Everything You Need To Know About The New Ikea!

When: The Grand Opening is Wednesday June 7th, 2017 at 9 a.m.

Where: 1900 Ikea Way, Columbus OH 43240

Festivities: 

 Wednesday, June 7, 2017

• Rest Assured – The first 44 adults (18 & older) in IKEA Columbus on June 7, 2017 will receive a free EKTORP three-seat sofa, honoring our 44th U.S. store. 

• Take a Seat (And We Mean Take It!) – The next 100 adults (18 & older) in IKEA Columbus on June 7, 2017 will receive a free POÄNG armchair. 

• For the (Truly) Young at Heart – The first 100 children (17 & younger) in IKEA Columbus on June 7, 2017 will receive a free FAMNIG heart-shaped soft toy. 

• Pick a Card, Any Card – The first 2,500 adults (18 & older) in IKEA Columbus on June 7, 2017 will receive a random prize envelope with IKEA Gift Cards ranging from $10 to $250, or a “Buy One, Get One Free” cinnamon bun, hotdog or soft-serve frozen yogurt voucher. 

• Happy Birthday to You and Us – The first 100 adults (18 & older) bringing proof to IKEA Columbus on June 7, 2017 their birthday is the same as the store’s will receive a gift card in the amount of $44, a tie-in corresponding to IKEA Columbus as the 44th U.S. IKEA store. 

• Enter our Home, Enter to Win – From June 7 through June 11, 2017, visitors to IKEA Columbus may enter a drawing to win one of ten $1,000 IKEA Gift Cards through the IKEA FAMILY loyalty program. IKEA is matching the prizes (a total of $10,000) with a donation of home furnishings to The Homeless Families Foundation, a local organization that provides housing assistance and educational services to homeless families living in Columbus. 

Thursday, June 8, 2017

• Sleep Like Royalty – The first 44 adults (18 & older) in IKEA Columbus on Thursday, June 8, 2017 will receive a free queen-sized HAUGESUND mattress. 

• Cozy Comfort – The next 100 adults (18 & older) in IKEA Columbus on Thursday, June 8, 2017 will receive a free ALINA “sleep set” of bedspread and cushion covers and two FJADRAR pillows. 

• Kid’s Best Friend – The first 100 children (17 & younger) in IKEA Columbus on June 8, 2017 will receive a free GOSIG golden dog soft toy. 

Friday, June 9, 2017

• Cook (& Store) Like a Pro – The first 44 adults in IKEA Columbus on Friday, June 9, 2017 will receive a free 365+ 6-piece cookware starter set and a FORTROLIG food container storage set. 

• It’s in the Bag! – The next 44 adults (18 & older) in IKEA Columbus on Friday, June 9, 2017 will receive freezer bags filled with five different Swedish meals, complete with beverages and desserts, from the store’s Swedish Food Market. 

• A Cold Sweet-ish Treat – The first 100 children (17 & under) in IKEA Columbus on Friday, June 9, 2017 will receive a voucher for a soft-serve frozen yogurt that day at the Exit Bistro. 

Wednesday, June 7 - Sunday, June 11, 2017

• Play Big If You’re Little – Balloon artists, entertainment and face-painting will enhance the family-friendly fun at IKEA Columbus from June 7 through June 11, 2017. 

Thanks to Columbus Moms Blog, I was able to take a sneak peak of Ikea's second location in Ohio and it is just as awesome as you may have imagined. Being from Illinois, I am already used to having two Ikea's at my disposal. I have even driven to both on the same day to get an out of stock item. Safe to say, I am a fan. I'm so excited to finally have a location nearby again because yes, our family definitely purchase many of our home furniture items there. Especially for the children bedroom and playrooms. BUT there are so many smaller items that you can use from children's dinnerware, cute decorative items, picture frames, rugs, even children toys. And you can get them so much cheaper than anywhere else! 

Not to mention their giant cafeteria with the most amazing food! I have a feeling the kids and I might have some midday lunches there. And all the food is sold in the market as well. It's so strange to want to buy salmon from a furniture but yes, it was that good. 

Need to get some serious shopping done and don't want to be restricted by the children? If they are potty trained and 37-54 in tall, check them into Småland! They will have so much fun coloring, watching a movie, and / or playing in the fun ball pit! And don't worry mamas, family friendly parking, restrooms, and nursing areas. 

Too scared to brave the busy lines of opening day? Take a virtual tour below and start browsing the online Ikea catalogue to get prepped for your first visit! Want to know how to shop the store? Click the link below! 

Power Rangers And A Good Bye To Movie Tavern

23 seasons. There have been 23 seasons of Power Rangers. Before I became a mother I only ever remember watching the 1993 American series. The first adapted version from the Japanese Super Sentai series. Thank you to my 4 year old and Netflix, I have now seeen a plethora of seasons. One always more cheesy than the one before. 

But the look on the face of a child watching their first fantasy show? It's indescribable. On one hand, I completely get it. It must seem like the most amazing thing a child has ever seen when they haven't been inundated with all the fantasy action movies and CGI developments. It's martial arts, giant monster robots, and some kind of Aesops Fable, moral lesson woven through each episode.  On the other hand, I have no memory of that kind of childlike wonder and fascination. Watching my son watch Power Rangers gives me a little window into that feeling. 

So of course I had to take my son to see the new reboot. It's not his first movie theatre experience but we made it extra special by making sure we went to Movie Tavern in Mill Run one last time before they close April 9th. I've really enjoyed being a customer there and I wanted to give my son the experience for his first and last time. His favorite movie, his favorite costume, one of his favorite friends, and a blueberry lemonade freeze. It's so fun treating your child to a magical evening out.  

Did we enjoy the movie? Absolutely!!! It had everything my son loves and tons of nostalgic moments for me. Lots of nods to the 1993 season, even the very first episode of the show! And do you know Bryan Cranston actually voiced two of Rita's minions? Billy the blue ranger was even named after him! I know I sound like I'm completely geeking out right now, and I swear I was never this big of a fan in the 90s, but once you've seen each season 3-4 times, you start buying into it. 

At any rate, if you were ever a fan of the show, even if you aren't a parent. I think it's totally worth seeing.  

Goldfish Jump Start Clinics

It's spring break time and Goldfish is offering another round of Jump Start Clinics. What are they you ask? 5 straight days of swim class, same time every day.

Is it worth it? Absolutely. Before I began partnering with Goldfish as a blogger, I was just a regular client and my son was doing okay during his lessons but struggling with floating on his back and having enough stamina to swim the width of the pool. When the opportunity for one of the summer clinics came around we decided to give it a go and I was more than impressed by the results. The repetitivity of class every day and the opportunity to show off to a new teacher boosted all of his swim skills and two regular swim classes later, he received the ribbon to move up to the next level!

When you think about it, 5 days of class is over a month of lessons squeezed into one week! So if your child is struggling with even general water anxiety this would be a great way to "jump start" their swim lesson journey. This would also be the perfect way to test out Goldfish and see if this is the right fit for you and your children. 

If my words aren't convincing enough, check out this video montage of what our weekly swim class is like! 

Amy's Donuts

I'm all hopped up on an incredible sugar high thanks to this lovely donut shop west of Columbus. I'm so happy that a place like this exists on our side of Columbus when you would normally expect to find this type  of establishment in the heart of downtown. Amy's Donuts is located near Broad street, very close to the casino. Coincidence? 

Moots Clothing has a shirt for every occasion, including donut tours ;)

The variety of donuts is staggering. There seem to be over a 100 varieties to choose from and out of the 24 flavors I have tried so far, I have yet to be disappointed. Not only will adults love the donuts, but your kids will flip when they press their faces to the glass and see all their favorite candies and cereals adorned on these fluffy clouds of sugar. At first glance it definitely seems like sugar overload but the donut base is very simple and light to counter all the yummy topping options.  Maybe I am just trying to justify these donuts as a valid breakfast option, but honestly, I love how light and airy these donuts are. It doesn't taste overwhelming or heavy and I honestly don't know how they manage to pull it off. 

Could this place get any better? Oh wait, yes it can. FREE TOURS!!!! Sign up for a tour on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday afternoons for no more than 15 children. It is definitely a tight space so the groups have to be small but this is such a fun activity to coordinate with your mom/playdate group, small birthday party, girl scout troop, kindergarten or preschool class, and the options go on. The kids were beyond excited to see how these magical desserts were made and then at the end they got to decorate two doughnuts! Our outing was so simple but so much fun and I can't recommend enough checking this place out with your kids. You will win the mom (or dad) of the year award hands down. 

First he rolls out the dough....

Then he uses this awesome device to cut out the doughnuts! 

After the oven they head to the fryer where he uses the giant chopsticks to flip them.

Golden brown deliciousness...

Glazing time!

Crowd participation!

Decorating is always the best part!

Couldn't go home without grabbing a dozen to go. 

Ultimate. Satisfaction

Address| 650 Georgesville Rd, Columbus, OH 43228
Hours | Sun-Thu 5am-8pm | Fri & Sat 5am-10pm
Phone | 614.641.7721

 

BalletMet & Dancing With The Nutcracker

We had the most magical experience at the Ballet Met this weekend and it was perfectly timed since ballerinas have been on Charlie's mind non stop for the last couple months. Angelina Ballerina is on a constant Netflix rotation, the tutu is the daily attire, and I am judging pirouettes and pliés aplenty. How lucky to discover the annual Dancing With The Nutcracker event hosted by the BalletMet Columbus. 

This event was completely free with a donation to Faith Mission through the Discovery District Civic Association. First things first, we got our picture taken with the life size Nutcracker! From there we went into one of the studios that was set up with coloring, tattoos, an ornament craft, and a real ballerina costume to see up close! We spent about 30 minutes in here while we waited for the first session to end. Two times of noon and 1 p.m were offered and we chose the 1 p.m. 

"A real  tutu?!" 

Fun with coloring and crafts in the studio!

Once it was our turn to enter the studio where the main event was being held, we scrambled to find a seat on the floor and wait for the excitement to begin. There is essentially no bad seat as the dancers move all over the floor. Ballet students were positioned all throughout the studio to help lead the children in the various dance routines that allowed them to actually participate in the Nutcracker story. The participation by the children is hands down the best part of this whole experience. The event is structured like a Nutcracker story time where the narrator takes the children through the story,  and teaches them the little participation dances before the professionals perform excerpts from the actual ballet. Afterwards we had some photo ops with the dancers and were able to retrieve our discounted Nutcracker tickets for the official performances in December. 

I can't get over how special this experience was and what an incredible sneak peek into a lovely Christmas tradition. Our whole family always has an amazing time with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and their Popcorn Pops / Concert for Kids. I am delighted to have been able to introduce the children to another aspect of the fine arts and be able to experience it up close! With Charlie turning three next month, I can't wait to get her started in the Mini Mover's class that the company offers. Maybe she won't grow up to be a prima ballerina but you can't not furnish the delight a little girl has about ballet while it lasts. Not to mention it is an extraordinary gateway into the world of art, classical music, rhythm, and creativity. Dance adds something special to a child's personality and I am excited to see where this adventure takes us next. 

"The children have been a wonderful gift to me, and I'm thankful to have once again seen our world through their eyes."    - Jackie Kennedy