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Toy Testing: PicassoTiles Glow in the Dark Race Track Set
We recently received the PicassoTiles PTT307 Glow in The Dark Flexible Race Tracks for reviewing purposes. When it was first opened, my husband made a comment about how the track looked like a one trick pony and he thought Big Sis would grow tired of it quickly. This race track has been in our living room now for approximately two weeks and it is the first toy Big Sis is drawn to in the morning and then when we get home from school in the evening. It has been a pleasant surprise to see how much use she has gotten out of it already. She first began to play with it as…
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Guest Post: Local Author & Mom Renee Casteel Cook
Meet Renee Casteel Cook, a local Author, Eater, Mother, Reader! Read on as she introduces her latest children’s book, “Meet Maddie,” and the inspiration behind the character. My writing career started when I moved to Columbus four years ago and left my previous day job in advertising to write The Columbus Food Truck Cookbook (and follow up, Best of Trailer Food Diaries which spotlights Columbus alongside major food truck markets like Austin, Texas and Portland, Oregon). I was pregnant with my now three year old daughter as I researched the mobile food scene – an even better excuse to eat for two while visiting the trucks and recipe testing! Once she was born…
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Top 5 Craftin’ Outlaws
Craftin’ Outlaws is Columbus’ longest-running alternative craft fair. The mission of Craftin’ Outlaws is to expose the public to an alternative to mass produced products and to support local indie artists, crafters, and designers. This year the event will be on November 10 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. The following are the artists that I can’t wait to check out! Flannel Board Fun As a Speech Language Pathologist I love a good flannel board. I am excited to see the variety of stories and activities Flannel Board Fun will be bringing to the event. Thankful Knits The macrame pieces that Thankful Knits creates are…
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November – A Month of Kindness
World Kindness Day falls on November 13 this year, so I am officially declaring November the month of kindness. Children learn by observing adults, even when those adults aren’t intentionally trying to teach them anything. This month I am challenging myself to be more intentional in spreading kindness in hopes that my daughter will learn and follow my lead. Below is the list I have made to guide us on our quest to focus on doing good for the month of November. Will you join us in our efforts to throw kindness around like confetti? Celebrate World Kindness Day on November 13 by completing 1 random act of kindness. Build…
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North Market Scavenger Hunt *Updated*
The North Market is located just west of N. High St. between Vine and Spruce St. It is the only public market in central Ohio and and is home to more than 30 merchants. The North Market offers a variety of foods, sights, and sounds. What better way to explore the hustle and bustle of this public market than with a scavenger hunt. Before you set off for your scavenger hunt adventure, print the list provided below. Prepare for the scavenger hunt ahead of time by going over the items on the list. Talk about the different types of items you will be searching for and where these items might be located. Some might be up high,…
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Baby Talk: 0-3 Months
Language development is fascinating and even more so when you get a front row seat through a first hand experience. When baby is 0-3 months, he isn’t talking yet, but he is observing his world and beginning to make communication attempts. At 0-3 months baby is reacting to his world by crying, cooing, smiling, grunting, and gurgling. How you respond to baby’s sounds begins to teach baby the cause and effect relationship that becomes purposeful communication. Closer to 3 months old baby may begin to make attempts at communicating. Eye contact becomes more purposeful, a social smile emerges, and sounds (other than crying) are produced. The most beneficial ways to…
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11 Can’t Miss Activities This Fall in Central Ohio
Fall is a wonderful time of year here in Central Ohio and it is jam packed with so much to do. The following are just a few of the can’t miss activities happening in the area. Visit the sunflowers at Tecumseh Land Trust. The field is on US-68 on your way to Yellow Springs, Ohio (about a 45 minute drive). This year the sunflowers are expected to bloom between September 9th – 22nd. Get your camera ready and head to the field. Check out Harvest Blooms at the Franklin Park Conservatory from September 22nd – October 28th. Stroll amongst a colorful display of mums and ornamental kale to feel fall in all…
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Summer Challenge #10: Complete a Scavenger Hunt
If you have been following Say-n-Play Columbus for awhile you know how much we love a good scavenger hunt. With the weekly challenges, this summer has felt like one giant scavenger hunt. We have been on the hunt for new foods, to finding a new playground, to a weeklong photography challenge with prompts. This final week of the #saynplaythesummeraway weekly challenges, we are challenging you to participate in our weeklong scavenger hunt. I am excited to have had the opportunity to partner with local businesses to provide a grand prize at the end of the week. The prize includes a bucket filled with a bubble want, sidewalk chalk, a Columbus…
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Transitioning to a DockATot Grand
Sleep. As a mom to a two-month-old and a fresh three-year-old, I am in desperate need of sleep these days. I had fully prepared myself for the newborn sleep schedule – up every 2 to 3 hours for a feeding and pacing the halls with a baby who has his nights and days reversed. What I was not prepared for, however, was my toddler regressing in her sleep. Once the baby arrived, my toddler decided to fight bedtime, awaken multiple times in the night, and jump out of bed at any hint of sunlight. I was so desperate for sleep that when DockATot offered to send the Grand Dock for…
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My First Photo Book with Pinhole Press
My daughter is extremely interested in photography – especially when it involves using my cell phone to take a picture. So, to build off of her motivation, I created a list of prompts for her in an effort to focus her photography into specific tasks. After I give her a prompt, she has to come up with what she wants to photograph to fit the prompt. For example, “Take a photo of your favorite toy.” This activity addresses both language skills and encourages creativity through photography. Win-Win! The following are a list of prompts that I have used. These are just suggestions, so feel free to come up with your…