Oak Openings Metropark, a wonder to behold!

February 20, 2018momonthegoinholytoledo

Trip Advisor has it listed as #8 or 80 things to do in Toledo and I could not agree more! It is home to “the Spot” which has earned quite a reputation amongst Insta-grammers from all over Ohio as well as photographers from Michigan, Washington, D.C., New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Minnesota, California, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. With its sand dunes, bike trails, Tornado Alley, Mallard Lake, campgrounds, Horse trails, picnic areas, etc. it’s the Disney World of Metroparks with endless beauty everywhere you turn just waiting to be explored!

The playground is endless fun carefully constructed as to not deter from the natural beauty of the space. It is a camouflage of make-believe full of adventure!

The Zipline is the best…

Address: 4139 Girdham Rd, Toledo, OH 43558-9667

Phone: 419-826-6463

Website: https://metroparkstoledo.com/discover/blog/parkblog/?park=Oak+Openings&parkId=1765

Do take the time out of your busy week to get outside yourself and explore the wonder that is Oak Openings Metropark!

8 Tips to Help You Save Money this Christmas

December 11, 2017November 8, 2020momonthegoinholytoledo

It’s the time of year when many of us are thinking with our hearts as opposed to with our heads. We allow our hearts to do the shopping, decorating, wrapping, and giving without consulting our heads, a.k.a. logic & reason. Then in January our heads are back in the game and have to live with the consequences our hearts made via bank accounts and credit card statements. Not this year! Here are 8 tips that will help satisfy the warmth of the heart and logic/reason of the mind/head.

8 Tips to Help You Save Money this Christmas

1. Look for FREE Christmas Activities and Events Going on in the Community

Did you know the Lights Before Christmas at the Toledo Zoo offers one FREE weekend visit…and free parking.
Holidays in the Manor House at Wildwood Metropark is a FREE fun family event…children will enjoy participating in the scavenger hunt as they tour the rooms adorn with festive themes, dress up in the props provided in the photo booth room, take a quick lighted stroll, & warm up by the fire while enjoying a complimentary s’more!!
Barnes & Noble Stores (Fallen Timbers & Franklin Park)has FREE Holiday themed Storytime’s & activity that follows on Saturdays in December at 11am

2. Don’t partake in the lethal combination of Craft/Hobby store & Pinterest-Stick to a List!

When you walk into any craft store you are greeted by adorable holiday décor that practically screams, “Take me home”!! You may have entered the store looking for just a throw pillow but you are leaving with a cart full of goodies, all color coordinated, & too adorable to pass up! What’s worse is if you “accidently” click Pinterest while in said craft store, it is the worst enabler! Exercise self-control this Christmas…make a list before entering a craft/hobby store and stick to it and NEVER click on Pinterest when in a craft store, do your research before you arrive and save a pic of the project.

3. Reuse Christmas Decoration

As a child I recall fond memories of helping my parents get out the Christmas decorations each year…the ornaments, stuffed animals, etc. There was something so special about unpacking even the wreath from Christmas past, especially when we moved. It helped make the new house a home because with that wreath came all the beautiful memories from past Christmases spent at our old home. Somewhere along the way we have lost the importance of tradition when it comes to Christmas décor and perhaps tip #2 has a lot to do with it. But this year why not save money and build on the memories with your children by reusing last year’s decorations.
But what about the live Christmas trees? Okay, so maybe you will need to spend a little on Christmas décor if your family opts for a live tree. Our family enjoys the experience of selecting and cutting down our own tree. We go to Samarian Hidden Tree Farm; they have a great selection and a great price, all trees are $40 (cash only). https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hidden-Tree-Farm/140503182764564

4. Wear Clothing that is in Your Closet

There is no reason to get all new Christmas clothing, shoes, etc. every year when you already have Sunday best in your closet.

5. Host a Simple Gathering

Throwing a Christmas party is a lot of fun, but also a lot of work and money. This year throw a simple Christmas gathering, invite friends over for dessert, have a Sundae bar and/or Hot Coca bar and request that each friend bring a specific topping/sweet to share. This way all you have to have ready when guest arrive is hot cocoa and/or ice cream and serving dishes. And what’s more you get to actually enjoy your party instead of constantly running back and forth checking of food.
Why not add to the entertainment and spread the Holiday savings, make your party a White Elephant party. Have guest wrap a gently used item from home to swap. Not familiar with While elephant? Click on link, https://www.whiteelephantrules.com/

6. Take your own Family Christmas Portrait

Don’t pay a dime for a Christmas Portrait sitting fee! Take your own with a tripod and timer on your camera and/or phone.
Meet up with another family at a park or other beautiful backdrop and take turns taking pics of each other’s family.

7. Re-think the Christmas Card

Just send a virtual Christmas card to friends for free…Smilebox even has music!
Only purchase a small about of Christmas cards for the loved ones who are not on Facebook or Social media. Chances are most relatives are seeing adorable pics of your munchkins on a daily basis, so you could simply add your Christmas pics to your page to share. But there are those few who are not on social media who do still enjoy receiving a Christmas card. Just order 10-25 cards…look for deals online. This year I ordered a bunch of items from Shutterfly and received 10 free cards.
Have children help make Christmas cards from items in your arts & craft container and then print off your Christmas picture (that you had a friend take, of your family wearing clothing that was already in closets 😉 ) at Walgreen, Meijer, etc. and place photo inside the homemade card. Loved ones will appreciate the personalized touch and you will save money, win-win!

8. Implement the rule of 3 for children’s gifts-Want, Need, & Share

Make a list of 3 items to purchase for each child and stick with the list, no impulse buys! Purchase children one item they want, one item they need, and an item to share. Ideas for items to share, games for family game nights, puzzles, Lego bricks, movies for family movie nights, and/or one of those craft kids.
Remind children that Christmas is Jesus’s birthday, not theirs and that we should be thankful and appreciative for any items under the Christmas tree. It also helps if adults focus more on the excitement of giving gifts rather than receiving, model the behavior you wish to see in your children.

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

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.

Details

Show times: May 31st to June 4th, 2017

May 31, 2017 Wed 7:30 PM

Jun 1, 2017 Thu 7:30 PM

Jun 2, 2017 Fri 7:30 PM

Jun 3, 2017 Sat 4:00 PM

Jun 3, 2017 Sat 7:30 PM

Jun 4, 2017 Sun 1:30 PM

Jun 4, 2017 Sun 5:00 PM

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

Ticket Information: Tickets starting at $36 for adults and $25 for children. (Senior, military, student discounts and family 4-packs available).

Discount: https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/usa/toledo/deals

Box office: 419-321-5007

Ticketmaster Charge by Phone: 1-800-745-3000

Ticket Information: Tickets starting at $36 for adults and $25 for children. (Senior, military, student discounts and family 4-packs available).

Giveaway

Family Four-pack Tickets to Opening Night May 31, 2017 Wed 7:30 PM

To be entered in the giveaway simply:

1-Share this post with friends and family

2-Comment below (on Blog Page) and share what you are going to miss most about this school year.

Winner randomly selected May 26th @11:59pm and posted on Blog and Facebook page

Perfect Gift for Mother’s Day (Includes-$10 off- link in post)

May 11, 2017momonthegoinholytoledo

Flowers die, chocolates often have to be shared with the kids and disappear in minutes, but memories last a lifetime! Give the special mom in your life the gift of an experience to treasure forever this Mother’s Day with tickets to OVO Cirque du Soleil!!

I know what you’re thinking; the price is a little steep. But this is OVO Cirque du Soleil; this is the kind of amazing show people travel to big cities to see! And how fortunate are we that it came to us; it came to Toledo, Ohio. Thus saving us the airfare and hotel stay. And for all you moms out there who may be wishing for some time away from the family (no shame) this would make the perfect Moms Night Out! Grab dinner and/or drinks before or after the show and make an evening of it! Trust me ladies, this is one performance you do not want to pass up!

About the show

Details

Show times: May 31st to June 4th, 2017

May 31, 2017 Wed 7:30 PM

Jun 1, 2017 Thu 7:30 PM

Jun 2, 2017 Fri 7:30 PM

Jun 3, 2017 Sat 4:00 PM

Jun 3, 2017 Sat 7:30 PM

Jun 4, 2017 Sun 1:30 PM

Jun 4, 2017 Sun 5:00 PM

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

Ticket Information: Tickets starting at $36 for adults and $25 for children. (Senior, military, student discounts and family 4-packs available).

Discount: This is no ordinary day…this is Mother’s Day! Enjoy $10 off and treat an extraordinary woman to the gift of amazing moments with family or friends. Link: https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/usa/toledo/deals

Box office: 419-321-5007

Ticketmaster Charge by Phone: 1-800-745-3000

Ticket Information: Tickets starting at $36 for adults and $25 for children. (Senior, military, student discounts and family 4-packs available).

Discount: This is no ordinary day…this is Mother’s Day! Enjoy $10 off and treat an extraordinary woman to the gift of amazing moments with family or friends. Just click on the link below for your special discount! Link: https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/usa/toledo/deals

Now the only decision left to make is who you (mom) wants to spend this awesome experience with….munchkins, Moms Night Out, or Date Night, decisions…decisions?

True Love is…a smoldering dishwasher, puking child, & exhaustion!?!

February 14, 2017momonthegoinholytoledo

Based upon the title you might be thinking what kind of twisted freak is this woman? Lol! And trust me; I would have thought the same thing just days ago, Sunday to be exact. On Sunday life was perfect but of course I didn’t realize that because I was frantically getting ready for the week, meal planning, doing laundry, helping kiddos with their Valentine’s, etc. I am a sucker for all holidays and Valentine’s Day is the Olympics of holidays for me. I find so much joy in smothering all my sweethearts with love, heart shaped everything, gifts, surprises, and of course a fabulous meal. I had everything planned out perfectly, this year I was going to surprise the kids after school with balloons in the car, take them to a movie, and come home to a dinner table adorn with heart shaped waffles, eggs, strawberries, X & O shaped bacon (yep, I am that mom…coming to terms with it is the first step), chocolates, etc.

It was going to blow them away; it would be my best surprise yet (even better than taking them to Boyd’s for the Retro candies for school), we are talking Pinterest Perfection! But life had other plans, turns out the surprise was on me!

Sunday: Nothing like traumatizing the kids during bedtime!

Sunday night the kiddos headed up to bed after dinner and I prepped leftovers in the kitchen for lunch the next day. I was standing by the sink and suddenly, out of know where, the dishwasher made a spark followed by a sizzle, and then started smoking. The darn thing wasn’t even running!?! I called in my husband for reinforcements and rushed downstairs to turn off the breaker. (Something about water and electricity just didn’t sit well with me). Apparently like most things in our household the circuit breaker is a bit wonky when it comes to the labels. What seemed like a minute to me must have felt like an eternity to my husband because he frantically yelled down, “just turn it off!”. So naturally, I panicked. I just started flipping switches two at a time, including the one to the upstairs and basement. The high pitched screams that pierced my eardrum were clear indications that I flipped the wrong switch and now not only were the children freaking out in the dark upstairs, but, I too was in the dark downstairs. Meanwhile the dishwasher continued melting & smoking while my husband stood by helplessly. I eventually managed to manipulate the switches in the dark, turned off the electricity to the kitchen, and turned back on the electrically to the basement and upstairs. As I made my way back up to the kitchen I could hear the dog’s paws rushing down the stairs from above, he had left his post upstairs with the kids to check things out. After knocking a few things over with his cone of shame that he obtained thanks to double ear infections he came barreling around the corner to a dark kitchen with one path of light streaming from a flashlight on the floor that illuminated the cloud of smoke coming from the dishwasher. Once he saw that smoke he started barking ferociously which resulted in the kids practically sliding down the stairs in fright. And there the entire family stood at 9:30pm assembled in the dark kitchen in shock and amazement. It felt like a dramatic scene from a play. The flashlight gave the dishwasher the perfect spotlight and the smoke added a nice dramatic effect. The smell of plastic burning began to fill the room. Thankfully my husband was able to pull the dishwasher out from under the counter and unplug it, but when doing so the dog saw this great beast of a smoking appliance as a threat and tried to attack, retreating in fear each time but none the less barking his cone of shame head off. Crisis mostly averted.

Monday: She’s upstairs puking!

Monday night after dinner I cleared the table and carefully stacked the dirty dishes on top of the other dirty dishes…I am getting quit good at balancing them; it’s almost an art, lol! And then I sat down with my 5^th grader and we put the finishing touches on their Valentines for school the next day. All three kiddos were super excited for their Valentine’s Day party the next day, since they kind of got robbed of their party at Christmas time due to a snow day their anticipation was super amplified. They checked the forecast for the next day and let out a huge sigh of relief when they saw that fog, snow, and ice were nowhere on the radar. Each sat out their clothes…pinks, reds, and even a tutu with gold glitter hearts was the preferred apparel for our little fashionista.

Everything was going so smoothly and then it happened. My husband came downstairs to let me know, “She’s puking upstairs”. My heart sank. I knew what that meant; someone wasn’t wearing her gold glitter heart tutu tomorrow, wasn’t passing out Valentines, and wasn’t going to be attending her Valentine’s Day party.

Tuesday: Calgon take me away!

So here I sit, Tuesday morning and I am absolutely exhausted after getting up 8+ times with my poor baby girl. My kitchen counters are filled with mountains of dirty dishes, laundry needs to be done, rooms need to be cleaned (and sanitized), that darn dog just managed to annihilate his cone of shame, and my Valentine’s Day plans that I was so looking forward to are a bust. And yet I am over the moon, and no, that’s not just the ridiculous combination of exhaustion and caffeine talking.

This year I finally get it! I finally realize the true treasures of Valentine’s Day, granted I had to go on one twisted, crazy, exhausting scavenger hunt to find them but find them I did! And it turns out they have been here all along but I have been so distracted by my own expectations that I couldn’t see them. The dishwasher dying it’s slow smoky death revealed a part of my husband I had taken for granted, he is not only our family’s provider but our protector, he is willing to risk his life for our family…there is no amount of roses that can equal that! I learned that in my regimented ways I have missed out on precious moments…sitting with my 5^th grader and putting together Valentines while talking about life brought me more joy than a million boxes of chocolate. But the biggest take away from this crazy week (thus far-God may have more lessons in store!), and it was something that dawned on me when I rushed to my daughter’s side for the 5^th time at 4:30am, I learned that I am enough! My children don’t need fancy balloons, food shaped like hearts; the best gift I can give them is my unconditional love, day, or night, no matter the circumstances, no amount of store bought anything or fancy food can replace a mother’s love. Thus I am over the moon, bursting with blessings & love sans the typical Valentine’s Day garb.

I know it sounds so cliché but this Valentine’s Day the gifts I am most thankful for is my husband, children, my family’s health, and all the amazing people in my life…dishes be damned! 😉

Happy Valentine’s Day, loves! Cheers to finding the REAL treasures in your life!

10 Ways to Keep Kids Active in Toledo This Winter

February 4, 2017momonthegoinholytoledo

Its official Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow; we will have 6 more weeks of winter! 6 more weeks of the kids getting home from school just before dark, 6 more weeks of not just cold temps, but, wind chill temps too! And let’s be honest, we live in Northwest Ohio, 6 weeks is being generous, sometimes Spring time weather doesn’t grace us with its presence until mid-May! Pair all that with the fact that The Center for Disease Control and Prevention stipulates that children need at least 60 minutes of aerobic activity a day… (Specifically; vigorous-intensity aerobic activity on at least 3 days per week, muscle strengthening activities, such as gymnastics or push-ups, at least 3 days per week, and bone strengthening activities, such as jumping rope or running, at least 3 days per week as part of your child’s 60 or more minutes). (Source; https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/children/ )…and to further complicate the issue one can’t forget about homework, parents’ work schedule, evening activities, and the lure of the screen. It’s enough to make even the most optimistic parent want to just toss in the towel, call it a winter, and hibernate till spring.

First things first, let’s check those screens into the Mobile Motel where they can recharge and rest up for a few hours. (I would encourage your family to come up with check-in and check-out times that suit your family’s schedule. Having the screens out of site and out of mind will help remove that temptation. Added bonus, you will always know where the screen is & it will be charged. Winning!!).

10 Ways to Keep Kids Active in Toledo This Winter:

Walk to school! We started walking to school this year and while there was a bit of resistance in the beginning we have all come to enjoy and look forward to our walks in the morning. And recently our school introduced Active4.Me. It is a program that promotes physical activity and walkable communities. Active4.Me uses a barcode system to keep track of students’ active trips to and from school, CO2, calories, miles and how much gas savings for each student, their classroom, grade or for the whole district. It notifies parents that children have arrived safely, students can win prizes, and it is a great way to promote safe active communities. Website: https://www.active4.me/index
Earn Prizes for being Active!?! Winter Quest by Metroparks Toledo is a great initiative to get everyone outdoors and active. Simply download your journal, track your activity, and submit it via a message on the Metropark’s Facebook page or in person to be entered into a drawing for a prize. Names are drawn every Monday….but hurry Winter Quest end February 28^th. Website: https://metroparkstoledo.com/discover/special-events-and-programs/winter-quest/
Feel like life with kids is a 3-ring circus? Why not make it official and sign them up for Circus Classes! Birds Eye View Circus is Toledo’s Premiere Circus School and Performance Space. They offer Trapeze, Silks, Lyra, Aerial, Tight Wire, etc. drop in or classes for youth and adults. Website: https://birdseyeviewcircus.com/
Make it a family date at Ohio Skate! Why let the kids have all the fun? Skate rentals are reasonably priced to accommodate most budgets. For list of locations, prices, hours, etc. click on link to website: http://www.ohioskate.com/
Spend the Day at Maumee Bay State Park! The Lodge offers Day Passes Sunday- Thursday (8am-10pm). Children 2 & under are FREE, Children 3 & Up and Adults are $12 + tax for the day. That means you have all access to the locker rooms, sauna, hot tub, pool, splash area, kids area, arcade space, & fireplaces. What’s more, if it snows you can sled down the big hill, and if we get 6 inches you can rent skis too…then go warm up by the fireplace with hot cocoa or take a dip in the hot tub. This is a great one for Sundays, family fun days!! Website: http://www.maumeebaystateparklodge.com/
Ice ice baby! Take the kiddos to the only open air ice rink in northwest Ohio & southeast Michigan, at Ottawa Park!! General Admission is $4 (3 & under are free) Skate rental is $2. For directions, hours, etc. click on link to their website: http://www.ottawapark.org/outdoor-ice-rink-ottawa-park-toledo.html
Say Cheese! Enjoy a Photo Scavenger Hunt at the Park(s)! Since the Parks uphold the motto of “Take only memories, leave nothing but footprints.”- Chief Seattle- a photo scavenger hunt is perfect! Put together a quick list of items to find, grab the camera, and have kiddos snap shots as you walk one of the trails. To add to the fun and adventure, challenge yourselves to visit a different park each week, print off the kiddos’ findings and let them put together a winter book with all their pictures.
Prefer a more climate controlled park? One that is bright long after the sun goes down? Then head for the sky, Sky Zone! Half hour jump times are just $10, one hour is $15, for more pricing options and hours (Toddler Time: Fridays 10am-12pm, $8 per toddler, parents are FREE) click on website link….don’t forget your Sky Socks! Website: https://www.skyzone.com/toledo
Swing sets indoors!?! Dreams do come true! Take the kiddos to Sylvania Playland where they can enjoy five inflatables, four swing sets, & a toddler area. Care to extend the fun? Play a game of glow-in-the-dark mini golf, 18 holes, with 4 awesome themes (underwater, pirates, dinosaurs, knights and dragons). For location, hours, and pricing click on the link to the website: http://www.sylvaniaplayland.com/
There’s only one place your child can go to sail on a pirate ship, narrowly escape a monster shark, trek the jungle among gorillas and iguanas, weave his way through a dazzling maze, defy gravity, visit a neighboring kingdom’s castle, and then take a seat on his own castle’s throne – all in one day! Funigans!! Kiddos can bounce, slide, jump, and run around on their giant inflatables, play Lazer tag, and challenge one another in the arcade. For location, hours, pricing, etc. click on link to website: http://www.funagins.com/