Book for the Week: My Favorite Things

Growing up my parents had me watch "The Sound of Music", I remember it being one of the only VHS movies in the house. My mother bought this book for my children seeing the illustrations and thinking they resembles the characters in the book with their blonde hair and blue eyes. I recently started picking books on our shelf that the kids normally don't pick and reading one of "Mom's choice" a night. I started singing this book to the kids and now they are hooked. The pictures are elegant and beautiful with fine details and focus on natural beauty and match well with the lyrics. I then went further to download the song off iTunes and burn the song onto a CD. Now my children have their own "book on tape" as well as a new song they can learn. 

Family Friendly Restaurants: Moe's BBQ

Here are our guidelines and how we will be rating:

1. High chairs and booster  seats
2. Have food the kiddos will eat 
3. Entertainment for said child  ( coloring books, toys, puzzles, etc.)
4. Changing tables in both restroom areas for both parents  
5. Atmosphere that is child friendly 
6. Affordability
7. Child friendly staff
8. Kids Cups
9. Breastfeeding friendly
10. Out of the way extras for kids

So I will slowly be adding places to this rating list based on these parameters and expectations. We do not count promptness of service for a number of reasons. Mostly because if they're busy-- they're busy. One that is working cannot control the traffic in and out of a restaurant. Both my husband and myself have worked in food services and know a number of variables that are in the card.

We LOVE Moe's BBQ (we are a tad bias since we know the owners and my daughter is friends with their children). Here is our kid friendly rating. They have two high chairs that fit in the back room tables only ( 8 tables) . They have a great deal that for every adult meal purchased children 12 and under eat for free all day everyday. They have a great kids menu and my kids love it so much they beg to go here over MickyD's next door. For entertainment they have reusable stick books, coloring books and stickers for the kiddos. The staff are child friendly and as a bonus if you become a regular some remember what your favorite sides and dishes are. Everyone uses to-go soda cups with lids which work for youngsters. They are breastfeeding friendly. The bathrooms are tiny so I don't think they could fit changing rooms in them which is a downside for those with diapering children, but great for potty trained kids where the sink and soap are within reaching distance.

My overall rating for Moe's BBQ is 9.5/10 which a mark down for no changing table. 

Helping in Our Communities: Harvesting

So this is a small way of making a difference in a community, but by doing the following you could make someone's day. I know in our neighborhood we have a great mix of ages and things we grow on our respective property. The other day I saw an older neighbor harvesting some lilacs and bringing them to a neighbors house to share who does not have a bush. My daughter saw this neighbor doing this and picked some wild flowers to give to the same girl. Kindness spreads and you never know who is watching :)

Last summer, I had a neighbor grow too many tomatoes and zucchini. Every time a neighbor would walk past her house she would offer one of two to them. We have other neighbor who are so awesome them have volunteered at a garden to grow food for the elderly in our community.This is the same neighbor I baked a loaf of bread for.These things all make a difference in your neighbors lives and work toward a trusting, healthy, happy community. 

Book of the Week : Pipsie Nature Detective and the Disappearing Caterpillar

So for weeks I have seen Pipsie Nature Detective: The Disappearing Caterpillar has been on display in a classroom I frequent. The little girl on the front of the book reminded me of my daughter and her love for nature. So I hopped onto Minerva and requested this book to find it was a part of a three book series ( Pipsie the Nature Detective: the Lunchnapper and Pipsie the Nature Detective: Turtle Trouble). This is a great book to read along with classics like the Very Hungry Caterpillar , Ten Little Caterpillars, The Caterpillar and the Pollywog and Waiting for Wings . The book itself covers topics such as measuring and growth, the time it takes for the caterpillar to go through a cycle, what caterpillars/butterflies like to eat and how they protect themselves in nature from predators. We did a follow up by going to Murray Hall on the UMaine Campus to see the preserves butterflies on display. This is one of the many UMaine "field trips" we bring our kids on while on campus. The great thing about the Pipsie series ( the three book collection) is that they are free to borrow for folks who have Kindle Unlimited. So if you are more into digital copies this is a great option for you.

Family Friendly Restaurants: Denny's

Here are our guidelines and how we will be rating:

1. High chairs and booster  seats
2. Have food the kiddos will eat 
3. Entertainment for said child  ( coloring books, toys, puzzles, etc.)
4. Changing tables in both restroom areas for both parents  
5. Atmosphere that is child friendly 
6. Affordability
7. Child friendly staff
8. Kids Cups
9. Breastfeeding friendly
10. Out of the way extras for kids

So I will slowly be  adding places to this rating list based on these parameters and expectations. We do not count promptness of service for a number of reasons. Mostly because if they're busy-- they're busy. One that is working cannot control the traffic in and out of a restaurant. Both my husband and myself have worked in food services and know a number of variables that are in the card.

Denny's off the Hogan Rd. in Bangor is a special treat at our house. We live not far from here, but this is the place we go when everywhere else is closed super early in the morning before a long day trip ahead of us or we are hangry after a long day of shopping in the mall area. I remember being super pregnant and having a craving for a banana's foster at midnight and my husband was able to get it to go for me.They have at least 6 high chairs, however I have been there when they did not have enough for everyone who needed one. They have a flexible kids menu, coloring options and a claw machine in the front if you are looking for a way to keep yours kids entertained when they have a wait on tables. Both restrooms have changing tables and make kids food affordable.On Tuesday's and Saturday's kids eat for free, drinks included from 4p.m. -10p.m. Up to two kids get a free meal for every paying adult.You do have to pay for actual kids cups, but you do get to bring them home :) I have not breast fed in this facility so I cannot say how they feel about this topic, but I would not hesitate. The staff are always raving about our kids and are super kid friendly. I give Denny's a 9 out of 10 for their family friendly rating.