The Spaghetti Warehouse Restaurant-(Family Night)-Mona

03/29/2012

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Lasagne Platter
If you read Tuesday's post, (http://smacolumbus.weebly.com/7/post/2012/03/disney-on-ice-mona.html) I mentioned that I was late to the "Disney on Ice" show-we were late because of the LONG wait at Spaghetti Warehouse.  I thought I was well prepared by arriving at the Spaghetti Warehouse at 5pm and that would give us plenty of time to get to the 7pm show at the Nationwide Arena. (You cannot make reservations unless you are a party of 10 or more.)  Well, I was WRONG! I did not take into account that there was also a 3pm show at Nationwide Arena and that families were also heading to Spaghetti Warehouse after the show! 
The host kept saying to everyone "blame it on Mickey" and in this case, I think he was right!  The host was telling people that there are 800 seats and that they were FULL!  I still can't believe that we waited 1 Hour and 10 minutes till we were seated.  (That doesn't mean that my kids weren't complaining about leaving the whole time!)  We had already resigned that we were going to be late for the show and that we might as well enjoy our dinner.
My husband ordered the Lasagne Platter-15-Layer Lasagne, pile on hand-rolled meatballs and sweet Italian pork sausage, and garlic bread.  I ordered the Four-Cheese Manicotti-three big pasta tubes with a creamy blend of Italian cheeses, served with our house-made Tomato and Alfredo Sauces.  The kids ordered pepperoni pizza, spaghetti with one meatball and chicken strips.  Overall, we thought the food was pretty good.
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Four-Cheese Manicotti.
The kids had kids' menu to color, but they were really waiting for the "Balloon Guy".  He was going from table to table making these crazy hats and crowns!  (See pictures!)  My older kids got the tall crazy hats and my daughter wanted the purple flower! They loved watching him make the balloons-this really helped them get over the long wait in the lobby!  
Despite the wait, the food was decent, service was good and everyone had a good time! 

SMAC Approved but not for the WAIT!
http://www.meatballs.com/
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Disney on Ice! (Mona)

03/27/2012

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Back in Februrary, our family went to see the Disney on Ice at Nationwide Arena.  Tickets were a good deal-costing around $85 for a family of five! I wanted to take my youngest daughter (4 years old) because I knew that she would love to see the Disney princesses!  I was a bit worried about my older kids- 7 and 10 years old because I thought they might think it was for "babies."  I told them that they had to go because she is always "dragged" to their soccer games!  
I had heard from a few friends that they had their girls put on their Disney princess outfits for the event.  I did not do this since I knew we would be going to out to dinner before the show! 
We did arrive a few minutes late for the show (that's another post!) and headed quickly for our seats. We were just in time to see the DISNEY PRINCESSES!  My 4 year old was in awe and was naming all the princesses that she saw-Jasmine, Cinderella, Ariel, etc..
There were other themes throughout the show-Mulan, Toy Story, The Incredibles, etc.  I think that because there were some older Disney Movie themes, my older kids were interested in the show too! 
After the show, you can also head down to the stage to shake the characters hand, too!  
Costumes, lights, sets, castle, and fireworks were all SPECTACULAR! I would recommend this show to EVERYONE!
SMAC Approved!
http://disney.go.com/disneyonice/
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Communion Dress Shopping at Burlington Coat Factory! (Mona)

03/26/2012

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The dress choices at Burlington Coat Factory!
I recently went to Burlington Coat Factory to buy a Communion dress for my daughter!  My friends' told me that they offer the best selection and prices on Communion dresses!  Look at the six dresses below and VOTE for the dress number you like best in the comments section below!  i.e. Dress #2!  I will tally up the votes on Friday AND reveal which dress I selected for her!  (Please ignore the socks and headband!)

DRESS SELECTED: DRESS # 5!!!
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Happy Hotel Birthday!!! (Valerie)

03/20/2012

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I know what your thinking, but yes..we had my daughter's 10 year old party at a hotel!  We actually got the idea from a friend of hers that had a hotel birthday.  We usually stay at Hilton properties and decided we would check out the Hampton Inn and Suites on Polaris prior to the party.  We met with the manager and toured the suite.  The manager assured us that people had kids parties at hotels all the time.  We booked the suite and sent the invitations!  So what was my game plan?  I mean 10 year old girls want to be entertained so....  it was set.. pizza, swimming, brownies, just dance 2, manis and pedis and lots of makeup and glitter hairspray and of course Disney Channel in the room and breakfast is included at Hampton Inn.  We had all the girls meet in the lobby for pizza and check in.  All parents had to leave phone numbers and I had post its with my contact info and hotel info.  We had sheet pizzas delivered by Romeo's Pizza.  I was courteous to the hotel by bringing my own paper products, trash bags and drinks.  During our pizza party the hotel staff got a little concerned that we would be over capacity in our suite, but not all the girls were spending the night.  I let my husband handle the hotel staffs concerns while I stayed focused on the party.  After pizza, all the girls changed into swim attire and we headed to the pool.  I had 5 adults supervising the swimming and we had our brownies poolside.  After swim it was up to the room to let the girls open presents, get glammed up, dance and hopefully sleep!  I set up the manicure station at the table in the room and covered the table with plastic.  Makeup was at the sink area by the bathroom, we hooked up the wii and it was 10 year old girl mania!  Please note: I really could jam to just dance 2!  Oh boy, the sugar buzz died down and the girls got ready for bed.  I had one mother stay the night with me in the hotel room and she and I shared a bed.  Thank goodness for the Disney Channel.  Some of the girls watched TV and talked until 2am!  Breakfast the next morning was great!  Hampton Inn offers a waffle station and I was turning out the waffles assembly line style.  After breakfast more just dance 2 then it was time for pick up!  Everyone had a blast.  All in all, the hotel birthday was fine.  Next time I would however have the manager leave notes under the booking so the staff would not be nervous about the party.  At any rate, I will be the coolest Mom in my daughter's eyes until she finds out she may not have that mini skirt she wants at Justice ;)
SMAC Approved!

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Graeter's Ice Cream-Birthday Party (Mona)

03/01/2012

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Party fun!
Do you have kids that have winter birthdays?  I know I always struggle every year to find places for my kids to have their birthday parties.  (Yes, I am one of THOSE moms who do not like having birthday parties in my house!)  Just about every kid establishment around town charges about $200 or more to have a birthday party!  This year, I was searching for a place for my 4 year old to have a birthday party.  I went online to search for a location and found Graeter's Ice Cream on Bethel Road.  I wanted to go to the Bethel Road location because they have an exciting play area for the kids called "Scoops and Chutes." .  I filled out the form online and then a party host from Graeter's called me back to confirm the date, time and number of kids attending the birthday party. (The price for a party of 8 kids is $10.95 per child) Next, she asked if I wanted the "Make your own Sundae Party" or "Ice Cream Cake Party." I chose the "Make your own Sundae Party." Then, she told me that they offer partyware, drinks, and balloons for each child. Finally, she asked if I was interested in the Party (goodie) bags and I declined (Party bags are $2.50 each)   Finally, she told me that we could also bring our own partyware, snacks and cake to the party too.
Upon entry, we checked in and then we were greeted by our Party host and she took us to our party room area.  Our table was set up with cups, plates, napkins, forks, coloring placemats, crayons and balloons on each chair.  At a separate table, there were extra plates, napkins, and  drinks-fruit punch and water pitchers. (I exchanged out their party plates and napkins for my Strawberry Shortcake plates and napkins!) Behind our table, there was a looking glass of where they used to conduct factory tours; we were informed that the factory closed down a few weeks ago. Then, our party host informed us that the kids should go and play at the "Scoops and Chutes" play area for 30 minutes so she could set up for the "magic show"!  After 30 minutes, the kids returned to watch our party host put dry ice in a cup of water and then went to each child so they could feel the smoke!  Some kids wanted to touch it and others did not.  Next, she put dry ice in a container full of soap water.  The dry ice then made a ton of bubbles and she again let each child feel the bubbles "melt" in their hands.  My daughter was not interested in the "dry ice magic show" and just colored her placemat during the "magic show".
After that, we were told to move on to the birthday cake so our Party host could start scooping the ice cream for the Sundae Party! She asked each child what flavor they would like to have-strawberry, chocolate, cookies n' cream and vanilla.  After the kids ate cake, she then brought back the ice cream cups and toppings!  Topping choices: whipped cream, fudge, chocolate sprinkles, rainbow sprinkles and "crazy eyes".  The party host helped the younger kids put the toppings in their ice cream cups!  
After the kids ate, it was time to open presents and then back to the "Scoops and Chutes" play area for more running around!  My daughter and her friends loved it at Graeter's-it was a great place for a birthday party!
SMAC Approved!
 http://www.graeters.com/bethel.aspx

Disclosure: Social Moms Around Columbus was compensated for the birthday party-opinions are always our own!
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