Omaha Weekend Family Guide

If you've been following my blog and Facebook the last couple of weeks you know that my family and I went on a vacation to Omaha, Nebraska earlier this month.  So far on the blog I've highlighted a few places we went to, but that doesn't include everything.  So here are our recommendations on how to plan an Omaha Weekend Family Getaway.

Day 1

Omaha Children's Museum

The Omaha Children's Museum is a perfect way to start your family's Omaha Weekend.  Kids can explore, create and learn while venturing through the two levels of exhibits.  Be sure to check out the Super Gravitron Ball Machine and the Imagination Playground while you are there!  With activities for all ages, your family is guaranteed to have several hours of fun there.  Learn more about our visit here.

Watch a Baseball Game

Omaha is the perfect place to go to a baseball game.  Omaha is home to the minor league team, the Omaha Storm Chasers and is home to the College World Series.  When we were visiting earlier this month the Storm Chasers were in town and were actually playing the Iowa Cubs.  So we rooted for both teams 😉  We had a great time sitting in the McDonald's Berm section of Werner Park, and the night we went they had a special where the first 50 kids in the Berm got in for $1!  You can't beat that!  If you plan on sitting in the Berm (the lawn area behind the outfield) be sure to bring a blanket or two the watch the game, and if you are lucky like we were, fireworks afterwards!

Day 2

Durham Museum

Start Day 2 off with a stop at the Durham Museum.  This museum includes two levels of exhibits that will have you go back in time and discover the beginnings of Omaha, housed in the original Omaha Union Station.  From Native Americans, to trains, to Omaha native Warren Buffet - there is something unique to check out around every corner.  I will admit, my family and I enjoyed the Durham Museum more than I thought we were going go to.  They had a lot of interactive exhibits that the whole family enjoyed, and we all were in awe of how they restored the Great Hall of the Union Station.  Learn more about our visit here.

Old Market

Then go next door, and walk the cobblestone streets of the Old Market area.  This historic business district is full of unique dinning and shopping locations, including Ted & Wally's Ice Cream as seen above.  Ted & Wally's eclectic decor and ice cream flavors is worth the stop to see and taste.  If you look in the bottom right side of the photo you can see two large ice cream makers that they make all of their homemade ice cream in.  I had the Roasted Street Corn ice cream when I was there and loved the creamy, unique flavor.

Gene Leahy Mall

On the North side of Old Market is the Gene Leahy Mall.  This park includes waterfalls, unique outdoor art, and two giant slides.  Our family enjoyed walking along the pathway throughout the park that encompasses four blocks, and we all took a trip down the pair of huge slides, many, many times. 😊

Heartland of America Park

Continuing exploring this side of Omaha by then traveling East to Heartland of America Park.  We found a picnic table while we were here to have lunch on and enjoyed watching the 320 foot water fountain (that you can see behind us in the photo).  If you go in the evening they put on a light show in the water fountain!

Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge

Lastly, head North to the Bob Bridge.  This pedestrian bridge links Omaha and Council Bluffs.  Be sure to take your photo standing in both Nebraska and Iowa while you visit!  The Bob is a curvy bridge representing the Missouri River, which it is over.  Our family enjoyed going "Bobbing" and earning our .9K badge.

Day 3

Henry Doorly Zoo

Because you can't see all of Omaha in just two days, make it a long weekend and dedicate an entire day visiting the "World's Best Zoo", the Henry Doorly Zoo.  With over 17,000 animals from around the world over 130 acres, you are guaranteed to see something new and exciting for every member of your family.  And there is a chance that even with one full day at the Zoo that you won't be able to see it all!  With both indoor and outdoor exhibits, the Zoo is the perfect place to visit anytime of the year.  Check out the highlights from our visit here.

We thought Omaha was a fun place for the whole family and that it was very family friendly.  Have you ever been to Omaha before?  What would you add?  What spot on our Weekend Family Guide makes you want to plan a trip to Omaha?  Remember to Comment for a Cause!

Ranch Party Snack Mix

It is official - school has begun for our family!  This year Mr. K is in 1st grade and Miss A is in PreK.  Both kids were very excited for today and I'm so proud to see both of them growing up to be such caring, independent, creative, young kids.  To celebrate this special day, we started off the morning with our traditional celebratory waffles and for after-school I made a batch of my Ranch Party Snack Mix with some of their favorite mix-ins.

How lucky am I?!  A super hero and a mommy.  (Mr. K did clarify for me that he could still be a farmer too but that he would be a super hero first.) Sounds good to me 😉

Now onto the Ranch Party Snack Mix.  The kids helped me create this specific mix and we do variations of it throughout the year.  We actually love making snack mixes together as you can see here, and here, and here.

This snack mix is perfect for the whole family as it combines the ranch flavor with favorite snacks such as Bugles, Goldfish and popcorn.  The popcorn is all for my kids.  They love popcorn and could eat popcorn everyday if I let them.  Now, My Farmer prefers this mix with puffcorn instead but since it was for the kids after-school snack we stuck with regular popcorn.

Ranch Party Snack Mix

8 cups microwave popcorn, butter flavored, popped (you can just eat what is left in the bag while putting together the mix 😉)
2 cups Bugles, original
1 cup Dot's Homestyle Pretzels (Now usually I don't get too much into brands but if you haven't had Dot's Pretzels yet then you are missing out!  And I'm not paid by Dot's to say that - they are that good!)
1 cup Goldfish, cheddar
1 cup Ritz-Bits, cheese cracker sandwiches
1/2 cup butter
4 tsp. Ranch seasoning mix (1/2 of a 1 oz packet)

In a small bowl melt the butter in the microwave and stir in the ranch seasoning until mixed thoroughly.

Mix popcorn, Bugles, pretzels, Goldfish and Ritz-Bits in a large bowl and evenly coat with ranch butter.  Spread mixture on parchment paper lined baking sheets and bake at 300°F for 20 minutes, stirring half-way through.

Let cool 5-10 minutes and serve immediately.  Leftovers can be stored in an air-tight container for up to 2 days.

Do you have any special first day of school traditions?  Any special breakfasts or after-school snacks?  Remember to Comment for a Cause!

13 Back to School Breakfasts

School starts up on Thursday for our oldest two, Mr. K and Miss A, and one thing I like to do on the first day of school is make a special breakfast.  Quite often my go to dish are waffles, as they are our normal "celebration" breakfast food, but after checking out all of the great recipes linked up to the Back to School #Celebrate365 Blog Party, I'm inspired to try out one of these delicious 13 breakfast items to start off their school day on a good note.

Peaches and Cream Overnight Oatmeal, Tip Garden
Baked Vanilla Buttermilk Donuts with Maple Glaze, Kelly Lynn's Sweets & Treats
Cherry Chip Sourdough Muffins, Cooking with Carlee
Breakfast Banana Split, Corn, Beans, Pigs & Kids

Breakfast Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Tip Garden
Cheesy Taco Muffins, The Pajama Chef
Six Week Muffins, Corn, Beans, Pigs & Kids
Low Fat Granola Bars with Bananas, Cranberries & Pecans, Best of Long Island and Central Florida
Banana Chocolate Chip Bran Muffins, Books and Cooks

Whole Milk Yogurt Banana Custard Muffins, Corn, Beans, Pigs & Kids
Baked Peanut Butter Oatmeal, Savory Moments
Chewy Coconut Oil Granola Bars, The Pajama Chef
Quick Peanut Butter & Apple Breakfast Wrap, Tip Garden

Be sure to checkout not only great back to school breakfast ideas, but other recipes for snacks and quick weeknight suppers, as well as planners, school supply tips and other ideas on how to get prepared for school by checking out the latest Celebrate 365 Blog Party.  Which breakfast looks good to you?  Remember to Comment for a Cause!

Have a Wild Time at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo

*I received complimentary admission to facilitate this review.  

All views and opinions shared are my own.*

A trip to Omaha isn't complete without a visit to the Henry Doorly Zoo.  With over 17,000 animals from around the world over 130 acres, it is no wonder it is the top attraction in Omaha and is also known as the "World's Best Zoo".

After stepping through the entrance it can almost be a little overwhelming on how to start.  For our family the easiest thing to do was decide which animals we wanted to see and go from there.  First up were monkeys.

There are several species of monkeys at the Lied Jungle, North America's largest indoor rainforest.  A one-way trail brings you through the entire exhibit that showcases animals from three continents.  Our family loved seeing all the monkeys, birds and hippos freely roaming and swinging through the rainforest.  It was a favorite location at the zoo for the entire family, especially our daughter Miss L, our monkey fan.

Miss L in amazement and awe
watching the monkeys at the Lied Jungle

The next animal on the must-see list were penguins requested by our son Mr. K, so we headed to the Scott Aquarium, the largest zoo aquarium in the country.  Our family enjoyed seeing the wide variety of fish and ocean-life, including the different species of penguins.  The highlight of the aquarium was the 70 foot shark tunnel, where you literally walked through an aquarium with fish, sea turtles and sharks swimming all-around and above you.

Walking through the Shark Tunnel in the Scott Aquarium

The final animal we had to see were elephants.  We visited the African Grasslands to not only check out Miss A's request of elephants, but also to see giraffes, rhinos, and wild cats.  We also hopped on the zoo train in this area, which was the perfect way for our family to see even more places we wanted to see, as well as kick up our feet and sit down.

While on the zoo train one area that the kids added to the must see list after glancing at it from the train was the Alaskan Adventure splashgrounds.  This was the perfect way to cool down at the end of the day.  I have never seen such a large splashpad before.  In the splash area is an 18 foot high humpback whale, orcas, sea lions, puffins, salmon and brown bears, all animals that the zoo doesn't currently have, but allows the kids to learn about some animals in Alaska.  Our kids had a blast.  Be sure to bring your swimsuit!

Mr K posing next to some puffins in the Alaskan Adventure splashgrounds

There was literally so much to see and do at the zoo that our family wasn't able to see it all in one day!  I guess that just means we'll have to make a return visit! 😉 What are your must-sees on a zoo visit?  Have you ever been to Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo before?  Make sure to plan a visit and Comment for a Cause!

Also, be sure to check out my other Omaha Weekend posts:

• Fun at the Omaha Children's Museum
• Climb Aboard History at The Durham Museum

Climb Aboard History at The Durham Museum

*I received complimentary admission to facilitate this review.  

All views and opinions shared are my own.*

From the first step into The Durham Museum you will marvel at the art deco architecture in the renovated Omaha Union Station.  From the terrazzo tile floors, to the gold-leaf decorations in the ceiling 60 feet up, you will be amazed at the work and dedication that went into preserving the history of this Nebraska landmark.

The Great Hall of the Omaha Union Station

Our family had a great time exploring The Durham Museum on our Omaha Weekend family vacation.  My Farmer and I enjoyed learning about the history of the Union Station and the Omaha and Nebraska history exhibits on both floors of the Durham.  Here is a fun fact for you - The Omaha Union Station was used as a train station from 1931-1971 and then in 1973 the Union Pacific Railroad donated the building to the City of Omaha, which the city turned into a museum in 1975.  This building has now been used longer as a museum than operated as a train station.  And one extra side note - in 2016 the building was designated as a National Historic Landmark.

This wasn't just a great history museum for adults, our kids had a fun time too.  Downstairs in the Durham Museum they have many exhibits covering Omaha's history including displays on the area's American Indian history, the Lewis & Clark expedition, passenger trains that you can hop on board of (as seen above with our kids exploring one of the trains), and a replica of the Buffett Grocery Store, highlighting the career of Omaha native Warren Buffett.

Our family also enjoyed the Top Secret: License to Spy exhibit currently on display at The Durham Museum.  They had one part that led you around the exhibits on the lower level through clues, where you unveiled a message by decoding Morse code.  The second part was a hands-on, highly interactive display where you received a "spy file" that gave you clues and a list of suspects to help you solve the mystery of whole stole the "world's most powerful computer chip."  We all enjoyed figuring out the clues and codes at the different exhibits.

The Durham Museum is a must-visit stop on any Omaha Weekend vacation, especially if you are a history or train buff.  Plus, it is conveniently located near Old Market, Gene Leahy Mall and Heartland of America Park.  What is your favorite part of The Durham Museum?  Be sure to check out their website to learn more and remember to Comment for a Cause!

If you are planning an Omaha Weekend be sure to check out my other Omaha family vacation posts:

• Fun at the Omaha Children's Museum
• Have a Wild Time at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo

Fun at the Omaha Children's Museum

*I received complimentary admission to facilitate this review.  

All views and opinions shared are my own.*

Last weekend my family and I traveled to Omaha, Nebraska for a family vacation, so this weekend I'll be sharing a few posts about some of the places we visited.  The first place we visited was the Omaha Children's Museum.  It's a place for your children to explore, create and have fun.

After entering the doors of the Omaha Children's Museum our kids could hardly contain their excitement and eagerness to explore.  The museum is nicely laid out so you can make your way throughout each floor and not miss a single exhibit.

The Super Gravitron Ball Machine

Having kids ages 6 to 1 year old, I appreciated that the Omaha Children's Museum had activities where all of my kids could play in the same space.  One of those spots was the Charlie Campbell Science & Technology Center.  The main attraction in that space was the Super Gravitron Ball Machine seen above.  All four of our kids had fun putting balls into the machine, following the balls through the machine and then catching the balls as they dropped.

Platte River Water Table in the Imagination Playground

Another area that was perfect for our family was the Imagination Playground.  Our youngest two, ages 2 and 1, couldn't get enough of the OCM Engine House No. 1.  They loved pretending to drive the fire truck and going through the firehouse climbing structure.  Our 4 year old Miss A enjoyed playing pretend at the Grocery Store, Omaha Steaks Grill Station, Farm House and Hospital.  Mr. K our 6 year old could have stayed all day at the Platte River Water Table.  In fact, after we went through the entire museum we let the kids go back to one exhibit and this is where he returned.  He loved figuring out how to change the direction and movement of the river to turn turbines and generate power.

Dancing and "Moving with Light"

The Omaha Children's Museum has a great mix of both permanent and traveling exhibits.  They also have a great line-up of special events, programs and camps available.  If you are traveling to Omaha or live close by, I encourage you to check out their schedule and make a visit with your family.  Our family spent 5 hours at the Children's Museum, which included having a picnic outside of the museum at some of their tables and benches available.  At the Omaha Children's Museum your family is guaranteed to have a fun time and you may even luck out by having a couple sleeping kids by the end of your visit. 😉

Miss R and Miss L had so much fun at the Omaha Children's Museum
they couldn't handle anymore and had to take a nap 😉

What do you look for in a Children's Museum?  Be sure to check out the Omaha Children's Museum on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and remember to Comment for a Cause.

If you're planning an #OmahaWeekend vacation be sure to check out my other posts about our Omaha family trip:

• Have a Wild Time at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo
• Climb Aboard History at The Durham Museum

Easy Freezer Sweet Corn

The beginning of August in Iowa might as well be known as "sweet corn freezing" season, because by this time everyone has been eating corn on the cob for about a month, the sweet corn left in your patch is nearing being too done, and you don't want to pass up not being able to have sweet corn all year long.  So you gather some friends, family, neighbors, etc. and you have your own little "Freezer Sweet Corn Party".

The party starts in the sweet corn patch picking your ears of sweet corn.

After you pick your sweet corn you then need everyone to help husk it.

Age doesn't matter.  You can find a job for everyone.

Next, the party can move home so you can start cutting off all of the kernels of sweet corn.

My preferred method for cutting the sweet corn kernels off the cob is the "bundt pan" method.

Watch out for people eating on the job...

Then you take all of your sweet corn kernels and mix them with sugar, salt and ice water.

Then you place the mixture in freezer bags.

After a days work of freezing sweet corn, a nap might be in need.

So, there you have it - how to throw your own "Freezer Sweet Corn Party".  We enjoy doing this every year and the work of one day pays off when you're able to enjoy sweet corn all year long.

Recipes for freezing sweet corn can be more work than they need to be, but mine is simple and gets the job done.  There is no need to cook the sweet corn - you'll do that when you get it out of the freezer in the winter to enjoy it.  Also, add to your sweet corn as you prepare it from the freezer anyway you like - butter, pepper, seasonings, etc.

Easy Freezer Sweet Corn

20 cups sweet corn kernels
1 cup sugar
1/8 cup salt
5 cups ice water

Place all of the ingredients in a large bowl or pan.  Mix and Freeze.  It really is just that easy and simple.

What do you like to freeze and can?  Remember to Comment for a Cause and check out all of the other great recipes being shared this week in celebration of National Farmers Market Week!

#FarmersMarket Thursday Recipes

Easy Freezer Sweet Corn by Corn, Beans, Pigs & Kids
Farmers Market Freezer Fruit Cocktail Mix by Frugal Pantry
Crisp & Spicy Cucumber Salad by Jolene's Recipe Journal
Pecan Honey Butter by Family Around The Table
Pasta with Saffron Pepper Sauce by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
Santa Fe Pork with Peach Salsa by Palatable Pastime
Summer Vegetable and Chicken Stir Fry by Cooking with Carlee

Aunt Mary's Refrigerator Bread & Butter Pickles

Did you know that today is the start of National Farmers Market Week?  Farmers Markets stimulate local economies, increase access to fresh food, and support healthy communities.  I personally love going to my local Hampton Farmers Market as much as possible, and a heads up for local readers - I'll have a booth at tomorrow night's market celebrating National Farmers Market Week by passing out cookbooks, grocery lists, and other goodies!

I'm also celebrating this week by sharing some recipes inspired by the fresh fruits and vegetables you can find at farmers markets with several other bloggers.  Be sure to follow along all week by checking out the #FarmersMarketWeek hashtag!

Now onto today's recipe!  For the last few weeks making my Great Aunt Mary's Refrigerator Bread & Butter Pickles has been part of my weekly routine.  My family loves these pickles and prefers them over store bought.  Each summer I try to plant enough cucumbers in my garden and make enough trips to my local farmers market so I can make enough jars to last us a year.

These Bread & Butter Pickles are quick, easy and crunchy!  I love their slightly sweet flavor, yet still have that salty tangy flavor you crave from a pickle.  My family loves these sliced pickles on any sandwich - pork loin, shredded pork, and I wouldn't hold it pass any of them eating these simply with bread and butter.  Suppose that is how they got their name?  My family has been making this recipe for generations, so you know it's good and a recipe you need to keep!

Aunt Mary's Refrigerator Bread & Butter Pickles

4 cups sugar
4 cups vinegar
1/2 cup salt
1 1/3 tsp ground turmeric
1 1/3 tsp celery seed
1 1/3 tsp mustard seed
3 yellow onions, thinly sliced
10 cucumbers, approximately, thinly sliced

In a large saucepan mix the sugar, vinegar, salt, turmeric, celery seed and mustard seed.  Bring pickling liquid to a boil, making sure the sugar and salt have dissolved.

Layer sliced cucumbers and onions in an alternating pattern in your canning jar til the top.  Ladle in the pickling liquid til the cucumbers and onions are covered.  Wipe the rim of your jar, place the lid on top, and secure with metal screw band.

This recipe makes approximately 5 pints of pickles.  Pickles will be ready to eat after a week.  Store pickles in a refrigerator up to 1 year.

What is your favorite thing to can?  Remember to Comment for a Cause!

#FarmersMarketWeek Monday Recipes

Aunt Mary's Refrigerator Bread & Butter Pickles by Corn, Beans, Pigs & Kids
BBQ Corn on the Cob with dilled butter by Red Cottage Chronicles
Beef Tacos with Peppers, Onions & Salsa Verde by Books n' Cooks
Blistered Tomato Dutch Baby by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
Blueberry Crisp for Two by Family Around The Table
Blueberry Scones by The Freshman Cook
Cherry Stout Jam by The Redhead Baker
Farmer’s Market Breakfast Casserole by New South Charm
Freshly Dug Potato Salad by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
Intro post by Bear & Bug Eats
Israeli Salad by Caroline's Cooking
Marinated Mozzarella and Tomato Appetizers by Jolene's Recipe Journal
Peach and Blueberry Overnight Oats by Simple and Savory
Peach Bourbon Jam by Feeding Big
Peaches and Cream Overnight Oats by Cooking with Carlee
Strawberry Mango Jam by Palatable Pastime
Summer Veggies & Kielbasa Sheet Pan Dinner by Tip Garden

Back to School #Celebrate365

August is here and it is time to start thinking and planning about going back to school.  For our family school starts at the end of the month and Mr. K will be going into 1st grade and Miss A will be going in PreK!  I'm excited for both of them and I'm looking forward to having my afternoons "free" with two napping children at home and two at school.  What to do, what to do?  I'm sure I'll find something 😉

To celebrate this time of the year, I have partnered up with my Celebrate 365 co-hosts (Carlee from Cooking with Carlee, Jan from Tip Garden, and Nicole from Tales of a Kansas Farm Mom) to throw a Back to School Blog Party.  Bloggers are encouraged to link-up their best tips, tricks and treats for back to school.  This should be a great party for parents, teachers and really anyone to get some fun ideas and recipes!

What is your favorite thing about the "Back to School" season?  Remember to Comment for a Cause all month long to help families in need in my community get ready for school.  This month's program is supporting my local CAL School Supply Closet.

An InLinkz Link-up

Bloggers, leaving a link gives Celebreate 365 permission to use a photo and/or link with proper credit in a future post and/or social media promotion, including our Celebrate 365 Pinterest Board.

Comments for a Cause - CAL School Supply Closet

It's August 1st and that means it is back to school time.  Thank you to everyone that commented last month to support the Families Helping Families of Iowa's School Supply Campaign.  Due to everyone's comments, I have sent a $28 donation to help them with their Back to School Rally on August 10th.

Inspired by last month's Comments for a Cause, this month I am donating $0.50 for every comment made on the blog to the CAL School Supply Closet.

Back to school is a fun time of the year, but it can also be a stressful time of year for many families.  I was inspired by Families Helping Families of Iowa's Back to School Rally in Cedar Rapids so much I decided to put together a similar event for my local community.  Last month at my Church's Christian Education Committee meeting I brought up the idea and everyone thought it would be a great benefit for our community.

We are currently collecting a select list of school supplies: scissors, glue sticks, pencils, pencil boxes/pouches, notebooks, crayons, large erasers, rulers and backpacks.  Anyone interested in donating can drop off the school supplies in the Narthex of Immanuel UCC in Latimer in the designated tote.

We will then be hosting our School Supply Closet on Saturday, August 12th from 10 a.m. to Noon, Wednesday, August 16th from 5 to 7 p.m. and Thursday, August 17th from 5 to 7 p.m.  The supplies will be limited and available on a first come, first serve basis.

This month's Comments for a Cause donation will go to support this year's School Supply Closet and any end of the month dollars will go towards helping my church's CWS (Church World Service) School Kits.

What is your favorite part of the "back to school" season?  Remember to Comment for a Cause!