Free Tips To Keep Your Family Healthy All Year Long | Nationwide Children's Hospital | 614 Mom

I don’t know about you but my email is filled with promotions, sales, and other newsletters that I don’t always have time to read.  While I don’t get the chance to open every single email there is one newsletter that I really enjoy reading as soon as it hits my inbox.

The Nationwide Children’s Health E-Hints Newsletter is always filled with great information that is customized to the age of my children (and yours) which is so helpful.  I like staying up to date with important information when it comes to my kids and their health. The Health E-Hints Newsletter is written by pediatric experts and that’s exactly who I want my information from.  

When I signed up I was asked the name and ages for each of my kids and I didn’t really know why but when I got the first email I totally got it. They have articles listed as “For Owen” or “For Elizabeth” so I know exactly which kid this piece of information is most relevant for.  

Ready to sign up?  You can sign up here and get your Health E-Hints Newsletter delivered to your mailbox monthly, and don’t worry your email is safe and confidential.  

When Cancer Does Not Care We Have To | Mama Monday | 614 Mom

October 1st marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month and here at 614 Mom we take women’s health (and everyone’s health) very seriously. We encourage you to get regular medical care, eat a healthy diet, protect yourself from the sun and visit this Mayo Clinic blog post on Cancer Prevention: 7 tips to reduce your risk.

My dear friend Anne found out that she had breast cancer while pregnant with her 2nd child. She has bravely shared a piece with us for Breast Cancer Awareness Month and I am so thankful that she is willing to share her true feelings in hopes that it will help someone else. Anne - you are one of the bravest women I know. I admire you so deeply and you inspire me daily. I’m so lucky to call you a friend.

Cancer Does Not Care.....

that you are pregnant or that you have a 5 year old daughter.
Cancer does not care that the only way to keep it from damaging you is to damage you.... by cutting, poisoning or burning.

Cancer doesn’t care that money still needs earned and the house still needs cleaned.

Cancer doesn’t care that you just bought a house, that you just got the promotion, that you have a trip planned.

If you ignore cancer it will continue its silent take over and eventually it’s presence will be painful and deadly.

So even though cancer doesn’t care you have to. You allow pieces of your body to be removed. You allow poison to be placed into your veins. You take the risk of doing this with your much wanted baby in your belly in the hope you can be her mama. You take this risk so that maybe you can see you kindergartner go to middle school. 

You give up the ability to breastfeed your newborn. You spend hours on the recliner letting your older daughter have too much screen time. You hurt, your bones, your brain, your feet your heart.
The months go by and it seems the cancer is gone. You start to heal the collateral damage the weapons of this war have done to your body. You start cleaning your house, rebuilding your career, being an active mother.
But fear remains... is the cancer hiding to return again possibly somewhere scarier?

Because cancer doesn’t care that you need your lungs to breathe, your brain to think and your liver to do what ever livers do.

Cancer doesn’t care that your baby is almost 2 and your daughter is now 8 and that they still need you. So every weird bump, back pain, lingering cough begins the process of scans, biopsy’s, stress.

Will the battle have to be started again? Will fighting this battle even save you?
The truth is no one knows. People care, doctors, family friends, and thy help you through these moments but the only thing that will change the reality of how to stop breast cancer is finding a weapon that stop it with out ravaging bodies. The only way to do that is research. So wear pink this month because you want to support, buy the pink items because you enjoy them but know those don’t fight the battle.
To truly make a difference try one or more of these things:

Donate to an organization that gets unique research funded.
Peletonia is a great example.

Donate to an organization that provides support to women going through treatment.
Pinkribbongirls.org did that for me. 

Be aware of your own health. Be aware of changes and see a doctor sooner so if you have your own battle the weapons needed may be smaller. If breast cancer runs in your family fight for earlier mammograms. If you are 40 or older get your mammograms.

Because although cancer doesn’t care you can and you can save both your self and others.

Anne Belt is 38 years old and lives in Hilliard Ohio with her two daughters and husband. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016 while pregnant with her daughter. Currently she is in remission and her daughter is almost 2.

LEGOLAND COLUMBUS Sneak Peek | 614 Mom | Columbus, OH

It’s been the talk of the town for months now...LEGOLAND Discovery Center as the newest addition to Easton Town Center and after getting to visit today, I can officially say it’s worth all of the hype.  LEGOLAND is exactly the type of business Easton has been needing - a place I can take my kids to play, a break from the shopping and eating, and a place we can spend the entire day. LEGOLAND Columbus officially opens next week and we can finally celebrate all of the fun it’s bringing to our city.  

We’ve never been to a LEGOLAND Discovery Center so I wasn’t really sure what to expect but after taking my youngest two through today and getting the chance to see firsthand what it’s all about I’m ready to buy a membership and my son is dying to have his birthday party here.  There’s a lot you can do here so let’s jump right into some of the best part of LEGOLAND Columbus.

Factory Tour 

The Factory Tour is TOP Secret but what I can tell you is that you get a behind the scenes look at how LEGOS are made.  My son who is 4 loved this area.

Miniland 

When we walked into Miniland the first thing that I saw was the beautiful replica of the Ohio Statehouse and I was immediately filled with joy.  If you don’t know - my husband and I got married at the Statehouse and it is by far my favorite building in all of Ohio.  They have a lot of other fun Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati landmarks like COSI, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Easton, and of course Ohio Stadium. It’s not a space you just walk through - oh no! They have boat races, glowing tours that change from day to night, and even a way to play a little football! :)

 LEGO Friends

If my oldest would have been with us I know this would have been her favorite spot. This space has large flowers on the wall dedicated to each Lego friend to tables of LEGOS complete with multiple build books at each table, and a view of Heartlake City.  

Earthquake Tables  

I thought this area was really cool. Build your creation and then test it by simply hitting a button and watching it shake. Will your tower be able to make it through?

 DUPLO Farm

Perfect for ages 2-5.  My 19 month old loved sliding down the slide and building with bricks that were the perfect size for her.  This area is right next to Lego Friends, Lego Racers, Merlin’s Apprentice Ride. 

 LEGO Racers

I thought I was never getting my husband and son away from this area.  Here you can build your car and test it on the tracks.  They had so much fun working together to build the fastest car possible.

Other things we loved

City Play Area

Merlin’s Apprentice Ride

DUPLO Village

Things we didn’t get to try yet

4D Theater

Kingdom Quest

Creative Workshop

Let’s talk food and drink now that I’ve told you all of the ways you can stay at LEGOLAND - ALL DAY LONG. LEGOLAND Columbus does not allow outside food or drink (except in the case of allergies and babies) but they do have a wonderful coffee shop filled with drinks, snacks, sandwiches, and cute little LEGO lunch boxes that make the perfect souvenir. They offer a Kids Meal Deal for $8 that includes a kids sandwich, snack, and drink - for an additional $4 you can add on the LEGO lunchbox.  

LEGOLAND Columbus has really thought of everything.  I’m really impressed with the facility and the level of detail put into each and everything.  I’m sold - we are totally buying annual passes for our family.  Will I see you there? What’s something you’re really loving about LEGOLAND Discovery Center at Easton?  Would you like to see a Cost Analysis on this space? Tell me in the comments. 

8 Ways To Participate In National Thank A Police Officer Day

My kids adore the police officers in our community, anytime we go anywhere they make sure to at least wave from a distance and absolutely love when they an officer gives them a tour of his vehicle.  You may have seen this post about a year ago of my kids on a Columbus Police Officer motorcycle. It was the highlight of the year for them, especially my son, who is firm in his stance that he wants to be a Police Officer when he grows up.

The third Saturday of September is National Thank a Police Officer Day and a perfect way to make sure our officers know we appreciate them. We try to make sure every Police Officer we see throughout the year knows how thankful we are for them but a dedicated day to share our appreciation is a perfect way to make sure of that.

I’ve decided to put together a list of fun, practical things you and your family can do to participate in Thank a Police Officer Day.  If you participate I’d love to see your photos - use #614mom on social media or tag me!

A special thanks to the Hilliard Police Officers and the Columbus Police Officers who are apart of keeping my family safe each and everyday. We love you!

• Visit your police station to say Thank You.

• Bake (or buy, like I did) a plate of cookies, muffins, or other bakery items and bring them to the Police Station.  You could also bring fruit, veggie tray, or a full meal - I would recommend coordinating with the Police Station before doing this.  

• If you see a Police Officer out in the community, pick up their tab. It could be their lunch, coffee, or something else.  Just a simple act of appreciation can go a long way.

• Have your kids make cards to show their appreciation. My son loved writing “Thanks for catching criminals” on his card along with a photo of a VERY tall Police Officer

• Fly the Thin Blue Line flag at your home

• On the home front, you can also change your porch light bulb out for a blue light bulb.

• Send a nice note

• Make a donation to the FOP or another organization dedicated to supporting our Officers.

Witches Night Out | Leeds Farm | Pink Ribbon Girls

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is coming up next month and Leed’s Farm has a one of a kind event on their calendar to celebrate friendship, fall, and farm fun all while raising money for Pink Ribbon Girls. Witches Night Out is on October 4, 2018 from 6-8:30 at Leeds Farm.  

Join the ladies at Leeds Farm for this women’s only event complete with snacks, drinks, bonfire, entertainment, all of the Leeds Farm fun, and your girlfriends.  

You will find Belnd of Seven Winery, Bokes Creek Winery, Buckeye Winery, Camelot Cellars, and Soine Vineyards on site for drinks and even bottles for purchase. Wine tickets are $5 and bottles are there to purchase separately.

What to wear?  Wear your favorite witches attire - a fun hat, black leggings, costume, or fun accessories.  

Looking for another fun Bid on a raffle basket - over 25 different baskets ready for you to take home. Each basket has a value between $100-$250 with the big grand prize basket being a value of $500.  

Will I see you at Wiches Night Out? I hope so! Let’s raise money for Pink Ribbon Girls together!! See you on October 4.

Will I see you at Wiches Night Out? I hope so! Let’s raise money for Pink Ribbon Girls together!! See you on October 4.

Urgent Care Vs. Emergency Department - Do You Know The Difference?

“Thank you Nationwide Children’s Hospital for sponsoring this post. As always all thoughts and opinions remain my own. ”

A few weeks ago my son fell while running full speed and hit the bottom of his face on a piece of wood, there was blood everywhere, a large gash on his chin, and in that moment I realized I had no idea where we should take him.  The Children’s Urgent Care is 5 minutes from us but what if he needs stitches - is that more of an emergency room visit? Or can we still go to urgent care? I called our pediatrician to ask what I probably already should have known, “Is this trip an urgent care trip or an emergency room visit?”  Since then I’ve learned a few things and I thought I would share them with you, because when your kids are hurt, everything matters. - there’s also a quiz below that you can fill out to test your knowledge on the difference.

My son ended up being seen at the Nationwide Children’s Hilliard Urgent Care and they took great care of him.  I am so thankful we have them so close, and that they are always so happy to help the child in need of care as well as the siblings and parents.  

If you think your child has a life threatening injury or illness always call 911.  If you think someone has been poisoned call poison control at 1-800-222-1222.

Take this quiz to test your knowledge on the difference between an ER visit and an urgent care visit.

Urgent Care

Urgent Care is the place to go when you have an urgent medical need that needs attention but does not require a trip to the Emergency Department.  Urgent Care is also the less expensive option when it comes to the two.

• Allergic reactions (rash)

• Asthma/difficulty breathing

• Small broken bones

• Minor/small burns

• Minor/small cuts

• Fever

• Rashes

• Sore throat

• Vomiting and diarrhea

Emergency Department

Emergency Department has staff of hand to help with stabilize any emergency situation. The Lewis Center Emergency Department is a great option but if your child may need admitted to the hospital or seen by a specialist they may be transferred to Nationwide Children’s Main Campus.

• Allergic reactions (anaphylactic shock)

• Asthma/difficulty breathing/respiratory distress

• Broken bones

• Burns

• Dehydration

• Fever (especially in infants eight weeks of age or younger)

• Seizure

• Severe pain

Take this quiz to test your knowledge on the difference between an ER visit and an urgent care visit.

The Part Time Mama | Mama Monday | 614 Mom

Thank you Betty for sharing your story with us.  Betty is The Single Mom Coach and is passionate about helping single moms feel empowered to live their best lives emotionally, spiritually, and financially.  

Growing up, all I ever wanted was to be a mom.  I was the girl who played with dolls, and planned on having a husband and 4 kids by age 25.  As a child, I was the only one in the house until I was 12 years old; so being a mom of multiple babies was a life goal.  I started babysitting young and by the time I was 19 years old; I was working at a daycare. Soon after I started that job, I was married.  And yes, I wanted to have babies right away. Finally, I had my sweet little boy a month after my 21st birthday.  Yes, I was delayed on my 4 kids by 25 years old plan, but sometimes our bodies don’t want to cooperate.

Sadly, by the age of 24 I found myself making a the hardest decision.  My marriage was rocky; I was suffering from depression and even attempted suicide.  My perfect life was falling apart and I didn’t know how to hold it together. When I was leaving my ex-husband, I had my car packed with everything my son and I owned.  It was so packed that my son couldn’t fit in the car. And honestly, I didn’t know where I was even going to stay. I begged my then husband to give me a few hours to figure it out and we would meet up so he can give me my son.  

I found a cheap hotel to stay until the new apartment was available.  I met up with my ex-husband and our child; I was full of joy when I saw them pull up.  I hugged my baby and held on to him for a while. We went to a local game place where my ex-husband asked for us to go in so my son could play.  My son was only 3 years old at the time and that was his favorite place. I just watched him intensely while we played. I had missed him so much that day.  But, my joy was soon disrupted when at the time we were supposed to leave; my ex –husband rushed to fasten my son in his car told me to get lost because I made my decision and left with my son.  I was left in the parking lot heartbroken. You see, all day I had a feeling that I would never see my son again. I regretted driving away, and kept thinking of all that crap in the car that I should’ve left behind.  I couldn’t believe my eyes. I couldn’t believe he would take him.

Weeks went by and I couldn’t see my son.  I went to every lawyer, and free legal clinic but I was stuck.  Between my depression, anxiety and now this separation; I was lost.  I was paralyzed. I would go near his house to get a glimpse of my baby but was too much of a coward to go in and get my baby.  I couldn’t function. The hardest part has been overcoming those debilitating thoughts these last ten years.

Finally, I was able to see my son once a week, then twice, and then for the weekends.  At first my ex-husband would supervise the visits. Until his mom told him to stop being an asshole.  Months later, his mom told me that I was free to get my baby whenever I wanted. I wish I knew that.

A year later, I was better working and going to school full time.  I was committed to be a better version of myself. But, still found myself lost dealing with the divorce and legal shit I didn’t understand.  I felt manipulated into agreeing to only have my son on the weekends. But in all honesty, I was in a shithole financially and I knew my son would be better with his dad.  I was too weak to fight him and try to get child or spousal support. My ex-husband took advantage and got everything he wanted.

As time went by, I did my best.  My depression would come and go but I showed up everywhere for my son.  For years I heard family and friends praise my son’s father and treat him like he was a hero; I even had a family member told me that my ex-husband was a better father than I was a mother.  For years, I was the joke. My mother would beg me to go to court and fight for my son. But how could I, when nobody could show up for me financially to help me. I would go to lawyers charging thousands of dollars with no guarantees.  Couple of years later, my ex-husband remarried. I had to endure watching my son be raised by someone else. They made all the decisions. She is truly a great step-mom but I was often left out of big decisions related to my son. It has been rough.  For years I was on the sidelines of my son’s life watching him grow. I felt unworthy of being called a mother. I continued to be shamed and questioned by people when I would say anything about our parenting agreement. Every school year, I had to go to the school and fill out a whole form so I could be added to be an emergency contact.  They couldn’t even put me down for such an important matter. So, I rolled with the punches.

I finally snapped, after years of humiliation. I found out the word on the “street” is that I left my son.  Yes, his father told people, I left him and my son. SO, between that and all the shit he and his wife put me through.  I snapped at them. I no longer cared to turn the other cheek. I stood up for myself and claimed the space that I thought was taken away from me.  We haven’t had any more issues.

Last year, I finally completed my degree and watching my son’s pride as I walked across made me feel like I’ve done something right.  I consistently showed up for my son; I was at every game, every school play, everything that he did, I was there – humiliation and all.

At 34 years old, I am still not married and have one awesome kid instead of four.  I am the happiest part time mama you will meet. Because, my love for him and the way I show up for him, it’s full time.     

My secret - I never gave up, shame and all.     

Things You Should Know About Berlin High School ​​​​​​​

Thank you M/I Homes for sponsoring this post and supporting the Olentangy School District.  As always all opinions remain my own.

It’s August and that means the kids head back to school later this month and for so many families in the Olentangy School District this marks a really exciting time as their new High School is getting ready to open their doors to welcome students for the very first time.  

Olentangy Berlin High School sits on 90 acres of land in the city of Delaware and is simply stunning.  This beautiful state of the art high school is home to the Berlin Bears and will soon be filled with 9th, 10th, and 11th graders.  Berlin High School is the district’s 4th high school and joins the family of very successful high schools within the district. With 5,524 students Olentangy District has a 83% success rate in reading proficiency, 78% in mathematics proficiency, and a score of 64.3 in college readiness according to US News.   

The Berlin Bears are getting excited about the opening of this new school and sharing their excitement on social media using popular school hashtags, #clawsup #hibernationisover ! If you want to catch a glimpse into the life of the students and faculty at Olentangy Berlin I would suggest heading to Twitter and Instagram and searching those hashtags.  You’ll definitely see some fun photos that will make you want to join this wonderful community.

Photo Credit: Olentangy Local Schools Facebook Page

Things You Should Know About Berlin High School
 

Tight Security - Every visitor or parent will need to be buzzed in by the receptionist before entering the building.  They will also enter the office before gaining access to the rest of the building. School safety is definitely something I'm glad they focused on when designing the new school. 

Wider hallways, an overlook room for small events on the second floor, and a larger central staircase help with crowd control and a less stressful day when kids are trying to get from classroom to classroom. 

Strong community - through the school motto, the brand new Alma Mater, and school publications Berlin presents a strong community that I would love my child to be part of.  There is a yearbook app that students can upload their photos to with the possibility that those photos could be used in the regular school publications and/or yearbook.  This app is just a piece of the puzzle in their effort to help make sure everyone feels engaged and connected.

Photo Credit: Olentangy Local Schools Facebook Page

Neighborhoods in the Berlin school zone include M/I communities - Clarkshaw Moors and Clarkshaw Meadows that are now building new homes perfect for the growing family.

7 Tips for Quick, Healthy School Lunches!

“Thank you Erin from Feed Me Greens for writing this guest post, scroll down to learn more about Erin and where you can find more from her. This post may contain affiliate links. ”

Each year summer seems to go faster than the last….and no matter how you feel about it, it’s that time of year again!  Stores are selling back to school clothes, end caps of Target are brimming with crisp folders, marker boxes, and fresh pens and pencils, the kids are asking for new shoes and backpacks, and you’re feeling fired up and strong going in to the start of a new school year.  You’re really going to nail it this time, join the committees, complete all the paperwork, volunteer to make homemade treats for the parties.  Or maybe you’ve done this many times and know that won’t be you this year.  Either way, there’s one fact that won’t change – the kids have to eat!  And unless your child buys at school, that means that you’re going to be packing a lot of lunches. In my case, it’s 2 or 3 lunches each weekday, and I don’t even want to think about the math on that for total number of lunches to be packed this year. 

But the good news is, it doesn’t have to be time consuming or stressful or even the same old boring sandwich every day.  Here’s my tips for making it as enjoyable (or at least as painless!) as possible!

1)      Get the kids involved.  Depending on their age, it can be as simple as letting them pick which fruit, snacks, etc. you throw in the cart that week at the grocery.  Older kids can pack some or all of their own lunch.  It’s good for them to have the responsibility, and they’re more likely to pack things they’ll actually eat.

2)      Arm yourself with a few trusted supplies. Brown bags are easy and economical. I get it, no muss, no fuss. I remember when I was little, the thing was to decorate your brown bag with marker for the ultimate personalized experience.  But there are lots of great container and lunchbox options out there these days that can make the job easier and save you having to pack everything into Ziploc bags.  Some of these lunchboxes are a little pricey upfront, but they can last for years and stand up to a good beating.  For instance, we have a Planetbox container/bag combo (currently on sale!) that is going on it’s third year and is as good as new.  The compartments make it easy to add in a variety of food and the bonus is that you don’t have to panic because you ran out of baggies again – or is that just me?!  (Also, these lunchboxes make everything look pretty and delicious and organized which I swear somehow makes this whole process more enjoyable.)  The metal container sections are ideal for packing foods without smushing them, i.e. sliced fruit and veggies or cheese and crackers, and there are small containers that fit within the compartments and can be used for things like yogurt or dipping sauces like hummus or salsa.

Shredded rotisserie chicken, sliced cukes, cheese cubes, Greek yogurt with maple syrup, granola and blueberries

There are other stainless-steel brands out there, i.e. Lunchbots and U-Konserve, plus bento style boxes like YumBox and Bentgo.  The plastic Ziploc brand divided lunch containers (or similar) will get the job done and are less expensive even if they may not hold up as well long term.

Disclaimer: my oldest prefers a plain lunch bag like his friends.  We use one called the Fridge to Go bag.  If this is the case for you, I recommend a few reusable plastic or stainless steel containers of various sizes that you can put food in, as pictured below. This makes for less waste and is also easier for packing foods that may get smashed easily. 

Leftover tomato soup, granola bar, cheese cubes, and berries

3)      Make leftovers your friend!  This is one of my favorite hacks because you’re not reinventing the wheel here folks.  Slice up a leftover grilled chicken breast, fill a container with pasta, or reheat some soup.  (Note: for warm items like soup, I love the small Thermos containers.)  Leftover taco or burrito filling can be mixed with rice and cheese or rolled up in a tortilla.  Had pizza last night?  They just won the lunchtime lottery.  Also, it’s not just dinner that has leftovers. If you made oatmeal for breakfast, toss that in a thermos with some blueberries.  Didn’t finish their scrambled eggs? Wrap them into a tortilla or pita with shredded cheese. 

Whole wheat pesto pasta, yogurt tube, chocolate chip/almond mix, apples, grape tomatoes

4)      Use sneaky sandwich subs: Tortillas, bagels and pita bread can be your friend here when you are sick of sandwiches!  Slather a tortilla with hummus, honey mustard and veggies, or load up a whole wheat bagel with cream cheese and turkey.  I’ve used leftover whole wheat pancakes from the weekend to make sunbutter and or cream cheese and jelly sandwiches.  Or think outside the bun completely and shove some meat, veggies, and cheese on a few long toothpicks. It looks fancy and is just as fast as a sandwich. I buy Amy’s brand frozen veggie burgers to heat up and add to a bun or tortilla.  Finally, even changing the shape of the bread can make it seem different.  Take one minute to roll the bread flat, add your toppings, and roll it up to make pinwheels. This takes literally one additional minute.  Maybe. 

Hummus and pretzels, clementine, turkey/cheese/mustard roll-up, and yogurt tube

5)      Choose healthier packaged snacks: When buying packaged snacks (i.e. chips, crackers, cookies), I look for those with fewest ingredients, no artificial colors, and least amount of sugar.  There are plenty of good options these days, and although some people choose to buy no packaged snacks, I can tell you in my realistic world, it’s helpful to have a few good options on hand that you know your family likes!  Popcorn, tortilla chips (+ salsa), whole grain pretzels and crackers, and veggie straws or plantain chips (+ guac) are some of ours.

6)      Packed Lunch Cheat Sheet: I pack lunches with these categories loosely in mind.  Just some examples to get your wheels turning!

7)      Finally! Don’t put pressure on yourself to have every lunch every day be healthy and delicious and Pinterest worthy.  I try to aim for mostly healthy but they definitely get Pirate’s Booty and cookies sometimes and other times it’s homemade protein bites.  Remember that they have someone who loves them enough to think about their lunch so they’re lucky and blessed before they even open that box or bag!

Pineapple, grape tomatoes, leftover rice pilaf, veggie straws, and hummus/cheese/honey mustard/veggie wrap

Erin Wanke spent 8 years working in clinical research before leaving to complete her health coach certification through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. She now runs a health coaching business, publishes a vegetarian food and wellness blog (Feed Me Greens), and provides recipe development and food photography services.  Erin lives in Columbus, OH with her husband and three young children/sous chefs/mess makers.  You can find more information on her website at www.feedmegreens.com, or follow her on Instagram (feed_me_greens)!
 

Why We Choose I9 Sports For Our Kids

This weekend we wrapped up another successful year of Tball for my little guy with I9 Sports in East Columbus.  It just hit me that it was his last season of tball because moving forward he will be participating in coach pitch baseball.  It’s so weird to think that my mommy’s boy will be playing baseball. There’s something so different about calling it baseball vs. tball.   Anyways let’s move on…

After two wonderful seasons I thought I would share a few of the reasons we choose I9 Columbus East as the league best for our child. As you know, I research E V E R Y T H I N G. My view is that if I’m sending my kids somewhere it better be safe, fun, and high quality.  Also, if I’m spending good money on an extracurricular activity I expect good communication, highly organized team, and friendly staff. There are definitely other things I look for depending on the program but those are my initial standards. I9 Columbus East meet and exceeds those standards over and over again.  

Friendly Staff

When you arrive on game day you are greeted by a table with two-three I9 staff members ready to point you in the right direction, answer any questions, and search for an extra hat if your son lost his (wait that may be on a case by case basis haha).  From there you head to meet your coach and we are getting ready to be on our third season with the same coach because he’s so awesome. My son loves Coach Matt and event talks about him throughout the week. “I can’t wait to show Coach Matt my new toy” “Coach Matt calls me OG” the list could go on and on...

Side Note: If everyone starts requesting Coach Matt now and Owen doesn’t get him next season I’m going to really regret mentioning his name! :)

Excellent Communication

We’ve been through a few other programs with our older daughter and none of them hold a candle to I9 Columbus East.  They send us weekly reminder emails, text us the day before game day, and that table you’re greeted with at the beginning of each practice/game is staffed with highly trained staff members who know their stuff.

Quality Program

The coaching staff is top notch.  My son has learned so much over the last few years and I couldn’t be happier with the knowledge he gained.  He is passionate about the sport and truly loves going every Saturday morning.

So. Much. Fun.

My son has had so much fun this summer and as a mom that was definitely a highlight of the program. I want him to have fun while learning so he wants to go back and has the confidence to try new things.  

It’s SO adorable

Let’s get real for a minute I love all of the above perks of the program but the best part for me?  Watching my 4 year old play in the dirt completely ignoring the ball, watching him hit the ball from the Tee and run with the bat all the way to first base - dropping it just in time to *almost* trip his coach (on accident of course), and running over mid game to hug his mama! :)

If you’re looking for a quality program I highly recommend I9 Sports Columbus Easton. The Houstons have created a top of the line program and I am so thankful they are sharing their program with all of us.