Forever Loved | Never Forgotten

By

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October 10, 2016

This week marks Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day on October 15th. The month of October serves as a time to bring awareness to an issue that often goes without much talking while 25% of pregnancies do not go to term. We want to take the time to mourn the loss of your babies with you, and for the month of October we will help in remembering those lives that made such a big impact on your life.

There is a sisterhood of motherhood that goes back through the generations. It is often our sisters who are able to hold space for us as we grieve, as we remember, as we continue on, forever changed. Your sisters here at Detroit Moms Blog would like to create a space for you to honor and remember those lives that were gone too soon by adding their names to a wall that will remain up forever here on our site. We invite you to add the names here and we will put them onto our wall and together we will remember them all.

Click on the button below to fill out the form and we will update the wall with the names as they come in.

SUBMISSION FORM

Guide to Cider Mills in Metro Detroit

By

Danielle S

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October 6, 2016

Looking to get your fall fix of apple cider and donuts but don’t have an entire afternoon to devote to the full orchard experience? Check out our great list of cider mills where there are still lots of yummy treats and fun activities, but you can make the trip a quick one if the you just need to satisfy your sweet tooth. Did we miss your favorite quick stop cider mill? Leave us a message in the comments and we will add it to our list!

Oakland

Ashtons Orchard
(248)627-6671
3925 E. Seymore Lake
Ortonville
Opens August-December
Monday-Saturday: 10am-6pm
Sunday: 10:00am-4:00pm

At Ashton’s you can get apple cider, donuts, baked goods, and a variety of produce.

Franklin Cider Mill
(248)626-8261
7450 Franklin
Bloomfield Twp.
Open Saturday before Labor Day- Sunday after Thanksgiving
Weekdays 7:00am-6:30pm
Weekends 8:00am-6:30pm

Visit the Franklin Cider mill if you are looking for a simple, family friendly atmosphere. Built by a river, you can sit and relax while feeding the ducks. Franklin cider mill presses and bottles their own cider right at the mill. The donuts are sold are made by an old German recipe. You can also find different baked goods, apple products, honey, and more.

Goodison Cider Mill
(248)652-8450
4295 Orion Rd.
Rochester
Opened Labor Day-Christmas
Daily 9:00am-6:00pm

At Goodison Cider Mill, cider is pressed with a century-old press. They also make a famous pistachio nut bread, along with fresh donuts.

Paint Creek
(248)656-3400
4480 Orion Road
Oakland Twp.
Open Year Round
Daily 11am-9:00pm
Although more of an eatery, at Paint Creek Cider Mill, you can get a donut or cider anytime during the year! They also offer sandwiches,coney dogs, ice cream and more.

Rochester Cider Mill
(248)651-4224
5125 N. Rochester Road
Fall hours Daily 8:00am-6:00pm

Head to Rochester Cider Mill to eat a variety of tasty donuts, and enjoy some sweet apple cider. You can also purchase a variety of Michigan made items as well as fall decorations for your home (suck as straw, hay and cornstalks). Activities at the Mill are free (yep F.R.E.E) and include a petting farm, giant hay pyramid and antique wall.

Yate’s Cider Mill
(248)651-4224
1950 E. Avon
Rochester Hills
Opens
Monday-Friday 7:00am-7:00pm
Saturday-Sunday 9:00am-7:00pm

At Yates a water powered double table press produces the cider. You can watch this process most fall Wednesdays-Sundays. While there be sure to pick up some fresh donuts or other baked good. You can also visit the apple tent, or go on a relaxing river walk. Additional Activities include pony rides for $5.00/person.

Macomb

Middleton Farms Cider Mill
46462 Dequindre Rd.
Utica

Looking for something fun and simple? Then check out Middleton Farms. They make their own cider on an old fashion press and make donuts fresh daily.

Verellen
(586)752-2989
63260 Van Dyke
Romeo
Open year round
Monday-Friday 6:30am-6:00pm
Saturday and Sunday 7:00am-6:00pm

Verellen Orchards is open year round with a variety of produce available. You can also enjoy cider, donuts, and a variety of other Michigan produce.

Washtenaw

Dexter Cider Mill
(734)426-8531
3685 Central St.
Dexter
Opens Late August- Mid November
Wednesday-Sunday 9:00am-5:00pm

The Dexter Cider Mill is the oldest continuously operating cider mill in Michigan. Besides cider the offer donuts, a variety of baked goods and other apple related products. Check out the website for fun weekend events.

Lesser Farms and Orchard
(734)426-8009
12651 Island Lake Rd.
Dexter
Open Week of Labor
Wednesday-Saturday 9:00am-6:00pm
Sunday 1:00pm-6:00pm

Lesser farms offers apples, cider (no donuts), along with jams, jellies, and pumpkins. You can also purchase pre-picked Michigan apples (no you pick available).

Wayne

Apple Charlie’s Orchard and Cider Mill
(734) 753-9380
38035 S. Huron
New Boston
Sun – Sat: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm

They offer U-pick orchards with dwarf apple trees for easy picking. It’s family run facility with animals, pond, pavilion, bakery, apples, ice cream, gift shop and hayrides. They make their own apple cider, apple pies and apple-chopped cinnamon bread fresh and ready for your purchase.

Parmenter’s Northville Cider Mill
*Cider mill*
(248)349-3181
714 Baseline Rd.
Northville
Open August 27th

At Parmenter’s you can enjoy apple cider, an assortment of apple products, donuts, cheese and more! There is also a winery/brewery at Parmenter’s, so be sure to check out the website to see the beer, hard cider, and wine available.

Plymouth Orchards
(734)455-2290
10685 Warren Road
Plymouth
Open September 3rd- November 6th

At Plymouth Orchards and Cider Mill you can watch and learn how cider is made. While not a you pick orchard, there are still many apples, donuts, pies and more available for purchase. For $3/person(3 and under free) you can take a wagon ride through the orchard.

Three Cedars Farm
(248)437-8200
7897 Six Mile
Northville Twp.
Open September 2nd
Sunday-Thursday 10:00am-8:00pm
Friday-Saturday 10:00am-10:00pm

If you are looking for a cider mill with lots for the kids to do, then check out Three Cedars Farm. Besides being able to munch on donuts and sip on cider, there are a variety of other activities to choose from. You can check out the Barn Yard Play land where kids can play on the wooden train, or in the corn box. For $5/person (3 and under free) see if you can find your way though the corn maze. Train rides are also available for $3/person.

My Husband’s Mistress: MSU Football

By

Megan G.

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October 6, 2016

It started innocently enough like I’m sure most affairs do. I was in graduate school and working nearly full-time. On top of that, we were starting off our newlywed life in Mississippi, approximately 800 miles away from our home. What’s a guy to do to entertain himself with no wife or friends to speak of? Watch football. I can’t say that I blame him, though it did feel like a “bait and switch.” At first, it was nice he found something that could occupy him while I was so busy. What I didn’t realize was how out of control it had gotten.

As I prepared for a post-graduate career we decided to move back to the Midwest. Our goal was to be able to make it home to Michigan in a reasonable four to five hour drive, which meant we could make it home for weekend family festivities. We found ourselves in Chicagoland and while I didn’t have school work anymore I still had on-call nights as a Hall Director. Thankfully, my in-laws now had season tickets to Michigan State football games to watch and support my youngest sister-in-law in the greatest band in the land. On weekends I was on-call, Aaron could skip home to see his family and catch a freebie football game. How awesome right?!

Aaron, daughter Ro, and Sparty at the first 2016 tailgate.

On-call life eventually wore me down and I found a job with more regular hours. And then we moved in to the city and downsized to one car. Somehow it wasn’t until Christmas I realized Aaron had made it to EVERY SINGLE Michigan State home game! In my pursuit to be a flexible and supportive wife, I sacrificed my husband, money, and sanity. I slowly but surely pushed him in to the arms of his mistress, MSU Football. And thus began some of the biggest arguments we’ve had in our ten years of marriage. Here’s how we’ve coped:

Make a plan and compromises – When the football schedule is released, we have a conversation about what games he’ll go to, what games we’ll both attend, what tailgates we’ll go to but skip the game, and what weekends just won’t make sense for our family. We have a plan in place so I know when we’ll be apart and together, and how to fit in our other fall family activities.
Be fair, be realistic and be flexible – I’m not suggesting keeping score, but this is part of the compromise conversation. If he could go to every game he would – it happened! Totally swindled me during the 2011 season. He gets football, what does that mean for me? He’s gone this Saturday so next Saturday he gets up early with our daughter so mommy can sleep-in. Weather prevents a fun tailgate with a toddler? Barring any other plans, we’ll consider going next weekend instead.
Distinguish between the “everyday” and the “once in a lifetime” – When the Spartans were going to the Rose Bowl and my in-laws offered to pay Aaron’s way for travel, game, and festivities, I have to admit I was little jealous and sad. Him going would mean spending New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day (and subsequently the beginning of what we now know as The Polar Vortex) alone. But truthfully, none of it interested me, especially not enough to justify spending that kind of money to get myself to Pasadena. And for Aaron, it was “once in a lifetime.” He went, with my blessing. And thank God they beat Stanford so that if Spartans go again, I don’t have to hear “sure honey I got to go, but I didn’t get to see my team WIN!”
Baby’s first tailgate 2015
Can’t beat ’em, join ’em – My in-laws put on a large tailgate, like 160 people large, for the Spartan alto saxophone section and alumni and all of their families. It’s a standing gathering spot and time – with a theme. Who doesn’t love a theme? Take it or leave it, my husband, the father of my daughter, loves it. It’s something at the very least he wants to do with our child(ren). Who am I to deny him that? Or exclude myself because it’s not my most favorite thing in the world? It’s easy family time, outside, with good food. Full disclosure, it took me a little while to let go of my resentment from previous seasons, all the gear Aaron has accumulated over the years, and how everyone thinks he graduated from State and not Central. But through some of the above techniques, my attitude now is “if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em!” Except when Central plays State – GO! Fire up Chips!

Aaron and daughter Ro at tailgate before the MSU vs. CMU game in 2015

October Mom 2 Mom Sales {In + Around Detroit}

By

aubreymoon

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October 5, 2016

Looking for a deal on your children’s summer 2017 wardrobe or need something before the holiday madness begins? Check out the list of Mom 2 Mom Sales happening In + Around Detroit this month. Click on each date below to see the list for that day. Do you have a favorite sale that’s not on this list? Leave a comment in the box below and we’ll be sure to add it!

Saturday, October 8th

Addams Elementary PTA

Location: 2222 W. Webster, Royal Oak
Time: 9AM – 1PM
Strollers: Ok after 10AM
Cost: $1
90 tables

Beacon Tree Elementary

Location: 55885 Schoenherr, Shelby Twp.
Time: 9AM – 1PM (8:30AM Early Bird)
Strollers: Ok after 10AM
Cost: $1/$2 Early Bird
140 tables

Fort Clarkston

Location: 7127 Dixie Hwy., Clarkston
Time: 10AM – 1PM
Strollers: N/A
Cost: Free for adults who bring childre, $12/children to play, $3 adults without children

goMOMS at Eagle Creek Academy

Location: 3739 Kern Rd., Oakland Twp.
Time: 9AM – 12PM (8:30AM Early Bird)
Strollers: Yes!
Cost: $1/$2 Early Bird
Department Store Style

Harrison High School Senior Board

Location: 29995 W. 12 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills
Time: 10AM – 2PM (9AM Early Bird)
Strollers: Yes!
Cost: $2/$3 Early Bird
50 tables

Howell High School Student Council

Location: 1400 W. Grand River Ave., Howell
Time: 9AM – 1PM (8:30AM Early Bird)
Strollers: N/A
Cost: $2/$3 Early Bird

Huron Valley Parents of Multiples at Woodland Meadows Elementary

Location: 350 Woodland Dr., Saline
Time: 9AM – 12PM
Strollers: Yes!
Cost: $2
Department Store Style

MOPS at St. Edith/St. Collette

Location: 15089 Newburgh, Livonia
Time: 9AM – 12PM (8:30AM Early Bird)
Strollers: Yes!
Cost: $2/$3 Early Bird
74 tables

Real Moms

Location: 43065 Joy Rd, Canton

Time: 8:30am – 2pm
Strollers: Yes!
Cost: FREE
Department Store Style

South Lyon MOMs at First United Methodist Church

Location: 640 S. Lafayette, South Lyon
Time: 9AM – 1PM
Strollers: Yes!
Cost: $1
Department Store Style

St. John Fraser

Location: 16339 14 Mile Rd., Fraser
Time: 9AM – 1PM
Strollers: Yes!
Cost: $1
90 tables

St. Mary School

Location: 32447 Church St., Rockwood
Time: 8AM – 12PM
Strollers: No
Cost: $1
50 tables

St. Peter Lutheran MOPs

Location: 17051 24 Mile Rd., Macomb
Time: 9AM – 12:30PM (8AM Early Bird)
Strollers: Ok after 10AM
Cost: $1/$2 Early Bird
100 tables

Trenton Missionary

Location: 407 Sibley, Trenton
Time: 9am – 1pm
Strollers: After 11.
Cost: $1
25 Tables

Sunday, October 9th

City of Pleasant Ridge

Location: 4 Ridge Rd., Pleasant Ridge
Time: 9AM – 12PM (8:30AM Early Bird)
Strollers: N/A
Cost: $1/$2 Early Bird
32 tables

Saturday, October 15th

Berkley-Huntington Woods Youth Assistance

Location: 2325 Catalpa, Berkley
Time: 9AM – 1PM (8:30AM Early Bird)
Strollers: Yes!
Cost: $1/$2 Early Bird
30-40 tables

Christ the King Lutheran Church

Location: 15600 Trenton Rd, Southgate
Time: 9am – 1pm (8:30 early bird)
Strollers: After 10am
Cost: $2/3 EB
120 tables

First Baptist Church of Fenton

Location: 860 N. Leroy St., Fenton
Time: 9:30AM – 2PM (8:30AM Early Bird)
Strollers: Yes!
Cost: $1/$2 Early Bird
30 tables

Fox Elementary PTO

Location: 17500 Millstone, Macomb
Time: 8AM – 12PM
Strollers: Yes!
Cost: $2
100+ tables

Kirkridge Church

Location: 8070 S. Saginaw Rd., Grand Blanc
Time: 9AM – 1PM (8AM Early Bird)
Strollers: Yes!
Cost: $1/$2 Early Bird
35 tables

Oak Pointe Church MOPs

Location: 50200 W. 10 Mile Rd., Novi
Time: 9AM – 12:30PM (8:30AM Early Bird)
Strollers: Yes!
Cost: $1/$2 Early Bird
80 tables

Woman’s Life Club 702

Location: 4580 North Rd., Clyde
Time: 9AM – 1PM
Strollers: Yes!
Cost: $1
30 tables

Saturday, October 22nd

BLC Events at Knights of Columbus

Location: 5474 W. Jefferson, Trenton
Time: 10AM – 4PM
Strollers: Yes!
Cost: FREE
45+ tables

Guardian Angels Catholic School

Location: 521 E. 14 Mile Rd., Clawson
Time: 9AM – 12:30PM (8:30AM Early Bird)
Strollers: Yes!
Cost: $1/$2 Early Bird
100 tables

Rock Church & MOPs of Anchor Bay

Location: 6135 County Line Rd., Fair Haven
Time: 9AM – 1PM
Strollers: Yes!
Cost: $1 (With non-perishable food item), $2 (12 & Up)

St. Isaac Jogues School

Location: 21100 Madison St., St. Clair Shores
Time: 9AM – 1PM (8:30AM Early Bird)
Strollers: N/A
Cost: $1/$2 Early Bird
65+ tables

St. Joan of Arc PTG

Location: 22415 Overlake St., St. Clair Shores
Time: 9AM – 1PM (8:30AM Early Bird)
Strollers: No
Cost: $1/$2 Early Bird
90 tables

St. Paul Parish

Location: 170 Grosse Pointe Blvd., Grosse Pointe Farms
Time: 9AM – 12PM (8:30AM Early Bird)
Strollers: Yes!
Cost: $1/$2 Early Bird
35 tables

Taylor WOTM at St. Philip Lutheran Church

Location: 1790 Fort St., Trenton
Time: 9AM – 1PM (8:30AM Early Bird)
Strollers: Ok after 9AM
Cost: $1/$2 Early Bird
25 tables

Saturday, October 29th

Next Step Kids SCI Foundation

Location: 3200 Tienken Rd., Rochester Hills
Time: 10AM – 1PM (9AM Early Bird)
Strollers: Ok after 10AM
Cost: $2/$3 Early Bird
140 tables

Recreation Authority of Roseville/Eastpointe

Location: 18185 Sycamore, Roseville
Time: 9AM – 1PM
Strollers: Yes!
Cost: $1
60 tables

Rochester Hills Christian School

Location: 3300 S. Livernois, Rochester Hills
Time: 9AM – 1PM (8AM Early Bird)
Strollers: Yes!
Cost: $1/$2 Early Bird
45+ tables

If I Am Not Here: An Open Letter to My Daughter

By

Kim C.

-

October 3, 2016

Dear Daughter,

Your dad and I started doing estate planning recently and that means making sure you are taken care of first and foremost. We already started a college fund and bank account where all your birthday and Christmas money goes. Today we also talked about who will raise you if we cannot be here. It’s hard to think about the possibility of us not being here to see you grow and being a part of everything you do. It is heartbreaking to think we wouldn’t see you graduate or fall in love or have a family of your own. I pray every day that I am here to see you do all these things. But the reality is that anything can happen. The unexpected can change your life in a heartbeat and we need to be sure that if that change happens you are taken care of. Still there are things I want to teach you and tell you even if you cant hear my voice.

So if by some chance you are reading this because I am watching over you from heaven then I need you to know what we wanted for your life.

Be kind. This is a lesson I wish I had learned sooner in life. It is so easy to judge a person or a situation without having all the information. It is easier to go along with your friends then to contradict them. It is hard to find the soul of a person when all you see is tattered clothes or dirty hair or some other trivial thing. Try to be better than that. Know that EVERY person has worth. EVERY soul has value. Everyone (even you) needs help or a friend or a kind word or a chance. Give it to them. I promise you that you will NEVER regret doing it but you may regret it if you don’t.

Forgive. If not for them for you. It only hurts you to hold on to anger and resentment and hate. Forgiveness doesn’t mean you have to keep someone who is toxic in your life. It doesn’t mean you have to keep being hurt. It only means you let go of the negative and open that space in your heart to something better, someone better. You are such a sweet girl, fast to forgive and to ask forgiveness. I hope that never leaves you.

Love unconditionally. Give your love freely without any expectation in return. People will always need it. It’s OK if it’s not returned. It’s OK if your heart gets broken. It will mend. It will hurt like hell and feel like you never want to try again but you will. You must, because you are already a kind-hearted loving girl. When people suck, and sometimes they will, you will rise above it because you know how to forgive and how to be kind and love anyway. It’s what makes you so special.

Work hard. In everything you do, do it well. School work, career, relationships…. It all takes work. It is all worth the work you put in. Try not to put things off or talk yourself into doing or accepting less than what you know is right. Other people will appreciate your efforts and YOU will know you have always done your best. Sometimes it won’t seem like it; sometimes it will seem pointless or wasted but you will feel better about you when you do. On the flip side, take time for yourself too. Work hard to relax. Work hard to enjoy the simple things. Work hard to take quiet time for yourself and do the things that make you happy.

Get educated. Know the importance of education and how much it can do for you. I am not just talking big houses and fancy cars (though financial independence is paramount so go to college!) I am also talking about culturally, spiritually, and every other way. Learn about other people. Learn about their culture and appreciate its beauty. Learn who people are, what their dreams and aspirations are. Appreciate their difference from you. Respect them and treat them how you would want to be treated. Open yourself to new ways of thinking and seeing the world. Don’t be afraid to change your opinion as you learn and grow, it is a strength. Learn history and respect the people who made it. Respect that others’ sacrifice has allowed things for you we never dreamed possible. Learn to cook and be experimental. Travel and experience all kinds of lives. Education is not just schoolwork, it is life.

Exercise and take care of your skin. Your health is the most important thing you can give yourself. It’s what allows you to do everything you do for yourself and others. Use your body carefully and wisely, you won’t get another. Eat right but enjoy dessert sometimes. Move around more days than not. Get massages as often as you can. Do yoga and take long walks for your body and your soul. Wear sunscreen, always. Moisturize – don’t pick. And for the love of all that is Holy – DO NOT buy a magnifying mirror and spend one minute analyzing every pore on your face. You are BEAUTIFUL inside and out. Know it, own it and respect it. Don’t take it for granted but also don’t stress about it. Age gracefully but naturally. Appreciate laugh lines and stretch marks. If you are living right you will come by them through incredible circumstances and joy.

Know that you are loved. You are loved more deeply than you could ever believe and you will be loved until the end of time. You are our living and breathing spirit and all that we hold dear. So, in those moments of doubt, when you feel alone or unworthy, you are loved. When you wonder if we are proud; we are. When you feel scared or unsure, and we are not enough, trust in God for he loves you too.

Masterpiece Organization: What to do With Your Kid’s Art

By

Kate Bell

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October 2, 2016

I remember LOVING it when my mom would open the chest at the end of her bed and show me the collection of pieces of “art” she saved over the years. They had a special smell. The colors were quite muted. But they were MINE. And SHE kept MY WORK. At least the worthy ones. It was like discovering a buried treasure over and over again. Come to think of it…I wonder where that collection, worthy of a gallery installment in my mom’s kitchen went…

Flash forward to my life as a mom and the collection of creativity that fills my sons minds, fingers, and souls. Right now, the theme is sports – oh my goodness, SPORTS! They have created (mainly with total solid manipulation from the older to the younger) paper sports arenas. Paper + cardboard + markers = sports field, rinks, etc.

That first piece of art is totally saved. I have my bin, one for each kid – I have dreams of what to actually do with them, someday I keep telling myself. Until then, let the creative juices flow and create masterpieces and fill the bins up. If you already have stacks of kid art on your counter, here are some things to consider when you sort through and are trying to figure out which ones to save and which ones to toss.

Gallery Night: We have hosted a home gallery event where I taped all their current year pieces to the hall walls, kitchen walls, doors, etc – then invited the grandparents over. That was AGES ago now – so note to self, host a semester art show this year.

Storage: Basic simple plastic totes – you know the ones that you store clothes in. Keeps things dry, could be organized, and tidy. I have found storing one in each kids closet works best.

Longevity: Let’s be real here – the cotton glued to craft paper to make an awesome bunny is adorable come Easter time, but the likely hood of it surviving storage for more than a few seasons (I got lucky somehow) is slim. When my kids come home from school/church/grandma’s I TRY to snap a photo with my phone. Sometimes, when my studio is set up, I do it up right and take the photos in nice light and a white background. ( Sometimes, sorry boys)

Sharing: An awesome way to bring a little joy to someone’s life is to send them a note and a piece of kid art. Nothing fancy, think about how you’d feel if you got a little extra love in your snail mail box.

Display: Here are three separate ideas you can choose what works best for your home.

In an actual frame, and hung up. They do create cool frames that you can swap out the art every so often.
A close line (IKEA makes a cool metal one) that displays the current art in our kitchen.
On a bulletin board. My kids have filled theirs from little summer creations.

So momma’s – with a month into school already – secure an empty tote and start the preservation.

PS: I asked my mom what she did with my childhood art, here’s what she said: “I saved the art that ‘spoke’ to me, that gave me the feeling that the artist (you) did their best and really thought about their creation.”

31 Days of Halloween Fun

By

Lacey Salerno

-

October 1, 2016

I don’t know about you, but fall is my favorite time of year. The weather, the pumpkins, the cider and football, and especially HALLOWEEN! I just can’t get enough of it. It seems like every year September is a blur with birthdays, back to school, and activities galore and before you know it October is here. This year I am going to make a pointed effort to take time each day to connect with my family and enjoy some of my favorite Halloween activities. If you are like me and aren’t always creative on the fly, here is a day-by-day list of activities to make sure you don’t miss a thing!

Saturday October 1: What better time to put up decorations around your house. In addition to my regular Halloween decorations, my kids love putting up Halloween themed cutouts. I can usually find them in the Target dollar section or one of the dollar stores. They are a great way to let your kids get involved. Helpful hint: use painter’s tape to avoid damaging the walls.
Sunday October 2: Break out the aprons and your trusty crock-pot for some delicious steel-cut oats. Let your kids add their favorite ingredients and wake up on Monday to a house full of wonderful smells and a tasty warm breakfast. See this link for a general guide.
Monday October 3: Connect with nature and take a walk through your neighborhood to collect leaves and talk about the changing weather. Make sure to collect a big pile of bright leaves to keep for tomorrow’s activity!
Tuesday October 4: Craft day. Use the leaves that you have collected, or if you prefer have your kids trace their hands onto construction paper and cut them out, and paste them to a piece of construction paper cut into a circle to make a wreath. Pinterest has several examples.
Wednesday October 5: Story time. One of my kid’s favorites is Room on the Broom, by Julia Donaldson. One of the great things about this book (other than the beautiful illustrations) is that there is also a great kids App, as well as a movie.
Thursday October 6: Time to really get your Halloween juices flowing by telling scary stories under a sheet with a flashlight. With the sun setting earlier, and the kids having to come in the house this is sure to keep things interesting as you take turns telling your spookiest tales.
Friday October 7: Movie night. What is more seasonally appropriate and classic than You Got a Rock Charlie Brown and It’s a Great Pumpkin. Make some popcorn and get cozy for two movies that will make you feel like a kid again.
Saturday October 8: Time to get out of the house and visit a local Cider Mill! Check out our other great fall guides for a list of favorites.
Sunday October 9: Time to get into the kitchen again with the kids for some of their favorites with mummy hot dogs and caramel apples.
Monday October 10: Another great way to get the kids outside and teach them at the same time is a fall scavenger hunt. You can have them collect acorns, pine cones, and brightly colored leaves as well as look for caterpillars and discuss how the birds fly south, and other animals prepare to hibernate.
Tuesday October 11: One of MY favorite crafts/science experiments is making slime. While it does require you get a couple things ahead of time, it is easy for kids of all ages, and not nearly as messy as it seems.
Wednesday October 12: Time to snuggle up and read Spooky Pookie, by Sandra Boynton.
Thursday October 13: Visit your local library for story time and to check out some of your other favorite Halloween books.
Friday October 14: Time for the family to relax for movie night with Hotel Transylvania 1 & 2. Both movies are kid appropriate with humor that even the parents get a kick out of.
Saturday October 15: Hop in the car for a trip to Crossroads Village and Huckleberry Railroad for a kid-friendly walk through the fully decorated village followed by a spooky train ride. The train is always a kid-pleaser.
Sunday October 16: As the weather cools off, what sounds more appealing than some delicious chili? But with kids, sports, and chores galore it can be tough to find the time. Here is a simple and amazing twist on the fall staple that the whole family will love.
Monday October 17: With Thanksgiving right around the corner, now is a great time to encourage your kids to be charitable to others. Encourage them to help you rake the leaves of an elderly neighbor, or make cookies to take to someone who doesn’t get many visitors. We have to lead by example.
Tuesday October 18: Time for crafting again with some cotton ball or Kleenex ghosts. You can make some to hang around the house, or perhaps decorate your porch and yard.
Wednesday October 19: Family reading time with The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid Of Anything, by Linda Williams. A great follow-up conversation with the kids is asking them how they would have solved her problem if they were in her shoes.
Thursday October 20: Something I tend to do with my kids every evening is to put on kid songs and let them “dance” out their remaining energy. If you go to Youtube and search for “Halloween kid songs” a great variety of 30-60 minute videos come up, and my kids love doing the skeleton dance along with the video.
Friday October 21: One of my all-time favorite Halloween movies was Hocus Pocus, but while my oldest shares my love, my toddler prefers Casper, so I’ll leave it to you to decide which you prefer.
Saturday October 22: Zoo Boo…need I say more? If you haven’t been there before it’s a great opportunity to take your costumes for a test run and get tons of great treats.Sunday October 23: Let the kids into the kitchen to help make rice crispy treats. This classic treat can be dyed orange and once they harden you can let the kids use cookie cutters to shape them like your favorite Halloween characters. You can find the recipe on the back of the box of Rice Crispies.
Monday October 24: Time to get outside and give your yard the spooky treatment with ghosts, monsters, and graves. Add some orange lights or a black light to add to the spooky effect. Let the kids go wild with their creativity and make ghosts to hang from the trees with white trash bags, and graves out of cardboard and paint sticks or yard stakes.
Tuesday October 25: Today’s craft is making spider webs with yarn and craft sticks. This is one of those crafts that tends to stick around my house until Christmas, and is extra great because its mainly stuff you can find around the house (or a quick trip to the dollar store).
Wednesday October 26: Tonight gather-round and read a Halloween version of one of your regular favorites. Pete the Cat, Little Blue Truck, Curious George and Click, Clack Moo all have Halloween adventures that you can read. If your kids love any of these, I highly recommend the Halloween versions.
Thursday October 27: Get out the face paints and let the kids take turns practicing their art skills by letting them paint scary creatures on one another. I don’t know what it is about face painting, but kids can’t seem to get enough of it.
Friday October 28: Time to wrap up your Halloween cinema experience with one or both of these classics- A Nightmare Before Halloween and Bed Knob’s and Broomsticks.
Saturday October 29: With the Halloween season quickly drawing to a close, make sure to check our other guides for local trunk-or-treats, haunted houses, or hayride activities in your area.
Sunday October 30: No Halloween season is complete without pumpkin carving and the roasting of the pumpkin seeds. You can find the kits at just about any grocery store, but no fancy tools are needed to make a great jack-o-lantern.
Monday October 31: Time for the MAIN EVENT! Enjoy trick-or-treating and have a safe and happy Halloween!

Saying Goodbye To Our Fur Baby

By

Lacey Salerno

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September 29, 2016

As mothers, many of us felt those nurturing feelings long before we were actually ready to have children. We may have satisfied those urges by babysitting, or mentoring, but many of us started with a “practice” baby covered in fur and full of unconditional love. I was one of those women that scratched that maternal itch by adopting my cat Lola almost exactly 14 years ago.

She was a scruffy-looking, 4-week-old kitten from a farm, and I was a stressed out law student with little time, money or energy. She arrived scared, hungry, and without the slightest interest in human interaction. She spent the first few days under my bed, and wouldn’t even let me hold her for more than a minute at a time. I was disappointed to say the least. I wanted a snuggly little fur ball who would curl up near my head at night and purr whenever she was on my lap. It took about a week of acclimating to her new surroundings before she warmed up, but once she did she was everything I could wish for in a pet. She was friendly to everyone, affectionate beyond belief and very social. My boyfriend at the time (now husband) frequently commented on how dog-like she was. She would greet you at the door, play fetch on command, and beg for table scraps (which she was often given).

In terms of preparing me for motherhood, I’d like to think she taught me a lot about the virtue of patience. Lola had several interesting “quirks” to put it nicely. She would scale the clothes hanging in my closet to get to the sweater shelf, and it wasn’t uncommon to put on a pair of running shorts or pajamas to find that the strings has been completely chewed off. She also had an affinity for all things electronic, and by that I mean that she chewed through chargers and mouse cords like it was her job. She was notorious for stealing food, and would destroy hamburger and hot buns that got left on the counter.
Despite these “quirks”, she earned my undying loyalty in how she adapted to our sons. She was my oldest child’s guard animal when he was an infant, and never showed even the slightest bit of aggression towards him despite the constant attempts to ride her like a pony and the near-constant pulling of her tail. She would follow him around knowing the abuse was coming and then lovingly wait for it to begin. When my second came along I thought for sure she had had enough, being that she was 12 already, but she showed that she still had so much love to give and was even more tolerant than the first time around.

Lola was a trouper; she endured a lot over the years of countless moves, crazy children, other animals invading her space and just the general transitions that come with 14 years of life. Now, after learning that she has advanced cancer, she is down to her last major transition and we will make sure that it is as smooth and happy as we can. As I prepare to say my goodbyes to this sweet, unexpectedly loyal, and endlessly adoring soul I am forever grateful for her companionship over these years. These were some of the busiest, most eventful, and ever-changing years of my life and during them she was my constant. I don’t know how I will be ready to let the one who helped prepare me for this journey of motherhood go, but I do know that she will be in my heart forever. RIP Sweet Lola.

Dear Moms, Let’s Create a No-Judgment Zone

By

annieyeoman

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September 28, 2016

Hey You,

Welcome to the No-Judgment Zone.

I know you are inundated every single day with articles and posts and research that tells you what you should be doing and what you shouldn’t be doing as a Mom. I know you feel judged, confused, unsure and angry. I know your feelings are hurt when someone posts a well meaning comment on your Facebook photo and it hits a nerve that is a little too raw. I know that every major choice you make leaves a tiny voice in your ear that nags, “What if you are wrong?” I know the eyes of strangers can sometimes make your cheeks burn and the comments of family members can set your soul on fire.

So, here is what I want you to know: I have no interest in changing the way you raise your kids.

Here is the catch: I have no interest in hearing how you think I should raise mine.

We will not always do things the same way. We will handle situations differently. We will feel passionate about certain methods, tactics and practices that have the ability to polarize us and turn us against each other.

I have no interest in fighting you about our differing beliefs. I want to be your friend. I want our kids to play together. I want to respect you as a fellow Mom, and I want you to respect me as a fellow Mom. I want you to trust that even if I handle something in the completely opposite way that you would, I am doing what is best for my family.

Understand that no one loves my children more than I do.

Please know that I couldn’t pretend to love your children more than you do. If I hate something that you do so much that I just can’t bring myself to accept it, I’ll bow out of the friendship. Because trying to change your mind isn’t going to work, and it isn’t going to make you want to remain my friend either.

Also, please don’t think my refusal to do something the same way you do means I condemn you for doing it, it just means that I’m doing what works for us. For instance, I co-sleep. I feel it makes breastfeeding easier, I sleep better and I love having my babies close to me at night. I would never feel comfortable with my baby across the hall in his own crib in his own room.

Do I care if you co-sleep? Nope! Not even a little. If you have a no kids policy for your bed, that’s your business. If you ever ask for advice on bed sharing or are genuinely interested to try it, I would love to discuss it with you. If you never ask me for advice about sleeping arrangements, I’ll never try to sway you to my side. If your motive is to debate the issue, I politely decline. I already know all of your points. I’ve already read the articles. I already know the statistics. I know every worry you have for my babies and I know how to bed share safely. If it works for you, then let it work. My way works for me.

Lastly, please don’t mistake my enthusiasm for breastfeeding, co-sleeping, or anything else I’m into as an attack on you or your beliefs. I am proud of reaching goals that I’ve set for myself, and I am allowed to be. I share new information, exciting research and photos on social media not to condemn you or your way of life, but with the hope that someone else I know will find the same things interesting. If you don’t, or if you disagree with me, can you just move past it without comment and know that I still love you and I still want to be your friend? I promise to do the same.

Just be the Mom you want to be and make NO apologies. Learn as much as you can about your options and make a choice that feels right for you and your kids. I want to be your friend no matter what choices you make, as long as you want to be mine.

Breathe easy around me, Mama. I’m firmly planted in the No-Judgement Zone.

Love,

Annie

Minivan Mama For Life!

By

KatieBeth

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September 28, 2016

5 Reasons a Minivan is the Right Choice for Your Family

The love of my life. My heart beats for you. My soulmate. My everything. You are every bit of perfect as I imagined. I don’t know how I survived without you in my life. I still remember the butterfly feeling I had the day you entered my life. You’re all I need, my love …. My minivan.

I m very proud of the day I unlocked the Mom Status of acquiring a minivan to tote my family and the growing pile of belongings that go with us everywhere. I remember it like it was yesterday (June 30, 2014). Most moms I talk have, at one time or another, thought about getting a minivan. Some moms are a firm yes or no. Others are on the fence. The reasons for being on the fence vary (cost, fuel economy, too big, “mom” vehicle). If you are on the fence about getting a minivan, or are hesitant about the taking the plunge, please continue reading. A minivan is absolutely the best option for you. Here are my top five reasons why:

1. STOW AND GO: These three little words have been my savior more times than I can count. With the third row seating, the options for seating arrangements are numerous. Children arguing? Buckle them into opposite sides of the vehicle! Overdid in on your Target Run? Stow a seat and there’s instantly room for more bags! Holidays and vacation travels got you overpacking? Store the extra child-baggage underneath the seats! I keep a travel seat and carrier for my infant, and blanket and travel toys for my preschooler, in my minivan at all times

2. STORAGE: *See above for info on Stow & Go* There are also storage pockets in every door, behind the front seats, in the front seat’s center console area, in overhead compartments, etc. There is literally storage space EVERYWHERE! I always have diaper wipes and tissues, a few dry snacks, and a couple books in my ride.

20140817_140901 — That is a fully opened stroller in the trunk of my sweet ride

3. FUEL ECONOMY: Minivans average about 17-28 MPG (miles per gallon), depending on the model minivan you’re getting. This is a lot better gas mileage than the majority of full-size SUVs. Some minivans offer economy fuel settings that allow for better gas mileage when you are driving in certain conditions.

4. SMOOTH RIDE: I kid you not, after all the wear and tear I’ve put into my car over the last couple years, this baby still drives like the powerful and safe piece of machinery that she started with. As recent as last month, people have commented on how smooth she drives. She has amazing suspension to outlast the terrors that are Michigan Roads. She also has an impeccable turn radius for getting into (and out of) those tight parking spots

5. BONUSES: There are so many “extras” you can add to your minivan to customize it to what fits your needs most. I am in my car A LOT! So here are a few of the extras you can choose from: heated suede seats, heated steering wheel, DVD player, remote start, keyless entry, blind spot detection, illuminating cupholders, driver seat memory, interior observation mirror, rear back-up camera, tire inflator, sunroof, and universal garage door opener.