Lodge Waterpark

One of the main reasons we chose this State Park and lodge is because their pool is actually a small waterpark - more correctly, VERY small.  But it was perfect for us!  Despite it being spring break, it was not crowded and we could keep an eye on Camden throughout the entire place. 

It had only one water slide, but it was a nice size and fun for kids and adults!

 

The lazy river was also small, but provided a great path to float or play a game of shark tag.  Camden and Kevin had a ball chasing each other round and round.

Mini-Vaca & Gramma

Nashville/Brown County is only 20 minutes from Grammy Pat.  She came over on Friday night to have dinner and hang out with us.  All the shops were closed, but we had dinner at The Artist Colony restaurant on the main street of the little town.  It was okay, but not some place where I need to return.

Afterward we walked down a block and got a few desserts to split at the HobNob Corner.  They were very tasty and the food looked great.  We might need to try it for a meal next time we are in the area.  I brought my camera, but forgot to get any pictures of our dessert spread until after it was all gone!  Camden showed me all that was left of our key lime pie.

 Then she decided to give it a try.  Boy...was it sour.  I didn't catch it fully, but we got a real pucker reaction on this lime.

Gramma had to work the next morning (it's tax season so Saturday hours are normal).  She did come back over to spend some more time for lunch and an afternoon stroll through some shops.

We went to the Farm House Cafe and Tea Room just a few miles outside of town.  This was exactly the kind of place I wanted to go to in this quaint area.  Our food was made with lots of fresh produce and herbs they grow on site.  It was still a cool day and we sat at a table near the main door.  It was a good thing to have a nice fire nearby.

Gramma and Kevin each tried the Herb Barn Chicken Salad sandwich with their house potato salad.  Excellent.  I had the Garden Lovers Vegetarian sandwich.  It was a supped up grilled cheese with all kinds of veggies in it, along with the potato salad.  Camden got what turned out to be my favorite sandwich - Brown County's Best BLT.  It had a sun-dried tomato herbal mayo on it and some of the best bacon I've had in a while.  She liked it too, along with her own potato salad.  She had filled up on the tortilla chips and spinach dip that was served complimentary so Kevin and I got to finish off her large sandwich.

The waitress brought us a sample of their famous Herb Barn Lemonade.  It was a weird combination but sooo yummy.  It had milk, ginger ale (I think) along with their lemonade concentrate.  Camden drank the rest of the sample and Gramma ordered a glass.

Their desserts sounded amazing but we were full and knew we would be having some samples of sweet stuff (fudge!) when we shopped.

This place is definitely on our radar to visit again the next time we are in the area.

WonderLab

Our Spring Break weather was more wintery than our winter.  We had hoped to possibly hike some trails, play on playgrounds, and even brought Camden's bike.  But none of that was possible (well without freezing).

We had already planned to stop at some point at the small science center in Bloomington.  We had gone one other time and really enjoyed the activities.  We decided to head over in the morning on Friday.

We thought it might not be as crowded as on a Saturday, but there was a school field trip and the place was busy.  Camden wasn't fazed and enjoyed the hands-on stuff regardless.

The bubble room was one of our favorites on a previous visit, but maybe was a bit too crowded to fully enjoy this time.  She did spend a good bit of time climbing the flower structure.

She and Kevin also took a few turns launching parachutes.

When we went upstairs, she was thrilled to discover a few new items...and a new favorite was discovered!

The two also enjoyed two intense rounds of Memory.  This small board was mastered quickly (ended in a tie) and they moved on to a bigger board.  It took a lot longer and I think Camden may have won.  It should be noted that Kevin doesn't believe in "letting" a child win either.  That was pure play (and it was a hard one too).

Camden also discovered the bee display and promptly dressed up in beekeeper/scientist gear and went to work checking out the hive.

We spent close to 2 hours here.  Our alternative motivation for coming to Bloomington on Friday was a buffet lunch at a Thai restaurant, called, "Siam House."  Bloomington is known for their international restaurants and we really enjoyed this chance to sample different Thai dishes. 

Spring Break - Abe Martin Lodge

For Spring Break, we took a "mini-vaca" as Camden calls it.  We headed to Nashville Indiana and the Brown County State Park for 3 days and 2 nights.

The Inn at the park is a very stereotypical lodge for Indiana State Parks:  standard room, common decor, limited TV channels, spotty Wi-Fi.  Even the food at the restaurant was just like every other one we have visited.

 

Camden had been "packed" since the previous Monday.  She had three bags full of toys, books, and plushes.  There was a nice window seat and she promptly unpacked all of her stuff.  I didn't get a picture, but the entire bench was covered.

Indianapolis Zoo

Because we did not have a snow day all winter, Camden had no school on Friday before her spring break because it was a built in snow/flex day.  Kevin was home,  had an errand to do near Indy, so they headed to the Zoo afterward.

 

They loved exploring and watching all the animals in action.  It was windy and a bit cooler, but a very sunny pleasant day outside.

She chose to do the carousel as her ride.

The hands on activities are always a top stop.  I don't remember ever seeing the hanging bird masks.

Both Kevin and Camden were able to touch one of the sharks.

A little time on the busy playground is always fun!

But anytime with dad is the best!

Daddy's In Charge

There are many reasons that Camden likes it when Kevin is the one at home with her.  But one of them has to be that he lets her pick her outfits and does not veto the selection. 

Favorite Christmas sweater dress (check), camo leggings (check), pink sun hat (check).  The only thing that made the outfit even better was when we went out later in the day and she decided to wear her leopard print boots too. 

Waiting...

Two of my favorite pictures from the Easter events.