Every family has their standard traditions, but there’s always room for something new and different. You want to make memories and traditions with your kids so that they can carry on with their children. Check out these new traditions to try with your kids every year.
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Pink floral china patterns adorn with gold trim, frilly tablecloths, doilies, pocket pies, shortbreads, & truffles, a light hum of classical music, gorgeous ladies draped in beautiful flowing sundresses relaxing, sans smartphones. That is the fantasy image that often comes to mind when one thinks of a tea party & Sweet Shalom Tea Room makes that a reality.
Whether you are looking for a way to spend the afternoon with your Valentine (perfect mother/daughter or son date), are in dire need of a Mom’s Day Out with friends, or are looking for the perfect Mother’s Day gift for Mom (May’s Menu is Up), Sweet Shalom Tea Room is where ladies can linger a bit longer while enjoying the relaxing atmosphere, being waited on, and the comfort of warm tea and uplifting conversations.
There are so many benefit to shopping small, not just on Small Business Saturday, but every day!!
Benefits of Shopping Small, Shopping Local…..
Source: https://co-opcreditunions.org/6-really-important-reasons-to-shop-on-small-business-saturday/
Here are just a few of the many awesome local small businesses located in Toledo & the surrounding area. Please be sure to show them your love and “like”, and/or, “follow” them on social media, and be sure to stop in to the brick and mortar shops, introduce yourself, & inquire about deals, yes, small businesses also have some great bargains!
Phone: 567-455-5939
Address: 5627 Main St, Sylvania, OH 43560
Website: www.bowinklesboutique.com
Hours: M-F: 10AM – 5:30PM, SAT: 10AM – 5PM, SUN: CLOSED
Shop local this holiday season with Bowinkles. New Fall and holiday arrivals plus all sales items Buy 2, Get 1 Free!
Website:https://www.etsy.com/shop/harperleejewelry
Raw metal transformed into custom keepsake jewelry!
Phone: Call or text 419-442-8037
Website: https://m.facebook.com/JuliasOrnaments/
Email: jmelvis@aol.com
All ornaments are handmade and hand painted….custom orders welcomed, such as names, birthdays, current year, player number for sport related ornaments, and colored glitter. Ornaments cost $10 & $2 to personalize.
Owner: Emily Sicilia
Phone: 419-806-9242
Website: www.facebook.com/lularoeemelizabeth
Clothing for all ages and sizes! Visit the facebook shopping group to enjoy weekly specials throughout the holiday season! Also contact Em to set up an appointment to shop the Toledo Boutique to take advantage of in person specials!
Phone: (419) 593-0093
Address: 2856 W Sylvania Ave, Toledo, OH 43613
Website: https://nevermore-used-bookstore.business.site/
Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 10am-6pm & Friday-Sunday 10am-5pm
Find that hidden gem or a favorite popular fiction or nonfiction book for a great price!! They carry books for the entire family…kids, teens, tweens, young adult, adult. They also take clean, good condition books on trade for in-store credit which buys you 25% off purchases!!
Phone: (419) 474-4740
Address: 4100 Secor Rd, Toledo, OH 43623
Website: https://www.regers.com/
Hours: Mon – Fri 9:30am – 5pm & Sat 9:30am – 3pm
Get all your Advent & Christmas products here! Reger’s Christian gift store serves all denominations of the Christian faith, including churches, clergy, and individual Christians.
Owner: Stephanie Bird
Phone: (231) 736-8315
Website: www.etsy.com/shop/StellasLotsofKnots
Stella’s Lots of Knots is offering free shipping through the holidays or local pick up! Also, use coupon code LOCAL during checkout to receive 20% off your order!
Phone: (419) 261-9166
Address: 2746 W Sylvania Ave, Toledo, OH 43613
Website: https://www.facebook.com/LavenderBayLLC/
Hours: Mon-Fri. 10am-5pm, Saturday 10am-3pm, & closed Sunday
Thistle and Thorn is a locally owned full service florist and gift shop. See coupon below to save $10!!
Show the following image at checkout to receive $10 off any Fall Arrangement!
Phone: (419) 475-7368
Address: 2850 W Sylvania Ave, Toledo, OH 43613
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Twice-But-Nice-359138284202297/
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10am-7pm & Sunday 11am-5pm
Show the following image coupon to receive $5 off of $30 or more!!
Need a break from the great outdoors? The bugs, heat, sun, rain? How does a climate-controlled park that is bug free, and doesn’t require you to reapply every 80 minutes sounds? Oh, and while we’re at it how about we throw in a relaxing lounge for parents, snacks available on site, and a price that can’t be beat? (Personally, they had me at bug free; I currently resemble a connect-the-dots worksheet, lol!). Then please make sure all devices are set to airplane mode, seats are in the upright position, and seatbelts aren’t buckled, it’s time to take flight at Sky Zone! Sky Zone is better than ever! The people spoke and Sky Zone listened!
You will still be greeted by a tidal wave of blue and orange, invigorating enthusiasm, https://www.skyzone.com/toledoand energy that just envelops you, however, the prices and attractions are jaw dropping! You’re probably thinking…your idea of jaw dropping and mine are two different things. Well, how does jumping for 90 minutes for just $1 a day sound? It’s like its Christmas in July, right?!
Summer is here! Jump for $1 per day. Play for up to 90 minutes every day with the 30-Day Pass. Limited Time Offer!
Address: 1600 Albon Rd, Holland, OH 43528
Phone: (419) 491-1194
Website:https://www.skyzone.com/toledo
SUMMER PARK HOURS:
Sunday, 12:00pm – 8:00pm
Monday, 10:00am – 8:00pm
Tuesday, 10:00am – 8:00pm
Wednesday, 10:00am – 8:00pm
Thursday, 10:00am – 8:00pm
Friday, 12:00pm – 8:00pm
Glow Zone* 8:00pm – 11:00pm (Ages 6+)
Saturday, 10:00am – 10:00pm
GlowJam* 8:00pm – 11:00pm (Ages 6+)
Cost: 120 minutes-$22.00, 90 minutes [MOST POPULAR]-$19.00, & 60 minutes-$15.00
Warrior Course-Enter a jumper. Exit a warrior. For athletes looking to push themselves, the Warrior Course will put your abilities to the test. Take on a variety of obstacles in a test of speed, strength, and agility. Go for a personal record or dominate your friends.
Parkour Blox-Ready to level up? Test your parkour skills to the next level on the Freestyle court using the foam vault blocks. Train your speed, power, and strength by practicing on hurdles placed in your path.
SkyLadder– Another balance challenge, SkyLadder challenges you in a different way: off your feet. Climb this fidgeting ladder to the top and plant your flag. Or fall into the padding below, get up, and try again.
Ultimate Dodge Ball– Remember that ever popular rite of passage game from childhood that would have you ducking and dodging the ball? Guess what happens when you add Sky Zone’s patented wall-to-wall trampolines to the ever popular game of dodge ball? Ultimate Dodge ball!!
Foam Zone– Run and jump, flip, and fly into a huge pit filled with 10,000 foam cubes. Defy gravity; work on your fancy air poses, or just wing it, no matter how you fly fun will always be your copilot!
Sky Slam– Wish you could slam dunk like an NBA player? Guess what? Sky Zone is making your dream come true! Pair Sky Zone’s basketball hoops, (each set at various heights to accommodate even the littlest slam dunkers) with a trampoline and you will be dunking like a pro in no time!
Freestyle Jump– The main court offers you the freedom to take flight in your own defined space; you don’t have to worry about anyone else jumping in your square.
Comfort Zone– Sky Zone hasn’t forgotten about parents, grandparents, and chaperons. This is where you can sit, watch television, relax, have a snack, and still chaperon your children.
SkyWars -Squad up and lock and load for SkyWars, the newest game at Sky Zone! Guests engage in an epic team strategy battle game using blasters and foam balls or darts in a variety of games including team elimination, capture the flag, duck hunt, and more.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 4:00pm – 8:00pm & Saturday’s GLOW:: 8:00pm – 11:00pm (Included w/ Open Jump, Subject to Availability — Ages 8+)
Glow-Sky Zoneis different after dark. Lasers, music and blacklight transform the whole park into a crazy jumping dance club. Flips are limited to Foam Zone during Glow. Waivers are required for all persons entering the park during Glow. Every Friday & Saturday Night, 8pm – 11pm (Ages 6 and Up) | COLORED NEON SHIRTS REQUIRED, NO WHITE SHIRTS PLEASE
Cost: 3hrs = $25, 2hrs = $20, 1hr = $15
So what are you waiting for? Tag friends now & meet-up at Sky Zone, where the kiddos can get their recommended daily physical activity and moms can catch up & chat!
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.
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.
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.
I met up with some other moms and their kids at the park the other day. The moms discussed the latest happenings in their lives while the kiddos played on the playground. I shared that I had just taken the kiddos back-to-school shopping at Franklin Park Mall, and let me tell you, if looks could kill. Lol! The other moms were all stunned. What’s more, when I told them I finished ALL our back-to-school clothing shopping at the mall, in one day, and saved money, their jaws dropped. I continued and explained that the mall has really evolved and made some awesome accommodations for us moms! So look out mall rats the mall moms are taking back Franklin Park Mall! We are coming with kids in tow, toddlers and tweens, diaper bags swung over the shoulder, we are baby wearing, double stroller pushing, breastfeeding, and ready to shop!!!
Need a gift for that kid’s birthday party that starts in two hours? Disney Store to the rescue! 
Did your child’s sandal just literally break while walking through the mall (true story)? The solution is a piggyback ride to Payless! Entering the 2nd trimester and your pants are getting snug? Destination Maternity has you covered momma! And you might want to stop off at Godiva Chocolatier to curb those cravings. Did your child decide to reclaim the coin they just threw in the fountain? Bath & Body Works has Hand Sanitizers to attack those germs! 
Looking to ramp up your culinary skills? William Sonoma offers classes and everything you need to make your kitchen into a chef’s dream come true! And there are SO many more stores, Click Here for Mall Directory. 
Whether you are meeting up with other mommas, dinning with the kiddos, looking for a quick bite, or want to linger a bit longer with friends Franklin Park Mall food court and restaurants have you covered! 
We opted to celebrate the occasion of back-to-school shopping with lunch at Bravo! 
(I am a fan of their kids’ menu; they have the usual suspects like chicken fingers and pizza but also offer healthier options too….and for me it just doesn’t get any better than their salmon salad!!)
Click Here for a Directory of Restaurants. 
Franklin Park Mall now offers a Mall-wide rewards program called, Oh, So Simple Rewards. And like it says, it is oh, so simple, to register. You simply enter an email at a sign-up kiosk, swipe the credit card or debit card that you will be using to make purchases, shop, dine, see a movie, etc. Then for every $250 spent on that card $10 gets put back automatically on your card! Winning!
(And it adds up fast….just think, a date night, dinner, movie, movie with the kids, kid’s birthday party at Build a Bear, back-to-school shopping, shoes, shoes, & more shoes!! Means money back on your card ;))
And as a mom with 3 kiddos there is nothing more annoying than having to put on ALL the winter stuff, mittens, scarves, hats, and coats to leave a store just to have them take it all off when they enter the next store…rinse and repeat!! FYI, if you are looking for a cute umbrella JCPenney had these adorable gems.
The family lounge has tactile boards to engage preschoolers and toddlers while mom tends to the baby. Curtains are even available for those moms who wish to be more modest, otherwise there is a comfortable sofa and television.
I was shocked how fast my son tried on a shirt once I said he could have a gumball afterward. Mind you, I forgot to clarify that he had to take off the shirt he had on first, lol! 
And the Fountain is also another great incentive and the best part; the donations go to the conservation projects at the zoo!
We had to get the little lady a Toledo Rockets Shirt (while on vacation each kiddos was allowed to pick out a shirt but she wanted her shirts to say Toledo, not Grand Haven, lol!).Guess where all of us mommas are meeting up next week?
Enter to win $50 to Franklin Park Mall!!!
To enter simply comment below and share what you like most about Franklin Park Mall. Also, I would advise following Franklin Park Mall on Facebook for up-to-date events going on and/or enter to receive texts on deals (they don’t bombard you with texts).
Winner will be randomly selected August 10th at 11:59pm. Good luck! And happy Back-to-school shopping!!
Pearson Metropark located at 761 Lallendorf Rd Oregon, OH 43616.
As you drive around the bend the first things to catch your eye is the beautiful lake, it calls to you. Take a walk around the lake and soak in the natural beauty (clean restrooms, flush toilets, and changing area is available).
The lake offers more than just breathtaking views and a therapeutic walk, you can also fish, paddle on the lake with one of the paddle boats, & ice skate in the winter months (when the ice is safe…and they have added lighting so you can skate until 8pm)
The Ohio Division of Wildlife stocks the lake at Pearson with rainbow trout from the Castallia hatchery, providing a unique fishing opportunity to catch this cold water species in early spring. Fishermen also take catfish and other species. The lake’s stair-stepped shore makes it an accessible place to introduce children to fishing.
Pedal around the pond at Pearson. Charming pedal boats are available for rent, Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekends, noon to 7 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
Cost: $5 per half hour.
This hill is marvelous for sledding in the winter months. And there are benches and a fire pit at the bottom where you can warmup in-between slides down the hill.
Sit down and cool off or warm up (depending on the season) while enjoying nature’s beauty and all Gods littlest creatures including, squirrels, chipmunks, a large variety of birds, and whomever else may pay a visit to the outdoor space while you observe from the comfortable climate controlled indoor room.
See what life was like in the notorious Great Black Swamp in the mid-1800s. The Johlin Cabin at Pearson will take you to a time when life was hard, and a place where it was even harder.
Pioneers and soldiers who traversed the dark swamp described it in colorful terms, relating the rough roads where their wagons would get stuck in the muck, the fierce mosquitoes, deadly diseases and the work it took to clear a piece of ground. But they also spoke of the rich farmland that lay beneath the wet woods.
The Johlin Cabin was donated by the Johlin family of Oregon and moved about a mile into the park when Pearson was expanded in the early 2000s. Located at the north entrance to the park on Seaman Road, the cabin today is used for family programs where you might be invited to churn butter, plant crops or attend to other chores. (Source) http://metroparkstoledo.com/features-and-rentals/the-johlin-cabin/
Catch some cabin fever and explore the Johlin Cabin from a new perspective. Spend an hour or an afternoon seeing the Johlin Cabin, activities for all ages with be provided; this is a free event, no reservations needed. (See Park events & calendar for Cabin openings)
Children love this ah-mazing play-scape. Similar to the Farnsworth playground the Pearson playground also incorporates custom equipment that illustrates the environmental history specific to the area; the inspiration was clearly the Great Black Swamp.
The play-space is filled with marsh themed attractions including a spider, frog, Lilly pads, interactive woodpecker, etc.
The playground includes a climbing wall, slides, soft rubberized surfacing, lots of swings, etc. and the best part, this play-scape was created with all children, with all abilities in mind. It is accessible to all.
Beautiful rental facilities, baseball diamonds, soccer field, tennis courts, etc.
If you are seeking a peaceful, serene, and scenic retreat from the ordinary look no further than the trails at Pearson Park. Take a relaxing stroll on the Black Swamp Short Loop Trail (0.8mi round trip, perfect for littler legs). Become one with nature on the Wood Thrush Trail. And if you are looking to get your workout in for the day then the Exercise Trail has your name written all over it (2.9mi round trip). You are welcomed to walk, jog, run, and even cross country ski on all the trails. Planning on bringing your bicycles? There are trails for bicycles too! (See map, link at the bottom of this page under DEETS)
You can do it all at Pearson! And the best part, after a day at Pearson; fishing, paddling, running, walking, picnicking, and playing on the playground the kiddos will be exhausted and begging to go to bed…everyone will sleep great! (And the older I get the more appreciative I am for an awesome night’s sleep, there really is nothing like it. ;)).
DEETS:
Hours: 7am-dark everyday
Address: 761 Lallendorf Rd Oregon, OH 43616
Ranger Phone: 419) 360-9178
Map: http://metroparkstoledo.com/media/2147/pearson-map-bro-nov2014.pdf
Website: http://metroparkstoledo.com/explore-your-parks/pearson/
Additional Toledo Treasures (click on images)
Our latest trip to Cleveland was hands down the best so far!
It included an awesome, informative, & highly delicious tour of the Campbell’s Sweets Factory. Campbell’s Sweets Factory sells savory and sweet treats including, but not limited to, various gourmet popcorns, chocolates, cupcakes, etc.
Brief History…..
Campbell’s Sweets’ heritage spans four decades of candy making excellence, beginning Amos “Jupie” Campbell’s famous Karmelkorn®. Amos started the sweet journey when he opened highly profitable Karmelkorn franchise shops in four mall locations and a plaza store.
In 2004, Jeff (Amos’ son) and wife, Lynn opened Campbell’s Popcorn Shop in Cleveland’s historic West Side Market. At that time, they, along with two of their daughters, Holly and Bethany, launched their business with only a microwave, bowls, cooking utensils and some raw products. With a lot of hard work, sweat equity and integrity they have seen their business grow and flourish. source
Tour time….
We began our tour next to a huge popcorn machine where we learned a bit about the history of popcorn, the different types of kernels, and why certain kernels are used for caramel & heavier flavoring. I have to be honest, I was highly impressed at how captivating the information was, my kiddos listened so intently.
And then the fun really began, they turned on the popcorn machine & it started popping!! The machine produced a catchy beat with the popping of each kernel, suddenly a stream of popcorn came pouring out, and the magnificent aroma of freshly popped popcorn enveloped the space. There is nothing on this Earth that compares to the comforting aroma of freshly popped popcorn except maybe tasting freshly popped popcorn! And it tasted amazing!
It was so warm, fresh, and the texture was perfect, though the taste was a bit bland but not for long, next step, caramel!
Ever wonder why they use the copper kettles? Turns out it is because the copper stays hotter much longer than stainless, which means the caramel won’t harden. That was just one of many nuggets of wisdom shared during our tour.
After mixing the popcorn and caramel together we paused for a quick sampling and then formed popcorn balls. He used a handy little tool, in fact we counted as he made them, and in one minute he made 30!! Far faster, convenient, and efficient than forming them by hand, I kinda wish they sold that nifty little tool.
After the caramel popcorn balls were formed a stick was then placed in each and a popcorn ball on a stick was distributed to each tour attendee.
Then the final step because what’s better than a caramel popcorn ball on a stick? A caramel popcorn ball on a stick dipped in chocolate!! We were all winners that day! Each person dipped their own popcorn ball in the chocolate and while the chocolate cooled we shopped!
Get this; the tour cost $5 a person, $5 that you get back in Campbell’s bucks to spend in the shop at the end of the tour!
So not only did we get to go home with the caramel popcorn balls dipped in chocolate that we watched and participated in making but we also went home with some gourmet popcorn too! It was so difficult deciding which flavor to bring home, CLICK HERE to see their menu and see that the struggle was real! Ha-ha!
Touring Campbell’s Sweets Factory was such a fun, unique, informative, and delicious family experience.
Details…
Campbell’s Sweets Factory is located at 2084 W. 25th St. Cleveland, OH 44113
Hours:
Monday- Thursday: 10am-7pm
Friday & Saturday: 9am-7pm
Are you ready to schedule a tasty tour of Campbell’s Sweets Factory?
Call (216) 965-0451 today
Add to the fun….
Now you can visit Campbell’s as a destination on The Euclid Beach Boys’ famous Rocket Ship Car or Thriller Car!
For more information, visit http://www.theeuclidbeachboys.com and click on the “Ride & Dine Ohio” link. You can also email them at euclidbeachboys@aol.com to schedule your Rocket Ship Car or Thriller Car Ride & Dine Tour to Campbell’s Sweets.
For more information, call 440-460-0565
While you are in Cleveland be sure to stop by the gorgeous West Side Market for lunch or simply a cup of Joe!
Additional Fun Family Friendly destinations in Cleveland:
A Christmas Story House Tour: A Journey back to Childhood
Childrens Activities Around Cleveland
Top 10 Things to Do with Kids in Cleveland
15 Cleveland Kid-Friendly Restaurants for Parents to Eat Out and (Most Importantly) Drink
Mom on the go in Holy Toledo 