We were exhausted by the time we boarded our Air Canada flight AC842 from Toronto to Dublin. It was a larger plane with two seats on each side and four in the middle for a total of 291 passengers. I didn’t see any empty seats at all. I put my headphones in and turned on some music, hoping to go to sleep as soon as we took off at 11:15 p.m. especially since each seat had a pillow and blanket. Unfortunately, the crew decided to leave the lights on in the cabin for another two hours and served dinner at midnight. Drinks (including alcohol) were free, but we just wanted to go to sleep. Continue reading “Air Canada Flight 842: Dublin, Here We Come!”
Air Canada Flight 7408: From Cleveland to Toronto and Beyond
Saturday was my birthday and the day we would be flying from Cleveland to Toronto and then onto Dublin. We were up early (4:00 a.m. for me)–I never sleep well before a big trip. We packed the last-minute items for our flight to Ireland and dropped the dogs off at the kennel at 8:00. It was too early to go to Mom and Dad’s, so after stopping at the bank, we decided to go to Brookfield Diner for breakfast. Before breakfast, we ran into a Dollar General for new reading glasses for Dennis. After breakfast, we went back in for a Tide To Go stick for me. You guessed it–I spilled dried beef gravy on myself at breakfast. Continue reading “Air Canada Flight 7408: From Cleveland to Toronto and Beyond”
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday has always been my favorite Sunday of the entire year. When I was young, my family attended the Kinsman Presbyterian Church. The deacons always handed out entire palm branches as we entered the sanctuary the Sunday before Easter. I loved fanning myself with the fronds as we sang “Hosanna to the King of Kings.”
Kinsman Presbyterian Church, photo by Rebecca Nieminen, Storyteller Photography (used with permission). Continue reading “Palm Sunday”
Pack Like a Pro: Just the Essentials
It’s that time of year, and my urge to travel has made its presence known once again. Like many people, I used to pack too many outfits. Over the years, I’ve pared down my packing list to a few essentials. For a one week trip, this is what I usually take, in addition to what I wear on the plane. These tips will help you pack like a pro!
Staying on Walt Disney World Property with a “Large” Family
Back in June 1998 I was disappointed (and rather upset) that you couldn’t book more than four people in a Walt Disney World value hotel room. I didn’t understand why I couldn’t put my three children (all ages eight and under at the time) in the same bed. After all, every other hotel we’d stayed in had let us have five people in a room.
Did you know that the average number of people per family in the U.S. is only 3.14? That helps explain why Disney’s least expensive hotel rooms only accommodate four people. However, as a parent, I was frustrated thinking that my children wouldn’t be able to visit the most magical place on Earth because we couldn’t afford to book two rooms or stay at one of the more expensive hotels.
Continue reading “Staying on Walt Disney World Property with a “Large” Family”
Easter Eggstavaganza: The First Annual Cleland Clan Egg Hunt
As a child, I loved Easter. However, I don’t ever remember going to an Easter egg hunt when I was young. That all changed after Ian was born. My kids were extremely lucky to have their Aunt Chris and Uncle Tom who put on amazing Easter egg hunts each year. The kids always looked forward to lunch at the Russells the Saturday before Easter with their cousins, Mallorie and Darrin, followed by a romp around the backyard scooping up candy-filled plastic eggs that the Easter Bunny (also known as Uncle Tom) had left for them.
Uncle Tom was a master at concealing eggs. In 2004, the kids had to find certain color eggs–Ian had green, Meg had yellow, and Rory had orange. Tom didn’t just drop them on the ground either!
Now that we have our own grandchildren, I decided to start our own Easter tradition. Even though the babies are all under three, when Meghan said she was coming up this weekend, I decided to go for it. As usual, Dennis thinks I’m crazy.
I may have gone a little overboard. We really didn’t need 250 eggs, but the kids had a lot of fun.
It was hard making sure all the candy was appropriate for kids ages 18 months and up. Although, I am perfectly aware that their parents will probably eat most of it.
Next year, Josh will be big enough to join in.
After all the eggs were found, we went inside to see what was inside (even though Ady looked in each of hers as she picked them up).
Grammy Debbie also treated us to a great lunch! Thanks, Mom!
Can’t wait to do it again next year! Happy Easter!
Richland Carrousel, Mansfield, Ohio: Fun for All Ages
After visiting the Little Buckeye Children Museum, we walked back to the Richland Carrousel (yes, there are supposed to be two Rs). This is a beautiful carousel that is enclosed so that it can operate in any weather. Rides are only $1 per person or 6 rides for $5. If you love carousels or live close by and can come back often, 50 rides are only $35. There’s also a  cute little gift shop where you can purchase all sorts of toys and souvenirs, including many Ohio-made products.
Kairi was a little apprehensive at first, but J.R. knew what to expect.
Once the music started and the horses moved, she was hooked!
There were several birthday parties going on while we were there–it seems to be quite a popular place. We will definitely be back, Our usual drop off spot of the Cracker Barrel at exit 169 may need to change to the carousel downtown. I know J.R. won’t complain!
The Animals
As their website states, “Richland Carrousel Park opened in 1991 as the first new, hand-carved carrousel to be built and operated in the United States since the 1930’s…The Carrousel figures were carved in the style of G.A. Dentzel, one of the most revered carvers of the early 1900’s. All 52 figures were designed, carved and painted by Carrousel Works in Mansfield, Ohio. [Each] of the horses [is] hand-carved. All 52 figures were designed, carved and painted by Carrousel Works in Mansfield, Ohio. ”
There are 30 gorgeous horses on the carousel, along with 22 other animals. Children can choose from horses, bears, cats, rabbits, and more. There is even a giraffe for kids to ride.
Accessibility
The carousel is handicapped accessible and can accommodate wheelchairs. The horses in front of the chariots pivot and the chariot seat flips up so that everyone can experience this magical ride.
Photo Op
A lone stationary horse is located outside the fence, and is the perfect spot for photographs. Kairi wasn’t having any of that and kept pressing her face up to the gate, hoping for another ride. Two was not enough!
Groups
Richland Carrousel offers affordable rates for group. A two-hour birthday party package includes three reserved tables and 30 tickets to distribute. Plus, the guest of honor rides free.
They also have packages for scout groups and wedding parties.
Richland Carrousel: Before you go:
The carousel is located at 75 N. Main St., Mansfield, Ohio 44902.
Admission is $1 per person. Multiple ride tickets are available at a discount. They do not need to be used by the same person.
Summer hours are 10-5 Monday through Saturday and 11-5 on Sunday. Winter hours are 11-5 daily.
For more information, check out the Richland Carrousel website.
Little Buckeye Children’s Museum, Mansfield, Ohio
As many of you know, Meghan, Joe, and J.R. live about 270 miles away from us. Because of this, we occasionally meet in Mansfield or Columbus for a weekend or to “switch the kid.” Since we hadn’t seen them since Christmas and didn’t expect to see them until May, we decided to meet in Mansfield the last weekend in February.
We’d done this in the fall, visiting the Barnyard Park, a great place for fall fun, but were looking for something indoor to do with a two-year old. Family friends, Shannon and Sharon, suggested the Little Buckeye Children’s Museum.
Because Ian wanted to work on the house and Krystal was taking continuing education classes in Columbus, I picked up Kairi in Akron on our way out of town. I thought about taking Ady too, but I didn’t think I could handle a two-year-old and two one-year-olds without a double stroller (need to get one BEFORE summer!). Yes, Meghan and Dennis were going to be there, but still…
Dennis was doing a walk-through for The Ohio State University’s Health and Sciences Library, so he was already in Mansfield on Friday night. I found him a cheap room at the Travelodge for Friday night and then we moved to the Hampton Inn for Saturday night (those two rooms earned us 4000 miles on American Airlines, woohoo!). I dropped off the dogs at the vet’s at 8:00 a.m. Saturday and started south. I spent a little longer than expected at Ian’s–he fixed the sound on my computer. Actually, I think he just missed me and wanted to talk. Kairi and I finally arrived in Mansfield around 11:45 a.m. and found Papa D at the Hampton Inn.
Dennis wanted to visit the prison, and since Meghan was also running late, we decided to drive out to see it. The guided tours don’t run this time of year, so we decided to come back in the summer.
We backtracked to downtown and parked in the free municipal parking across the street from the Richland Carrousel. The Little Buckeye Children’s Museum was a short walk.
When we first walked in, the museum really didn’t look like much. There were some tables in the front on one side, a few prepackaged snacks and drinks for sale and a Mr. Potato Head table, coloring area, and Hot Wheels section on other side. Admission was $8 a person for everyone over the age of two. We were pleasantly surprised once we were past the front desk.
Once we actually went in, we were amazed at the variety of activities for little ones. The first “room” was filled with toys for the youngest ones–musical instrument, stacking and connecting toys, things to crawl over and on. Kairi loved it, and Papa had fun playing with her. There was also an area where children could dig for dinosaur “bones” and “dinosaurs” in shredded tire material. One thing that I really liked was that there were BOOKS in each section that corresponded to the topic. Other areas on the first floor included musical pipes, tree house complete with climbing wall and slide, water table, doctor’s office/baby nursery, grocery store, beauty salon, car racetrack, construction area, water table, theater, hair salon, and veterinary office.
They did have raincoats available at the water table, but Kairi didn’t want any part of them. This was her favorite part of the day until we got to the carousel.
Meghan and J.R. finally arrived. J.R. needed a nap and was a little cranky, but he eventually started to play.
Upstairs, there was a room with trains, planes, Legos, and more. There was a camping/outdoor area that was super cute, a dentist office, art area, schoolhouse, mechanic, two-room house (watch for the low ceiling on your way out!), and more.
If we lived closer, I would definitely buy a membership to the Little Buckeye Children’s Museum. It’s great for kids under 10! A family membership is only $100 for the year, and a grandparent membership is $75. This also gives you half-priced admission to 350+ children’s museums across the country. Unfortunately, the Oh, Wow! Center in Youngstown is not on the list. I did feel really guilty that we didn’t take Adelyn. Next time we’ll take all four of the grandkids!
Kairi loved shopping in the grocery store. She also enjoyed driving the different vehicles.
J.R. enjoyed watching the trains. They also had four different tables of Thomas the Tank trains and tracks for the children.
One of the ways you could enter the camping area was through a small tunnel. Kairi figured out that the Little Tikes Cozy Coupe just fit.
Stay tuned for my review of the Richland Carrousel!
Note: The official name of the carousel is Richland Carrousel with two Rs. I’m also still learning how to insert photos.