Monday, April 8, 2013

Cranbrook - Who Knew?

We had no idea that Cranbrook had so much to offer!  Although not free (but they have free nights just check out the website), I got a livingsocial deal for half off a year membership.  We chose to go Sunday because it fit into our plans, although they are only open a few hours and we knew we would be rushing it. 

We are so glad we went!  The science institute is really nice, my children had an amazing time exploring the traveling exhibit which included Michigan shipwreck artifacts, some from Trenton, not so far away from where we live.  The exhibit included a display on effects of deep water pressure, which was something new to us.

Also at Cranbrook, is the basement children's room where they are able to do experiments and observations.  My children, ages eight and five, both really loved this area and could have spent hours going through the various drawers filled with things to experiment with.  My son enjoyed the drawer on magnetism and my daughter had fun looking through a real microscope and observing the birds out the window.  Tearing them away from the area wasn't easy, but with limited time we had a lot to check out. 

On the ground floor is a Mastodon, a T-Rex exhibit (we didn't explore it, there wasn't enough time) and the planetarium which we will check out a day they are open longer. My kids loved the arrowhead wall, and the African elephant skull found - of all the places-- in Clinton Township, MI!   We liked the rocks and crystals and American Indian artifacts, but what stole the show was the telescope.  It was mid-afternoon on a cloudy day, so we were not able to use it, but knowing it's there and open on Friday and Saturday nights, we are heading back on a clear night sometime soon.

We know we will head back out for the Bats show and to look at everything we missed.    The center is located on beautiful grounds and would be amazing to explore in it's own right.  We are very happy with this membership purchase and look forward to exploring all that is Cranbrook. 

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Are you Ready to Rock?

Tonight we took our children to the Cherry Hill Community Theater in Canton, MI to see a PBS performer, Steve Roslonek.  This performance was truly amazing!  What a fantastic guy.  He really was such an amazing performer, he mingled with the kids before the show and remembered their names.  They got to go up on stage and dance and for my eldest child, this really was something.  My eldest is the whole, too shy, too cool, don't want to participate kinda kid.  But when the opportunity to go up came, off he flew.  It was amazing to see.  You might know him as Mr. Steve, or Steve Songs, but you probably have seen him all over PBS in the mornings.  The show was a fundraiser, and if you have the chance to see it, or see him ever, I really recommend it.  He made the kids so happy and got them dancing.

Did I mention how nice the the theater is?  They had a cookies and milk reception, and Santa just happened to be there, too.  It was so nice, a really special night with my kids.  I am so happy we happened upon it, just looking through the theater website.   I wish they would have advertised it more, it was so great.

Anyway, please check out stevesongs.com for yourself.  I promise your preschooler will thank you for it!

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Decorate It Forward

I recently was invited to a Houseparty for Marzetti's Simply Dressed dressings.  A houseparty is a party that you apply for and can win at HouseParty.com and the host then gets a package supplied by a sponsor (Marzetti) and they provide whatever they want.  In her case, the them was Simply Dressed and Marzetti provided coupons to purchase free dressings and recipe cards.  The host supplied the food and other things to make salads and recipes and Marzetti provided her guests gifts:  coupon cards, wonderful insulated shopping bags and one really cool salad bowl with a built-in freezer pak for the host, one for a guest.  The party was so much fun, the host really put on a feast and we got to try all kinds of new dressings.  I didn't even know that Marzetti had anything but coleslaw dressing, so it was really an eye opener.  And the insulated bag was super nice.  I had so much fun, and the host asked us to fill out surveys on line to provide the sponsor feedback.  In doing so, I signed up for my own HouseParty account.  Unexpectedly, I won my own Kmart Decorate it Forward party! 

I have to tell you, at first, my reaction was pretty crazy.  I was excited to find out I won a party!  I love Christmas and I recently moved.  I thought it was a great idea to invite people over and to have some fun.  Since our theme was Decorate it Forward, I decided to buy some things off the want list at the humane society and have my guests fill stockings so we can take them up there for the holiday.  We purchased some fleece material (so they dogs/cats have something to lay on) and we filled up stockings with chews, cat toys, dish soap, swiffer mop refills and other things off of the list.  Kmart provided me as host a $20.00 giftcard and a coupon for 15% off of their Christmas store.  My idea was to purchase my guests each their own ornament to Decorate it Forward. 

The kids had a blast decorating gingerbread houses and gingerbread trains.  The adults had fun putting together a foamie gingerbread house I got a few years ago that never got put together.  Then we played a game of Christmas Song Pictionary.  Kmart gave each of my guests a coupon to use for their own decorations, so I stuffed a mini stocking with the coupon and some delish candy I purchased (at Kmart, of course!) and I used those as favors for everyone who attended.  It was fun, and all I had to do was throw a party  and fill out a survey!  These parties are hard to come by, apparently there are some pretty amazing sponsors out there.  So check out HouseParty.com and see what you think, and possibly win a host spot for yourself with some great freebies and fun!

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

A World to Explore - May 15 2012

Welcome to my blog about anything!  Mostly, a blog about my amazing children, our space in this world, and how we are tying to make it as a whole family and see where the ride takes us!  We love our kids, we love our city, we love our state and we love the people who have touched our lives.  Join us for the ride!

Friday night, my husband unknowingly knocked down a robin nest filled with two baby robins.  We didn't find it until Saturday but it was apparent mother bird flew the coop and hadn't been back.  We were advised about a Wildlife Rescue in Washtenaw so off went the husband with two adorable peeps to Ann Arbor (which doesn't take much twisting of his arm, let me tell you!).  Our fine-feathered friends were given a good chance at survival, fed through a tube and hopefully will be given back to us in a month to release back into our yard.  We haven't been updated about their condition yet, so we are still hoping they made it. They were christened Eggbert and Birdnadette because we are corny, that's why, even if we don't have any idea what sex they are. 

In the meantime, a dove that apparently makes her way back to the same place every year to nest has arrived after checking us out as her new neighbors.  She decdided my hanging plant was pretty soft and smooshy, perfect among violas to lay an egg or two.  She hasn't been leaving much so she must be working hard on keeping that egg warm.

This week shall be busy with tee-ball, baseball, football, a Tigers Game and cupcakes being made for the Regatta on Monday.  I think that a mini sailboat made with fondant or candly clay and a toothpick and paper will be the simple answer.  And of course some yardwork and hopefully making it to a fishing derby and camping trip.  Stay tuned, the summer is just about to begin!