Something New and Crafty

Today I took the girls to the Build and Grow class at Lowe's.  I actually saw it posted somewhere and looked into it, and am really glad that I did.  Lowe's hosts Build and Grow clinics every other week.  These classes are free and are adorable!  You have to create an account and register online, as space is limited.  Today, the theme was Dreamworks, and the kids made the onion coach from Shrek.  Once you sign up (and reserve your spot in the clinic), you print out a waiver and have to bring it with you.  They have several piles of stacked wood in the lumber area that they use for tables.  All of the kids were given goggles and an apron to wear that says "Lowe's Build and Grow."  They then pass out a packaged kit to each child and a name tag that goes right into their apron.  The projects are adult guided (i.e. you build it with your child).  In one place, it said it was for kids 5 and older, but in another, it was suggested that they be 5 and older (i.e. if your younger child swallows a small piece, don't hold them accountable).  Anyways, I signed both girls up and noone cared, and most of the kids there were around their age.  Next, the kids were given little hammers.  After building their creations, kids are given a certificate of completion and a badge that you iron onto the apron.  Google Lowe's and you can look up the schedule for your nearest location.  Build and Grow is on Saturdays and Sundays.

                                          Getting ready to start building...

                                          First time with a hammer...

                                                            Kaylee working hard on her project

Kaylee and Lindsey Rating: 5/5-the girls had tons of fun and were especially excited to get a certificate and badge.  Lindsey wouldn't take her apron off, even when we went into other stores!

Crossing things off of the Fall Bucket List...

Last weekend, we crossed 2 things off of the bucket list for the fall: having a sleepover and roasting marshmallows.  Kaylee's friend from preschool spent the night.  Yes, 5 is a bit young, but the girls had a great time--but they did need to be kept busy. 

First, we decided to cook our own pizza.  I just got the supplies and I let the kids put everything on the "already done" crust.  After the pizzas were baked and eaten, we played outside for awhile and then had a marshmallow roast and made s'mores.  Following all of that, we set up tents and had a campout/movie night.  The following day, the girls had a picnic and played at JUMP park in Medina.  JUMP is a playground in Medina that is rather big.  It is located on East Homestead Dr.

                                         The girls posing for a picture at J.U.M.P. park in
                                         Medina, Ohio,

Kaylee and Lindsey Rating: 5/5...the girls have fun here.  There are swings, slides, a sandbox and lots of things to play on. 

Oktoberfest

Today we took the girls to the Oktoberfest, in Olmsted Falls.  It runs from August 17-19 and opened at 6:00.  You have to buy tickets that you then use to buy your food.  It is $5 per person to get in (kids were free) and tickets are 50 cents each.  The most expensive thing on the menu was $11.50.  Anyways, my parents' friends invited everyone to meet there.  We packed the kids peanut butter sandwiches, assuming they wouldn't eat the food there.  They ate what I packed, and then realized their love for schnitzel.  Lindsey also liked the potato pancakes with applesauce, and they washed down their German food with diet coke, and then finished it off with ice cream.  It may not have been the healthiest food, but hey, the kids actually ate it, and they had fun.  They were not interested in trying out the Polka...

The Oktoberfest was located at 7370 Columbia Rd. in Olmsted Falls.

                                          Outside Oktoberfest...the combination of full bellies
                                          and a summer filled with picture taking...

Kaylee and Lindsey Rating: 5/5...I was surprised they had as much fun as they did, but they really enjoyed it!

Fall Bucket List

Well, my last week of freedom is now over.  I have some random days off, but it is back to the grind.  I will post a Fall Bucket List, with additional information as it becomes available, as well as with pictures as we try these things out.  Here is our list for the Fall (in no particular order):

1.  Pick Apples at Mapleside
2.  Have a picnic at Brandywine Falls
3.  Attend a High School Football Game
4.  Go to Ramseyer Farm
5.  Trick-or-Treat with Friends
6.  Boo at the Zoo, Trick-Or-Treat Street or Pirates and Princesses
7.  Attend Lorain County Princess Ball
8.  Go to Petitti's for the Halloween events
9.  Carlisle Reservation-ride the Little Green Choo and see the Halloween Festival
10.  Jump in a leaf pile
11. Have a sleepover
12.  Roast marshmallows over a bonfire
13.  Have a glow-in-the-dark party

Train Ride

Yesterday we took a ride on the miniature train at Lester Rail Trail.  They offer these rides 3 times a year, usually June, August and October.  There are only 1-2 days that these rides are scheduled, and usually they take place from 12:30-4:30.  You can google the Medina County Park District and look up the events to determine the next time the trains will run.  Train rides are free!  Please see the "Upcoming Events" blog for more information.

                                           The girls on one of the miniature train rides...

Kaylee and Lindsey Rating: 5/5...the girls have always enjoyed riding the miniature train.  We got there right at 12:30 and got onto a train quickly.  By the time we left, the wait was much longer, so try and get there as close to 12:30 as possible.

Playground...Indoors!

Every year, we take the kids to Playground World. There are two in the area: one in Avon and one in Chesterland.  Avon is closer.  Playground World is a store that sells playsets and Step 2 things.  There are several days when they have free playtime for kids.  The one in Avon offers this on Mondays and Thursdays from 11-12 and on Fridays from 10-11.  They offer play on other days, for $5 per hour.  They also host birthday parties.  There are several Rainbow sets up for kids to play on, two trampolines, some Step 2 houses, a roller coaster, a wagon, a small trampoline, some kitchen sets and an airplane, among other ride on toys.  It is located at 1014 Jaycox Rd. in Avon.  The company website is www.pgworld.com. 

 

                                                    One of the disc swings

                                                   Shooting a basket

                                          Flying on the airplane

                                                     Checking out the roller coaster

Kaylee and Lindsey Rating: 5/5...even though they are getting bigger, the kids still have fun here.  It is great for babies and older kids.  There are some baby swings, and the Step 2 houses are really meant for kids..probably between the ages of 1 and 3.  Other things are geared more toward older kids, so really, kids of all ages can have fun here!

After this, we went out to lunch and back to the Miller Nature Preserve, mentioned in a previous post.  The girls loved the butterflies, which, as mentioned last time, are free.  We paid to do the conservatory.  It was only $2 per person, but not really worth it.

Movie Playdate

Today we decided to go and see Ice Age at Hickory Ridge Cinemas in Brunswick.  We met Kaylee's best friend from preschool there for a playdate.  If you go to a matinee, like we did, it is only $5 per ticket, and you get free popcorn with each ticket.    The movie theater is located at 1055 Pearl Rd. in Brunswick.  Overall, the girls rate it 5/5!

Medina County Fair

As stated in a previous post, the Medina County Fair is this week.  It runs from July 30-August 5.  You can get information at www.medina-fair.com.  We took the girls with their friends yesterday.  It was youth day, so they got in for free before 5:00.  Normally, it is only $2 for kids, so it isn't that expensive.  We parked near the rear entrance and paid $3 to park.  It cost me $5 to get in and then I spent $10 on each wristband for the kids to go on rides.  Normally it is $15 per child for the wristbands, but it cost less yesterday.  This is good for the amusement rides, but as we found out, there are a ton of height restrictions, some you have to be 42 inches tall to ride in the first place (my girls are tall enough), but then if you are under 48 inches tall, you have to ride with an adult, and adults need tickets or wristbands.  There were some rides specifically for kids.  Half of them were good, the other half either had crabby men running them or kids who pushed ahead to get on the rides.  As I mentioned previously, most parents do not watch or care what their kids are doing.  Food was generally $3 per item (slice of pizza, hot dog, drink, small french fries), and there was a fun house, a bungee bounce and pony rides, all for an additional charge.  Sixy dollars later, we were done.  Though there were some complaints, overall the kids had a great time!

                                                    One of the rides...

Kaylee and Lindsey Rating: 5/5--the girls had fun.  It was somewhat pricey, but then again, it was still less than Cedar Point, where they would be able to go on the same number of rides and have a longer wait.