👋 Hey there, fellow parent—

Some weeks, parenting feels like a game of leapfrog—you’re just hopping from snack time to meltdown to bedtime. This week’s highlights give you a few safe landings: an indoor wonderland for little imaginations, tacos big enough to share (or not), storytimes under the trees, and a craft that proves coffee filters aren’t just for coffee.

Here’s what’s in store

• One Place to Play — The Lily Pad

• 3 Events to Check Out — Tadpole Tots, ABC Play with Me, and Storytime in the Park

• One Place to Eat — La Torta Loca

• One at Home Activity — Coffee Filter Butterflies & Suncatchers!

• One thoughtful moment — Our Evening Rhythm

🐸 The Lily Pad: Big Imaginations, Little Feet
📍 574 Buttermilk Pike, Crescent Springs, KY
📅 Open Play: Mon–Fri 9 AM–3 PM | Sun 9 AM–1 PM
🚫 Closed Saturdays for private events
💸 $12 per child | $10 per sibling | Under 1 = free! (Passes last all day!)

When the weather is a mess (or you just need your couch cushions back), The Lily Pad is a safe, indoor wonderland built just for kids 6 and under. It’s the kind of spot where your toddler can climb, your preschooler can pretend, and you can sip a coffee without worrying about muddy shoes.

🌟 Why Parents Love It:
🎨 Something for Every Stage – The open play area has an art studio, sensory activities, dramatic play setups, and even a climbing wall. Tiny adventurers can try it all—at their own pace.
👶 Pre-Walkers Welcome – Babies get their own semi-enclosed space with soft toys and age-appropriate activities, safely tucked away from big kid traffic.
🎂 Party-Perfect – Whether you want a simple birthday bash or an exclusive event, The Lily Pad has party services (and classes too—think storytime, yoga, and more).
☕ Snack + Sip – Their kitchen and snack bar mean you can refuel with healthy bites, stash your lunch in the fridge, or grab a much-needed coffee.
🤱 Parent-Friendly Touches – A cozy nursing room and stocked changing stations make outings with littles a whole lot smoother.
🕒 All-Day Play – One pass covers the entire day, so you can come for the morning, head home for naps, and swing back later if energy levels bounce back.

🧡 Parent Tip: Don’t forget socks—for both kids and parents. Nothing says “rookie move” like having to buy a pair at the front desk.

🔥Events to Check Out:

🌊 Tadpole Tots & AxoLittles: Storytime + Animal Fun

Looking for a way to combine storytime, craft time, and “WOW, did you just see that turtle?!” all in one morning? The WAVE Foundation at Newport Aquarium has you covered with their toddler-friendly programs designed just for ages 2–5.

📍 Where: Newport Aquarium, WAVE Foundation

🗓When: August 26th 10- 10:45am

🎟 Tickets: Here! $20-25

📚 What Happens:
– Cozy storytime with books perfect for little listeners
– A meet-and-greet with real animal friends like frogs, turtles, or even sharks (tiny jaws, big wonder)
– A hands-on craft tied to the story that’s fridge-door ready

👶 Why Parents Love It:
It’s the kind of program that keeps short attention spans engaged: a book, a critter, a craft—done! You get a structured morning activity, and your kiddo gets a confidence boost when they come home proudly clutching their masterpiece.

🧡 Parent Tip: Bring a camera—your little one’s face when they meet an animal ambassador is pure magic. And don’t forget a spot on the fridge, because that craft is coming home with you.

🔤 ABC Play with Me: Learning Through Play

Got a little one who loves to explore, stack, scribble, or just move nonstop? This drop-in play session is built for kids from birth to age 5—and it’s all about learning through fun.

🎲 What to Expect:
– Hands-on activities that sneak in early learning skills
– A safe, welcoming space for toddlers, preschoolers, and even babies to explore
– A chance for caregivers to connect (because grownups need playdates, too!)

📅 Tuesday, August 26 | ⏰ 10–11:30 AM
📍 Florence Branch Library | Meeting Room
💸 Free | Ages 0–5

🧡 Parent Tip: Pack your coffee and let the library do the entertaining—your kiddo will come home tired and a little smarter.

📚 Storytime in the Park: Tales Under the Trees

Because books are even better with a breeze…

Bring your kiddos (ages 2–5, plus siblings and sidekicks) to Boone Woods Park for a morning of stories, songs, and a simple activity that makes storytime feel like an outdoor adventure. Pack a blanket, snag a shady spot at Shelter #3, and let the library handle the entertainment while you soak up the park vibes.

📅 Thursday, August 28 | ⏰ 10–11 AM
📍 Boone Woods Park, Shelter #3 (6000 Veterans Way, Burlington, KY)
💸 Free | Ages 0–5 + Families welcome

🧡 Parent Tip: This is a traveling storytime series, so even if you can’t make this week, keep an eye out—they’ll pop up at different NKY parks all summer. Perfect excuse for fresh air and fresh stories.

 🌮 La Torta Loca: Flavor + Fun for the Whole Crew
📍 Florence, KY

If you’re craving bold flavors and a spot that won’t make you feel out of place with kids in tow, La Torta Loca is worth a stop. This Mexican + Venezuelan gem has become a local favorite for its over-the-top sandwiches (tortas), cheesy quesadillas, and fresh-made chips and guac that disappear faster than a juice box at the playground.

👨‍👩‍👧 Why Families Like It:
– Kid-Approved Picks: While the menu leans adventurous, there are easy wins for younger taste buds—simple tacos, quesadillas, fries, or sweet plantains.
– Colorful + Casual: The lucha libre–themed murals and bright decor give it a playful vibe that keeps little eyes entertained.
– Friendly Service: Most reviewers mention welcoming staff who don’t mind tweaking an order to make it less spicy for picky eaters.

⚠️ Things to Keep in Mind:
– The place can get lively (read: a little loud), especially at peak hours. If your littles are noise-sensitive, aim for earlier meals.
– Service can be slow when it’s busy, so a coloring book or small toy might save the day.

🧡 Parent Tip: If you’re feeling adventurous, split one of their famous giant sandwiches like the La Torta Loca or Pepito—then balance it with a side of plantains or guac the kids will happily dig into.

🎨 Coffee Filter Butterflies & Suncatchers

This week’s craft is all about color, water, and a little bit of magic. With just some coffee filters and markers, your kiddos can make tie-dye creations that brighten up any window—or transform into butterflies ready to flutter around the house.

What you’ll need:

• Coffee filters

• Washable markers (Crayola works great)

• Water in a spray bottle, dropper, or spoon

• Paper towels/newspaper (to keep your table safe)

• Optional: pipe cleaners, clothespins, tape, or string (for butterflies or hanging)

How to make it:

1. Color it up – Lay the coffee filter flat and let your kids decorate it with markers. Stripes, polka dots, doodles—anything goes! (Leave some white space so the colors have room to spread.)

2. Add the water – Lightly mist or drip water onto the filter and watch the colors blend into a tie-dye masterpiece. (Tip: less water = brighter colors.)

3. Let it dry – Move the wet filter to a paper towel or newspaper. Drying takes a few hours—or speed things up in the sun.

4. Turn it into something fun:

   • Suncatcher: Tape it to a window or punch a hole at the top and hang it with string.

   • Butterfly: Fold it accordion-style, pinch in the middle, and twist a pipe cleaner (or clip a clothespin) to make wings. Bend the pipe cleaner tips for antennae, and voilà—instant butterfly!

🧡 Parent Tip: Keep a few extras drying at once. That way, when one project is done, you’ll have another ready to go—perfect for those “I need another activity” afternoons.

The Magic of Our Evening Rhythm

Every night around 6:30, my son starts looking for milk. It's become our signal that the evening dance is about to begin – a sequence that's as comforting to me as it is to him.

We start with his bedtime milk, those quiet minutes when he settles into our couch, and the day's energy begins to wind down. Then it's bath time, where he splashes and plays with his rubber turtle, the warm water washing away the adventures of the day.

After we towel off, we settle into his room for story time. Tonight it's "Ferdinand" for probably the hundredth time, but he still points excitedly at the bull and bumblebee. These moments of shared language, even if it's just him babbling along to familiar words, feel like we're building something important together.

Brushing teeth comes next – still more of a game than actual hygiene at 14 months, but he's learning the rhythm of self-care. Finally, I tuck him into his crib with his favorite stuffed dragon lovey that his Mama made for him, and he settles down without much fuss.

What strikes me most is how this predictable sequence has transformed our evenings. Those first few months, bedtime felt like a battle. Now, he seems to anticipate each step, moving naturally from one activity to the next. The routine itself has become a source of comfort.

I've noticed changes beyond just easier bedtimes. He's calmer during the day, and those pre-bedtime meltdowns that used to happen have mostly disappeared. There's something about knowing what comes next that seems to help him feel secure.

These aren't just tasks we're checking off – they're moments of connection, language learning, and trust-building wrapped up in the simple act of saying goodnight. Some of the most important parenting happens in these quiet, everyday rhythms.

~ Otto

Until Next Week…
Pass this along to a fellow frog wrangler, taco taster, or bedtime storyteller—and we’ll be back next week with more hops, stops, and snack breaks.”

Fueled by tacos and toddler giggles,
Otto Neff
Creator of Hopscotch Highlights and Amateur Highchair Janitor