow foam ball and a squirt bottle in hand, the leader and children gathered in a circle and started in a ball down at the ground. One person went around the circle with the "sun" ball and tapped the kids in the head while the other gave a squirt of water above to help them "grow." After four times around the children declared what marvelous plant they had become. Olivia declared she was a pepper plant and Isaac a tomato. Guess what two veggies we grow in our garden! lol. 

Next every child got to plant their own Zinnia seeds in a pot with soil and water. Helpers of the garden club were present to help, but really let the kids dig in. Most impressive to me was the cleaning station they had prepared so when they were finished. Hopefully our flowers grow! 

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! 

77 Days of Summer- The Farm

And on his farm he had some Chickens....EIEIO

My childhood was spent out in the country. Three miles down the road was my mom's parents and one of her brothers, all who worked on the farm. From pigs to chickens to the one-eyed kitty, you could find animals on the farm. My grandmother still helps with the chickens so what better adventure than a trip to the farm!

Now I know some close friends and other family members who live on farms and many delight in having children visit to visit with the animals (or better yet, help with the chores!). So don't be afraid to ask. If you don't know anyone, chances are one of your Facebook friends does, so put up a simple post asking if anyone knows anyone. Networking is a beautiful thing my friends!

So to the farm we went. The chickens came running when a little feed was thrown out to eat. The kids were terrified at first but then warmed up to the idea. Then to the hen house to collect the eggs. Here is a picture of Olivia holding her nose the entire time. All she kept saying is that it smells like chicken poop in here! LOL. Obviously a girlie girl and not a tomboy like her momma! Oh, come on Liv's...go back to the car and put some lip gloss on. HAHA. Isaac said it did stink, but he didn't need to hold his nose. He was excited to collect the eggs for the cartons that we always keep and bring home to granny's for the eggs.

Collecting the eggs was a real treat for the kiddos. Eating the eggs you help collect is always one of the best parts of collecting them. Granted they only did this one time and don't fully appreciate the hard-work it takes in raising chickens, but at least they get to eat fresh eggs they collected!