TODDLER LIFE: Triumphs, Tribulations and Picasso?

By

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December 19, 2014

As a mother of two kids, I am amazed at the different levels of knowledge each one holds. And how much it increases as they get older. I watch as my last baby [boy] goes from being a preemie in the NICU to 7 months old and tries to make sounds, attempts to crawl and laughs at his sister when she is being funny. My first born daughter, on the other hand, just blows me away with what she knows. In the 7 months since Baby Boy was born, she went from saying a few sentences to not shutting her mouth and talking up a storm. You never know what is going to come out of that 2.5 year olds’ mouth.

HOW DID YOU KNOW THAT??

One day after “school” we were driving home and stuck in rush hour traffic. While Baby Boy was snoring in his car seat, my 2.5 year old daughter is looking out the window.

“Look Mom – a man standing on the building,” as we drive by a construction site for a future nursing home.

“Mommy, what is that?” and points to a red crane at the intersection in front of us.

“That is a crane” I tell her. Being the Architect that I am, I answer her questions as if I am talking to a colleague. “That is a steel beam and it is part of the building structure so the building doesn’t fall down”.

I continue to drive and silently curse at the drivers around me trying to cut me off – so I’m barely paying attention to what she is asking.

“Like the beam at Gymnastics*?”

OMG.

“What did you just say?” I ask.

“You know, the beam at gymnastics. Is that the same beam?”

I am now BLOWN AWAY at how she was able to associate a building beam with her gymnastics beam in mere seconds.

“Yes sweetheart – like the beam at gymnastics”.

** We participate in the weekly Parent Tot class (age 3 & under) at Bloomfield Gymnastics. They are 8 week sessions and we love it! The tumbling, bars, beams and trampoline! www.bloomfieldgymnastics.com

MY KID IS LIKE A SPONGE!!

I was always told that toddlers remember what they hear, have photographic memories or are listening when you don’t think they are paying attention. I didn’t realize this until I experienced it firsthand. I was changing Baby Boy in his nursery and my daughter was still in the bath. All of a sudden, she starts singing.

“Oh my God. Look at her butt. Oh my God. Look at her butt.”

Where the F did she learn this song???

“My anaconda what? My anaconda what?” She’s singing the Nicki Minaj version of Sir Mix A lot’s Baby Got Back. Dan carries her into the room and looks at me.

“Where did she learn this” he asks me. “Are you still listening to the radio? You have satellite radio!!! I don’t know why you listen to that poppy trendy teeny bopper Britney Christina stuff”.

First of all dear Hubby – Baby Got Back is one of the best old school rap songs from my teen years.

Yes I am that mom that turns on morning radio (Shout out to my favorite morning radio show Mojo in the Morning and fellow DMB Blogger Shannon Murphy) while my kids are in the car. It is partially your fault [dear radio station] that my daughter knows this song. So what if she watches Bubble Guppies show on the TV in the car AND the radio playing at the same time. I just assumed she was watching the TV and not listening to me jam in the car at 6:30am. So now what? No more radio? I have to listen to the Disney channel on Satellite radio? I can only listen to “Down by the Bay” and “Itsy Bitsy Spider” so many times in a row.

So here we are, trying to sensor everything that comes out of our mouth. I’ve caught her saying a few swear words here and there. And when I am talking to her and SHE tells ME, “Shh mom. Shut your mouth,” all I can do is hold back a smile and think to myself, wow, she is turning into a little girl. A SASSY little girl that is.

Of course I had to record it. And then Hubby blasts on YouTube (no judging please… I already heard enough from my own mother!) Click here for the world premiere of “My Anaconda” featuring Alexandra.

YOU DID WHAT TO HIS FACE?

I’m usually pretty good at keeping the eyes [the ones on the back of my head] on my kids while I am doing something else. Hubby was finally home and was “watching” the kids in the family room while I was making dinner when I heard him yell at my daughter. “Don’t write on that!”

Then he brought my son over to me and turned him around.

How do you punish a toddler when she drew the prettiest drawing RIGHT ON HIS FACE?? Eyelashes and all! As an art lover myself, I couldn’t help but notice the specific markings on his face. My own little Picasso. My first instinct was to grab my camera and take half a dozen pictures. Then post on Instagram. Then on Facebook. Then send to my family. THEN questioned if it was a washable marker or a sharpie. Thankfully it was the latter.

I’m sure this won’t be the last time she draws on him. And one day he will return the favor back to her. As the 4 of us were in the kitchen laughing about her “artwork” I couldn’t help but think, what a great family I have. And these kids are mine. They were in my tummy once. And now they are little humans with a wild imagination and just like the rest of us – make mistakes too.

Please comment below and share a moment from your TODDLER LIFE: Triumphs, Tribulations and Picasso! We love hearing from our readers!

Tips on Capturing Holiday Photo Memories

By

Kate Bell

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December 18, 2014

The days are numbered before Christmas. I know I was BUSY with so many beautiful children and families this holiday season, that it felt good to set my camera down for a little while. But only for a little while! The magic is STRONG in our home this Christmas. My oldest is 7 and my youngest is 4 – the questions are curious, the hope is contagious and the love is pretty darn awesome. In our home, we are aiming to remember the reason for the season and the moments that come. I, personally, feel the stress, but am trying hard to ‘let it go’… (sorry, had to go there).

Photos, they come with the holidays like gifts and togetherness do. From family gatherings, Christmas Eve, Christmas morning, family is together, kids are ‘clean’ and there is a good chance for capturing moments to treasure for years to come. While our mom minds might be full, here are a few helpful tips to keep in mind…if anything, number one is most important.

#1. Charge your batteries NOW.

Make sure your camera phone is charged too. Clear off your memory cards, backup your older photos, make room for new! You can thank me later.

#2. Lighting helps – a lot.

Turning off your flash, opening up the shades, turning on room lights, helps keep images more natural. If possible, have the main light behind the subject. The goal is to reduce those harsh, flashed-out subjects that come with a standard flash, as well as other problems like red-eye. (if you have the gear, and can bounce light off a white ceiling, go for it)

#3. Ready, aim, capture, now!

If your child is opening a gift – or playing with a gift – for the first time – within a split second, the moment will change. There is often just a few brief moments when that “magic spark” appears. Having your camera ready (see point 1) is important, but even more so is being confident with your picture-taking. Be ready to press that shutter button at a moment’s notice. If your camera that suffers from a bit of a delay, then you will have to become even more intuitive and skilled at anticipating the moment. Either way, don’t be shy, shoot quickly and shoot often. You’ve cleared our your memory cards, right?! So go for it, take lots of photos – getting a great photo of the right moment is rewarding when sorting through a few extras.

#4. Get Low!

Some of the best memories and moments around the holidays include the kids – and seeing things from their perspective. I love to see them grow and change over time. So here’s the tip: remember to get on eye level with the little ones! Reasoning: It’s tempting and easy to shoot toward kids from your height, but this can create unflattering pictures that seem distant. Putting yourself physically at the same level as the kids offers a much more interesting view of their world, and makes for photos that are far more personal and memorable. Here’s a challenge: while the adults are visiting, sneak away to the kids’ area and capture a few photos from their level from their world.

#5. Go for moments vs. posed photos.

Of course a few posed, ‘we are all together’ photos…but a great alternative with more lasting memories is to capture the spirit of what people are doing – talking, laughing, opening presents, sharing a beverage, these are the moments that last. By taking a documentary-style approach and shooting pictures of people just being in the moment, you will capture memories that will last for years to come.

#6. Get the kids involved.

Sometimes we are so busy preparing for the holidays that it’s hard to take photos when the family is all together. Why not get the kids involved by giving them a camera? Find an old camera or give them a new fun camera for an early present. My kids have a small pocket camera that they use. Real deal, not the kid kind (we have both, thankfully, but the real deal version offers the opportunity to learn and take decent photos!) If the child is interested, consider creating a few “assignments for the day” and see what images they capture.
Some ideas to photograph from a kids perspective:

Where is each grown up? Find everyone and take a photo, or two!
Be a spy! Take photos without anyone knowing.
See how many smiling faces they can capture in a day.
Photograph detail photos of decorations, presents, food, table settings, etc.
Photograph all the <insert color here> in the room.

You might find that you have a talented kid and actually get in some photos yourself this season too! The child will also be creating their own memories to cherish. You could take it one step further and create a photo album of their works!

#7. Know when to put your camera down.

This might sound counter-intuitive for blog post about holiday photos, but as a professional photographer, and a mom, putting the camera down and being IN the moment, rather than documenting the moment is just as important. Rather than 100 photos of family opening presents, just take a handful and use the rest of your time to simply be with your loved ones and enjoy your time together. Consider passing the camera on to someone else and BE in the photo yourself, your kids will love this too. Try to be intentional when taking fewer photos, and the result will be more keepers that you want to look at years down the road instead of dozens and dozens of images of the same scene.

I wish you and your family a beautiful holiday season, filled with love, laughter, good cookies, and photos that capture a few of the moments.

Holiday Weekend Happenings :: In + Around Detroit {December 19th-21st}

By

Annette

-

December 17, 2014

‘Twas the weekend before Christmas, when all through the house,

This momma was stirring and using her mouse.

The week will run rampant if not prepped with care ,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon will be there.

In the midst of the hustle and bustle we hope you enjoy your time with your family and get out there and enjoy some of these fabulous festivities going on around town. Do a little shopping of course {Shop Local if you can!}, visit with some friends, get yourself a treat, and enjoy the season that is upon us.

{P.S. if you are a local business and want to learn how to get on our list and get involved with DMB, email us at [email protected]! We love sharing Local Shops + Businesses with our readers!}

Be sure to check out {if you haven’t already!} Detroit Moms Blog Ultimate Holiday Guide! It is packed full of things to do. For those of us who missed the beginning festivities don’t worry there is still a ton to do! We include a list of Holiday Festivities, Winter Fun, Places to See and Visit with Santa and Christmas Tree Farms! It truly is the ULTIMATE list!!

Here is a sprinkling of the Weekend Happenings in and around Detroit at a glance for you!!!

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Downtown Carriage Rides | Birmingham

Carriages load at the corner of Henrietta & Merrill

{Date}
November 26 – December 20, 2014

{Time}
Weekends

{Cost}
FREE

*

Holidays in Henry Ford Museum | Dearborn

A giant Christmas tree, trains + Santa!

{Date}
November 28^th, 2014 – January 4^th, 2015

{Time}
Santa Hours 10 am – 4 pm Monday – Friday
9:30 am – 5 pm Saturday + Sunday

{Cost}
$18 adults
$13.50 ages 5-12
FREE 4 and under

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Holidays Nights in Greenfield Village | Dearborn

A lantern lit walk through the village with live music, skating, fireworks, Santa with his reindeer and more! Also check out :: Holidays Nights Supper with Santa Package

{Date}
December 12-14, 18-23 and 26-27^th, 2014

{Time}
6:30 – 10 pm

{Cost}
$18 adults
$13.50 ages 5-12
FREE 4 and under

*

Ice Skating at Campus Martius | Detroit

Campus Martius Park was designed to be the central square of Detroit. During the winter months the offers a venue for ice skating, and the nearby cafe offers hot chocolate to keep Detroiters warm and toasty. The rink opens officially after the Tree-Lighting Ceremony.

{Date}
November 21, 2014– January 3, 2015

{Time}
See Schedule HERE

{Cost}
Adults (13-49 years) $8

Child (12 & under) $7

Seniors (50 & older) $7

Skate Rental $3

Shoe Check available for people with their own skates $2

Skate Sharpening $5

Monthly Skate Pass $30

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Riley Park Ice Rink | Farmington

For this first season skating is FREE to the public! They encourage a little donation, secure donation box on site.

{Date}
Open Daily, Weather Permitting

{Time}
8:30 am – 10 pm Sunday – Thursday
8:30 am – 11 pm Friday + Saturday

{Cost}
FREE

*

Christmas at Crossroads Holiday Magic | Flint

Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad presents costumed villagers preparing for the holiday season in the Village. The Colwell Opera House presents live entertainment and Santa Claus! Featuring model trains, craft demos, holiday music and thousands of lights sparkle through the village and a nighttime train ride!

{Dates}
December 12-14, 19-21, 23, 26-28, 30
(Drive through ONLY nights :: December 15, 22, 24, 29)

{Time}
Christmas Departures :: 5:00, 5:50, 6:40, 7:30 pm {additional trains available!}
(5 – 9 pm)

{Cost}
Village tickets $8 – $10
Combo Village + Train tickets $10 – $13

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Winter Wonderland | Grosse Pointe Shores

This event takes place at the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House.

{Date}
December 12^th, 13^th, 19^th, 20^th, 26^th, 27^th 2014

{Time}
5 – 8 pm

{Cost}
$10, add $5 for a candlelight stroll through the house

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Sunday Christmas Tours | Livonia

The Greenmead Historical Park presents this festive afternoon touring the beautifully decorated village.

{Date}
December 14th + 21^st, 2014

{Time}
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

{Cost}
$3 Adult
$2 Children

*

Anton Art Center Christmas Market | Mount Clemens

Shop for unique gifts my Michigan artists, and check ou the decorated trees

{Date}
Sundays November 14th thru December 21st

{Time}
10 am – 5 pm Tuesdays – Thursdays and Saturdays
10 am – 6 pm Fridays
noon to 4 pm Sundays

{Cost}
FREE

*

Walk of Trees | Plymouth

Bring the family to walk quaint Kellogg Park in downtown Plymouth. Approximately 75 trees have been decorated by the local businesses, clubs and families for your viewing pleasure. This exhibit is lit 24 hours from the Saturday after Thanksgiving until Christmas. So bundle up your family and start a new family tradition!

{Dates}
November 28 – January 1

{Time}
24/7

{Cost}
Free

*

Holiday Walk at Meadow Brook Hall | Rochester

43^rd Annual sets a 110-Room Tudorrevival style mansion aglow with holiday décor and historic fun.

{Date}
Now thru December 23^rd 2014

{Time}
11 am -5:00 pm

{Cost}
$5-$20

*

Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo | Royal Oak

More than 5 million LED lights illuminate the zoo! Opening night includes some fun activities and an appearance by singer Karen Newman performin “Christmas Eve on Woodward Avenue”. Live entertainment, photos with Santa “Paws”, ice carving, arts + crafts.

{Date}
December 11-14, 18-23 + 26-31

{Time}
5”30 – 9 pm

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Hines Drive Wayne County Lightfest | Westland

Drive through an animated holiday lighting displayed Hines Drive! Visit Santa’s Workshop at the end of Warrendale Park starting November 26^th until December 23^rd. Don’t forget to bring your letter to Santa, you can drop it in the giant mailbox.

{Date}
November 21^st – December 31^st
(closed December 25^th!)

{Time}
7 – 10:00 pm (Monday thru Thursday)
6:00 – 10:00 pm (Friday thru Sunday)

{Cost}
$5 a vehicle
{Toy night “Tuesdays”, bring an uwrapped toy instead of $5, toys will be donated to the Wayne County Family Center

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Local Museum Happenings

Pearls of Wisdom | Ann Arbor

Featuring an exhibit focused on the arts of Islam

{Dates}
Now – December 21^st, 2014

{Time}
9 am – 4 pm Tuesdays – Fridays
1 – 4 pm

{Location}
Kelsey Museum of Archaeology

*

Women of Vision | Bloomfield Hills

See works by 11 National Geographic photojournalists at Cranbrook Institute of Science

{Date}
Now thru December 30th

{Time}

{Cost}
$6.50 – $13 adults
$5.50 – $9.50 13 and under
FREE 2 + under

{Location}
Cranbrook Institute of Science

*

Gridiron Glory | Dearborn

Check out hard hitting trophies, gear and more from the Pro Football hall of Fame

{Date}
Now thru January 4^th, 2015

{Time}
9 am – 5 pm daily

{Cost}
$18 adults
$13.50 ages 5-12
FREE 4 and under

{Location}
Henry Ford Museum

*

Uprooted | Detroit

This exhibit explores the stories, struggles and triumphs of Greeks whose ancestors descend from Asia Minor.

{Date}
Now thru January 31^st

{Time}
12 pm – 4 pm

{Cost}
FREE

{Location}
Hellenic Museum of Michigan

*

Windows of Opportunity | Detroit

Discover 12 original stained-glass windows installed in 1929 at Detroit’s St. Vincent + Sarah Fisher Center.

{Date}
Now thru December 28th

{Time}
9:30 am – 4 pm (Tuesdays – Fridays)
10 am – 4 pm Saturdays – Sundays

{Cost}

{Location}
St. Vincent + Sarah Fisher Center

*

Photographs From Detroit | Detroit

{Date}
November 14^th – May 17^th

{Time}
9 am – 4 pm (Tusdays – Thursdays)
9 am – 10 pm (Fridays)
10 am – 5 pm (Saturdays + Sundays)

{Cost}
FREE with admission
FREE admission for tri-county residents

{Location}
Detroit Institutes of Arts

*

Ice Age Unfrozen | Detroit

Meet wooly mammoths, saber-tooth tigers and other beasts from 10,000 years ago.

{Date}
Now thru January 3^rd 2015

{Time}
9 am – 3 pm Wednesdays – Fridays
10 am – 6 pm Saturdays
noon – 6 pm Sundays

{Cost}
$18 adults
$15 kids
(includes general admission)

{Location}
Michigan Science Center

*

A Theatre of Color | Detroit

Explore this exhibit subtitled Costume Design for the Black Theatre by Myrna Colley – Lee

{Date}
Now thru January 4^th, 2015

{Time}
9 am – 5:00 pm Tuesdays – Saturdays
1 – 5 pm Sundays

{Cost}
$5 – $8

{Location}
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History

*

Women Who Motor | Grosse Pointe Shores

Check out some snazzy vintage rides inspired by the ladies.

{Date}
Runs through 2016

{Time}
11 am – 5 pm Tuesdays – Sundays

{Cost}
$8 – $12 Garage Exhibit

{Location}
Edsel and Eleanor Ford House

*

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas | Plymouth

{Date}
November 14^th – January 11th

{Time}
1 – 4:00 pm
(Wednesday, Fridays – Sundays)

{Cost}
$2-$5

{Location}
Plymouth Historical Museum

*

Across the Board | West Bloomfield

See the toys and games of the Jewish people – from the driedel to xbox with hands on fun for kids.

{Date}
Now trhru April 2015

{Time}
10 am – 5 pm Monday – Thursday
10 am – 3 pm weekends

{Cost}
FREE

{Location}
Jewish Community Center

*

First Timers View of The Wonderful World of Disney

By

Mary

-

December 16, 2014

It was like a dream come true—taking my kids to Disney World for the first time! I quickly found though that if you didn’t put the right amount of planning into it, this was a trip that could turn into a nightmare. I had tips flying at me from every direction, but I was almost feeling overwhelmed as most of those tips conflicted. So what’s the best way to take on Disney as a first timer? In a thought—plan ahead and make it your own.

The first thing to consider is the age and personalities of your kids. We were taking a 6 year old girl and a 3 year old boy, and so I truly valued the double stroller that we rented. Though they love to walk, they were quick to tire out too. We rented through an outside company and got it for the entire week at a deep discount. They even delivered to our condo—score! Think through things like this so that you don’t end up with overtired and over worked kids!

Focus In On What Works Best For Your Kids and Family Makeup

I also recommend thinking through which parks or attractions may appeal to your kids the best. We did spend one day at each of the parks, and we got a pass in advance at a deep discount from an outside site. We spent the bulk of our time at the Magic Kingdom, but by getting a 5 day pass we had the flexibility to check out any of the parks that we wanted to. I didn’t feel it necessary to get the Park Hopper pass, again with the age of my kids, one park a day was more than enough!

You do want to plan out your days, but you also want to leave a little wiggle room. You can Fast Pass up to 3 rides or attractions per day, and that tends to plan out your day. You are given times to go back and bypass the lines, which is awesome!

It also means that you can plan around those time frames and hit the other attractions nearby. We also built in plenty of time for meals and snacks, walking, and just down time with ice cream or relaxing. If you over-plan you will have miserable kids and not get to nearly enough.

Do Your Homework and It Will Really Pay Off

There’s a big debate about staying on or off property, but for my first time the three bedroom three bathroom condo off property was great. We had tons of room, a nice pool for the kids, and the ability to just relax and detach from Disney for a bit. At some good advice from a friend, we even had groceries ordered and delivered right to our condo. We brought in our own waters and snacks, and even packed lunches a couple of days.

You can’t hit it all, so know your pace. Consider your budget, your family makeup, and what you want to get out of the trip. If you try to squeeze it all in, then you will all be exhausted and unhappy. So find a pace that works for you and think through what’s really important to see and do.

Even taking a day or a half day off from the parks is a good idea as you are sure to need the down time. A little time at the pool or in Downtown Disney really broke things up and allowed us to all feel like we were on vacation rather than on a never ending mission for fun!

A Friend’s Experience With Pregnancy Loss and What It Taught Me

By

Dawn B

-

December 12, 2014

A few days after our early miscarriage, I met one of my dearest friends for breakfast. As we were so newly pregnant when the loss happened, I hadn’t yet told her that we were. I planned on filling her in at breakfast, when she dropped the happy news that she was 8 weeks along. They had an adorable toddler already, and had no reason to believe that this pregnancy would be anything but smooth. I was thrilled for her, and as we caught up and I told her what we had recently experienced, she felt awful for me. We had a teary breakfast, both of us hormonal and emotional, that went something like “I’m so happy for you!”/”I’m so sad for you!” She told me that her first ultrasound was a week later, and I made her promise to send me a picture of the little bean afterward.

A week later, the day of her appointment, I anxiously awaited the photo debut of her new addition. Instead of a photo, I received a phone call. “It’s gone.” Confused, I asked, “What do you mean ‘it’s gone’?” She repeated, “It’s gone. The baby. I’m 9 weeks, but there’s no heartbeat and the doctor said it stopped growing around 6 weeks.” At this point, we were both crying, and she was obviously devastated. She had no symptoms, no side effects, no reason to think anything was amiss. We learned that this situation, different from mine, is called a “missed” miscarriage. The body hangs on to the fetus as if it’s still viable, usually requiring a D&C and/or shot of a drug (methotrexate, cytotec) to assist with expelling it. After the shock diminished, this got me thinking about two things. One- pregnancy loss is surprisingly, sadly, common. I could not shake the horrible knowledge that when we’d had breakfast last week, we BOTH had recently experienced a loss- we just didn’t know about hers yet. Aside from myself and my friend, I personally know of 8 other women, all healthy young women with no major reproductive issues, who have gone through it in some form- and those are just the people that have chosen to divulge it. Many women keep this to themselves and are hesitant to share this information. This is a shame, as the support from others that have been through it is absolutely helpful to those who are currently experiencing it.

The second thing I realized was that pregnancy loss, and even pregnancy in general, is different for everyone and can be hard to relate to, even when you’ve been through it. When my friend called me, I later found myself thinking, “At least she was pregnant longer than me, she got more time than I did…” I immediately realized this was a crazy thought and then thought about all the things people had said to me- things like, “At least it happened early, at least you can try again, at least you didn’t need a D & C.” The longer I thought about it, the more I realized that people do this even in “good” pregnancies. People will say, “At least you didn’t have morning sickness, at least you didn’t have this/that condition, at least you didn’t have to push as long as so and so, at least you didn’t need a C-section.” Every pregnancy experience is so unique, and it seems that people are quick to compare and judge where someone else “got lucky”. No matter how good-intentioned, this “at least” business isn’t very helpful, and can feel dismissive. I have another friend who has been blessed with relatively “easy” pregnancies and deliveries, but she’ll be the first to tell you there’s nothing “easy” about it. And obviously I am grateful that I didn’t need a D & C, and I knew we could eventually try again, but there was still nothing good about my pregnancy loss experience. Saying “at least this” and “at least that” or being judgmental in other ways doesn’t really give people the feeling that you understand their experience. And you probably don’t. But maybe this post will be a reminder for you, as my friend’s experience was a reminder for me, how nice it feels not to compare your situation to someone else’s, but just to listen and be supportive instead.

Date Night In + Around Detroit :: Ferndale

By

laurenmyers

-

December 11, 2014

For a Date in Ferndale…

If you are looking for a night out on the town without the kids, check some of the great new places in Ferndale. This small town just outside of the Detroit city limits has something for everyone. It’s a great place to catch a bite to eat after a Detroit Tigers game or grab a cocktail (or two or three) with other DMB moms and dads. Or just to get out, grab a seat on the patio and enjoy the night. I personally like Valentine Distillery. After one martini, I feel fresh and young and hip and ready to hit the streets (sans kids of course!)

FERNDALE RESTAURANT REVIEW

********

For a date in Tuscany …

Assagi Bistro

A mix of Rustic Italian and Country French with a touch of Lebanese.

http://www.assaggibistro.com/

*

For an early morning date (don’t forget the mimosa) …

The Emory

Breakfast, Brunch & Beer (oh and Dinner too!)

www.theemory.com

*

For a date in NYC …

John D Bistro

John D’ Bistro features Modern American cuisine in an NYC contemporary cosmopolitan environment.

www.johndbistro.com

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For a Double Date with another DMB couple …

Local Kitchen & Bar

Local is a casual dining and drinking establishment where friends gather regularly for exceptional everyday food, drink and camaraderie

www.localkitchenandbar.com

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For a fun date with games and music…

One Eye’d Bettys

One-Eyed Betty’s Beer Bar & Kitchen is serious about beer and food, but especially beer

www.oneeyedbettys.com

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For a budget friendly yet hip date …

Public House

Great place to visit with friends with food items at a budget price

www.facebook.com/publichouseferndale

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For a date to Baja California …

Imperial on Woodward

Taco truck style fare is served in a breezy setting with almost all communal seating

http://imperialferndale.com/

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For a date in the art gallery …

The Oakland

Sophisticated cocktail bar with an artistic décor and ambiance

www.theoaklandferndale.com

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For a date with a little Mead …

Schramm’s Mead

There’s a new movement of meaderies popping up everywhere and Ferndale has it.

www.schrammsmead.com

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For a wine tasting date …

Cork Wine Pub

A large selection wine with food made from local ingredients

www.corkwinepub.com

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For a Valentine Date (or any date with your Valentine) …

Valentine Distilling

Precision vodka, distillery and fine food

www.valentinedistilling.com

Weekend Happenings :: In + Around Detroit {December 11-14}

By

Annette

-

December 10, 2014

Are you working on last minute holiday details already or are you like me and finally able to give this season of “to-do lists” a kick-start. {deep breath} It always works out in the end. Always. Even when my grand plans only come to partial fruition. My point is there is still time! Get out there, enjoy some fun festivities going on around town. Do a little shopping {Shop Local if you can!}, visit with some friends, get yourself a treat, and enjoy the season that is upon us. {P.S. if you want to learn how to get on our list and get involved with DMB, email us at [email protected]! We love sharing Local Shops + Businesses with our readers!}

Be sure to check out {if you haven’t already!} Detroit Moms Blog Ultimate Holiday Guide! It is packed full of things to do. For those of us who missed the beginning festivities don’t worry there is still a ton to do! We include a list of Holiday Festivities, Winter Fun, Places to See and Visit with Santa and Christmas Tree Farms! It truly is the ULTIMATE list!!

Here is a sprinkling of the Weekend Happenings in and around Detroit at a glance for you!!!

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Downtown Carriage Rides | Birmingham

Carriages load at the corner of Henrietta & Merrill

{Date}
November 26 – December 20, 2014

{Time}
Weekends

{Cost}
FREE

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Friendship Church Living Nativity | Canton

Sunday, December 14 at 4:30 pm – 8:30 pm
1240 N. Beck Rd, Canton, Corner of Beck and Saltz Roads

Free | The Living Nativity is a FREE event that is an outside guided walking tour that will transport you back to ancient Bethlehem and Jesus’ birth with costumed actors and with live animals

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Holidays in Henry Ford Museum | Dearborn

A giant Christmas tree, trains + Santa!

{Date}
November 28^th, 2014 – January 4^th, 2015

{Time}
Santa Hours 10 am – 4 pm Monday – Friday
9:30 am – 5 pm Saturday + Sunday

{Cost}
$18 adults
$13.50 ages 5-12
FREE 4 and under

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Holidays Nights in Greenfield Village | Dearborn

A lantern lit walk through the village with live music, skating, fireworks, Santa with his reindeer and more! Also check out :: Holidays Nights Supper with Santa Package

{Date}
December 12-14, 18-23 and 26-27^th, 2014

{Time}
6:30 – 10 pm

{Cost}
$18 adults
$13.50 ages 5-12
FREE 4 and under

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Geminids Meteor Shower | All of Metro-Detroit

The Geminid Meteor Showers take place annually in mid December, but the peak viewing of the Geminid Meteor Shower will be at the time between when the moon sets and dawn on 12/13/13 and 12/14/13 because of the gorgeous full moon that peaked on the 6th {hope you saw it!} it may be bright enough to interfere with viewing. Hope you find a window where it is dark and the sky is clear to catch this December light show of the brightest falling stars!

{Dates}
Peek nights between December 13^th + 14th

{Time}
During the Night Sky

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Menorah in the D | Detroit

Menorah in the D is a community-wide menorah lighting event in downtown Detroit taking place this Chanukah. This event is full of inspiration and pride for our entire community and local Jewish families throughout Metro-Detroit. The 26 ft Menorah was designed and built by artists Erik & Israel Nordin of the Detroit Design Center in Corktown. Enjoy a concert with the Soul Farm Band along with lots of family fun including strolling jugglers and acrobats, roasting marshmallows, pose with the Detroit Mascot Paws, as well as a free food court serving traditional Chanukah doughnuts called sufganiot, hot soup bar, hot apple cider, snacks and lots more!

{Date}
December 16

{Time}
5 – 7 pm

{Cost}
Free

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Woodward Wonderland at the DIA | Detroit

Come kick off the holidays with a Detroit Holiday Celebration at the Detroit Film Theatre. Young artists will share holiday stories, joyous songs, and loving memories. You’ll enjoy a unique Detroit spin!

{Date}
December 10, 11 and 12

{Time}
December 10 + 11 at 8:00 p.m.
December 12 at 4:00 p.m.

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Ice Skating at Campus Martius | Detroit

Campus Martius Park was designed to be the central square of Detroit. During the winter months the offers a venue for ice skating, and the nearby cafe offers hot chocolate to keep Detroiters warm and toasty. The rink opens officially after the Tree-Lighting Ceremony.

{Date}
November 21, 2014– January 3, 2015

{Time}
See Schedule HERE

{Cost}
Adults (13-49 years) $8

Child (12 & under) $7

Seniors (50 & older) $7

Skate Rental $3

Shoe Check available for people with their own skates $2

Skate Sharpening $5

Monthly Skate Pass $30

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Riley Park Ice Rink | Farmington

For this first season skating is FREE to the public! They encourage a little donation, secure donation box on site.

{Date}
Open Daily, Weather Permitting

{Time}
8:30 am – 10 pm Sunday – Thursday
8:30 am – 11 pm Friday + Saturday

{Cost}
FREE

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Christmas at Crossroads Holiday Magic | Flint

Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad presents costumed villagers preparing for the holiday season in the Village. The Colwell Opera House presents live entertainment and Santa Claus! Featuring model trains, craft demos, holiday music and thousands of lights sparkle through the village and a nighttime train ride!

{Dates}
December 12-14, 19-21, 23, 26-28, 30
(Drive through ONLY nights :: December 15, 22, 24, 29)

{Time}
Christmas Departures :: 5:00, 5:50, 6:40, 7:30 pm {additional trains available!}
(5 – 9 pm)

{Cost}
Village tickets $8 – $10
Combo Village + Train tickets $10 – $13

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Winter Wonderland | Grosse Pointe Shores

This event takes place at the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House.

{Date}
December 12^th, 13^th, 19^th, 20^th, 26^th, 27^th 2014

{Time}
5 – 8 pm

{Cost}
$10, add $5 for a candlelight stroll through the house

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Holiday Tea and Tour | Grosse Pointe Shores

This event at the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House is a lovely afternoon with ladies, spend this time with your daughters and enjoy a holiday house tour followed by a light meal with tea and pastries.

{Date}
December 15t^h2014

{Time}
3 pm

{Cost}
$35

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Dickens Festival | Holly

Holly’s Victorian architecture comes alive in its 40^th annual Dickens Festival. Featuring Characters from Dickens’ Novels, music from the Festival Singers, crafts and pictures with Santa!

{Date}
December 14^th-15^th

{Time}

{Cost}
FREE

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Christmas Tea at Blue House | Livonia

The Greenmead Historical Park presents this festive afternoon with Christmas tea in the decorated village.

{Date}
December 11, 2014

{Time}
5:00 am – 7:00 pm

{Cost}
Advance tickets $25

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Sunday Christmas Tours | Livonia

The Greenmead Historical Park presents this festive afternoon touring the beautifully decorated village.

{Date}
December 14th + 21^st, 2014

{Time}
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

{Cost}
$3 Adult
$2 Children

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Anton Art Center Christmas Market | Mount Clemens

Shop for unique gifts my Michigan artists, and check ou the decorated trees

{Date}
Sundays November 14th thru December 21st

{Time}
10 am – 5 pm Tuesdays – Thursdays and Saturdays
10 am – 6 pm Fridays
noon to 4 pm Sundays

{Cost}
FREE

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Simply Dickens Tea | Mount Clemens

This event at the Crocker House Museum is so popular that we are doing it twice this year. However, seating is extremely limited. We hope you will reserve early and join us for an elegant formal tea while listening to Simply Dickens sing old world Christmas carols. Learn the history behind these carols.

{Date}
December 14^th – 21^st, 2014

{Time}
1 – 4 pm

{Cost}
$35/$40

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Walk of Trees | Plymouth

Bring the family to walk quaint Kellogg Park in downtown Plymouth. Approximately 75 trees have been decorated by the local businesses, clubs and families for your viewing pleasure. This exhibit is lit 24 hours from the Saturday after Thanksgiving until Christmas. So bundle up your family and start a new family tradition!

{Dates}
November 28 – January 1

{Time}
24/7

{Cost}
Free

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The Glory of Christmas | Plymouth

Northridge Church puts on a dazzling Christmas performance each year. This year is full of excitement and holiday cheer, through flying angels, indoor fireworks, exciting music with full orchestra and choirs, dazzling lights, amazing special effects and powerful video, they are telling the story of a great light that shone in the darkness so that we might see. “Let there be light!” is a story about the true meaning of Christmas.

{Dates}
December 11th – 14th

{Times}
For times and tickets visit here.

{Cost}
$18 – $20

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Holiday Walk at Meadow Brook Hall | Rochester

43^rd Annual sets a 110-Room Tudorrevival style mansion aglow with holiday décor and historic fun.

{Date}
Now thru December 23^rd 2014

{Time}
11 am -5:00 pm

{Cost}
$5-$20

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Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo | Royal Oak

More than 5 million LED lights illuminate the zoo! Opening night includes some fun activities and an appearance by singer Karen Newman performin “Christmas Eve on Woodward Avenue”. Live entertainment, photos with Santa “Paws”, ice carving, arts + crafts.

{Date}
December 11-14, 18-23 + 26-31

{Time}
5”30 – 9 pm

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Winter Concert | Royal Oak

The Royal Oak Orchestra will be performing a holiday concert full of holiday classics. The concert takes place at Dondero Auditorium at Royal Oak Middle School.

{Date}
December 12th, 2014

{Time}
8 pm

{Cost}
$10 + $7

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Holiday Fest + Mill Lighting | Westland

This 26th annual Annual Mill Lighting will add more lights to the already beautiful and festive Hines Drive. From 3:30 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. children can make holiday crafts and play games with prizes. Families can participate in holiday games such as “Fruitcake Bowling”, “Candy Cane Scavenger Hunt”, and “Reindeer Antler Wreath Toss”. You can visit Santa Claus from 5:15 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. during the Nankin Mills Traditional Mill Lighting and Sing-A-Long. *Registration required! Call 734.261.1990 for more information. Limited spots available.

{Date}
December 13

{Time}
3:30 – 6:00 p.m.

{Cost}
Free

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Hines Drive Wayne County Lightfest | Westland

Drive through an animated holiday lighting displayed Hines Drive! Visit Santa’s Workshop at the end of Warrendale Park starting November 26^th until December 23^rd. Don’t forget to bring your letter to Santa, you can drop it in the giant mailbox.

{Date}
November 21^st – December 31^st
(closed December 25^th!)

{Time}
7 – 10:00 pm (Monday thru Thursday)
6:00 – 10:00 pm (Friday thru Sunday)

{Cost}
$5 a vehicle
{Toy night “Tuesdays”, bring an uwrapped toy instead of $5, toys will be donated to the Wayne County Family Center

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Pregnant Ladies: Treat Yo’Self!

By

Erin Piper

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December 9, 2014

Pregnancy is not a time to run yourself ragged. In fact, it’s probably one of the few times in life you can get away with people understanding if you can’t stay out late, have limited physical energy, etc. You can make Tom Haverford proud, and turn EVERY day into Treat Yo’Self day.

But instead of relaxing or finding other ways to take care of ourselves (regular exercise, making sure we sleep enough, etc.) so many of us pregnant gals spend our entire pregnancies without really thinking about our own wellness – trying to make a good impression before we leave work, working on the never ending pre-baby to do list of home improvements, etc.

Recently, a good friend of mine had a bit of a scare with some bleeding during her pregnancy. She has an extremely stressful job, and had felt a lot of pressure to put in the same effort and hours as her colleagues, who are mostly younger and single or without kids. Luckily, all was fine, but as we talked through this experience, she said it was a huge reminder to her that she needs to slow down and take better care of herself.

She’s absolutely right – because taking care of yourself is so much more than that when you are pregnant. Taking care of yourself means taking care of your baby, too. If your baby were living “on the outside” you’d react so much differently to the various situations that you come across throughout your pregnancy, but with their cute little butts resting comfortably in the womb, it’s easy to focus only on to do lists and demands made by other people, and not taking time out for yourself.

For those of you who are pregnant and already have kids, you don’t have to tell me that this challenge is only compounded by the existing kiddos who already need you on a daily, hourly, or minute by minute basis. Still, I believe it’s worth fighting to make the time to take care of yourself.

Taking care of yourself doesn’t have to mean blocking out an entire day to head to the spa (though MAN that sounds good). Below are some ways you can treat yourself while pregnant:

Whether you have kids or not:

GO ON DATE NIGHTS. There is nothing I missed more post-baby than being able to go out to dinner with my husband at a moment’s notice. Squeezing in as many dinners, movies, and special events with my husband before baby was awesome, because it took a few months before we felt comfortable leaving our son for more than an hour or two.
Make plans with friends. I haven’t lost any friends since giving birth two years ago, but I definitely don’t see them as much as I used to.
Get a prenatal massage. These are heavenly. Schedule for a good sixty minutes if possible – it is sooo worth it and I think allows you enough time to really relax.
Get a pedicure (and manicure!). There is no better time to pamper your feet, because it’s truly impossible to do yourself (or is that just me?). Just make sure to stay away from a really intense foot rub, and enjoy knowing that at least you’ll be looking at some beautiful toes while you’re in labor.
Buy something you love to wear. Whether it’s a maternity shirt you actually like, comfy sweats, or a piece of jewelry that you can wear long after baby is born, buy something that makes you feel good in the final stages of your pregnancy.
Exercise. Take a prenatal yoga class, mall walk if it’s too cold to go outside, or do something more hard core if your doctor has cleared it, but try to get your heart rate pumping a bit (for me, this sometimes just takes a walk up the stairs…guess I need to work on this!) and then enjoy a nice warm shower after. I recently tried doing a yoga DVD with Oliver – it wasn’t a huge success, but I learned a few poses I can try after, and think this could be a fun activity with older kids.
Get your house professionally cleaned. This may be my favorite thing to do (or not do). My son’s nanny occasionally cleans our house for extra cash, and when I walk through the door, I swear I hear angels sing. Even if you can’t do this regularly, think about setting up someone to come the last few weeks of your pregnancy while you are busy with the more fun nesting (and then again after baby is born if possible!)!

If you already have kids:

Send your child to their regular daycare and take the day off work (or if you’re a SAHM, hire a baby-sitter or call a relative to help for a half or full day). If you MUST, run an errand or two, but schedule lunch with a friend, shop for something fun, get a prenatal massage (assuming you’re out of first trimester), or just watch a chick flick you’ve been dying to see at home in bed.
Use your impending hospital stay as an excuse for your little one to do a “test run” and stay with the loved ones who will be caring for him while you’re in the hospital. This will give your kiddo a chance to get more familiar with their temporary home away from home, and you will have a night free of diaper duty or bedtime battles!
Have your partner take over bedtime if this usually falls on your plate. Use this time to take a warm bath, read, you name it.
Help your child become more self sufficient during your pregnancy. For me, with a toddler at home, small practical ways to do this would be things like: keeping a few healthy snacks within toddler reach so he can get his own snacks, and teaching him how to get in and out of his carseat (I still buckle!) on his own so I don’t have to lift him. We’re also working on getting him to clean up his own toys, but I can’t claim any real victory there yet!

Feeling at Home

By

Guest Blogger

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December 8, 2014

I remember sitting at our dining room table with my husband reading through the packet of paperwork and answering questions that only adoptive parents have to answer. Questions about birth parent medical history, mental health, drug use, smoking history, the list went on. Then more questions about the child we would adopt; age, race, sex, medical complications, handicaps, and that list went on. We were realistic with our answers and honest with ourselves.

The best advice that we had been given regarding answering those questions , maybe even the very best advice through our entire adoption process was from an adoption social worker at the very first seminar we attended. She told everyone there not to feel like you have to say “yes” to everything. Consider thoughtfully what you feel is right for your family, because another family may feel called to adopt very differently than you do.

This advice took the pressure off for us and it’s advice I like to pass on to other couples who are considering adoption.

Just like in life, in adoption there are some decisions that are difficult, and others that are easy. For our family choosing transracial adoption was one of the easy ones, because it felt like home.

I grew up in a mixed race family, my dad is black and my mom is white. Diversity is my comfort zone. When I told my husband that I wanted to adopt a black or biracial baby, it was because that’s what I wanted for our family. It just felt normal. He agreed easily, something I’ve always been thankful for.

We’re fortunate to have families who were so supportive of our plan to adopt. I’ve never forgotten the priceless and wonderfully excited response of my mother in law when I told her we were planning on a transracial adoption.

I’m also grateful that my daughter will have a connection to her cultural heritage through both her birth mother and her adoptive mother. Being closer to my family is one of the reasons we decided to move from the Detroit Metro area. We were also intentional about choosing a diverse neighborhood, and church when we moved. That decision was just as much for us as for her, we’ve made it a priority to seek out diversity, but it’s also what feels most natural to us.

It doesn’t take a PhD to see that Norah is not our biological daughter. I knew going in that we’d probably get comments from strangers, friends, family, possibly not even the nicest of comments, most likely unintentional.

In two and a half years, I’ve found that most people, if they say anything at all, are just curious. Norah is still too young to understand, so I’ve never worried at this point that anyone pointing it out has had an impact on her. I’m not surprised when I turn my head and see someone smiling at her, or waving, or pointing even. She’s beautiful, and has an incredible smile! If she was someone else’s baby I’d be doing the same thing!

I have insecurities, just like any mom does, I expect. Hair care for example is a struggle, but I think I’m harder on myself than I perceive others to be. I’ve yet to have a black woman scold me in the middle of Target, even though I’ve had this dream quite frequently!

Occasionally I get anxious and find myself thinking about those harder conversations coming in the future when she is in grade school and the curious glances do have an impact. I trust though that in time I’ll have the right words to say to comfort her and give her confidence. To let her know that she is exactly the girl that we hoped for, the perfect match that God intended for our family, and that I love her from the tips of her tiny ringlet curls to bottoms of her dancing toes.

About me: I am a full time working mom of one. My husband and I have been enjoying this crazy ride together for 11 years! We recently relocated from the Metro Detroit area to Grand Rapids to be closer to family. Our family’s favorite activities include singing at the dinner table, dancing in the living room, and taking walks to the neighborhood playgrounds.

Santa Claus Review :: The Somerset Mall in Troy

By

laurenmyers

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December 5, 2014

There’s nothing like waiting patiently all year to have the annual “Trip to see Santa” photo. Now that my daughter (now 2.5) is old enough, I am trying to teach what Christmas is – including the “real” story of Christmas. Every time she sees lights she screams “Christmas!” When she sees Christmas trees, whether it’s a cookie cutter, book or on TV, she exclaims “Christmas!”

So one night while my husband had to work late, I came up with a great idea to go to the mall and introduce her to Santa. We went to Somerset Mall in Troy and I couldn’t wait to see the all the decorations. Every winter, the mall is transformed into this beautiful mystical space of floating fairies and lights and colors.

This will be her 3^rd Christmas. The first Christmas, I didn’t want to wait in line with a 6 month old for the photo, so I took one “in front of” Santa’s house. For her 2^nd Christmas, we saw a private Santa at our neighborhood clubhouse and she was… cautious. But for this year, she KNEW who Santa was and wanted to meet him.

“What does Santa say?” – HO HO HO!!!

Of course I didn’t plan ahead. The kids were still in their sweat suits from “school”. I didn’t want to rush home and find matching outfits (Yes – my kids will be dressed “similar” on holidays. They will hate me later).

My son, now almost 7 months, is happy when a fish looks at him so I had no concern when he met Santa.

It was HER I was afraid of.

At first, she was SOOOO excited to go see Santa’s house. Singing Jingle Bells all the way to Somerset Mall. Stopping by every tree we saw throughout the mall to look at the ornaments and lights and take pictures. I knew that she was getting a little scared when we rode down to the Santa Castle… she suddenly did not like the elevator.

I parked Vinny and his stroller near the edge of the castle and carried Alexandra to the front. I picked her up and showed her Santa. He met eye contact with us and started waving to her. She got soooooo excited.

I thought – ok – not so bad. Since there is no line and it’s pretty quiet here, might as well get their pictures taken now while she is in the mood.

I paid the $22 (I remember when Santa was FREE) and the Santa helpers let us into the castle. There were several options for packages – I picked the cheapest package. All the packages came with a $10 coupon towards Shutterfly (YAYAYAYA) and we got (2) 4×6 prints and (1) 5×7 print. The packages range in price from $22 to $50+. Each kid also gets to pick 3 gold coins out of a treasure box and go “shopping” around the mall. I was very grateful for those coins – it saved our night!

SHE FREAKED OUT. NO MOMMY NO MOMMY.

She tried to run off the stage. Poor girl – I traumatized her.

I should have known better since meeting the Easter Bunny this past spring didn’t go so well either.

Meanwhile, Vinny is chilling on Santa’s lap laughing at his beard. I told the Helper Elves taking the pictures, “I don’t care what the shot looks like – just as long as you get them both in the frame”. The Santa – well – he looked nervous to be honest! Awkwardly holding the baby while I am begging and pleading with the 2 year old to sit still for one second!

After that heart wrenching trip to meet Santa, I told her Santa gave her gold coins and she gets to go on a Treasure Hunt. There are 10 different stores that are offering a “prize” if you give them a coin. Since I had two kids I was given 6 coins! We had a blast walking around the mall and getting the prizes. It was a great night for Mommy and Kids to spend together and we were all exhausted when we got home.