Flashback: Tahquamenon Falls

 This post was published last year, and references a trip we took in 2011. Tahquamenon Falls is one of my favorite places in Michigan. What are some of your favorite Michigan sights?



When I was about 11, I was invited along on an Upper Peninsula adventure with my grandparents, aunt, uncle, and cousin. I crossed  Big Mac (aka the Mackinac Bridge) for the first time, and I was smitten by the quiet beauty of Michigan's lesser known peninsula. We spent a week at our little cottage, fishing and swimming and seeing many of the area's gems. A year or two later I was invited once again. These two week-long vacations constitute some of the happiest memories of my childhood. One of the most memorable sights that we visited during both of those trips was Tahquamenon Falls. I stood before this majestic natural wonder and fell in love with waterfalls. When I became a mom many years later, I vowed I would take my own children to the Upper Peninsula one day and show them just how beautiful the world could be.

Last summer we finally made it to Tahquamenon Falls. It was actually our second time in the U.P. together, but the first had just been a quick jaunt to the beach when we were staying in Mackinaw City the year before. This time we stayed overnight and had a beautiful day visiting one of my favorite Michigan landmarks. The kids loved it; I knew they would.

One of the best things about being a mom is sharing experiences from my own childhood, like Tahquamenon Falls, with my kids. I look forward to sharing more with them, and remembering vicariously through their smiles and enthusiasm. Seeing new things is exciting too, but there is something special about standing in the same place with my kids that I stood when I was a little girl.

Flashback: Sublime Summertime in Michigan

 This post was originally published at the end of summer 2011. My kids have grown by leaps and bounds since then! Mattie is now wearing the clothes that Lucy is wearing in these pictures. We still have a lot of summer living to do this year, but it's fun to look back on what we did in previous years! I hope you are enjoying your summer!


It really, really was such a fabulous summer. As always, I'm sorry we didn't get more in before the start of the new school year. But we concentrated a lot on doing nothing this summer too - which definitely has its own charms!

Happy back to school to you. Happy end of summer, happy fall. 

Bethany & Mattie at the pool

Hanging out with cousins ~ Lexington ~

Connor, Lucy, Bethany, and Mathilda ~ Lexington ~

Sno Cones with friends at the park

Splash pad

Lucy ~ Sleeping Bear Dunes ~ 

Mattie & Bethany ~ Sleeping Bear Dunes ~

Starting the climb ~ Sleeping Bear Dunes ~

Lucy ~ Sleeping Bear Dunes~

Connor & Lucy ~ Sleeping Bear Dunes ~

Kiddies with their Auntie Mary ~ Sleeping Bear Dunes ~

The kids at Sleeping Bear Dunes with my 'lil sis

Lovely family picture ~ Frankfort ~ Lake Michigan ~

Bethany ~ crystal clear Lake Michigan ~

Lucy ~ beautiful Lake Michigan beach ~ Frankfort

Lucy

Cottage in Frankfort

Connor & the Playmobil pirate ~ Frankfort ~

Lucy enjoying a caramel covered rice crispy treat ~ Frankfort ~

Downtown with friends

Playing in the fountains outside of the Renaissance Center

Oh Canada ~ view from Detroit RiverFront

Carousel ride downtown

Day Tripping from Detroit: Storybook Gardens - London, Ontario

This post can now be found on MichiGal Travels, just click on the following link:

Day Tripping from Detroit: Storybook Gardens - London, Ontario

Travel Tuesday: Florida Spring Break Edition - Cape Canaveral National Seashore

This post has been moved to MichiGal Travels. Just click the link below to read it now.

Florida Spring Break: Cape Canaveral National Seashore

Weekend Rundown x3

I'm running a wee bit behind schedule this week month. Welcome to my life :-)

We have been doing so much fun stuff lately, and every Monday I mean to do a weekend rundown, but it somehow never gets finished.  This post would be WAY too long if I tried to tell you about everything all at once, so I will summarize and then break it down in a few future posts. Because I have no doubt everyone wants to know every minor detail of my ever so interesting life.

A brief synopsis of what we've been up to for the past two or three weeks...

I took Mathilda to Chuck E. Cheese's, just the two of us, while the big kids were at school. They were not pleased, but she and I had so much fun!

I got an iPhone! Yipppppeeeee! Love, love, love. Times a million.

Chris and I took the kids downtown Detroit to see Scooby Doo Live! at the Fox Theatre.

The next night, we took Connor, Bethany, and three of Bethany's friends to a Pistons game. We thought it would be a good experience for Bethany and her best basketball compadres to see a professional game.

Less than a week later, the kids and I were back at the Fox Theatre, this time with my mom to see Peter Pan.

This weekend, I took Bethany and her friend back to the Palace for a dance workshop with the Pistons dancers and choreographer.

Other than that, we've been water logged, with barely a day gone by without rain for weeks. Then there's been sleepovers, birthday parties, a wedding shower, and all the other stuff that makes us crazy on a daily basis.

This week is bringing more fun stuff that I will do my best to share, along with some new giveaways and the regular features - Travel Tuesday, So What Wednesday, and Thankful Thursday. And a Shaklee 180 ™ update too!

What did you do this weekend? Anything fun or interesting? I'd love to hear about it! Got anything good planned for the week?

Happy Monday, I hope you all have a wonderful week!

ENDED Giveaway: Recess! The Family Music Festival

Does the very thought of listening to children's music bring to mind visions of a sappy cacophony of plague-like catchy tunes that you would be embarrassed to admit you're humming? Well it doesn't have to be that way! If you're looking for a fun way to celebrate music with your kids that even you will enjoy, I have the perfect idea for you!

On June 22, 2013 Meadow Brook Music Festival will be hosting Recess! The Family Music Festival. This is an event that is meant to entertain the whole family, even mom and dad, while embodying multicultural, socially and environmentally sound ideals. National and regional family music acts will be performing, including:

• The Laurie Berkner Band
• Dan Zanes & Friends
• Ralph's World
• The Verve Pipe
• Candy Band
• School of Rock

But this musical festival has even more to offer! In addition to the performers, families can enjoy interactive musically themed "creative spaces". For example:

• Improvisation & Imagination  A hip hop workshop teaching rhyme, scratch, and beat box. Take home a CD of your very own hip hop track!
• Rhythm  A drum circle, with instructors to teach participants how to use percussion instruments.
• Movement  Dance and movement workshops, including break dancing, tumbling, and double-dutch jump roping.
• Discovery  A rock band will be set up so kids can try out different roles, including drummer, guitarist, and vocalist. Learn the basics of songwriting while pretending to be in the band.
• Arts & Crafts  Learn how to make instruments out of wood, and take them home with you!
• Become a Rock Star  Treat your kid to a (temporary) tattoo and a punk rock hair-do, then stop by the photo booth for a picture.

Doesn't this sound like loads of fun? Even if you don't  have any kiddies of your own, this would be the perfect excuse to borrow one for the day and channel your inner child.

And....I'm giving away four tickets! Please note, the tickets are for Recess! The Family Music Festival, on June 22, 2013 at Meadow Brook Music Festival ONLY! The tickets are not valid at any other venue, nor are they valid for any other performance! Must be in the Detroit area, or willing to travel to the Detroit area. Good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

L-R: Verve Pipe, Candy Band, Dan Zanes & Friends, Ralph's World, The Laurie Berkner Band

Ghostly Manor Thrill Center in Sandusky, Ohio

The Ghostly Manor Thrill Center facade makes a striking first impression!

When we were staying at Castaway Bay for a blogger event recently, we were also invited to a separate blogger event at a nearby attraction, Ghostly Manor Thrill Center. Ghostly Manor was just a hop,skip, and a jump from Castaway Bay, and it has a little something for everyone:

• Wizard's Journey mini golf (indoors)
• Ghostly Manor Haunted House
• XD 4D Motion Theater
• Skateworld roller skating
• Arcade
• Bounce houses
• Concessions

They like to go all out for the holidays at Ghostly Manor! In October there is an expanded haunted house experience called Lake Eerie Fearfest. December brings the Winter Wonderland Walk-Thru, as well as a free annual Christmas light show. They've even been featured on the Travel Channel's "Best Places I've Ever Been!" I could not find a link to this, but I will tell you that there are some amazing reviews on Trip Advisor.
Ghostly Manor is also a popular birthday party destination. Several parties were in progress during our visit.

What to know:

• This place is huge! There is plenty of space for everything I listed above. Even though we visited on a busy Saturday night, there was still breathing room, and the lines weren't terrible either.
• Some attractions are not for little kids. Bethany was the only one willing to try an XD 4D movie, and we could not for anything get Lucy to play mini golf, which is 3D and in black light.
• The haunted house is recommended for ages 10 and up. None of my kids were brave enough to walk through!
• Each attraction is priced separately.
• Ghostly Manor is family owned and operated, and was first started because of one man's love of haunted houses.

Black light 3D mini golf is fun! Ghostly Manor

If you're in the area, this is definitely a place you'll want to check out. It would make a great side trip when visiting Cedar Point's Hallow Weekends or one of the area's water park hotels. And, based on the glowing reviews I read of the haunted house, it might even be worth a two hour drive on its own merit for haunted house enthusiasts. This holiday season, I'd like to plan another trip so I can experience the Winter Wonderland Walk-Thru and Christmas light display.

I'd love to tell you Mattie is just scratching her nose. I can offer no such guarantees. At Ghostly Manor, Sandusky, OH

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Big thanks to Ghostly Manor and the Lake Erie Shores & Islands Welcome Center-East for putting together this event and having my family as guests! My family was provided with dinner and tickets to all attractions. All opinions are my own.

Sunny Days

My old pal Oscar.

When I was a little girl, my Uncle Herb took my cousins and me downtown to see Sesame Street Live. I was probably in kindergarten at the time, I'm guessing, and it was a highlight of my young life. I barely remember the show, but it was a special occasion that I've always treasured, even more so now that my Uncle Herb has passed away. My Oscar the Grouch pennant, purchased at the show, was a prized possession for years.

Fast forward a couple decades...I was so excited when I became a mom and realized that Sesame Street Live was still (or maybe, once again?) making the rounds. So began an almost annual tradition of taking our kids to see the Sesame Street gang on stage. We've skipped a year here and there, but I thought it would be fun to take Mattie this year, before she goes and outgrows Sesame Street. At almost 4, she is basically at the cusp of thinking herself too cool for Big Bird and Cookie Monster.

Sesame Street Live, Fox Theatre, Detroit

In exchange for a couple blog posts, I was fortunate enough to be the grateful recipient of Sesame Street Live tickets for this year's show at the Fox Theatre. I think Mattie may have gone when she was a baby, but I couldn't wait to see how she would react as a feisty preschooler. I got tickets for the Friday night performance and then started figuring out the logistics.

Logistics? Yes, logistics. Nothing is simple around here. Bethany had a basketball game and Connor had Boy Scouts, plus neither of them were really interested in attending (duh). So Chris and I had to divide and conquer. I arranged for Bethany to get a ride to the game, Chris picked up Connor from Boy Scouts, and the two of them headed to the game. Meanwhile, Lucy's friend was dropped off at our house (she was going to the show with us and sleeping over afterward), and the little girls and I got ready for the show and waited for my mom, my cousin, and my godson to join us so we could all drive downtown together. I thought we left ourselves plenty of time, but once I stopped for gas and we waited in line to get in the parking structure, and then in another line to get in the theatre, we just barely made it to our seats in time. Note to self: 1 hour is not long enough to get downtown, park and get seated. An hour and a half would have been much more comfortable.

My happy girl, with hat (of course).

We hustled into our seats, after the usher kicked some squatters out, and settled down to enjoy Big Bird and the gang singing about making music. The big kids were a little reluctant, at first, to admit that they were enjoying themselves. Mattie was enthralled but didn't really let loose until after the intermission. At that point, all the kids were a little more comfortable and forgot they were too cool (the big kids) or too scared (Mattie) to have a good time. At that point, Mattie went nuts and danced and jumped around like a maniac for the entire second half of the show. I don't know how she was still standing when it was over. I caught all three of the other kids jumping around, dancing, and smiling too - but none were quite as enthusiastic as Mattie.

I had seen this particular edition of Sesame Street Live more than once in years past, but it seems to me like they changed it up a little. Of course, I don't have the best memory, but it did seem a little bit different. The kids had fun, the adults had fun watching the kids have fun, and it was a successful outing. My godson even later admitted that he enjoyed himself so much that he'd like to see Sesame Street Live again. I'm so grateful that I had this opportunity to take my kids to do something fun on their mid-winter break, and that I was even able to invite a few others to join us. As it turned out, it was the calm before the storm. Connor woke up puking later that night and then all four kids came down with some sort of a sniffly cold, so we didn't get much chance to do anything else the rest of the long weekend. Right now, Mattie can't wait to see Sesame Street Live again. I hope she still feels the same way next year.

We're not having fun...no, not us!

Sesame Street Live, Fox Theatre, Detroit

Disclaimer: I was provided with complimentary tickets in exchange for blogging about this event.

Can't Let a Little Rain Bring Us Down: Port Huron

Sunday we spent the day in Port Huron, and had great intentions for doing fun stuff. Not surprisingly, the Michigan weather had other plans for us. Every time we tried to venture anywhere, the sky would appear ominous, storm clouds would start advancing rapidly, the wind would pick up, and the thunder and rain would follow. But we didn't let the wonky weather prevent us from having a good time while visiting my dad and his family.

There were historical reenactments going on in town, in honor of the holiday, but being that it was so wet and gross outside, we decided that wouldn't be the best idea.

Michigan weather 1 - George family 0

After lunch, it was warming up outside and clearing up so we decided to head to the Fort Gratiot lighthouse. The lighthouse was closed due to excessively damp conditions - even though it wasn't raining at this point, the lighthouse was too wet from earlier. 

Michigan weather 2 - George family 0

We decided to walk over to the beach and let the kids run around for a few and maybe dip their toes in the frigidly cold Lake Huron. Scary looking storm clouds started moving in quickly from several directions. The wind started viciously whipping the sand against our bare legs. The temperatures dropped. We made a run for the car.

Michigan weather 3 - George family 0

When we left the lighthouse and beach, the sky suddenly didn't look quite so ominous anymore. We stopped at a playground. We did get to play for a little while, until it started drizzling.

Michigan weather 3 - George family 1

Later on, the weather once again seemed to have cleared up. Go-Karts sounded fun, so several of our party left for the Go-Kart track. Before long, thunder rattled the sky and the rain fell. But, they made it around the track once before it was closed down due to weather; I'll call that a small victory.

Michigan weather 3 - George family 2

Once again, the sun peeked out. The kids ditched their jackets and ran around outside until it was time to go home.

Michigan weather 3 - George family 3

Despite the crazy weather, we had a great day. When you live somewhere like Michigan, with ever-changing weather, you just have to learn to roll with it. And we did.

Storm clouds rolling across Lake Huron

Fort Gratiot Lighthouse

Realizing he shouldn't have left his jacket in the van...

Although Mathilda did NOT want to leave the beach, nor did she appreciate sand on her new pink sparkly shoes.

Old building on lighthouse property

Glamorous Lucy

Brave Mattie climbing the monkey bars with her scrummy little legs.

It's Just the Kind of Mom I Am

The day after Lucy's preschool graduation, her school had a picnic at a nearby park, an annual tradition for the school. I've been to five of them so far. We've been experiencing a monsoon season here in Michigan, so up until 45 minutes before the picnic started I was unsure whether it was still on. Mathilda was crabby and I was tired and it was wet outside and looked like it was about to pour, so I was kind of thinking the picnic would be canceled. In other words, I was not getting us ready like I should have been. I hadn't made lunches, no one was fully dressed or ready. Then I got the call that it was indeed still happening. Soon it became apparent that we were going to be dreadfully late for the picnic. So late, actually, that I thought we might very well end up missing the whole thing. In typical me fashion I asked Lucy, "would you like to do something else instead?" And she is such a good sport that she said, "sure mom, let's do something else!" Plus I think this was sort of my way of avoiding those depressing last good-bye's. Because that's just how I am.

We finished getting ready and making lunches and I thought we'd just head for a park closer to home. Then when we got in the car I made a spontaneous decision to go to the Detroit Zoo instead, since I have a membership which is about to expire next month and I like to get a lot of use out of those things to make them super worth the money. Never mind that I personally didn't buy it, but whatever. It started ever so slightly drizzling on the way there, and my heart sang when we pulled into the parking lot and saw people exiting the zoo in droves because large crowds really put a damper on the zoo for me.

See? No crowds!

It was really barely raining, but we stuck to the indoor exhibits anyway. The best thing about having a zoo membership is that there's no pressure to see every single thing because you just spent a million dollars in admission and parking. So I didn't care one bit that we only saw the amphibians and the reptiles. We just took our time, and ate our lunch on a bench under a tree and saw some frogs and snakes and lizards and stuff. I'm a total dork so I was thrilled when in the rain forest exhibit we saw the sloth so up close that I could have touched it. Well we saw it's foot anyway, and I wouldn't have really touched it. Even if that zoo docent hadn't been standing right by us when we saw it. Still, really cool.


Just as we were getting ready to head back to the van, it really started pouring. We were fairly well-equipped in that we had hoods, umbrellas, and the girls had rain boots. But Mathilda kicked hers off so she rode in the stroller barefoot, covered in a blanket and with an extra jacket of mine draped over the hood of the stroller to keep the rain off of her. And then we walked to the exit at Lucy pace, which is to say the pace of a 4-year old who loves being outside in the rain, stomping in puddles, twirling her Hello Kitty umbrella, and in this particular instance, belting out It's Raining Men, which I'm pretty sure she learned from that Wii game, Just Dance. (If that song is not in that game then I am at a total loss as to where she ever heard it.) It wasn't terribly cold and Lucy was so very happy, I didn't mind one bit being stuck out in the pouring rain. Well not much anyway. I may have encouraged her to put some gas in it once or twice, but jeez! I was carrying Bethany's child-sized Degas ballerina umbrella, so it wasn't exactly keeping me toasty dry. 

Luckily I'm okay with occasionally missing a school event, walking through the zoo on a rainy day, and letting my kids play in the rain, because it was a good day even though it very well could have ended up being a pretty bad day at more than one juncture. Lucy said she didn't mind missing the picnic because she can invite her friends over anytime, which is true. But my days of being able to go to the zoo on a weekday afternoon with just Lucy and Mathilda are pretty much over. Next year it will be just Mathilda and me...and that will be fun too, in its own different way.

 

Not exactly thrilled to be posing for pictures after about a gazillion blurry shots didn't turn out