Lancaster Mommies

We are now located at LancasterParent.com

2010-12-19T00:34:00.002-05:00

Our Blog Has Moved!!! Visit us at . . .
LancasterParent.com!!!

We’ve taken your questions, concerns, suggestions, and thoughts very seriously over the last year and have created a site dedicated to all the members of your family! It is bigger, better, more complete, and entirely updated!

Looking for what’s happening this winter? We’ve got it all! Sports signups? Check out our extensive Youth Sports pages. How about the perfect music or dance class for your little one? You’ll find all you need to know on our Arts & Music page. Would your child like to get involved in a club or take part in a summer camp? Just visit our Camps and Clubs page for an up-to-date list!

If you’re looking for some last-minute shopping spots for your little darlings, check out our Around Town page which includes a Shopping for Kids section, as well as information about Parks, local Entertainment, and ways to Get Active in town. Also included on our site are Day Trips, Overnight Trips, and so much more!

We have a new Facebook page so ‘Like’ us at Lancaster Parent and ‘follow’ us on Twitter at LancasterParent. We’ll keep you updated and in-the-know about all the things going on in our community!

LancasterMommy.com is now LancasterParent.com! Same great people, beautiful new website, and MORE information!

Picktown Lights!

2010-12-13T09:30:00.003-05:00

Holiday traditions come in all shapes and sizes. Many families have pictures taken with Santa every year or bake cookies together. My family does those things as well, but one tradition we've recently added is our annual trip to see the Picktown Lights.

More than 20 homes on one street in Pickerington have their homes decorated with lights and synchronized to music. It is really something amazing to see. The music can be heard through a low-power FM transmitter. The best part about it is that it is absolutely free, but you can donate canned goods, if you'd like.

We have taken our kids the last two years. My son would sit on that street all night long if we allowed it. My husband jokingly says that he's sure you can see that street from space. There are so many lights and so much energy. It's the holiday spirit in it's most lively form.

If you want to check it out... go to Hail Ridge Drive in Pickerington after the sun goes down. If you can't find the street... I'm sure all you'll have to do is follow the blinking lights. Maybe you'll find a new holiday tradition too...

For more information, go to www.picktownlights.com.

The Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls

2010-12-10T12:27:00.006-05:00

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of spending a full day at The Inn & Spa At Cedar Falls, and today I feel like I am trying to grasp onto the complete feeling of relaxation I had while I was there. It's not working yet. I know there are two loads of laundry that need to be done, the kitchen needs to be cleaned and dinner needs to be started. It's funny, because when I was at the Inn none of these things were on my mind. It's like the minute you enter, an invisible barrier goes up and blocks all of your worries. How do I get one of those barriers around my house?

The Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls is located on Rt.374 in Hocking County and is surrounded by rolling hills and dense wood. It's close to home (about 35 minutes away from Lancaster), but feels like you're in the middle of nowhere.

Joined by my good friend and fellow blogger, Becky, I arrived at 11am for a holiday cookie workshop. The breakfast cook Joan and the innkeeper Ellen gave everyone in the class a holiday cookie booklet with several recipes in it. They helped us go over the recipes and went into detail about what the recipes entailed to help us choose wisely. I appreciated this part of the class - I knew I couldn't handle anything too complex. We decided on Oreo truffles and the mystery cookie. We did well, but of course we were the last to finish! One of the other attendees had to step in to help us dip the remaining truffles. Don't worry, our ego's are intact! After the class we enjoyed a delicious chicken salad sandwich with homemade soups and chips. Tasty, but just light enough to leave room for cookies! The cookie workshop is a yearly event and highly recommended! On The Inn & Spa's website you can find out about this workshop and all of the other events they have throughout the year.

After lunch we headed to our room to relax for awhile. When staying at the Inn you have a few choices - cabins, cottages or Inn guest rooms. We were in one of the guest rooms which was clean, cozy and not a television in sight! If (and hopefully when) my husband and I go, I think we will choose the cottages to stay in for a little more privacy. If we decide to take the kids, however, I think a cabin will accommodate us a little better. Their Hickory Hollow cabin is designed for 2-6 people and houses bunk beds. But as much as I love my kids, I think we will save The Inn for an adult only destination. The innkeepers wouldn't mind at all if you brought your kids along, I am sure some couples decide just that. But for our family, it just doesn't fit. I don't think my kids would appreciate the serene atmosphere or the amazing food. It would all be wasted on them, and we can't have that! So I recommend you find a babysitter (hello grandma?) and go out on a romantic date night...or weekend. On the website they have several specials that cater to couples. I know that I will be hinting unabashedly when our anniversary comes around!

Becky and I talked and relaxed until it was time for our spa treatment. Wow, did I just say spa treatment, I thought that was a dream! No, it actually happened. After years of wishing for another professional massage it finally came true! This was so much better then the last massage I had, simply for the environment. When we walked into the spa we were greeted by Jennifer and Randall, two of the therapists at the spa. We were draped with neck warmers, offered a seat, and given some water or warm tea. While waiting for Becky to have her massage I sat in the reclining chair sipping my warm tea listening to soft music. I have no idea why I didn't fall asleep. This was just the waiting part and I was already more relaxed than I had been in a long time. When it was my turn, I headed to the room in the quaint cabin where I was to get the massage. I had to laugh at myself, because I realized the curtains were a tad open when I went to undress and I instinctively covered myself. I peeked out and of course I was just looking at nature. The cabin is literally surrounded by nothing but trees and maybe some deer. The massage was coma inducing.

All good things must come to an end, but hey, if they are followed by a scrumptious dinner then I am okay with that! The spa offers several different types of massages and even a massage your mate class, where you and your partner learn how to give out-of-this-world massages!

Before dinner we socialized with a few other Ohio bloggers and the owners, Terry and Ellen, by the fireplace. After a nice chat, Terry and Ellen gave us a tour of their newest addition. A few years ago they added on some more dining space, a cozy lounge area and a banquet area. All eco-friendly! They also added a roof-top garden. How amazing would it be to have one of those? We eventually sat down to dinner in the cozy, welcoming dining area and finished up our miniature cheese balls and olive tapenade (yes, it was as good as it sounds). Gerard, the sous chef, prepared our food and did an amazing job. The executive chef, Anthony, was at home taking care of four little ones. Becky, who was with me, just happens to be Anthony's wife! So while she's lapping up every luxurious thing his place of business has to offer, he was at home probably serving McDonald's like my husband! I feel a bit guilty...but just a tiny bit. I had the grilled filet mignon with pink demi and caramelized shallots. Then for the main event, dessert of course, I had chocolate torte with raspberry sauce. I am not just being nice, it was incredible. As soon as I came home I told my husband that I have a new favorite dessert! For a look at some of the things they offer check out their menu on the website.

I am going to try to get back to The Inn as soon as possible, it might prove to be difficult considering it's not quite my husband's speed (he's more of a cheeseburger in paradise kind of guy), but that won't stop me from trying. Maybe we can just have dinner there one night, or better yet he give me the 1/2 day spa package for Christmas! Well, I might not be able to get back soon enough, but that shouldn't stop any of you!

To find out more about The Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls please visit their website at innatcedarfalls.com.

Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls
21190 State Route 374
Logan ,Ohio 43138
Phone: 1-800-653-2557

Santa Visits Lancaster a Little Early...

2010-11-22T10:16:00.007-05:00

I know, it's not even Thanksgiving yet.. but Santa did come to Lancaster this past weekend. He visits every year around Thanksgiving time for the annual Lancaster Holiday Parade.

This past Saturday, parade-goers lined the streets downtown to watch the holiday parade go by. The parade traveled on Columbus Street to Main Street to Broad Street to the Fairfield County Fairgrounds. And children were found all along the route, with bags in hand, picking up candy thrown to them.

This year the parade was about an hour and a half long. But, the different floats, bands and folks dressed in Christmas gear kept the kids entertained. Of course, my 5 year old was a little frightened when the Grinch went by, but all the other characters and animals made him grin from ear to ear.

We all couldn't believe it when we saw a real Texas Longhorn walking in the parade. Of course, the llamas were a hit as well.

But, no matter how many unique and interesting things were in the parade, I knew what my kids were waiting for... SANTA. And when he finally appeared on his sleigh at the end of the parade, it made standing out in the cold all worth it!

Now, we just have to wait until Santa comes to Alley Park to see him again. Boy, Lancaster must hold a special place in Santa's heart - since he comes here so often during his busiest time of the year.

Family Fun Night with Preschoolers!

2010-11-08T12:10:00.009-05:00

In October a friend invited me to a preschool story time for children ages 3 until they enter kindergarten. I was expecting something similar to story time at the library but it turned out to be so much more than that! It is actually a kindergarten readiness class taught by Mary Johnson from Family, Adult and Children First Council. Family Fun Night is held at Lancaster Community church on the second Thursday of the month from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. It's a great option for kids who aren't in preschool or ones that just want a little extra. My son is three years old and attends preschool twice a week, but I think this will be a great addition for us! With the class only being once a month it's not overwhelming for our schedule. If you prefer, you can take it month by month or attend on a regular basis. The class starts in September and ends in July, so there are plenty of opportunities to join in! One of my favorite things about this class is that a parent attends with the child. When my child is at his regular preschool I am always wondering how he's interacting with his peers and if he is behaving himself. Here, I don't have to wonder, I get to see how he reacts in a structured setting. The first few minutes of the class is spent working on puzzles or playing quietly with your child while attendees arrive, then Mrs. Johnson takes the children to a different area to read a story. This is the perfect time to sit back and observe your child using his/her listening skills. I think Sonny has some work to do in this area! After circle time, parents jump in to help with the planned craft. The class was filled with stories, poems, rhymes, crafts and a yummy snack! When the class ended, Mrs. Johnson sent us home with two activities to create at home, Parent & Child Magazine from Scholastic and even a children's book! I am so happy we heard about this class, Sonny had a wonderful time learning and being creative and I had a wonderful time enjoying it with him!

If you are interested in this class please contact Mary Johnson at (740) 407-6719 or mjohnson@co.fairfield.oh.us

Class Held at Lancaster Community Church
230 North Columbus St. Door A, head up the stairs on the right, to the end of the hallway.

Hike by pumpkin-light

2010-10-25T08:39:00.002-04:00

October...it's a time for candy, dressing up and pumpkins! In the Lancaster-area, you can find pumpkins at the pumpkin patch, on your neighbor's doorstep and even at your local park. Pumpkins are celebrated at the annual Pumpkin Hike at Alley Park.

Every year, people from around the area flock to Alley Park for the hike. Earlier in the day, pumpkins are carved and set out along the path. Then at 6:30 p.m., hikers start to arrive to see the pumpkin creativity put on display.

You can find all kinds of images carved in the pumpkins along the trail. We saw everything from Snoopy to a face carved upside down. Some carve their names in the pumpkins, while others make scary images like a wolf howling in front of the moon.

No matter what the image, it's a good family event. The hike isn't easy, as you are climbing a hill in the dark! But, it's an awesome adventure and good exercise for you and your kids! It's something our family hopes to do every year. Hopefully next year, our five year old won't insist on riding on Daddy's shoulders, but I doubt it.

It's Time For The Fairfield County Fair!

2010-10-05T21:34:00.008-04:00

Pumpkins are adorning front porches, the leaves are starting to fall, and the smell of Fried Twinkies wafting through the air can only mean one thing…. it’s time for the Fairfield County Fair! This year the Fair will be held Sunday, October 10th to Saturday, October 16th. Admission is $5.00 per person, children 9 and under are FREE.

Gates open at Noon on Sunday and this is the only day that admission to the Fair is FREE (it‘s also typically the busiest day of the week). If you have children that want to go on the rides on Sunday, you will still need to buy tickets or a wristband.

Ticket and wristband prices are as follows:

Single tickets: $1.00 each. Kiddie rides require TWO tickets; adult rides will require THREE tickets.

Wristband prices for all rides are as follows:
Sunday 12 noon - 6:30pm $13.00
Monday 12 noon - 10:00pm $14.00
(plus free merry-go-round, Monday 12:00 noon - 10:00pm)
Tuesday 12 noon - 10:00pm $14.00
Wednesday 12 noon - 10:00pm $14.00
Thursday 10:00am - 10:30pm $13.00
Friday 10:00am - 10:30pm $13.00
Saturday 10:00am - 10:00pm $14.00

*Ticket sales begin 1/2 hour before the start of rides.
*The wristband does not include side attractions such as the Fun House and the Dark Ride.

When your kids have had their fill of the rides (or you’ve run out of tickets!), take a walk around the grounds and check out all of the farm animals. From horses and cows, to sheep, rabbits, turkeys, pigs and chickens, you’re kids will love getting an up-close look at all of the animals! While touring the grounds, don’t forget to stop in to the various tents and have a look around. Many of them give out free items and the kids will enjoy filling up their bags as they go from tent to tent. Now, let’s not forget the most important part of the fair…all of that delicious Fair food! Be sure to bring along some extra money for a few tasty treats. Everything seems to cost roughly $5.00 per item, so plan accordingly. It’s a good idea to carry in your own drinks/bottled water so that you can save your money to buy an Elephant Ear, Italian sausage, Deep-Fried Twinkie, Corn Dog, Cheesecake on a Stick, or even just some fries. You’ll need to do a 12-day detox afterward, but hey, the Fair only comes once a year, right? There are also many activities that go on in the in the Grandstand area each day. For example, the Jason Michael Carroll concert, Truck and Tractor Pull, Demolition Derby, Harness Races and the School Band Parade.

This is only a small sample of the many events and activities that go on at the Fairfield County Fair. For a complete schedule of events and additional information, please visit the Fairfield County Fair’s official website at: www.fairfieldcountyfair.com

An apple a day....

2010-09-27T07:41:00.004-04:00

Of course you've heard the saying "An apple a day keeps the doctor away..." but I think there should be another saying involving apples. It needs to be something like "A day of picking apples helps the family celebrate fall...." It doesn't quite have the same ring to it, but you get the idea.

Every year my family heads up to Lynd's Fruit Farm in Pataskala and every year we have a blast. There are apples of every kind available to pick. All you have to do is pick a row and then you can get as many as you want.

One of the great things about the Lynd apple orchard is that they let you sample apples as you go. So, if you don't like the kind of apple that is available in the row you are in, you can just go down to the next one.

They have workers on hand to answer your questions about what type of apple is in each row and how they are best used. Of course, my 5 year old could care less about that... He just wants to eat apples and climb trees. It is honestly one of my 5 year old's favorite things we do in the fall. Even my one year old enjoyed trying to eat the apples!

After we were done picking a whole bag full of apples, we went to the Lynd's market and got cider and a pumpkin roll. When we got home, I made an apple bread pudding from a recipe they gave us at the orchard and let me tell you, it was good!

So, an apple a day may keep the doctor away, but a day of picking apples helps keep the family together! That has more of a ring to it.. I knew I would figure it out!

SweetPeas Cloth

2010-09-25T16:24:00.007-04:00

If you have ever considered using cloth diapers for your little one, you may have found the whole process to be confusing and overwhelming. I considered it with my fourth child but didn’t keep it up as I couldn’t decide which diapers to buy, wasn’t sure how to care for them or even how much I had to spend to get started - my list of questions was endless!

So I was very excited when I learned about SweetPeas Cloth, a local cloth diapering company that provides diapers and accessories through their website www.sweetpeascloth.com. Aside from the large inventory of adorable baby and mommy items, SweetPeas Cloth also offers to answer all of your cloth diapering questions. THIS was what I needed! I contacted owner Kayla Lockhart and asked if she would meet with me and a few other Lancaster mommies to show us the different types of diapers available and give us a tutorial on the process. It was great! We learned so much. Not only did she explain the environmental impact of cloth diapering, but also the health benefits for your infant and even broke down the cost differences between the purchase of your set of diapers and purchasing disposable diapers over the years until potty training. Wish I’d known that a few years ago!

Kayla brought a sample of each of the types of diapers available on her site and explained the differences, giving us pointers on what she and her clients have liked best. She explained how to wash them and even the best detergents to use and why. She then introduced us to all of the accessories available to make cloth diapering easier for the busy mom. From cloth wipes and bottom cleaner to diaper sprayers and changing pads to, my favorite, wet bags in beautiful designs and handy sizes. It was a great learning experience for all of us!

SweetPeas Cloth carries a number of other fabulous baby items like miYim organic plush toys, handy nursing covers and baby slings, the most adorable BabyLegs designs (another personal favorite!), and much more.

The best part is that Kayla is happy to meet with you and answer all of your questions! Plan a party with other mommies or even a baby shower and learn about the different options available and then ‘shower’ the new mom with all that she needs to get started!

I ordered a couple of cloth diapers and a wet bag and Kayla even dropped them by when she was in town! They offer same day or next day delivery to the Lancaster area and are offering a 10% discount to Lancaster mommies! Don’t forget to enter coupon code lancastermommy10 when placing your order.

Check out www.sweetpeascloth.com for yourself! You might even find that cloth diapering is for you and your baby!

Great Shoes and Great Service!

2010-09-13T20:28:00.005-04:00

I was amazed the other day to realized that my 2-year-old had grown out of his Stride Rites and even more amazed that I didn't have any shoes for him to wear! With three older brothers and an older cousin, it seems like there are always clothes or shoes to hand down.

I remembered noticing a little shoe store on Main Street that had a Stride Rite sign in the window so I decided I'd check it out. I am so glad that I did! If you haven't been in Walker's Shoe Center, you are missing out! As soon as I walked into the store a nice woman asked me if there was anything that she could help me with. I explained what I was looking for and she immediately, very calmly and patiently, measured my two-year-old's feet and sent him off to play with the toys. After I spent a few minutes trying to decide which pairs of very cute shoes I would be interested in, she asked if I'd like her to check in the sale room. Yes! I did! She brought out four pairs of the cutest Stride Rite shoes I'd ever seen! And at great prices! She fit them to his feet and gave me advice on sizing and what to keep in mind.

Needless to say, we left the store with the most adorable pair of dark-brown little boys shoes. She explained that they keep a card on file with your size and shoe information and that they periodically have sales - even on the sale room!

Besides children's shoes like Robeez and Stride Rite's, Walker's also carries great adult brands like Clark's and Birkenstocks, New Balance and cool Bogs boots, as well as a large selection of Smartwool socks. It is celebrating its 50th year in Lancaster and over 170 years in the shoe business. They are open Monday - Friday 9:30am - 7:00pm, and Saturday 9:30am - 5:00pm and are located at 737 E. Main St.

When you add the great brands and the fabulous service, we'll definitely be back! In fact, my husband's going to check out their Clark's tomorrow!

Corn is sweet!

2010-09-06T06:08:00.004-04:00

If you are looking for something fun to do with the kids next Labor Day weekend, lend me your ear....an ear of corn that is!

This past weekend our family went to the Millersport Sweet Corn festival. The festival is held every year right before Labor Day. It starts on Wednesday and ends on Saturday.

It cost 10 dollars to park, which is pretty expensive. But, there is no charge to get in. According to the events website, the proceeds go to help more than 75 non-profit organizations in the community.

There are many events going on during the festival. There are concerts, a parade, a 5K fun and a tractor tug pull. But, the only reason I wanted to go was for the sweet corn. It cost a $1.25 an ear and it is covered in butter! It is so good! My 11 month old really liked it too!

Many of those running the concessions are the non-profit organizations the event benefits. So, there are many other unique foods to eat while you are there.

The midway is full of rides for the kids and can provide hours of entertainment.

So, next year, when you are looking for something different to do with the kids on Labor Day weekend, remember to head to Millersport - it is sweet!

Getting ready for Kindergarten

2010-08-23T09:22:00.007-04:00

This week my 5 year old son, Ryan, starts Kindergarten. It is such a big step for him. So, we've been spending the last several weeks getting school clothes, backpacks, lunch boxes and school supplies. On Friday, we found out who his teacher is and who is going to be in his class. I really thought he was ready. But, I decided a trip to the Kindergarten story time at the Fairfield County Public Library this past Saturday wouldn't hurt. I wanted to make sure he was really prepared.

The story time instructor was great. She read several books to all the children about what it was like to go to Kindergarten and got them all really engaged. She combined serious learning activities, like a matching memory game, with energetic fun activities, like playing with a parachute. There was a craft at the end where the children decorated their own school supply box.

My son even got to meet two other boys who are in his class. So, he walked away from the library story time very excited about what his future in Kindergarten would be. It was a really great event for all the children.

What I came to realize while sitting at the story time event is that he has been ready for Kindergarten for weeks, maybe even months. A smile comes across his face that goes from ear to ear with the mention of the word "Kindergarten". But yet, I kept making him do all these "getting ready for Kindergarten" events. I concluded that going to the Kindergarten story time was more about preparing me for him to go to school. And after the event Saturday, I know now that both he and I are as ready as we can be for the big day. But, I may still shed a tear or two.

Exploring an underground world

2010-08-16T08:55:00.003-04:00

105 feet.

That's how far underground you can take your family for an adventure without going too far from home. The Olentangy Indian Caverns are located in Delaware. It is roughly an hour from Lancaster.

Guided tours start every half an hour and are 45 minutes long. We took our two sons, five years and 10 months old, down to look at rock formations while exploring underground passages and rooms. Even though it was difficult carrying the baby on my back while going down more than 70 steps, it was well worth it to hear the stories of the Wyandotte Indians. The guide told us how they used the caverns as shelter from weather, among other things and even how a young bandit used the caverns as his escape route.

Even though it was 90 plus degrees outside the day we traveled to Delaware, it was in the mid-50's underground. So, bring a light jacket if you go. And if you are even the smallest bit uncomfortable in tight spaces, you might want to rethink going down below.

Other fun activities for the kids are available after the cavern tour. They can gem mine, play mini-golf or climb a rock wall.

You can find out more information at www.olentangyindiancaverns.com.

Splish Splash in Circleville

2010-08-10T12:47:00.015-04:00

If you saw our last blog than you know that we have some great pools here in town. Tiki, Miller and Valley View. Pools are great, but some times the kids want something a little different. How many of you have made the 40 minute drive to Easton? Then, struggled to find a parking spot so that your kids could play in the fountains? Well, there is a better option only 25 minutes away in Circleville. There is a splash pad located at, get ready for this long name . . . Mary Virginia Crites-Hannan Park. The park is 74 acres at the intersection of route 188 and Pontius Road.When you are coming from Lancaster the park is on the left, be sure to keep an eye out because we drove right past it!

As soon as we arrived the kids were so excited they tore off their shoes and went straight to the water! Our 1 year old was curious every time the water stopped, so he would go get a closer look, then of course it would pop right back up in his face and he would run away. This went on the whole time, so cute! Even our older kids got a kick out of counting the seconds until the water came back on. My favorite part about the splash pad is that all of my children ages 1-8 were able to play in the same area. Having the little ones all together made it a breeze to watch them. There is a bathroom right next to the splash pad so no need to gather everyone up if only one child needs a potty break! Want to bring lunch? A covered picnic area is conveniently placed right there, so snack away! When the kids are done playing in the water you can head over to the playground to dry off a bit.

The splash pad is great, but like everything else there are pros and cons. One of the cons being concrete was used for the splash pad. I don't really know if anything else could have been used, but if you have rowdy boys like I do, you might want to pack the band-aids! When you throw the band-aids in the bag toss in the sunscreen too. Shade is hard to find at this park. But, you are there to play in the sun right? Also, they have benches all around, but if it is a busy day you might have a hard time finding a seat. Next time I head over to the park I will be taking a folding chair just in case! Other than those few negatives my family had a fantastic time!

Mary Virginia Crites-Hannan Park is a great destination that can take up the whole day or just and hour. Best of all it's free! You can't beat that. We will definitely be heading back soon!

Splashing in the summer sun

2010-08-02T15:19:00.006-04:00

The ideas of summer fun and swimming in a pool seem to go together like peanut butter and jelly. So, when the dog days of summer hit, you have to find a pool to take the kids to and cool off. The city of Lancaster has two options for a pool adventure for you and your family. They are Tiki Pool and Miller Pool.

This past weekend I took one of my sons to the Tiki Pool. It's located on Tiki Lane, right near the bowling alley. It was the first time we had ever been to the pool so I wasn't sure what to expect. But, it was exactly what we were looking for.

The giant slide was enough to keep my son entertained all afternoon. It's small enough that little kids can ride it with their parents, but big enough to be a challenge for the older kids. My five year old wouldn't ride it by himself, but I don't think that will last much longer. And for those with teenage children. there's a diving board.

For those with small children, there's a separate baby pool. It looked really nice because you could take the babies and get them out of all of the traffic of the big pool.

It cost 4 dollars a person to get in and children under 2 are free. You can find more details on the Lancaster Parks website, http://www.lancasterparks.com/Pools/pools.html.

A trip back in time...

2010-07-19T09:26:00.004-04:00

Many of us probably wish we could take our kids back in time and raise them when things were less complicated. We can't do that, but there is a way in Lancaster to take a trip back in time for a little while. You can do it by taking your children to the Skyview Drive-In.

The drive-in is located on East Main Street and is open every night of the week during the summer. The drive-in was built in 1948 and the old school speakers are still available at each space for customers to use. Of course, you can also listen to the audio from the movie on your car radio through frequency 88.5.

We took our 5 year old to see "How to Train a Dragon" earlier this year. It was a magical night under the stars for our family. The grin on my son's face went from ear to ear as he sat in the car, watched the movie on the huge screen and ate popcorn. You can find out more about the Skyview and what movies are playing by visiting skyviewdrivein.com.

The drive-in plays two movies each night and costs $6 for adults and $3 for kids. Pretty cheap for a ride on a time machine huh?

New Children's Boutique in Downtown Lancaster

2010-07-15T19:18:00.010-04:00

If you have been downtown lately you may have noticed the new kids clothing store, Ali Oop Couture. The boutique is brand new having only been open for about 2.5 weeks. The owner is Alayna Hoop, a Lancaster Mommy of a three year old little girl that I am guessing is very well dressed! I headed in to Ali oop Couture to meet Alayna, but also to shop for an outfit for the niece I am expecting any minute! I was not disappointed. When you go into the store it is obvious that girls rule with an area dedicated to bows and tutus. Though, that's not to say that boys won't find clothing just as cute! The store gets extra points from me simply because it was roomy enough to push my double wide stroller through. Who wants toddlers running around when you are trying to shop? You don't find that in a lot of stores. As of now Alayna sells clothing from infant to size 6X, and is working on getting larger sizes as the store grows. If you are shopping for weddings or special occasions she has flower girl dresses and little boy suits for special order. Alayna started out selling hair accessories online and it shows when you go into the store. She has a large selection of hair bows, flowers, clippies and much more, all of which she makes herself! Which is just simply amazing! She can do custom bows as well. Alayna says she had a customer bring in some fabric to match a dress that they had made and she was able to make a bow from their fabric! Talk about talent! In the store you can also find Taggie items and JJ Cole diaper bags and accessories. Melissa and Doug items are on their way and if you are looking for shoes she will be carrying Robeez in the fall. If you are worried about prices, don't be! You are sure to find adorable clothing that is priced right! There is something for everyone's budget. The store is great and the owner is wonderful! Just try to leave empty handed! Ali Oop is worth a visit or two..or three!

Ali Oop Couture
120 N. Columbus St.,
Lancaster, Ohio

Free Bowling This Summer

2010-07-01T10:31:00.005-04:00

Kids Bowl Free at Tiki Bowling Lanes this summer! If you haven't taken advantage of this great offer already, now is the time! We signed up our four kids early and were able to then register for a family pass. The pass is $25 and you can put four adults on it. Each person registered receives two free games everyday! Believe me, two games is plenty when you have kids bowling. You do have to pay for shoes, which are $1 a pair. I am amazed that it only took $4 for our family to go out on the town. It would have been $6 but our baby doesn't bowl and I have my own shoes from bowling in a league with my Grandma back in the day! This is minimal considering you are taking the whole family out! To sign up go to www.KidsBowlFree.com/Tiki. Register each child, then check to see if the family pass is still available. It's so easy! Heads up on the coupons. You are supposed to get them via e-mail, but ours were not sent out. I do know some families that did receive coupons through e-mail, but we had to go to the website and print up them up. So don't worry if the coupons don't come, just go to www.KidsBowlFree.com and get them. Either way, it is easy, free, and fun!

When we arrived we just paid for our shoes and got busy bowling (bumper bowling that is). Tiki is very family friendly. We had the bumpers up, the kids found size 6 or 7 balls perfect for little hands, and our two year old used the metal bowling aid that just rolls the ball right down the middle. It took us about two hours, which is perfect for little ones. On the way out we simply handed them our coupons and that was it! There really are no strings attached! I don't think any of us bowled over 100, but we had a blast making family memories! Complete with high fives, victory dances and a lot of cheering!

Building Relationships From Birth

2010-06-25T11:55:00.008-04:00

I have a five year old son and a 9 month old son. Many thought my oldest, Ryan, would have trouble adjusting to the new baby since he had been an only child for so long. But, there were not a lot of jealousy issues when Alex was born. One of the big reasons for that, I think, was a sibling class Ryan took at Fairfield Medical Center.
The class really introduces the big brother or sister to what it will be like having a new baby in the house. The children are taught how to hold a baby with a baby doll. They even practice diapering the infant. But, they are told not to do this without the permission of an adult. The instructor engages the children by asking them questions about their new sibling and makes it easy for the children to ask any questions they might have.
During the two-hour long class, the children are also taken on a tour of the maternity ward at the hospital. This way it is not something completely new to them when they come to visit their new sibling for the very first time.
Finally, the children are told to make a picture frame and place a picture of themselves inside. Once completed, the instructor collects the picture frames from the kids and holds on to them until the new babies are delivered. Then, when your new baby is brought into your hospital room, the picture of your older son or daughter is taped to the side of the hospital bassinet.
I know that the picture made Ryan feel very much a part of his brother's first days. And I believe that has carried itself forward, creating a loving relationship between the two brothers. Yes, I know they will start fighting and not getting along very soon, but I'm hoping this foundation of love and respect, that started at the Fairfield Medical Center sibling class, will always be there.
Fairfield Medical Center offers a variety of childbirth and maternity classes. You can find out more by calling (740) 687-8218.

Beauty on a Budget!

2010-06-24T09:15:00.002-04:00

If you are in need of a spa day or maybe a haircut and color, but just aren't sure you have the money to spend right now, you should consider the Aveda Institute in Columbus! Located near the corner of High and 11th, the Aveda Institute is a cosmetology and spa school that teaches students to be licensed cosmetologists and estheticians.

I recently made an appointment at the Institute for a hair cut. My hair was really suffering from having my last baby and from just being dry on the ends and I was nervous about what they were going to be able to do with it. The student who cut my hair took the time to discuss my options with me and then brought an instructor over to give her opinion. The instructor advised the student on how to cut my hair and returned twice to ensure that I was getting a great cut - which I was! I was also treated to a shoulder, neck, and head massage and a facial! It was the most relaxing afternoon I've had in a long time and all for $14! That's right - their cuts and styles are usually only $19 but are discounted to $14 for the rest of June! It was like getting a spa day for only $14!

The Institute also offers Damage Remedy services for your hair, a full list of color services, a number of facial and body treatments, manicures and pedicures. Their prices are all very reasonable and though they are performed by students, they seem to be very well supervised.

Some things to know - make sure you allow for a few hours at the Institute. The students are still learning and thus seem to work a little slower. I was there for 2 hours for my haircut but it was a very relaxing 2 hours. There is a parking garage on 11th right before you get to High which charges $1 an hour for parking. There are also a number of stores, including a Barnes and Noble, in the area in case you want to do a little shopping.

If you like the Aveda product, we have an Aveda salon here in town where you can stock up. You don't have to drive all the way to Columbus, just visit A Nu-U Salon & Spa on Columbus Street here in Lancaster!

Contact the Aveda Institute at 614.291.2421 and plan a mini spa day. Every mother deserves one!

A Night at the Bandstand

2010-06-21T08:44:00.006-04:00

Most kids love to listen to all different kinds of music! But taking children to a kids concert is often too expensive for the family budget. However, there is a free alternative and you can find it on Friday nights in downtown Lancaster.

Friday Night Bandstand is put on by Lancaster Parks and Recreation. The summer time concerts have been going on since 1982. A portion of Broad Street around the gazebo downtown is closed for the 7:30 p.m. performance, so that there is plenty of room for concert-goers and their families to sit and watch. All you have to do is bring to chairs to sit on and you are in for a delightful evening of entertainment. The best part is that it is FREE!

Each week a different type of music is featured. So, you can expose your children to all types of different sounds and they can dance their little hearts out. Of course, there's also an ice cream vendor to cool the children down after they have worked up a sweat.

This coming Friday, June 25th, the band named Yumbambe is scheduled to perform. They are described as playing latin jazz music spiced with red hot salsa. This might be a good opportunity for your child to discover their inner-dancer!!

For a complete bandstand schedule go to the Lancaster Parks and Recreation website.

Summer fun can mean reading too!

2010-06-06T19:52:00.007-04:00

School is out and summer is officially here! That means family fun, vacation and warm weather. But if you don't want your children to forget what they've learned in school completely, the Fairfield County District Library has just the thing for you and your children. It's the annual Summer Reading Program.

The program runs from early June until August 14th and it is really easy to take part in. All you have to do is go to the library and sign your child up. It doesn't matter how old your child is or at what reading level. You can even sign up non-readers. Mom or Dad just has to read the books to them.

After every book your child reads, he or she has to write it down on a book log provided by the library. Once they hit a certain level, they will earn a prize. The prizes include candy, books and coupons from McDonalds and Cold Stone Creamery. The grand prizes include a $50 savings bond, a $50 Target gift card, a water table or a four-pack of tickets to CocoKey waterpark in Newark.

So, if you are interested just go to the second floor of the library in downtown Lancaster and sign up! It's a fun way to keep learning alive during the footloose and fancy free summer vacation. Who knows....if your child reads the most, you could end up taking a mini-vacation to Newark for free!!

Grocery Shopping.. Downtown!

2010-05-30T14:04:00.012-04:00

The Lancaster Farmer's Market is now open for the 2010 season! It has been open since the beginning of May and will remain open until the end of October. For those of you that think there's no reason to take your kids shopping at the farmer's market, you are wrong! It's quite an adventure to go grocery shopping..... downtown.

The market is located on Broad Street between Main and Wheeling, right in the heart of downtown Lancaster. It is open on Wednesdays from 10:00am to 2pm and Saturdays from 8:00am to 12:00pm.

This past Saturday music filled the humid morning air, as we arrived. This was my first trip ever to the Lancaster Farmer's Market, so I wasn't sure quite what to expect. I think I just thought there would be food to purchase. Expect the unexpected is my only advice. You can find a little bit of everything.

Plants and flowers lined the street. You, of course, could buy fruit and vegetable plants for your garden. My son has wanted our own strawberry plant for as long as I can remember and he walked out of the farmer's market with one in a hanging basket!!

Other vendors were selling homemade baked breads and jelly to slather all over it. One vendor we encountered had a garlic jelly. She and many others let you sample the merchandise before you purchased it. So, I had to try the garlic jelly. Surprisingly, it was a little bit sweet!!

There's a special event almost every weekend at the market. Many people walked through with their children and pets. There were even horses on hand this past Saturday for children to see. On Saturday, June 26th, it's Kids Day. There will be a petting zoo and children will be able to learn how to plant seeds.

I don't know how our new strawberry plant in a hanging basket will do. But, I do know that my kids will be excited the next time I say "Let's go grocery shopping...downtown!"

"Look Mommy....airplane!"

2010-05-16T10:24:00.013-04:00

One of the first things many little babies point at or talk about is an airplane in the sky. I distinctly remember my son saying "Look Mommy, airplane!" They're just fascinating and beautiful for both children and adults to observe.
And there's a place in Lancaster where you can take your family to see them up close and personal for free, while taking a trip back in time.

The Historical Aircraft Squadron held an open house and fly-in at the Fairfield County Airport this past Saturday. There were free helicopter and airplane rides for kids, as well as parachuting demonstrations and at least 20 planes on display.
Children could look inside some of the planes and even take a tour of the Squadron's World War II era B-26 bomber.

H.A.S has a museum located in a hangar at the airport. In addition to just being a good time, Curator Don Bell says the museum is educational for children. He says it shows them a different period in history and helps them to grasp the concept of sacrifice and war.

The museum recently added additional hours for visitors to stop by. It will now be open five days a week, Wednesday through Sunday. The hours are 9am to 5pm. On Sunday, the hours are noon to 5pm. There is no admission charge.

At the end of the day long open house, the B-26 took to the air and flew over the airport several times. It put on quite a show for those in attendance. At one point, the historic aircraft turned on its side and buzzed the runway. That's when I heard my son say the 5-year old version of "Look Mommy...airplane!" This time he said "Oh my Gosh! Wow! That was cool!"

It's the thought that counts....

2010-05-10T08:00:00.019-04:00

Most moms don't want their young children to spend money on them for a Mother's Day gift because, let's face it, most of the time we would never pick out the presents for us that they do! And it's the thought that counts, right? So, the Fairfield County District Library in Lancaster helped some moms out this weekend by providing a way their children could make them a precious gift without the price tag.

It was called "Mother's Day Make and Take". From 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, Moms or Dads could stop by the library's second floor and help their kids make a gift for mom at no charge. Kids of all ages could take part in the event.

The library provided children with a foam picture frame which spelled the word "Mom" and then gave the kids other foam items to decorate it with. My 5-year old son Ryan's present for me ended up with hearts, butterflies, flowers and letters from his name all over it. He covered up the space where I was supposed to be able to put his picture, but I didn't mind.

Our 3-year old neighbor, Isabelle, came along with us. Her purple picture frame looked a lot more organized with with her hearts, flowers, high-heeled shoes and sunglasses around the part where the picture is supposed to go. But, I think her mom, Emily, helped with that a little.

The librarians on the second floor showed us what to do. They say funding for these type of events comes from the Friends of the Library.

The library also had a "Salute to Mom" puppet show on Sunday performed by the Fairfield County District Library Puppeteen Theatre. It was an event the whole family could attend.

There are many other events held at the library, including story time for kids. You can check out upcoming events at the library's website: www.fcdlibrary.org

My gift didn't really turn out to be a picture frame at all. But, my son still thought it should hang on the wall. So, when I went into my room on Sunday, I found it hanging next to the table by my bed. It's the thought that counts...

Better Hearing & Speech Month

2010-05-08T14:31:00.000-04:00

If any of you have visited our seasonal page this month then you know that it is Better Hearing and Speech Month. May has been Better Hearing and Speech month for over 75 years. It is the perfect time to pay closer attention to your child's speech, vocabulary and hearing and because I have a child with a speech delay I have seen first hand what early intervention can do.

When our third child, Sonny was around six month's old I began noticing that he was not babbling like children his age should be. I didn't really say anything to anyone because I felt silly and paranoid. I tried to teach him some baby signs and pushed my worries away. By 1 year he still was a very quiet child. Friends would remark how "good" Sonny was. He would just sit in his stroller quietly and take in his surroundings. Honestly I thought I'd hit the baby jackpot. I called him my "sitcom baby". The one you could just put in a play pen then never hear another peep from. In the back of my mind I still had some concerns, though I rarely spoke of them. At around fifteen month's he finally said "mama", but still wasn't saying anything else. We just thought we would "wait and see".

As the next six month's went by I started voicing my concerns, but honestly still felt silly. Anyone we would talk to about it would say..."Don't worry, boys talk later", "oh my neighbor's son didn't talk until he was three, then one day started speaking in full sentences", "He's just more physical", or my favorite, "Einstein didn't talk until he was five". We decided that if he still wasn't talking by age 2 we would talk to the doctor about it. At this point he was saying 5-8 words, roughly. The average child should use 50 different words by ages 21-24 months and be using two word sentences. She listened to our concerns and started the ball rolling.

The first step was to test his hearing. If the child can't hear clearly then they might have a more difficult time speaking. In Sonny's case his hearing was fine. So, the next step was to set up a speech evaluation. We contacted both the Fairfield County Hospital and Help Me Grow. Since the evaluation Sonny has been seeing speech a therapist every other week through Help Me Grow's birth to three program, as well as a therapist at the hospital. We have been very happy with both. Our son is now 34 months and is talking so much better now although there is still more work to be done. I'm thankful that we followed our gut and decided to speak up about our concerns. Because Sonny had early intervention I am confident that he will be up to his age level in no time!

I am sad to say that this month one of his speech therapists, Megan Worthington will be moving on from the birth to three program through Help Me Grow. Happy to report however that she has begun her own private speech therapy business "Talk To Me". This is the first and much needed private speech therapy in Lancaster.

Remember to talk to your child's pediatrician if you have any speech, language or hearing concern's. I know it can be difficult to bring up milestone concern's at the doctor. As a parent it's hard to know if you are being paranoid, but I would rather bring it up and feel silly then keep quiet and worry! The more you talk to your doctor about these things the earlier you catch them.

If you think your child has a speech, language, or hearing problem you should
contact your pediatrician, an audiologist, or Speech-Language Pathologists.

Talk to Me • Speech therapy - Megan M. Worthington MA, CCC-SLP
1611 Tiki Lane, Lancaster, Ohio • 740.243.9400

Help Me Grow • A child development program that offers health
and developmental services for children under 3 years of age
1743 East Main Street, Lancaster, Ohio • 740.681.4881

Fairfield Medical Center • Speech & Language Pathologists -
1143 E. Main St., Lancaster, Ohio • 740.687.8152

Fairfield Medical Center • Audiologists -
1143 E. Main St., Lancaster, Ohio • 740.687.8948

Before you go to the polls...

2010-05-03T10:24:00.009-04:00

Most moms love to take their kids to the park. In fact, they count on them to provide free entertainment and recreation outside of the home. That's why some moms in Lancaster and throughout Fairfield County have been concerned as they drive by signs indicating there is a parks issue on Tuesday's primary election ballot. Before you head to the polls, here is some information area moms might want to know about the Fairfield County Historical Parks property tax issue.

It's known as Issue 14. It is a .5 mills to operate, acquire and maintain Fairfield County's historical parks. Lancaster City parks are not supported in any way by this issue. The Fairfield County Historical parks website says there are 18 parks, with only five currently open to the public. Most of the park land was donated. The historical park land includes Rock Mill, Cross Mound near Tarlton, Two Glaciers Park, Flight of the Hawk Sculpture Park located south of Lancaster and five covered bridges. There are 700 acres of historical park land in the county. According to literature posted by the historical parks online, the current budget for the district is roughly $90,000 and that's not enough to keep up the 13 parks that are now off limits. The levy will generate an estimated 1.57 million dollars annually over 10 years and the district superintendent says it would cost the average homeowner in Fairfield County less than $20.00 a year.

Officials plan to use the money generated from this levy to improve the parks that are currently open to the public and provide accessibility to the parks that are now closed. Other plans include: construction of the county's first equine trail and camp, restoration of a portion of the old Ohio-Erie Canal for ice skating in the winter and exercising in the summer and the establishment of a disc golf course.

According to media reports, this is the 10th time the issue has gone before Fairfield County voters. All previous times the issue has gone up for a vote, it has failed. Officials say if the levy does not pass this time around, it could result in the closing of historical parks that are now open to the public.

The website for the Fairfield County Historical Parks is www.historicalparks.org.

A fact sheet about the levy produced by the historical parks is available at http://www.historicalparks.org/faq.html.

Family Fun Fair - Reflection!

2010-04-14T14:43:00.006-04:00

As many of you know Lancaster Mommy attended the first annual Family Fun Fair at Rising park! This event was put on by the Fairfield Association for the Education of Young Children. They also do a similar event in December called Gift of Time, so look forward to that! The fair took place on Saturday, April 10th and went wonderfully! There were a lot of tables with fun things to do for kids. Our craft was a cookie frog fashioned out of an Oreo. There was also a bubble station, a face painting area, a group doing sand art, at another station your child could create a tote, and there was plenty more! This entire event was fun filled and best of all, FREE! We will definitely be attending the fun fair in the future. It was a great opportunity to meet some Lancaster Mommy fans. Thank you to everyone that came out to see us, we hope to see you again next year! This was the first event that Lancaster Mommy was a part of and I am sure there will be many more to come!

Glamour Girls

2010-03-30T13:54:00.005-04:00

Do you have a girl who is in need of some spoiling? Trista Papson owner of Attractions Hair Studio has recently expanded. The upstairs of the studio has been transformed into a girly spa called "Glamour girls"! It's perfect for a birthday party, a special play date, recital night, or just any day you feel like having fun! The room is darling! Decorated in pink and polka dots. Your girls will go gaga for it! When I went to take pictures my eight year old was wide eyed! The moment we left she started planning her next birthday. She almost convinced me to take her entire ballet class to get makeover's before their big recital...almost. I'm not sure about a pre-recital spa day, but I think she'll be in for a treat when her birthday arrives!

Each party guest gets to wear a tutu, dress up jewelry, a feather boa, flip flops, and even a tiara! Parties are available for 2 or more girls and start at $50. "Glamour girls" is geared toward girls up to age 12. The parties last between 1 - 2 1/2 hours depending on the package you choose. They have several different packages to choose from. Starting with "Glamour Party for 2" all they way up to "All the Glitz and Glamour Party"! You are sure to find the perfect package to meet your needs. For More information see Attractions Glamour Girl Page!

Attractions Hair Studio

139 South Columbus Street
Lancaster, OH 43130-4313
(740) 689-9993

Upscale Resale

2010-02-11T15:41:00.007-05:00

It's almost time for my daughter's first communion, so we went out in search of a beautiful white dress. Turns out they are really expensive! So we headed over to Kids Closet (Formerly All About Kids Too - by Meijer). I hadn't been there in over a year, so when I walked in I was very surprised. The new owners moved everything around and gave it a cute boutique feel. It's a lot roomier (I can actually move around with an infant car seat in tow) and they even have a complimentary stroller to use while in the store! We found the perfect dress as soon as we walked in for just $20! Which is great because the only one's I could find new were $50+! The dress is in great condition and fits great. When it comes to sizing, there is no guess work needed because they offer a dressing room in the back of the store. On the way to the register I also found an adorable giraffe print baby bag that I had to buy! I swear the bag is brand new! Kids Closet offers a point system where you earn a point for every dollar you spend. Once you accumulate 100 points, you receive a $10 credit towards a future purchase. It does not expire or go away, it remains in your account until you redeem it! So you can save while you spend! Plus, if you take your own gently used items you can save lots of dough! They have weekly specials, like mommies to be can save 15% every Monday! I was so impressed I went straight home and checked out the Kids Closet website. I signed up for their mailing list and was immediately sent a $5.00 off coupon! While on the website I used the wish list page. You just type in the item you are in search of and your contact information and they let you know if they get it in! They really know how to cater to their customer and I am loving it! When you go shopping at Kids Closet mention LancasterMommy.com and receive a special coupon!

I love to use the kids resale shops for not only every day clothing, but especially shoes, dress up clothes, baby carriers, strollers and swings. Resale is really great for those super expensive items, that is where you are really going to save! If you can't find what you're looking for at Kids Closet, you can also try Kids Stop or Cape Kid.

Kids Closet
3030 Lancaster-Kirkersville Road Northwest
Lancaster, OH 43130-8125
(740) 681-1780

Kids Stop
925 Ety Road Northwest
Lancaster, OH 43130-7733
(740) 654-8620

Cape Kid
240 West 6th Avenue
Lancaster, OH 43130-2510
(740) 653-2799

Frosty Flicks for $3.00

2010-02-09T13:10:00.004-05:00

Marcus Cinemas in Pickerington has $3.00 kids movies in February & March! Movies shown Saturday mornings at 10:00 am. Receive a complimentary popcorn too!

February 13th - Night at the Museum: Battle of Smithsonian
February 2oth - Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs 2D
February 27 - Where the Wild Things Are
March 6 - Fantastic Mr. Fox
March 13 - Planet 51

Marcus Cimemas - Pickerington
1776 Hill Road North

Pickerington, OH 43147

(614) 759-6500

Lowes Build & Grow

2010-01-18T13:41:00.013-05:00

If you have crafty kids then your family will enjoy Lowes' build and grow program! Recently my husband took our 5 and 7 year old to participate in one of these workshops. So since he's now the master builder I'll let him give you the gist of it...

So we were running late, surprise surprise. This usually happens when you forget to bring the paperwork your wife told you not to forget. So after a quick stop back at the house we finally arrived at Lowes at around 10:06 am. I was nervous that we might not get in because my wife told me not to be late. I asked a nice lady at the front where the kids workshop was and she directed me to the rear of the store. "Great", I said. Halfway through the store I realized that I forgot the camera that my wife told me not to forget. She wanted pictures for the blog. There was already a group of kids headed to the back so I told my children (Kennedy, 7 and Jonathan, 5) to follow them while I ran to the car. I know, not very responsible of me.

To my relief, my kids found where they were supposed to go. Essentially you just go down the hall where the public restrooms are. Pass the restrooms and make a left down to the end of the hall. The workshop is in one of the employee conference rooms. I walked in and my kids were already grabbing a seat at the table. I promptly pulled out my paperwork (registration and liability waiver) and handed it to the workshop coordinator for Lowes. She told me that they don't take things off the internet. Okay? So I signed their version of the same thing and got to work. I recommend signing up online and taking that forms in anyway just to stay on the safe side.

At last, we can get down to business. I wasn't excited to do this but after we got started I really enjoyed myself. They give your kids each a small packet with the days project and a tool (ie. small hammer) that they'll need to complete it. They also supply your kids with a pair of goggles and a Lowes apron to keep, totally free which is always fun. These items they will bring with them to future workshops. Inside the packet will be all the necessary pieces your child will need to construct their project. That days assignment...a coin bank.

I'm no handyman so I was concerned that I might not be much of help. Quickly I realized that my deficiencies would not be an issue. The directions couldn't be easier and your child should have no problem provided you offer some oversight. I started in with Jonathan because Kennedy insisted on doing this herself. I say okay knowing I'll be working with her later. The wood was already marked where the nails were to go and the grooves were already in place for the sliding pieces. This was as simple as it gets. Jonathan and I finished his project in less than 10 minutes. We're rockstars!

Then there was Kennedy. She didn't fare to well on her own as I so wisely predicted. But after a half hour and 3 rebuilds later we finally got it done. I still don't know what we did wrong.

All in all, we had a lot fun. The children received a certificate and a badge to place on their apron representing that day's project. They were thrilled. And it turns out that I didn't have to worry about be being a late. It's from 10:00-11:00 but you can come anytime which is probably a good thing because there wasn't always space at the table. I would say that if you follow the directions you shouldn't have to spend longer than 15 minutes there.

Not only was it fun but it was also relaxing. I enjoyed the time with kids and I would definitely recommend the workshop to moms and/or dads. Kennedy and Jonathan's coin banks turned out wonderful and they are excited to use them. Like some of the things I've attempted over the years, I'm not sure they'll stand the test of time but that remains to be seen. Can't wait to go back. I'm sure my wife is hoping I'll pick up a few pointers while I'm there. Have fun everyone!

Lowes does these workshops every other Saturday from 10:00 am - 11:00 am. January 23rd they will be building a tic tac toe set and on February 13th your child can make a jewelry organizer.

Cure Cabin Fever!

2010-01-01T22:33:00.004-05:00

Need to get your toddler or preschooler out of the house this winter? Head over to The Family Y! I took my 2 and 4 year old last winter and they couldn't get enough! It's a great way to get some of that pent-up energy out. I think the program is designed to be practice time for gymnastics, but it's hard to get any practicing done when 15 little ones are together! Plus, toddler and preshcool gymnastics consists of jumping, rolling and hanging, and believe me, they will accomplish that! As long as you don't let your kids get out of hand (ie. running to much, tackling eachother) you and your child(ren) will have a great time! As a member of the Y this program is a great convenience.

Open gymnastics starts January 8th and runs until May 21st. Ages 18 months to 5 years. Friday, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm. They also have open gym for 5 & up on Friday nights. Must wear sweats or leotards. No jeans. Class is Free for YMCA Members. Non-Members pay $5.00 per child, $7.00 per adult.

Another fun option for winter is AHA! Children's Museum. Your child will surely be napping after a trip here! We visited them last winter and the kids didn't want to leave! The water table was our toddler's favorite! For Ages 0-7. Open Monday - Saturday, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. $5.00 per person. (hint: if you flash your COSI membership card you might get 1/2 off) If you've never been to AHA! here are just a few of the things you'll find; A play grocery market, a face painting table, a laser harp, a theater, craft area, even a plop zone for your crawler! They have 23 exhibits all together!

While were talking about great places for winter, let's not forget to mention Giant Eagle! You can drop your 3 year old off at the Eagle's nest and shop for 2 hours... or grab lunch at their deli with girlfriends, not that I've ever done this. ;) The best part is you don't have to feel the least bit guilty, the kids will be begging to go back! The get to play with friends and do crafts!

Oh, and of course there's always Burger King!

The North Pole Express!

2009-12-10T10:38:00.009-05:00

I know that in our household, like many others reading The Polar Express is a Christmas tradition. Did you know you can bring the book to life? Visit the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway and ride The North Pole Express! Get the family dressed in their pajamas and go on an adventure with hot chocolate, skating and a visit with Santa and more! Cost: Adults: $25, Seniors (60+) $20, Children (3-12) $17 (Under 3 yrs. old ride free but must sit on guardian's lap). Reservations recommended. The ride lasts for about 1 1/2 hours. Departs at 7:00 pm on Saturday, December 12, 19, and Friday, December 18. Not sure what to expect? Local mom Ashley Barringer just took her family on The North Pole express, here's what she had to say about it!

"Our family loved the polar express train! The price includes an hour ride on the heated train, hot chocolate, cookies and a present. The conductor even punches your child's ticket - just like the movie! After reaching the North Pole Nelsonville you follow the conductor to see Santa and Ice skate! (those too are included in the price) The one thing I would say is BUNDLE UP your children because the Santa station is outdoors. We loved it and can't wait to do it again!"

Can't make the North Pole Express? No problem. The Hocking Valley Scenic Railway offers two other themed trains this season. Choose from a ride with Santa or the New Year's Eve Celebration Train!
• The Santa Train - Cost: Adult $16; Senior (60+) $14; Child (3-12) $12 (Under 3 yrs. old ride free but must sit on guardian's lap.) Advance reservations are recommended. The ride is about 2 hours. December 12 & 13, 19 & 20. Two trains depart each day at 11 a.m. and 2 pm. will board at the depot and share the ride with you. During the trip, Santa will visit with each child.
• New Year's Celebration Train Ride - Cost: Wine & Cheese: Adults: $35, Seniors (60+) $30. Pepsi & Pizza: Adults: $25, Seniors (60+) $20, Children (3-12) $15 (Under 3 yrs. old ride free but must sit on guardian's lap.) ADVANCE RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED AND MUST BE MADE BY DECEMBER 29. Enjoy fireworks and a ton of fun. Choose to ride in a car serving wine and cheese OR you may sit in a car serving Pepsi and pizza.The train is scheduled for a 10:30 p.m. departure.

Hopefully your family will get a chance to experience the railway and all it's charm! If you can't make these dates be sure to check the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway's website for future rides!

"Santa in the Park" 2010

2009-12-06T16:04:00.005-05:00

Santa and his friends will be coming to Alley Park on Thursday, Dec. 9, Friday, Dec. 10 and Saturday, Dec. 11 from 6:00-8:00 PM for Lancaster Parks and Recreation's annual "Santa in the Park" extravaganza! The Parks and Recreation Department goes all out for "Santa in the Park," from lighting up the Park with thousands of lights to Santa, Mrs. Claus and his elves putting on a special performance. This is a wonderful family event you definitely won't want to miss!
When you arrive you'll park in the field across from Alley Park. Then you'll walk through the tunnel of lights, past a beautiful, lit-up pond and to the Lodge. Santa puts on about a 10 minute performance for the spectators and they only let so many people in at a time. So if there is already a performance going on when you get there, you'll have to wait outside on the deck for the next show...so dress appropriately for the weather. Wait times can be up to 15 minutes, but it's worth it! Once in the Lodge, you'll gather around the fireplace and listen to Santa and his helpers as they put on a top-notch performance about the true meaning of Christmas. Afterwards, head downstairs to the Nature Education Center for a complimentary cookie and peruse the goods displayed the vendors. You can also look at all of the animals on display while you're there. Your kids will love it!
On your way out, stop by the concessions tent for a cup of cider or cocoa and a hot dog to roast over the bonfire. All concessions are available for a monetary donation (.50 cents per item is appropriate and appreciated). This "stroller friendly" event is great fun for the whole family. So why not bring the family out to Alley Park, located at 2805 Old Logan Rd. for an unforgettable encounter with Santa Claus? It's one they're not likely to forget!

Saum Family Farm

2009-12-03T13:53:00.006-05:00

The day after Thanksgiving is the day my family takes our annual pilgrimage to Saum's Family Farm in search of the "perfect" Christmas tree. Saum's Farm is about 8 miles west of Lancaster and has a huge amount of trees to choose from. Whether you want the experience of hiking around and cutting down your own tree, or you prefer to buy a pre-cut or burlaped tree, you're likely to find a great Christmas tree at Saum's.
We enjoy hiking up and down the rows looking for just the right one and cutting it down ourselves. If you aren't sure what type of tree would best suit your needs, talk with any of the employees at the farm. They are very knowledgeable and will help to point you in the right direction. After bundling the kids up, we grab a wagon and a saw (provided by the farm) and start the search. This year we even took our 6 month old in his stroller which provided quite a nice workout for Mommy! We have come to love the Canaan Fir and have purchased this type of tree for the last 2 out of 3 years that we've been going to this farm. We think the Canaan Fir has the perfect shape, and love the short, soft needles, as well as the wonderful, fragrant smell! It's a great tree if you have small children because you don't have to worry about the needles being too prickly. Last year we brought home a 7 ft. Blue Spruce and while it was beautiful, we all had bloody knuckles by the time we were done hanging the ornaments! Painful! This year we found a wonderful 8 ft. Canaan Fir within just a few minutes of our hike. Of course we kept hiking around and looking at all the tree's to be sure that it was, in fact, "The One!" It was! After paying, then having the tree bailed and tying it to the top of the car, we enjoyed a complimentary cup of hot cocoa and a cookie in the shop. I think this is by far the boys favorite part of the trip! It's a nice way to warm up after being out in the howling wind and cold and gives customers the opportunity to walk around the gift shop. In addition to Christmas Tree's, Saum's also sells fresh wreaths, ornaments and other Christmas decorations. If you'd like to see Santa while your at Saum's Farm check their website at www.saumfamilyfarm.com for dates and times he'll be visiting! You will also find other helpful information on their website such as directions to the farm, and types and prices of trees. Also, they only take cash or checks...we found that out the hard way!
So regardless of whether you like to hike the woods to cut down your tree or you pull it out of a box brought down from the attic, enjoy decorating YOUR perfect Christmas Tree! Happy Holidays!

LolaLeigh

2009-11-14T19:42:00.010-05:00

Yesterday I had the pleasure of stopping into LolaLeigh, a new clothing and accessory shop downtown. I've been waiting for this moment since we started LancasterMommy.com and I was not disappointed! It is the cutest, most creative little shop I've visited in a long time. A refreshing change from the clothing stores I usually find myself in.

Leigh Dixon and her mother have opened it and they make the most adorable children's clothing. Anyone who knows Leigh, knows that her daughter Lola could be on the cover of any magazine and is the cutest model for Leigh's clothes. As a mother of four boys, this was certainly one of those times that I miss not having a girl! She has exquisite, timeless little girls dresses that make daughters look 'girlie' again, something I really like. Other items include jeans and bib overalls with patches made of any number of different designs, onesies with animals or words on them, and skirts of many different types, all homemade in charming fabrics and patterns.

Leigh will create custom-made outfits for you and is planning to offer women's clothes in the spring - I can't wait! There is even a rumor that she will start offering sewing classes after Christmas. Something I definitely don't want to miss!

Check it out. Lolaleigh 105 N Columbus St, Lancaster. The Eagle-Gazette wrote about the shop recently too. Oh, and if you have any question about her talent, yes she made that costume in the picture! It's the Wise Old Owl. Unbelievable.

Cake Class Reflection

2009-11-14T16:41:00.003-05:00

A while back I wrote a post about Hobby Lobby cake decorating. Well, the class is over and I have my official Wilton Course 1 certificate! The course is made up of 4 classes. The first class is pretty much observation, but a definite eye-opener. I learned how to put my icing on without a crumb layer and how to get that super smooth look on a cake without using fondant. For me these two things alone were worth $17.50! In the first class we also were given a list of things we would be needing for the course. This is the part I didn't plan for. Supplies! We needed to buy, unless you already have the stuff, a Wilton course 1 kit (retails for about $24.00), icing colors (about $1.50), meringue powder (around $5.00), cake ingredients, and whatever extras you might choose (ie. more icing bags, a cake carrier, piping gel, special icing tips). So as you can see, it does come to a little more than $17.50. Honestly after hearing about these additional costs I had mixed feelings. I was disappointed that I would have to spend more than I had prepared for, but excited about what I had learned. I decided to continue the course and couldn't be happier with the result. I learned how to make a rose, drop flowers, wedding quality icing, leaves, and much more. It was well worth the money spent. If you are planning on continuing to decorate cakes just look at the cost as an investment, and when your kids come and ask you to make that special cake for their birthday you'll be glad you did it and so will they! Above is a picture of my final cake. I know it isn't much to look at, but trust me it's a huge improvement. The more I practice the better the cakes will be.

Pumpkin Hike Fun

2009-11-05T09:36:00.009-05:00

Last Saturday Heather and her family were gracious enough to take me and my boys to the Annual Pumpkin Hike at Alley Park. This was our first Pumpkin Hike and the boys were VERY excited. They were not disappointed. We arrived early, as Heather suggested in her recent blog post. It did make a difference and parking was not too bad. It was still light out when we began the walk, which did mean that we didn't get to experience the pumpkins in their full lit glory but also meant it was easier to keep an eye on the 5 boys running ahead of us. We were greeted graciously by the owners of Neeley's Farm, who donated all of the pumpkins. Then we proceeded to walk around the lake, enjoying all of the creatively carved pumpkins, as it gradually become dark and the pumpkins lit up. It is a beautiful walk and one I won't miss again!

At the end of the walk, the boys really enjoyed roasting hotdogs over the open fires and drinking hot chocolate and apple cider. There was a large, lit-up, pumpkin totem pole that was very cool. The pumpkin each of the boys got before we left the park was their very favorite part and we had to carve them the next day.

It really was a great time and I would encourage all families to attend next year. Some thoughts - go early if you have rambunctious children (like I do) as it is a little easier to watch them when there is a little light, purchase the glow sticks that they sell at the beginning of the walk (this is the only way I was able to see my children at the end!), bring marshmallows if your kids like them as they would be fun to roast, and carry the little ones (I don't think a stroller would make it). Thanks Heather and family! We had a great time!

Trunk or Treat!

2009-10-21T16:45:00.003-04:00

Halloween is almost here and there are many activities going on around town. Among the fun next week is Trunk or Treat at Redeemer Lutheran. As I've written before, many of the local churches offer fun, family events and this is one not to be missed. Redeemer has a fairly large parking lot and they line up to 25 cars in a roughly L shape, with their trunks towards the middle. Kids are invited to 'trick or treat' at all of the cars. In the past my boys have received candy, necklaces, and even toothbrushes. At the end of the cars, there are usually tables with pumpkins to decorate and snacks to eat. There is also a hay ride that you don't want to miss.
This is always one of my family's favorite events and I would recommend it to anyone! It is easy to push a stroller around and is a great way to meet new people, or just get together with your friends! It doesn't take to long and your kids will love the chance to wear their Halloween costumes early!
The details are: Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1400 Concordia Drive, Lancaster. Tuesday, October 27, 5:00 - 6:30pm.

ANNUAL PUMPKIN HIKE!

2009-10-16T13:39:00.006-04:00

Lancaster Parks and Recreation’s Annual Pumpkin Hike is just around the corner! This fantastic family event will be held at Alley Park (2805 Old Logan Rd) in Lancaster on Saturday, October 23, 2010 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. If you have never attended the Pumpkin Hike this is a “must do” Halloween event that will surely turn into a family tradition! If you have attended the Pumpkin Hike in the past, I’m sure you’ll agree that this is a one of a kind event that is great fun for the whole family!
You can turn this event into a whole day of fun by bringing the family over to Alley Park anytime between 8:00 AM and 1:00 PM to help carve the pumpkins that will line the trail later that evening. The pumpkin carving takes place in the barn just past the Alley Park entrance. All of the pumpkins are donated by Neeley’s Farm and participants need only bring carving tools and a great imagination! You may carve as many pumpkins as you like! For many Lancaster families, carving the pumpkins the morning of the hike has become as much as of a tradition as the Pumpkin Hike itself!
When you arrive for the Pumpkin Hike between 6:30 PM and 8:30 PM you will park in the field across from the park (parking attendants will be on hand to direct you). I, personally, would go early as this event can get extremely busy. In fact, over 6000 people were estimated to have attended the hike last year!
The hike takes place on the “Lake Trail” which is a dirt trail with moderate terrain that circles Lake Loretta. The trail is lit only by the Jack-O-Lantern’s that were carved earlier that morning. Umbrella strollers or strollers with plastic wheels are not recommended due to the terrain, however, a jogging stroller or one with air-filled tires would do just fine. The hike takes about 20 minutes. After the hike roast a hot-dog over a bonfire (there will be 2 or 3) and enjoy a cup of hot cocoa or spiced cider. Monetary donations are accepted for the food.
So come on out to Alley Park for the Annual Pumpkin Hike and become a part of a Lancaster Family Tradition! For more information call the Lancaster Parks and Recreation Department at 740-687-6651 or go to http://www.lancasterparks.com/.

Thursdays Play Group

2009-10-15T08:45:00.000-04:00

Play group is still going to be on Thursdays at 10am, but today it's feeling kind of yucky out there! So Rising Park won't be our destination this morning. I think we might want to skip the muddy pants today! We're going to meet at the play area at the River Valley Mall instead of the park. This may become a trend the closer we get to winter so be on the lookout!

It's time to buy pumpkins! ..... already?

2009-10-11T16:04:00.006-04:00

My family like most families has made an event out of going to buy pumpkins. Our destination of choice was always Pigeon Roost Farm in Hebron, Ohio. It's a lot of fun and helps to make pumpkin choosing an exciting event! They have a fun center for kids that costs $4.00 (2 & under are free), a corn maze and a wagon ride for $3.00 (3 & under are free). They have camels, donkeys, goats, and lots of other animals! It's fun for everyone, that is if you don't get lost in the corn maze! They provide wagons for pulling pumpkins while you're there. We always used the wagon for our kids too! That way we can skip the stroller and save room in the back of our car for all those pumpkins! Pigeon's Roost charges 35¢ per pound for pumpkins. Specialty pumpkins are priced separately though. They take credit cards so no need to stop at the ATM before you head out.
Okay, so here's the thing . . . we love those huge pumpkin farms, but sometimes with little ones (not to mention little cash) it's best to keep it simple. I know for our family it can get a little overwhelming. So while I recommend a big 'ole pumpkin patch to fill up a weekend with tons of fun, I'm not sure I would recommend it for all of your pumpkin shopping. My family discovered Neeley's last year, and it meets our needs perfectly. Neeley's is a roadside farm market right in a Lancaster residents front yard. It's big enough to be exciting for young ones yet small enough to keep them focused on the task at hand. Picking that perfect pumpkin to carve! Neeley's is located on the East side of town at 2574 Mud House Road. Neely's may be small, but they have lots of choices. Huge pumpkins for around $10.oo-$12.00, little pumpkins for $1.50. "Perfectly Sized" pumpkins for $3-$4. These are the ones you'd choose for that spooky Jack-o-lantern.
While you're there you can also pick up mums, tomatoes, zucchini, corn shocks or hay bales. The great thing about Neeley's is that you can keep the trip short and sweet! Be sure to bring the amount of cash you think you'll need, because they rely on the honor system. So no one is there to break your $50! No need for a stroller because you don't have to park miles away, just pull in the drive way and shop on the front lawn!

Pumpkin farms come in so many different shapes and sizes so I'm sure you'll find the perfect one to suit your family's personality! To help you find the perfect pumpkin place we've compiled a list on our seasonal page. Don't forget to check out trick-or-treat times while you're there. Good luck pumpkin hunting!

Thursdays Play Group

2009-10-08T08:13:00.002-04:00

Bulkfood Pantry

2009-10-06T21:37:00.005-04:00

Being married to a chef certainly has its advantages! This week he took me to check out the Bulkfood Pantry on East Main Street. It turned out to be a charming little shop, with some fabulous deals. The couple that runs the pantry were very nice and helpful, and were very enthusiastic and gracious about letting Lancaster Mommy look around and feature them on our blog. They carry baking supplies, a huge variety of spices, specialty cheeses, and will be filling the store with all of your holiday needs soon. They also carry steel-cut oatmeal, some organic foods, and specialty items, such as gluten-free rice flour. All for great prices.
I would recommend that you check it out - especially as we near the holidays. You won't find better deals on spices and they have a quite a selection of sprinkles for holiday cookies.
They are located at 2368 E. Main Street, Lancaster and their hours are Mon, Tue, Wed and Fri 9:30 - 5:30, Saturday 9:30-4:00., closed on Thursday and Sunday. Stop in for a visit - and don't forget to tell them you saw them on LancasterMommy.com!

Thursday Play Day

2009-10-01T09:06:00.003-04:00

Brrrrr it's cold today. We are still enjoying play time on Thursdays, but on a day like today, when the temp at 10am is 44, we're going to meet at the play area at the River Valley Mall instead of the park. Hope to see you there!!

Aha! is having a FREE Community Night!

2009-09-28T09:38:00.004-04:00

On Thursday, October 1st aha! children's museum is having a FREE community night! The event will be from 6pm-8pm at 315 S. Broad St. Lancaster, Ohio. The cost is usually $5 per person, so if you have four little ones like I do this would be the perfect night to try Aha!. Your kids will love it. If you've never been there you can expect a ton of awesome exhibits. The children's museum offers a play grocery market, a face painting table, a laser harp, a theater, craft area, even a plop zone for your crawler! That's just the beginning. They have 23 exhibits all together, so your child will surely find something they can't get enough of! The museum is designed for kids ages 0-7 but welcomes older children within reasonable expectations. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Aha! is asking that no strollers be brought in the night of the event. The last time we went to the free night there was a line outside, so be sure to get there early. Unlike that time however, the forecast is not calling for rain, so you should be okay! Not to worry though a little line won't stop your kids from having a blast!

Triple Coupons at Kroger

2009-09-25T12:51:00.002-04:00

Kroger is offering triple coupons right now through Sunday (9/27) up to and including .50¢! So start clipping and printing those coupons!

Star Gazing Party!

2009-09-24T14:55:00.004-04:00

Saturday, September 26th the Lancaster Parks and Recreation Department will be having a "Star Gazing Party" at Keller-Kirn Park (located on Stringtown Rd in Lancaster) from 7:00 PM-9:30 PM. This FREE program is open to all ages and is geared toward identifying objects in the night sky with the naked eye. Therefore, no equipment is necessary. This program will be led by local astronomer Roger Grossenbacher. So bring your budding astonomer's out and enjoy an evening together while you learn about the stars! For more information call 740-687-6651.

Frontier Spirit at Alley Park

2009-09-24T14:05:00.006-04:00

This Saturday, September 26th and Sunday, September 27th, the Lancaster Parks and Recreation Department will be hosting "Frontier Spirit 1799" at Alley Park located at 2805 Old Logan Rd in Lancaster. This event will be presented by the Frontier Players Association and will mark their 33rd year of telling the history of the settling of Fairfield County and Lancaster. The Frontier Players Association is dedicated to presenting early history as a wholesome family oriented experience. They make early, real historic persons come alive and invite the public to interact with them and become a part of "Living History". This year's village will show some of the hardships and tensions encountered on the Ohio frontier when natives were still a potential threat and merely surviving was a full time activity. Also featured this year will be an enlarged village, demonstrations of cooking and crafts, the sounds of period musicians, and 18th century craftsmen playing their trades and games of the times for both adults and children. The marquis tent will host the entertainment. You will even get to taste authentic period foods. Guided hikes will be taking place every 20 minutes on the "history trail". If you have limited mobility and are unable to make the hike on the history trail, enjoy the many activities in the historical village. Special performances will take place throughout the day. There will be concessions, so if you are interested in having a bite to eat while you're there you may want to bring some cash along with you. This is a "stroller friendly" event! The village is open from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m both Saturday and Sunday. Sunday will feature a church service at 9:00 a.m. Bring your whole family to this FREE event for an enjoyable day! For more information call 740-607-6651.

Cake Decorating

2009-09-23T09:17:00.003-04:00

Four times a year I ask myself the dreaded question. Am I going to attempt to make my child's birthday cake this year or buy one? I always decide to make it......and then after finding a great cake design my child will love I realize that I have no decorating skills. So I cave and buy a cake. Not this year! I've decided to take cake decorating classes. So I am going to Hobby Lobby. The classes start the week of October 5th. It's $35.00 for tuition. You get four 2-hour lessons. If you go in October you can receive 1/2 off so it's only $17.50! That's a pretty good deal. I pay more than that for a store bought cake! Also in October they are offering a $15.00 mail in rebate good towards Wilton cake decorating products. Hobby Lobby offers these classes in courses. Course 1, 2, 3 and then a fondant class. I will be taking course 1 on Thursdays from 6pm to 8pm. We will learn how to make homemade icing and the basics of decorating. If you are already pretty good with decorating try one of the other courses! To enroll just go into Hobby Lobby and sign up. You have to prepay so have your checkbook ready. Hope to see you there!
If Hobby Lobby doesn't fit into your schedule then you can try The Candy Cottage. The fall classes have already begun, but they'll be starting again in January.
So come on! Take some classes, have some fun, and have your cakes be the envy of all the other mommies!

The Candy Cottage

2009-09-18T20:11:00.007-04:00

One of our goals is to visit many of the local businesses, learn about them, and post information, helpful hints, etc. One of my assignments was The Candy Cottage and I was very excited about it! I'm a sucker for anything sweet, especially chocolaty, and could hardly wait to see what the shop was like. I was not let down!
Driving up, you can't help but be struck by the sweet, 'cottagy' feel of the place. The shop is not large, but quaint and full of every cake baking or decorating thing you could possibly need. I was there to sample the chocolates but was amazed when I turned around and realized there was an entire room full of cake pans, cupcake liners, boxes and boxes of decorating tips of different sizes, cake decorating 'kits', candy making molds, candy melts in every different color, books about making cakes or candy, and more. They also have tons of different party pix for decorating cupcakes or a cake, and the great thing is that they sell them singularly - so no more buying 12 when you only need 8. They rent out pans, so if you don't want to buy that cake pan for your son's birthday, you can rent it! They also have seasonal items throughout the year and the store will be filling up with many goodies as the holidays near.
They offer cake decorating classes, starting with the most basic skills like making frosting, and proceeding on to the more difficult decorating techniques. Unfortunately, their classes just started on the 14th, but beginner classes will start again in January. This is definitely something we will try!
The owner was wonderful! I can not say enough about how welcoming and informative and enthusiastic she was. I believe she would be a valuable resource for any cake-decorating or candy-making questions. I purchased 2 Buckeyes, 1/4 lb of chocolate clusters and a white-chocolate dipped pretzel and my total was only about $4. Not too bad, I didn't think. I had not even gotten out of the parking lot before I was digging out my goods - and again, I was not disappointed! Definitely a place I would suggest everyone visit. I know I will again in the future!
Helpful hint - As a mother of a child with a peanut allergy, I was concerned and did not take him with me. This was a good choice, as she advised they do peanut toasting on site every Tuesday. Definitely a day to avoid if you have any allergies to nuts as she pointed out the peanut oil gets in the air and all over their clothes through the process.
The Candy Cottage, 745 E Main Street, Lancaster. Click here for a map. Their hours are 10-5 M-F and 10-2 Sat. They are working on a new website, but right now you can find them at http://candycottageltd.com/.

"Pets and Pancakes" Breakfast

2009-09-17T10:21:00.003-04:00

Before you head out to Alley Park for the Kids Fishing Derby (see blog post below) this Saturday morning, September 19th, why not support a good cause and take the family to Max and Erma's for Fairfield County CARES ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT "Pets and Pancakes" Breakfast?
"Pets and Pancakes" is a major fundraiser for the non-profit organization, Fairfield County CARES. Funds raised help to continue efforts to educate and bring awareness to animal issues within our community. This-All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Breakfast will be held from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM, Saturday, September 19th at Max and Erma's (2703 N. Memorial Dr. in Lancaster). The cost is $8.00 and did I mention KIDS 6 AND UNDER EAT FREE??? Bring 4 cans or a bag of pet food and receive $2.00 off the ticket price!
Kids will receive a free coloring book. Older children are invited to write a short story about "What makes your pet special." One of these stories will be selected and printed in the CARES quarterly newsletter, "Making Animal Connections." You may also bring your dog and sit on the patio. (Dogs must be leashed, well-socialized, current on shots, spay/neutered and under control at all times).
To purchase tickets in advance or for more information, call 740-689-9467 or 614-581-9544. Tickets may also be purchased the morning of the breakfast at Max and Erma's.

Fall Festival

2009-09-17T08:57:00.004-04:00

Many of the churches in town put together family activities throughout the year and invite the community. Many of these events are free of charge and are designed to provide fun and fellowship for families throughout Lancaster. Redeemer Lutheran is no exception. This Saturday they are having their annual Fall Festival and all are invited. There will be tents in the front parking lot of the church and carnival games, a moon bounce house, music, the fire department, a hay ride and live llamas for the children to pet will be offered. There will also be hot dogs, root beer floats and other food available for purchase. My children have loved every activity that we've gone to at Redeemer and I highly recommend stopping by.
The details are: Saturday, September 19, 12 - 6pm, Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1400 Concordia Dr, Lancaster. Click here for a map. Events there have traditionally been fairly laid back and friendly. The parking lot is large and a stroller or sling would work for babies or young children. Maybe we'll see you there!

WHO LOVES FREE FOOD?

2009-09-11T09:36:00.003-04:00

WE DO!!! Every day, all day...now through October 14th, KIDS EAT FREE at the Lancaster Bob Evans! You'll receive one FREE kids meal with the purchase of each adult meal priced at $5.99 or above. It's about time, Bob!

Youth Fishing Derby!

2009-09-10T13:53:00.003-04:00

Do your kids like to fish? Well then head out to Alley Park, located at 2805 Old Logan Rd in Lancaster, on Saturday, September 19th, 2009 for the Youth Fishing Derby! This is a FREE activity for children up to age 15. The lake will be stocked with fish by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources in the days prior to the event. This should, hopefully, provide a successful fishing experience for all of the kids! Registration begins at 9:00 AM (I would recommend pre-registering by calling the Parks Department at 687-6651). The Fishing Derby will be held from 10:00 AM- 11:00 AM. Certificates and prizes in each age division will be awarded for largest fish caught and highest total weight and will take place at 11:30 AM. Age divisions are as follows: 5 and under, 6-10 and 11-15. Parents are welcome to assist their children (I know my 3 and 5 year old boys will certainly need help baiting and removing the fish from the hook)! Bring your own fishing pole and bait and don't forget the sunscreen!!! If you need more info or want to pre-register for the event, just call the Lancaster Parks and Recreation Department at 687-6650! See you there!

Fall Flower Hike

2009-09-10T12:26:00.003-04:00

Are you looking for a relaxed outdoor activity to do with your family this weekend? Why not go to Alley Park on Saturday (September 12th) for the "Fall Flower Hike?" This interpretive hike will be guided by retired LHS science teacher, Roger Grossenbacher, and begins at 2:00 PM. While the hike is not geared specifically toward children, kids ages 5 and over typically enjoy it. The hike takes place on moderate terrain (so no strollers) and lasts roughly 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Wear appropriate footwear and don't forget the sunscreen! If you're interested, just meet in the lower parking lot area of Alley Park located at 2805 Old Logan Rd in Lancaster at about 1:45 PM on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009. This activity is FREE!!

Library Story Times

2009-09-07T07:05:00.002-04:00

Don't forget story time at the library is starting next week!

Baby story time (birth to 23 months) is on Tuesdays at 10:30 am or 11:30 am. Toddler Story time (2-3 years) is on Wednesdays 10:30 am or 11:30 am. They also do a family story time (kids up to age 6) on Mondays and Tuesdays at 1:00 pm, and again Saturdays at 11:00 am.

Story time is an awesome activity to get you and your child out of the house! It helps to get your little one ready for preschool. Exposing them to a structured learning atmosphere they may not be used to. They'll listen to stories, sing silly songs, dance and repeat nursery rhymes. Library story time is such a good place to have fun with your child and meet other Lancaster mommies with kids around the same age!

Ochs Fruit Farm

2009-09-05T14:00:00.001-04:00

I think one of the best parts of year is Fall and one of the best parts of Fall is apple season. A road near our house has been closed lately and we've been forced to drive by this beautiful apple farm. Every day I have admired the trees FULL of apples and the nice, neat farm attached to the orchard. I asked around and no one had been there before or had any information about it. So I loaded the boys in the car and ventured over there last night. It was a great experience. The boys exploded out of the car and the woman, who I believe was an owner, took it all in stride. She was calm and kind and understanding with the boys and even gave me some advice and sympathy as a fellow mother with boys (older now). She seemed very knowledgeable about the different types of apples, explaining the different flavors and how they each cook down, and helped us to pick the best apples for an apple pie. I would recommend visiting there to anyone who is looking for a good place to buy apples, along with many other plants. A bag of 14 apples was $6, which might be a bit spendy but was worth it to us for fresh apples and kind attitude.
The info is Ochs Fruit Farm, 2161 Pleasantville Rd, Lancaster. The orchard has been in operation since 1872 and has approximately 60 varieties of apples. Whether you can actually pick your own apples is unclear but they have prepicked bags of apples in their shop, along with preserves and some wonderful apple cider that they make themselves. They also have a stand at the Farmers Market that Ashley recommends. Their farm is open Mid-July to Mid-November from 10am - 6pm.

Lancaster Farmer's Market

2009-09-05T12:05:00.004-04:00

Today I went to the Lancaster Farmers Market for the first time. Which is insane considering I've lived here for almost 8 years and the DJ is my uncle! The farmers market is located down town at Zane Square on Broad and Main street. They set up on Wednesdays 10-2 and Saturdays 8-12. It starts in May and goes until October. I've always known about the farmers market, but I was either worried about what to expect, what to do or just too busy. Now that I've been there I feel pretty silly for worrying about it. You couldn't ask for a more relaxed shopping experience. The atmosphere was amazing. I felt such a sense of community. Running into neighbors, chatting with the local farmers, and listening to the music. It's the stuff country songs are made of! My husband and I took all 4 kids and they loved it too. I think we might become regulars. I told the kids I would give them $5.00 next week and they can pick out something for the family. Hopefully they pick jam!
The first thing I tasted was grape juice made just last night, it was the best grape juice I've ever tasted. I had to buy it! Then we bought a dozen ears of corn for $3.00, I thought that was a pretty good price. We also decided to buy some blackberry jam, hot mustard, and a big yummy cookie (my pick). I tasted some awesome asiago cheese tomato basil bread at the end. We ran out of cash at that point so I'm forced to go back for that bread Wednesday! It's not just food either, we saw bracelets, homemade aprons, flowers and lots of other things as well. The only drawback as you probably guessed, are the prices. They are definitely more expensive than the store, understandably so. If you're looking at the farmers market as a replacement for the grocery store you're wallet might be disappointed. For anyone who's on a budget I wouldn't recommend doing all of your produce shopping here. I certainly don't think my budget will allow it! That said , I would recommend doing as much as you can afford. I for instance will be using the market for specialty things. If I want to make a blackberry pie, or if I have guests coming over for dinner. How special to say your vegetables were grown right in the community! My kids just enjoyed their jam sandwiches with grape juice for lunch, and we met the people who made the jam and juice. How often can you say that? Plus, the taste of all of these products cannot be beat!
So, to sum it up even if you can't afford to buy a lot at the Farmers market still go for the atmosphere. It's a really nice family event to attend that's free. If you only have 5 bucks to spend just buy a loaf of bread to share with the kids. Eat it up while taking in some music by the gazebo. The kids can dance and you can relax. That's my plan next Saturday, so come and join me.
Check it out and don't forget to bring a tote for all your fresh homemade goods! It tends to get a little crowded on the side walk so you might not want to bring a big stroller. Umbrella stroller or sling would be best. Enjoy!
On September 19th they're having a chili cook off at the farmers market. So whip up your best and enter it! Also be sure to enter the hog calling contest! Sooey!

Thursday is Play Day

2009-09-02T21:58:00.004-04:00

As mothers of young children, we know that a week can fly by before you realize you haven't talked to another adult (aside from possibly your husband). This has happened to us too many times and we've decided to take action! We've made Thursday Play Day. Every Thursday at 10am we'll be at the play area at Rising Park. All mothers are welcome, with or without children, to visit, meet new people or even just get out of the house!
So please join us! And watch for special Thursday activities in the future!

Sweet Corn Festival

2009-09-02T20:33:00.003-04:00

Well, it's that time of year again! Sweet corn festival time! The festival that for me marks the end of summer, but gets us closer to the Fairfield county fair! The festival started today and goes through Saturday, September 5th. It's free admission, but $10 to park. It's truly a small town festival. It seems like everyone knows each other and all of the concessions are non-profit charitable organizations. They have tractor pulls, corn eating contests, hula hoop contests and lots of music. On Saturday Tracy Lawrence is performing at 8pm! Some of his song are Stars Over Texas and Time Marches On.
Honestly I don't go every year, it depends on how busy I am. The festival isn't necessarily a must, but you should go at least a few times. Some (my Husband) might say it's boring and crowded, but I disagree. I guess it depends on what you expect to get out of it. If you're looking for small town fair that is family friendly with yummy food this is for you! Maybe I love it for nostalgic reasons, but I love it none the less. If you're looking for something fun to fill your weekend I think it's worth a trip to Millersport. A few tips though. Take baby wipes if you're eating corn on the cob and do NOT go if it's been raining recently! Unless of course you like mud! Also, I would opt for a sling or carrier vs. a stroller if you can. Due to hills and crowds, it's not a necessity though.
To get to the Sweet Corn Festival just take route 37 and exit south to route 204. For more information you can visit their website at www.sweetcornfest.com

Need Some Drama?

2009-09-02T14:38:00.004-04:00

Ever since my daughter Kennedy was a wee little one she's had a dramatic flare about her! At just two years old she would make up little stories and perform a one woman show! I just knew we had to get her involved in some sort of theater. The only children's theater I knew of was in Columbus. She's a good little actress but come on, that's a 45 minute drive! Then a few month's ago someone told me about their child doing a play in Lancaster, of course I had to be nosy and get some info on this! Here's what I found out!
The Lancaster Arts & Civic Club has a one day workshop where kids grades 2-6 learn all the different aspects of theater. At the end of the workshop the kids perform for the parents. This will be in November. I called and they're not sure on the date yet, but in a few weeks it should be posted on their website. They also do a play that they will hold tryouts for which won't be until early 2010. It's not just acting, they also cover makeup, costumes and scenery/props! So even if your child is shy this could be good for them too. We'll get the info out there as soon as we hear more. You can read more about The Lancaster Arts & Civic Club on their website.
Aha does a theater class as well but on a much smaller scale than the Civic Centers. It's made up of two Saturdays and I think it's around $5 a class. Which is pretty good! I'm sure Kennedy and maybe even her little brother will be attending that! AHA doesn't have a date set for the next class, but they'll post it on their online calendar when it comes up.
If you're willing to drive out of town and pay a little more for class, The Wagnalls Memorial also has a theater program. It's in Lithopolis, about 2o miles away. This starts October 10th and runs through November 21st. Kids as small as age 4 can participate. The classes are $45 each. That's a little more than I'm willing to spend for theater classes at this point though. If that's the only thing she were interested in then I'm sure we would do it. It does sound really cute! If you're interested check out their website.
I hope this helps if you're looking for theater classes! What a great thing for kids to be involved in. If we end up putting Kennedy in one of these theater programs, I'll be sure to let you all know how it goes!

What it's all about

2009-09-02T09:01:00.004-04:00

When I first moved to Lancaster, Ohio 2 years ago, I didn't know anyone in town - or even in the state of Ohio. As a stay at home mom, I searched and searched for fellow moms to hang out with, activities to do with and without my kids, parks to go to, sports to enroll my boys in, even grocery stores to shop at. I found that when you move to a new community, it is really hard to get to know people, make friends, or just get around town.
Then I met Ashley. A fellow mother of 4, she's lived in Lancaster much longer than I. Her husband grew up in town and that gives them the advantage of having family in the area and a built-in wealth of knowledge about Lancaster and all of it's charm.
So we started this blog to try to compile and post any and all interesting information that a parent might need to navigate life in the area. From parks to visit to drama classes to what festivals not to miss to even where to take your kids for free meals. Look for everything you might want to know to keep yourself busy in Lancaster.
We're working hard to get as much posted as possible, but please let us know if there is something we've missed or if you'd like to write a post or even have any great pictures of events here in town. It's going to be a group project and it's going to be fun!
Ashley and Becky