Wolcott Mill Metropark Farm Center, Ray, MI

Wolcott Mill Metropark Farm Center is a modern working farm in Ray, MI.  Their goal is to educate the public about agriculture.   They offer farm tours, educational programming, farmers camp, festivals, fairs, and scheduled horse drawn wagon rides.  Dairy cow milking can be viewed daily.  They are open 9-5 daily and closed only 3 days per year (Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's).

[Picture from metroparks website]

Resources:

Wolcott Mill Metropark Farm Center
http://www.metroparks.com/parks/index_all.aspx?ID=13&r=065775 Wolcott Rd.
Ray, MI  48096
For other nearby parks:  www.metroparks.com
586-752-5932

My son's favorite breakfast place in Chicago, Illinois- Kanela Cafe- yum!

My son and I visited the Kanela Cafe in Chicago, Illinois twice!  After the first morning we went there, he wanted to go back the next morning.  He had the kanela chip pancakes with creme anglaise and kanela chips, and I had a spicy feta omelette with tyrokafteri cheese.  Both of us remember fondly our yummy breakfasts there!

Resources:

Kanela Breakfast club
3231 N. Clark Street
Chicago, IL
60657
(773) 248-1622

Kanela Breakfast Club- Oldtown (This is the one we went to)
1552  N. Wells
Chicago, IL
60610
(312) 255-1206

Nelis Dutch Village, Holland, Michigan

Recently, my son and I visited Nelis Dutch Village for the second time.  We had also gone there a few years ago, and he loved it!  It is perfect for preschoolers, plus the older children there seemed to like it too!

The pamphlet says, "A visit to Nelis Dutch Village is like a step back into the Netherlands of over 100 years ago.  Costumed associates demonstrate old Dutch crafts and traditions.  Demonstrations, performances, and activities take place all day long."

My son loved the wooden shoe mini zip line, the Windmill water pumping race, the Swing ride, and the Shoe slide.

They offer the following activities:  dutch dancing, candle carving, farmhouse cheese demonstrations, shoe slide, carousel, swing ride, pedal pumpers, wooden shoe carving, goat walking, wooden shoe shopping, Delftware and other demonstrations.

When we went there a few years ago, they had miniature clementine pigs that I fell in love with, but this time they didn't have them, unfortunately.

Resources:

Nelis' Dutch Village
12350 James Street
Holland, MI  49424
www.dutchvillage.com
(616)  396-1475

Hampton Inn, Holland, MI

The Hampton Inn in Holland, MI is a great place to stay when you are in Holland, MI.  I stayed there with my son when I went there recently and they were amazingly helpful and kind!  They have a restaurant on site called Sharkey's, a game room, and pool.  I would stay there again!

Resources:

The Hampton Inn
12427 Felch Street
Holland, MI  49424
(616) 399-8500

family friendly cottages on Goshorn Lake, Saugatuck, Michigan

A few years ago we went with my uncle and cousin to the Saugutuck area of Western Michigan.  We stayed a night at the Goshorn Lake Cottage Cottages.  This place is amazingly family friendly, and I loved the sandy swimming beach with different boats and toys available for children and families to use.  My husband and cousin loved the kayaks and still to this day talk about how wonderful it was to explore the lake with the kayaks, and how beautiful the day was!  There were several boats available to take rides in.  There was a fire pit, swimming pool, and all kinds of simple amenities to make you feel like part of the family!  Most of the cottages have between three and four bedrooms, but they all have kitchens, BBQ's and other amenities.

Resources:

Goshorn Lake Cottage Condominiums
www.goshorn-lake-cottage-condominiums.com/
3581 65th Street
Saugatuck, Michigan  49453
(800) 541-4210
(269) 857-4808

Best activity for my five-year-old son in Chicago, Illinois - architectural boat cruise- Chicago Line cruises!

My five year old son says, "The architect boat ride tour was the best in our trip.  The architect boat ride tours showed us Chicago River and Lake Michigan.  I loved being on the water!"

Our guide, Chris Meister, is also a Chicago High School teacher, so his speech was clear and it was really easy for  both my son and I to understand and learn from him.  He threw in some history such who the original inhabitants of the area were.  One thing that was fascinating for both my son and I was that Lake Michigan is higher than the Chicago River.  Water lifts up to 5 feet when the Lock is open, though you can't really feel the lift.  The lock makes sure that Lake Michigan isn't depleted of water.

I recommend the 6:00PM tour as children are free.  Also, there are appetizers and lemonade available for free on this tour.

When we arrived early, there was coffee and lemonade available for free.  Also, there was ice cream available for purchase, which my son enjoyed.  There were many books on display on a large coffee table, that people were able to peruse through before and after the tour, these are just a few that looked interesting to me:

Resources:

Architectural + Historical Cruises
North Pier Docks at River East Art Center
465 N. McClurg Court, Chicago, IL  60611
(312) 527-2002
www.chicagoline.com

Books recommended by the Chicago Museum:

The Chicago River
by Libby Hill
Lake Claremont Press
www.lakeclaremont.com
ISBN:  1-893121-02

The Pocket Guide to Chicago Architecture
by Judith Prine McBrien
W.W. Norton and Company
New York
ISBN 0-393-73155-3

The Chicago River
by David M. Solyzman
University of Chicago Press
ISBN 0-226-76-1-5

Robotics For Fun Classes in Oakland, CA - Children learn to build and program robotics!

In the Robotics For Fun class on Broadway Ave, children learn to build and program robots.  The class is taught by a Harvard Alumni instructor.

 Introductory classes are Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays and are $65.00.  During the introductory class, children become familiar with basic robot design, construction and programming.  They build a robot, learn the programming to make it work and complete several fun challenges along the way.  (Cost: $65)

The advanced camp is held over four sessions.  Students learn more advanced construction and programming techniques during this time.  (Cost: $250)

Membership Program:  Members work on theme based projects throughout the year.  They learn advanced building and programming techniques along the way.  This program is designed for students who have taken the Introductory Class and wish to continue the program.  Members attend each week at Robotics For Fun.  (Cost: $240. Monthly)

Online Membership:  the online membership program gives you access to the current project.  Online members receive all of the required project materials by mail before the start of each new project.  (Cost:  $100. Monthly)

Resources:

Robotics For Fun, Oakland
2533 Broadway, Oakland, CA  94612
Telephone:  (510) 597-0772
E-mail:  info@roboticsforfun.com

Teeccino Herbal Coffee, organic, naturally caffeine free, non acidic

I'm doing some blogging and having a cup of Teeccino.  It has a light chocolate flavor, is naturally caffeine free, and is organic.  I started drinking Teeccino just before I was pregnant with my son as I was then working on giving up all caffeine.  I still rarely drink regular caffeinated coffee, yet I love to have a cup of decaffeinated coffee in the mornings.  This warm, cozy drink is especially tasty with dark chocolate!

Resources:

Teeccino Herbal Coffee
Naturally Caffeine Free
Non acidic
Organic

Produced by Teeccino Caffe Inc.
P.O. Box 40829
Santa Barbara, CA  93140
(800).498.3434

Yummy gluten free brownie mix with fresh organic kale

Tonight, for dessert, I made gluten free fudge brownies with fresh organic kale from the farmer's market.  Kale tastes unbelievably tasty with chocolate!   I used the Arrowhead Mills Gluten Free Brownie Mix.  Last week I had gotten kale at the farmer's market and  my son begged me to put the kale in brownies, as we had done it before and it was absolutely delicious!

Resources:

Arrowhead Mills Gluten Free Fudge Brownie Mix
(gluten free, no trans fats, and no preservatives)
www.arrowheadmills.com
800-434-4246
Melville, NY  11747  USA

Majamas - the most comfortable mama clothing ever!

I started wearing Majamas bras, dresses, and loungewear when I was pregnant with my son.  While most of the clothing I purchased or was gifted while I was pregnant , I quickly stored or gave away after my son was born, I kept all the Majama clothes that still fit me because they are so comfortable!   Majamas are not only cozy, but they are stylish too as the black dresses have an Angelina Jolie type mama look to them, and I love that look.

Majamas  are soft, all cotton and incredibly soft!  They have clothing for maternity, nursing mamas, and general mama wear too!  They have comfortable and cozy dresses, ponchos, bras, loungewear, pajamas, tunics, etc.

Resources:

Majamas
http://www.majamas.com/
P.O. Box 948
Oak Park, IL  60303
Telephone:  1-888-Majamas
                     1-208-524-9668

Types of child temperament based on Waldorf philosophy

I found this Waldorf parent's forum, a place where Waldorf parents can learn and discuss ways to support each other, their children, their child's class and teachers, and their Waldorf school.  I found some explanations of children's temperament based on the Waldorf philosophy.  I met a mom at Alpine Lake in Strawberry who described these temperaments, and I wanted more information.  This blog has writings from a teacher who taught at a Waldorf school for years.  Ms. Ilian had been a Waldorf teacher for 30 years, first in kindergarten and then in the grades as a class teacher.  Unfortunately, a new post hasn't been written since July of 2011, but I enjoyed the posts listed.

Resources:
Ms. Ilian's blog
http://waldorfparents.blogspot.com

Gluten free sugar cones for 4th of July

Though I'm the one in the family who is trying to stay away from gluten, our family explores all kinds of gluten free products, and my son sometimes prefers them as they are sometimes lighter in texture.  I found a really yummy gluten free sugar cone that my son also loves.  It is so delicious that I have had one as a snack without the ice cream.  With 4th of July coming up,  I wanted to share this product for those with gluten intolerances.

Resources:

Edward & Sons
Let's Do...Gluten Free Sugar Cones
P.O. Box 1326
Carpinteria, Ca  93014  USA
www.edwardandsons.com

Favorite goat products - goat milk is easier on the stomach and my son loves goat milk!

I have been getting more and more goat products because my son seems to now prefer goat milk over cow milk.  This started happening around the time he was 5, so I wonder if he is developing a lactose intolerance.  For now, these are a few of my favorite goat milk products:

Redwood Hill Farm yogurt (My son prefers strawberry and chocolate flavors).
www.RedwoodHill.com

Woolwich Dairy Inc.
(Goat cheese, we like the cheddar and mozzarella)
425  Richardson Rd.
Orangeville, Ontario
L9W4Z4
1-877-438-3499
www.woolwichdairy.com

Paper Airplane Kit

Our son highly recommends the paper airplane kit we wrote about in our last post.  The kit includes colorful paper airplanes (adult folding required) and stickers.  All in all, better than a sticker book!  Hours of entertainment - seriously!  The quality of flight, however, is highly dependent on the grown-up's folding ability...

Paper Airplanes, quick sticker project - great for summer travel!

My son loves paper airplanes.  We got got a quick kit for making airplanes at Whole Foods Market a few days ago, just in time for 4th of July travel.  He ended up making the planes with his dad that night and has been flying them around the house ever since.

Resources:

Paper Airplanes
Peacable Kingdom

Quote from package:  "Super simple sticker fun!  Kit includes three easy to fold super flyers.  Choose from lots of fun stickers to customize each plane.  Just fold, decorate, and let' em rip!"

Alameda County Fair, June 19th - July 7th, 2013- Pleasanton, CA

This week my family is going to visit the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton, CA.  We did not go last year, as it is only from June 19th to July 7th, so the time period goes quickly.  They are closed Mondays, so there are only 6 days left after today.  There will be a pirate show by Capt'n Jack Spare Ribs at 2, 4, and 6 PM everyday.  Also, there are concerts everyday at 7 PM.  This Fair is listed as #33 among the top fairs in North America.

We have only gone to this Fair once, a few years ago.  My friend from a mom's group recommended it.  She had grown up in Alameda doing 4H so she remembers going to this fair as part of her childhood memories.  A couple of years ago, when my son was three, he really enjoyed the farm area, the rides, and all the lights!  We had to really watch the little ones as there was so many people, but it was a fun memory!

Resources:

2013 Alameda County Fair
www.AlamedaCountyFair.com
(925) 426-7600

Capt'n Jack Spare Ribs Show
2,4, and 6PM everyday


Concerts daily at 7PM