Exploring with YOUsufs

We finally made it to Coney Island and enjoyed the cool pool on a hot July afternoon with friends. Coney Island offers discounted ticket prices after 4pm. This is perfect for us since Samuel typically naps until 3/3:30.  I bought our tickets in advance online and did have to pay an online processing fee. Tickets are cheaper online, but with the processing fee you only end up saving around $2. It did allow us to go straight to the gate though instead of having to purchase tickets there. We took a beach bag in with some snacks and waters, but since we are not season pass holders we could not bring in a cooler or outside food. Our friends had found an umbrella spot near the Hometown Favorites dining area and the deep end of the pool. It was also near the splashground and floating obstacle course. This was nice to be out of the shade and there were several chairs here as well. Plus, the umbrella was close to the area we were at in the pool so we could keep an eye on our belongings. It was

 Samuel and I went to our first Peanut Butter & Jam Session at Symmes Township Public Library. I learned about Peanut Butter & Jam Sessions from a fellow teacher on the way back from a conference in Columbus. She was telling me about the different things she did with her kids when they were younger. She recalled her trips to these sessions and said they all loved them, so I have been on the lookout for a session ever since. The theme was Steel Drum Summer and a story was told throughout the show about different islands in the Caribbean. It was an outdoor musical performance and we had great seats! We sat on the hillside in the shade and Samuel enjoyed his snack while doing some dancing. There was even a slight breeze while we listened to the music. A couple of dance moves were taught for different songs played. Our favorite songs were Under the Sea and We don't talk about Bruno. Before each song was played a story was told or we learned something about the various instrumen

I wanted to take a quick weekend trip to Yellow Springs, Ohio, but Bryant had a different idea. He decided to book us a trip to Dollywood's DreamMore Resort and Spa in Pigeon Forge, TN. It was an incredible trip that we all enjoyed and cannot wait to go back!   Dollywood's DreamMore Resort and Spa This resort is perfect for kids of all ages! We stayed in a Junior Suite and had so much space. The room had a king sized bed, bunk beds, and a pull out couch. Since our son is still sleeping in his crib we brought his pack and play along. We simply pulled the couch off the wall and put his pack and play behind there and he slept great! One day he will get to sleep in the bunk bed and will love it! There was even a wet bar area with a fridge and this was a perfect area to set our snacks and water. There was even a cubby area for suitcases. Right inside the door are hooks and this was great to hang important items you did not want to lose. Friday: Check In Day When we arrived on Friday

 I remember Madcap Puppets coming to my school when I was in elementary school. I loved when the puppets came and especially when they used the larger puppets. I saw that Nanny Belle's was hosting Madcap Puppets for their anniversary at Summit Park in Blue Ash. Summit Park is a really nice park with 3 different restaurants, an ice cream shop, an observation tower, nature playscape with water, playgrounds created for different age groups, restrooms, trails and more. They even host a market each month in the summer that we like to attend that is filled with local vendors. We arrived around 9:30, set our things on a bench under the glass canopy for the puppet show, and headed to the playground. I invited my sister and her kids so they joined Samuel and I. They loved playing on the different playground items. There is even a ramp, climbing hill, and slide area. There is turf throughout which is very nice. There are seats that look like rocks along the slide that are in a shaded area. Y