kids in the kitchen – Mom on the go in Holy Toledo

Dear Diary…..Why We Can’t Promise our Kids the Moon

November 16, 2016momonthegoinholytoledo

Dear Diary,

~~Monday~~, ~~Tuesday~~ Wednesday, November (something) 2016

What to Expect When You’re Expecting said nothing about this!! Last month it was turn a pumpkin into a horse’s head (literary pumpkin decorating), this month its turn a cake into Saturn (Boy Scout Bake-Off), lol! Talk about asking for the moon! So last night we got to work…and right when we were covered in sticky rice krispies & frosting the youngest came running in blood everywhere from a bloody nose, “I might be dying” she sobbed, phone rang, darn dog took off with marshmallows, 5^th grader was yelling for a charger because the iPad was dying and with it, our 3^rd grader’s dream of having a Saturn cake. His immediate reaction was denial, quickly followed by doors slamming, then some crazy ideas on how we could make a ring….”mom I just want to put a ring on it!”….”you & all the single ladies, son”, lol! Then the water works, finally followed by acceptance, yep, we went through all 5 stages of grief in that one exhausting hour. And here is the big reveal of his Boy Scout Bake-Off Saturn Cake……

Our 3^rd grader grew a lot last night, he learned that sometimes you shoot for Saturn and land on the moon…a.k.a. life is 2% what happens to you and 98% how you react. He still isn’t necessarily over the moon (see what I did there? ;)) Could I have rushed out at 10pm with all 3 kiddos in tow to get more marshmallows? Sure, but the authorities might have been called in on account of all the blood all over my youngest face, clothes, etc. 3rd grader’s red eyes, and puffy face from crying, and my 5th grader yelling about what a horrible mom I was because I let it die (the iPad)…yep, that scenario would not have ended well for me and what would my son have learned, that mom will always fix “it”? Instead he received a good lesson in resilience, coping when things don’t go your way, and persevering…all valuable life skills that should be learned at a young age. Was it easy to watch him go through this experience, not particularly, but life wasn’t meant to always be easy, nor was parenting. It is so important that we don’t promise them the moon when they are kids. That we allow them to make their own mistakes and learn how to react appropriately when life happens….and you might just be surprised how far they will go if you let them grow. They might shoot for the moon and far exceed their own expectations and end up orbiting Saturn and it’s gosh darn ring system! 😉

I love how multifaceted parenting becomes with each passing year. Coffee cheers to choosing joy, to seeing the humor in otherwise stressful situations, accepting all life’s challenges, allowing our children the opportunity to grow when life happens & loving our kiddos to the moon and back!

Why I Make My Kids Cook Dinner

April 17, 2015April 17, 2015momonthegoinholytoledo

Mealtime seems to be a stressor in most families and ours is no exception. Children’s homework needs to be double checked, spelling words gone through, the littlest is demanding attention in any way possible, be it painting the walls or herself, doorbell rings, dog barks, phone rings, and in the middle of all the chaos mom is supposed to cook a rockin meal!? And even if she does manage to cook said rockin meal there is no guarantee that the kiddos will eat it or appreciate the time put into making the meal. Ever have a child refuse to touch their food simply based upon the way it looks? Does your child eat around their vegetable? Has your child ever complained because they wanted something else for dinner? Does your child ever complain that they are starving and it is taking you way too long to make dinner? NO MORE!

The solution is to have your kiddos involved in not only the meal preparation but also the planning. Have your child plan a meal for the week. Have them include the protein, veggie, grain and/or fruit (I have to be honest; I try to encourage mine to pick two veggies. It they do pick a fruit it is usually melon or berries). Take this time to talk with your children about healthy eating. Here are some fun printables to help as visual aids.

Then on the day of their meal have them in the kitchen with you preparing the meal. More supervision might be necessary for the younger ones. Also, if the meal they planned on making on a certain day takes more time then you have on that day then have them help prepare it ahead of time. You’d be surprised at how well this teaches them to appreciate the food on their plate, and it is a great lesson in time management.

Here is one such meal, Naan Bread Pizza! YUM!!

Our little man (and yes, I will still be calling him that long after he towers over me, hehe!) decided on pizza as his meal. Initially I think he thought if he said that then he wouldn’t have to make anything that we would order it, wrong! I asked him to decide on the toppings based upon the food groups we had discussed and he chose, bacon, mushrooms, peppers, spinach, cheese, and as we say in our house, ‘the best sauce’ Dei Frantelli pizza sauce…so the kid has good taste, what can I say? Haha!

He helped with preparing the toppings, we played a Dean Martin CD in the background, and then he called everyone in to make their own pizzas.

They drizzled the oil over the bread, smoothed the sauce around the center and carefully placed their toppings just so.

And guess what happened? To everyone’s surprise and amazement, they had fun! What!? Fun preparing meals, is that allowed? Haha! You bet!

Actions clearly speak louder than words! You can explain all the hard work that goes into making dinner but until they are in the kitchen with you it really doesn’t sink in. And I have to admit that one-on-one time together in the kitchen has afforded us some amazing bonding time…it isn’t often that they get moms undivided attention. And I am really enjoying the time with them too!

EXTRA CREDIT: As an added learning experience and to further enhance their appreciation for all that mom does, have your children go with you to the grocery store. Give them a budget for their meal and then have them figure out what they can afford.

101+ Places to go with Kids in Toledo

August 3, 2014April 2, 2018momonthegoinholytoledo

I have collated a list of fun kiddo and family friendly destinations in Toledo and the surrounding area, each has a brief description. Each destination has been linked to the website where you can retrieve more thorough information regarding hours of operation, rates, etc. Know of a fun Toledo destination that isn’t listed? Please feel free to share in the comment thread. Thank you!!

Toledo Metroparks (Offers fun programs for kids and events for families)
Olander Park (Swimming, fishing, playgrounds, etc. Sylvania, OH)
Fort Imagination Playground (Enclosed playground for little kids & large playground for older kids-Woodlands Park, Perrysburg, OH)
Carr Park (Fun playground for all ages-Bedford, MI)
WGTE (Check events and be sure to attend family fun days)
Fossil Park (Bring small/medium paint brush to brush off fossils and baggy to take home fossils- Sylvania, OH)
Toledo Lucas County Public Library (Check times and locations for Story Time and other amazing events for kids and families)
Maumee Bay State Park (Swimming, biking, boardwalk, trails, nature center, cross-country skiing, sledding, etc. Oregon, OH)
Toledo Museum of Art’s Family Center (Children can paint,make theme inspired craft, listen to a story in the gallery, and play at the Family Center)
Gathering Volumes (Story Time –Sun. 1pm, Tues 6pm, & Thurs 10am – Always Check Calendar to confirm times)
Barnes & Noble (Fun themed story times with awesome crafts! Fallen Timbers, Maumee, OH)
Bass Pro Shops (Fun events for kids’ checkout their calendar- Rossford, OH)
Toledo Firefighters’ Museum (Checkout the fire trucks, old equipment, kids learn about fire safety in Jed’s room where a fire is simulated, & more)
Home Depot Kid Workshops (Kids get to use tools and make something to take home)
Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge (Checkout the “Let’s Go Outside” Backpack at the visitors center. Each is filled with fun tools for exploring like binoculars, bug jars, magnifying lens, cloud guide, and more! Oak Harbor, OH)
Fallen Timbers (Lil’ Timbers Kids Klub has fun activities throughout the year and there are great seasonal events like ice skating and carriage rides- Maumee, OH)
Toledo Police Museum (Fingerprint Comparitor from the 80s designed to be accessible and appealing to kids. Downtown Toledo)
Sylvania Heritage Museum & Railroad Depot (Genuine railroad depot building that served Sylvania residents for 98 years, from 1858 to 1956. It is the oldest train depot in existence in the State of Ohio. Downtown Sylvania, OH)
Mazza Museum (Largest museum of original artwork by children’s book illustrators in the world. The museum’s goal is to promote literacy and enrich the lives of all people through the art of children’s literature. Findlay, OH)
Levis Commons (Fun seasonal activities for the kids and families like Sandtastic fun & breakfast with Santa!!- Perrysburg, OH)
Imagination Kingdom Playground (Adorable playground for kiddos, pack a picnic and let their imaginations run wild while they burn off all that extra energy- Wauseon, OH)
Butterfly House (Watch a beautiful array of butterflies flutter around while listening to classical music play, try to locate and identify the various butterflies with the brochures provided. Also offers fun Autumn events like the corn maze! Whitehouse, OH)
Gust Brothers Pumpkin Farm (Admission is FREE, but you are going to want to bring some spending cash because it isn’t officially fall until you stop by the farm and see all the farm animals, cows, pigs, chickens, rabbits, and more! Enjoy a hayride and finally pick out the perfect pumpkin!! And other goodies in the store…fresh produce and squash!!-Ottawa Lake, MI)
The Canal Experience at Providence (Go back in time and ride the Volunteer, a reproduction of a mule drawn canal boat, visit the Mill, enjoy characters dressed in period attire-Grand Rapids, OH)
Erie Orchard (You pick…blueberries, apples, pumpkins, and more! But the real fun starts in the fall…enjoy corn maze, hayrides, bounce house, music, and more…check their calendar for events! Erie, MI)
Fort Meigs State Memorial (Fort Meigs State Memorial honors the site of the largest wooden-walled fortress in North America, built during the War of 1812. Take self-guided tours, view weapons demonstrations, and learn the history of the fort. Perrysburg, OH)
The Toledo Symphony (Music under the Stars-FREE concert in the summer)
Valentine Theatre (Check calendar of events…offers great classic film series!! Downtown Toledo)
Ohio Skate (Roller skating!! 2 locations, Maumee, OH and Toledo, OH)
Copper Moon Studios (Fun art classes for kids! Walk-ins welcomed! Holland, OH)
Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center ( Memorial to the 19th President of the United States it contains a treasure trove of information for history buffs. The Center includes the Hayes Mansion, Presidential Library, Museum, and the tomb of the former president- Fremont, OH)
577 Foundation (Offers an array of classes for all ages and encourages ecologically responsible living- Perrysburg, OH)
Art Supply Depot (Offers art classes, paint pottery, and more! Downtown Toledo)
SS. Col. James M. Schoonmaker/National Museum of the Great Lakes (Kids will have a blast when they step foot on a real Ship-Downtown Toledo)
Bowlero ( Bowling alley, awesome arcade where kiddos can win prizes, bowling, food, & fun!)
MacQueens Apple Orchard (Fall destination!! Their apple butter fest is amazing!! Fall events are fun, fun, fun! Check calendar for avtivites and events-Holland, OH)
Interstate Bowling (They participate in the kids bowl for FREE program-Rossford, OH)
Sundance Kid Drive-in (Oregon, OH)
Q-Zar (Laser tag & Arcade- Sylvania, OH)
Ritter Planetarium (Located on the campus of University of Toledo)
Super Suppers (family day…kids help make meals)
Toledo Speedway (there are free kids nights)
Toledo Mud Hens (baseball)
Toledo Rockets (football/basketball)
Toledo Walleye (hockey)
Bowling Green Falcons (football, hockey, basketball, etc.))
Sylvania Playland (Bounce Houses, indoor play sets, and miniature golf-Sylvania, OH)
Par 2 Golf (Go-karts, bumper cars, putt putt, arcade games, & ice cream Toledo, OH)
Toledo Gymnastics Academy (call for open gym time)
Sunrise Gymnastics (call for open gym time)
Sky Zone Toledo (Indoor Trampoline Park- Holland, OH)
Hero’s (Bounce Houses, carnival games, and snacks…open play times available -Perrysburg, OH)
Imagination Station (Hands-on science Museum- Downtown Toledo)
Toledo Zoo (Be sure to checkout the new penguin exhibit and Aquarium!!)
Indian Creek Petting Zoo (walk thru this unique petting zoo…see camels, Zebra, peacocks, bunnies, alligator, and more!! Lambertville, MI)
Uncork the Artist (Instructor guided classes, kiddos leave with an awesome masterpiece!)
BG Bounce (Giant Indoor Sand Box, Toddler Room, Art Room, Science Center, Party Rooms,Nerf Wars, Paint Ball Arena, Dodge Ball, Game Arena Rooms, Food & Fun!)
Peace Love & Pottery (Paint Pottery Sylvania, OH)
Funagins (Paint Ball, Bounce Houses, Arcade, & More!)
Sandpiper (100 passenger cruise vessel located on the Maumee River -Downtown Toledo)
Calder’s Dairy & Farm (Watch them milk the cows, visit the animals on the farm, check out the goat scape, enjoy some yummy ice cream treats, and more! Carleton, MI)
The Petting Farm at Domino’s Farm (Visit all the animals down on the farm, enjoy a hayride, pony rides, and more! Ann Arbor, MI)
Planet Rock (All things climbing…rock wall- Ann Arbor, MI)
Funtastic Play Center (Indoor playground with 2 main areas of play for children under 8 and 2 storey padded play structure with 14 different obstacles including a zip line, rock wall, and 3 slides! Checkout their Facebook page for Open Play times Canton, MI)
Jungle Java (Fun indoor climbing and play area for kids…food available too! Canton, MI)
Hands on Museum (Hands on science museum for kids! Ann Arbor, MI)
The Creature Conservancy (See a wide variety of domestic and exotic animals. You may buy food cones to feed to the barnyard animals. Ann Arbor, MI)
Gallop Canoe Livery (Canoeing as a family is so much fun! This park offers canoe, two-person kayak, one-person kayak, paddleboat, and rowboat rentals, river-themed programs and a coffee shop, score!! Ann Arbor, MI)
Jungle Junction (Largest Indoor Play Area in Ohio-Six levels of adventure with over 60 play features including slides, air cannons, obstacle courses, interactive game panels, toddler zone, & more! Only $6 for ALL day play!!)
Michigan Science Center (With live stage shows, an IMAX® Dome Theatre, a Planetarium, 250+ hands-on exhibits, lab activities, special exhibits and more, there are approximately two dozen ways to customize your MiSci visit. There’s more than you can see and do in a week!)
Monsoon Lagoon Water Park (Splash adventures and games! The park features water playgrounds, slides, Go-Karts, bumper boats and mini-golf. -Port Clinton, OH)
The Scrap Box (kiddos will get a kick out of all the recycled scrapes! Great for arts & craft projects! Ann Arbor, MI)
Rolling Hills Water Park (Ypsilanti, MI)
Bowling Green Water Park (Bolwing Green, OH)
The Old Road Dinner Train (Fun events like Grandparents day, Dad & Daughter Day, Kids Halloween Express, and more! Blissfield, MI)
Snook’s Dream Cars (travel in the past lane…see old cars, parts, etc. Bowling Green, OH)
Ohio Maple Syrup Events (Maple syrup tours, watch it being made, enjoy pancake breakfast, and more…click on link under central ohio for all the maple syrup listings-Central, OH)
Henry Ford Museum (9 acres to explore Americas past and future- Dearborn, MI)
Greenfield Village (Step back in an 80 acre time machine, see Noah Webster’s house, ride and original model ‘T’, train ride, and more! Dearborn, MI)
Liberty Aviation Museum (Determined to showcase the aircraft of Worl War II, the Liberty Aviation Museum was established in 1991. Museum houses dozens of vintage aircrafts, vehicles, and multimedia exhibits Port Clinton, OH)
I-MAX Theater (The ultimate film experience!!! Special projectors, giant screens, 2D & 3D! Dearborn, MI)
Marblehead Lighthouse (Built in 1821, Marblehead Lighthouse is the oldest operating lighthouse on the Great Lakes! Marblehead, OH)
Jiffy Mix Plant Tours (Educational and informative walk through of the plant and refreshments provided Chelsea, MI)
Sauder Village (Offers experiences rich in history and fun…kids will enjoy the train, store, helping make butter, candles, ice cream,etc. Be sure to stop in the bakery for homemade treats! Archbold, OH)
The Chelsea Tree House (Indoor playground/climbing equipment for kids…and offers snacking options)
Erie Spirit Sailing Adventures (Enjoy a family friendly day out on the waters of Lake Erie. Choose from standard tour packages or work out a custom plan with the Captain and let your adventure begin. Marblehead, OH)
COSI (Columbus Ohio Science Institute…amazing exhibits, phenomenal kids area, I-MAX theater, great scientific demonstrations and more!! Get in for FREE with an Imagination Station membership- Columbus, OH)
Boonshoft Museum (This is another awesome hands-on science museum with some added fun, a playground/indoor 3 story slide, fun critters, planetarium, and more!! Get in for FRE with zoo membership-Dayton, OH)
National Museum of the U. S. Air Force (Educational experience to say the least…children will be amazed by the huge air crafts, NASA room, enjoy fun demonstrations, learn about history, tour a real air plane, and more!! Dayton, OH)
Spangler Factory/Dum Dum tours (Enjoy a trolley ride through the factory where you will learn the history behind the Spangler Factory and see how the various candies are made…and enjoy samples!!-Bryan, OH)
Splash Universe (Fun indoor water park!! Dundee, MI)
Great Wolf Lodge (Zero depth outdoor pool and more…indoor lazy river, slides, etc. Sandusky, OH)
African Safari Wildlife Park (Must see experience!! Better than Animal Kingdom at Disney World!! Drive through and view & feed animals!! Walk around, pet animals, and watch animal demonstrations…and ice cream, yum! Port Clinton, OH)
Merry-go-Round Museum (Enjoy a fun and relaxed atmosphere while you tour the Merry-Go-Round Museum and learn about the history and art of the carousel. And enjoy a ride of course! Sandusky, OH)
Kalahari (Zero depth indoor pool/young children play area, wave pool, slides, and more! Sandusky, OH)
Train-o-rama (Featuring Ohio’s largest, multi-gauge model, public railroad display-Marblehead, OH)
Cedar Point (Roller Coaster Capital & Amusement Park…amazing kids Planet Snoopy area, Dinosaurs Live, and more ! Sandusky, OH)
Ghostly Manor Thrill Center (The Travel Channel has featured Ghostly Manor Thrill Center among the best place to visit in a lifetime. Virtual rollercoaster, bounce houses, and more! Sandusky, OH)
Kelley’s Island (Check out the Glacier grooves, neat fossils, bike as a family, see what Kid Stage is up to and more! Kelley’s Island, OH)
Wild Winds Buffalo Preserve (Daily tours into the herd…children can see buffalo up close, horseback riding trails, stay the night in a Tipi or Safari Tent!!Fremont, Indiana)
Pokagon State Park (Swimming, fishing, horseback riding, sledding, tobogganing, skiing, pack a picnic and enjoy the day or spend the night camp or lodge- Angola, Indiana)
Country Tree Lane Farm (Milk a real, live cow, hold baby ducks, chicks and bunnies, feed all the large Farm animals, go thru a straw maze, ride a barrel train, get a pony ride & more. Fun seasonal activities including Easter Bunny Hay Rides, U-Pick pumpkins, & more!)
Clayful Art (Kids Night-Your child will explore their imagination while learning a variety of hand building techniques. They offer complimentary snacks-1 project offered once a month Friday nights from 6-8p.m.)
Paint Your Place (Kiddos have an educated art instructor to help guide them through each stroke till their masterpiece is complete)
Children’s Museum of Findlay (They have so many exhibits for you to explore. To see more or to view the learning topics for each exhibit before your visit, click on the images under Exhibits on their website)
Outdoor Adventure Center (Experience exciting outdoor adventures with hands-on activities, exhibits and simulators — walk behind and touch a waterfall, step into a fishing boat and reel in a big fish, hit the trail on a mountain bike or snowmobile, and much more.)
Nickel World Low-key indoor arcade featuring video games, skeeball & other games all for just one nickel, and kids get plus tickets & prizes.
Toledo Playzone Over 70 Arcade Games Laser Tag Spine Zone Bumper Cars Virtual Reality Games, & Café Menu.
Get Air Trampoline Park (Coming Soon)
Pat Catan’s Craft Center –Craft supply chain, with the makings for scrapbooking, jewelry, needlework, floral arranging & more. Often offers FREE crafts for kids on weekend , check calendar.
The Armstrong Air and Space Museum Located in Wapakoneta, Ohio, is the hometown of Neil Armstrong, first man to set foot on the Moon. The museum chronicles Ohio’s contributions to the history of space flight.

Snow Ice Cream

January 7, 2014momonthegoinholytoledo

With all the beautiful snow that has accumulated over the past few days the kiddos are begging to play outside. And trust me, by day 18 of winter break I NEED them to go outside. Cabin fever has set in BAD. I am praying for a heat wave and school tomorrow, mostly just school tomorrow by whatever means possible. Haha! One small factor that continues to put a huge damper on any outside plans, the temperature! The temperature currently reads -5 degrees and with the wind it feels more like -26 degrees. That. Is. Cold! All that snow and not one thing we could do with it! Or is there?

The kiddo’s favorite show on Netflix is 17 Kids and Counting, the show that showcases the Duggar family. And in one of their episodes they made snow ice cream. So the kiddos asked if we could make some. (FYI…we are on day 18 of winter break and day 2 of cabin fever so appearances were not our number one priority…I was just happy everyone had on clean underwear…we can worry about clothes and hair later. Haha!)

As mom, I saw this as a golden opportunity to teach kitchen measurement…I am a sucker for hands-on learning opportunities. Mostly because the children don’t even realize they are learning, they just see it as fun. Well, maybe not so much the youngest…her expression is priceless in this pic. Haha!

So we looked up the snow ice cream recipe on the Duggar’s website and got to work. I was a tad skeptical if it was going to taste good.

And what do you know, it taste fantastic! Thanks Duggars for sharing your snow ice cream recipe with us. It was a great way to integrate a hands-on learning experience and it tasted delicious!

Have you ever had snow ice cream? Do you have a fun snow activity you enjoy doing with your kiddos? Any suggestions or idea for indoor snow activities/experiment, please!!

Things to do on Mother’s Day

April 30, 2013April 23, 2014momonthegoinholytoledo

It is that time of year again when mothers begin to stock pile their Kleenex and practice their expressions of surprise and endearing smiles in the mirror. When little ones bring home macaroni necklaces and Fruit Loop bracelets, clay plaques with imprints of their little hands, and priceless placements that claim mom is 20 years older than she really is….true story, my daughter claimed that I was 53 years old…I know I look tired but come on-haha!

If you haven’t guessed I am talking about Mother’s Day! Mother’s Day is a day filled with emotion, love, and sometimes a little added stress. While we appreciate every last Fruit Loops our little ones so delicately placed on that yarn it is the inevitable question, “what do you want to do for mother’s day?” that can send our heart rates racing. My first thought when I hear this question is, ‘WHY!’ As Moms we, well, make the world go around, or at least it feels that way most of the time. We are responsible for so many things, people, and events. The last thing I want to do on Mother’s day, a day that is supposed to honor and celebrate all that hard work and responsibility we do year round, is be responsible or in-charge of that day too! But then again what is the alternative? Dad decides what we do for Mother’s Day?

I have suddenly had a change of heart; I will gladly take on the responsibility of Mother’s Day. So I did a little research and it turns out there is so much to do on Mother’s Day. For example, did you know that moms get into practically every zoo, science institute, museum, etc. for free!! How awesome is that? Obviously all these places clearly appreciate us so much that they are giving us free admission for a relaxing day by ourselves, now that is a mother’s day.

Upon further evaluation it has come to my attention that their intent is for a fun family day. To be clear that means you, your husband, and kids. What was I thinking? I mean come on, what kind of Mother wants to spend Mother’s Day alone…like it’s all about her…not me that’s for sure!

So, I have collated a list of fun events, free admissions, and the like, in hopes of laying out all my options when it comes to how I want to celebrate Mother’s Day/weekend (some events are Saturday only):

Brunch….

Call up moms favorite restaurant or nearby hotel, lodge, etc. and see if they are serving a special brunch or meal for moms.

The Henry Ford Dearborn, MI

Elegant. Classy. Affordable. Delicious. A Mother’s Day to Remember. Treat Mom to an elegant Mother’s Day Brunch in Michigan’s most beautiful ballroom – Henry Ford’s private ballroom in Lovett Hall.
The meal is memorable. And the setting? One-of-a-kind. Crystal chandeliers, vaulted ceilings, a terrazzo lobby and a grand staircase. Magnificent! Just what Mom deserves. You’ll dine on a sumptuous menu prepared by The Henry Ford’s award-winning culinary staff.

Toledo Zoo info below

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Shopping….

The Town Center at Levis Commons…….

Levis Commons is here to make all your Mothers Day dreams come true. One place to soak up all the “mom” time you can handle. Venetian Nail Spa, Salvatore Capelli, endless dining options, and if you really cant ditch the kids for the day, Kidz Watch can take them off your hands for a few hours!

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Imagination Station….

Open from 12pm-5pm and when the kids come with her, Mom gets in FREE*!

Join us in Science Studio where you can learn about chromatography and make a special butterfly magnet to take home for your Mom.

Bring the whole family down and celebrate together, exploring, discovering and creating at Imagination Station.

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The Toledo Museum of Art…..

Sun, May 12, 12:00pm – 5:30pm

Free, fun, and open to everyone! The TMA Family Center, located in the education wing near the Plough entrance, is the perfect place for our youngest Museum visitors to make and take memories with their parents and caregivers. Drop in for themed activities that enliven the world of art for kids ages 1-10 (and even grown-ups!). Theme :Tell a story by creating symbols and shapes that represent something personal to you.

Art Hour: Create a Glass Flower- Sun, May 12, 4pm – 5pm and 5pm-6pm

Description: @ the Glass Pavilion -Buy tickets ($15 members/$30 nonmembers; no refunds) in person or by phone during Museum hours starting the Tuesday before each session. Adults and children 14+ with an adult are welcome. Call (419) 254-5771 ext. 7448. NOTE: Most items created in Art Hours require a 24-hour annealing (finishing) process. Therefore, they must be picked up at a later date

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The Rep….

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The Toledo Zoo….

This Mother’s Day, show your mom she’s the best—and show her the world! All mothers receive free admission when their kids bring them to the Zoo.

Give Mom a great Mother’s Day experience by taking her to the Zoo. You can also treat her to our superb Mother’s Day Brunch that takes place in our Nairobi Pavilion. Brunch details

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The Movies…..

Go out and see a movie with the family or stay in and watch home movies. Rave Motion Pictures…..Maumee Indoor Theater

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Mother Nature….

Pack a picnic and head to the park for the day. Go on a trail, explore, and enjoy nature with the family. Or grab your gardening gloves and get that veggie garden started. Metroparks of the Toledo Area

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Volunteer/service….

Spend time volunteering together. Serve dinner at a locale shelter, donate items, help plant a garden, clean up litter, etc.

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Get Crafty…..

In2Art

Open Saturday 11am-4pm Walk-ins welcomed

Paint your own pottery of make a wet clay project with the kiddos.

Edible Art Work!

At the Sugar Shop can you choose from 3 dozen different shaped clear containers and fill the containers with any mix of the 150 available sugar flavors including, root beer, blue raspberry, extreme sour, cappuccino, peach cobbler, etc.

The Scrap Box

Saturday 10am-2pm

The Scrap Box is a store filled with hundreds of interesting objects: ribbons; buttons; beads; paper; colorful rip-stop nylon; sturdy paper tubes 6 inches long; bamboo-like sticks; yellow spongy cylinders; and little foam squigglies.

Best of all: these items are for sale at very reasonable prices.

Using sticky-back foam to create an imaginary critter with plastic caps for eyes and shredded paper for hair is recycling at its best. It’s called upcycling, the ultimate form of re-use. Anyone can turn a recyclable item into something of greater value, and thus, do upcycling

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Go to the Library…..

Family – Mommy and Me Tea

Saturday May 11^th 2-3pm

You are cordially invited to an afternoon tea party in honor of mothers everywhere. Children of all ages are welcome to attend with their moms or special grown-up lady friend. Dress your best and be prepared to enjoy games, crafts, and of course, tea and scones!

Location: West Toledo Auditorium (need to register)

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Have fun with the kids in the kitchen…..

Bake muffins or cookies and let kiddos decorate them just for mom.

Super Suppers….

Sat, May 11, 12:00pm – 3:30pm

Super Suppers (map)

Description: Children ages 4+ can come make monthly menu entrees from *12-3:30pm every Saturday of the month. We hope to see you here!
*Appointments encouraged to be guaranteed entree availability (especially braided breads) or you can walk in and choose from entrees available to make that day. There are up to 12 entrees each month to make!

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And there is so much more…

So, what are your plans for Mother’s Day? Or, better yet, what would your dream Mother’s Day look like?

Savory Sunday: Kids in the Kitchen & Lasagna Roll-ups

September 30, 2012September 30, 2012momonthegoinholytoledo

We firmly believe that Sunday is family day in our household. With all the hustle and bustle of the week and children and parents having various activities in the evening it doesn’t allow much time to sit down and relax as a family over the dinner table. This is why we have instilled Savory Sundays!

Savory Sunday for our family means time together, time to savor, and to linger over savory dishes for dinner. Our Sundays start off early, like any family with younger kiddos I am sure. The kiddos have breakfast and then usually start on an art &craft activity overseen by our 6-year-old (no joke, by 7:45pm it looks like an art room threw-up in our kitchen, lol!). Then it is time to get ready for Sunday school and church, after church it is lunch time followed by quiet time for the kiddos and time for my hubby and me to enjoy quality time together (we try our best to have date nights but truth be told those usually occur every other month…but we are working on it). Then after quiet time the kiddos help me get dinner ready for the evening.

The kiddos attention span is short so this often entails them pouring, stirring, or doing a simple step and then going off to play. I want to always be honest with you; sometimes we need to lower our expectations so that they coincide with the developmental age of our kiddos. You can’t expect a 2-year-old to cook with you for an hour, shoot for more than ten minutes if we are being truthful! Which is why I always try to have steps that are age appropriate, and if the dish involves cooking over the range (all my kiddos are too young for that…I have a 6, 5, & 2 year olds) then I will have them work on a side project. One of their favorites is helping make bread to accompany dishes. That is precisely what I had them do while I prepared the Lasagna Roll-ups. All you need is one or two Pillsbury dough, they come in the tubes and pop open (kiddos get a kick out of that).

Ingredients:

1 or 2 Pillsbury dough…whatever you have on hand, cresents, flatbreads, Italian, etc. (depends on how many kiddos you have, need 1 per 2 kids)
½ stick of butter melted
2 tablespoons Pesto (I have a jar I use from the store but if you want to go homemade more power to you!)
Small paint brushes
Various Cookie cutters
Parmesan cheese

Directions:

Place wax or parchment paper on table in front of each child.
Place dough on top of paper.
Make certain butter dish is cool to the touch and mix pesto in butter then place paint brushes in bowl.
Place cookie cutters in the center of the table.
Instruct children to paint their dough with the butter & pesto, sprinkle on cheese, and then cut into fun shapes.

Now for the main dish….

Lasagna Roll-ups!

Ingredients:

1 summer squash (sliced and then halved or quartered depending on the size, see image)
1 zucchini (sliced and then halved or quartered depending on the size, see image)
½ a yellow onion finely chopped
1 tsp. minced garlic
2 tablespoons basil pesto
14 100% Whole Grain Lasagna Noodles
1 container of Ricotta cheese (15 oz)
1 cup shredded mozzarella
1 large egg
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
2 Lightlife Kick n’ Black Bean Burgers (these add a nice kick…but not too much and are a nice substitute for meat)
1 tomato diced
1 jar of spaghetti sauce, whatever you have on hand

Directions:

Mix together summer squash, zucchini, onion, garlic, and pesto in bowl.

Place mixture in pan over medium heat and sauté until onions are just golden and squash is tender.

While veggies are sautéing boil lasagna noodles, follow directions on the box, drain, and then lay flat on Parchment paper so that noodles don’t stick together and this will make it much easier to assemble the roll-ups.

While veggies are sautéing and noodles are boiling in separate bowl mix together ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese and egg. (And they wonder why us women are champs at multitasking? Hello…we can sauté, boil, and mix…haha).

Crumble up the Lightlife Kick n’ Black Bean Burgers so that they resemble ground meat and add tomatoes and Lightlife Kick n’ Black Bean Burgers to the sautéed veggies, turn off heat.

Pour sautéed veggies into bowl with cheese/egg and stir till thoroughly mixed.

Spoon out two tablespoons worth of mixture onto each Lasagna noodle and then spread across each noodle.

Then simply roll each noodle and place into 9 x 13inch greased (olive oil) pan .

Pour Spaghetti sauce over noodles and sprinkle a little shredded mozzarella cheese over the top.

Cover with aluminum foil, place in oven, set to 350 degrees, and cook for 40 minutes.

(You can save money and energy by not preheating the oven. It is not necessary unless you are baking breads and/or pastry type of food).

Grab a roll-up and some of the yummy bread the kiddos made and sit down to enjoy!

Over dinner discuss the happenings of the past week. Perhaps say a special blessing for a family in need. Have each child share their favorite part of the week or day and their least favorite part of their week or day. It is also helpful if you discuss the upcoming week, what each child has going on, and encourage the other children to support that child in their endeavor whether it is a soccer game, a spelling test, bringing snack to preschool, etc. This is also a great time to share what mommy and daddy have planned for the upcoming week. It is time to get practical, I would love to have a leisure dinner every weekday evening but it simply isn’t possible. Yes, we do still eat together but sometimes it is a mere 15 minute before one child or parent needs to be somewhere. This is why Savory Sundays are so important to our family.

Does your family do anything special on Sundays? Do you have a Sunday meal tradition? How do you get your family to participate in meal preparation?