Food Adventures

Of course we always like to try some different food experiences.  In looking for a "Columbus" spot, I found a highly recommended bakery that specialized in macarons.  I don't think either of us had ever had a "real" one before so we decided to check out Pistacia Vera for a Parisian Macaron.  We actually picked a pastry to eat there and a few macarons for later that night.

The bakery was in the Germantown neighborhood and was packed with a continuous flow of traffic.  Camden picked a  pumpkin pecan dacquoise and Kevin and I shared a pear cranberry frangipane.  These were both very good.  Camden could hardly wait for her dad to get a fork (she actually asked me to take this posed picture since she thought it would be funny).

Camden picked a cherry zinfandel macaron and we selected a toasted coconut, brown butter almond, and pistachio lavender.  They were about what I expected and nothing I would have to have again.  Guess it's just not my kind of dessert. 

Of course, though it's not pictured, we can't leave a french bakery without Camden having a croissant for later.  She had it the next day on the trip home and it was a good one. 

We asked some locals at a table next to us for a dinner recommendation and they suggested Marcella's which is an Italian place with a location nearby in the Short North neighborhood.  These area was having a gallery walk so the streets were lively with people.  The restaurant had a lively atmosphere and was very authentic food.  Probably the best olive oil served with bread that we have ever had.  They specialize in small plates, but we both had a dinner.  We did split a melted pecorino cheese appetizer (crustini, apple, truffle honey, melted pecorino) that was amazing!

Kevin had the Ravioli Mezzaluna that had goat cheese ravioli with cabbage, italian bacon and mushroom.  He loved it, I couldn't stand it (very rare experience!).  He also got their famous braised veal meatball on the side.  Not only was it huge (see below), but the best meatball that I have ever had.

I had the Gnocchi Con Bolognese (made with braised lamb).  Gnocchi is my favorite Italian dish and this one was fair.  I usually don't have it in a red sauce so, while it was yummy, it was not my favorite.  Camden had butter spaghetti noodles and a plate of fresh fruit (cantaloupe and grapes).  She thought it (and the bread and oil) was the best she had ever had.

After dinner we walked down the street to Jeni's Ice Cream Shop.  It is a Columbus treasure.  There flavors were very unique.  We sampled everything from  sweet corn spoon bread to lemon buttermilk frozen yogurt to brambleberry crisp.

Camden loved the darkest chocolate and red raspberry sorbet in a cone.  Kevin and I got a dish of bourbon salted pecan, pistachio & honey, and brown butter almond brittle.

COSI

Columbus is home to the #1 science and industry museum in the country (yes, over Chicago).  It's called COSI (Center of Science and Industry).  It is part of the passport program so we didn't have to pay to visit.  Although you do have to remember to take the card out of the wallet you left in the hotel room or you have to make a trip back to get it so you can save the $55 in admission fees.  Good thing it was only 10 minutes down the road!

The COSI reminded me of the Indianapolis Children's Museum with maybe a bit more hands-on stuff.  One of the exhibit halls was actually the Lego traveling exhibit from the Children's Museum.  There were many cool displays of Lego structures but Camden's favorite part was the building area.

In the hall was a contraption that you had to lift a bowling ball by pulling a rope and when you released it, a tennis ball was shot into the air up towards a target on the ceiling.  If you hit the bulls-eye, it would light up.  Camden had a perfect shot.

Next we went to the Ocean exhibit.   Camden enjoyed boarding a small submarine.

We looked at exhibits of sunken treasures and played in the water room.

Next we went to the hall of Gadgets and attended a 3-D show that was all about light (and explosions!).

We spent some time in the Lab Space where OSU actually has working labs doing research alongside the hands-on stuff of guests.

We also spent some time in the Space area.  Finally, we went outside to the Big Science Park.  Kevin and I had left our coats in the car and were a bit cold, but Camden could have played here for hours.  It was a beautiful day (just a bit chilly) and she enjoyed using the giant level system to lift a car.

There was so much more to experience (some had additional fees) but we had a terrific time and highly recommend this fabulous spot for families.

Drury Inn & Suites - Columbus, OH

When traveling, our hotel of choice lately has been the Drury Inn chain.  They have nice rooms, indoor pools and whirlpools, an evening snack/dinner, and hot breakfast included.  We are also part of their loyalty program.  We decided to take a mini-vacation the weekend after New Year's.  We looked on the Drury website and saw that Columbus had 15% off all stays.  We had not really "explored" this city before so we were game.

We decided to get a king suite so that there was a separate bedroom and two TV's so we all could relax and watch what we wanted.  Plus with the discount, it was a great deal!  We actually choose a hotel in Dublin (about 10 minutes from downtown).  After I booked it I remembered that I had gotten an email from the loyalty club with a free upgrade.  I decided to ask at check-in if we could pay for the regular room and still get the king suite with our free upgrade.  They said they could do that but needed to check the price.  Turns out that our discount actually got us the best rate.  Would we want to upgrade to an "over-sized" king suite.  I didn't know that existed, but YES!

Pictures will not do it justice.  This place was huge.  You walk into the living room area that was about the size of the Braund's living room.

A bathroom area was just off of this area and then the king bedroom.  It was the same size as the living area.

Camden slept the first night on the couch/pull-out bed, but in the middle of the second night came into our room because she was cold.   She snuggled up to her dad, got warmed up and we all slept comfortably.  Great room!

Carnegie Museum

The last few years we have bought an annual family membership to the Imagination Station in Lafayette.  This is because it is part of the passport program that allows free admission to 100's of museums across the country who are also part of the program (this included our beloved Terre Haute Children's Museum).  And it was the cheapest membership around.   That changed this year when they doubled their membership rate!  I looked around and discovered that our itty-bitty museum in Crawfordsville actually was part of the program...and for only $25! 

We spent a little bit of time doing some of their activities (which are few for children) and looking at various items. 

But the reason we bought it this week was for a trip to a bigger museum on our mini-vacation to Columbus, Ohio later in the week (details to follow).

Buccanear Bay

On New Year's Eve, we asked Camden's friend, Rhianah if she wanted to come with us to Buccanear Bay waterpark in Lafayette.  We still had a few passes that Camden won at Waveland.  When I checked the website, however, they were closing early for a NYE party.  Admission was reduced to only $5 for the 10am-3pm time slot.  This was a steal and 3-4 hours was all we had planned to stay anyway.

Rhianah wasn't a fan of the slides, but they enjoyed playing together throughout the area.

Besides, Camden took enough turns down the big one to count for both of them! 

Bowling

Since I had the week off between Christmas and New Year's, Camden and I did lots of little things.  One of her requests was bowling.  She likes to use the ball ramp (even though it's not totally necessary) to help her aim at the pins.

Christmas Cookies

Camden left an excellent treat for Santa - white chocolate macadamia nut cookies (which I have on authority are one of his favorites), cold milk, and a miniature candy bar sleigh (complete with chocolate Santa) that she made at the Zone.  She also left some reindeer food on the front sidewalk.

All were gone on Christmas morning!