Mama In Columbus

Sharing an entrance with our very own Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is Zoombezi Bay, a water park with more than an afternoon of fun for little ones (and big ones, too).  While we usually head straight to the Zoo and skip the water park and other rides, today we decided to get a little wet and wild.  We had a ball in the wave pool where little kids can frolic in the shallow water and bigger kids can body surf deeper in.  Another big hit was the lazy river with comfortable tubes and a very manageable current.  The best thing, however, for my young toddler was the baby section.  I really liked how this area of the park was tucked in the corner and felt very secure for young guests.  Toddlers enjoyed splashing in the water and going down multiple slides with aquatic themes.  Of course, there are numerous larger slides for older guests, plus a big water playground.

I found the park to be clean, easily manageable with the stroller and very friendly.  To be honest, I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy being at a water park with my child, but I was pleasantly surprised.

If you go:

• Zoombezi Bay is only open for another few weeks and closes for the season on September 6.   If you plan to visit and happen to be a Zoo member, you can save with special $15 admission.
• Security checks bags at the front gates and does not appreciate outside food or beverages.
• Getting there early means plenty of lounge chairs available.  There are also lockers for rent.  But that is what the bottom of the stroller is for, right?

This summer our home-away-from-home has been Whetstone Park.  We’ve played, picnicked, strolled, fed the ducks and stopped to smell the roses.  This is such a great park for little ones.  It is large with two playground options – one up by the Clintonville branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library and one down the windy road across from the fishing pond.  The upper playground is nice for older kids, while the lower playground has more options for toddlers.

If you go:

• Sand is the ground covering for the lower playground.  Bring buckets and prepare to go home dirty.
• Whetstone offers lots of shade in the form of gorgeous old trees.  Perfect for relaxing and snacking under.
• The rose garden is in full bloom in June, but a walk through the well-landscaped trails is beautiful any time of the year.  There are even free concerts in the gazebo on Sunday nights.

Along with unbearably humid days, early August means a couple of things:  we’ll start seeing back to school items in stores, the Fair will start winding down and tents covering a park in Dublin mean the Dublin Irish Festival is here again.  This year the DIF is in its 23rd year and is bigger than ever.   Being in Dublin, the event is very family-friendly (including a diaper changing tent).  Children under 12 don’t have an admission fee and also have their own special  Wee Folk Area featuring plenty of free crafts and special entertainment (we are looking forward to some of the fun Celtic storytelling).  There are also various inflatables and carnival-like attractions for an added fee.  Other activities the kids might enjoy are petting the Irish dogs, learning some step-dancing skills, watching sheep be herded, and stepping back in time at Brian Boru’s Ireland.

If you go:

• Don’t try to park close to the actual grounds.  Take advantage of the shuttle system by parking at Metro Place.  The Festival covers many acres and your feet will thank you by the end of the day.
• I suggest you don’t take young children into the larger music tents, especially at night (they get really loud and crowded).  In fact, you might want to take advantage of re-entry stamps.  Take the kids on Saturday morning, get a babysitter, and return that night for Irish adult beverages and Celtic rock.
• Take advantage of the wealth of program information provided and plan your day before you go so you don’t miss a jig or a reel.

This great post from Rachel at Hounds in the Kitchen reminded me how important it is to get kids involved with daily food prep at an early age.  At our house, I often give Milo a red potato to “prepare” as I cook dinner.  He expertly moves it from pot to pot, stirring and tonging as he goes.  He’s still too young for knives or measuring, but I like that he is getting some experience in the kitchen creating simple, healthy meals.

For older kids (some classes start as young as age 3), Rachel offers Kids Cook! classes.  You can often find similar classes on a variety of cooking topics at your local parks and rec department / center.  Whole Foods also offers a Half Pint Cooking Club with the next session being August 3.

Columbus Confession:  I have not been to the Ohio State Fair in at least 25 years.   Something about the crowds, the questionable food and the heat have kept me away.  However, I bit the bullet and spent a few hours at the fairgrounds this afternoon and I have to admit I had a lot of fun.  What’s more, my little man had a great time, too.

The fair runs through August 8, so there is plenty of time to get out there and enjoy this annual summer event.  Now that I’ve been won over by the fair, I think everyone should attend.  Go, not so much for the rides, but for the displays.  Ohio, being a Midwestern state, has such an interesting agricultural story to tell and the Fair is an important part of that.  We saw a calf auction, a display of chicks emerging from eggs, row after row of prize winning poultry, heirloom tomatoes, and a corn rock-climbing wall.  It was all bizarre and fabulous and that was before we even got to the cow made out of butter.

If you go:

• Check the schedule for special events throughout the day.  There are some strange and fascinating activities and shows planned.
• Buy your tickets in advance at Kroger.  It will save you $4 each on adult tickets.
• Make a one treat per person rule.  In this land of  gluttony, it could seem perfectly reasonable to follow a fried Twinkie with an ice cream sundae chaser.  It’s not.

So, okay, we were actually still on the grid because there was power and running water, but since we didn’t get cell reception on our recent family trip, I’m counting it as being offline.  We packed up the little man and headed to Pike Lake in Southern Ohio.  Yes, you have probably never heard of it.  I hadn’t either, but when I was Googling quick trips this place came up and had a cottage available for only $60 per night.

The park itself is a quaint, beautiful park situated in the foothills of middle-of-nowhere-Ohio.  There is a man-made lake with a very small swimming beach which is perfect for young children.  You can rent kayaks, canoes and paddle boats or take a variety of hiking trails around the grounds.  I counted at least 4  playgrounds, plus a nature center with displays of native animals (snakes, turtles, frogs).  So there is actually plenty to do around the park.

If you go:

• If possible, reserve one of the preferred cabins.  These have two rooms (great for kids who go to bed earlier than the adults) and a screened in porch (you’ll be thankful for this when you see the bugs).
• Older children might enjoy seeing some of the area attractions including Native American burial mounds.
• There are televisions in the cottages, but I would plan the whole trip as a no technology stay.  Bring books and games for downtime in the cottage.  Plan on the rest of the stay swimming, hiking, playing or boating.

It’s been said, almost to the point of cliche, that moms need to put their own oxygen mask on first before they help anyone else.  In other words, no one is happy if mama ain’t happy. So as mothers to young children we are often encouraged to plan date nights, to go out with friends and to keep activities in our life which exist for us alone.

For about the first time in 16 months, this weekend I had the chance to take this advice and it was just what I needed.  My friends and I talked, laughed, spent too many hours in the sun, drank some wine, and ate a lot.  It made for a good, relaxing girl’s day, but there are many other Columbus choices for girls weekend (or just one night) fun.  Here are some of my favorite ideas:

• Have a wine tasting and even make and bottle your own wine at Camelot Cellars in the Short North.  Between gossiping…I mean sharing of life experiences…and sipping, you’ll learn about wine varietals and will have a special souvenir to take home.
• Plan your girls weekend, Columbus style around one of the Broadway in Columbus shows.  Wicked will be playing at the historical Ohio Theater for the next month.   Park once (at the Statehouse would be convenient for both) and pair the show with dinner at Tip Top for a fun night downtown, sans children.
• Sharpen you cooking skills by taking a fun and educational cooking class at either Sur La Table at Easton or at the North Market.  I’ve attended classes at both of these places and have really enjoyed walking away with new recipes and techniques.

If you go:

• Whatever you do, take the time to enjoy being with your friends and then return home more refreshed and ready to resume being a great Mama.

Mamas, did you know you and the little ones could get into the Columbus Museum of Art for free through August?  Yep, there is free admission for the public throughout July and August (and always on Sundays).  It’s never too early to start a conversation about art – even the littlest kiddos can appreciate the use of color and texture.  If you aren’t familiar with the museum, it is really worth a visit.  The CMA is known for it’s outstanding collection of late nineteenth and early twentieth-century American and European modern art.  The collection also includes examples of Impressionism, German Expressionism, and Cubism. (However, these are not on display at the moment due to the Museum’s renovation).

What is on display is a special summer collection titled Fur, Fins & Feathers which showcases works of art featuring animals.  The bright colors and familiar subjects are sure to be  kid-pleasers.

If you go:

• Check out this handy calendar which lists the daily special activities.  On certain days, your little ones can do a make, take it art project or see live animals up close.
• There is plenty of (free) parking behind the building. Meters also line the area streets.
• Make time to stop in the gift shop for great jewelry finds and even unique toys.

If you didn’t make it to the PBJ & Jazz concert last week, but are still interested in enjoying some fun sounds in the city, check out the Goodale Park Music Series tomorrow (Sunday, July 18) with additional dates throughout the summer.   These concerts are family friendly and Goodale Park is a great location for kiddos to explore.

Plus, you know any event mission statement that includes bare feet is bound to be a good time: “To promote community, celebrate Goodale Park, and support Columbus-based performing artists. Children and well-behaved pets are more than welcome. Camaraderie, picnics, and bare feet in the grass are highly encouraged.”

If you go:

• Park at one of the meters along Goodale or Park Streets and stroll into the park from any direction making your way to the gazebo (located closest to Park Street and Buttles Ave.) where the concert takes place.
• Either pack your own picnic or plan on bringing a potluck dish to share.  Each concert has a local food blogger organizing a potluck.  More information can be found on their site.
• Plan on stopping by the playgrounds to shake off any energy not spent on dancing.
• Remaining concert dates are : July 18: The Mooncussers;  Aug 1: Yumbambe;  Aug 8: The Spikedrivers; Aug 15: fo/mo/deep; Aug 22: Flypaper