It was late July and I had just posted a meet-up with our playgroup, our destination, Rolling Hills Water Park in Ypsilanti, MI. As a mom I was slightly terrified, how was I going to watch all three kiddos go in three different directions at a water park? Turns out one of the best things I ever did was to make the event a playdate meet-up! Many eyes and hands make for light work when it comes to watching children. Playgroup moms are like an extension of themselves. We each divided and conquered the water park that day. Two moms took a group of kiddos to the lazy river, another two took kids to the water slides, and two stayed by the splash area with toddlers, and it was such a relaxing, enjoyable, and fun day for all of us, moms and kiddos. Seven years later and we are still continuing the tradition!
Wauseon Community is Pool!!
Temps rising, sun blazing, & you forgot to make reservations in advance for the waterpark? Thankfully the amazing community of Wauseon, Ohio has been kind enough to extend an invitation to their local pool to all visitors. Which, let’s be honest, this is kinda a huge deal, especially when they totally had the option of only including individuals from their local community. Thus, that being stated, when visiting please extend your gratitude, thank them for opening the pool to visitors, practice your best poolside manners, & most importantly, HAVE FUN!!
Post-Traumatic Growth: 6 Ways to Start Healing
Life can be tough, and when things don’t go as planned, it’s easy to feel like you’re drowning. Traumatic experiences can have a significant impact on our mental and emotional health but don’t worry, there is hope. Research has shown that it’s crucial to address past traumas to boost our overall well-being and happiness. If we don’t deal with our emotional pain, it can lead to physical symptoms and affect our mental health. However, when we confront and work through our trauma, we can let go of our emotional baggage and develop resilience.
In this article, we’ll share 6 ways to help you start your healing journey and achieve post-traumatic growth.
Read moreFREE things to do with Kids Summer 2023 in Toledo
Grab your calendars & tag your friends, mommas! Here’s this year’s list of fun, free, kid-friendly activities going on this Summer in Toledo & surrounding area!
Read more7 Additions To Spruce Up Your Garden
Your yard is a reflection of your home. It’s the first thing that people see when they pull up to your house, and it can say a lot about who you are as a person. If you take pride in your home, then you probably take pride in your yard as well.
Read moreReasons To Rent an RV for Your Family Vacation
Many families love to vacation together every year, but the rising cost of everything makes it more difficult. That’s where renting an RV comes into play. It’s an affordable travel option that many are trying. Do you still need convincing? Here are a few reasons to rent an RV for your family vacation.
Read moreBlue Heron Bay Splash Park OPENS Saturday!
Blue Heron Bay Splash Park
Why hit up just one splash pad when you can visit an entire Splash Park!! If sunny with a chance of splash is in your forecast then Blue Heron Splash Park is the place to be! The park comes complete with a toddler zone, family zone, slides for the older kiddos, perfect photo op under the spider in the tween zone, concession, tables’ w/shade, chaise lounges with full sun exposure, gorgeous view overlooking the lake…literally something for everyone!
Dreamy Destination Wedding Decor on a Budget
Destination weddings provide couples and their guests with an unforgettable experience, combining joyous marriage with exciting travel. However, planning one can be challenging on budget; so in this blog post, we will look at creative solutions for dreamy destination decor that won’t blow your bank!
Read moreFive New-Mom Issues and How to Deal with Them
Becoming a mom is one of the most wonderful experiences a woman can have, but it can also be challenging. There are so many new things to learn and deal with – it’s no wonder that many moms feel overwhelmed in the early days and weeks after giving birth. This blog post will discuss five of the most common new-mom issues and how to deal with them.
Read moreIdeas for Designing a Productive Study Space for Your Kids
Just like you need a safe space for working, your kids need a safe space for studying. No matter their age, you should designate an area for them to do their drawing, do their homework, and study. This can be any corner or room in your home, and turn that space into a comfy and motivational area. Let’s see how you can achieve this.
Read moreThorn Park SPLASH PAD Opens next week!
Who’s up for a mini-day trip? Thorn Park SPLASH PAD is the perfect day trip…play on the playground, have lunch, & splash…see details below.
Where am I Now? Served Divorce Papers in 2021. Where am I Now?
It’s mental health month and many of you know what I’ve been through over the past 3 years (I am a devout catholic, a proponent for marriage, married 19 years, the victim of financial abuse, the victim of emotional abuse, served divorce papers, turned advocate, a survivor of financial and emotional abuse, officially divorced January 5th, 2023).
Read moreThe Impact of Aging on Mental Health
Maintaining good mental health is crucial for an individual’s overall wellness. It is essential to care for your mental health from a young age, as aging can bring about significant changes that could negatively affect it!
Read moreWhy Flowers Are The Best Gifts
Trying to find a gift for your mother, sister, or best friend can be so difficult – or your father, brother, etc. Flowers need not be exclusively for the women in your life. News flash, flowers can be sent to men too – after all they know how to appreciate something beautiful, and flowers show that you are really thinking of them!
Read moreSummer Activities To Help Children With Autism Socialize
Can you believe that summer is just around the corner? As the weather heats up, it’s time to think of how you and the kiddos will spend their summer vacation. Whether you’re planning to travel, stay home, or do a few activities, it’s important that you keep practicing your developmental skills at home.
Read more6 Weeks’ Worth of Swim Lessons in 3 Days!
Busy this summer but want the kiddos to take swim lessons? Can’t commit to 6 weeks’ worth of swim lessons? How do 6 weeks in 3 days sound?
Read moreSavvy & Functional Basement Playroom Ideas and Tips
Your home is filled with kids’ laughter and happiness, but somehow you feel it’s becoming rather small for their needs. Rooms are becoming crowded with toys, crayons, books, and other stuff you don’t understand the purpose of, but they are precious to the little artists in your home. You need more room for all this stuff, but you have only as much space as your house can provide. Then suddenly click! you remember that your basement will be big enough to make a perfect place for all their clutter and toys. It’s easy when the weather is friendly and they play outside, but cold and rainy days won’t be a trouble anymore when you repurpose your basement and make a wonderful playroom for your little ones to enjoy.
Read moreDefiance Ohio FREE Splash Pad is OPEN for the season!
Safe, Fun, & FREE! This Splash Pad checks all the boxes! Located at Bronson Park which is roughly 45-50 minutes away from Toledo, the Defiance Splash Pad is a mom’s dream come true! You can bring in food, the equipment accommodates an entire family (baby-adult), and you can sunbathe or chill in the shade!
Read moreHow To Maintain Your Sense of Self as a New Mom
You just had a baby, and life is chaotic—you’re still figuring out your routine, and somebody’s always crying. It’s no wonder most new parents lose themselves for a while! Even though you’re putting all your time, effort, and love into caring for your new bundle of joy, you still have to take care of yourself to keep your sanity. It’s not always easy to make yourself a priority, but learning how to maintain your sense of self as a new mom is crucial for your mental health.
Read moreHow to Choose the Topic for an Exam Essay
Today, the choice of a relevant and interesting topic for an essay is an important aspect of the educational process of students. The essay reflects the personal opinion of the author and allows you to demonstrate your analytical and critical skills, which makes it a significant element of learning. In 2023, many research areas offer a wide range of essay topics, especially in the humanities, economics, technology, and innovation.
Read moreA List of Eco-Friendly Alternatives To Implement at Home
Making the change to eco-friendly products demonstrates a conscious effort to better the environment. Small changes in your everyday life will make a tremendous impact. Although it may feel strange at first, you’ll gradually become accustomed to the change. Here’s a list of eco-friendly alternatives to implement at home to get you started!
Read more10 Kid-Approved Things to Do this May in Toledo
April showers bring May flowers and lots of fun family-friendly festivities in Toledo!! The weather is getting warmer, days are getting longer, and everything is blooming!! It is officially that time of year when everything comes back to life, including your family’s social life. Though let’s be honest, May should come with a warning, before you know it it’s summer, and then you blink and school is already starting back…so don’t blink!! Don’t delay; call up your playgroup peeps, neighborhood friends, family, etc. coordinate schedules, and get these awesome festivities on the calendar today!
Read moreWhat Moms Really Want for Mother’s Day but Are Too Afraid to Ask
What does a mom really want for Mother’s Day? To determine the answer to this question one must take a few factors into consideration, first, how old is mom? How old are her children? What does mom’s average day look like?
Read moreDEAR EVAN HANSEN coming to Stanahan Theater Toledo
DEAR EVAN HANSEN
WILL PLAY TOLEDO’S STRANAHAN THEATER FROM
TUESDAY, JUNE 13 TO SUNDAY, JUNE 18
Tickets Available Now!
Read moreToledo Museum of Art Scavenger Hunt
Have teenagers? Looking for something fun, free, and rich in cultural history to do as a family and/or with friends? Last week I surprised the kiddos with just that, and a little fun competition as well! Where? Well, it turns out that the Toledo Museum of Art is more than just the place you go to for Homecoming and Prom pictures, lol!
Read more5 Ways to Involve Kids in Vacation Planning
Planning a vacation with the whole family can be tricky, but involving kids in the process can make it much more enjoyable. Not only will they feel included in the planning process, but also you’ll find that their input is often invaluable. For instance, they can help uncover exciting new activities or even act as mini travel agents and unearth great vacation deals.
Read moreFacts Parents Must Know About the Youth Mental Health Crisis
The youth mental health crisis was a growing concern for children even before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the pandemic has unmasked vulnerabilities in our society’s approach to addressing this crisis. Facts parents must know about the youth mental health crisis include statistics about the current state of youth mental health, how to recognize warning signs in their children, and how to provide the necessary support for those struggling.
Read moreAntelope Canyon X
WOW! What an epic day! I’m literally speechless (and extremely thirsty and tired), but definitely blown away by the magnificent natural beauty of the Antelope Canyon X! I’m getting ahead of myself, first, if you haven’t already, check out the itinerary, and second, what’s the Antelope Canyon?
Read moreAiring Tonight, Thursday, April 27 at 10pm (EST) on CBS
Disney’s The Lion King
Featured in “The Last Last Late Late Show with James Corden Carpool Karaoke Special”
Airing Tonight, Thursday, April 27 at 10pm (EST) on CBS
Watch James Corden and Tom Cruise’s Epic Musical Performance in The Lion King
The Record-Breaking Tour, Currently Playing The Stranahan Theater in Toledo Through May 7, also Celebrates its 21st Anniversary on April 27
Read moreCastle in Ohio!? WHAT!? Totally falling in love with Loveland!
I know, I was shocked when I heard the news too, a castle, in Ohio? What!? And how have I never heard of it before? It is a little hidden treasure in Loveland Ohio, which by the way is just the cutest town!
6 Tips To Help You Nurture Your Mental Health
Mental and physical health are both important, but the former is often overlooked. Many people think they should just “suck it up” and deal with their mental health issues independently. This isn’t healthy, and it can lead to even more problems down the road. This blog post will discuss six tips to help nurture your mental health.
Read moreWhat You Should Teach Your Teenage Child About Driving: The Basics
Teaching your child how to drive is a significant part of their life. It can be a scary experience for both the parent and teenager, but it’s worth it in the end.
Teaching them about safety while they are still young will help keep them safe on the road when they become adults. This article outlines some of the most important things you should teach your teenage child about driving, including safety tips and road signs!
Read moreMule-Drawn Canal Boat Experience
Canal Experience, where education and fun collide! As a mom, I am always on the lookout for events and activities that are educational. Meanwhile, the kiddos hunger for fun. The Canal Experience at Providence Metropark in Grand Rapids, Ohio is jammed pack full of educational fun! It is literally a floating history lesson!
Airstream: Kids Pick for the COOLEST Factory Tour
Ya know how the fam totally gets stoked for a road trip, but you end up hitting the road late, & suddenly once you arrive everyone gets hangry? Yup, that’s what happened! Lol! Thankfully we stumbled upon this AWESOME restaurant! OMG! I was blown away by this restaurant. It’s not your typical small-town greasy spoon. In fact, it reminded me of a restaurant we ate at last year in Sydney, Australia. You read correctly, I legit just compared a Wapakoneta restaurant to an Australian big-city restaurant…it’s that good!!
Creative Writing for Kids: A Comprehensive Guide to Writing an Essay
Writing is an integral part of everyone’s academic journey. In today’s generation, preparing good masterpieces is a lifelong skill for crafting job resumes, emails, and letters. Therefore, everyone, including children, should familiarize themselves with strategies to produce good papers.
Let’s analyze some useful creative writing ideas for kids.
Read moreHome Improvement Tips for New Parents To Consider
Caring for little ones is not without its unique set of worries. Sometimes, the things in the house that you never thought about before suddenly become hazards to your child’s safety.
Less common child safety hazards include injuries from exercise equipment, tripping over electrical wires, and falling objects. To prevent these accidents, you can have a dedicated gym room or use solar energy for lighting.
It’s good to worry about these things, and thankfully, it’s not hard to prevent them from happening with the right precautions. Here are some home improvement tips for new parents to consider.
Read moreHow To Create a Peaceful Home Environment
Home should be a peaceful place to return to after a long day. One of the best ways to create more peace in the home is by following these tips.
Read moreOutdoor Adventure Center in Detroit, totally worth the trip!
A couple weeks back a good friend of mine texted me about taking the kiddos to a new place in Detroit. I figured what the heck; I am always up for an adventure! Besides, I will let you in on a little secret; I always have a backup plan. This time my backup plan was to take the kiddos to the Hands on Museum in Ann Arbor if this Outdoor Adventure Center place was a total bust. So, needless to say, my expectations going into this Outdoor Adventure Center were extremely low. But I am happy to say there was no need for a backup plan. In fact I just have one word for Detroit, BRAVO!!!
Healthy Habits To Teach Your Children Early
As a parent, one of the biggest parts of raising your child is teaching them healthy habits. Here are a few healthy habits to teach your children early.
Read moreKelleys Island: Tween Top Pick Day Trip
Looking for a fun adventure to take the kids on that’s not too far from home? A place to explore, to learn, swim, & tool around in a golf cart? Kelleys Island is the perfect family day trip, overnight, or extended weekend destination!
Read moreHow Can You Help Your Employees Be Better In The Workplace?
As a business owner, you’ve got some expectations for your staff, and that’s completely understandable! However, without the right guidance, things can quickly go south. Here are some pointers to help your team do better in the workplace.
Read moreTop Tips For Keeping Your Kids Tech Time Safe
We live in a world where tech is inescapable. It permeates every aspect of our lives, and while we can recall a time when it wasn’t so dominant, our kids are growing up as ‘digital natives’ – a generation that has never known life without a smartphone. Online, things evolve rapidly, so trying to keep up with everything your kids are doing can be tough. And yet we want to know that our children are safe, balancing their screen time with other activities and being kept away from things that could be harmful. So what are some practical steps we can take to ensure this? Read more
The Mompreneur’s Guide to Making Money Through Podcasting
If you’re a busy mom, chances are you don’t have the time or money to invest in starting a business from scratch. But what if there was an easier way to make some extra cash while still having some flexibility with your work hours? Have you ever thought about podcasting as a side hustle?
Read moreCompatibility and Dating
Are you compatible? It is the question most individuals contemplate after going on a few dates with someone. After all, what’s the purpose of dating? To find companionship, to seek a mate, life partner, or spouse. So how do you know if you are compatible? Is it a feeling, a sixth sense, is it something as simple as just getting along, or is it more? What does it mean to be compatible?
Read moreSauder Village 1920s Main Street is the Bee’s Knees
No iPhone or Androids, no Social Media alerts or Zoom meetings! We left the “noise” of the 21st century behind and took an epic stroll back in time, a time of huge economic, social, and cultural growth unlike any other in history, the Roaring Twenties! Kiddos welcomed a real adventure, freedom to explore and learn in real-time, this field trip was like none other!!
The Most Important Marriage You Will Ever Have Is With You?
The most important marriage you will ever have is with you? What?! Culture tells us from a young age that one day we’ll find our magical person, our better half, the individual who will complete us and ultimately fulfill our purpose. They will rescue us from the ugliness of life, from our evil stepmother and stepsisters, and awaken us from our slumber, to finally be fully alive with them and live happily ever after. Then at some point in adolescents, we learn through either life experience, or Netflix, that if someone doesn’t make us happy anymore, or if we “fall out of love” (why are we falling, when else in life is falling ever considered a good thing…more on this later) its natural, you simply move on to the next person who can fulfill those needs within you. Here’s the catch, no one will ever be able to fulfill those needs within you except YOU!
Read moreDow Gardens, Teenager’s Top Day Trip Pick!
“We’re driving 2 hours to go to a garden, A GARDEN?!”….so maybe the kiddos weren’t exactly on board initially. But once we arrived at the nation’s longest canopy walk, 1,400 feet long, soaring up to 40 feet above the ground, complete with a large cargo net in a grove of spruce trees, a glass floor viewing platform, awesome tree-house, & epic views I legit had a tough time getting them back in the car to go home! Our adventure at Dow Gardens was nothing short of extraordinary! Read more
A Spring Break They Won’t Forget
How much time do we spend worrying about our children? 5 hours and 18 minutes to be exact. A study of 2,000 parents by OnePoll in conjunction with Lice Clinics of America found precisely what’s keeping us, parents, up at night. The top three concerns are our children’s safety, followed by their happiness, and finally, we worry about our children being bullied (not if our child is a bully, but if our child is being bullied…food for thought). 54% of the parents polled said that being a parent was much harder than they thought it would be and 52% said they feel judged by other
Read moreFun Activities To Keep Children Entertained During the Day
Having kids is a wonderful experience. Unfortunately, keeping them from getting bored throughout the day can be tricky, and running out of ideas is easy.
Things can get hectic pretty quickly when kids have too much energy built up. Here are some fun activities to keep children entertained during the day.
Read more