Our Camping Experience at O'Bannon Woods State Park

            Hey folks! Now that I'm finally feeling better and the “morning sickness” has gone away for the most part, we were finally able to go camping again! It kind of worked out for the best because neither of us like camping when it's hot out and I was nauseous most of the summer. Anyways...

            Although I didn't get to visit nearly as many state parks this year as I would have liked, I was wanting to visit O'Bannon Woods State Park. It was fortunate that it happened to be really close to the cave that we needed to visit for another review. Don't you love when a plan comes together so easily? So, just like we did in May camping at Brown County, we headed to O'Bannon Woods after the holiday (Labor Day). (Have I mentioned we're just a smidge anti-social?!)

            Not that it was packed by any means, but we were actually kind of surprised by how many people were there camping the weekend we went. As I mentioned, it was the weekend after Labor Day AND the park itself is fairly out in the boonies, if you will. In case you're curious, there are a little over 200 sites with electric hook-ups.

            If you've never been on ReserveAmerica, it's a great resource for campers. We used it to scope out campsites ahead of time for our Brown County trip, but this was the first time we actually reserved a spot ahead of time. We probably won't be doing that again. Through no fault of their own, let's just say the spot we reserved was not nearly as level as it looked like in the picture online. Needless to say, since we tent camp, our first order of business upon arriving was to switch spots. Luckily, there was one right across the “road” that was much better!

            So, what were some things we enjoyed?

*It was pretty quiet!

*There are 4 bathhouses, so the majority of the sites aren't too far away from any given restroom. (Important for tent campers AND those with young children!)

*Their bathhouses were actually pretty clean. They had their cleaning schedule posted near the door and you could tell someone actually kept up with it. I have found bathhouses a bit lacking in a lot of our past camping experiences since, let's be real: There are a lot more RV and camper campers than tent campers in most campgrounds. It's easy to see why bathrooms would get overlooked!

*Plenty of picnic tables at each site. Like, seriously. It was kind of insane how many tables they had. I think there were at least two at each site, if not more. Ours had three!

*The staff was relatively friendly.

            Other than the camping part itself, we also enjoyed:

*All the persimmon trees. There were a ton!

*All of the wildlife we saw. Lots and lots of deer. We even saw some turkeys in the campground!

*The 1850's farmstead was fun to walk around. I've always been into pioneer living and stuff like that, so I enjoyed it. Everyone else did too, even the kids!

*The big area for picnicing and whatnot next to the Ohio River section was nice. It kind of felt like a smaller park within a bigger park. The view of the river and Kentucky on the other side were great. We went for a short little walk along the trail next to it as well. My only regret? Not bringing our fishing gear! (Not that you could have fished from the bank, as high as it was, but I'm sure there were probably plenty of other areas nearby to go fishing at.)

*The nature center was AMAZING! I cannot say enough good things about it. I was actually surprised by how many displays and whatnot they had for being such a rural park. It was a big center with lots to see! Live snakes, turtles, and other aquatic creatures, as well as a bird viewing room which included displays of butterflies, moths, other creepy crawlies, and bird feathers. We were even able to pick up a bird house kit for a small donation and picked up some sheets on how to build other types of bird houses and bat boxes. Cool!

            A few complaints...

*Like I said, there was the issue with the picture online of our site being misleading and having to switch, but that issue was easily resolved.

*The campground office did not open anywhere close to what it was supposed to Saturday morning. John kept waiting and waiting so he could buy some fire wood, but the lady still hadn't arrived by the time we left, which was around 10:30. We did eventually buy some from the front gate when we got back mid-afternoon.

*The locks on two of the three bathroom stalls in our bathhouse didn't work. Again, not too many people frequent the public restrooms, so it wasn't too big of a deal, but still.

            Overall, we all had a good time. We really enjoyed what we were able to check out at the park and regret that we didn't have more time to check out some of the trails. However, and not to sound too contradictory to my previous statements, but we will probably not be back for a couple of reasons. First of all, the distance! This park is over 2 hours away for us. And number two: The other campers weren't very friendly. It was kind of bizarre. It kind of made the atmosphere weird and “ruined it for us”. I don't know how to explain it and I'm sure I sound like a nutbag, but it is what it is!

            If nothing else, stop by O'Bannon Woods State Park for the afternoon and have a picnic next to the Ohio and wander around the nature center and 1850's farmstead. They're worth it if you're in the neighborhood!

P.s. Be sure to watch the video below for more elaborating on certain things, better views of the farmstead, and more!

Messmatz Giveaway

Sponsored By: Messmatz

Hosted By: Love, Mrs. Mommy

Winner will receive: 

A Messmatz in winner's choice of in-stock color (blue, pink, or green)! Up to a $32.11 RV!

            What kid doesn’t love to play, create, and make a mess? I know my daughter does and she could definitely receive a gold star in this category. I like her to have fun, but sometimes the clean-up can be quite the challenge, or just a plain old hassle. That’s why I love Messmatz! I seriously think that if you have a child, you should own one of these!
            Messmatz is a non-toxic, food-grade silicone activity mat, safe to play on and even eat off of! There is a soft and flexible perimeter lip, which is great for containing messes or spills and will leave your surface protected. It’s large in size (24” x 18”) and even comes in three colors: pink, green, and blue!

Click here to read Love, Mrs. Mommy's full review!

Protects surfaces-Firm enough for writing and coloring-Cleans easily-Rolls up for storage-Non-toxic, food-grade silicone-Handy for crafters of all ages-24 in x 18 in (60.96 cm x 30.48 cm)

Open to the Continental US and Canada. Must be 18+ to enter.

Giveaway Dates ~ 9/27 12:01 AM EST through 10/19 11:59PM EST

Entry-Form

Disclosure: Love, Mrs. Mommy and all participating bloggers are not held responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill their prize obligations. This giveaway is in no way endorsed or sponsored by Facebook or any other social media site. The winner will be randomly drawn by Giveaway Tools and will be notified by email. Winner has 48 hours to reply before a replacement winner will be drawn. If you would like to participate in an event like this please contact LoveMrsMommy (at) gmail (dot) com.

Cars 3 Roller Coaster Giveaway

 On your mark, get set, and go with the Disney Pixar© Cars 3™ Roller Coaster by Step2! Mini racers can climb to the top of this toy coaster using the non-slip steps and speed off to the races. With 7-feet of coaster track, kiddos can race to see who drives Lightning McQueen the furthest. When coaster races are over, Mom or Dad can return the coaster car to the platform for the next thrill seeker to race off into coaster riding fun! Made in USA of US and imported parts.

• Kids roller coaster features 7-feet of coaster track
• Little racers can easily climb to the top of the coaster with the non-slip steps
• Race off to the finish line with the Lightning McQueen themed coaster car!
• Maximum coaster car weight limit: 50 lbs. (22.7 kg)
• ©2017 Disney Pixar, Inc. All rights reserved. Cars 3 is a registered trademark of Disney Pixar©
• Adult assembly required

Check out some fun tips from Elia at Conservamom on how to help your toddler problem solve and she reviewed this great toy as well! So check it out in action. You can purchase the Step2 Disney Pixar Cars 3 Roller Coaster online at Step2.com Now for the best part! One lucky reader will have the chance to win this fun Roller Coaster for their little one adventurer! This giveaway is open to Continental US only and ends on 10/9 at 11:59pmEST. Must be 18yo+ to enter. Good luck!!

Entry-Form

Disclosure: All opinions are 100% mine. This giveaway is in no way associated with, sponsored, administered, or endorsed by Facebook, Twitter, Google, Pinterest or any other social media network.All opinions and experiences are Conservamom‘s. Open to US Residents only, must be 18+. Confirmed Winner(s) will be contacted through email and have 48 hours to respond before a new winner will be drawn. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. The sponsor will be responsible for product fulfillment to winner(s) of the giveaway. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. For questions or to see your product featured in an Event you can contact Elia At Conservamom

Monthly Crafting Book Club: Pumpkin Cat

            Hey folks! We're back after taking a few months' hiatus from the Monthly Crafting Book Club. This month's theme is pumpkin books in preparation for the coming of fall! We checked out quite a few pumpkin and fall themed books at the library recently, so it was easy to pick one out.

            I decided on Pumpkin Cat. It's a simple, straight-forward book teaching about where pumpkins come from. Cat is curious about this, so mouse teaches him about seeds and taking care of the pumpkin plant as it grows. They even carve a jack-o-lantern at the end!

            To be totally honest, I waited until the last minute on participating this month. So, I decided to do a simple pop up cat craft. Super easy and cute! Let's get to it!

Pop Up Cat Craft

Recommended for ages 3 and up

What You'll Need:

-Foam in orange, brown, and black

-Pumpkin and cat template

-Craft stick (aka popsicle stick)

-Scissors

-Marker

-Glue

*Find a pumpkin and cat template you like. You may have to tweak the sizes some before printing. That's what I did. You can get an idea for the ratio in the picture of my templates.

*Cut your templates out.

*Trace your templates onto the corresponding color of foam.

*Cut out your foam pieces.

*Glue your stem piece onto the front of the pumpkin. (So your cat isn't hitting it when you move him up and down.) I chose to draw some lines on the pumpkin as well to make it look a bit more like a pumpkin. :)

*Glue your craft stick onto one side of your cat piece.

*Lay your cat piece as far down on the pumpkin piece as you can. Cut a strip of foam (doesn't matter what color) wide enough that it should keep the cat secured while not in use, but large enough to move the cat up and down easily when in play.

Don't forget to check out what the other bloggers did this month!

 

  

Explore Indiana Caverns This Fall!

            Hey folks! Already thinking of what to do with the kids over fall break? Or maybe you're just looking for something different to do this weekend? Either way, I have just the place for you!

            Before I go on, I have one more question for you: Did you know that Indiana has caves? Believe it or not, the Hoosier state actually boasts several touring caves, including Indiana Caverns. Located outside of historic Corydon, Indiana, not only is Indiana Caverns the newest touring cave to open to the public in Indiana, it is also the longest! Here are some of the features you can enjoy on your visit:

*35' waterfall

*Lots of Ice Age bones (In fact, they boast one of the largest collections of Ice Age bones in North America!)

*A 25 minute underground boat ride

*Rare cave life

*And more!

            Indiana Caverns offers more than just one cave tour. (As if that's not cool enough, right?) If you're one of those people who are extra adventurous, be sure to look into the Deep Darkness expedition, where you can explore the subterranean river like real cavers do by wading and kayaking: complete with a helmet mounted light, kneepads, and the works!

            If you have a younger explorer with you, Indiana Caverns has something for them too. Kids can get an idea of what real spelunking is all about in the 400 foot tunnel “Cavern of the Sabertooth”. Don't forget to look for the treasure!

            For those of you looking for something more laid back, there is gem sluicing, trails on the surface of the property to enjoy, and a huge gift shop! As you can imagine, you can easily make an afternoon at Indiana Caverns, which is exactly what we did recently!

            Our experience with Indiana Caverns started out on a late Friday evening. Without stopping, it is about a 2 ½ hour drive for us, so we ended up getting to the area an hour plus later than I had hoped. That being said, we got there right as the last tour for the day was leaving and none of us like being rushed, so we decided to check all of their other stuff out and do the tour the next day.

            I made the mistake of opening my big mouth beforehand that they had a “kiddie cave” that Myka could do, so naturally that was the first thing she wanted to do. However, we were not aware that one of us would have to go in with her as it is kind of intended for older kids. Since John has bad knees, I was the obvious candidate. Long story shorter, I ended up freaking myself out (Though I'm not normally claustrophobic. I was more afraid of not being able to get out, for whatever reason.) so John did end up going in with her. Poor guy. Myka had fun, though!

            We also wandered around the gift shop that evening as well. It has tons of items, whether you're looking for something for yourself, friends and family, adults, or children. Stuffed animals, gems and geodes, t-shirts, salt lamps, and so much more!

            We had good timing the next day and got on a tour as soon as we arrived. They don't really have any set times that they start tours, by the way. They're kind of “on demand” and as soon as there are enough people wanting to go down, they start a tour!

            I have to admit, the Indiana Caverns tour was different from any other cave tour I've ever been on. (And I've seen quite a few caves in my 30 years, including Mammoth Cave!) While the tour is an hour and a half long, distance-wise it is pretty short. You stop at several different spots along the way and learn about the different geological features and creatures the Ice Age bones belong to. (There are quite a lot, as I mentioned earlier, so if history and/or archeology are your thing, you will love this place!)

            Warning: Be prepared for MANY stairs. As with any cave you visit, there are going to be stairs, of course, but once you get down to a certain level, or the “main cavern”, it levels out and you are walking “straight” for the remainder of the tour until you get to the end. With Indiana Caverns, we both felt like we were walking up and down stairs almost the entire time (besides the boat ride, of course). Admittedly, it was even more difficult for me because Ripley had pretty much no desire to walk even on the straightaways so I was carrying her the majority of the time, but you've been warned. If you're really out of shape or have young children who can walk, but are too big to be carried in a carrier on the front, you may want to reconsider.

            Although the little one was quite whiny, Myka on the other hand had a blast! It was her first time in a cave, so she was naturally fascinated by everything, including the bones. She has an obsession with boats, so that was one of the highlights for her too. I don't really care for boats, but it was a nice break in the middle of the tour. I was a little disappointed we didn't see any cave fish, but we did spot a cave crayfish before reaching the boats. Also, oddly enough, the boat tour part was the driest area of the cave we saw. The rest of the cave is very wet and drippy! Hence the 35' waterfall at the beginning!

            I was also a little disappointed our tour guide didn't talk more about the different cave formations, such as “soda straws” and “cave bacon”. (Seriously. It's a thing. Look it up.) She did touch on the differences and formation of stalactites and stalagmites briefly.

            Myka, my husband, and his parents are really into rocks and gems and the like, so naturally we had to buy a big ole bag of rocks to sluice through after our cave tour. We got some really big chunks of amethyst and several smaller pieces that John and I weren't even sure what they were. One looked like amber, which I thought was pretty neat! They do offer a pamphlet showcasing fossils and gems so you can try to figure out what you found, which is nice.

            After not sleeping well the night before (Love camping. Hate air mattresses.) and being pooped out from the cave tour, we decided to call it a day. Overall, I think we all had a good time. It's definitely a unique, family-friendly spot to spend the afternoon. So long as you're not claustrophobic, I highly recommend anyone visit a cave at least once in their life. Why not Indiana Caverns?

            You can stay up-to-date with them on Facebook and Instagram.

Mixed Bag Mama was not compensated monetarily for this post. We received cave tour tickets in return for our honest review. All opinions are my own and may differ from yours. 
 

Pregnancy Journal #5: Where Did This Come From?!

            Hey folks! It's been a minute since a pregnancy update. Some things have been going on! Let's start off with the not-so-fun thing.

            First off, I supposedly have gestational diabetes...again. I had my one hour glucola test super early this time since I had GD with my last pregnancy. The lab lady called me and gave me the option to either go ahead and take the diabetes education class or do the 3 hour test. I didn't figure it would do me any good to do the 3 hour test, so why in the hell would I want to put myself through that again?

            I (mostly nicely) explained to the lady that I had just taken the diabetes education class less than 2 years ago with my last pregnancy and literally had all of the paperwork from it right in front of me under my desk and asked if I could just start checking my blood sugar. Surprisingly, she said that would be fine. I have a feeling the doctor will still try to talk me into taking the stupid class again, but that's why I plan on taking reinforcements with me to my next appointment. (John) I mean, if the doctor wants to pay the $100 for the class, then by all means. I have many other things to do with my time and money, though.

            Other than that, the bump in the picture at the top magically appeared around 14/15 weeks. Well, at least that's when I finally let John convince me that no, I didn't just look fat. :P I don't know why it surprises me so much since, ya know, this is my third kid. I guess I didn't expect it already since I'm “fluffy”. But, on the other hand, I'm already 4 months pregnant somehow! What?! Anyways, it's always fun getting past the scary (and yucky) 1^st trimester and starting to actually look pregnant. (Though I still have some lingering nausea somedays. Wtf is up with that?!)

            Soooo I'm one of those people who always buys for everyone else first, especially my kids. I need new clothes when I'm not pregnant. As you can imagine, I'm in desperate need of some new (or new to me) maternity clothes. I have used the same pair of maternity jeans since Myka and just told John earlier today that I'm surprised I haven't busted a hole in the crotch yet. :/ I only have one other pair, but they're not comfortable. Neither are my shorts, really.

How comfy do these look?! Find them on Wish.com.

            This time, I think I am going to go the “dress and tights” route. I figure I can still use the dresses afterwards because I like things comfy, right? I never thought I would be “that mom” because honestly, I usually dress so plainly. I'm the very definition of “jeans and t-shirt type of person”. No, really. Look it up in the dictionary. My picture is next to it.

            Anyways, I've been wanting to wear dresses again lately, but I haven't for years because I feel like they make me look even fatter than I already feel. :/ As far as the tights, I figure those sound a helluva lot more comfortable and easier to find ones that I like than maternity jeans. Fact: Did you know that it is damn near impossible to find maternity jeans for short people?!

What was your favorite thing to wear while pregnant?

Chimparoo Trek Air-O Carrier Giveaway

            Woven wrap soft structured carrier conversions are highly sought after. They're beautiful, supportive but soft and stand out from their cotton print and canvas opponents. However, they can be very expensive because you must purchase the wrap and the conversion. Until now. Recently, Chimparoo added a new designer collection with woven wraps, Mei Tais, ringslings and TREK carriers made from gorgeous woven fabric: The Chimparoo Designer Collection. Now, the popular TREK carrier comes in both a standard woven conversion and in the new TREK Air-O that features a breathable panel. This helps keep baby cool while providing support. Enter to win your choice of TREK Air-O from Chimparoo below!

            The Chimparoo TREK Air-O is made with the same beautiful jacquard woven fabric as the woven wraps and features a breathable panel. You can read Mama Banana's Adventures Designer TREK review for details about the collection. However, unlike a wrap, it goes on and buckles quickly for shopping, traveling, hiking or even at home. The carriers are both beautiful and functional. You can see the product features and purchase on the Chimparoo website. Chimparoo TREK Air-O Features Include

• Mesh panel for ventilation
• Adjustment and support system that is ergonomic
• Comfortable, practical and simple
• From birth to early childhood. (7-45 lbs).
• Stretchy head support and seat for newborn
• 3 carrying positions
  • Front
  • Hip
  • Back
• Padded shoulder straps and semi-rigid waistbelt
• Adjustable and multi-positional shoulder straps
• Designed to be used with stirrups (optional)
• Woven from organic cotton, certified free from toxic chemicals
• One size
• DVD included
• Made in Canada
• Jacquard Woven Fabric

            Great for warm weather, for babies who get warm in a carrier and for seeing baby's position through the front! The Designer Collection TREK Air-O starts at $210 and comes in Dandelion or Lune. Chimparoo does recommend washing the carrier before first use following their instructions.

            For the giveaway! Enter to win a TREK Air-O in your choice from in-stock at Chimparoo. This giveaway is open to USA & Canada and ends 10/15.

Entry-Form

Disclosure: Chances of winning are based on the number of entries received. This giveaway is in no way associated with, sponsored, administered, or endorsed by Facebook, Twitter, Google, Pinterest or any other social media network. Open to USA & Canada, winners must be 18+, void where prohibited. Confirmed Winner(s) will be contacted by email and have 48 hours to respond before a new winner will be drawn. No purchase necessary. Participating bloggers are not responsible prize fulfilment, or for lost or stolen prizes. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Event organized by Mama Banana's Adventures, please direct questions about promotion to MamaBananasAdventures@gmail.com.

Lottie Doll Giveaway

Welcome to the Lottie Doll Giveaway!

Sponsored By: Arklu

Hosted By: Mixed Bag Mama

            Do you know a little boy or little girl who loves dolls? Then you'll definitely want to check out the Lottie Dolls line! With a variety of interests ranging from nature photography to journalism, ballet to kite flying, you are sure to find a doll that grabs your child's interest!

            What else makes Lottie Dolls special? For starters, they are proportionate to 9 year olds, so they both look AND move like real kids! Lottie Dolls are also inspired by real children and focus on presenting healthy body images. (How important is that in this day and age?!)

            What is a girl without some accessories? You can also purchase extra outfits and even pets, a scooter, picnic set and more for your Lottie or Finn dolls. To check out all of the items Arklu has to offer in the Lottie Doll line, be sure to visit their website and sign up for Club Lottie for special deals and announcements! For a firsthand experience with Lottie Dolls, please head over to Mixed Bag Mama's review. 

            Time for the fun part! Simply enter the giveaway form below for a chance to win your own Lottie Doll ($25 value or under). Open worldwide! Good luck!

Entry-Form

Arklu is responsible for prize shipment. All promoting blogs were not compensated for sharing. This giveaway is not associated with any social media platforms including, but not limited to, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube.

Fun With Forest Friend & Pandora the Persian Cat! (Lottie Doll Review)

            Hey folks! What little girl (or boy!) doesn't love dolls at some point in their childhood? (Well, mine, evidently, but I'll get to more on that in a minute.) I am very excited to share with you about Lottie Dolls today and what makes them special!

To get started, here are some basic things you need to know about Lottie Dolls (per their website):

*They are inspired by real kids-Lottie and Finn dolls are proportionate to 9 year old children, so they look and act real.

*When launching the Lottie brand, Arklu’s vision was to create a range of dolls that would empower children to be themselves, to be imaginative and adventurous and - most of all – to have fun. Lottie is all about letting children be themselves, not growing up too quickly, and presenting a healthy view on body image. (I think we all know how important that is in this day and age.)

*Since Lottie’s launch in August 2012, the collection of dolls and accessories are now on sale in over 30 countries, have won 35 international toy awards and were 2017 finalists in the US Toy of the Year Awards (TOTY). Lottie, Finn and friends are stocked in over 3,000 stores worldwide.

            They sound pretty awesome, right? We were recently given the opportunity to try out one Lottie and Friends Doll and one accessory. We are big nature fans, so naturally Myka gravitated toward the Forest Friend Lottie and Pandora the Persian Cat was also a no-brainer. Here are some of our thoughts on them (which you can also watch in our video at the end!):

*I like:

-How bendy the Lottie dolls are.

-How small they are. Think the size of a Chelsea doll, Barbie's little sister. Though they are made for 3 year olds and up, even my 20 month old has an easy time holding her.

-That she doesn't have a bunch of crazy make up on or a risque outfit.

-All the accessories that come with the cat! Pet bed, two types of food, a toy... Really helps with the imaginative play.

-Not specific to our doll, but I like that the line of dolls have a wide variety of interests, such as horse riding, various nature aspects, art, journalism, etc. And that there is a boy doll too!

*The kids like:

-Her hair, shoes, and pretty dress (According to Myka)

-How small and easy to move she is...And the cat, of course. (Because both kids are obsessed with cats.) (If Ripley could talk. ;) )

            To be honest, Ripley has enjoyed playing with both the Forest Friend doll and Pandora the Persian Cat more than Myka. In fact, one morning, even after she was finished playing with it, she carried the doll around with her for a good hour and a half. She plays with the cat quite a bit too. I set up the doll house a little one morning and she had fun playing with both of them in there. She is just getting to the age where she can pretend play, so it was fun to watch what she did with them.

            Myka just really isn't into dolls like most little girls her age. My mom bought her some Chelsea doll stuff a couple years ago and she was into them for awhile, so I thought she might like the Lottie Doll. Other than being initially excited over getting something new, she really hasn't played with it much. It will be waiting for her when she is older and might be more into dolls, though. :) (I bet if I get her that Godforsaken doll with the horse, she would play with it all day long! Watch the video to see what I'm talking about. ;) )
            OR, as far as Myka goes, my husband seems to have this other theory that she likes her Lottie Doll SO MUCH that she doesn't want to play with it and mess it up. Since her first few dolls were cheapies from the dollar store and their heads ended up popping off, he thinks she's afraid of breaking this one. Kinda sad, right? So we might have to have a talk about that! Plus, maybe she just wants some more friends for her. Who knows. I got off on a tangent, didn't I?

(I apologize for any visual issues. I am in the process of finding a new video editing program!)

            Be sure to check out all of the Lottie & Friends dolls on their website. You can also sign up for Club Lottie while you're there to receive special discounts, keep up on special announcements, get exclusive Club Lottie bundle offers, and more. You can also stay up-to-date with them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube. And, before you go, be sure to click over to the giveaway page for a chance to win your very own Lottie Doll (with a value of $25 or under)!