Chocolate Factory Tour

I grew up with VeggieTales. My kids love the theme song. We play it on cassette tape most mornings. (That's right, cassettes.) There is another song on the VeggieTales cassette that is often running through my head. "...we work real hard at the chocolate factory. We start at eight and we don't get lunch 'til three. I drive truck to make buck so I can send it home to my fam-i-leeeeee." 

This song was running through my head so much that I decided to take the girls to Anthony-Thomas Chocolate factory a week ago.

It was a fun little tour. We learned a lot about chocolate and candy. That was enjoyable. What made it more fun was that there was a kindergarten group on the tour with us. But Eva's favorite part was the "buckeye brownie" (a buckeye) she stuffed into her mouth at the end of the tour. We weren't allowed to take photos on the actual tour so these are just us hanging out in the gift shop.

Happy Valentine's Day!
May it include as much love as a 235-pound buckeye
could offer!

Two Weeks of Happy Civic Duty

I got my summons in July and was devastated that I was to appear the first week of the semester. Serve my civic duty as a juror or align my entire semester up right with my students-- what a quandary! Luckily, I called the Jury Commissioner's office and was able to postpone my jury duty in the Franklin County Municipal Court until December.

The following post will commemorate my worthwhile experience.

On the first day I took the bus into downtown to save a few bucks on parking. When I arrived at 8am, apparently I was a little eager. After two hours of enjoying the high-octane coffee, the Jury Commissioner waited until 10am to give us the rundown of the next two weeks which included free parking in the garage. My eagerness mixed with geeking out on civic responsibility made for quite an exciting day.

The Jury Commission Room

 The next two weeks did not disappoint. Even though I was not selected for a jury, I learned so much! Tom, the Jury Commissioner, had speakers lined up to come talk with us. There were tours of the Ohio Supreme Court and the Statehouse. We were invited to observe the courtrooms in session.

The seven seats of the Ohio Supreme Court.

Decorations in the Law Library.

View of COSI and the Scioto River from the top floor of the Supreme Court.

The Ohio Statehouse

Floor plan of the buildings we toured.

George Washington Williams,
the first black Ohio Legislator. 

Thank you to 100 years of women Suffragettes!

Statehouse Rotunda

Black draping ready for John Glenn's body to arrive. 

For Lake Erie, thank Oliver Hazard Perry.

House of Representatives

Beautiful Christmas tree at the Statehouse
in the spot where Lincoln gave a speech prior
to his presidency. 

These tours were great but with December comes the chance of bad weather. 

Snow-covered 9th floor view.

One block away, there were noon Advent services each Wednesday followed by a luncheon. What a way for me to spend the lunch break.

Trinity Evangelical Church

Luckily, most of our time we were warmly visited by judges and other courthouse officials in the Jury Commission Room. We often know very little about judges but I can confidently say that Judge Green, Judge O'Grady, Judge Hawkins, Judge Morehart, Judge Barrows, Recorder Brown and Clerk of Courts Tyack are more than names on ballot for me now. I learned that some of these civil servants are grateful for the purpose God has given them. They even came to our last day's pizza party. 

All this was a great experience that I will never forget.  

We were well taken care of and respected for our duty.  

We were able to share some life stories, share some faith stories, share some business stories, 

and make some friends along the way. 

Somebody took this juror out to a dinner
with a view of the city. 

Airplane Day

In looking for something to keep us busy this week, we decided to join up with the Mini-Riversiders on a visit to the OSU airport. The mom in-charge had arranged for two pilots to show us their airplanes. It was a blast! All the kids loved it. 

This airport is right off Sawmill Road therefore I have driven by it for nearly 20 years... but don't remember ever stopping in. After visiting yesterday, I felt like I had stepped onto the set of Wings. Do you remember that show? 

I am so thankful for this fun little opportunity to tour this little airport with the littlest members of my family. 

Audrey was rearing to go upon arrival.

In the terminal, Eva spotted a gumball machine.
"What's this, Mommy?"

Observing from the Observation Deck.

It's always time for a snack! 

Eva was first in line. 

Kids in the cockpit.

They really liked being IN a plane. 

But Eva did not like that the controls
were out of her control.

We could have stayed all day. 

The City Bus

Eva has been fascinated with buses for a while now. I think the "Wheels on the Bus" song was a major catalyst. Especially when we learned the verse about the money going "clink, clink, clink" from Christin back in the summer of 2014. 

So we took a ride.

We boarded the #82 COTA bus at the nearest stop to our house. Just 0.2 miles from our house for an approximate 3 minute walk. I paid my $2 adult fare - clink, clink, clink - while children under 48 inches are free.  The #82 took us on a 45 minute loop through Grandview,  Lennox Town Center, the OSU medical center and campus. 

We enjoyed the sites. We sang the "Wheels on the Bus" song. We greeted new passengers. Then we got back off right where we started... which is by our favorite Grandview park. 

Play Time!!!

Other low cost fun that we have enjoyed...

Wyman Woods Park - FREE

Library Stories on the Lawn - FREE

Tuesdays at Little Green House play cafe - $3

Krema Nut Company Milkshake - $3.50

Grandview Pool- $3 (after 6pm)

Apples and Cookies at Giant Eagle - FREE with $1 Treat Card

Drive-Thru Car Wash - $5

Picture Wall: Contact Paper, Painters tape, and foam pieces (all items were things we had)

Little Skipper's

There is a plethora of places around town to take your little ones on a cold day. My friend, Stacie, has done all the research for me. See Here: Indoor Play.  (P.S. Stacie also posted about our fun little Galentine's Day Brunch with beautifully pink photos.)

Today, per the suggestion of my dear friend, Ruth, we decided to head to Little Skipper's in Hilliard. I really wanted to visit with Ruth and celebrate her new job (praise!) but needed a space for Eva to run out some energy. Little Skipper's Play Cafe was the perfect location. It is very cute and super friendly. 

When we arrived there were some little boys playing. One came up to Eva and stated, "We will name you -- Lauren." Ha. I suppose a new "play cafe code name" is part of the initiation. 

Eva wasn't quite done playing with all the dolls and toys when we gathered her up for lunch at Panera, but we will be back soon.

Several boats to row!

Eva shows off motor skills to Ruth in the
Infant Play Area. See how Audrey is "playing".

Cozy seat for Audrey. 

Our friendly cashier looks for the money. 

Yay! A babydoll stroller. 

Even better... a babydoll stroller with a cupcake! Ooo!

Goodie Shop

We made a stop at the Goodie Shop. I had never been to this Upper Arlington bakery but am now trying to figure out ways to calculate it into my routes.

We were searching for a place to pick up a birthday treat for my mom (Happy 60th!!) on our way home from the doctor's office last week. Lo and behold, this little gem popped up. Tucked in the Tremont Center plaza, it is an old school bakery with decorated cookies, donuts, brownies, fruit cakes, and even chicken pot pies.

Eva enjoyed the free sample tray and is eager to revisit when there is less snow covering the kid-sized table on the patio area. I'll go back to try out the chicken pot pies (grab-and-go style in the freezer case) and I will make a mental note that this place has fruit cakes since I was recently discussing that I knew of no place that had fruit cakes any more. Noted.