Canal Experience, where education and fun collide! As a mom, I am always on the lookout for events and activities that are educational. Meanwhile, the kiddos hunger for fun. The Canal Experience at Providence Metropark in Grand Rapids, Ohio is jammed pack full of educational fun! It is literally a floating history lesson!
April showers bring May flowers and lots of fun family-friendly festivities in Toledo!! The weather is getting warmer, days are getting longer, and everything is blooming!! It is officially that time of year when everything comes back to life, including your family’s social life. Though let’s be honest, May should come with a warning, before you know it it’s summer, and then you blink and school is already starting back…so don’t blink!! Don’t delay; call up your playgroup peeps, neighborhood friends, family, etc. coordinate schedules, and get these awesome festivities on the calendar today!
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I’ve been meaning to write this for some time now. It’s long overdue. But every time I escape into the computer room, open my laptop, my fingers barely graze the keys, and a silent alarm must sound altering the children that I’m about to give something else my undivided attention. For they all seemed to beacon before I can even type a word, “Mom, I need help submitting….”, “Mom, my screen froze!”, “Mom, I can’t type on my work in Google Docs”. It’s a miracle they aren’t banging on the door right now. I am currently hiding out in the bathroom, on the floor, with my laptop, fan on, so hopefully I’ll have a few uninterrupted minutes…I took this idea from the “Dad Handbook” ;), lol! So needless to say, this letter has been on my heart for some time, and it embarrasses me that I haven’t sent this sooner. I don’t know if you know this or not, but you’re such an important and significant part of my life. They say that life isn’t measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away and though, an eloquent idea, I’d add that it isn’t just the big moment in life that matters, but the everyday that embrace life’s imperfections. Looking back on my lifetime thus far most of my life’s imperfections, serious contemplations, and happy memories either took place with you or you helped me get through them, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t take this time to express just how much you’ve played a role in those moments.
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Farnsworth is located at 8505 S River Rd, Waterville, OH 43566.
The Interurban Bridge was once the largest earth filled, concrete reinforced bridge in the entire world, though the bridge is in ruins it is quite a sight to behold.
The Roche de Bout is one of the only significant rock outcroppings in the Northwest Region of Ohio and serves as a support for the bridge. The rock was an important landmark to Indians centuries ago, who met on the rock for meetings, including one before the famous 1794 Battle of Fallen Timbers. As long as the water level is somewhat low, you can easily wade out to the rock.
The 100-mile Bowling Green Fault line, the only fault line in the entire Great Lakes Region & it runs through the park. If the water is low enough you actually are able to see it.
Towpath Trail is 2.5 miles and Easy (Stroller and ADA accessible).
The trail parallels the Maumee River the whole way, passing by several islands on the river owned by the Ohio Division of Wildlife. (Unfortunately, there’s no way of getting to the islands).
However the Kayak Concession is open and you can rent a Kayak and Kayak around the islands.
Price: (Credit card payments only) Single Kayak, $10 per hour Tandem Kayak, $15 per hour Downriver kayak trip, Farnsworth to Side Cut Metropark, including transportation back to Farnsworth, $20 per person. E-bike rental, $10 per hour
Hours: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The playground (closest parking lot is the Boat Launch entrance to the park on 8801 S. River Road (US24), ) is AWESOME!
It includes; a turtle, a Great Blue Heron, a buckeye leaf, and even the Bowling Green Fault Line are depicted in the sculptures. Not only can children enjoy playing outside in the park, but they can learn about it at the same time.
And there is a really nice, new, shelter adjacent (and restrooms too) that is available to rent along with a charcoal and gas grill (locked)…it would make the perfect spot for a family reunion, birthday gathering, etc. Kids could play on the playground, older kiddos/adults could take turns kayaking, have a cookout, walk the towpath, and enjoy the natural beauty that is Ohio!
Hours: 7am-dark everyday
Address: 8505 S River Road (US 24) Waterville, OH 43566
Ranger Phone: (419) 779-6052
Map: http://metroparkstoledo.com/media/2158/river-parks-map-nov14-map-only.pdf
Website: http://metroparkstoledo.com/explore-your-parks/farnsworth/
Sources:
http://www.naturalohioadventures.com/farnsworth-metropark.html
http://metroparkstoledo.com/explore-your-parks/farnsworth/
My mom treated us to tea yesterday at the Stranleigh Manor. The children were so excited. They sat out their clothes the day before. Our little man so desperately wanted to look handsome. He asked me if I could get him the coat and tie that men wear at weddings. He wanted a tuxedo for tea. He is so sweet; he told me he wanted to be a handsome gentleman so badly. In fact he asked that I call him Mr. and Sir during tea, lol! Thankfully I was able to convince him that his white button down shirt and tie were dressy enough. And that shorts were a must since the temperature that day was in the 90s.
As we walked to tea it was so much fun to see what all the ladies were wearing, some were even adorned with creative headdresses (hats, headbands, bows, etc).
Once there we received a number and we waited in the front room.
Since they only take reservations for half the seating when we called all reservations were full so we had to take a number and wait. And wait we did. After waiting half an hour the children, my sister, and I walked around the gardens for a little while to kill time.
After two hours our number was finally called. Boy was it worth the wait. There are three rooms designated for tea and since we had a larger party we were fortunate enough to be seated in the same room as the musical entertainment. Which just so happened to include one of the children’s preschool teacher, it was so awesome!
The petite sandwiches and desserts were delicious. They even had PB & J for the tiniest tea goers.
And our daughters got a kick out of the fact that there was one seat free at our table and they designated it for their Brave doll.
We had such a wonderful time and our little gentleman was so endearing. He even offered to eat any food us ladies might be unable to finish. While my sister and I were served hot tea, my mom iced tea, the children opted for punch and I just couldn’t resist this picture of them sporting their punch mustaches…
The next tea is September 7th and the theme is dress like your favorite I love Lucy episode. For reservations call 419-344-4765
Have you ever had tea with your children? Some of the best tea parties are the impromptu ones, right? With random attendants like Barbie, Big Bird, or whatever stuffed animal your child favors that day…who have you had tea with lately?
Mom on the go in Holy Toledo 