The National Museum of the United States Air Force

On a day like to today, at the tail end of election week, I'm reminded that it's the every day people that matter most. No matter what political position you take, what race or gender, or where you live. People from all walks of life make huge sacrifices for the sake of their country. And they do this time and time again, no matter what the political climate. We need to value those who have served every day and find ways to serve those who have served us.

I am so happy that we made our way out to Dayton this past weekend to visit the National Museum of the United States Air Force. In retrospect it was aptly timed.  Watch your children's eyes widen as they view more than 360 aircraft and missiles that are on display. We chose to walk all the way back to the new fourth building and work are way up from there. The newest building consists of their Presidential Gallery where you can view and climb aboard most of the presidential aircrafts including the SAM 2000 which carried President Kennedy's body back to Washington after the assassination. 

​For children this is a place of wonder and excitement but I think adults really feel the full weight of the equipment involved in warfare. To see these majestic planes and all their armament up close was enlightening and the respect I already had for our veterans increased exponentially. You can roam through all the galleries for hours and still not have scratched the surface of everything this Museum has to offer. But you can visit time and time again because admission, parking, and wifi are all free! But instead of having to pay admission please consider donating or becoming a member to help support this facility so they can keep expanding and so that they can provide awesome educational opportunities for children. 

And now.... the pictures of course! Our family can't wait for our next visit.  

Thank you to all the veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces! We greatly appreciate your service.  

Safety Comes First At Goldfish Swim School→

When looking into swim lessons for your youngsters, how can you possibly choose the best program? There are lots of options available and they all offer value in many different ways. For me, water safety has become more important than anything since my children have started swim lessons. I'm not sure that I even knew how important that component was before we began. 

The amount of small children who drown every year is staggering but according to The American Academy of Pediatrics, research has shown a reduced risk of drowning in preschoolers who had taken swimming lessons. This is because operations like Goldfish Swim School prioritize water safety above all else. Wrapped into a fun and exciting environment of course! 

It can take quite a few years for a child to become a truly independent swimmer. But in the meantime, learning life saving water skills are invaluable when they are at an age most at risk for drowning. I love seeing my young 2 year old crawling along the side of the pool using her hands, and then pulling herself out of the water. She does this absolutely every week, burning into memory what she would have to do if she fell into a pool. She even did it at the public pools this summer just because she thinks its a fun thing to do and I love that she's continuously building enough strength to pull herself out of a pool on her own. 

The "wall crawl" is just one of the many life saving techniques that my children learn during their swim lessons. The back float being another important technique to save energy when trying to swim a longer distance. Considering how fast a stressed child can tire out, to know how to roll over to their back and relax is a wonderful skill. 

So yes, the in class swim safety is superb. But did you know that Goldfish Swim School also has a wonderful community outreach program? They actually go out into the community and educate children on the importance of swim safety! For FREE! The program offers a 25 minute session to area preschools, elementary schools, scout troops, and parent groups (Hello mom groups out there! How awesome would this be?) For 2016 alone, 4500 children were educated through Goldfish water safety presentations. This is truly life saving knowledge and it's so amazing that it's offered free of charge, whether you are interested in their swim lessons or not. If you are interested in scheduling a presentation, contact diane.cowgill@goldfish.com 

Goldfish always makes learning about water safety so much fun! 

And if you don't want to take my word for it, Lizzie Cowgirl and Lisa Armitage actually got to present at the Goldfish annual conference on the success of their water safety program! Kudos Goldfish, keep on doing what you're doing. 

Happy (and safe) swimming!!

Fall Family Fun

Last weekend the kids and I truly enjoyed ourselves at the Upper Arlington Fall Festival. It was so much fun and it helped ring in my favorite time of the year. Fall brings the PERFECT weather, crunchy leaves underfoot, Halloween (best holiday ever), pumpkin and apple eeeeeverythaang, and gorgeous multi-colored leaves. Considering my main obsession is going on fun, outdoor adventures with the kids, what better time of year than fall to do them in!  

Its almost the middle of October but if you haven't made your way to the pumpkin patches, apple orchards, and festivals yet, here are some awesome resources from our friends at Columbus Moms Blog and What Should We Do Today Columbus. The tough part is choosing which ones to go to!! 

Apple fritters, kettle corn, salted caramel, oh my! 

Toddler Rodeo

Sibling bonding <3

Paintball fun! 

So happy that even kids young as my son could participate. With parental supervision of course! 

Even baby had fun on the hayride  

1st stop Goldfish, 2nd stop ... Olympics!

Our family is no stranger to boutique, swim class franchises. Back in Wisconsin we utilized a similar swim class facility for my oldest and really enjoyed our time there. Moving to Columbus we were thrilled to find some of the same characteristics in Goldfish Swim School. My needs were basic. All I was looking for was warm water temperature and small class sizes. Easy enough. Goldfish provided all that and more.  

Originally I had low expectations for baby/toddler swim lessons. It's very important to me that my children feel comfortable in water and eventually become confident swimmers but, I certainly wasn't expecting a miniature Michael Phelps after a couple of sessions. This was just supposed to be a fun activity, first sport, and introduction to a basic life skill. Right?  

Wrong. (Hold on to your seats while I get slightly  hyperbolic) We began swim classes at Goldfish back in April for my eldest son and daughter. It is now August and my son has jumped TWO levels and well on his way to Junior 4. Weekly, I am watching behind the glass with tears in my eyes as if I am watching him win the 100m freestyle. I can barely put into words how amazing it is to watch my  four year old swim underwater. In less than 6 months he has gone from just playing in shallow water to swimming 10 feet underwater, diving for rings, and rolling over onto his back to float. I watch with awe every. single. week. How is this possible? Is he a swim prodigy? 

Olympics here we come!  

After backtracking and actually researching the values and goals of Lisa Armitage and the Goldfish Swim School franchise, it all started to make sense. The breath control, "pulling paddles," rolling over onto their backs, these are all skills that are honed from the baby classes all the way up. They are worked on in tiny increments and gradually each student can hold their breath longer, and swim farther. The same skills that my four year old is mastering, I can see tamed down versions of in my two year olds Mini 3 class. 

Big brother dives underwater for a ring in Junior 3

Little sister practices "catching her bubble" to grab a ring off the step in Mini 3. 

Listen, I know I'm going to be a tiger mom no matter what sport or interest comes our way next. But every child needs to learn how to swim and you can't beat the learning environment over at Goldfish swim school. They have two locations in the Columbus area, Dublin and Westerville, and you can choose sessions or year round swimming. (I recommend the year round.) Check them out, don't just take my word for it, and you too will be pressing against the glass (sorry about the fingerprints) cheering your mini Phelps to victory. 

Yay! Another ribbon to add to the collection! 

Time to pick out the weekly prize! 

Swim shop for everything you need. I recommend the goggles, way better than our first go around at Walmart.  

My weekly cry spot.  

Blow dryers, swimsuit dryers, roomy changing cabanas... Have you signed up yet?

 Follow us on our Instagram @thediaperbagdiaries for weekly Goldfish updates!

Big Machines @ COSI

As I'm writing this, there is only one more day left of the Big Machines exhibit at COSI. Hopefully enough of you see this in time that you run down there tomorrow and check it out. Give it the send off this awesome exhibit deserves.  

After the week I had, I really had no designs on heading downtown for any reason. But there was something about this exhibit that kept nagging at me, and I thought we just had  to check it out before it left for the year. And boy am I glad we did! The kids had a blast and I had a blast watching them. I had no idea that they were going to be able to climb up and control actual equipment! This is every kids dream when they pass a construction site. The "Touch A Truck" events are always awesome, but this exhibit just stepped it up 1000 notches. 

Yes folks, real life construction equipment.  

What did you today Charlie? Get lifted by a crane? Yea, totally normal 😂 

Make sure to snag your hard hat! Safety first! 

Every kids dream.  

No biggie, just a 2.5 year old operating construction equipment.  

Maybe you will read this in time, maybe you won't. But it's important to know just how awesome this museum is and to get on their email list and keep tabs on the visiting exhibits. Currently they have an awesome video game exhibit (Game Masters) that the kids loved and would also make an amaaaaazing date night. Not to mention the new CityView Patio is open!!!! (Video games, scenic view, and drinks = ideal date night)

City View Patio hours of operation are 5pm to 10pm on June 17, 24, July 8, 15, 16, 29, 30, August 5, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27, and September 2, 3, 2016. 

A Birthday Party with the Columbus Zoo

Yes, I admit it. I'm one of those moms that tries  to go all out for their children's birthday parties. I know many people find it ostentatious but we are not a family that hosts get togethers and parties other than for birthdays. It's a way to get all the family and friends together and it just so happens to surround a birthday. It's one (well, three) day(s) a year that we get to make the children that I longed for so greatly, feel extra special. 

Now there are definitely levels to the birthday party "madness." I like to consider myself flying somewhere in between the average birthday bbq and the gold plated wonderland style. That being said, it is still so time consuming scoping Pinterest and Etsy for unique decorations and party ideas.

This year I went the laid back easy route and it was amaaaaaazing. For Sebastian's 4th, we held his party at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. I could not have been more impressed and it was so stress free! I actually got to enjoy the party for once and see my son having fun. Sometimes you miss the precious moments when you run around and try to ensure perfection that you can't ever achieve. The volunteers took care of absolutely everything from organizing and running the children's activities, to serving the guests food, drinks, and dessert. I truly did not have to lift a finger! The kids had an amazing time, our out of town guests got to experience a Columbus gem, and I threw my FIRST stress free birthday party. (Priceless). 

So here are the deets:  

• Ideal age is 4-12
• Party takes place in the air-conditioned  Education Building.  
• Packages include parking and all day admission for all your guests (Max 50) , printable invites, birthday cake (if you choose, I made my own cupcakes), punch & water. 
• Themes are Pirates, Safari, and Party With a Purpose where the child can take donations to a charity or adopt an animal in lieu of gifts! (Although we ended up with both gifts and donations)
• Add ons include pizza, fruit tray, veggie tray, party favors, character ambassador, upgrade to the special Jack Hanna animals, and ride wristbands / ride tickets 

All in all, I would recommend this location to anybody searching for a fun and easy birthday party idea. Give your son or daughter an adventure to remember. Make to sure to reserve at least   three weeks in advance if not more! 

Everyone pet the alligator! 

Cutest armadillo ever! 

Birthday boy looks mesmerized! 

Simple cupcakes this year, the zoo was exciting enough! 

Happy Birthday!! 

Time to explore the rest of the zoo! 

A Weekend In Pictures

The kids and I had so much fun this weekend that I can't even put it into words. So I won't. View away! 

Checking out all the cool toys and comic books at Big Fun  on High Street

So many cool finds here! 

Post shopping bubble fun with Dr. U R Awesome!!! He holds two Guiness World Records for his giant bubbles. Check him out here 

Seriously awesome.  

Off to look for a brunch spot! 

Sunday funday at COSI  . It's great to have fun indoors when it's so unexpectedly chilly!

Awww, they DO love each other! 

If you are ever curious for some new ideas on how to spend your weekend, check out What Should We Do Today Columbus? She'll have you covered with unique ideas and exciting events Friday-Sunday! 

North Market & Mothers Day Weekend

This past Mothers Day weekend we skipped the breakfast in bed and crafts and opted for some fun family activities. Lucky for us Saturday was Free Comic Book Day! (It's always the first Saturday in May each year) We chose Packrat Comics in Hilliard and had a wonderful time. Not only free comics but inflatables, photo ops, games, food, artist meet and greets. We were blown out of the water and my 4 year old son has been talking about comics ever since. It also gave us an opportunity to see the amazing things a local business in our community has to offer and we will definitely be back. 

"Spider girl, spider girl. Does whatever a spider girl does" 

Stimulate your child's love for reading and celebrate one of my favorite story telling mediums, comics. There's a much wider selection than just superheroes and for some children, this is one of the only things they can get excited about reading. Free comic book day may be over but I bet they have a lot of these freebies still hanging around the store so here's a run down on all the free samplers that were released this past weekend from one of favorite journalists, Glen Weldon. (Hint: click on hyperlinked name)

Sunday we hit up North Market to grab some tasty eats and then let the kids run out some energy at Goodale Park. 

North Market was established in 1876 and features 35+ vendors. You can shop for flowers, meat, fish, produce, specialty items, and my favorite, pastries. Not to mention eat at all the amazing food stalls. We just have to keep going back again and again so that I can try everything there is to eat there but, considering the crowd, we went with our tried and true favorites. Hot Chicken Takeover for lunch and Pistacia Vera and Jeni's Ice cream for dessert. We enjoyed it, the kids enjoyed it. You have to go, and you have to take the kids because they will be entranced by all the colors, smells, people, etc. Just go, and go again. And again. 

Hot Chicken Takeover

It really will!  

Sneaking a macaron early  

Lots of seating on the upper level of North Market!  

Our favorite flavors are pistachio honey and wild berry lavender! 

Mesmerized.... 

I definitely keep them strapped in as we stroll through the market but they don't seem to mind

Sweet tea from Hot Chicken Takeover! 

Hope our adventure encourages all you parents out there to take your kids to Norh Market. It's definitely a repeat outing and Goodale Park is just right up the street to take your sweets! <3

Scioto Audubon Metro Park

At this point we have only explored 3 of the 16 metro parks Columbus has to offer and I am constantly knocked off my feet at each one. When we moved here I never would have guessed this city had so much to offer in the way of family activities and bringing nature into an urban setting. We have not traversed our way through all 16 parks yet but this one has got to be the most urban park of them all. With a freeway on each side and located in the Brewery district of downtown Columbus, this park is a nature oasis! A very unexpected spot amidst all the hustle and bustle. This park is on a peninsula stretching into the Scioto River and contains many wetland areas where you can use their telescope to observe turtles, frogs, big fish, and all sorts of wildlife. Great for kids but also for people of all ages. 

The three trails are easy with Scioto Greenway and Connector being the best for hiking, biking, and pets. Rent a COGO bike and take in the breathtaking scenery and great view of the city. Grab some friends and rock climbing equipment and scale the 32 ft. climbing wall, or start up a game of sand volleyball. (They also offer classes so you can learn to climb and where they provide the equipment!) 

Just here to exercise? Not only can you bike or run the trails but there is a great obstacle course and outdoor gym of sorts. And don't keep the dogs or kids at home because there is a great dog park that is separated into 2 areas by breed size and they each have their own agility course.

The kids can explore a new-age playground that has to be one of the coolest playgrounds I have ever seen. Not to mention preschool story time at 10 a.m every Thursday and Saturday morning at the Grange Insurance Audubon Center's library. Don't leave without seeing the indoor play place aka Forest Room that the kids can run, play dress up, and climb. The play place opens right up to an observation deck overlooking a wetland and don't miss the sandbox around the corner! (I know my kids sure didn't, *groan*)

Grange Insurance Audubon Center at the end of Whittier Avenue.  

Dress up fun in the Forest Room

Heading to the water tower observation deck

Watch some rock climbing while you play on the playground! 

Adventure is everywhere!  These kids are checking out the library before storytime begins.

Solo storytime action <3

Columbus Museum of Art

How does your family spend Sundays? If it's not at the Columbus Museum of Art then it's time to take a second look my friends. The newly renovated Columbus Museum of Art is a wonderful family outing and you can't beat that fantastic price of free.99 !! Yes folks, admission and parking is free on Sundays. Does that make the museum more crowded than normal? Yes. But does that make taking young children to an art museum more tolerable? Definitely, yes. They will actually blend in quite well with all the commotion and all the visitors know what they are in for when arriving on Sunday. I'm definitely not condoning letting your minions run wild (this is a museum after all) but I am saying that it makes the whole experience less stressful knowing that your toddler isn't the lone echo in a silent cave of fragile objects.

As new transplants to the Columbus area, we did not have the pleasure of visiting the museum pre-makeover but the difference is obvious. Modern vs classic. The back entrance is vibrant and open and may remind you of the Apple store in the bright, airy, nature of the space with pops  of color. On either side of the back entrance is the gift shop and the Schokko Art Cafe run by Cameron Mitchell. (Kids menu for the win!) 

The children's area on the first floor is magnificent. I love that such a cool space like this exists in the midst of what many consider to be a more formal, adult specific, attraction. There is a cute treehouse, costume dress up area, and multiple stations to create your own art and stretch the imagination. This is a space for all age groups from toddler to teen. 

I have heard wonderful things about the rotating exhibits (Lego, Chihuly, etc) but for our excursion I strapped the kids in the stroller and toured the standing exhibits. I asked the kids what they saw in each picture and what colors they noticed. It will be so interesting to hear how those answers will change and become more insightful as they age. That is what makes this particular Columbus attraction a definite repeat for us for years to come. 

It is a major plus that going on our "adventures" saves our living room from being destroyed, but much more important is the opportunity to stimulate the little minds of which I have been blessed to have charge. Balance is everything and yes, my kids love their movies and toys, but they also love going to new places, seeing new things, and having new experiences. Art is going to have to be a part of their childhood because that creativity is surely going to boil over into other parts of their life and hopefully their future. 

We will definitely be visiting in the next couple weeks to celebrate spring with "Art in Bloom."

Until then…. "Let us step into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure." - J.K. Rowling

Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park

As today was another near 60 degree day in Columbus, we decided to go check out the bison at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park. I had heard about them from a few people and thought it was a pretty unique experience for the kids to see bison roaming about in a city park. To my surprise, this park has so much more to offer than that! I thought the three hour time allotment we had would be plenty but now I know we barely even scratched the surface of what the kids and I could experience there. We will certainly be coming back time and again, throughout every season. 

First stop, checking out the Overlook near the Cedar Ridge entrance and picnic area.

We entered and parked at the Cedar Ridge Entrance and basically explored all that we could from that starting point. This is a 7,000 acre park so I am sure that we just skimmed the surface and I will make sure to amend / update this post as we experience more and more of this amazing park. 

First thing I noticed were all the picnic areas and the three playgrounds. The playgrounds were also the first things the kids noticed! The playgrounds also seem to vary in order to separate younger age groups so that was nice. We took the short path to the Overlook area and that was a nice introduction to how beautiful and vast this area is. Pretty rocky path, but my stroller handled it very well. I think it would be pretty difficult with a little umbrella stroller however. 

Kid tested, mother approved!

The next trail we found was the Cobshell. Since we were exploring without a map I did not realize that this was considered a moderate hike in regards to difficulty and the gravel, hilly trail definitely pushed my limits of stroller pushing comfort. Beautiful trek through the woods and connects to the scenic overlook of Big Darby Creek. 

The most comfortable trail with the stroller was Darby Creek Greenway. Very wide to allow for people, strollers, and dog walkers. It is a flat trail through the prairies and woods and intersects the two bison pastures. The kids were very excited to see the bison even though it was from a far distance. We can't wait to go back and catch them roaming a little closer. Near the bison area is also a fantastic Nature Center that you will have to struggle to drag your kids out of. A 53 ft. living stream flows through the exhibits and there is also a stage, puppets, books, and activities. We haven't checked out there preschool events they sometimes have in the mornings, but I am definitely anxious to. The next one is called Eagles and is being held March 8th at 9:30 and 11:00 am. 

Where are you Mr. Bison?

There you are!

Enjoying some Vitamin D while the others hunt for the bison...

The kids were obsessed with all the dogs they saw on the trail and we had a lot of opportunities to practice our dog etiquette. Essentially trying to get them to ask the owners if they are allowed to pet, and not just blatantly running up to a dog squealing. Still a work in progress on the squealing. And that is another great thing about this park are all the trails you can bring dogs on. Here is the link to the trails so you know ahead of time which ones are pet friendly. 

The most exciting thing about the move to Columbus has been exploring all of these great metro parks and I can't wait to experience them more and more as the weather gets nicer. Not to mention the fact that a day outside saves the living room from being demolished! :)

Franklin Park Conservatory

It was 60 degrees this weekend in Columbus! A taste of spring just for the weekend. I am sure that everyones kids were itching to be out in the warm-ish weather and sunshine. For Saturday we decided to pay another visit to Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. This is a fantastic spot to take the kids come rain or shine but we took the opportunity of good weather to explore both inside and out. The Conservatory's indoor glass greenhouses include the Himalayan Mountain Biome, Rainforest Biome, Desert Biome, Pacific Island Water Garden, and the Dorothy M. Davis Showhouse. While perusing over 400 species of plants, you will also notice vibrant glass artwork from Dale Chihuly. Weather permitting, you can stroll the beautiful outdoor gardens within the 88-acres of Franklin Park. 

Koi fish in the Pacific Island Water Garden

Light peg-board in the Enchanted Forest.

This is a fantastic place to take the kids in the winter or rainy weather to get them out of the house and still give them the outdoor ambience. Being fairly new to the city I was completely unaware of the variety of events that they are constantly hosting. Their preschool program is every Thursday from 10:30 - 11:30 am. Children aged 3-5 get to experience story time, crafts, tours, and other activities. Our family can't wait for Blooms & Butterflies Opening Day on March 12th. There will be Dr. Seuss stories and songs from Seussical the Musical. Not to mention, butterflies!!! Check out all their amazing events here: http://www.fpconservatory.org/The-Experience/Events/For-Families

Glass sculpture in the Pacific Island Garden. Same area where the butterflies get released.

There is an incredibly cute Enchanted Forest / woodland themed play area for the toddlers that we could NOT get the kids to leave for about 30 minutes. 

Sebastian couldn't take his eyes off the train.

Want to really knock the kids out for nap time? Let them run around the outdoor gardens and play in the playground! Very, very, toddler friendly which I was a big fan of. 

Playing at the playground in Franklin Park

Adventure awaits! Lets get those kids out there one temperature degree increase at a time!

What to Do & Where to Eat with Kids in Chicago, IL

So the origin story of this blog is our families experience in Chicago. Chicago is one of my favorite cities and for years I have celebrated my birthday by getting a hotel room downtown and spending some time in the city. This was a tradition long before children and once we had more than one, babysitting was a lot harder to come by. I mean, crickets. As relaxing as it can be to have some time away from the kids, I always miss them and we just end up talking about them the whole time. On top of that, my husband and I are not big drinkers or people that want to stay up late "clubbing" so there is nothing that should impede us from having our children share these types of experiences with us. Really, the only frustration is that we cannot try out all the restaurants we would normally want to for fear of how the children will behave. But more than that is finding out whether a particular restaurant even accomodates children.  

When we decided to bring the kids with us to Chicago, my extensive google searching was really not helpful. Places to eat with kids in Chicago gave me suggestions such as Portillos, Rainforest Cafe, and Giordanos. All places I love, but not how I want to spend a special weekend. My husband and I love to try new restaurants and I don't believe that is an experience that has to be only for adults. I'm not saying that you should drag a screaming toddler to the fanciest restaurant in town. That would only ruin the experience for everyone involved. But so many more restaurants than you think are perfectly okay to bring children and my mission was to find out what they were. And if things start going awry? Box up your food and head back to the hotel. It's not the worst thing in the world and a little trial and error never hurt anybody.

I am from a suburb of Chicago so this particular blog will have many future addendums as we return and try out more places. But I am eager to share with you the places we have been to so you can feel comfortable sharing a culinary experience with your children sans anxiety.  

Where to go: 

• Millenium Park

• Navy Pier

• Chicago Children's Museum

• Shedd Aquarium

• Museum of Science and Industry

• Field Museum

• Adler Planetarium

• Willis Tower Sky deck

• Lincoln Park Zoo (free)

I recommend purchasing a CityPASS ahead of time. You get VIP admission to the top 5 Chicago attractions. If you are looking to do everything on the above list anyways, the pass will end up saving you money from buying admission to each attraction separately. 

In the summer there is almost always something going on in Chicago. Make sure to take the time and Google if there are any festivals going on that you might want to check out. 

What kid doesn't love an aquarium? Safe bet for any vacation.

Making friends with a sting ray <3

My daughter loved the Field Museum. It's a one of a kind experience for a small child with everything being so much larger than they are. And of course an educational experience for older kids.

The famous Bean.... 

Photo credit: Steve Gadomski

I highly recommend researching your hotel. Look at what activities you want to do and pick a hotel location that will allow you to easily walk / push the stroller to those destinations. If your kids are older and carseats aren't as much of a concern, then by all means take advantage of cabs and Uber. Think about what type of room will suit your needs. With us having toddlers, we need to have some type of suite for separation. None of the members of our family can fall asleep when we are all in the same room and lack of sleep equals crankiness the next day. It just comes down to whatever works best for your family. Some super family friendly options are:

• Hotel Lincoln: Family suite offers bunkbeds and childrens table and chairs

• Hotel Palomar: Welcome gifts for kids, safety supplies such as outlet covers, kid sized robes, etc

• Omni Chicago: Spacious two room suites

• Hilton Garden Inn: Good sized suites at a good price. Be wary of the windows if you have small children as they completely open up to the outside.

Where to eat: 

There are not enough words to describe how much we loved one particular restaurant in Chicago. Little Goat Diner is directly across the street from the wonderful Girl and the Goat. Both fantastic restaurants from Stephanie Izard of Top Chef Season 4 fame. We stumbled upon this diner because we couldn't get reservations for Girl and the Goat and were just blown out of the water. Not only is this place family friendly, but the food is amazing. Not just good, AMAZING. Even the kids meals were fantastic. We ate a full dinner there and then made sure we ordered breakfast food to go so that we could enjoy it in the hotel the next morning. This is hands down my favorite place in the world. I'm obsessed and getting hungry just thinking about it. Just go here. It's great. Do it. 

Tuckered out because we made the unfortunate decision of walking from Navy Pier all the way to Randolph Street. They woke up about 30 min post arrival and loved their kids meals. And c'mon, those cute kids cups are everything.

Kobe beef with kimchi. I got a Banh Mi Style burger (not pictured).

Au Cheval is also amazing and located on Randolph Street. I would definitely feel comfortable bringing the children but the wait can be very long. For any restaurant, aim to eat dinner as early as possible so that the kids don't start getting cranky and the restaurant isn't packed. And since kids get so exhausted when traveling, they will probably start the overtired craziness at least an hour earlier than they would at home.  

Also on Randolph (see a pattern?) is Urbanbelly and BellyQ. They are connected and share the same kitchen from renowned chef Bill Kim. We went to Urbanbelly for lunch but BellyQ looked just as feasible for dinner. The ramen was pretty good and the pork belly was tender. The Phat rice there was great. I don't know that it is the most authentic spot in Chicago for ramen, but I thought it tasted great and it worked out really well for the toddlers. They were obviously too young for their own bowls but they do have a kids menu. Even on the kids menu, if you have very young kids the table could get a little messy since the items were not super easy for the kids to eat. But the large table made clean up easy and I don't necessarily depend on restaurant meals to fill up the kids. It's more about the adults being able to enjoy the food and letting the kids try new things and nibble. I always try and fill the kids up with food they are used to beforehand or that I can whip out of my purse if things are going south. If they are already nearly full, then there is no need to get frustrated if they aren't eating and hopefully they won't get cranky. They can try some of what you are eating or try their own food and it's just an added experience. Our kids have had everything from spicy Thai food to seafood, but I don't need them to finish a meal of it. Chicken nuggets back at the hotel is still a go to meal to fall back on. 

Another area to check out is Chinatown. We have to stop here every time we are in Chicago. The kids loved running around the central area and checking out the statues, and my son loved the tower like staircases and "bridges." One of my favorite restaurants, Joy Yee, has a location there and the menu is so large that there is something for everyone. And the portions are large and meant to be shared. Don't be surprised if there is a long line. Most people are just waiting to grab one of their delicious smoothies and bubble teas. I have never waited an excessively long time to sit and eat, even when they are busy. Which they usually are. Because they are amazing.  

Obviously there are hundreds more amazing restaurants in Chitown and I will update with more family friendly options and our experiences there. In the meantime, if you want to check a place out and you have your kids with you, just try it. The worst that can happen is you need to leave earlier than you intended and that's why it's best to dine at off peak hours. 

Happy travels =) 

What to Do & Where to Eat with Kids in Columbus, OH

Welcome to Columbus! As one of the largest cities in the Midwestern United States there is a great deal to do here. Perhaps most notable for being home to The Ohio State University, one of the largest universities in the U.S. Whether you live here, or are just passing through, you will find a medley of family activities to satisfy both you and your youngsters.  

What to do: 

• Spend the day at COSI 

            -One of the best science museums in the U.S. 

            -Over 300 interactive exhibits appropriate for all age levels

           - A large childrens area called KidSpace that you will have to drag your kids out of when it's         

           time to leave.

Crafting in KidsSpace at COSI

• Peruse German Village & The Book Loft 

           -Roam the cobbled stone streets of German Village and check out the amazing, 32 room, Book Loft. Get lost in the maze that is this adorable bookstore. 

           -Make sure to stop by Stauf's Coffee next door and Pistacia Vera to pick up amazing desserts. (Hint: Don't leave without trying as many Parisian macarons as you can)

           - Take the kids to the beautiful Schiller Park to run out some energy. If you time it right in the summer months, you may catch Actor's Theater putting on a free show in the ampitheater.  

           -Grab lunch at the original Max & Erma's, Brown Bag Deli, Katzinger's Delicatessen, or Harvest Pizzeria.  

• Franklin Park Conservatory  

           - This indoor botanical garden will be a real treat for adults and kids alike. The butterfly garden was a favorite for my children, but we had a great time exploring all the different rooms. 

          - Make sure to stop and watch the professionals blow glass at the Hot Shop which performs daily demonstrations.

Spying on the fish in the koi pond. 

Blown glass sculptures in the Butterfly garden.  

• Visit the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

           - The kids and I have been to this zoo more times than I can count at this point. If you're just visiting, it is way too large to see everything in one visit. If you need to pick and choose I recommend visiting the Heart of Africa exhibit, Congo Expedition, and Australia and the Islands. The Heart of Africa area is the most impressive exhibit I have ever seen in a zoo. Spanning 43 acres you can watch the animals roam the plains, cheetahs sprinting at select times, and feed giraffes (also at select times). On your way to Heart of Africa, coming from the entrance, there is also a great petting zoo that's worth a stop. 

A kangaroo up close! 

The petting zoo is a must stop for us every time we visit.  

• Zoombezi Bay

           -Cool off in the summer with this waterpark located directly next to the zoo. In fact they are connected and you pay your admission in the same area. Since a ticket to the zoo is included with your admission to the waterpark, I recommend arriving as soon as the zoo opens at 9, walk around and check out some of the exhibits until the waterpark opens at 10. That way you can snag some aptly located beach chairs. 

• Bicentennial Park / Scioto Mile

           -One of the best things to do in the summer is take the kids to the Scioto Mile Fountain. Consider it the best splash pad on the face of the earth. The water is chlorinated and often they have lifeguards on duty. Visit at night to watch the streams of water light up.

           -Right next to the fountains is the restaurant Milestone 229. I would recommend coming for brunch, grabbing a patio seat, and taking the kids to play in the fountains afterwards. The chilequiles and brisket hash are pretty good but this restaurant is more about location than food. 

• Topiary Park

           -  A 7 acre park in downtown Columbus famous for its topiary interpretation of George Seurat's painting, A Sunday Afternoon on the Isle of La Grand Jatte. 

           - Throughout the summer check out PBJ & Jazz in the park. The kids will adore the interactive storytime, art activity, and jazz concert. A great opportunity to introduce your children to new styles of music and the large group of kids dancing in front of the band is truly adorable. 

Of course the dog shaped bush was the most intriguing for these two.

• Columbus Park of Roses

           - This remarkable destination features 12,000 roses of more than 400 varieties. Stroller friendly and a great spot for family photos. 

           - In late May the Heritage Rose Garden reaches peak bloom, while the Formal Rose Garden reaches peak bloom mid-June.  

What better place to work on respecting nature when the anklebiters try and rip out a rose?  

Photo credit: columbus.gov

• North Market

           - Come and appreciate the best of Columbus in this public market. Very similar to the Milwaukee  Public market in the Third Ward.

           - Mediterranean fare, Indian, BBQ, fried chicken, polish, Vietnamese, sushi, Italian, bakeries, ice cream, produce, fresh meat and fish, and a dozen gourmet shops. The assortment is quite broad.  Everything from Banh Mi to Jeni's gourmet ice cream. (Wildberry lavender and Pistachio & Honey are my favorite flavors.)

           - This market gets packed during lunch hours and on the weekend. The farmers market is on Saturdays and this is a great lunch spot for all the corporate businessmen nearby. When going with the kids I recommend arriving during off peak hours like mornings and weekdays, but our first time was on a busy Saturday and I still felt okay maneuvering a large stroller around all the shops.  

           - My best suggestion? Check out all the options and then head to the second floor for seating. The kids will love to spy on the shoppers below and you will be right next to Hot Chicken Takeover. This restaurant is amazing and serves southern comfort food while you dine at communal picnic tables. I'm not big on fried chicken, but I loved it. Oh, and the mac 'n' cheese is to die for. Also, free sweet tea that will remind you of summer all year round.  

• Where to eat: 

           - Obviously I have already mentioned quite a few but here are some more restaurants to keep in mind. The Short North neighborhood of Columbus is centered on the main strip of High Street, north of downtown. Great for shopping, dining, and entertainment. Lots of galleries, fantastic restaurants, and bars. I would say this is definitely prime location for a date night sans kids, but if you want to explore the area and try some new restaurants with the tots, go early. For example, 5 pm would be a great early dinner.

           - Rigsby's Kitchen is our family favorite thus far. The mussels are a must. Also, their oysters.  

           - Northstar Cafe has great food all day but the breakfast / brunch is fantastic. Pancakes? Yes. Cowboy breakfast? Yes. Breakfast burrito? Definitely.  

           - Pies and Pints has the best pizza I have had in a long time. Pesto pizza and the Chicken Gouda are some top favorites. Also, the pizzas are HUGE. I have also heard the wings are amazing.  

Happy travels fellow mommies!

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." - Helen Keller