Pepper Paints

Rain Sticks

The Unplugged theme for this week was cylinder.  We  used  cylinder shaped mailing tubes to make rain sticks.

You can also use paper towel tubes or wrapping paper tubes.  You get it-just about any tube that is at least as long as a paper towel tube.  You will also need some nails, a hammer, paint, super glue or wax paper or cellophane and rubber bands and some rice.

First we painted our tubes

after the paint was dry we pounded small nails into the tubes

I suggest using nails with a small head for easier pounding.  Use lots of nails and stagger them around the tube.  I had to get them started for my 4 year old and then she finished pounding them in.

Next we added some rice to the tube-if you have a tube with end pieces you can just take one off to add the rice, otherwise you will have to make an end with several pieces of wax paper and a rubber band.

You can add as much or as little rice as you want.  Ginger added about 1 to 1 1/2 cups to hers and was happy.  Molly added her rice then put the top back on to flip it gently to listen to it and then took most of her rice out only to add some of it back in.

After we finished we decided it would have been better to pound the nails and then paint them so we cold have painted over the nails.  Next time.  They sound so nice-like rain falling!

You can read a little history behind rain sticks and even purchase one here.

Experience Columbus, Ohio via ME!

Last night a few fellow, Columbus bloggers (her, her and her) and I attended a shindig put on by Experience Columbus.

It was fun to meet some new people as well as catch up with some ladies (her, her, her) I haven’t seen in a while.   (Sorry if I caught up with you and didn’t link to you, I had Jenl’s ice cream on the brain and it took my techy self way too long to do that many links!)

Abby made sure I didn’t forget about her- or she might kick my stretchy pants covered butt!

They are trying out a new add campaign and we got to preview it and comment and snack and all that good stuff.  Best of all we get to customize a free T-shirt from a local vendor!!  Definitely the best gimme!  Anywho, there campaign is based on what Columbus doesn’t have.  I am a bit leary of this ad concept.  I get that we don’t have bragging rights to the Eiffel Tower, or the Alps.  I don’t think anyone in the three hour radius (those who most visit for leisure) is looking for those things.   I am guessing you would be coming here to visit family, you probably have kids..or you are coming here to shop or visit OSU.   Most every city has a zoo, malls, possibly a science center, art museum etc…I think there ad should focus not only on what we do have but the oddities, off the beaten path, free, and different things Columbus has to offer.

Because I do not have three hours to type out a really great add for Columbus, I will just list some of our greatnesses!

1. The short North-try to visit the art district on the first Saturday evening of any month, year around and you will not only be entertained by the street performers, the open galleries  and stores, many different  eateries and bars, but by the people that attend.  Some of the best people watching around. We are The Indie Arst Capitol of the World you know!  And the short North will prove how serious Columbus takes its Art.

2. The Park of Roses-Come here anytime through out the summer and be amazed by the Award winning rose gardens.  Or come in the winter and hope there is some snow!

3. In the summer you can check out either one of these great free water attractions with your kids:  The Dancing Bunnies or Homestead Park.  Now neither of these are in Columbus proper but really no matter where your staying, it is fairly easy to get around here.  Especially is you aren’t in rush hour traffic.  But if you want water and you want to stay in the city-there is not only shopping galore (for those with money to spend!) but there are also free fountains to play in at Easton .  There are waterfalls to play in here in Columbus  too.  Did you know that?

4.We have great shopping!!  Some of the best thrift stores are here!  Village Discount, Ohio Thrift as well as several Salvation Army’s and Goodwills and Volunteers of America stores.  Antique stores like crazy!

5. Music and Food.  Where do I begin??  Every type of authentic ethnic food as well as American eateries can be found here.  We have many vegan and vegetarian options also.   Now as far as music-well I think we have another title there too-aren’t we like the best new up and coming talent, hot live music scene too?

Well I could go on and on, beleive me I have so much more,  but this took me too long and  maybe someday I will do an insiders scoop of Columbus on the cheap-with and with out kid activities.  Or better yet maybe someone will PAY me for all my good info!

So in a nut shell – Come visit us!  There’s lots to see and do both ordinary and extraordinary.  If you are planning a trip to our fair city and your are looking for something to do-drop me an email and I can certainly point you in the right direction!  I can be like your internet travel guide!!

Moooooooooooo from Cowtown.  Go Bucks.  O_H_I_O We have a little bit of EVERYTHING here!  That’s my new add campaign :

COME TO COLUMBUS-WHERE THERE REALLY IS A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING!

Selling, Donating, Swapping and Shopping (a sad but true statement about my life!)

Well the garage sale is now just a memory! Saturday it rained until early afternoon. As soon as the skies cleared I ran outside to set up, when RockToWindAStringAround showed up to shop but ended up shuffling my goods from the living room floor to the front door step so I could feed the hungry shoppers! Sadly most of the goodies she eyed drove away with a starved shopper who left the buffet overstuffed and with a dogie bag!!! Thank goodness that guy bought as much as he did because about 1 hour later the skies opened up once more. So we tried again today and ended up selling a good bit of stuff. My pockets are full and my house clutter a bit lighter. We took all the leftovers to the thrift store drop box immediately after the sale so all’s well that ends well!!  Here is the sun setting through the wet palstic tarps that were covering our treasures.

But because I am such a pack rat I got up at O too early hundred hour to shop at a Swap. We scored a Video Now player complete with a Sponge Bob movie! A bit of yarn, a couple of vases, some art books and a nice set of wooden bowls for our nature table. I love stuff!! Especially free stuff!!

After the sale was all cleaned up we were able to grant Ginger’s earlier this week wish for a bike ride. She is now big enough for the tandem and is loving it! While out in the park we saw a group of people dressing up and playing instruments. They were definitely a photo op!! After retrieving our cameras Molly and I combed the park looking for them but didn’t catch up with them until they were packed up and headed to their cars. But a few of them were nice enough to pose for a sorry old lady for a couple of shots.

Molly and I continued to trek around and take lots of photos.

And roll down hills!!

This is Birthday week at our house. Both Jake and Ginger have special days that are fast approaching. Must shop soon!!!  Ugg, it’s a vicious cycle!

Hunting, Dancing, Sleeping

This actually Saturdays post that was never published as my computer was not cooperating!

We walked to our neighborhood easter egg hunt this morning. Both of the girls found plenty of eggs while Jake slept. Ginger promptly opened her eggs and turned each one upside down after she emptied it’s contents. Note the lone egg off to the side. It had a bit of mud on it and so it was not allowed to sit with the rest of the loot.

Here are the girls practicing their dance moves while watching HAIRSPRAY for the 189th time.

Off to bed as I am sure to be waken early by the candy junkies!