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Domino’s Petting Farm and J & G’s Pizza

Domino’s Petting Farm and J & G’s Pizza

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Saturday morning my hubby and I contemplated what we wanted to with our day and we decided upon Domino’s Petting Farm in Ann Arbor, MI.

I guess we still had the farm on our minds from our visit to Imagination Station.  Domino’s Petting Farm is only a 45 minute drive from Toledo so we cranked up the tunes hopped on the expressway and before we knew it we arrived. Once there we paid the entrance fee (adults are $7, children 2 and over are $5.50, and those younger than 2 are FREE…so we lucked out with our 23 month old and the cost includes a hayride) and were greeted by…..

 

Then we made our way around the farm saying “HI” to all the animals. Our 23 month old adored all the animals but one, this guy….

And I am sure you can see why.  He got a little too friendly and started licking the stroller which it turn resulted in our 23 month old bolting from that stroller faster than a fly being alerted to fresh poo (we saw a lot of that too, it was the first thing that popped into my head, lol!). But our eldest took a liking to him….

 

These little chicks stole my heart they were so stinkin adorable. But I had to be quick with the click of the camera because mama was very protective.

But who really captivated all 3 kiddos attention and myself was the peacock.  It was gorgeous….

Then we took a stroll down to see the cows that were eagerly waiting feeding time. As soon as the gate opened a chorus of moos processioned past us. It was hilarious and of course our 23 month old loved it…the first animal sound she learned was “Moo…moo…moo… goes the cow”.

 

Then it was time for a hayride around the farm….

 

Then we stopped by the building, Griffith Train Station, built to resemble an old train station with a train car on the site….

Last but certainly not least, pony rides!!

Then it was time to say goodbye to the farm….

My only regret was that I did not pack a picnic lunch or dinner for our family to enjoy. They had wonderful spots throughout the farm to sit out a blanket or a tablecloth on a picnic table to enjoy a picnic together…oh well, next time.

So instead we decided to surprise the kiddos with J & G’s Pizza located in downtown Sylvania. This was a treat because we usually just pick it up and eat at home but this time we dined at J & G’s. And the timing could not have been more perfect, it was around 4:30pm or so, (and no, we are not like 80 years-old, lol!) and that meant no waiting (maybe our elders have the right idea?).  The kiddos so enjoyed watching them make the dough from outside….

 

We had such a wonderful Saturday…I love family time and sharing the wonderful experiences our community and surrounding communities have to offer.

Have you ever been to Domino’s Petting Farm? Any suggestion for what we should do next Saturday?  What is a favorite family destination that your family enjoys in your community?

Why I Love an Overcast Day

Why I Love an Overcast Day

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We had planned on meeting up with our play-group friends at the park this morning for ice cream sundaes but the weather didn’t look like it was going to cooperate so our friends canceled. We had already rescheduled from the day before so the kiddos really didn’t want to hear that we had to reschedule again.  Not to mention, mommy really needed them to get out and run off some of their energy. So we headed to the park.

It was definitely overcast but thankfully it never rained and there was a nice breeze.  After days of hot sun baking down on us whenever we went outside and mommy sporting that classy back sweat streak down my shirt as well as that hair stuck to the neck look an overcast day was a breath of fresh air. What I found, though we missed our friends, I really enjoyed time with my kiddos.  I love an overcast day because…..

The children can play on the playground without the sun beating down on them and heating the equipment so that it is unpleasant to the touch.

Ice cream doesn’t melt as fast…nor does the toppings….

You can take your time and observe all that nature has to offer…

You can admire what others do on an overcast day too…like painting…

You can take a longer stroll in the park…

The cool breeze and fresh air is the perfect pairing for an afternoon nap….

What do you enjoy doing on an overcast day? What did you do today?

Splash Birthday Party!

Splash Birthday Party!

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The invitations went out over a month ago.

 

Then HFMD occurred and we had to postpone the party. There were a few tears but for the most part our little man understood. The day of his initial party past and the weather was gorgeous. Thus, we included the following in our evening prayers…that it wouldn’t rain on the postponed date of his party and that his friends would stay healthy and be able to attend.

 

Sure enough our prayers were answered all but one child was able to attend the party (the one was not due to illness but travels, thank GOD) and while it threatened rain it never actually rained. So, let the Splash Party Commence….

 

 

Given the fact that we had two extra weeks beyond the initial party date I found that I was adding things to the party. More time equals more stuff, right!?! Like our trip to Boyd’s Candy Store, the intricacy of the Happy Birthday banner I made, and the number of Chocolate Power Ranger suckers I made. Now that I think about it I might have been experiencing mommy guilt due to the fact that the party was postponed. Oh well, mommy guilt or not the kiddos seemed to have fun.

We started off the party with a game of Sink or Float…..

 

Each kiddo received a bag with 8 items in it and two signs, one stated Sink, and the other Float. They then each had a turn of deciding which item we would test.

 

Next we did gifts……

 

Any mother who has thrown a birthday party or has attended a young child’s birthday party can vouch for the fact that one of the main issues with opening birthday gifts is the crowding around the birthday child. They’re all so eager to see what the birthday child will open and of course the anticipation and excited is intensified when the birthday child is opening their gift.

 

So in an attempt to minimize the crowding, as to not resemble a mosh pit with the gifts surfing across the crowd of kiddos, we encouraged a circle formation with the birthday boy in the middle. We then had him stand with his eyes closed and arm extended while I spun him twice around the circle and whichever child his arm extended towards when he stopped was the child whose gift he would open next. He then opened that child’s gift and in return gave that child their goody bag.  It seemed to work nicely.

Time to sing Happy Birthday….and raid the food table. Again, this is another area where crowding can be anticipated.  So instead of allowing all the kiddos to get food at once we had them take turns two at a time. Those two kiddos at a time were determined by the first initial of their names. Again, it seemed to work nicely. I am not sure if it was the technique or the fact that the kiddos he invited exhibit such wonderful manners, I think it might be the latter. Next, outdoor activities….

Sidewalk Fizzy Paint….

The kiddos really seemed to enjoy this activity. One of the moms reminded me that the children are old enough for us to incorporate the science behind this activity. Well, they might not be ready for, NaHCO3 + CH3COOH –> CO2 + H2O + CH3COONa.  But what they can comprehend is, mixing an acid and base equals a chemical reaction and a whole lot of fun!

Next….Water balloons…

The kiddos paired up and played catch with the water balloons.  They all seemed to enjoy the water balloons except for one poor little kiddo whose water balloon was impaled by the corner of their glasses and the water slashed in their face. I felt so horrible. But they recovered quickly once we moved onto the next and final activity, water slide!

It was unfortunate that the kiddos contracted HFMD and in a way I guess that was the lemons we were dealt.  As the saying goes, “When life gives you lemons… make lemonade”. And that is precisely what we did…..

Off to help our little man with his thank you notes. What is your rule when it comes to thank you notes? Do you enforce a hand written thank you note? Do you, as the parent send an email with a thank you enclosed? Do you not send thank you notes? Is it a dying practice? What is your thought on the thank you note?

Farm Fest at Imagination Station (Exhibit extended through August 5th)

Farm Fest at Imagination Station (Exhibit extended through August 5th)

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The temperature today is supposed to reach a sizzling 101 degrees.  When it gets that hot the pool is no longer refreshing but rather resembles bath water. So, what is a mom to do with her kiddos when it is too hot for the pool and too hot for outdoor activities? The answer is simple, go to the farm, the Imagination Station Farm Fest that is! The Farm Fest exhibit presented by The Andersons has been extended through August 5th so hurry down to downtown Toledo and enjoy an afternoon on the farm. Your children are sure to enjoy all this exhibit has to offer including….

 

Also while you are there be sure to go downstairs and checkout Eat it Up! The kiddos can learn so much about the food they consume, how calories are burned, they can smash their food, make a food person, and so much more…..

I think I Need a New Rack

I think I Need a New Rack

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While shopping for grocery a couple of weeks ago and carefully navigating the cart up and down the aisles I came upon the ethnic foods isle. I am usually partial to the Mediterranean, Mexican, Italian, and Asian cuisine products but for some reason the Tasty Bite packets were calling my name. I lean more towards a vegetarian preference when it comes to food as opposed to my hubby who is more meat and potatoes. So meal time can be tricky in our house to say the least, especially when you add our preschooler and toddler to the mix.  So I decided to grab a couple pouches and give it a try. I found that I am a fan of Channa Masala, Jodhpur Lentils, Vegetable Korma, and Kashmir Spinach.

In fact for lunch today I had Vegetable Korma and Passion Orange Guava Juice, yum!

So I figured I’d research some recipes and see if could make my own Indian dishes.  What I found was that the majority incorporate the following spices.

  • Chili peppers
  • Mustard seed
  • Turmeric
  • Fenugreek seed
  • Curry Powder
  • Ginger root
  • Coriander seed
  • Cumin seed and garlic
  • And a spice blend known as garam masala (cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, pepper, cumin and coriander)

So first things first, I need a new rack. Spice rack that is, thought I would clarify. My old one just isn’t doing it for me anymore. I need something updates, stylish, yet functional. So I did some more research, this time on kitchen spice racks and came across these cool spice racks…..

 

 

Leave it up to me to find some way to purchase something new for the kitchen based upon a new interest in Indian food. Now if only there was a way to get a new refrigerator out of this new culinary endeavor?

Have you ever had Indian food? Do you like it? Have you ever made Indian food? If you have I would be open to any suggestions, recommendations for recipes, etc. Also, do you have any suggestions for getting the rest of my family to enjoy Indian food especially my meat and potatoes hubby?

 

 

 

Summertime to me is…

Summertime to me is…

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Summertime to me is…..

A baseball game with the family…Go Mud Hens!

Long relaxing mornings at the library….and fun events and programs throughout the summer.

Getting dinner fresh from the farmer’s market…

Walking hand in hand…

Painting pottery with our kiddos at In2Art…..

Spending long mornings and afternoons at the park, Fort Imagination…

Enjoying meals El fresco…..

One dirty, allbeit happy dog….

Swimming in the pool…

Ice cold glass of cucumber water on the front porch…

Visit from the Ice Cream truck…this was our first experience with the ice cream truck, the kiddos liked the concept. In fact they wanted to know why there weren’t more trucks, like the pizza truck. I have to agree, how come there is no pizza truck?? (Moms would come running from blocks away, lol!).

Sidewalk chalk, paint, etc…

Sneakers and Princess dresses…

Vacation with the family…

Tricycles….

A fresh pedicure from Lisa’s Manicure and Pedicure Spa…

Just relaxing in the grass together… 

What does summertime mean to you?  What is your favorite thing to do in the summer?

Boyd’s Retro Candy Store

Boyd’s Retro Candy Store

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Boyd’s Retro Candy Store

Our little man has a birthday party coming up and what’s a birthday party without candy? So we took a trip to Boyd’s Retro Candy store to pick out some candy for the party.  I also allowed each kiddo to select a few candies for themselves on account of good behavior while they were stuck at home for a week. As you walk into Boyd’s Retro Candy store you can’t help but be taken back to your own childhood, with all the retro candies. For lack of a better definition, you feel like a kid in a candy shop, lol! We had so much fun……

 

 

Boyd’s Retro Candy Store is a great place to visit with the kiddos when it is too hot outside, too cold, when you are looking for that unique candy treat, planning a party, or perhaps a nostalgic gift for a friend, etc. Boyd’s Retro Candy store also has online shopping, so fill your carts and feed your sweet tooth. Do you have a favorite candy from childhood?

 

The Storm

The Storm

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So Thursday was such an exciting day for me. After being quarantined to the home for 6 day with the kiddos I was finally going to have a few hours away.  And let me tell you I needed it. I love my children more than my life, and I would do anything for them but I was running low on patience and ultimately “niceness”.  So, in order to be a better mom I needed some time away, to relax a little, and return  home as a refreshed mommy ready to give, be patient, and renewed. I think this can be a very difficult task for us moms but one that is very much necessary. We feel guilty leaving the children but than if we never have time to ourselves to recoup and renew we are doing our children, ourselves, and entire family a disservice.  We are not capable of being the best moms we can be if we never have a break.

As I left the house that afternoon I had an uneasy feeling but I figured it was just the typical guilt setting in that I knew I would have to push past. It is getting out the door that can be the most difficult, especially when our toddler grabbed ahold of my shoes protesting my leaving.

Long story short……

I pick up my cousin around 2:45/3pm for a long waited fun-filled afternoon that included a makeup consultation apt (I remember my mom taking me when I was around 15 and I was so honored to be included in her milestone) and as I am pulling out of her neighborhood I looked in the rear view mirror and there is nothing but darkness behind us.  That darkness followed us all the way down the road. We arrived at Merle Normans just in time. Within minutes of our arrival the storm hits! All of us gals inside the store jump with the first atrocious crash of thunder.  The lights go out, air condition stops, all power is lost.  The wind is unbelievable; I even ducked a few times behind the counter for fear of the windows giving way. The power is still out and this includes all the traffic lights around the area. So we figure, why not continue, we are in no hurry to get out in that crazy traffic.  So like a real trooper we moved her chair to the window for natural light and the consultation continued. This was what my hubby dubbed “extreme shopping”.  We women always find a way.  Granted the credit card machines and registers were not working since the power was out so that meant that cash was the only option. So that might have limited the amount we purchased but we still completed the shopping process and they cashed us out with good old hand-held calculators and hand written recites, like in the olden days, haha.

Storm Damage…..

The damage produced by the storm was shocking. There were trees down, power lines down, transformers hit, etc.  The following video is a close up of the power lines catching fire from the storm. This happened right outside of a dealership. The end is unbelievable (Warning: bad language at the end)

The expressway was closed and practically all stop lights were lacking power and the intersections became 4-way and some 6-way stops. The roads became parking lots while traffic tried to maneuver around down power lines, branches, limbs, and trees. A drive that would normally take ten minutes was now taking an hour, which was kind of nice because I got to spend that time with my cousin, what was supposed to be an hour trip turned into a Gilligan’s Island saga. It was crazy!

Images of my parent’s backyard….

Counting our blessings…..

Once I arrived home I was shocked by what I saw.  It looked perfectly normal. It didn’t even appear as though we had a storm. No limbs, branches, or trees down. Shoot there wasn’t even a leaf on the ground.   The storm had not hit our side of town. But it definitely hit Sylvania and Holland Ohio where our extended family and many friends live.  My hubby and I started making calls/texts to inquire on their safety and any damage. All our family and friends who live where the storm hit were without power but were safe, thank GOD.  This included my parents, hubby’s parents, aunt, uncles, cousins, and our dear friends.  There is damage that will need to be addressed in the coming days and we still have friends without power but all are safe and for that we are counting our blessings.

(Images source: Toledo Blade Facebook page and http://www.dwroofingandconstruction.com/)

4th of July Treats

4th of July Treats

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Well, we weren’t able to see the fireworks this evening and hang out with extended family but we did make the most of our situation and had a nice buffet of 4th of July kiddo friendly treats at home together. And while we ate my hubby gave the kiddos a mini-history lesson on the significance of the 4th of July.  We are looking forward to our freedom from being quarantined; it seems rather apropos that it just so happens to be on the 4th of July.

 

 

 

The Declaration of Independence was the birth certificate of the United States of America. The words are still memorized by at least some of our schoolchildren and can bring a tear to the oldest American eye with little effort. The principles they communicate have informed our history as a free people and inspired our neighbors in other parts of the world to stand up against all forms of tyranny. As we reflect upon the text today we need to remember that our forebears were not declaring their independence from Divine Providence. Rather, they were trusting in the primacy of the Governance of God over their own lives and their noble undertaking.

They sought independence from a monarchy which had become tyrannical precisely because it had forgotten the implications of the primacy of Divine Providence. The principles set forth in that Declaration were a rallying cry which called forth extraordinary sacrifice. They were rooted in something much greater than political expediency. That is why those principles became a measuring stick against which all governments of men would be measured in the future.

The courageous men who signed this document were influenced by the great treasury brought to Western Civilization by the Christian Church. They believed there actually were truths to be held and that those truths are self-evident. Those truths include the existence of unalienable rights which are given to all men and women by a Creator. They believed that those truths and those rights can be discerned by all men and women because they are revealed by the Natural Law which is written on all human hearts and is a participation in God’s law. To read more http://www.alwayscatholic.com/?page_id=3916

God Bless America