Vision Boards | How To Make Them & Why They Work | 614 Mom

Over the years, I have tried many ways to stick to the goals I make for myself.  Sometimes my goals are easily attainable and sometimes they require a lot of work but they always require a lot of determination.  The first few weeks are easy, I am on a mission and I need to achieve my goals and nothing can stop me and then life gets busy, things change, moments of I can just wait until tomorrow or today is a cheat day, or other similar thoughts creep in and throw me off my game. 

It took me a few years to realize that it has nothing to do with my goals changing but me not being able to see the finish line.  Being able to visualize the finish line, and see what I am working for is the difference between wishing my goal would be successful and achieving my goal.  That's exactly why I find vision boards so important in every aspect of my life.  I attended a Vision Board workshop with Mesa Studios in 2016 and it changed my world.  

My vision boards are focused on my goals and focused on how I want to feel.  I love to laugh, I firmly believe it is the best medicine and I never want to get so wrapped up in life that I forget to laugh, so that has a good section on my board.  You see, vision boards shouldn't be focused on just material items that you want to own, and quite honestly I would try to limit putting any material items on your board except for maybe one or two, they should be focused on you, how you feel and the things that make you happy.  

Once you've completed your vision board make sure you hang it somewhere you can see it every single day. You want your vision board to come to life, and for that to happen you need to be able to see it daily.  

How To Create A Vision Board

1.  Carefully think about your goals and write them all down on a piece of paper, it doesn't have to be fancy.  No goal is too small.  You can even take a few days to write this list, this is for you. Give yourself the time you need to come up with your list. Remember to think about how you want to feel, what makes you happy, and what you want to achieve.

2. Gather Supplies! Start with any board that you love, you can never go wrong with cork boards as they are easy to work with but you can also use glass, white board, poster board, etc.  You will need tape, glue, stickers, pins, markers, and magazines. You could also use embellishments that you would find in the scrapbooking section at your local craft store.   You will also want to think about what you want to include, if your list includes a trip somewhere maybe print off a photo to use on your board, use photos from your phone or camera and get those printed to use.  Spend your time doing this now so you can spend an uninterrupted hour designing your vision board. 

3. Create a peaceful environment where you can create, think, and dream. For me this includes lighting a few candles, turning off the TV and my phone, and pouring a glass of wine.  

4. Piece together the photos, quotes, magazine inspiration, embellishments and create your board.  Finish when you feel happy with the vision you have set for yourself.  

5. Hang your board where you can see it every single day.  The simple act of looking at it everyday will help you in reaching your goals, whatever they may be. 

Tip: I've asked the Local Facebook Moms Groups for magazines before and SO many were willing to give me their magazines for free, it doesn't hurt to through out a little ISO post, if you are like me and don't subscribe to many magazines.

5 Reasons To Choose Funky Scissors | Haircuts Just For Kids | 614 Mom

I've been searching for a place to take my kids for haircuts since my oldest was 2, my needs/wants have always been very simple - good haircut, patient and kind employees, and a place they don’t have to be silent. I struggled to find a place that hit all three of those check marks until we found Funky Scissors.

Last October before our trip to Disney, we tried Funky Scissors for the first time and for the first time in three years I felt like I had found THE PLACE. Funky Scissors gives me what I want as a mom and gives my children what they need to feel comfortable. It really is a win win for us.  

When I found Funky Scissors for the first time, I shared our experience here on the blog but now that we've been customers for awhile I thought I would share a little bit more about our love for Funky Scissors and the 5 things that set it apart from any place we've ever been.

The People

The people at Funky Scissors are truly kind.  When we walk in, we are always greeted with a smile and a warm welcome.  They are genuinely happy to see us, which feels good and helps reduce stress for my kids if they are nervous about getting a haircut that day.  My kids can go from super excited about a haircut to super nervous in minutes and then from nervous to excited again upon entering the salon.

The Talent

The hairstylists are truly talented, I am normally running between kids trying to share Pinterest photo ideas, or old photos of that last haircut that he loved, while carrying a baby on my hip and they help me handle all of that with ease.  They keep my kids distracted with Netflix (!!!!) and video games while working their magic.  We have never walked out of there with a bad cut. Which is huge!

The Special Touches

When designing the space the owners thought of everything from special seating to the mini-cure at the end of a haircut.  Netflix and XBox are both available for the kids to enjoy while getting their haircut, and they have a variety of seating options to choose from.  My son loves the Firetruck and my daughter loves the Glamour chair. She also enjoys the vehicle options but she’s getting too tall to fit in them!!  (When did my baby grow up?)

Atmosphere

 When you walk into Funky Scissors you’re immediately welcomed by fun colors, bright lights and balloons. You can feel when you walk in that the people here care about the children and their experience getting a haircut.  Everything is carefully picked out to create a warm and inviting experience and you can feel that.

The Treats

 After a haircut each child is allowed to pick a balloon, a sucker, and a small toy.  This may be my daughter’s favorite part. The kids enjoy earning their reward by sitting nicely for their haircut which results in two things - treats for them and picture worthy haircut for mom.  Again, it’s a win win.

We really love Funky Scissors for our kids, I truly couldn’t imagine getting their haircut anywhere else.  I am so thankful thank the owners, local Columbus parents, choose to open Funky Scissors so close to home and fill a need so many of us were looking for.  

Butler County Day One | 614 Mom Travels | Ohio

A few weeks ago I packed my three kids in the car and we headed for Butler County, Ohio.  I knew Butler County was near my two very best friends who live in Cincy and home to the first IKEA in Ohio but other than that I knew nothing about the area.  I was ready to explore the infamous donut trail with my family, and watch my son geek out at EnterTrainment Junction, my kids were excited to explore and of course more than ready to check into our hotel.  Hotels for my kids are like the coolest things ever. They love everything about them - and they have more than once asked if we could take a staycation and go to a hotel in Columbus - for the pool of course. Apparently our house just can't compete with a hotel.  My husband had a work meeting Saturday morning, so we went without him Friday afternoon and he met us there Saturday early afternoon.  Traveling for my first time with all three kids was definitely an adventure but one I wouldn’t trade for the world.

I had the entire car packed and ready to go so that we could leave right after school pickup, which made it really easy for me because it gave all three of my kids an opportunity to nap and it helped us bypass almost all traffic.  We got to the hotel around 6 and got all checked in, they had super cute little welcome bags for us, which was such a treat after a long drive with the three kiddos.  Those bags came in handy later when my kids were “STARVING” and I had forgot our snacks in the car. :(  I was luckily able to park very close to the doors which was such a blessing because we had so much stuff as you can see in the picture below.  I like to go prepared for every situation so we’re never caught off guard. Games to entertain the older kids, snacks, lots of diapers, emergency formula for the baby, and of course their special blankets and security items. This trip that was even more important because I was solo for the first half of the trip. No time for error! ;-)

Friday evening we just relaxed at the hotel, played games, watched television, and ordered LaRosa’s Pizza.  I ordered a medium for myself and the two older kids but I definitely should have added a breadstick or salad because the one pizza wasn’t enough to truly fill us up.  We had a really nice refrigerator and kitchen area so I wish I would have used that a little more. Next time :)

Saturday morning my kids woke me up by jumping on the bed eager to get out the door and hit the donut trail. Our first stop was a donut shop not far from out hotel in West Chester. Stan The Donut Man was the perfect first stop and the wonderful ladies who worked there gave us a bag full of delicious donuts and a few extra passports so my kiddos could each have one.  Next up we hit Milton’s Donut Shop, which housed my favorite donut, made out of a croissant. Not quite a cronut in form but delicious all the same. I don’t think I can ever eat a regular donut again. We then headed to Martin’s Donuts, known forever by my kids as the pink donut shop.  They have  a fruity pebble donut that was a favorite for both of my kids. By the time we left Martin’s my kids admitted they had full bellies and wanted to finish the donut trail the next morning, so we decided to head to our next stop...EnterTRAINment Junction.

EnterTRAINment Junction is any train lover's dream and I have two in my family, my son and my husband. I was actually really disappointed that my husband missed this part of our trip, I knew he would have loved it.  We plan to go back soon though, so no worries.  The kids really loved it, from the model trains, the train themed play space, and the actual train ride that they got to ride, they were on cloud 9.  I can’t wait to go back as a whole family and watch my husband and son go crazy over the model trains.  Of course, they have a gift shop that was incredibly hard to pull my kids out of.  

We decided to stick with the train them and head to Bagger Dave’s near our hotel for lunch. The menu, cups, and other decor was focused around trains and there was a model train moving throughout the restaurant.  At this point it was kind of a blur, because all three of my kids needed naps, and I needed my husband to get to town pronto.   I do know I order a veggie burger and fries and really loved it, my daughter ordered the mac n cheese and my son had a burger.  They both scarfed down their meals which was a huge win! Our waitress was incredibly kind and really went above and beyond my expectations.  At one point my daughter thought she wanted to order the sloppy joe and the waitress went back and got her a sample so she would try it - like that never happens!! That was just one of many things she did during that visit that made me feel a little more relaxed, and as a mom alone with three kids in a new city - that was HUGE!!!

After lunch we headed back to our hotel so the kids could relax and it was the perfect meeting spot because my husband was in town!! Finally! It should go without saying that I adore my kids, but it was hard work being out of town alone with 3 kids under the age of 6.  Stay tuned for Part 2 of our trip - the part my husband got to join us on.  Drive in movie, delicious breakfast, and one of the most beautiful parks in Ohio. 

I can’t wait to share all about that with you soon, but for now here are some of our pictures from Day 1.  Have you ever been to Butler County?  I highly recommend it.

31 Ways To Gift Experiences Instead Of Things This Holiday Season | Columbus, OH | 614 Mom

Together Riley and I decided that as a family we were going to teach our children the value in memories over things.  There is plenty of research that shows this can actually make you happier, and we really enjoy making those memories with our kids.  You can read an article published by Forbes, here, to get a glimpse into why that is.  I firmly believe that children should get toys for Christmas - I really do.  I also think that they will be happier with a smaller/less expensive toy and an experience or less toys and an experience.  Whether you are a parent, grandparent, aunt, or uncle, making memories with the little ones in your lives and each other is so important and so much fun.  Here is my list of 31 different ways to create experiences or give experiences to the ones you love in Columbus, Ohio.  There is something for every budget on this list.  The only advice I would give you - is to keep communication open.  It wouldn't be fun to buy tickets to something to find out Mom and Dad already did.  It's harder to return the things on this list.  Please enjoy!! I hope you find this helpful! If you have something you think I should add, I'd love to hear it! 

Luckily our family is totally on board with this and we get a lot of memberships for presents whether it's Christmas or birthdays.  One year my kids got tickets to The Children's Theatre from their grandparents and mom and dad weren't invited haha! It made for some really great memories for them, to do something "SO COOL" with Grandma and Grandpa.  

1. Columbus Zoo Membership

2. Wilds Membership

3. COSI Membership

4. Franklin Park Conservatory Membership

5. Columbus Museum of Art Membership

6. Ohio History Museum Membership

7. World of Bounce gift card

8. Tickets to see The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales

9. Tickets to see a show at the Children’s Theatre

10. A date to Dave and Busters

11. Gift Cards to Sweet and Sassy

12. Class or Camp at SIMPLR STEAM Playground

13. A date to Buckeye Bounce or a gift card to Buckeye Bounce

14. A date to Good Makery and lunch after

15. Tickets to Disney On Ice

16. A date or gift card to Sports Ohio

17. Lunch at the American Girl Store

18. Tickets to a sporting event - Buckeyes, Clippers, Blue Jackets.

19. A trip to Newport Aquarium followed by lunch at Dewey's nearby

20. Tickets to see Paw Patrol LIVE

21. Cooking class or camp at Young Chef’s Academy in Gahanna

22. Ice Skating at the Chiller

23. Glow Putt Mini Golf

24. Recreations outlet gift card

25. Tickets to see Taylor Swift at Ohio Stadium on July 7

26. A date or gift card to Color Me Mine - they also have special events that are perfect gift opportunities

27. Swimming Class or Gift Card for open swim at Goldfish Swim School

28. A trip to the Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo

29. Lunch at North Market followed by a trip to Goodale Park

30. Tickets to see Beauty and The Beast at The Palace Theatre

31. Tickets to see The Columbus Orchestra - Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Gourmet Convenience For Every Family | Bellisari's | 614 Mom

The holidays are quickly approaching which means lots of fun family time and many occasions that I will need to make a side dish, appetizer, or something similar to take to a gathering.  As a mother to three kids, I can’t always count on having  a lot of time to spend in the kitchen, so I’m always on the lookout for ways to make my life easier while also creating something delicious.  I really enjoy cooking and baking and I never want to skimp on quality which is why I was beyond excited to try out Bellisari’s Sauces.

Bellisari’s is a local Columbus company passionate about family, creativity in the kitchen, and food. Their passion is bringing Gourmet Convenience to families everywhere, proving that you can eat delicious, high quality food, even when you’re crunched for time.  They have truly created an amazing product and have filled a need so many of us have been craving for.  I made four dishes and it only took my about 45 minutes but I was also making them with a baby on my hip and a toddler who needed me to get him a drink of water, a snack, a hug, and about 45 other things. ;-)

Choosing Bellisari’s to help me with our holiday meal prep was a no-brainer.  I did my research and looked up the recipes on their website and ordered 4 jars - two sauces and two spreads. I wanted to try many varieties to find out what I loved the most. You should have seen me playing around in the kitchen when they arrived - my daughter and her friend sat at the kitchen table testing everything and they made sure I was taking notes on everything they liked. It was adorable. Surprisingly they liked a lot more than I thought they would, being kind of picky eaters. My daughter never eats deviled eggs but she loved the ones with the Saigon Street Sauce because she said they tasted “a little like sweeter or something, it’s yummy Mommy.”  I also enjoyed this deviled egg recipe.  Everything I made can be found on their website and can be made with 4 ingredients or less, which makes life so easy for busy moms.  I highly recommend looking into the Blistered Jalapeno and Fig Mini Phyllo Shells, Barista Chicken Dip, and the Calabrian Pepper and Sweet Tomato Fennel Hummus. I was snacking all night on these delicious snacks, except the chicken one. My husband enjoyed that one.  (For those that don’t know I don’t eat meat). I’m really looking forward to trying out the Blue Cheese, Honey & Shallot spread next. YUM!!

I’m looking forward to making these dishes for our holiday gatherings. I know they will be a huge hit with our family.   Have you ever tried Bellisari’s?  You can find them locally at The Hills Market, Lucky’s Market, The Morgan House, Celebrate Local, The Ohio Statehouse, and about 10 other locations around Columbus.  You can buy directly from the website as well and for the holidays they are offering a $10 gift pack with 1 jar, wrapped in a burlap gift bag complete with a recipe card tied to the bag. I am thinking of buying a few for teacher gifts.  Perfect price point and a great local product.  

I would love to hear if you’ve ever tried Bellisari’s or if you want to know! :)

Happy Holidays From Columbus | The Best Holiday Tips From Your Local Bloggers

One of my favorite things about being a blogger in Columbus is the relationships and friendships I've built with fellow bloggers who live so close.  Every single day I am inspired and empowered by these women and the content they are bringing their readers every single day.  I am so excited to be sharing the work of some of my dear friends during this Columbus Blogger Holiday Hop! From the best black Friday deals to crafting with your kiddos, gift guides, and so much more.  Check them out, they are all linked below! Enjoy!! 

I'm sharing The Best Of Christmas In Columbus! The best events in the area that you just don't want to miss! This is a carefully picked list, of only the best so check it out if you're looking for the top notch events, the ones people look forward to all year, the ones I make sure we have on our calendar every single year, and/or the ones super unique and not something you can find everywhere. 

The holiday season is filled with fun music, noises, and experiences which makes practicing making different sounds even more exciting.  Let's Play: The Speech and Language Way is sharing lots of ways to engage your youngest kiddos in the fun. 

Julie from What Should We Do Today Columbus? shares her family's favorite Christmas Traditions. 

There is nothing I love more than a great money saving hack, so this post from Tara over at Pennies From Heaven is so exciting! 

Staying healthy during the holidays can sometimes be tricky, I'm loving these tips from Just Keep It Simple Fitness.  Kathleen is sharing amazing tips, you don't want to miss. 

Kim from Wear Love Wanders shares her Local Gift Guide featuring some of my favorite local businesses, including Peppermint and Grapefruit and Maya's Curls. 

Do you have a fitness enthusiast on your shopping list this year? My girl Lindsay from Find Where You Fit has put together an amazing gift guide for an easy shopping experience. 

A Christmas Adventure with a Scavenger Hunt? Yes, please! Thank you Malini from Lakes and Lattes for putting together this super fun and unique Holiday adventure.  

The key to Black Friday shopping is doing your research and knowing your priorities.  Mary from A Mission To Save is an expert in money saving and my go to for good deals.  This post can't be missed if you're planning on heading out (or online) for shopping on November 24. 

Are you looking for tips on how to simplify gift giving this holiday season?  Shannon from My Life In The Blink has you covered. 

CBUS 4 Kids is sharing 4 crafts you can complete this season using materials you can find in nature or in your own kitchen! :) 

The Best Of Christmas In Columbus

The holiday season is one of my favorite times of the year.  Fresh snow falls, warm sweaters, the smell of fresh baked goods, and hot chocolate, beautiful light displays, and fun events for the whole family.  Enjoy this guide that I put together for all of us to use as we plan out our holiday schedules.  Make sure you scroll down to the end of the post for a special category of events, that you don't want to miss. BONUS: FREE printable for you so you can easily print this off as your go to resource this holiday season.  

Check back often as I add events as they come up! I will also share on Facebook and Instagram so make sure you're following 614 Mom on social media.

City Festivals and Tree Lighting Ceremonies

Ohio Statehouse Tree Lighting - Thursday, December 7 from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm you can enjoy a holiday festival at the Ohio Statehouse complete with their annual tree lighting as well as carolers, model trains, refreshments, and much more.  We love this event,  it has turned into a family tradition for us. Hope to see you there!

Easton Tree Lighting - On November 17th at 6:30 join Easton Town Center and Santa as they kick off the holiday season.  Of course, there will always be special surprises and you can even receive special offers that evening. 

Hilliard Holiday Hop & Tree Lighting - December 3rd from 5-7:30 you can enjoy some extra holiday cheer at Hilliard’s Station Park.  Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, face painting, hot chocolate, live reindeer, letters to Santa, ice sculpting, horse and carriage rides, and so much more.  

Gahanna Holiday Lights Celebration - November 19th from 2-7.  Enjoy exhibits, food, lights, and more as they count down to the annual lighting of the Gahanna community tree.  

Holidays in Powell - Saturday, December 2nd from 2-5:30 head to downtown Powell as it turns into the North Pole for the day. The day is filled with so much fun including story times, visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, horse drawn carriages and more.  The evening will end when Santa, Mrs. Claus, illuminate the city’s Christmas tree.

Upper Arlington Winter Festival and Tree Lighting - December 1 from 6 pm - 8:30 pm. Fun activities all night including, live reindeer, ice sculpting demonstrations, visits with Santa, bonfire with s’mores and so much more. Located at Mallway Park.  

Light Displays  

Gardens Aglow at The Franklin Park Conservatory - Enjoy a beautiful light display, a gingerbread competition, and a Paul Busse model garden railroad as well as an array of family activities and special entertainment. November 18, 2017 - January 3, 2018.

 The Wildlights at The Columbus Zoo - One of the most popular events in Central Ohio returns this year on November 17th and stays until January 1,2017.  Hours are 5-9 Sundays - Thursdays and 5-10 Fridays and Saturdays.  Enjoy a beautiful light display, Holiday Skate Rink, Lil’ Tots Tubing Hill, Santaland Zoo, Christmas Character Show, and so much more! Included with your membership or you can purchase tickets online. 

Fantasy Of Lights - Stay warm and cozy in your car with your family as you drive through this light show.  Starting November 17, 2017 - January 1, 2018. Sunday - Thursday 5:30 pm-9:30 pm and $20 per car, Fridays and Saturdays 5:30 pm-10:30 pm $30 per car.  Visit Santa’s house on your route, and enjoy complimentary hot chocolate and cookies.  Please note: credit cards make the lines longer so please take cash, also if you have an RV or larger vehicle please check the website for pricing.  Address: 3311 South Old State Road Delaware, OH 43015

Columbus Commons - This light display is sure to be a hit for everyone in your family, with more than 320,000 LED lights displayed in the park, a beautiful Christmas tree, and lots of space for your little ones to run around. This is a favorite in our home and a Christmas day tradition for us.  You can see the lights starting November 17, 2017 until January 2, 2018.  

Grand Illumination at The Scioto Mile - December 2nd from 11 am - 4 pm head down to the Scioto Mile for the Grand Illumination. Special appearances by Santa, and activities provided by The Columbus Blue Jackets, Bob Evans, and more.  Can’t make it on the 2nd? Don’t worry - the lights will be up all season long. 

Theater Events 

BalletMet presents the Nutcracker at The Ohio Theatre this year from December 8 -December 24 with a wide variety of show times.  Visit their site  to find showtimes and purchase tickets.

The Hip Hop Nutcracker comes to the Palace Theatre on December 5. I have not attended this in the past but it looks amazing, and the rave reviews make me confident that it's a must see performance. 

A Christmas Carol, will in town at the Ohio Theatre over Thanksgiving day weekend (November 24,25,26) 

The Children's Theatre presents Mr. Scrooge November 24-December 23 with many opportunities to find the perfect time for your family, you will want to make time for this.  The Children's Theatre never disappoints and their holiday shows are always amazing. 

Letters to Santa

Drop off letters to Santa in Santa’s mailbox located at Hilliard Station Park.  Don't forget to include a self addressed and stamped envelope. December 1-15

Photos with Santa

Photos with Santa at Easton,starting November 18-December 24. Your first 5x7 is free and BONUS! you can use your own camera!

Photos with Santa at Tuttle Crossing - starting November 11 until December 24.  You can reserve an appointment with Santa to skip the long lines here. 

Photos with Santa at Worthington Mall! You guys this is the spot if you want to avoid the crowd. They haven't announced exact dates but I would guess you could expect him the weekend of Thanksgiving until Christmas. Once announced I will post more details. 

Photos with Santa at Polaris Mall - Santa is already at Polaris and has been since November 10! He will be there until Christmas Eve and you can even schedule your visit ahead of time using Santa's Fastpass. 

Special Experiences

Get in the holiday spirit by visiting some homes in the Tartan Field area of Dublin, fully decorated for Christmas! December 2 from 12-5. Buy tickets here.

Discovery District Holiday Trolley Hop is sure to be a great time on December 9 from 1-4. Follow the event here to stay up to date with more information.

PB & Jazz is always a fun event - this winter you can enjoy this fun event inside the Lincoln Theatre on November 18 (10 am & 11:30 am) and December 16, and January 13 from (10 am & 11:30 am). Tickets are $5 per person at the door, max $20 per family. Each child gets a peanut butter & jelly sandwich, juice, and cookie

Grab some hot chocolate and walk around Easton as a family looking at the lights, taking a carriage ride, and some holiday shopping

On December 17th from 11-2 your kiddos can decorate cookies with Mrs. Claus at Franklin Park Conservatory.  There will even be a special appearance from Santa and 2 of his reindeer. Free with admission

Take a ride with Santa thanks to the Hocking Hills Scenic Railroad. It runs on the weekends starting on November 18.

Visit Dickens of a Christmas at Ohio Village on December 9,10,16 & 17 from 5-9 and December 11-18 from noon to 5 pm.  

Cheer on our local hockey team at Nationwide Arena (Go Blue Jackets)

Ice Skating at The Chiller

Visit the holiday train at the main library

Enjoy some delicious treats at the Ronald McDonald House Bake Sale on November 17- there will be Chili and other lunch items provided by the Madison Township Fire Dept. Pre Order your pumpkin rolls now.  

8 Ways To Beat The Winter Blues From Home | Winter In Columbus | 614 Mom

The cold weather has hit us and while we may not want to admit it, winter is quickly approaching and there are going to be days that even the best indoor spots in Columbus won’t be able to get us out of our house.  Personally, I can’t think of anything better on a cold day than snuggling up in comfy clothes, making some hot chocolate, and hanging out around my house, but you're going to need to do something to keep those kiddos busy.  

Having a stash of new and exciting things to do is always so helpful in those winter months.  Last year I bought a dinosaur making kit and a castle kit at Target that the kids could decorate and then get inside to play, I stashed them in a closet and pulled them out when we had the winter blues. It pulled my kids out of their “give me the tv funk” and we all had an amazing day.

This year, I thought it would be fun to share some ways to stay busy inside without having to leave your home.  There is still time to head to the store and gather materials now, to put in a winter fun bin. Pull out a few items when you really need them and enjoy! :)

Arts & Crafts 

Having a stash of construction paper, colored pencils, markers, stickers, glue, scissors, and crayons is always a good idea in the winter months, you can also add in craft sticks, sticker pads, and paint to make it really fun.   Art Kits have saved my sanity on numerous occasions. If you're not familiar, these kits are small projects that include everything you need for the project.  From butterfly wings to jewelry making to car kits, there are so many out there and they are a perfect thing to pull out in a pinch.  I buy kits of all sizes and price ranges because you just never know when you’ll need to pull one out.  You can find a lot of art kits at Learning Express and Picadilly as well as Target. 

Puzzles

Puzzles are great for any age, and depending on the difficulty can keep kids busy for hours.  We like to buy a harder puzzle and then do it as a family.  The kids will start on it, go play, come back to it, and so on. It’s fun to work together to complete one common goal.  

Games

Board games and card games are perfect to have hidden away in a closet ready to pull out at any moment.  Some of our favorites include Sequence, Uno, Monopoly, Pie Face, and Candyland.  We love trying new games too so if you have a favorite share it in the comments!

Make Believe 

Some of my favorite memories as a kid involve me dressing up like a teacher and bossing my cousins around. Haha! Kidding, I was a nice make believe teacher. :-)  You can make super hero capes out of bed sheets, masks out of construction paper, build a rocket or a house out of boxes (thanks Amazon delivery).  The opportunities are endless.  My son and I made a rocket out of boxes the other day and it was so fun. We didn't even need a lot of materials just, Star Wars wrapping paper, aluminum foil, and gorilla tape.  He plays in it daily pretending to be blasting off to space, or fighting Darth Vader, it's pretty adorable.  
 

Baking

Get out the flour and the sugar and have some fun! Both of my kids love to bake so we do this a lot, from pumpkin biscuits, cookies, muffins, and cakes - we try a little bit of everything. This fall/winter they want to learn how to make scones and pies, so I’m sure you’ll see that a lot on Instagram.  Also, I know it’s not baking - but a fun thing kids can do in the kitchen with little supervision is making trail mix.  I set out a lot of ingredients like pretzels, popcorn, raisns, chocolate chips, etc and they create whatever combo they want.  Every single time they make me walk away so they can surprise me with the end result. This is a super fun way to give them some independence in the kitchen.

LEGOS/Magna-Tiles/Blocks

There are many LEGO kits that you can buy in the $5-$15 range, and they are a great way to keep busy.  You can also just pull out a large bin of legos and the results are the same. Endless entertainment. Magnatiles are also a huge hit and worth every single penny.  

Obstacle Course

Painters Tape Obstacle Course - There are going to be days the kids will need to burn off some of that energy and an easy way to get them active during a blizzard is an indoor obstacle course. You can use your furniture if you’d like, or you can simply buy the blue painters tape at any Home Depot/Target, etc. and draw some fun activities on the floor.  Some easy games include hopscotch, a lava pit (don’t touch the hot lava), etc.

Indoor Camping 

Another fun idea would be to build a fort with pillows, blankets, chairs, your couch, and whatever else you can find and camp out, eat snacks, tell stories, and just hang out together creating memories and leaving behind the screens. 

All photos are by Amy Miller from Beloved Photography, LLC  - I highly recommend her for a day in the life session just like the one we had. 

5 Things To Do With That Extra Halloween Candy | Columbus, OH | 2017

Trick or Treat is such a fun tradition for so many families and at the end of the night the kids have bags full of candy, that they probably couldn't eat in a year, even if they tried.  So the big question is what can you do with all that candy, besides tossing it in the garbage when the kids aren't looking?  I have 5 great ways to keep the fun going while giving that extra candy a purpose.  

The Switch Witch

The Switch Witch is a fun tradition where the kids pick a handful of their favorite candy and set it aside, the rest they leave out for the Switch Witch who comes to collect the candy and leaves a small toy.  Of course, the Switch Witch still has to figure out what to do with all that candy so keep reading for a few fun ideas.  

Donate To Your Local Schools

Teachers love having treats on hand for students, so check with your childrens' teachers and see if they could use some extra treats, or other teachers in the building. If your kids aren't school age yet, you can still call your local school to see if they would like some yummy treats. for their students.

The Ronald McDonald House

RMH of Central Ohio serves thousands of families every year, and having a stash of treats on hand is always helpful. Take your wrapped candy in for them to enjoy throughout the year. 

Make With It

You can freeze it to add to future milkshakes, bake with it, or use it for future crafts.  This chocolate candy bar cake from NeighborFood looks AMAZING!! 

Candy Buy Back Programs

Many local dentists host candy buy back programs where you essentially sell your candy to the dentist and they then donate it to different organizations, like Operation Buckeye.  Below are some of the ones happening here in Columbus! :-) 

Dublin Dental Reflections
5080 Bradenton Ave. Dublin, OH 43017
November 1 - 9
For every pound you sell to DDR, you get $1 and your school gets $.50 - which is SO COOL! They are donating to local schools, and other local organizations.  

New Albany Center for Dental Health
240 Market St, New Albany, OH 43054
(614) 775-0840
November 2nd, 3rd, and 4th 8am - 5pm
Bring your candy and donate to the troops - $1 per pound

Kiourtsis Orthodontics - Grove City
4166 Hoover Rd, Grove City, OH 43123
(614) 875-6169
Monday, November 6 from 6pm-7pm
$1 per pound max 15 pounds - please make sure candy is individually wrapped! Any Girl Scouts wearing their vest will also earn a Girl Scout badge for donating their candy.  The candy is sent overseas to our troops.  You don't even have to get out of your car during these hours, just pull on up and they will weigh your candy on the spot. Super easy! 

Princess Pajama Party | Not Just Make Believe Parties | Columbus, OH

As a child I used to watch Beauty and The Beast and Snow White and dream about their adventures and what it would be like if all these women were friends who spent time together doing normal things.  It kind of broke my heart when I realized these princesses were just characters in a movie but luckily for my girls, Not Just Make Believe Parties, is right here in Columbus and able to bring the Princess magic to life in ways only they can.  

When I found Not Just Make Believe Parties, I was blown away by the level of professionalism in everything they do. The owner, Courtney, takes such pride in her work and has a passion for bringing quality entertainment to families.  Not Just Make Believe Parties isn't just about a quick princess appearance at your next birthday party, they help create moments your child will remember for a lifetime. From their appearance to their attitude, they are the real deal when it comes to Princesses in Columbus. They offer many packages for parties, perfect for any budget with the ability to create a custom package just for you.

Not Just Make Believe Parties has put together a one of a kind event to fill every Princess lovers dreams.  The Princess Pajama Party features Sleepy Princess and a few of her friends for a 90 minute party that is sure to create lifelong memories. Complete with dancing, storytelling, face painting and more, your little princess will have so much fun and so will you!  

The event takes place at Jeffery Mansion in Bexley on December 2, in the morning and afternoon.  You can purchase tickets to the morning session (10am-11:30) or afternoon session (12:30pm-2:00) using the button below. 

Use code FAIRYTALE for $5 off a child ticket. 

Insider tip - Snow Queen and Beauty Princess will be there as well! ;-)

This is an amazing event but it's not the only event Not Just Make Believe Parties hosts throughout the year, they do tea parties, birthday party appearances, and so much more. Be sure to stay up to date with them on

Facebook and Instagram so you don't miss a thing.