Believe it or not, the Young family made it to THIS point without all attending a Clipper's game together! We decided to take advantage of a Groupon deal and all hit the ball park, which ended up being about a 100 degree day :( It was hard to make one earlier, b/c all the games were either at 7 at night, or noon, or during the week, so we jumped at the chance.
Grandma and grandpa Jahn met us at the park and we had great seats, 3rd base line/left field, front row (allowing a little more wiggle room for us than some rows).
Pretty sure we would say between the family, maybe we watched one inning? One of us was either in line or walking with one of the girls...poor dad tried to watch the game--ironically the Clippers were playing the Red's farm team, so Eric actually knew some of the players!
Cora entertained with the spoon--even though it was almost bedtime for her, and she could have gone any time :)
(Pretending to be interested)
There were elements of the event overall that I think Amara enjoyed actually, but it was a LOT of sitting for a very active little girl. We had a great time and took some popcorn for the road, it was a long hot game (and we left in the 5th!). I'm sure we'll be back--not sure Grandma and Grandpa Jahn want to go with us for a while though :)
Our busy weekend continued--but WHAT a treat we were in for! We got up on Sunday and wanted to get out of the house. I'd heard about Hayden Run Falls and wanted to try it, so we figured why not?
The place was absolutely magical and beautiful! Tucked in off of a very busy road--I was so thrilled we had made it for an impromptu trip.
Though the falls weren't pouring with water, it was very beautiful and peaceful. The trees gave such a nice canopy and it was late morning--it was cool and quiet. We were the only ones there for a little while, before a family came for some photos.
Cora was VERY interested! 
We put her cute little feet in the water--none of us were really prepared and Amara was still in her nightgown :)
Daddy and sweet girl.
Amara in her nightgown and crocks, tiptoeing across the VERY cold water! I think the most deep part where she was, was only a few inches. Why not, right?
We could get very close to the water without very much splashing! I can't wait to come back--thinking maybe a potential family pic spot for us in the future, but this was such a little fun, quick little trip, I'll never forget that first time.
Our buddies Mallory and Mikeala share a birthday "season." They have late Summer/Fall birthdays and they were turning 2 and 3. We were SO lucky to be invited to their party at Chuck E. Cheese and had so much fun shopping for their presents!
Their mom (Amanda) did such a great job on the Tinkerbell gift bags, we couldn't wait to get home to dig in! First up, pop rocks!!
She was happy to share them with us--sweet girl, but MAN were they too sour for mommy! haha
Cora when we got home--all partied out. She doesn't sleep in the car a lot--but this was near bedtime and we all had so much fun. Thanks for having us and Happy Birthday girls!!
After our exciting Mommy-Bean day morning, Beanie and I were a little tired, but we ventured out anyway. Cora was wide-awake and ready to enjoy!!
It was THE perfect afternoon, so we headed to Beulah, where grandma and grandpa met us there. We had soft pretzels, lemon shake-ups, and played on some fun bouncers.
Tempers flared though a bit--beanie got a bit short tempered...
...and Cora started rubbing her eyes...so any hopes of staying for the balloon glow were dashed. There's always next year right? I keep reminding myself that sooner or later I'll miss them going to bed so early, but for now, I always feel like they are missing out :(
Still a little spunk left, Beanie was toying with Grandpa. We all headed to the cars, but were able to see quite a lot of balloons launch as well as return--funny, after the fact, we realized we'd picked the perfect day. Even though we were tired, it was actually too windy on Saturday and Sunday to launch or do the balloon glow, so we were very lucky!
Every so often (though not often as I'd like), Amara and I do a "Mommy-Bean day." Sometimes we stay around the house or run errands together, and sometimes I pack the day full of activities for us. Sometimes it's easier to do some of the things she likes without little sister tagging along, and that's ok.
We started the day (after dropping Cora to Mrs. Sarah's) at her favorite, Chick-fil-a. After eating and playing for a bit, we got on the road to our 2nd stop, and to visit a horse named Zoe.
Amara immediately made friends with the cats and dogs on the ranch and we enjoyed watching all the horses run the corral too. They were beautiful!
Inside, we met Zoe. I can't remember the details, but she has a lot of experience with young riders, but no Spring chicken herself. Amara got to ride around the indoor ring while the trainer and I walked next to her.
When we were all done, Amara got to brush Zoe and give her some treats. We really had fun and she wanted to go again, before we'd even left!
Amara walking Zoe back to her "room" in the barn.
Stop 2 was Lynd's fruit farm, on one of the early picking days (if not the earliest) this year! She loves to pick (and eat) the fresh apples, but it is a ways out there--so we only usually do one or two with the girls :)
She carried her own bag, and as one of the workers came out to us to offer us pears, enjoyed that as soon as we got to the car! We picked quite a few apples (that we all enjoyed) and had a blast!
Last stop before nap had to be lunch, another favorite, Wendy's. She was getting tired from all the riding and excitement, but she LOVES to eat inside at restaurants, so of course we did. 
Eric and I had heard about a little place called the Young Chef's academy in Gahanna. By luck, we got an email about an open house on a day when we were free, so we headed up! It was pretty busy, but a really cute setup!
There were 3-4 stations set up, where you could get an idea of how a class would work, and all the stations were set up by "senior chefs" who were maybe 10-12 yrs. old, how cool! We headed to the smores station, which was quite clever. they had pre-melted marshmallow and Nutella--and Amara was able to spread it on graham cracker squares. Then you use your spreading stick and sandwich both sides on the stick, making a smore "pop" out of it!
Next it was on to mini pizzas. They pressed out their tiny dough balls into circles, then the head chef squeezed sauce on for them, top with cheese and mini pepperonis and off to the oven!! 
We were able to get some takeaways and tools--we didn't stay all that long and she wasn't interested in the pasta salad station (she's come into a bit of a shy phase all of a sudden, and doesn't want to be left) but we really enjoyed it..JPG)
