A Local Adventure: Scioto Audubon Park!

06 Wednesday Jun 2018

Posted by Planning for Paris in Daily Happenings, Life's Loves, Uncategorized

Tags

active, Activities, adventure, Columbus, double stroller, free, hiking, local, Ohio, Storytime, summer, toddlers, Trails

Good morning! Wanted to hop on this week to share with you a fun little local spot that we kind of just happened upon last weekend! I’ve been to Scioto Audubon with my middle school students on a field trip (which they loved!), but I got a new perspective going with toddlers!

We were there for almost two hours and could have stayed for much longer! Things for toddlers outside: trails, playground with music player (can be used as a coordinated dance things for older kids), gardens, and ponds. But the great thing for this summer is the indoor activities at their nature center! Every Thursday and Saturday at 10 they have a storytime, followed by a little showing of the turtles and snakes. For older kids, you can bring your own equipment for the rock climbing wall or head down to the obstacle course. They also have a water tower that you can go up and overlook the park!

This was also one of the mannnnnnny times we have been immensely thankful for our Double Stroller (which I did a full review of here, but had no idea how much we would use and how many comments we get about it!) It is just perfect for zipping around–double strollers can get bulky and overwhelming, but this one is slim and can fit on trails without being obnoxious.

What should we do next?! We have two weekends of stuff planned, but we have the whole summer ahead and are looking for ideas!! I LOVE SUMMER!!

Hope you all have a great week!
Erin

A Family Adventure in Hilliard + Giveaway!

19 Friday May 2017

Posted by Planning for Paris in Daily Happenings, Good Eats, Life's Loves

≈ 10 Comments

Tags

central ohio, Columbus, explore, listings in Columbus, Ohio, real estate, real estate in columbus ohio

Good morning, I am so excited to be partnering up again with listings in Columbus to get out and explore Columbus as a family (see our family-friendly day in Grandview here)! One spot we’ve been dying to check out is Old Hilliard and more specifically, the new splash pad at Hilliard’s Station Park! So, on Mother’s Day we loaded up and headed out to explore!

First, we stopped by Hilliard Municipal Park to see some duckies and just the pond in general. It’s a really nice pond area that would be perfect for a picnic this summer!

Just a few blocks away is Hilliard’s Station Park in Old Hilliard…it’s a little stretch of restaurants and shops and the all new splash pad! We opted to play for a bit (it turned out to be way warmer than we thought! Lots of kids already in suits playing!!) and then head to dinner. They have tables around the splash pad so you could grab lunch at Local Catina or coffee at Coffee Connections and sit outside with the kiddos while they come and go playing!

Afterwards, we decided to grab dinner on the patio at Otie’s Tavern! The evening turned out just perfect!

We will definitely be heading back to Old Hilliard soon!! Such a fun little area!! And now for the really fun part! Below is your chance to get out and explore the area a bit with a $25 gift card to Local Cantina (they actually have several locations around Columbus)!! And if you’re interested in checking out a few other local places Breakfast with Nick has a great Clintonville round-up and It’s a Hero has a post all about Cuyahoga Falls which would be a great little getaway once baby gets here!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hope you all have a great weekend and have a chance to get out and explore!
Erin

P.S.

*This post was sponsored by Nakturnal, but all opinions, as always, are my own!

A Family-Friendly Day in Grandview + Giveaway!

28 Friday Apr 2017

Posted by Planning for Paris in Daily Happenings, Good Eats, Life's Loves

≈ 12 Comments

Tags

central ohio, Columbus, Columbus bloggers, dining out, eating, family, family activities, fun, Grandview, HER Realty, Ohio, real estate, real estate in columbus ohio

Good morning! Today I am so excited to be partnering with Nakturnal on behalf of real estate in Columbus, Ohio to share a few family-friendly activities in Grandview! We absolutely adore Grandview. It has that small town quaintness feel, but with TONS of activities throughout the year for all ages.

Stauf’s Coffee is the perfect way to start your day. I feel so fancy walking in, the aroma hitting you even before you walk in. And then the beverages? Artwork.

Grab a donut at the counter at DK Diner (the sour cream donut is my absolute favorite.) or you can sit and have an amazing brunch on the patio! The whole atmosphere is super casual: You can get a donut as an appetizer and they put coffee out for you to sip on while you wait for a table if you decide to stay for a full breakfast!

Grandview is full of these little touches; so fun for the littles!! This community library is located near Stevenson Elementary!

Lunch at Sweet Carrot! They have an amazing indoor and outdoor dining area. And the food is SO good.

Stop by Little Green House Play Cafe and let the littles run around while you grab a cup of coffee. Yes, please! Eleanor was obsessed with the firetruck!

Our favorite park is Wyman Woods Park. The ground is squishy which is perfect for those toddler falls! And then when you are on your way home, make sure you stop by Mama Mimis for a take and bake pizza and a local six pack! You will feel like a domestic goddess when it comes out of the oven. Fresh and gourmet and you didn’t have to do a thing.

…and now for a fun giveaway!! Comment below with what your favorite spot in Grandview or Columbus is and then enter your information into the Rafflecopter to get yourself entered to win a $25 gift card to Staufs Coffee! Good luck, friends!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And if you are interested in checking out German Village, my friends over at Wander and Whine shared their favorite spots and are giving away a gift card to Pistacia Vera (remember how little E was on her first trip there?!)!

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend!!
Erin

*This post was written in partnership with Nakturnal, but all opinions, as always, are my own!

Have Mercy!

23 Thursday May 2013

Posted by Planning for Paris in Daily Happenings, Life's Loves

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

favorites, move, Ohio, Virginia

Have Mercy is my mantra these days as I am saying goodbye to my final days in Virginia and preparing for the big move to Ohio! Here are a few of my favorites that have really brightened up my week!

1. Madewell Neon Tank.

2. The Sonny Sandal.

3. Bicycle Pillow.

4. Blair Ritchey Tassel Keychain. A must have for when we get the key to our first house! (hopefully, happening very soon!)

5. Hooray Pouch. I am thrilled to finally be starting a whole new journey with my hubby in Ohio!!

6. Make the Most of it Tote. However, it is so hard to leave my friends and life here in Virginia. We are definitely making the most of our time together, which will include a final hurrah here in Richmond with Matt this weekend!!

Happy Thursday!
Erin