Afterschool Activities Guide 2019

August 28, 2019August 28, 2019momonthegoinholytoledo

“I want to be able to walk a tight rope while playing the trumpet & dribbling a soccer ball on my head! Then I want to go to Swim Lessons”. That’s what I get for saying they can learn how to do anything they want after school, lol! But I am fully confident, if any city is up for this challenge it is Toledo!! There is literally no shortage of awesome after school activities to sign your kiddos up for, whether its vocal lessons, dance, gymnastics, food class, art, swim, or, yes, even tight rope! Here’s a list of just some of the amazing after school activities, classes, lessons, & programs available in Toledo & the surrounding area…..

ART

CREATE: Art Studio + Workshop

Classes/Clubs: Preteen Painting Club, Advanced Art 101, Slime Club, After-school Art Club, Friday Preschool Art, Adventures in Painting, & so much more!

Address: 188 Louisiana Ave., Perrysburg, OH 43551

Phone: 419-873-6240

Website: http://www.createperrysburg.com/

Cost: Varies…average is $75-$100 for a 6 week class/club

Their Grand Re-Opening is September 5th & 6th ….checkout website to be entered in giveaway!

COOKING

Foodology

Classes: Homemade Pierogis, Kids Turn to BAKE, Burger Battle (for teens) Taco Takeover (Family Friendly), Kids Turn to COOK (tweens 9+), and more!

Address: 2059 W Laskey Rd, Toledo, OH 43613

Phone: (567) 970-7100

Website: http://www.foodologytoledo.com/

Cost: Prices for the classes range anywhere from $30 – $80, depending on the menu

DANCE

Toledo Ballet

Classes: Ballet, jazz, tap, musical/acting, tumbling, etc.

Address: 5327 Monroe St, Toledo, OH 43623

Phone: (419) 471-0049

Website: https://www.toledoballet.com/

Cost: Varies

Fall classes begin September 3^rd! Also see deets for Nutcracker auditions (Sept 12^th & 14^th)

Mini Motions Dance Center

Classes: Tap, Jazz, Tumbling, Hip-Hop Modern, Ballet, Lyrical, Cheerleading, Poms, Baton, and more!

Address: 2437 Tremainsville Road. Toledo, Ohio 43613

Phone: 419.473.0999

Website: http://www.minimotionsdance.com/

Cost: $25 Registration Fee – Classes $60 a month.

Gymnastics

Bird’s Eye View Circus

Classes: Beginner Youth, Intermediate, & Teen Circus Classes (aerial silks, static trapeze, and lyra)

Address: 1153, 2413 Collingwood Blvd 1st floor, Toledo, OH 43620

Phone: (567) 298-6841

Website: https://www.birdseyeviewcircus.com/

Cost: •$20/single class •$105/ 7 Classes •$200/ 14 Classes

Learn more and sign up on their website!

Exceleration Gymnastics Center

Classes: Classes for babies through teens, boys & girls, Gymnastics, Tumbling, Aerial Silks, Ninjas/Parkour, and birthday parties!

Address: 2255 S Reynolds Rd. Toledo, OH 43614

Phone: 419-381-1000

Website: http://www.excelerationgymnastics.com/

Cost: Varies…$45-$89 See Website for details

New Heights Gymnastics & More

Classes: Gymnastics, Tumbling, Ninja Zone, Birthday Parties and more!

Business Address: 6539 Weatherfield Ct. Maumee, OH 43537

Phone: 419-795-2132

Website: http://www.newheightstoledo.com/

Cost: Varies!

Sunrise Gymnastics

Classes: Tumble, Gymnastics, Tae Kwon Do

Address: 3640 N Holland Sylvania Rd, Toledo, OH 43615

Phone: (419) 841-2902

Website: http://www.sunrisegymnastics.com/

Cost: Varies! (All new students can come & enjoy a FREE trial class!)

Music/Vocal Lessons

Forte Music School

Lessons: Vocal, Guitar, Drums, Flute, Clarinet, you name it & they’ll teach ya how to play it!

Address: 3208 W Sylvania Ave, Toledo, OH 43613

Phone: (419) 471-2100

Website: https://www.fortemusicandarts.com/

Cost: $90 a month for ½ hour lessons & $180 a month for 1 hour lessons (lessons are once a week)

The University of Toledo Community Music Program

UT Center for Performing Arts

Lessons/Classes: Workshops, ensembles, music lessons and more, the Community Music Program seeks to provide local people of all ages with ways to engage their passion for music. Beginner group music lessons in piano and guitar (6 weeks of lessons) start soon…other 6-week sessions available starting in October, January, and March. Visit online today to learn more.

Address: 1910 W. Rocket Drive Toledo, OH 43606

Phone: 419-530-2448

Website: www.utoledo.edu/al/svpa/music/communitymusic/

Operated by the University Of Toledo Department Of Music, the Community Music Program offers many opportunities for music education and performance, and does not require enrollment as a student at UT.

Soccer

Toledo Leprechauns, Toledo Celtics Soccer Club

Leprechauns Registration Is Open To All Boys & Girls Pre-K Through 8th Grade

(Registration Deadlines: Monday, September 16th, 2019. Form is online)

Address: 3215 W Sylvania Ave, Toledo, OH 43613

Phone: (419) 473-9490

Website: https://www.toledoceltics.com/

Cost: $55-$65 depending on Division/grade

Pacesetter Soccer Club Offers Jr Day Academy for 3-5 yr olds

Address: 5400 Central Ave, Toledo, OH 43615

Phone: (419) 885-3140

Website: https://www.pacesettersoccer.com

Cost: $50 for ages 3-5yrs old (you can ONLY register online)

Sylvania Recreation

(Open to District residents as well as non-residents)

Soccer for Pre-K-8^th Grade

Address: 7060 Sylvania Ave. Sylvania, Ohio 43560

Phone: 419.882.1500

Website: https://www.playsylvania.com/soccer/

Cost: $45 for residence & $55 for non-residence

Sports

Catholic Youth Organizations (CYO)

Sports offered: Soccer, Cheerleading, Football, Cross-country, Softball, Wrestling, Track, etc.

Address: 1933 Spielbusch Avenue Toledo, OH 43604-5360

Phone: Ms. Julie Dubielak 419-244-6711, ext. 4932

Website: https://toledodiocese.org/cyo

Cost: Varies

YMCA of Greater Toledo

Programs & Youth Sports: Soccer, Flag Football, Basketball, & Cross-country

Address: 1500 N. Superior St. 2nd Floor Toledo, OH 43604

Phone: 419.729.8135

Website: https://www.ymcatoledo.org/

Cost: Varies….see website for more details! See what your YMCA Branch is offering

Swim Lessons

SafeSplash +SwimLab Swim School

Offers swim classes & opportunities for competitive swimmers

Address: 1510 Spring Meadows Drive #D-100, Holland, OH 43528

Phone: (419) 370-2801

Website: https://www.safesplash.com/locations/holland

Email: moreinfo@safesplash.com

Cost: $80 per month…for all additional options see website

Clubs

Boys & Girls Club of Toledo

Offers: POWER HOUR (An after school homework help program, students work with the instructors on their homework and earn Power Points for achieving weekly academic goals.) CADET CORPS. (A weekly club for 7-, 8-, and 9-year old Club members. Under the guidance of an instructor, members brainstorm and reach consensus on five goals that they will achieve during the week. Club members choose a reward activity for goals achieved.)LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, SPORTS, TECHNOLOGY, ARTS & CRAFTS, etc.

Address: 2250 N. Detroit Ave. Toledo, OH 43606

Phone: (419) 241-4258

Website: http://www.bgctoledo.org/

Cost: Free….The Club is open Monday through Friday, after school and in the summer, when children need positive, productive outlets. (See website for locations)

American Heritage Girls Club

American Heritage Girls (AHG) is a Christ centered, family fun, scouting group open to all girls from grades kindergarten through 8th grade.

For all parents interested in having your daughter(s) be a part of AHG, or if you’d just like to find out more about what we are all about, please email Rachel at rachelewbank@yahoo.com .

Cost: The cost is $55 for the year plus additional fees for uniforms (which are optional).

For ALL Scouting, Girls on the Run, Chess club, etc. be sure to check out your local public school or parish for deets!

5 Tips for Healthy After School Snacks

August 21, 2019August 21, 2019momonthegoinholytoledo

Omg! I drop off little, sweet, Angels at school in the morning & come 3:30pm I’m picking up cranky, hangry, feral animals! Like seriously, as soon as we step foot in the house they are trampling over one another to get to the kitchen…if I didn’t unlock the door fast enough I’m pretty sure they would knock it down or eat it, lol!!

Here are 5 simple tips for healthy after school snacks:

1. Prepare snacking foods ahead of time

We want our kiddos to make healthy choices when it comes to their afterschool snack. We would much rather have them reaching for celery sticks & peanut butter or hummus than that processed bag of chips. However, convenience plays a huge role. If the celery isn’t cleaned and cut, ready for consumption, then chances are they will grab that bag of chips instead. Prepare healthy snacking foods ahead of time. Clean and cut fresh fruits & veggies and have them in easily accessible containers.

2. Don’t bring it in the house

Speaking of that bag of chips, lol! If we don’t want our kiddos consuming high-sugar, trans-fat-laden, processed foods, we can’t bring them into your house…let’s be honest, if we do it’s just too darn tempting.

3. Watch portion sizes

Even the healthiest, organic, GMO-free snacks can sabotage healthy eating when portion sizes are not monitored. Encourage kiddos to read the nutrition labels and take special consideration of the serving size.

4. Provide variety

Children, like adults, get bored with food easily. Have a variety of snacking foods on hand—whole fruits, veggies, hardboiled eggs, smoothies, mixed nuts, frozen bananas covered w/Pb & sprinkles, potato wedges w/ketchup, trail mix, yogurt parfaits, fruit kabobs, etc.

These almond flour, sugar-free, homemade waffle corners are a huge hit in our house:

3 cups almond flour

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. vanilla extract

2 eggs

1 cup buttermilk

2 Tbs. olive oil

Mix ingredients together and follow waffle maker directions. Makes 6 waffles.

5. Choose healthy fast foods

Despite our best efforts, sometimes we do forget the snacks at home and find ourselves with a car full of hungry kiddos with back-to-back extracurricular activities. A fast-food chain might be your only option. When this happens seek heathier choices, like Chick-fil-a grilled nuggets, McDonald’s oatmeal and/or yogurt parfaits, etc.

Are your kiddos hangry after school? What’s your go-to after school snack?

Mom Tribes: Why you NEED them & where you can find your Toledo Mom Tribe

August 15, 2019momonthegoinholytoledo

It was a stifling July afternoon. My 3 year old and 2 year old were bickering over the same toy for the third time in an hour. I was suffering from a mild depression due to a false positive pregnancy test. And to add insult to injury, my husband and I had just had a colossal fight. The tears just started rolling down my cheeks; I just wanted to melt into the floorboards. I felt so isolated; motherhood began to feel less like a blessing and more like a punishment. Sure, I had friends, friends that either weren’t married yet and/or didn’t have children. And once I had children those friends seemed to avoid me like the plague, or, at least that was the way my exhausted mommy brain had interpreted it at the time. In reality our lives were just so different, when they were going out in the evening I was going to bed. On occasion they would try to send me some positive vibes like, “hang in there, it’ll get better” type comments. But let’s be honest receiving comment like that from friends who couldn’t relate to any of my daily woes as a mom was as useful as getting auto mechanic advice from my dentist. And then IT happened I received an email, an email that would end up changing my life.

A couple months prior to my meltdown in the living room, I had joined a small Playgroup of 9 moms on Meetup.com. I had joined it in the midst of my hurricane of pity that I dubbed motherhood. They had a couple of playdate meetup that I wasn’t able to attend and apparently no one else was either because the organizer was done. The email stated that the Playgroup-in-Toledo was available for anyone who wished to take it over for a small fee of $15 a month. I must have been in the eye of that motherhood storm at the time, not quite thinking clearly because I did something so outside this introverts comfort zone to this day it still shocks the heck out of me, I took the leap…I jumped! I took over as the organizer for the Playgroup-in-Toledo. And what started off as 9 moms grew to over 200. It turned out that I wasn’t alone in this hurricane of pity; in fact with each meetup we had I could literally feel the dark clouds dissipating. The sun finally shined down, motherhood became a blessing again, even on my crappiest of motherhood days. I am so thankful something told me to jump, to take that leap that hot July afternoon because I ended up landing on a huge net, my net-work of other moms, I finally found my tribe.

Do you have a motherhood tribe?

Why you need your Tribe:

Companionship– “Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: What! You too? I thought I was the only one.” C. S. Lewis. It is comforting to have other women to commiserate with, who understand, can relate, and even offer suggestions on how to survive a colic infant, sore nipples, potty training, tantrums, night terrors, Kindergarten, tweens, teenagers, etc.
Many Hands make Light Work– Whether you are meeting up with other moms for a playdate at someone’s home, out and about on the town, or are taking turns providing childcare during a meeting, having extra sets of eyes and hands makes life much easier and more enjoyable.
Access to a vault of knowledge– I must say women now a days are amazing, they are more than “just moms”, they are entrepreneurs, book writers, professors, homeschoolers, scientists, trainers, coaches, chefs, etc. And having that brilliant network of ladies on speed dial is advantageous….whether you just burnt dinner or are struggling to help your 8^th grader with their science homework, these ladies put Siri to shame.
They Raise you Up and Talk you Down-You know you have officially found your tribe when they raise you up, support your efforts, and encourage you to strive towards your goals, no matter how big or small. Likewise, when you are down on yourself and ready to jump off that preverbal cliff they are there to talk you down from your despair one step at a time.
Life was meant to be Lived-Lucy(s) need their Ethel(s), Thelma(s), their Louise(s), and Laverne(s), their Shirley(s) to do crazy fun things with….a moms’ night out, movie, dance class, paint pottery, etc. Everyone needs those people in their lives who will say yes to experiences, who will join you on this magnificent adventure.

Where can you find your tribe?

Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS)

Location: Washington Church, 3925 W Central Ave. Toledo, OH 43606-2766

Phone: (419) 536-3789

Meetings: Sept.-May, 1st & 3rd Friday of the Month at 9:30am to11:30am

Website: http://washingtonchurch.org/ministries/mops

A MOPS meeting includes practical teaching through speakers, demonstrations and videos. Plus, there’s usually food! But more important, you’ll get to have honest conversations with other moms who understand the joys and frustrations of motherhood. We’ve all been placed in this time and place in history, as the tribe of women who are raising the world. We know we mother better together, so all moms are welcome at MOPS. From the time you get pregnant to when your kiddo is in Kindergarten, our doors are open.

Bloom (for Mothers and Grandmothers)

Location: Little Flower Catholic Church

Meetings: September to May, 2nd Thursday from 9:00am – 11:15am

Email: annpfrancis@yahoo.com

Website: http://alturl.com/st6oe

Bloom is a program for Catholic mothers in all stages of mothering/grandmothering, which will meet on the second Thursday of each month from September to May, from 9:00am – 11:15am in the St. Francis Room. Please contact Ann Francis at annpfrancis@yahoo.com or register online at http://alturl.com/st6oe

Mothers’ Center of Greater Toledo

Location: West Toledo YMCA

Meetings: Held once a week on Thursday mornings, beginning at 9:45 am and concluding at 11:15 am

Website: http://www.motherscenter.net/

They are a non-profit established in 1984 that meets regularly to share common experiences, make new friends and enjoy the company of peers while the children are supervised by experienced childcare workers. In addition to weekly meetings, they offer playdates, an Executive Mommas group for working mothers and many family activities. If you’re looking for fun, friendships, social activities, parenting ideas, community involvement opportunities, or just a reason to get out of the house with your little ones, they might be just what you’ve been searching for.

FiA (Females in Action) Toledo Exercise Group

Location: Varies (see website)

Website: http://fianation.com/ohio-schedule/toledo-schedule/

Meetings: Vary see website

Before the demands of the day pull us in different directions, FiA’s start their day with a 45 minute workout. During this time, we experience a physical and personal growth that radiates through the rest of our day – enabling us to be better daughters, sisters, employees, spouses, friends, bosses and mothers.

-FiA’s develop incredible female friendships

-At FiA, they are focused on supporting and encouraging one another to push beyond our comfort zones.

-Supporting you, challenging you, and cheering you on – those 45 minutes are a great investment in you so that when you’re tackling all the rest of your roles – your heart, mind and body are ready.

-This environment brings out the good in each of us and helps us connect/relate based on our common interest to get fit and be healthy. And then we build on this commonality by providing opportunities for women to get to know each other through our book clubs, Bible studies, and socials.

MOMs (Mommies Of Munchkins)

Location: Napoleon Church of the Nazarene 630 Appian Ave. Napoleon OH 43545

Meetings: First Friday of each month 9-11am

Website: https://www.facebook.com/groups/181214645841239/about/

Meets in Napoleon the first Friday of every month from 9-11a!! Group of welcoming mommas talking all things mom while sipping coffee/tea and snacking! Free childcare provided!

MOMsNext (A Sister group to MOPs)

Location: Washington Church, 3925 W Central Ave. Toledo, OH 43606-2766

Phone: (419) 536-3789

Meetings: Sept – May: Mtg 1st & 3rd Friday of the Month at 9:30am – 11:30am

Website: http://washingtonchurch.org/ministries/mops

If you are a mom with school aged children and are free in the morning, then come check out MomsNext! Come meet some amazing women, who are on the same journey of motherhood as you are.

Toledo Area Playgroup

Location: Online, https://www.facebook.com/groups/147320928783529/

Meetings: vary

Local mom’s with kids who want to get together with other mom’s who have kids.

Mom2Mom

Location: Christ the Word 3100 Murd Rd, Sylvania, OH 43560

Phone: (419) 829-2005

Website: https://www.facebook.com/Mom2momtoledo/posts

Meetings: Sept-May First Wednesday of the month 9:15AM-11AM

Mom2mom is a Toledo area mom’s group designed to grow friendships and strengthen families. We meet the first Wednesday of the month from September through May. Our theme this year is “Deep Roots ~ Strong Moms”. Free childcare is provided. Registration is open!

I know it can be a little scary at first but remember, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone”. Neale Donald Walsch

Know of additional Mom Tribes in Toledo? Please comment & share.

Babysitters Club & Pop Rocks to Dick Pics?! Generation Xennial Kids

July 28, 2019July 28, 2019momonthegoinholytoledo

Babysitters Club & Pop Rocks to Dick Pics?! Generation Xennial Kids

If being gender neutral is so important why do people have gender reveal parties? Do I call the boy in class, who is now a girl, “he”, “she”, “you”, if I get it wrong I’ll forever be called a bigot? What’s catfishing? Can I please get SnapChat…dick pics won’t be sent, I’ll only be friends with my friends, please? Say what?? These are just a few of the many questions asked by my 13 year old. Back when I was a 13 years old my biggest concern was getting enough babysitting hours so I could cover that bike I really wanted & still get candy at the $1 movie theater. Who remember the $1 theaters? Those were the days! And while there’s always a difference between a parents’ generation & their children’s generation our dynamic (us 45-36 year olds) is extra special, there’s lifetimes worth of technology between us & our kids!

We are the Oregon Trail Generation, the My So Called Life Generation, the Xennial Generation! Xennial is a term being used to describe people born between 1977 and 1983. We are the small unique micro-generation that were the last to use the Dewey decimal system card catalogs, microfiche (google it), had to actually read a map for directions, we used pay phones, knew the struggle of a sibling listening in on a landline, though, also had the luxury of being anywhere we wanted to without parents being able to track us, & we know the struggles of trying to hold it till the next commercial…and if you missed those last few crucial minutes you’d have to wait until summer reruns.

Who would have thought that both, my parents, when they were kids, & my own children, could both be ask, “what’s a rerun?”. Crazy, right?! So where am I going with this?

Though the differences are vast & maybe our children will never come to experience the anticipation of having to wait an entire week for the next episode and sadly miss out on all the fun lunch table conversations that ensued, we as Xennial parents have so much to offer!!

We are young enough to be able to remember the analog, pre-iPhone days, & we can keep those days alive by encouraging our kiddos to have a 1980’s type of childhood, to go play with friends until the streetlights come on, to experience the joy of selling that first cup of lemonade at a lemonade stand, to slip-n-slide a summers day away, & don’t let them binge watch a show, pick one you watch as a family and set aside a day each week to do so, watch 80s movies together, sign up kids for one less activity this school year & instead use that time to have friends over for REAL face time, teach them how to have conversations, to disagree respectfully, to learn that virtual reality isn’t reality!

Parents be vigilant, know that their adolescent minds aren’t ready to handle having the whole world at their fingertips. Remember, technology makes a horrible master but an amazing servant!

Are you part of the small unique generation born between 1977 & 1983? are you a generation Xennial? What do you miss most from your childhood that you wish your kiddos could have in their childhood?

https://www.google.com/amp/s/globalnews.ca/news/3579270/xennials-generaion-x-millennials-generation/amp/

Life is a Highway at TMA FREE on Thursdays

July 17, 2019July 17, 2019momonthegoinholytoledo

Thursdays just got a whole lot thriftier at the Toledo Museum of Art! Looking for something fun to do with the kiddos, the family, a night out with the gals, or a date night, that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg? The Toledo Museum of Art has you covered!

Toledo Museum of Art is always FREE admission!! But did you know TMA’s latest exhibition, Life is a Highway is also FREE? On Thursday evenings 5-9pm only, stop at front desk to receive your FREE ticket(s). (This ticketed exhibition is usually $12 for nonmembers; $10 for military, college students, and seniors; $7 for youth ages 5-17, & free for children four years of age or younger).

Life is a Highway

The first large-scale domestic exhibition provides a historical overview of life on the highway with an emphasis upon the Midwest, Life Is a Highway brings together a diverse selection of artists to showcase the automobile’s reshaping of the 20th-century American landscape and cultural attitudes of self-expression. Featuring more than 100 works from the Toledo Museum of Art’s own collection and both private and public loans, this exhibition charts the rise of auto-mobility as a visual icon of American identity. With works spanning from early depictions through the Pop Artists’ portrayal of the automobile’s impact upon consumer culture to the present, the car’s image as a symbol of newness, freedom and independence, mobility, and renewal is explored. Organized through four themes that call attention to the social, aesthetic, environmental, and industrial dimensions of its legacy, this exhibition includes a range of visual media.

Hurry and make plans today…Life is a Highway Exhibition ends September 15^th

While you’re there be sure to checkout……

“Everything is Rhythm” Mid-Century Art & Music

The New Media gallery features a multisensory display focused on an exploration of the relationship between art and music. Jointly curated by Halona Norton-Westbrook, Director of Curatorial Affairs, and Scott Boberg, Manager of Programs and Audience Engagement, the exhibition features a selection of 20th-century abstract paintings each paired with carefully curated musical composition. Presented together in this manner, the art and music engage in a multi-sensory experience that simultaneously engenders close looking, contemplation, and a consideration of the connection between visual and auditory art forms. Free admission

And there is legit fun around every corner!

Make an official evening/night of it and stop off at the Museum Café beforehand for delicious, gourmet, garden to table, reasonably priced meals. Click on link to see Spring/Summer 2019 Menu, https://www.toledomuseum.org/sites/default/files/caf_springsummerwebmenu_043019.pdf

Museum Café Hours

Tuesday & Wednesday: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Thursday & Friday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Sunday: Noon – 4 p.m.

Then head over to the Glass Pavilion for a public glassblowing demonstration (free) and a glass of wine.

Glass Pavilion Coffee Bar

Located inside the Glass Pavilion, this trendy lounge features signature coffees, teas, beer, wine, soft drinks, and homemade pastries.

Tuesday & Wednesday: Noon – 3:30 p.m.

Thursday & Friday: Noon – 8:30 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday: Noon – 4:30 p.m.

How to Throw an Epic Tween Boy House Birthday Party

June 24, 2019February 25, 2020momonthegoinholytoledo

Not to brag, but, the words Epic and Legendary did get tossed around! But I’m getting ahead of myself. So, a few weeks back I asked my son what he wanted to do for his 12^th b-day party. Two eye rolls and one exhale of disgust later he replied, “I don’t know…nothing too babyish, no stupid themes, dumb games, or cupcakes.” And just like that he managed to crush my party throwing soul! No stupid games or cupcakes?! I live for Bingo, Hot Potato, saran wrap balls, & frosting piled a mile high on cupcakes! I may not have liked it & it might not have been easy, but I accepted the challenge!

Theme

First things first, theme! No stupid themes…no sharks, clowns, etc. Hmmm, he is a huge fan of Stranger Things on Netflix and as he embarks on adolescence a lot of stranger things are going to be happening, lol! Cheers to the double entendre theme, lol!

Decorations

I am not a huge crafty kinda gal, but thankfully Sugarberry Lane had this momma’s back! And they can have yours too! They create custom banners, party bags, cake/cupcake toppers, etc.

Sugarberry Lane

Phone: 419-944-6305

Email: funonthelane@gmail.com

Website: https://www.facebook.com/Sugarberry-Lane-1356968484446294/

Balloons were from Party City…FYI, you can order and pay for balloons up to a month in advance. I totally recommend spreading out payments when it comes to parties & planning ahead!

Food

Since my cupcakes got vetoed & the main character in Stranger Things is obsessed with Eggo Waffles, we had a Waffle Bar where the kiddos could make their own waffle creations.

Games

As the VR Mobile Game Trailer rolled up I could literally hear the kids’ jaws drop!

The trailer was lit; it came complete with Xbox 1, PS4, Virtual Reality PS4, VR Race, Car Simulators, & Nintendo Switch. It seats 30+, is climate controlled, & most importantly there is no playing Hot Potato or Bingo onboard!

I HIGHLY recommend you book VR Mobile Game Trailer for your next party, whether it is a b-day party, diaper party, graduation, bachelor, etc. this SWEET gaming trailer will take your party to the next level!! Be sure to like their FB page so you can stay up to date on any deals, new systems, games, etc.

VR Mobil Game Trailer

Phone: 313-715-8093

Website: http://www.vrmobilegametrailer.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vrmobilegametrailerllc/

Entertainment

Moving right along with our theme, Jake from Frogtown Exotics brought a couple stranger things for the kiddos to see, hold, & pet! And, I’m not gonna lie, at first I was afraid that this might be too baby-ish, but boy was I wrong!

Not only did the kiddos have a blast, seeing, touching, and learning about all the amazing reptiles and amphibians Jake brought, but a lot of the neighbors drove a bit slower as they passed by our house, lol! The highlights included feeding a tortoise carrots, holding Fluffy the snack, & petting a crocodile.

Jake was amazing with the kids, very patient, kind, & did an amazing job of teaching the children about the various reptiles and amphibians and the importance of appreciating and respecting each. If you are looking for something awesome to do with your scout group, church group, at your next party, etc. you’ve gotta give Jake a call today!

Frogtown Exotics

Phone: 419-350-7453

Email: Frogtownexotics@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ToledoFrogtown/

***Disclosure: I partnered with VR Mobile Game Trailer & Frogtown Exotics to promote their services. In exchange, I received service to use at the party. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.***

Gals, grab a glass! June is Ohio Winery month Celebrate w/a Ladies Night Out

June 6, 2019June 6, 2019momonthegoinholytoledo

It’s like a magic potion! It boosts the immune system, increases bone density, contains antioxidants, reduces your risk of stroke & heart disease, helps lower cholesterol, reduce risk of type 2 diabetes & cancer, it improves cognitive function, but most importantly it ensures moms don’t officially make the transition to full on Cruella de Vil status! The benefits of wine are vast, but what about those vines?

Warning, what you are about to read may blow your mind!

Did you know Ohio is home to more than 280 wineries?! That’s 950 acres of vineyards & over a million gallons of wine produced here each year, making Ohio the sixth largest wine producing state in the country. Mind officially blown, right?!

And what better way to bring attention to all of Ohio’s amazing wineries than by devoting an entire month to celebrate them! So what are you waiting for? Plan a Ladies Night/Day Out at the Winery today!

How to get started:

1-Order or download FREE wine Tools

http://www.findohiowines.com/about-ohio-wineries/order-wine-guides/

2- Select a handful of the coolest ladies you know

3-Decide on a winery, or 3 to visit…a Ladies Weekend is always an option 😉

4- Set Date

5- Take Flight!

Our Ladies Night Out at Mon Ami Winery

Mon Ami Winery

Address: 3845 E. Wine Cellar Rd. Port Clinton OH, 43452

Phone: 419-797-4445

Website: https://monamiwinery.com/

Cost: Wine Tasting Flight is $5 for 4 or $1.50 per single taste

We encouraged each other to step outside our wine comfort zones & opted for all four tasting flights. My wine comfort zone has always been a dry red, but thanks to our LNO at the winery I found a couple semi-sweets & dry whites that I actually enjoy.

And what’s a Ladies Night Out without some light shopping? Everyone needs to go home with a souvenirs!

And then we stopped off at the restaurant for Happy Hour ($5 glasses of wine & discounted appetizers) & dinner

We had a lovely experience at Mon Ami & are looking forward to trying out some other local wineries this month.

Drink local & responsibly, Ohio!

Sources: https://www.wideopeneats.com/10-health-benefits-get-drinking-daily-glass-wine/

https://drinkupcolumbus.com/2018/06/01/ohio-wine-month-2/

***Disclosure: I partnered with @Ohiowines to promote Ohio Wine Month. In exchange, I received a gift card to use at the winery of my choice. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.***

Breakfast On The Farm Preview (Mark your Calendars!)

May 18, 2019May 19, 2019momonthegoinholytoledo

I opened the car door and was greeted by a potpourri of country “aroma”, lol! We definitely were outside the city limits & my comfort zone, but I was beyond ecstatic to go country for an evening! Last Thursday, this city girl had the pleasure of attending “Ladies Night on the Farm”!

The evening began with a tour of the Henricks & Krieger Dairy (HKD), a third generation, three family partnership owned by Richard & Sue Henricks, Phillip & Tara Henricks, and Shawn & Kim Krieger. The family farm was founded 72 years ago by Clifford and Annabelle Henricks in Chesterfield Township, located east of Fayette. The family cares for Holstein cows and calves as well as raises corn, soybeans, alfalfa and wheat. Henricks & Krieger Dairy is a member of the Ohio and National Holstein Association, Farm Bureau and the Fulton County Dairy Association.

During the tour, we got a preview of four of the 20 educational stations that will be debuted at the June 15th Breakfast On The Farm event; each station resourced by the farm family and supporting professionals. The first stop was the milking parlor where the milk safety and inspection process begins with cow milking and then milk cooling, testing and agitation.

At the calf area, we met the farm’s veterinarian before up-close and personal contact with the dairy’s next generation of milk cows…baby heifer (female) calves. At the animal waste station, preview we saw how dairies recycle organic manure nutrients to their corn fields to produce feed in a sustainable, environmentally friendly way.

The tour concluded with a visit to the free stall barn where cows socialize, rest, and are provided a clean, dry stall with unlimited feed and fresh water. Check it…we were provided new rubber boots, sponsored in part by Tractor Supply Co of Wauseon. And they are so stinkin cute, right?! (see image below)

Upon completion of the tour, a light dinner via grazing stations provided us an opportunity to meet eight additional farmers from Northwest Ohio who directly provided local produce and commodities for the meal. Samplings included….local fresh spring green salad, leg of lamb sliders, pork barbeque with corn muffin bun, shaved prime rib on crosonti, homemade local potato chips fried in high oleic soybean oil, fresh chicken salad lettuce wrap, additional fresh salads and, of course, a cheesecake buffet.

While sampling the local fare, Karen Bakies, Registered Dietitian with American Dairy Association Mideast, provided a nutritional discussion on the differences between dairy milk (cow, goat, sheep) and plant-based drinks. Further informing discussion was Melissa Rupp, OSU Extension-Fulton County, who followed with thoughts on wading through several food labels and production practices. The event finished with a question and answer panel including Richard Henricks (dairy farmer), Dr. Christine Greiner (veterinarian) and Bakies (dietitian).

As a parting gift, we each received a ‘market basket of goods’ including more than 20 items produced by local farmers from Fulton County and beyond. The basket included items like Arps chocolate milk, NatureFresh tomato-on-the-vine, Dei Fratelli pasta sauce, Red Gold Catchup, Myers Honey, Dicks Maple Farm syrup, Rupp Seeds popcorn, Turkeyfoot Creek Creamery chevre, Kinsman Farm spring greens and Hertzfeld eggs.

June 15th Breakfast On The Farm event to be held at the same Henricks & Krieger Dairy from 9 am to 1 pm. The event is free and open to the public.

While the Ladies Night event served to help us understand the workings of a dairy farm and discuss food production practices, it was also an opportunity to promote the upcoming June 15th Breakfast On The Farm event to be held at the same Henricks & Krieger Dairy from 9 am to 1 pm. The event is free and open to the public. Breakfast On The Farm will give the public a chance to visit this modern dairy, take a crop tour, pet baby calves, see large tractors, visit the children’s area and so much more! Henricks & Krieger Dairy is located at 14692 County Road 16-3, Fayette, OH 43521. Registration is requested, visit, www.go.osu.edu/fultonbotfregister2019 and follow them on Social Media.

Fulton County Breakfast on the Farm is coordinated by Fulton County OSU Extension, Farm Bureau and SWCD, along with a community-based planning committee and sponsorship partners. Fulton County farmers, Alysia Callender and Whitney Short, provided volunteer leadership for the BOTF Preview event.

Play: CLE

May 7, 2019October 14, 2020momonthegoinholytoledo

“Coolest place EVER!”! “I want to have my B-day party here”! ”Finally a place for older kids to play”! Those are quotes from my kiddos, age 8-13 yrs old on their experience at Play: CLE. And I couldn’t agree more, finally a place where older kiddos can let loose and have fun without the fear of trampling a toddler or running down a preschooler. This momma highly recommends Play:CLE for a fun filled afternoon/evening for the entire family (kiddos 7+).

UPDATE: They are officially open as of October 8, 2020! NEW PRICING & HOURS have been updated in post. Masks required when entering and hand sanitizing stations are now included. Read more →

COOLEST Camp EVER! Circus Camp!!

May 6, 2019momonthegoinholytoledo

Silks, trapeze, lyra, hammock, tightwire, acrobatics, aerial skills on silks, as well as stilt walking and walking globe! Think elephant on a tiny ball, high flying strong humans, and a lot of new friendships that’s what your kiddos will get out of Circus Camp!!!

This is legit one of the coolest places in Toledo! If you haven’t had the opportunity to checkout one of Bird’s Eye View Circus classes you need to! We had a Moms Night Out here and it was awesome! But we’re not talking about us; we’re talking about the kids! Lol! Here are the DEETS…..

Bird’s Eye View Circus

Campers: kids ages 8-17

Camp Dates: June 10-14 & 17-21 half days

Address: 1153, 2413 Collingwood Blvd 1st floor, Toledo, OH 43620

Phone: (567) 298-6841

Website: https://www.birdseyeviewcircus.com/

Cost: $300

Circus Camp (Youth) Ages 8-11

Monday June 10th- Friday June 14th
8:30am-12:30pm
$300
SIGN UP

Spend a week learning circus skills! Silks, trapeze, lyra, hammock, tightwire, acrobatics, object manipulation, and character development. Beginner children will learn a simple but fun sequence and advanced students will work harder skills such as drops and endurance.

No prior experience needed – students should wear comfortable clothes, bring a water bottle and one snack.

Circus Camp (Teens) Ages 12-17

Monday June 10th- Friday June 14th
1-5pm
$300
SIGN UP

Spend a week learning circus skills! Silks, trapeze, lyra, hammock, tightwire, acrobatics, object manipulation, and character development. Beginner Teens will learn a simple but fun sequence and advanced students will work harder skills such as drops and endurance.

Performance Camp (youth) ages 8-11

Monday June 17th- Friday June 21st
8:30am-12:30pm
$300
SIGN UP

This camp would aid students in creating solo, duo and ensemble acts that they would showcase these acts in a performance at the conclusion of the camp. Skills covered in this camp would be: movement quality, character work, choreography, and collaboration, working their current circus skills.

Prerequisite:

Students should have taken at least 1 full session of regular weekly circus class, or, a week long circus camp, or, be coming from another youth circus program.
Brand new circus students should take our week long circus camp or regular weekly classes.

Performance Camp (teen) ages 12-17

Monday June 17th- Friday June 21st
1-5pm
$300
SIGN UP

Prerequisite:

Students should have taken at least 1 full session of regular weekly circus class, or, a week long circus camp, or, be coming from another youth circus program.
Brand new circus students should take our week long circus camp or regular weekly classes.