Shademakers Gardening in Oxford

We made our annual trip out to Shademakers yesterday. It's one of the few times I actually plan around bringing my kids with me to shop. Shademakers is basically a farm with a greenhouse out on Fairfield Rd. (not far from the Community Park). Besides the kids gardening items they usually carry in their store, and the cool selection of plants and organic seeds. They also have farm animals for kids to see and pet. When we have gone, the workers have been great about offering to show my kids the animals. Our first time there, she actually walked the kids over to see the donkey while I picked out our flowers.

Yesterday we discovered 5-6 baby chicks had been born, and SC even got to hold one! Thomas, the big goat, loves to be petted. And Claribel, their minature donkey, is SC's favorite. The worker said there is a possibility that Claribell might be pregnant. SC got the biggest kick hearing about the "love affair" between Cocoa and Claribell--the worker said that Cocoa, a miniture donkey from a nearby farm, and Claribell spent some time together. She said that Claribell sometimes calls to Cocoa because she misses him (sweet!).

Directions: Take Fairfield Ave. out of town, past Oxford Community Park. Shademakers will be on your left (after Riggs Rd.).

A swimming pool you wouldn't think of....

Most people don't know that you can buy a pass to swim at the Baymont Inn on 27. We have friends who go to the Baymont Inn (formerly Amerihost Inn) to swim every morning. The monthly family passes are an exceptionally great value. Baymont Inn's indoor pool isn't huge, but Sullivan and Theo have liked it the times we've been there. It's not normally crowded, especially mid-week. There isn't a lifeguard (like most hotel pools), so parents have to be in with their kids.

An individual monthly pass is $20, but a Family pass (which includes everyone in your immediate family) is $25 for the month.

I think that makes this a great option -- especially during the "cabin-fever inducing" winter months.

Directions: Take 27 North out of Oxford. It will be on your right following Wendy's a bit (before Walmart).

Phone: 523-2733

*Holiday Drive-In Movie Theater*

I can still remember the first time I went to a drive-in movie: The Muppets Take Manhattan. I still think it's genius. There is food, and often multiple movies, merged with the joy of being under the stars. As a mom, the really appealing part is that I don't have to worry about ruining the movie experience for someone else when one of my kids gets cranky.

So we were ecstatic to discover the Holiday Auto Drive-In Theater in Hamilton. http://www.holidayautotheatre.com/
It is actually about 2 minutes from Hanover park, so it is maybe 20 minutes from Oxford. We have been twice, once with the kids and once on a date. We dream of going every time we get our e-mail update about what's playing, though! They were both great experiences. The coolest thing was the intermission snack commercials between the movies, complete with classic cartoons. We felt like we were blasted into the past as the singing hotdog did a song and dance on how "weiners" will fix friendships and make everyone happy...wouldn't you like to have a weiner?

The Drive-in just went under new ownership that has started "Retro Wednesday and Thursdays." These are school nights, so we are eagerly awaiting summertime. A good example of retro night was when they did John Hughes and showed "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles" and "Breakfast Club." They've also had Alfred Hitcock and other cool movies. RETRO prices are only $5.00 for adults, $2.00 for kids ages 4-11, and free for kids under 4. Box office opens at 6pm with a 700pm showtime.

The new ownership has also been doing more triple features on weekends, which is cool. During the winter, they are only open daily until Jan. 1st. Last year they closed for the cold months, and reopened in the spring. I would check out the website to see what's going on!

Admission Prices...Adults: $8.00, Children under 11: $5.00, Children under 4: FREE!

The only down-side, is that the movies run late (8pm-Mid, or 1am). So, if you think you're kids will sleep in the car, you'll have it made. Ours didn't which is why we don't go as much as we'd like to.

Tips: Bring lawnchairs if it's warm out! And they have Wi-Fi, so you can bring your laptop and get high speed. You can buy an outside food permit, to allow you to bring your own food (it's $5.00), but otherwise outside food will get you thrown out. I would arrive early on nice, summer, weekends. We've been past on nice summer nights and the traffic was aweful.

***Sign-up for their e-mail list and you'll get weekly updates on what is playing and all their special events.

Directions: Take 27 south, out of Oxford. Turn left at the second (out of town) light, Old Oxford Road. This will take you past Hanover park and the water company. The Drive-in is on your left (2-3 minutes past Hanover park).

Sledding in Oxford!

With our second snow of the season (where did our road go?), I felt inspired to blog some great sledding locations. If you have any additions of little known sledding hills, please leave a comment or e-mail me and I'll add it on!

The very best unofficial sledding hill I have ever seen is next to the horseman's area of Hueston woods. In fact, I hesitate to post it because we love it when it's not crowded:) The hill is close to parking, well monitored on clear, busy days, and REALLY big and fun. 3-4 year olds would be okay (if you maybe didn't go to top), but older kids (including parents) would especially have a blast.

Directions: From Brown Rd. Take Brown road out of Oxford to the end. Turn left at the "T." Drive past the Nature area turn, over a small creek bridge, and turn left at the bike rental booth. We always get this turn mixed up with the camping ground turn, but I think it's the left turn after the camp grounds (before the sign in the picture that says "Tours Rentals"). You'll curve to the right, and there is the horse area on your right almost immediately. Turn into that area, and it will "U" around back to the road. Follow the U past the horse area, before it rejoins the road, and you're there. There is parking, and you'll see the sledding hill off the driveway onto your right.

From Todd Rd. (the road next to Walmart). Follow Todd Rd. to Hueston Woods. It joins another road (there may be a stop there) and curves around a bit. When it "T"'s (there are boats parked on your right), turn left. Turn left at the bike rental booth (2nd turn), then follow it around and turn into the horseman area on your right (as mentioned above).

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I heard from a mom at playgroup a few weeks ago that the Miami University Art Museum has a great sledding hill behind the museum. That's the other side of Oxford for us, but when the roads are clear I'd like to check it out.

Directions: Take 27 South (east) past the clock tower, and the museum is on your left before you get out of town. You can't miss the big, weird, red, metal sculpture thing in front.

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Another sledding area near the Art Museum is Peffer Park. I heard from another mom that it's a popular sledding location!

Directions: Continue on 27 South past the Art Museum, and Peffer Park is on your right (I actually looked those directions up on google maps, so hopefully that's right...it might be left).