OK so it was a little cold but I just had that antsy feeling and needed to just get out and have fun with the kids. So we went to the zoo. Oh, the wonders of Homeschooling!
Our zoo style is to select one or two areas and hang out there for an extended period of time. And then make some hit and run stops to a few additional animals along the way. We quickly hit the flamingos and the manatees (the divers were cleaning the rock along the edges of the tank which was more interesting than the animal that day). And we camped out at the aquarium with sketch pads and pastels. It was fairly warm when we left so we hit the polar bears. There was an attendant there and the kids peppered her with questions and we followed her to check out the brown bears. They are in an intermediate stage before full hibernation and were sleeping right next to the glass. We stayed long enough to watch them get up, yawn and stretch. They are enormous and amazing creatures.
Upon completion of the hay ride, I was the only mom to exit the wagon completely covered in hay. It had been stuffed in my pockets, the hood of my sweat shirt, into my shoes and socks, up my sleeves and dumped over my head. Thanks Madison, for a hay ride like none other. Sure they look so docile and pleasant in this picture—all that proves is that they know how to avoid documentation of their tricks and larking about.
As we pulled into the parking lot I realized we forgot the stroller. Thankfully the museum had some we could use (a double, no less) or it would have been a long afternoon juggling coats, kids and attitudes. As it was everyone was well behaved and patient and we had a pleasant afternoon. 
You learn something new every day, is how the saying goes. I expected to learn a thing or two visiting a new museum, especially about airplanes, which I know little about. But the most striking thing I learned was about my husband. He has quite an extensive knowledge of aircraft, their names, how they're used, and why they are shaped the way they are—which, as I was informed, he claims is common sense. It was a blast seeing him share his enthusiasm with the kids. 
It's hard to get a good amateur picture as the lighting is so dark, but here are the kids with a missile towering over them. I had no idea the missiles were this large.
Awed by everything—from the Giant nutcracker that greeted us at the entrance, to the ornate gold details of the Ohio Theater, to the enormous chandelier and elaborate ceilings, to the musicians warming up and the stand where the "boss" (conductor) stands to conduct—the girls 
Maddie's eagle-eye spotted this walking stick on the boardwalk. Those guys can really move when a two-year-old is on their trail!
I had no idea that we live so close to a large population of Old Order Amish. The way they harvest their corn makes their fields distinctive this time of year. Many of the homes post signs with the products they have for sale. We didn't have time to get any brown eggs or homemade cheese, but we'll consider that in our timing next trip and be sure we visit a few of these farms. 
This is the spring house that sits over the cold stream near the main house. I originally thought it to be an outhouse... but I later read that the sisters wouldn't allow an outhouse on the property because it would cause too much "embarrassment." Huh.
