Wine/ Hard Cider Tasting

Posted on August 12, 2013 | Leave a comment

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The Northville Cider Mill and Winery was a perfect spot for a Saturday night date with my hubby. We went for a tasting (yes, I bought a LivingSocial deal, I know, I’m addicted) and found a place we’d love to return to again with or without a toddler in tow.

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The outdoor space is absolutely charming with hand painted adirondack chairs and live music (check schedule). The menu states you can bring a picnic or order a pizza and get it delivered, love it! The atmosphere is artsy but not stuffy. VERY laid back staff are chatty, cynical and intuitive, as needed.

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The crowd was varied, which I love. 20’s- senior citizens were all mingling happily. Some were tasting, many were just enjoying a bottle of their fabulous hard cider or local red wine. The whole place has a very “come as you are” attitude. Attire was everything from flip flops and t-shirts to polo’s and pressed khaki’s. The parking lot had everything from beach cruiser bicycles to muscle cars to range rovers. Truly, “come one, come all and enjoy” could be their motto.

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Although my husband and I were in and out before any real “standing room only” crowds converged, it was a bustling bistro. I overheard one group saying how they had been there the past weekend really late and it was like “tailgating at a polo match”. That brought some vivid imagery of Julia Roberts mixed with Prince William to my crazy mind, but it sounded fun at any rate!

Deets:
Location: 630 Baseline Rd., Northville, MI (one block south of Novi Rd. and 8 mile Rd. intersection on the residential block of Baseline)

The party is Friday 6-10 pm & Saturday 4-11pm only (for now)

The bathroom: clean and family friendly

The front patio/open green space: perfect for relaxing on a picnic blanket nibbling treats (or pizza delivery) and sipping locally sourced and bottled hard cider and wine.

We brought home a bottle of Rockin’ Hard Cock Cider (yeah, the taste was great but the name, hysterical!) to take to our out- of- state family the next time we visit. We need to represent Detroit and show them how we do it!! Ha!!

http://thenorthvillewinery.com/

Disclaimer: I was not in anyway compensated to write this review. I visited this establishment and I am simply offering my genuine opinions.

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Schmutz the Dog, our new favorite pet

Posted on August 7, 2013 | 2 comments

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Schmutz the dog is our new favorite pet. He looks like our doggies, smells like our doggies, but lives in a book on the activity table. He’s inspired us to get bits and baubles from our craft trunk and create some of our own family portraits.

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Covering the table with our pirates booty of treasures we laid out the book for inspiration. Once we decided our base would be a paper plate we squirted glue where the necessary body parts would be adhered and discussed the function of those parts (eyes for seeing, nose for smelling, mouth for tasting). B was deep in thought as I started using scissors to cut strips from some yarn and ribbon.

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Voila! Our masterpieces!! (Sort of) I am still working on mine. We had a great talk about body parts, senses and buttons. B used his fine motor and decision making skills. I would say we made the best of this gloomy day…

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Heritage Park Conservatory & Botanical Gardens

Posted on August 5, 2013 | 3 comments

Filling a bucket with water, dumping it out, squishing mud and sorting pebbles, oh yeah, “these are a few of B’s faaavorite things”! B and I joined some of our mommy crew and set out to donate some time to enhance the beauty of Metro Detroit. The http://taylorconservatory.org/ is nearly 100% volunteer based and offers a community garden, fairy garden and botanical garden. While we wanted the children to get hands on experience with growing plants and donating their time, we also were lucky to get a beautiful day of perfect weather and sunshine.

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Potty Deets:
There is a clean baby friendly bathroom inside the building across the parking lot (about two ABC song verses away) that houses the Petting Farm entrance. We brought our froggy potty this day however.

Food:
It is completely BYO and there are so many picturesque spots to enjoy a meal or a snack, my vote goes to the wooden log benches by the by the slate floor pavilion.

Cost:
FREE
*if you choose to check out the Petting Farm it’s $4/person 1 & up. Cash only.

But wait, there’s more!
There is a brand new playscape (built summer 2012) next to another pavilion with picnic tables that B and I have enjoyed when he was just one year old and still getting the hang of walking. I have also seen someone rent a bouncy house and have it installed right next to the play scape and host her daughters fifth birthday party under the pavilion. It looked AMAZING!

Where is your favorite green space to take your family on a perfect picnic weather day?

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The Stroller Crew Hits a Detroit Hot Spot

Posted on August 1, 2013 | 2 comments

Moms, babies and toddlers love to get out and enjoy the sunshine. Eastern Market is the perfect place to do it, especially for the new Tuesday market. The Tuesday market is like the “best of” from the massive Saturday market, from my “mommy” perspective. I looove Saturdays at Eastern market for the sheer volume and amazing vibe, but I can barely weave my way through the crowd myself, let alone with a stroller!

You might not grab a Bloody Mary at Viviano’s with little ones in tow, but you’ll have your choice of locally sourced grass fed beef burgers with homemade buns at Ned’s food truck (totally cool converted airstream) with their farm fresh accouterment. Of course what kid doesn’t love macaroni and cheese?!? The Mac Shack has the most decadent options I’ve ever seen on this comfort food classic, a must-try.

Tuesdays market has all of my favorites. Coffee from the caboose cart, fresh leafy greens from Vang’s, made-that-morning bread and bouquets of gorgeous flowers to brighten any day.
We tasted artisanal cheese, strawberry rhubarb jam, kale chips, pickles and even had a go on the xylophone! You can’t get THAT at the zoo!
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If the little ones may ask for a cool treat on a sunny day, don’t deny them (or you). It doesn’t have to be a market day for you to enjoy Michigan’s own Hudsonville ice cream from Mootown Ice Cream shoppe. Try a double decker sundae, smoothie or even quesadillas!

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Grandma holding B while he tried his hand as a street performer.

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Bathroom details: Bringing a potty training toddler anywhere can be daunting. “Potty Breaks” are frequent and it’s important to know where the good potty spots are. I chose the bathroom in DeVries (formerly R. Hirt Jr.) which lies between Shed 2 and Viviano’s. Head to the back wall of their delicious shop for a one person private toilet which your stroller might actually fit into. Otherwise, it’s rural rest stop accommodations in the public stalls next to the Welcome Center in Shed 3.

Bonus: Shed 3 was open but not full of vendors like on a Saturday. It was an enclosed wide open safe space to let the toddlers run. There were some street performers from a Krav Maga studio which were pretty interesting. There was even a business making an attempt at a “kid zone” offering a bean bag toss and face painting. I’ll be honest, I really didn’t go over to investigate because if B saw something he could throw he would’ve hurt someone or something. Plus, face painting gives me the heebeejeebee’s.

Parking: At 10am on a Tuesday it was easier to find parking than on 7am Saturday. We got lucky with a spot directly in front of Viviano’s.

By an hour and a half we had filled our market baskets and sampled our way through the entire market. A quick side trip to Whole Foods (literally around the corner on Mack Ave) and it was a fun and filling morning.

B returning our cart at Whole Foods.

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Me and B enjoying our tasty lunch, YUM!

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Backyard Birthday (and other ways to draw blood)

Posted on July 29, 2013 | 2 comments

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Size 8 toddler shoes (and toes) all around. The swing was full of laughter and crumbs, the best seat in the house! One of B’s friends has a little sister who invited us to her 1st birthday party, we were happy to join in the fun! Rain showers threatened and then dribbled but not for long. Every child there was eager to share the cake AND presents. The birthday song was the cutest chorus I’ve ever heard. It was a perfect backyard party, until…

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B decided to wipe the patio with his face. I mean when does the instinct to put your hands out in front of you as you fall begin? I know toddlers are top heavy with their wobbly legs and balloon shaped noggins but, seriously!? Apparently he was playing with an excavator (no longer just a truck, these kids are specific and discerning) when he started to run to show it to someone and tripped. The excavator was completely unharmed in this incident. B on the other hand may be scarred for life.

He cried one of those cries that starts out as long silent inhale, mouth agape, but ends up as a blood curdling horror film worthy screech. My heart dropped. I heard the thud of his over- sized head clunk the pavers like a ripe melon. After we calmed down and wiped him clean, all was well. One of the fathers there is a physician and examined B. No stitches or MRI’s needed, “just keep it clean and he’ll be fine”. In the end all he needed was a hug and a lollipop. I wish all troubles of the world could be as easily solved.

Have you had any bad “ouchies” with your little one?

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Rain Barrel Gardening

Posted on July 27, 2013 | 8 comments

My husband hates this monstrosity. He is only going along with my romantic idealism that having a rain barrel makes me a conservationist so I don’t bother him about buying more signage for his man cave (seriously, that’s another story all together). He drilled a hole into one of our gutters and now this massive barrel sits in wait for me to fill up my watering can seven times (yes, I counted) to water every single potted plant and herb in our yard every day.

It would be much easier to use the hose, but I am stubborn and want to prove to my neighbors (a.k.a my in-laws) and my friends that I’m not just taking up valuable deck space with this thing but actually benefitting the earth. As I do this routine each night I offer B to hold the can and pour the water (you know, teach him how things grow). He was into it the first week or so, but two months in, he’s OUT. I’m beginning to wish I had just stuck with my original plan of paving my entire yard.

I am hating my plants right now. They are so needy. I even had to beg someone to come over and water them when we went away for the weekend. I secretly hoped the person would forget and they would all die and I could be released of my nightly obligation. Why can’t I commune with nature? I want to be “earthy”, but I’d rather be doing almost ANYTHING else. I’m beginning to see the allure if that green grasslike indoor /outdoor carpeting. Am I losing my mind?

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Detroit Prince (SS)

Posted on July 22, 2013 | Leave a comment

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A beautiful day for a boat ride! The hum of the engine acts as a lullaby while the summer breeze tickles the toes through flip-flops (or flippers, as B calls them). The gentle touch of a toddlers hand is the icing on the cake. Although other “rulers” may be official in the two countries we are balancing between, B is truly a prince today.

As we slide through ancient glacial pathways that now separate two countries, one is tempted to think of those who swam, paddled and sunk in these depths. I am reminded of the constant balance battle between man and nature as a huge plume of steam rises from a smokestack along the rivers edge.

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The Detroit Princess Cruise line is NOT a sponsor nor did they compensate me in any way to take their cruise. I purchased a Groupon and took the chance on a sunny July day that my two year old could miss his nap and still enjoy the river.

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Facts:
Daily outings at 1:00 and 3:30PM at Bishop Park in Wyandotte (behind the Henry Ford Hospital and Bacon Memorial Library) and a separate boat has the same schedule at Hart Plaza/ RiverWalk. All passengers are taken on a first come first served basis do try to arrive thirty minutes before boarding and be prepared to stand in line, even if you’ve purchased your tickets in advance.

Good to know:
The ramp (the gang plank?!) was too skinny to fit the stroller through so we had to “unload it”, fold it and carry kiddo and everything else on board. Once on board we could’ve stayed in the dining area but attempted going up on the covered deck. Found a nice shady wooden bench (relief) after braving metal stairs that were more like a ladder (yikes). The bathroom was much like you would find on an airplane, so diaper changes would need to be done ” al fresco”. You can bring drinks and snacks on board for the 0-5 year olds but anyone 6+ better have cash on hand for anything else available at the bar.

At $17 per person 6+ years old for a two hour cruise it’s a fine family value, though I’m glad I had a half off deal.

Does your toddler love the water? If so, what water fun have you had this summer?

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Pinterest Shminterest!!

Posted on July 21, 2013 | 8 comments

I like Pinterest. Just like I enjoy going on a shopping website, filling up my cart and then leaving the page. I just like the idea that I could if I wanted to, but have chosen not to. At least that’s what I tell myself.

After pages and pages of well organized “pins” on how to make a delicious-easy-family-meal-everyone-including-the-toddler-will-lick-off-the-plate-that-is-nutritious and low in sodium alongside creative bath activities to inspire your toddler to looooove getting that hard won dirt from their crevices, I just started using my own brain. I came up with a fun game of my own where I didn’t have to buy water beads, ivory soap or baking soda.

We are so lucky to have a local dairy still in business in our area that delivers their fresh milk to your door every week in glass bottles. I love, love, love them! Thank you Calder Dairy in Carleton, MI (I swear I have a point). The glass bottles are returned weekly, but the caps are not. So, of course I wash and save them. All of those hours on Pinterest weren’t totally wasted, see?! I also have a few plastic wash bins from the dollar store because my child looooves pouring water. Well, that’s what he calls it. It could be called spilling, spitting or even spraying water by an onlooker, but, those are just semantics. I am trying to delete reduce screen time (rather abysmally) so I try to have tasks games readily available that B can engage in.

Here is my little game! My crappy handwriting and black magic marker in all its’ glory! I used a ping pong ball (ummm, no I don’t have a ping pong table but I have been known to play a mean game of b___r pong) and B loves throwing things as well, so I thought it would be a hit… I was correct!!

Points to consider:
1. If you get hit with a ping pong ball it doesn’t hurt nearly as much as getting hit with a golf ball.
2. You could write any thing (letters, draw shapes, colored dots or put pictures of family) on the bottom of any tray/bin with tape.
3. The fun part is throwing the ball and trying to “score” (which is what we yell when B sinks one).

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He’s learning how to recognize numbers up to twenty. The white and pink are divided into odd and even numbers although that is something we have yet to start talking about, I was being ambitious.

What games have you and your toddler created?

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Preparing Your Child for a Big Move (Book Giveaway!)

Posted on July 18, 2013 | Leave a comment

I love the ideas posted here. It’s not just about moving, but ANY stage/transition in your child’s life.


1. Welcoming a new sibling
2. Potty Training
3. Bed time routine
4. Starting daycare/preschool

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Toddler’s 1st Movie Theater Experience

Posted on July 16, 2013 | Leave a comment

Toddler’s 1st Movie Theater Experience.

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Posted in To do in Metro Detroit