Columbus, Indiana

Because Snugglebug missed out on a field trip to Kids Commons in Columbus, Indiana, I decided to take both the girls myself.  It was a bit of a trip without another adult to talk with, but I couldn't think of anyone else who would be free to go that day, so anyways....

This is the main attraction.  A giant toilet that has a slide below.  The idea is to show the inner workings of a house, including insulation, and more.  They had a heat camera in one room that told you to rub your shirt so you can see the heat.  I won't tell you exactly where I rubbed, but I later found out people could have easily been watching on a screen located on the floor below.  Can we say embarrassing? ?

Below is a sliding portion of a wall that I thought would be so neat to put in a real house.  If we EVER get to move, that is. 

Bubble center.  Snugglebug became an expert bubble-blower, including creating a bubble that encased her entire body. 

Here is Snugglebug-Polar Bear.  She growled at everyone who tried to enter, including complete strangers.  Who said I needed a guard dog?

There was a cute campy scene for the girls to play.

And there was a Japanese house in which you could not wear shoes.  Very cute. 

 Before we went to Kids Commons, we stopped at a really neat soda/ice cream parlor a few stores down, Zaharakos

The girls were even enthused over the ladies' room tiles.  The food was a little pricey, but overall good quality.  Their cups of fruit really contained a huge assortment.  Their straws were made of paper, so it took a little getting used to, and the organ would play every now and then, making us feel like we were riding a carousel.  We filled up on lunch, but we went back a few hours later for ice cream.  MMmmmm...the strawberry milkshake was really good!

Catching Up on Birthdays: Smokin' Shrimp, Ice Cream, Frogs and Butterflies

Ok, I know my birthday and Snugglebug's birthday was a couple months ago, but remember, my computer imploded right when I was going to blog about them! 

For my birthday, Hubs (hereafter known as S) & I tried Eddie Merlot's near 4th Street Live in Louisville.  (They are also in Columbus, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, and Ft. Wayne.)  We arrived early, so after paying $5 for valet parking (what I considered a steal), we walked around, waiting for our reservation time.  Lesson learned:  I am too old for 4th Street Live.  I am not a fan of loud music or smoking in general, so S & I walked quickly and were still a little early for our reservation.

I scheduled our dinner for their all-you-can-eat lobster special, a special each year on Fridays that includes salad and new potatoes for $39.99 per person.  The restaurant is a little pretentious, but the wait staff is pretty friendly.  I was a little disappointed that no birthday special was offered, other than the waiter's joke about singing clowns coming out to greet me.

We ordered Eddie's Smokin' Shrimp Cocktail for an appetizer, consisting of four shrimp, each the size of half of my hand and super yummy.

Next, we ate lobster...I had 2.5 and S had 3.  I only ordered the third because S pressured me into it...shame, shame...All were good, but the first was a little overcooked.  The second lobster was the best.  The waiter said they had gone through 500 lobsters the previous Friday night.

Last, I ordered an apple and peach dessert with ice cream, which was too sweet for my taste.  I should have ordered the coffee S ordered; it came with brown sugar cubes, shaved chocolate, fresh cream, cinnamon sticks, milk, and I forget what else. 

Overall, I enjoyed the experience and our dinner, but I think I enjoy the Melting Pot even more--I'm looking forward to our anniversary in August!  Rating for this restaurant:  A- (due to price)

Below are the cupcakes I made for Snugglebug's b-day.  They were mini strawberry and chocolate cupcakes decorated like frogs and butterflies, or "blutterflies" as Snugglebug says.  Thankfully, the frogs didn't mistake the butterflies for everyday houseflies, who knows what would have happened!

Here's what I did:

Frogs: cream cheese icing, marshmallows for the eyes (cut into 4ths), M&Ms for the iris/pupils, and fruit roll-up for the tongues.

Butterflies:  Cream cheese icing for the base, purple prepared icing for the body, M&Ms for the head, licorice for the antennae, and pretzels for the wings.

Charlestown Pizza Company and Weekend Project

I had been wanting to try the Charlestown Pizza Company for a few months now, but Hubs always said if he was having pizza, he was having it delivered (I know, interesting philosophy).  So, while he was away hiking one day, I took the girls to try it out...

The interior is pretty simple, but I watched seat after seat fill up.

I ordered the Thin Ten with ham...it was all right, but I really wasn't that impressed.  I also ordered garlic cheesy bread to share with the girls-- the crust was thick and cheesy, just as I like it, but I can't say it was remarkably better than other bread that I've had.  The girls shared a small pizza and the decision was split:  Lovely liked, Snugglebug didn't.

Prices were average, I believe the bill came out to be less than $20 for the three of us, but I'm used to spending much less than that on pizza for the gals and me.  So, average rating:  C (for Charlestown, of course!)

 

The above is our weekend accomplishment.  We have wanted a gazebo for years now, especially for our hum-drum yard.  Rural King (don't ask me to pronounce that--I sound like a preschooler: "roooraal") had one at a super low price, so we finally broke down and bought it.  The one that looks just like it at Sears is about $160 more.  It included the top & mosquito netting, so we were finally able to set our lawn furniture around to create a nice outdoor living space.  Still to do:

1.  Get an outdoor coffee table

2.  Place pots/planters around the gazebo on the outside

3.  Buy a nice candle for the inside

4.  String some outdoor lights on the ceiling

5.  Possibly paint small murals on the inside corners of the gazebo frame (Hubs said, "You aren't going to paint some funky mural on this, are you?" Which I, of course, took as, "Why don't you paint a cool mural on this.")

Hubs still plans on tilling the garden and planting a simple garden, with my herbs, tomatoes, a few peppers, and some zucchini.  I hate for my garden to go to waste, so I'm all for it.

Also this weekend, I stopped at a neighborhood yard sale, where I finally found some books.  Of course, I'm a sucker for books, but I've only been finding actual books worth reading at teacher's houses--which is really sad to think about.  I also bought a sheer white curtain panel to try a sewing a skirt Snugglebug fell in love with.

What projects have you been working on?

La Rosita...and Blooms

We tried a new restaurant this weekend:  La Rosita on Pearl Street in New Albany.  We are usually pretty hesitant about trying something new because a) our kids are so picky and b) we have kids :-P

To sum up our visit:

Final Grade: B+

Pros:  Easy parking, lots of tables, nice atmosphere (March Madness is happening, you know!), quick service, distinct Mexican flavor

Cons:  Music was a little loud (mariachi sound system), more expensive than other Mexican food we've eaten, husband didn't care for all of the distinct flavors, chips & salsa cost $

However, look at the four choices of salsa you get from your $2.50 (in four squeeze bottles):  from top left, clockwise:  spicey, tomato (more than just tomato paste), mild (smokey chipotle flavor), and guacamole (my favorite!)

I had to try one of their famous HUGE quesadillas.  HUGE isn't a big enough word to cover my steak, chicken, cheese, sour cream, and lettuce quesadilla.  This was vonderful!

Taco kid's meal Snugglebug didn't like because "it SMELLED."  Speaking of Snugglebug, here's the first funny joke she's really told:  Knock-knock.  Who's there?  Piggy.  Piggy who?  Piggy your nose!
She was rolling!

Open floor plan of the restaurant

Ok, I know this is a different subject, but I walked out of work today and saw these blossoms on the tree in front of the library--blossoms that weren't there a week ago.  I couldnt't resist taking a picture.

 

Have you noticed the blossoms yet?