10 Awesome Ladies Night Out Destinations in Toledo

September 1, 2017June 24, 2018momonthegoinholytoledo

As moms and wives we are the one everyone comes to with request, complaints, clean laundry, food, TLC, etc. but what about moms? Where do they go to recharge, to be seen, heard, to have fun? 3 words, Ladies Night Out!!!

Health experts say that maintaining positive relationships with friends should rank right up there with healthy eating and exercising. That being socially engaged leads to more positive emotions and may actually boost your body’s immune system and reduce the physical signs of stress. So, no more excuses! It is time to give the girls a call, and set up a Ladies Night Out!!

Needs some ideas?

Here are 10 awesome Ladies Night Out destinations in Toledo! (In no particular order)

1.UNCORK THE ARTIST – Full disclosure; I was a tad nervous the first time I did this because I was afraid of everyone seeing my canvas and the fact that I was a total novice, a.k.a. clueless! Haha! My worries were quickly put at ease when the instructor explained that she would be giving us a step-by-step instruction, score! And the glass of wine didn’t hurt. Lol! That’s right; you are more than welcome to bring your favorite bottle of wine to enjoy while creating your gorgeous masterpiece! They offer a nice variety of painting to select from, CLICK HERE to view the calendar.

2. TRAPPED TOLEDO -I had THE BEST time doing this! I love activities that involve wit and working together. Team work, baby!! You are locked in a room with a group of your friends and you must use your intellect and the group’s collective knowledge to find hidden clues, solve puzzles & overcome challenges to escape before time runs out. We made it with just minutes to spare. Are you ready? CLICK HERE to check out the current experiences, and see which piques your group’s interest!

3. SANDPIPER – I planned a Ladies Night Out back in August on the Sandpiper, specifically, the Dinner Cruise. It was such a relaxing and enjoyable experience. We were allowed to bring wine, and I did, but the river and cruise was intoxicating enough, I never did open my bottle of Sangria. Thus, if you are in the mood for a “chill” evening out with the girls than a cruise down the Maumee River is perfect! There are a variety of options to choose from, CLICK HERE to see the schedule.

4. HOLLYWOOD CASINO – Luck be a lady! Call up the girls for a fun filled casino night!! Get dressed up and dolled up for a night to remember! Enjoy delicious food, dancing, fancy “girlie” drinks, & channel your inner Grace Kelley, Audrey Hepburn, etc. for an epic Ladies Night Out!!

5. BIRD’S EYE VIEW CIRCUS -Hands down this is the coolest!! I just did this with a group of friends and it was amazing! We did the areal silks. (That is me in the image above) They offer a variety of options to select from, aerial hoop, hammock, and aerial yoga, stilt walking, juggling, etc. and offer private group lessons. Did I mention this is SO cool! I highly recommend you get this on the calendar ASAP as they do fill up fast! This is certain to be a night all the ladies will remember! CLICK HERE for a list of activities they offer and contact info.

6. BOARD & BRUSH Wood signs, Workshops, & Wine– No experience necessary! Bring your personality & creativity and they provide the wood, wine, & paint!! There is something so therapeutic about painting & hanging out with the girls. It is such a great way to relax and unwind While they mainly use wood elements for projects, they also offer a wide variety of other materials in the DIY wood sign workshops, including; Glass, Chalkboard, Canvas pillows, Slate, Terra cotta pots. Checkout their calendar for workshop schedules & book your today!!

7. PUB CRAWL – Sometimes a girl just needs to let loose, laugh, and live it up! Don’t feel like making a bunch of plans. Perhaps an impromptu Ladies Night Out is in order? Then downtown Toledo is the perfect spot for a LNO Pub Crawl!! Why just enjoy the ambiance and atmosphere of one pub/brewery when there are a slew of great spots downtown….you would really be doing yourself, your friends, and the city a disservice if you only visited one all night, true!? Haha! Now I am not endorsing intoxication by any means, pace yourselfers, drink responsibly, eat something, have a designated driver, and have fun!!

8. GATHERED GLASSBLOWING STUDIO– Are you mesmerized by the art of glassblowing or maybe you are just looking to do something new, different, something outside your comfort zone? They will introduce you to the art of glassblowing and help you create a glass piece of your own. Or better yet, don’t feel like making something, then check out their Hot Glass, Cold Beer, & Cool Music event every 3^rd Thursday of the month. CLICK HERE to check out their calendar of workshops

9.LISA’S MANICURE & PEDICURE SPA– Imagine an evening of relaxation….sitting in the massaging chair, feet soaking in the warm water, sipping wine, snacking on munchies, and enjoying fabulous conversations with friends. Yep, Lisa can make that happen! I am a fan of Lisa’s because it is an all-natural/green nail salon so you don’t have to worry about any ridiculous fumes giving you a headache. You can rent the space after hours for a Ladies Night Out to remember!! CLICK HERE for Lisa’s contact info so you can get your LNO in the books asap!

10. FOODOLOGY COOKING CLASSES – Native Toledoan and Chef Julie Daunhauer is finally answering the question we have been asking for years, “Where can I take cooking classes in Toledo without enrolling in a college program or certification course?” She offers a variety of courses at various class levels (beginner, intermediate, advanced) if you are just looking to take a class (adults are welcomed to bring an adult beverage to enjoy while they cook) or you could set up a private party, checkout the website for more! Foodology supports local businesses and farmers and strives to purchase locally grown food for the cooking classes whenever possible.

So what are you waiting for? Don’t end up on national news, call up the girls for a Ladies Night Out!!

The 1st Step to Buying a New Family Vehicle a.k.a. Mom Car

August 29, 2017August 20, 2020momonthegoinholytoledo

“Are you STILL looking for a new car!?” That’s the comment I would receive 8 times out of 10 when family and friends inquired how the new car search was going after a year. As many of you know I did finally settle down with a new Mom Car after much deliberation this past July. So, why did it take me so long?

Time- It was difficult finding the time to go to the various car lots to look at vehicles. Between my husband’s crazy work schedule, kiddos extracurricular, and my own obligations little time was left to shop for a new vehicle.
Location- Because I want to get the best deal I want to shop all my options, which meant taking road trips that resulted in a lot of potty-breaks, bickering, fast-food, & no new car!
Mileage or Money- Without fail, I would find a vehicle I could see my family in and it was either too high in mileage or money!
Safety- I felt like I was forever researching safety statistic on every vehicle I came across…I have collated enough research for Master’s thesis!
Sunroofs-This was a deal breaker! My new vehicle had to have a sunroof! I don’t know if it is the fears of claustrophobia or what, but, I have to be able to have access to the view above me. And I know this one drove my husband insane! We would literally find the “almost” perfect vehicle, the mileage, number of passenger seats, warranty, and cost were precisely what we wanted, but if it didn’t have a sunroof I couldn’t commit.

After a year of this nonsense my husband mostly gave up on me finding my perfect new mom car match. He even suggested I get a notebook to log the gas I was using in our SUV since the gas gauge was broken and contemplated buying oil in bulk to save on our oil guzzling ride. I was also growing frustrated. I didn’t think buying a new car would be so hard, it had practically become a second job, eating up so much of my time and patience. I so desperately just wanted an assistant, a ‘buying a new car assistant’ to help me narrow down all these options? Turns out such an assistant does exist.

Cars.com https://www.cars.com/ is a website that allows your fingers to do the walking, no more having to reschedule appointments and extracurricular activities because there might be a car you’re interested in purchasing. In fact, you can literally be shopping for a car while in the waiting room at the doctor’s office or on the bleachers while your child warms the bench. The best part, you can narrow your search to, not just new/old, year, make, model, price, & mileage, but also, exterior color, interior color, number of doors, and yes, even sunroofs (click on keyword and type in sunroof…or whatever else is a deal breaker for you). This site made the process so much smoother, dare I say even enjoyable! I highly recommend making Cars.com your first stop on your journey to purchasing a new family vehicle/ mom car.

https://www.cars.com/

Guess who got her sunroofs? In fact, I got 4 (1 operable)!!

Here’s a pic of the old Yukon vs our new ride! When you get a new car you are probably going to have to sell, recycle or dispose of the old one. For a quick way to sell, you can get in contact with a cash for cars website.

So kiss all that hard work goodbye & click on Cars.com today…your new mom car is only a few clicks away!!

Classy decor on a SAHM budget!? How this store plus Groupon Coupons makes the Magic Happen

August 28, 2017momonthegoinholytoledo

Messes happen! And with a house full of kids, pets, and activities this house sees its fair share of messes. So much so that my husband and I have come to the conclusion that we will never own anything nice again, or at least, not until the kids move out. I mean, who wants to spend a fortune on new drapes just to have your toddler pee on them while potty-training? Or have your preschooler spill their wet pink paint Picasso rendition all over your new bedspread? And don’t even get me started with male dogs’ obsessions with throw pillows! Thus it seemed as though our home was destined to forever be stuck in the, “we have kids” design style. That is until I visited a store that I hadn’t visited since I was a kid, JCPenney!

I have to be honest, I always steered clear of JCPenney, I thought of it as an “old lady” store, filled with outdated fashion & designs, cheap quality; let’s just say I just didn’t have the fondest memory. Then one day I took a stroll in, went upstairs, and instantly feel in love, and the rest, as they say, is history. The quality was good, the designs were amazing-this definitely was not my grandmother’s JCPenney! But the one thing I really like that didn’t change was the prices. Affordable, quality items, that a parent doesn’t have to sentence a child to a lifetime of grounding to for spilling glitter glue (yep, that happened, lol!). I have since purchased custom blinds, drapery, bedspread, quilt, etc. at JCPenney and I am currently in the market for some wallpaper for the kitchen (yes, I said wallpaper! Who’s their grandmother now!? Lol!)

But wait, it gets better! JCPenney totally knows how to cater to us, “we have kids” design styles, you can couple it nicely with a French Country look, Contemporary, Modern, etc. but what about those prices, can we couple those with anything? How does a Groupon Coupon sound?

How it works:

So, on top of their already more affordable price points you can also pair that with a Groupon Coupon. They offer in-store, online, or “day of” codes for some sweet deep discounts. For example, here are some (3 of 20+) that they are offering now on clothes & house/home items:

JCPenney: 40% Off + EXTRA 10% Off Major Appliances
TODAY’s Promo Codes: Extra 30% Off $100+ Or Extra 25% Off Under $100 With JCPenney Coupon Code
JCPenney: 65% Off $100+ Or 50% Off $40+ On Regular Priced Items Or Take An Extra 25% Off Select Sale Items With JCPenney Coupon Code

Here is the JCPenney Groupon Coupon link (you might want to add this to your favorites): https://www.groupon.com/coupons/stores/jcpenney.com

One last thing, while I have your attention, which one do you prefer?

New After-School Activity & Educational Business in Town! GIVEAWAY

August 22, 2017August 23, 2017momonthegoinholytoledo

Students K-12 only spends 18.5% of their waking hours at school a year. Shocker, right!? The remainder of that time is filled with a revolving door of extra-curricular activities, sports, dance, scouts….they not only fill up our evenings but our weekend too! And why do we do it? We do it because we want our children to be good team players, to be well-rounded, & prepared for life. Speaking of being prepared for life, here are some fun statistics…..

Employment in occupations related to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math is projected to grow to more than 9 million between 2012 and 2022. Source
The odds of your child becoming a professional athlete…let’s say, basketball player, is 1 in 11,711 for men & 1 in 13,005 for women (just to put this into perspective, the odds of getting struck by lighting is 1 in 3,000). Source
And with regard to your little girl or boy becoming a professional dancer, the Magic 8 Ball says-Outlook Not So Good! Source

In no way are those stats meant to deter you, or your child, from their dreams, I say reach for the sky! But it is meant to shed some light on the topic of investment. Where are your children investing all their time and your money? Perhaps it’s time to diversify and add some STEM to those plies & slam-dunks.

Snapology:

Snapology is the premier partner for STEM programs, offering year-round hands-on, interactive activities for children ages 1-14 (and awesome Special Needs classes) using LEGO® bricks, K’Nex and technology.

They create STEM learning experiences through classes (video game design, robotics, and animation), competition team opportunities, workshops, camps, birthday parties, school field trips, scouting events and more!

Details:

Remember that stat from the beginning, the one that read; employment in occupations related to STEM is projected to grow to more than 9 million between 2012 and 2022? Well, Snapology is one of those employment opportunities, or rather, ownership opportunity. Snapology is a franchise and the nearest one to us is in Findlay, we NEED one in Toledo! So not only is this post a push for more STEM but also a plea for mom-trepreneurs! They offer franchise opportunities that are affordable, flexible and can provide quick profitability. No more having to hash tag your images “like a boss”, you’ll be the boss!! Who wants to be their own boss? For more info checkout their website.

GIVEAWAY:

LEGO® brick set of the Snapology Mascot Sebastian Gator (recommended for kids 6+)

How to Enter:

Share this post with a friend, possibly a mom-trepreneurs! I would LOVE to have a Snapology in Toledo!!!
Simply comment below by sharing your thoughts…thoughts on Snapology. What you have to say is important; I look forward to reading your comments.

Winner will be randomly selected Friday September 1^st @11:59pm

Disclaimer This giveaway is a partnership with Nakturnal

Our Experience with ISR Self-Rescue Swim Classes

July 21, 2017momonthegoinholytoledo

Our Experience with ISR Self-Rescue Swim Classes

Bethany Neumeyer

Last year, I signed my four-year-old son Lucas up for what turned out to be a somewhat disastrous swim class. At the beginning of the first lesson, I explained to the teenaged instructor that it was his first swim class and that while he was comfortable in the water in general, he was a little nervous about the class. She nodded and then instructed him to “safety slide into the pool and do three bops.” Lucas stared at her blankly, so she repeated her instructions more loudly. When he still didn’t do anything (what on earth is a bop??) she just moved on to the next kid and left my son sitting in confusion on the edge of the pool.

After I told her that he (and I) had no idea what those phrases meant, she explained it to him in about two seconds, and when he still didn’t get in the water, she moved on to the next kid again. For the entire 30-minute swim class, Lucas never entered the water. We ended up switching to a different swim class (with a different teacher) in which the parent gets in the pool with their children. After six weeks of one half-hour class a week, my son could kick his feet while holding onto the wall of the pool, and he knew how to put his face in the water and blow bubbles, but he couldn’t swim.

Unfortunately, he was convinced that he could swim. When we would take him into the pool for swim class, he’d shout, “Let go! I can swim!” then launch himself out of our arms and sink. Though the new teacher did a much better job of explaining things, the format of the class simply wasn’t conducive to teaching young kids to swim in a short period of time.

That would be fine if we could be sure our kids wouldn’t accidentally get too close to water unsupervised, but we live directly across the street from a lake. And in addition to my now five-year-old son, I also have a two-year-old daughter whose newest hobby is darting away from me and running as fast as she can. We kept our doors locked, we kept a close eye on our kids, and they never went in the water without life jackets on, but them drowning was still a very real fear of mine.

Recently we heard about Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) and their Self-Rescue swim classes for kids ages 6 months to 6 years old. ISR’s mission is “Not One More Child Drowns,” and their instructors teach children how to roll over and float on their backs to wait for help should they fall into the water.

Though their website is full of testimonials and videos of babies and toddlers floating unassisted in the water, and even though a friend had recently posted to Facebook a video of her own six-month-old baby rolling over to his back and floating after three weeks of classes, I’ll admit that I was skeptical.

And then I met Kym.

Kym Smith Cragel is currently the only full-time ISR instructor in the Toledo area. One-on-one classes are five days a week for ten minutes each day, and students need an average of six weeks of daily classes before they graduate. Babies and young toddlers are taught to roll over to their backs and float until help arrives if they fall into the water. Older kids learn a swim-float-swim technique in which they swim until they need a break, roll onto their backs to catch a breath and rest, and then swim again.

My two-year-old daughter Calista screamed for the entire first week of lessons (I’m so sorry for any hearing loss you may have sustained, Kym), and I thought for sure that she would be the first student Kym ever had to give up on. Except that by the third week, Calista was actually begging to do a “starfish” (ISR’s term for the back float in which the kids spread out their arms and legs to resemble a starfish) while we were swimming in the lake in our neighborhood. She still occasionally tells Kym “no thank you!” when Kym tells her to roll over and swim, but she is now able to float unsupported in the water.

I’ve seen videos recently of a new type of swim class in which babies and toddlers are thrown into the pool to learn how to swim and float on their own, and to be clear, this is not that type of class. Kym stays in the water with the child the whole time, holding them and guiding their movements until she knows they’re ready for her to let go. Before and after our ten-minute classes, I’ve seen at least ten other babies and young kids during their own classes with Kym, and all of them have learned to float unassisted in the water.

Because drownings often happen when kids aren’t actually playing in the water (ie, a kid wanders to a lake or pool unattended and falls in), kids who graduate from ISR swim classes must first show that they can float and swim fully clothed. Having already practiced swimming and floating with the added weight of clothes and shoes makes it less likely that an ISR graduate will panic upon accidentally falling into the water clothed and will still be able to save his or her own life.

After five weeks of ISR classes with Kym, five-year-old Lucas officially graduated. He jumped into the deep end of the pool and rolled over to float on his back, swam the entire length of the pool by himself (rolling over to rest as needed), and floated and swam in both summer and winter clothes. Two-year-old Calista still has a few more classes to go before she graduates; ISR is personalized to suit each child’s needs rather than making all learning fit into a specified period of time, so she’ll graduate when she shows that she would be able to save herself should she fall into the water.

As for me, I’m just thrilled to have one less thing to worry about.

For more information on Toledo-area ISR classes, email k.cragel@infantswim.com or visit her website, swimwithkymisr.com

To find an instructor outside of the Toledo area, visit www.infantswim.com

Read more awesome articles by Bethany and her adventures as a Stay-at-Home Mom at, I was promised more naps, http://morenaps.blogspot.com/

The Bicycle Museum of America

July 17, 2017momonthegoinholytoledo

We have driven past the sign on I-75 numerous times and I have always been curious, The Bicycle Museum of America, wonder if it’s worth the stop? Turns out it is totally worth the stop! Honestly, I had anticipated a small building, almost shack like in assembly with minimal paraphernalia. Needless to say my expectations were low. So you can imagine my surprise when we drove into New Bremen, which by the way is an adorable little town, and came upon the Museum which was so not a shack!

As we entered the museum I was blown away by the amount of bikes, everywhere you turned there was a bicycle. Fact, The Bicycle Museum of America has one of the largest private collections of bicycles in the world!! It houses elegant antique bicycles from the 19th century, balloon tire classics of the 1940s and 1950s and even the banana seat high-rise handle bar bikes of the 1960s. And its latest collection on display is Robin Williams’s bicycles.

But, what about the kids, did they like it?

The kids were just as mesmerized as us adults. They were fascinated as they journeyed through the museum’s bicycle timeline. Watching the evolution of the bicycle turned out to be a fabulous lesson in history as well; it’s amazing how modifications were made based upon the happenings of the time, including the military.

And while they enjoyed learning about the first bicycle and tricycle the highlights of their tour through the museum were riding the Highwheel and peddling the car in the large room upstairs.

Fun fact: Ohio has been home to prominent bicycle manufacturers; Huffy, which remains an important distributor of bicycles today and the other manufactures that are gone but not forgotten, Shelby Bicycles of Shelby, Cleveland Welding, the producers of Roadmaster, and Colson of Elyria.

Plan your visit today:

Address: 7 W Monroe St, New Bremen, OH 45869

Phone: 419-629-9249

Website: http://www.bicyclemuseum.com/

Admission: Adults: $3 Seniors: $2 Children: $1

Hours: Summer: weekdays 9am-7pm, Winter: weekdays 9am-5pm, Saturdays 10am-2pm Closed Sundays

While you’re in New Bremen be sure to check out the Komminsk Legacy Park and Harmony Park located behind the Museum. The park features an embankment slide, a splash pad, a sun-shade structure by Tork Werks, hillside seating, and a commissioned sculpture.

Spangler Factory Tour (Dum-Dums)

June 30, 2017momonthegoinholytoledo

Cabbage Patch Dolls, Rainbow Brite, the original My Little Pony & Strawberry Shortcake were all the rage with little girls, Cyndi Lauper, Prince (before the symbol), Madonna, & Michael Jackson cassettes filled Walkmans, and Razzles, Zotz Sours, Airheads, and the Watermelon flavored Dum-Dum made its grand appearance on the candy scene. It was 1980 something! That was my childhood, before responsibilities and obligations; bills, laundry, work, etc. were even on my radar. That was before one could even fathom the web, email, social media, tablets, IPhones, texting, instant messaging, etc. Those were simpler, slower, fabulous years! And every summer I so look forward to visiting a glimpse of my childhood on our annual trip to the Spangler Factory!!!

As you enter the store you are greeted by the sweet aroma of candy and charming Spangler employees who offer samples of Dum Dums and candy canes. Then it’s time for a stroll through history in the museum where they have displays of past products, molds, literature, etc. Did you know that Spangler was founded in 1906 and that they make 10 million Dum Dums each day!? Now that is a lot of suckers!!

We perused the Museum for a few minutes and then it was time for the kiddos’ favorite part!! Sing along if ya know it…

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight

shlemiel, schlemazel, hasenpfeffer incorporated

We’re gonna do it

Give us any chance, we’ll take it

Read us any rule, we’ll break it

We’re gonna make our dreams come true

Doin’ it our way

Nothin’s gonna turn us back now

Straight ahead and on the track now

We’re gonna make our dreams come true

Doin’ it our way

After we had our hairnets on we boarded the trolley!!

While on the factory tour we learned about the seasonal Dum Dum flavors they will have in stores for Autumn/Christmas time. The flavor of the ‘love them or hate them…there is no in-between’ Circus Peanuts, and so much more!

As the trolley took us from one room to the next I couldn’t help but feel like I was on How it’s Made, remember that show? It was fascinating watching all the conveyor belts filled with Dum Dums and other various products…and to see the orange boxes piled high for Halloween and the numerous candy canes piled ceiling high for Christmas!

When the tour ended we headed for the store where kiddos could finally spend some of that tooth fairy and birthday money that was burning a hole in their pockets. And a bag of Circus Peanuts (FYI, the flavor is banana) for my dad (he loves them) and one for my little scientist who wanted to do candy experiments (book in gift shop).

As I went for the door to leave I hesitated, I didn’t want this visit back to childhood to end. I didn’t want to get in my car with the annoying touch screen, have to check my phone for missed calls, text, instant messages, etc. I just wanted to get back in my mom’s red Plymouth Dodge Caravan and open up that huge paper map in search of a local park to have lunch…and I want a Happy Meal, from the 80s…and while we are at it I want my banana clip too!! Though I couldn’t take my childhood home with me I could take the experience, the memory of enjoying a bit of my childhood with my children to cherish.

And knowing we will be back next summer always softens the blow a bit….see you summer 2018 Spangler Factory! As I looked in the rearview mirror I could practically see 6 year old me in a stripped romper, pigtails, & watermelon Dum Dum in hand.

Plan your visit today!

Details

Address: 400 N Portland St, Bryan, OH 43506

Phone: (419) 636-4221

Website: https://www.spanglercandy.com/

Hours: Summer: Monday thru Friday 10am – 4pm Last Trolley leaves at 3:30pm (Memorial Day – Labor Day)

Fall/Winter/Spring: Wednesday thru Friday 10am – 3pm Last Trolley leaves at 2:30pm (Starting September 4, 2017)

** CLOSED on: New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve Day

Admission: Adults $5, Children 6-18 years $3, Children 5 & Under Free with paid Adult, Seniors $4

OVO Cirque du Soleil, a performance unlike any other!

June 1, 2017momonthegoinholytoledo

“How can a show that doesn’t have any “real” spoken words be so awesome?” was the observation made by my husband on the drive home from the most amazing performance ever, OVO Cirque du Soleil. I almost corrected him, but then I took a moment to reflect on the show and he was totally right! Oh my gosh…there were no real, comprehendible words spoken during the entire performance. And yet, I understood and followed the show effortlessly, and what’s more, so did my husband and kids, how was that possible? The emotion, tone, visuals, music, and amazing performers provided a cohesive experience that transcended verbal language and spoke directly to the soul.

The fluid movement of the performers, the visual effects that literally pulled the audience in with movement, paired with the synchronized lights and sound effects provided such a lifelike experience, for a moment I had to remind myself that those performers were not real insects. However, our 6 year old was totally immersed in the imaginary, so much so that she even yelled out a couple times to the performers in excitement.

And as I looked down the aisle at my tween, 9 year old, & husband each with their eyes opened wide and faces lit up in awe I realized that OVO Cirque du Soleil managed to do something that no other show or performance we have attended as a family has ever done, it fully absorbed each of our attention and that is no easy task! The narrative of the insects and the mysterious egg pulled us in but it was the agility, fluidity, and beauty illustrated by the acrobats, gymnasts, and performers that kept us on the edge of our seats.

It was so exceptional that a standing ovation didn’t seem qualitative to such an outstanding performance but alas, it was all we had….so we stood and frantically clapped in utter delight. Though I must admit a part of me was a little sad that it was over. The experience was not just beautiful and awe inspiring but it was darn right relaxing and as a mom I appreciate any experience that can arouse a peaceful feeling within. Thankfully there is a soundtrack so I can try to channel that relaxing experience on otherwise crazy and chaotic days.

This is one performance you don’t want to pass up; it literally captivates ALL audience members. So grab your tickets today and be prepared to experience one of the most impressive, relaxing, captivating, awe inspiring performances.

ShowTime’s/dates:

June 1st – 7:30 p.m.

June 2nd – 7:30 p.m.

June 3rd – 4 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

June 4th – 1:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Location:

Huntington Center 401 Jefferson Ave Toledo, OH 43604, United States

Website:

https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/usa/toledo/ovo/buy-tickets

Box office:

419-321-5007

Ticketmaster Charge by Phone:

1-800-745-3000

5 Reasons why Niagara Falls, ON, Canada is an Awesome Family Trip

May 22, 2017momonthegoinholytoledo

The family gets to visit a foreign country minus the expensive flight!! Talk about exciting!! And, though the terrain doesn’t change much on the other side of the Ambassador Bridge the kiddos will make some fun observations; suddenly the speed limit is measured in kilometers, the temperature is defined in Celsius, not Fahrenheit, & our kiddos’ favorite, different money!!
Falls Incline Railway! Our kiddos got a kick out of this fun, convenient, and economical ride…and the view of the Falls as you descend is breathtaking! “The Niagara Parks Incline Railway provides a fast & convenient link between the Fallsview Tourist area and our Table Rock Centre. Open year-round, fully accessible and climate-controlled, this attraction provides riders a unique vantage point of the Horseshoe Falls as they rise and descend along the inclined track”. Admission Price (children 5 and under are FREE)…..One Way: $2.75 Round Trip: $5.50 All Day: $7. I would recommend paying the all-day price so you are free to come and go as you pleas throughout the day. Website: https://www.niagaraparks.com/visit/attractions/falls-incline-railway
Journey behind the Falls!! The observation deck made this journey totally worth it…you can practically reach out and touch the falls, it was an out of this world experience! “To stand at the heart of Niagara, you’ll first need to descend 150 feet and explore 130-year-old tunnels through the bedrock, but you’ll feel the thunderous vibration of the Horseshoe Falls long before you see them. The observation deck at the foot of this 13-storey-tall wonder will leave you breathless (and maybe a little bit wet), but don’t forget the viewing portals cut straight through the rock, offering a once-in-a-lifetime view of one-fifth of the world’s fresh water crashing down in front of you”. Price: (Ages 5 and under are FREE) Adults-$17.30 Children (6-12)-$11.25 Website: https://www.niagaraparks.com/visit/attractions/journey-behind-the-falls
Locks up your Love!! Embassy Suites by Hilton Niagara Falls….Address: 6700 Fallsview Blvd, Niagara Falls, ON L2G 3W6, Canada. This is a fun family activity to do…lock up that family love at Niagara Falls…bring a lock and sharpie or buy one once you’re there & commemorate this magical family trip!!
Clifton Hills Fun!!! Clifton Hill is Niagara Falls top destination for attractions, restaurants, entertainment and more! Located just one block away from the Niagara Horseshoe Falls, the Street of Fun is a must-visit for families. Clifton Hill’s exciting array of attractions includes the Niagara Skywheel, a giant wheel 175 feet above the Falls providing you with views like no other of the Falls, Ripley’s Museum, The Upside Down House, Hersey Store, Wax Museums, of course, the Falls, and so much more!! Clifton Hills Website: https://www.cliftonhill.com/niagara-falls-attractions

And the Falls at Night are breathtaking! Though it can be a bit chilly, so we had dinner at Elements with the perfect view of the Falls and the food is delicious too!! This trip will be one the kiddos will talk about for years to come so be sure to get this Road Trip on your Family’s bucket list today!!

OVO Cirque du Soleil Family 4-pack Tickets Giveaway

May 18, 2017May 18, 2017momonthegoinholytoledo

Schools almost out!! Your kiddos have worked so hard all year. They deserve to be rewarded. Why not take the entire family to an out of this world performance to celebrate the culmination of an awesome school year? OVO Cirque du Soleil will provide the perfect artistic marriage of wonderment and awe that will leave your family longing for more!

About the show

OVO, meaning “egg” in Portuguese, is a headlong rush into a colorful ecosystem teeming with life, where insects work, eat, crawl, flutter, play, fight and look for love in a non-stop riot of energy and movement.

When a mysterious egg appears in their midst, the insects are awestruck and intensely curious about this iconic object that represents the enigma and cycles of their lives. It is love at first sight when a gawky, quirky insect arrives in this bustling community and a fabulous ladybug catches his eye – and the feeling is mutual.

The cast of OVO is comprised of 50 performing artists from 12 countries specializing in many acrobatic acts. One highlight of OVO is the stunning Flying Act in which a group of scarabs soar high above the stage, from both edges to the middle landing on a platform.