Travel With Kids: What to Do in Richland County Ohio

My family had the chance to visit Richland County last month. This was a big step for us, to be branching out into the arena of family travel. Once upon a time, my husband and I could throw a few items in a bag and hit the open road, a trip to the beach {700 miles...} no problem... now we have 2 kids. Our traveling has up until this point has been limited to the time frame of 15 minutes between stops to wipe a nose, find a binky, retrieve a lost toy. Richland County was the perfect place to start our travel adventures as a family. Let me tell you why.

First off, Richland County offers so many possibilities for family entertainment and activities! My kids were thrilled to visit the Mansfield Fire Museum. The display of working firetrucks of the past had my son so excited he could not contain himself. My husband and I enjoyed learning about the history of the area, the fire chiefs of the past and the replicated scenes from Mansfield.

One of the many fire trucks on display at the Mansfield Fire Museum

My daughter adored the trip to the Richland Carousel Park in downtown Mansfield, but my son went wild for it. This is a lovely carousel that has the distinction of being the only new, hand carved carousel to be made in the USA since the 1930's. The animals are lovely, beautifully detailed. The ride goes surprisingly fast to the delight of kids. The music? Classic! It completes the experience in a wonderful way. We loved the gift shop as well, they had tons of great trinkets and toys to make ideal souvenirs.  We loved that the rides are affordable and the carousel was truly a work of art.

Girls just wanna have fun on the carousel...
funny faces for selfies anyone?

He loved it! He wanted to do it again and again! 

Roo loved the carousel. He is still talking about it!

Malabar Farm was the home of famed author Louis Bromfield, this is a lovely property with a rich history. Unfortunately I cannot share much of that with you, we found that the house tour and wagon ride of the property were not child friendly. At least not for our fussy kids. I managed to get a few photos before being effectively sent on my way with my squawking kids. My husband and I agreed we would love to return, without the kids someday. Either way, we are going to try to visit again for Heritage Days this month.

The desk of Bromfield

Papers still in the drawer of the desk.

I will be featuring the Ohio State Reformatory in a post later this week, as well as the scoop on where to stay and what to eat while you are in town with the kids. Have you ever been to Mansfield or Richland County? If so, give us the goods on what is good, what is fun and where feels like home!

Cocoa Puff French Toast

Cocoa Puff French Toast

I guess breakfast is kind of my thing. I sure make a lot of breakfast for dinner meals! The number of pancake pics on my phone is mind boggling. There is just something about breakfast that I seem to romanticize... maybe because I rarely sit down to eat a hot breakfast? 

A few weeks ago I had an idea that maybe I could make french toast even yummier by adding a little crunch to my recipe! The results were fun, delicious and a crowd pleaser!

My entire family liked this version of French Toast. After trying this out I have plans to try dipping french toast into a a variety of flavors of cereal too!

My french toast recipe is simple.

Ingredients

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

2 tablespoons sugar

4 tablespoons butter

4 eggs

1/4 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

10 slices white bread

1 cup crushed cocoa puffs

Instructions

In a small bowl, combine, cinnamon, nutmeg, and sugar and set aside briefly.

In a 10-inch / 12-inch skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Mix together cinnamon mixture, eggs, milk, and vanilla and pour into a shallow container such as a pie pan. Dip bread in egg mixture. Then dip into the crushed cocoa puffs. Fry slices for about 3 minutes  then flip to cook the other side. Serve with syrup or whipped cream!

Egypt Themed Sensory Play

Last week I read 2 fun books from our collection with Roo and Harper {Where's My Mummy and 10 Little Mummies} when inspiration hit for a fun play session.

The kids liked the stories, especially Where's My Mummy. We talked about what the mummies are. I reminded Roo about our trips to the Ohio Historical Society where saw a real mummy. We talked about pyramids and how they look like triangles.

Then I captured his attention on the subject of mummies and Egypt for days with a new sensory bin.

For about 6 weeks I held onto the Egyptian Toob from Safari LTD. I knew I wanted to involve these figures in a sensory play session, but I was stumped on what to use on the base. I knew I could use real sand, but I wanted to take it a step further and avoid a sand mess.


It dawned on me to use granulated brown sugar, Roo could touch it, smell it and taste it.

I poured about 3/4 of a bag of Domino Brownulated Light Brown Sugar in a plastic bin.

Next I added assorted Egyptian figures from our Toob.

And a few plastic palm trees.

When it was time to play I gave Rolf a spoon, a fork and a small measuring spoon so that he could dig around in the "sand". He was really interested in digging. Then he smelled the sand and said "yummy!" I told him to taste it, he was hooked... things got a little out of hand from there, he was licking his hand, sticking it in the "sand" and licking it off! Ha! He didn't make it to playing with the Egyptians...


While this sensory play session resulted in a sugared up, sticky little mess of a boy, it was fun. Rolf used his sense of touch, smell and taste... He got to dig in the sugar sand and he says he had fun... MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

What is Sensory Play?

Sensory play is any activity that engages a child's senses, such as sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. It is a vital part of early childhood development, as it helps children learn about the world around them and develop important skills.

There are many benefits to sensory play, including:

• Improved cognitive development: Sensory play helps children develop their problem-solving skills, memory, and attention span.
• Enhanced language skills: Sensory play helps children learn new vocabulary words and develop their communication skills.
• Improved fine and gross motor skills: Sensory play helps children develop their coordination and dexterity.
• Increased social and emotional skills: Sensory play helps children learn to interact with others and express their emotions.
• Reduced stress and anxiety: Sensory play can be a calming and relaxing activity that can help children cope with stress and anxiety.

There are many different ways to incorporate sensory play into your child's day.

Do your kids enjoy sensory play? I would love to hear about your favorite sensory activities in a comment.

You can find more favorite sensory play ideas here.
Sensory Party in a Bag
Rainbow Disc Sensory Bag

Banana Crunch Parfait

Does your family love parfaits? Mine does. I think the pineapple and banana in this parfait sounds amazing. This makes an amazing start to the day or a sweet treat without the guilt after dinner.


Banana Crunch Parfait

Ingredients
1 cup Great Grains Banana Nut Crunch cereal
1 cup vanilla low-fat yogurt
1 cup honey
1 medium banana, sliced
1 can (20 oz.) pineapple chunks, drained

Directions
Spoon half of the yogurt evenly into six parfait glasses; top with layers of half each of the bananas, pineapple, cereal and remaining whipped topping. Repeat layers. Drizzle honey over final layer.

Makes 6 servings.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

Thanks to my friends at Post for sharing with me and inspiring me to share with you.

Giraffe Button Art

This baby and mama Giraffe craft is easy to create and it adds an adorable handmade touch to any room in your home. I think it is especially cute in a child's bedroom!

This came together so easily, you guys! Within moments, I had created something fantastic for Harper's room and it helped me pass time constructively while I watched hours and hours of the Mama Giraffe in labor live feed.

All you need to make this cute art project is:

Cardstock; 2 sheets. 1 yellow or orange, 1 color of your choice

Assorted Ribbons

Glue

Craft Eyes

Buttons 

Instructions:

From the yellow or orange cardstock:

Cut 2 circles for the heads; 1 smaller than the other

Cut 2 tear drop shapes for the ears; 1 smaller than the other

Cut 2 long strips for the necks; 1 shorter than the other

Glue the neck, head and ear on for each giraffe. I think making them face each other is a cute idea!

Next, give your giraffes an eye each, and a button for a nose.

Then glue a few buttons on for the spots.

Finish by adding strips of ribbon for the mane.

7 Must Try Corn on the Cob Recipes

Corn on the cob is one of the best things about summer! 

The days of simply boiling a corn of cob and calling it a side are over! The evolution of corn on the cob is here, and there are so many yummy ways to enjoy it!

After scouting out these options, I am itching to get to the farmers market and stock up on fresh corn! I literally had no idea you could cook corn like this!

These recipes are perfect for a family dinner or to add a touch of wow to any gathering or BBQ!

Slow Cooker Corn
Chipotle Lime Corn on the Cob
Popped Corn on the Cob
Parmesan Herb Corn
Crock Pot Corn on the Cob
Mexican Grilled Corn
Chili Butter Grilled Corn

If you love to eat corn on the cob, you are going to love these tips to make it like a pro!

1. Adding a cup of milk and a stick of butter to the boiling water before adding your corn on the cob makes it incredibly good!
2. You can add sugar and lemon juice to boiling water for an incredible sweet corn experience.
3. If you are cooking a big batch of corn on the cob for a party or BBQ, you can cook it in a cooler! Just add corn and boiling water to the cooler, close the lid and let the corn cook itself.

This post contains affiliate links.

Which of these recipes do you want to try first? I think the Mexican Grilled Corn sounds fantastic, but my kids would LOVE to popcorn on the cob! Popcorn is their favorite snack ever!

Most Scenic Campsites in New Zealand

Most Scenic Campsites in New Zealand

What is something that you’ll need if you’re traveling around in a campervan hire New Zealand? Other than petrol and personal belongings, you’ll want to make sure that you have safe and legal places to park for the night.

While there are locations where you can freedom camp, it can be challenging to find them on your route and can bring up many other challenges, as well. Freedom camping is a tricky thing to do, as you have to be absolutely sure that you are parking in the right areas. If you end up in a place where it’s illegal, you can say goodbye to spending any extras on your trip.

Save that fine money for staying at nice campsites, where you can be comfortable with all the hookups that you may need. If you don’t mind spending a bit of extra cash and want to have a leisurely trip, consider staying at the most beautiful campsites in the country:

Matauri Bay Holiday Park

Bay of Islands is a gorgeous area of New Zealand, so while there, it may be a good idea to stay at a place where you get beauty and views as well. A good place where you can expect good amenities and gorgeous landscapes is Matauri Bay Holiday Park. With water views and a reasonably priced site, it’s hard to go wrong with this campsite if you’re a water lover who wants to see gorgeous sunrises and sunsets over the bay every single day.

Matai Bay, Karikari Peninsula

If you’re in town to enjoy the beach, then what you want to do is stay right near the beach. Fortunately, when you’re visiting the Karikari Peninsula, you will have the opportunity to do so at the Matai Bay camp site. You can enjoy the beach nearby which is within walking distance, observe the local wildlife (mainly birds), and appreciate the amenities found in this paradisiacal destination.

Te Araroa Holiday Park

It may not be as pretty as some of the other campsites per se, but it’s a great location for arriving to beautiful remote beaches. If being as close to the beach as possible while in this area of New Zealand is your priority, this location is the best spot for you—especially because it’s the only campsite for miles. Just make sure that you go prepared for a basic experience and you’ll be just fine.

Poukaraka Flats Campground

If you’re road tripping with your kids, this is the ideal campground for you. Located near a beautiful child-friendly bay, where you can all enjoy the sun and sand, it’s ideal for a beach vacation while being able to enjoy the comfort of motorhome living. While it doesn’t have as many amenities as some fancier locations, it’s waterfront location makes it ideal for those who want to spend some time in the sun with gorgeous views to enjoy whenever you feel like it. Who needs a bunch of luxuries when you have beautiful nature in front of you to enjoy every single day?

Opoutere Coastal Camping

If you’re visiting Coromandel, this is the site for you. Located on the beach, you’ll be able to enjoy an easy beach vacation. While there is some bush that divides your parking space to the ocean views, being able to walk right down to the seashore every morning is something that you won’t be able to find just anywhere. You’ll have plenty of space on the beach for you and yours to relax and sunbathe, as this location isn’t as busy as other destinations in New Zealand.

Urupukapuka Island

You’ll have to reach this campsite by boat or ferry, so make sure to pack your tent. It’s worth it. This island campsite has beautiful views of the ocean, with plenty of activities to  

do while staying in this gorgeous Urupukapuka Bay area. You’ll need to make sure that you book in advance, but if you get lucky enough to be able to spend the night, know that it will be worth sleeping under the stars and enjoying the Oceanside views at any time of the day.

While many luxury travellers sleep in five-star hotels, what they don’t know, is how much they are missing out on. For travelers who are road tripping around the country in a motorhome, you have some of the best options for beachfront views and beauty and at a much lower price than any hotel would ever be.

Traveling around in a campervan hire New Zealand is the best way to see the island and you’re lucky if you’ve made the decision to travel this way. There are great options for you to spend nights in some of the best locations in the country. From beachfront views to beautiful campsites with great amenities, you won’t be disappointed with campsite options.

The Best Burger Recipes

I have a confession to make... I love burgers! I can't resist them. I love them plain, or simply with mustard. I love them loaded up with onions, pickles, lettuce, bacon, cheese...  With my love of the All American Burger how could I resist featuring some yummy burgers from Tell Me About It Tuesday in a collection for the burger lovers?

Keep reading to discover turkey burgers, slaw burgers, and burger bombs to name a few!

                                     I have never had a Slaw Burger, but I think I would like it.

                                 Turkey Burgers with Blueberries is a unique spin on the traditional burger.

                                                      Stuffed Ranch Burgers sound great!

                   Low Calorie Easy Turkey Burger Sliders would be the perfect little burgers for my son.

Bacon Cheeseburger Bombs would be ideal party food.

Giant BBQ Cheeseburger Empanadas combine 2 of my favorite things!

Hard Rock Fiesta Burgers are super delicious, who could resist?

How do you like your burgers? Leave me a comment and tell me about it.

Chocolate Almond Yogurt Parfait

My husband and my son eat a snack of yogurt every day, mid-morning. One particular day last week we had several appointments that would overlap our normal lunch time. I wanted to offer the guys a snack that satisfied their yogurt routine but added a little something extra to keep my son full for a little bit longer and hopefully avoid a hunger-induced meltdown, as well as the quick solution to the meltdown {a Happy Meal}.

Inspiration hit me. With 2 ingredients I created yogurt parfaits that my guys went wild for.

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup Honey Bunches of Oats Morning Energy - Chocolatey Almond Crunch
• 1/3 cup Vanilla Yogurt

• Instructions

Simply layer cereal and yogurt to create this healthy and yummy parfait!

This recipe is so simple. All you need to do is layer the cereal and the yogurt. Serve it for happy and healthy snacking. I love that each cup of Honey Bunches of Oats Morning Energy Chocolatey Almond Crunch has 6 grams of protein and 33 grams of whole grains per serving. My son liked the crunch in his yogurt and he survived the 30-minute delay in lunch meltdown free.

Mouth Watering Blueberry Recipes

Have you noticed I am sharing a ton of blueberry recipes lately? I guess you could say I have Blueberries on the Brain! How could I resist rounding up some of the yummiest recipes from the Tell Me About It Tuesday Party to share with you?

When I saw this Coconut Rice Pudding Recipe with Blueberries my heart skipped a beat, we love Rice Pudding, but the Mister hates raisins, so we can still have our treat and enjoy a little fruit too thanks to this recipe.

My son would go Gaga for these 4th of July Waffles, because he is Mister America and he LOVES the flag, and waffles, and whipped cream.

Savory Blueberry Pizza is a unique idea that combines 2 of my favorite things.

Red, White and Blue Fruit Cake looks pretty yummy! How can anyone resist this combo?

Blueberry Turkey Burgers With Blueberry Ketchup is a colorful way to enjoy a healthy meal.

Red, White and Blue Firework Kabobs would be a good way to compromise. My son would eat marshmallows day in and day out, I would prefer he eat fruit... with this cute snack we both win.

Red, White and Blue Whoopie Pies are colorful and packed with flavor.

Blueberry Egg Rolls? What else is there to say?

Sweetleaf Mango Melon Salsa Recipe

I love Salsa! It is so versatile and a great salsa can take any meal to the next step of perfection.  My husband prefers hot and spicy salsa, but I am intrigued by salsa that includes fruits. This Mango Melon Salsa was right up my alley! You will want to try this recipe for a flavor that is smooth, sweet and unique. It just screams summer!

SweetLeaf^® Mango Melon Salsa

• 1 cup diced melon(s) of choice
• 1 cup peeled and diced mango
• ½ serrano (or milder) chili, seeded and minced
• 1 Tbsp. fresh mint, chopped
• Juice of 1 fresh lime
• ½ cup diced pineapple
• 1 tsp. ground ginger
• 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro
• 10 drops Lemon Drop SweetLeaf^® Liquid Stevia Sweet Drops^™
• ½ tsp. salt
• ½ tsp. chili powder (to taste)

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and gently toss to combine. Refrigerate before serving.

Do you have a favorite salsa recipe? I would love to have you tell me about it in a comment.

Kid Made Straw Necklaces

Bling; made for kids, by kids!

My kids really like to get crafty. They also like to peek in my jewelry box and beg to wear all of the pretty things! So we set out to see what we could create with things we already had at home. This is what we came up with. Straw Necklaces!

You will need:

*Straws

*Bakers twine or yarn
*Glue
*Scissors

Rolf was kind enough to cut the straws for both of the necklaces we made.

We simply added a bead of glue to one side of a straw, then pressed it onto another. Repeat until you are out of straws.

Thread your string, twine or yarn through one straw and tie to make the necklace.

This was a fun craft for both kids. Harp was pleased to have her own "bling" that she made by herself.

Blueberry Topped Rice Cakes

I have been on a journey to eat healthier. I frequently snack on rice cakes but they get rather boring. It is a good thing I have my pals at the Blueberry Council to keep me in yummy recipes and ideas for one of my favorite fruits.

When I saw this recipe for Blueberry Topped Rice Cakes I couldn't wait to try it. I think you are going to enjoy it if you want a flavorful, filling snack that is low in calories.

Ingredients

• ½ cup ricotta or cottage cheese
• 2 teaspoons apricot preserves
• 4 apple-cinnamon flavored rice cakes
• 1 cup thinly-sliced fresh fruit (such as apple, pear, nectarine or peach)
• 1 cup fresh blueberries

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, stir together ricotta and preserves
2. Spoon an equal amount on each of the rice cakes almost to the edge
3. Arrange fruit slices in circles, on top of the ricotta mixture
4. Top each with ¼ cup of the blueberries
5. Serve immediately

To find even more fantastic recipes visit the Blueberry Council website.

Blueberry Whoopie Pies

One of my favorite things about summer is fresh blueberries. My family visits a local farmer every summer to pick blueberries. We have fun picking our own fruit and we love feasting on blueberries in a variety of ways.

On our to try list this summer with our freshly harvested fruit was Blueberry Whoopie Pies! 

Ingredients

• 1 red velvet cake mix (18.25 ounces)
• ¼ cup flour
• ½ cup water
• 1⁄3 cup vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs
• 1-½ cups marshmallow crème from a jar
• 1 cup fresh blueberries

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350°F
2. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper
3. In a large bowl combine cake mix, flour, water, oil and eggs
4. With an electric mixer, beat at medium speed until smooth, 2-3 minutes
5. Scoop the batter by rounded tablespoons onto prepared baking sheets, 2 inches apart, to make 24 cookies
6. Bake until puffed, 8-10 minutes
7. Let cool 2 minutes on the baking sheets
8. With a spatula, remove to wire racks to cool completely
9. With a small spatula or knife, spread 1-½ teaspoons marshmallow crème onto the flat side of each cookie
10. Divide blueberries onto 12 of the cookies
11. Top with remaining cookies to make sandwiches
12. Serve immediately or store chilled in an airtight container layered between sheets of waxed paper

Number of servings (yield): 12

Thanks to my friends at the Blueberry Council for sharing this recipe!

Our Summer Bucket List

Summer is here and we are in full vacation mode! Having the kids and my husband home for 3 months leaves us a lot of time for fun and games; adventures and experiences and making a lot of memories!

This year we have a bucket list that involves something for all 4 of us! I can't wait to share these summer goals with you and hear what your family is going to get into this summer!

1) Camping

We took our first family camping trip last year. Somehow we had never done this with the kids, despite the reality that Adam and I were camping a ton before they were born. We are going to spend a few nights in the woods of the Hocking Hills, and a few nights by the Mohican River in Loudonville Ohio. We knew camping was a great goal because we can take our dog along with us, and he LOVES to go along on an adventure anytime!

2) Speaking of Dogs

We recently lost one of our dogs after an very brief illness. While the pain is still fresh, my heart won't allow me to stop loving dogs. Before the end of the summer we are going to adopt a shelter dog in honor of our beloved Fritzy. We couldn't save him, but in his memory we can give a dog another chance at a happy life with a loving family.

3) Make Life Better

My husband and I are going to donate blood together, to save a few lives and set a good example to our kids about ways you can make a difference in your community. My husband will volunteer at the food bank and the kids and I will be out picking up trash in our neighborhood when we walk our dog. We are also collecting purses, socks and puzzles to donate to an assisted living facility. When life is better for the people in our community, life feels better in our own home.

4) Go to the Casino Without the Kids

We need a night out, just the two of us, and I feel lucky! Adam and I think getting dressed up, going out to dinner and playing some slot machines sounds like a perfect kid free way to reconnect with each other! If you could use a date night without the kids check out https://www.spinit.com/en-eu/online-slots to get your game on!

5) Get Wet

Lake Erie is just a short drive away, and a couple of days on the lake would erase all tension and stress that adult life often has as. My son and I have always loved taking short trips to Kelley's Island and this year we are going to take the rest of the family along on our adventure. 

What is on your bucket list this year? I would love to hear about your summer adventures and plans in a comment!