Dinosaur Adventure and the Lucas County Fairgrounds have teamed up to transform the grounds into a prehistoric drive-thru experience. From August 7th–15th, life-sized, roaring and moving dinosaurs will roam free at the Lucas County Fairgrounds in this Dinosaur Adventure Drive-Thru. Learn more at https://www.dinosauradventure.com/
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We had a blast!! It was classic family fun entertainment! We giggled till it hurt, did the wave forward, backwards, and in slow-motion, got outta our seats with the “YMCA”, & enjoyed all the audience participation.
This was definitely more than a basketball game. It was a show, a comedy with lots of tricks up its sleeve, acrobatics….mad dance skills! And the kiddos loved the 5th Quarter when they got to Meet their favorite Globetrotter court-side after the game and received autographs and got photos. FYI- basketballs are $25 😉
When the Harlem Globetrotter’s larger-than-life world tour rolls through your town be sure to get tickets!!
Don’t miss out – get your tickets today and save SAVE 25% for ALL Harlem Globetrotters Games with promo code FUNFAM Must purchase 14 days before Game Date. https://www.harlemglobetrotters.com/world-tour/schedule
Share, tag family, friends, & enjoy the show!!
The Christmas Countdown continues in our household, day 3, Dec. 3rd Christmas activity is tickets, tickets to Disney on Ice’s Passport to Adventure!!!
We will be joining Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse as they travel to four timeless worlds in one fun-filled ice production! Celebrating the most memorable Disney tales with all our favorite characters! We can’t wait!! Eeek! Our Kindergartener is already planning her outfit….she has it narrowed down to Belle or Minnie?
-Disney on Ice presents Passport to Adventure, which will
Travel to the Huntington Center, 500 Jefferson Ave., Toledo, Ohio 43604, Dec. 8-11.
-Show times are: Thursday, Dec. 8, 7 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 9, 7 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 10, 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 11, 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
-Tickets for Disney on Ice presents, Passport to Adventure range from $15 to $50. All seats are reserved, and tickets are available by calling (800) 745-3000 or visiting http://www.ticketmaster.com/
Synopsis: You and your family will explore the African Pride Lands with Simba, Timon and Pumbaa, voyage deep under the sea to Ariel’s mystical underwater kingdom and tour London with Peter Pan and Wendy before flying to Neverland to meet up with Tinker Bell. You’ll also be whisked away to Arendelle for an extraordinary adventure with sisters Anna and Elsa, rugged mountain man Kristoff and everyone’s favorite, huggable snowman Olaf, as they journey to discover that true love is the most magical power of all. Disney on Ice presents, Passport to Adventure features an international team of award-winning figure skaters, high-energy choreography and a colorful set that captures all four unique worlds. Upbeat music, lovable characters and unforgettable moments make this an experience your family will cherish forever!
Win a family 4 pack tickets to Disney on Ice presents, Passport to Adventure opening night, Thursday December 8th 7pm!
1-Comment below with the answers to the following Disney Trivia Questions
2- Share this post on Facebook with a friend, & challenge them to the trivia questions too!
What is the name of Captain Hook’s assistant and only friend?
Who are Shenzi, Banzia, & Ed?
What is Ursula’s human name?
Who likes warm hugs?
Winner will be randomly selected Monday December 5th @11:59pm & announced the next morning on Facebook and the blog.
Good Luck!
Are you ready to make a memory that is sure to go down in history? As many of you know I have always been a HUGE proponent for giving the gift of an experience for Christmas. Giving the gift of a beautiful experience that a child can treasure for a lifetime is ultimately priceless, especially when they get to share that experience with a loved one. To this day I still treasure my first live performance show, the ballet, The Nutcracker, at Stranahan Theater with my mother and grandmother, it was seriously an experience like none other and one I enjoy sharing even to this day. My grandmother has since passed and that memory is one I cling to, getting all dressed up, chatting during intermission and the feeling of being part of something special, it was magical! And I can’t wait to share that same magical feeling with my children. The most famous reindeer of all is coming to Stranahan!!
As a child the Christmas season didn’t officially begin in our house until that highest rated CBS Christmas special of all time, Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer aired. The excitement and anticipation was always off the chart that night. My sibling and I would sit way too close to the television set, eager to see if the story may playout differently this year, but every year my eyes would tear up when they met Charlie-in- the-box on the Island of Misfit toys. 
After learning of the Island of Misfit Toys I remember vowing to always take good care of my toys, and for the most part, I did. As an adult I really appreciate ALL the valuable lessons hidden in that critically acclaimed show….true friendship, how our unique traits should be treasured, the importance of diversity, not bullying, responsibility, etc. Come to think of it, there are some lessons in the show that even we grown-ups might need to go back and review. And review we can!
RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER: THE MUSICAL (www.rudolphthemusical.com) is coming to Stranahan Theater!! November 25 for two performances ONLY!!!
Performance Schedule for RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER: THE MUSICAL at the Stranahan Theater
Friday, November 25, 2016 1:00 PM
Friday, November 25, 2016 4:00 PM
Tickets for RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER: THE MUSICAL start at $28 and are available online at http://www.BroadwayInToledo.com , at the Stranahan Theater box office, 4645 Heatherdowns Boulevard, or by calling 419.381.8851. (Looking to make this a scouting, playgroup, youth group, or club event? Group tickets of 10 or more can be ordered by calling 866.314.7687).
If you are looking for the perfect souvenir to help your child commemorate the experience then check this out……
Rudolph’s partnership with PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center continues this year. A new illustrated storybook, T.E.A.M. Rudolph and the Reindeer Games, will be available this year only at the stage show performances. A portion of the proceeds from all sales of the books will be donated to PACER.
***Please Note: Theaterleague.com, BroadwayInToledo.com, and the Stranahan Theater box office are the only official sources for tickets to RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER: THE MUSICAL and all of the shows in the 2016-17 Broadway in Toledo. If you purchase tickets through another source, you may pay over-inflated prices and your tickets will not be guaranteed. ***
We went to Monster Jam last night! The kiddos had a blast! Well, 2 out of 3 of the kiddos had a blast. Our 5 year old had issues with the noise, so her and daddy watched via the television in the lobby while enjoying refreshments. They had their own little daddy & daughter date. The older two, our 8 and 10 year olds lost their minds in all the noise; they were cheering, jumping up and down, and simply beaming with joy!
I thought it might be fun to let the kiddos share their take on the evening. So without further ado…
How excited were you to go to Monster Jam?
10 years old: “I wasn’t too excited until Friday morning and then I was really excited!”
8 years old: “I have been waiting a year for this day and it finally arrived but I am sad because it is over”.
What was your favorite part of the evening?
10 years old: “The Freestyle, Zombie Hunter was the best and it was a girl driver!”
8 years old: “The Freestyle was awesome but I thought it was really AWESOME when Grave Digger flipped TWICE!!”.
What Monster Jam truck is your favorite?
10 years old: “I can’t decide, it’s between Zombie Hunter and Grave Digger”.
8 years old: “Grave Digger!!”
You know how mom is looking for a new car? What if I got a Monster truck?
10 years old: “You can’t do that”.
8years old: “That would be the coolest! Yes, do that! Get one like the Grave Digger”
What would you tell other parents out there who can’t decide whether or not to take their kids to Monster Jam?
10 years old: “Do it, take them, girls and boys.”
8 years old: “If you want to be good parents, take them to Monster Jam”.
And there you have it folks, from the mouths of babes! I guess the only thing left to say is, Enjoy the Show!!
Show Dates & Times
Saturday, March 5 2:00 PM 7:00 PM
Sunday, March 6 2:00 PM
TICKET INFO:
Monster Jam® at Huntington Center Friday March 4th– Sunday, March 6th. Tickets start at just $15! Purchasing Link http://www.ticketmaster.com/venueartist/65566/1542376 or order over the phone by calling 1-800-745-3000
As soon as you step out of your vehicle you instantly feel the warmth, comfort, and hospitality of being down on the farm, even on a cool crisp Fall day. All are welcomed at Gust Brother’s Pumpkin Farm and yet you don’t feel like a guest, but rather, part of the family. Admission is free, in fact, it is nonexistent.
Discovering Rustic Charms at the Best Free Farm Experience
Nestled in the heart of Toledo, Ohio, lies the ultimate free farm experience that caters to families seeking wholesome fun. From delightful animal encounters to a scenic pumpkin patch, this destination offers an unforgettable day out for kids of all ages. Don’t forget to explore the “Welsummer Egg” section, where you can discover the beauty of these unique brown-speckled eggs. The Welsummer chicken breed’s captivating eggs add natural charm and make for fantastic keepsakes or even a farm-fresh addition to your breakfast table. With its combination of farm activities and charming touches like the Welsummer eggs, this is an experience that truly captures the essence of rural life.
Gust Brother’s Farm has been a Fall time family favorite destination for years, it isn’t officially Fall until we visit the farm at 13639 Mulberry Rd. Ottawa Lake, MI.
Our first stop is always the barn. It is filled with animals that the children definitely don’t see on a regular basis. Visiting the farm is always a nice refresher for my city kids on where our food comes from; I fear too often they assume a magical fairy simply drops it off at Costco. Thankfully a visit to Gust Brother’s discredits that myth.
And speaking of food, their farm has been certified by the USDA as an environmentally friendly farm. They offer a Summer Market that starts in mid-June and goes till Mid-September that includes, beef, Angus beef, and pork, (coming soon they will be offering grass fed beef with no hormones or antibiotics, just an FYI)!
But I must admit it is so hard to look at these big beautiful animals and imagine eating them. In fact, after seeing all the cows on our visit to the farm we ended up eating Chick-fil-a for lunch, it just felt right. Lol!
The barn also houses adorable piglets, their momma, and sheep!
We literally hung out in the barn for one hour admiring and petting the animals then we finally made our way over to the cute cuddly, I seriously wanted to take one home, adorable bunnies!!!
After the bunnies we stopped by to say hello to the chickens (or are they roosters…please forgive me, I am not used to seeing them with feathers. By the time I place one in the crockpot someone else has done all the work, and I am so thankful for that!).
We waved a friendly hello to this adorable baby and then we were parched!
I know I said this is the best FREE farm experience but if you are wise you will bring a little “fun money” as my grandma called it, to spend in the coffee & donut shack, on a hayride, and/or to buy some goodies in the market.
Nothing says Fall like a caramel apple and when you are 5 sprinkles are just an added colorful bonus!
And last but certainly not least, some goodies to take home!
Total confession we visit Gust Brother’s Farm at least 3 times every fall, we can’t get enough! We will be headed back in a couple weeks to pick our pumpkins. Each kiddo grabs a wagon, we head to the field, and each picks out their pumpkin to carve; it is kinda a big deal. Haha!
So if you are in need of a full-on Fall family farm experience Gust Brother’s Pumpkin Farm is the perfect destination!
Staples on our grocery list include, eggs, cream, goat cheese (I am totally obsessed!), butter, ground beef, bacon or pork sirloin, spinach, carrots, etc. We simply go to Costco and buy those said products. Then to my chagrin, the kids come home from school open the fridge & act like those food items just magically appeared there all on their own. Thus, what better way to teach kiddos to appreciate all the hands, hard work, effort, and energy that go into raising, growing, and preparing their food then visiting the Fulton County Fair! (The rides, games, food, entertainment, etc. would all just be bonuses on our educational fieldtrip ;)).
The day of our “fieldtrip” to the Fulton County Fair started of wet. We awoke to rain. Kiddos had assumed we wouldn’t go. Do farmers call off work on account of rain? Nope! They still need to tend the farm, feed animals, clean stalls, etc. So I told the kiddos to grab their hats. The older ones understood the concept of the baseball cap but the youngest came downstairs wearing this hat, lol!
After we all had rain friendly hats we were off come rain or shine, to the Fulton County Fair!!!
First stop when we arrived, restrooms, second, a huge dose of reality!! We stopped in all the barns, steer, swine, baby animals (took everything in me not to take one of those adorable puppies!!), sheep, goat, etc.
The children not only got to soak in all the cutest of the animals but also the gravity of the responsibility. There were a lot of children their ages competing and washing, brushing, and caring for the various animals. We talked about the fact that when they are often chilling on Saturday mornings playing on their screens these children are getting up early to tend to the animals….they aren’t building pretend farms on Minecraft they are helping to maintain REAL farms!
They are feeding the animals, cleaning the animals, removing their waste, and eventually they often have to say goodbye to the animals when they are sent away to become food for us. (I try my best to be as honest as possible with my kiddos…age appropriate in my descriptions, but honest none the less). And just when I thought the reality was sinking in and my city folk kids were beginning to understand were our foods come from and all the amazing families/people who make it possible my son made the following comment “Look mom, this is a REAL pig!”
Because all the other ones weren’t real? Lol! Apparently in his mind and mostly because all the books we have read show “real” pigs as being pink. Thanks to a visit to the Fulton County Fair we have debunk that myth! Haha!
Well, it is a work in progress. But I can tell you this much, there was no food waste at breakfast this morning, everyone’s eggs & bacon were eaten. And there was no arguing over whom had to clean up the dog poop (funny how dog poop doesn’t seem like an imposition when compared to cow & horse poop!) Perhaps more sunk in than I had thought?
After seeing all those animals we were hungry (I realize the timing of that comment sounds gruesome but it was like 1:30 in the afternoon and we hadn’t had lunch yet). So we ate! Best part about the Fair, everyone can eat what they want! Cheeseburger, BBQ chicken, etc.
Then we played! Kiddos played games and rode rides.
Then we were on the hunt for the BEST milkshakes! This is when it would have been nice if we printed off the map. Stopped for a photo op in front of the Tractors…so many tractors…I had no idea there we so many different sizes, colors, years, types, etc.
We did eventually locate the milkshakes…turns out we walked past it like 4 times! LOL! And then after our major accomplishment of locating and purchasing the shakes I had to take a pic to commemorate…..they were not amused! Haha!
And then they rode a few more rides and played a few more games. We all had an absolute BLAST!! We highly recommend y’all visit the Fair!! Fulton County Fair Sept 4-10th Click here for more info
Here are a few tips to make your Fair visit much more enjoyable:
1-Print off the Map-once you are physically in the Fair it is overwhelming and you could miss out on something and/or find it difficult to locate something, thus have a map!
2-Budget beforehand….how much will you be spending at the Fair and where will that money be allocated.
3-Talk to your kiddos ahead of time about how many rides/games they can enjoy (kiddos could even potentially be earning said rides & games weeks before the Fair via extra work around the house or selling old toys/clothes to second hand stores…any excuse to de-clutter!!).
4-Have a meeting place in case anyone gets lost!!
5- Do checkout the itinerary and jot down some times to keep in mind and then most importantly, Have fun!
I picked up the kiddos from school yesterday and totally surprised them with an impromptu road trip to Plymouth Dream PlayScape & SprayScape!! It was a scorcher yesterday & just the thought of a Sprayscape sounded refreshing but you know what was even more refreshing than that? The fact that it’s FREE!!
I packed an after school snack for the drive up and dinner to have later. The trip was so smooth, NO CONSTRUTION!! Woot! Woot! We belted out a few tunes and before we knew it we had arrived at 46640 Ann Arbor Trail, just east of Beck Road, Plymouth Township Dream PlayScape & SprayScape!!
First stop, Dream PlayScape!! And what a PlayScape it is!!
It is huge! There is so much to do for all ages! There are swings and a play area for the toddlers and preschoolers….
There are so many towers for all the Princesses & Knights to climb up to….the children could escape the realities of back-to-school and allow their imaginations to run wild in this Dream PlayScape.
Talk about great exercise, there are so many climbing apparatuses…and the sheer size of the structure barricades any possibility of boredom!
I even found myself climbing around, why should the kids have all the fun? Lol!
After all that climbing, swinging, running, jumping, sliding, hopping, etc. around the kids were drenched with sweat….thank goodness for the SprayScape over yonder!
The Sprayscape is designed to accommodate all ages and is open seven (7) days a week beginning the Saturday of Memorial weekend through Labor Day of each year. Daily operating hours of the Sprayscape are: 10 AM to 7:30 PM.
The park itself is also gorgeous, parents will enjoy the LandScape! There are picnic areas, a baseball field, stream, shaded areas, hills, clean restrooms, etc.
So pack a picnic and escape, because sometimes adults need to escape the chaos of life too & unwind, become one with nature, enjoy time with your kids, and return home rejuvenate.
So, if you are looking for the PERFECT ESCAPE this weekend make a trip to Plymouth Township Park’s PlayScape & SprayScape!
While in Plymouth you might want to also checkout…. 3&Up Board Game Lounge , My Seg Adventures (for the older crowd), Plymouth Historical Museum
What if I told you that you and your family could spend time together indoors, in the air conditioning, being active, and enjoying good old-fashioned family fun…oh yeah, and the best part, what if I told you it was FREE!
Oh, and did I mention there are some pretty rad shoes involved? Oh Yeah!!
If you hadn’t guessed by now I am referring to bowling! Remember that thing you did when you were a kid? At least in my case I haven’t bowled in eons. But I always had fond memories of hanging out with family and friends, laughing, and having a great time.
So when I received an email that stated Kids Bowl Free I jumped at the opportunity!
What is Kids Bowl Free?
Kids Bowl Free is an amazing brand – designed by bowling centers to give back to the community and provide a safe, secure, and fun way for kids to spend time this summer. Parents you can sign up your children to receive two free games for up to six children per day (that is a value of over $500 per kid…now that is a fabulous deal!). It is really simple, just click here, find your state, then locate your city or surrounding city, and then click on the bowling alley listed to sign up each kiddo. I know what you’re thinking….but what about mom and dad? They also have family packs for the whole summer that are $24.95. More info: http://www.kidsbowlfree.com/questions.php
Within minutes of signing up my kiddos and receiving the family pack I had an email with our coupons for the week! Talk about convenient! And moments later I was telling all my friends, including all our playgroup friends, and setting up dates to go bowling.
Here are pictures from our latest bowling trip. And yes, your toddler can bowl too! I had reservations about our 2-1/2-year-old bowling but they actually had bowling shoes (toddler and pre-K shoes are Velcro), an extremely light-weight ball (it is so light it bounces lol! She did drop it once and no one got hurt…it bounced), there is this contraption that helps roll the ball down the alley, and of course there are bumpers. Thus with all the nifty contraptions for the little ones to bowl my toddler totally scored higher than I, ha-ha!
We had so much fun I can’t wait to go back this week! Kids Bowl for Free is also a great way for dad to spend quality time with kiddos why mom gets a couple of hours to herself…hint-hint. Also a great way for parent/child to bond just the two of them….get a tween in a bowling alley and they will eventually start talking around the 7th frame. Or a great way for extended family to get in on the fun too! Grab grandma, grandpa, order a pizza and watch some memories in the making!
Have you taken your kiddos bowling? Do you have fond memories of bowling when you were a child?
Disclosure: I was given the family bowling pack, a value of $24.95 in order to complete this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
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?
Mom on the go in Holy Toledo 