While I am not completely back in full swing after the transition into baby #2 with starting back to work and the ongoing changes in my children's lives I've been exhausted ( Our oldest moving to her own bed and our youngest teething while co-sleeping). However, with that said there are a few new things I have come across since I went on 6 month hiatus I would like to share. More to do at home, more to do in our communities that have no been touched on and more our communities have to offer us.
I do apologize it's been so long since I've posted, but I do make my family a priority and consider my blog a tertiary task in the long run. We've been less mobile than before we have the baby and trying to find things that are both toddler and baby friendly have pretty much left us to state parks and libraries.
Billy and I have a goal this summer that we are willing to share our trials with you folks. Our goal is to visit at least three new libraries, visit three new state parks we've never been to, three new museums, three new towns, three new hiking trails and three new light houses as a family.
Why three? Because that's the age of our oldest child and we think three is a decent/reasonable number for 2017. We have a bunch of locations we have our eyes on and both of us have never been to and we are squeezing these places between birthday parties, holidays and designated camp days on top of festivals and special events in our community. I will attempt to post weekly and give ideas to folks, but some weeks I am averaging 4 hours of sleep a night and am hardly functioning. So hang in there!
I just wanted to thank the Mom who went up to Billy recently and said( in so many words) "Hi there, you don't know me very well but I follow your wife's blog and I wanted to know if she was planning on picking it up again". I will admit I hadn't put much thought into the blog in a month or two with how crazy life has been. I needed a little nudge to get back on the wagon ;)
Saturday, April 29, 2017
Monday, October 17, 2016
What's Happening the Third Week of October?: Fall festivals, Costumes and Masks
Monday -10/17/16
- Pumpkin Picking or Apple Picking
- See two weeks ago " What's happening the First week of October?"
- Leaf Peeping Locations
- See Last week " What's happening the second week of October?"
- Maine Cloth Diaper Co.
- Mommy and Me Low Impact Cardio Fitness
- 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
- $12 drop-in fee
- Bring Slings, Wraps or Carriers for your Little ones!
- Maine Discovery Museum
- Science Detectives
- 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- Maine Discovery Museum
- Glittery Spider Webs
- 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
- Ages 2+
- My Only Sunshine Motherhood Services
- Mommy and Me Tea Time and Play
- 11 a.m. to Noon
- ABC TV ( I don't normally include TV shows, but this is a special classic on public TV)
- " It's The Great Pumpkin ,Charlie Brown"
- 8 p.m.
- "Toy Story Terror" Disney Pixar
- 8:30 p.m.
Thursday- 10/20/16
- Maine Cloth Diaper Co.
- 4th Trimester Tribe
- 10:30 --free
- Maine Discovery Museum
- Nature Time
- 11:00 to 11:30
- Ages 3+
- Orrington Public Library
- Science Club
- 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Friday- 10/21/16
- Maine Discovery Museum
- Clay Play
- 11:00 to 11:30
- ages 2 +
Saturday- 10/22/16
- Maine Discovery Museum
- Cuddle Monsters
- 2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- 3+y
- Belfast Moosehead Railroad
- Belfast Location
- Cider and Donuts Train Ride
- 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- $17 Adults
- $8 children ages 3-12
- Under 3 for free if they don't take up a seat
- Fall Foliage Train ride
- 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
- Same prices as above
- Creative Arts Center - Brewer
- Kids Classes
- 9 a.m. to Noon
- Town of Bucksport and Waterfront
- Ghostport
- Trunk-or-Treat
- 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Alamo Thearter
- Halloween Movies for Kids
- 4:30 p.m.
- Craft tent
- 10:30 to 4:00 p.m.
- Costume Parade
- 8:00 a.m.
Sunday- 10/16/16
- Maine Discovery Museum
- Tarantulas
- 2p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- 3+
- Belfast Moosehead Railroad
- Belfast Location
- Cider and Donuts Train Ride
- 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- $17 Adults
- $8 children ages 3-12
- Under 3 for free if they don't take up a seat
- Fall Foliage Train ride
- 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
- Same prices as above
Friday, October 14, 2016
Rachel's Pick of the Week: Chimney Pond Trail
My suggestions are to bring extra water, lots of snacks , one day pack with first aid kit, charged cell phone and backpack carrier for child. If I were to talk my husband into this trip he would also insist on extra set of socks and shoes in your day pack and again in our trunk. I always find myself super exhausted on my way home. We had a designated driver one time I hikes chimney pond, cathedral and saddle. Just an idea for the leaf peeping season :)
Thursday, October 13, 2016
Family Friendly Restaurant Ratings: Governors Old Town
Here are our guidelines and how we will be rating:
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 busy they are busy and you can't do much about that.
In Maine I am pretty sure this is hands down the most family friendly franchise and here is why. Governors goes out of their way to make this a kid friendly place. The have a kids menu and breakfast lunch and dinner, high chairs, booster seats and infant car seat stand alone bases. For entertainment they have coloring pages and lego for in the booth, a train that runs throughout the restaurant and steps leading up to a fish tank filled with tropical fish. There are changing table in both restrooms and in the ladies room they have a comfy chair for nursing. The prices are more expensive than say Pat's ( see two posts prior), but if you go on a special day it can be affordable. Also, if you frequent the chain you can get a Govenors card and get points toward a free meal. All of the staff are friendly to kids and make you feel welcome. Kids cups can be taken home after the visit. Thursday nights are "family night" from 4-8 p.m. these are themed nights with $.99 meals for kids under 10.
- High chairs and booster seats
- Have food the kiddos will eat
- Entertainment for said child ( coloring books, toys, puzzles, etc.)
- Changing tables in both restroom areas for both parents
- Atmosphere that is child friendly
- Affordability
- Child friendly staff
- Kids Cups
- Breastfeeding friendly
- 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 busy they are busy and you can't do much about that.
In Maine I am pretty sure this is hands down the most family friendly franchise and here is why. Governors goes out of their way to make this a kid friendly place. The have a kids menu and breakfast lunch and dinner, high chairs, booster seats and infant car seat stand alone bases. For entertainment they have coloring pages and lego for in the booth, a train that runs throughout the restaurant and steps leading up to a fish tank filled with tropical fish. There are changing table in both restrooms and in the ladies room they have a comfy chair for nursing. The prices are more expensive than say Pat's ( see two posts prior), but if you go on a special day it can be affordable. Also, if you frequent the chain you can get a Govenors card and get points toward a free meal. All of the staff are friendly to kids and make you feel welcome. Kids cups can be taken home after the visit. Thursday nights are "family night" from 4-8 p.m. these are themed nights with $.99 meals for kids under 10.
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Homebound Activities: Blanket Forts
My husband and daughter are crazy when it comes to blanket forts. Before our son was born I would come home from a full days work to an extravagant fort. We are talking every piece of furniture rearranged, stand alone baby gates, bean bags, pillows and flashlights throughout the entire thing. With the warm weather fading, the sun going down sooner and chilly nights we have been making some to play rounds of Uno ( a great game to learn numbers and colors for little ones) under. There is just something special about getting snuggled up in a cozy area in the house.
As far as making a blanket fort you really don't need much. We use sheets and blankets from our linen closet, some ingenuity, knowledge of basic structural design and a great imagination. The older sheets that are stretched and faded are great for this. We find our "go-to" structure usually consists of the dinning room table chairs and stools around the house with a broom or swiffer sweeper in the center to hold up the blankets higher than the rest. Books ( text books especially) tend to be great weights to keep the blankets in tact. When I was growing up we would also use my bunk bed at my house and the dining table or desk at my Nana's house.
I am not joking when I say this will keep your kids entertained for the whole day. We once left ours up for a week. It was an eye sore and we were embarrassed to have people over, but hours for a busy toddler well spent. She ate a "picnic lunch" in there, played games, did puzzles, made believe (played house and kitchen) and played hide-and-go-seek. It's worth the hassle I promise!
As far as making a blanket fort you really don't need much. We use sheets and blankets from our linen closet, some ingenuity, knowledge of basic structural design and a great imagination. The older sheets that are stretched and faded are great for this. We find our "go-to" structure usually consists of the dinning room table chairs and stools around the house with a broom or swiffer sweeper in the center to hold up the blankets higher than the rest. Books ( text books especially) tend to be great weights to keep the blankets in tact. When I was growing up we would also use my bunk bed at my house and the dining table or desk at my Nana's house.
I am not joking when I say this will keep your kids entertained for the whole day. We once left ours up for a week. It was an eye sore and we were embarrassed to have people over, but hours for a busy toddler well spent. She ate a "picnic lunch" in there, played games, did puzzles, made believe (played house and kitchen) and played hide-and-go-seek. It's worth the hassle I promise!
Sunday, October 9, 2016
What's Happening the Second week of October? : Leaf Peeping
Living in Maine, we have the luxury of being in one of the greatest places for leaf peeping. People actually take their vacation time and travel here just to leaf peep for a week. Leaf peeping is really a thing. I feel as though it's something as Mainers we shouldn't take for granted. In the last pick of the week post, I mentioned Billy and I love hiking this time of year and the leaves are exactly why. Not just the beauty of them, but there is something about the sound of walking through them and smell if you don't know what I am talking about then I can't help you there. Since this is important to us we feel we need to share this with our children ( and yours). October is prime time for leaf peeping in Maine and you can check for leaf changing patterns on line for idea locations and times. So we will include a few great places to get into the woods and enjoy the great outdoors! As far as events are concerned they are looking a little spars this week. The Bangor/ Orono Bog walk is closing this week on the 15th so be sure to make it out before it's no longer an option :)
Monday -10/10/16
Monday -10/10/16
- Pumpkin Picking or Apple Picking
- See last week " What's happening the First week of October?"
- Leaf Peeping Locations
- Bangor/Orono City Forest
- Hirundo Wildlife Refuge - Old Town
- Fields Pond Nature Center- Holden
- Eagles Bluff - Clifton ( see " Billy's Pick of the Week" last week)
- Chick Hill- Eddington
- Great Pond Mountain- (See " weekly picks!" 7/4/16)
- Maine Discovery Museum
- Sailboats, Maps and Compasses
- 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Tuesday- 10/11/16
- Maine Cloth Diaper Co.
- Mommy and Me Low Impact Cardio Fitness
- 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
- $12 drop-in fee
- Bring Slings, Wraps or Carriers for your Little ones!
- Belfast Free Library
- Relief Print Making for Kids
- 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Maine Discovery Museum
- Pumpkin Spice Finger Paint
- 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
- Ages 2+
- Thomas Hill Standpipe Tour
- 3p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Free and family friendly
- 6th Annual Lincoln Walk to End Abuse
- Clothes Line Project & Children Activities
- 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Walk and Candlelight Vigil
- 5:00 to 6:30
Thursday- 10/13/16
- Maine Cloth Diaper Co.
- 4th Trimester Tribe
- 10:30 --free
- Maine Discovery Museum
- Nature Time
- 11:00 to 11:30
- Ages 3+
Friday- 10/14/16
- Maine Cloth Diaper Co.
- Fine Motor Play
- 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
- $12 drop-in fee
- Maine Discovery Museum
- Clay Play
- 11:00 to 11:30
- ages 2 +
- Blue Hill Public Library
- Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers
- "The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow"
- 6 p.m.
Saturday- 10/15/16
- Maine Discovery Museum
- Painted Pumpkins
- 2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- 3+y
- Belfast Moosehead Railroad
- Belfast Location
- Cider and Donuts Train Ride
- 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- $17 Adults
- $8 children ages 3-12
- Under 3 for free if they don't take up a seat
- Fall Foliage Train ride
- 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
- Same prices as above
- Belfast Free Library
- Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers
- "The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow"
- 4 p.m.
- Creative Arts Center - Brewer
- Kids Classes
- 9 a.m. to Noon
Sunday- 10/16/16
- Maine Discovery Museum
- Halloween Masks and Make-Up
- 2p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- 3+
- My Day to Play
- For children on the Autism Spectrum and family
- 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- $4.50/ family -- workers or aids included.
- Belfast Moosehead Railroad
- Belfast Location
- Cider and Donuts Train Ride
- 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- $17 Adults
- $8 children ages 3-12
- Under 3 for free if they don't take up a seat
- Fall Foliage Train ride
- 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
- Same prices as above
- Unity Location
- Fall Foliage Motor Car Rides
- 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
- 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- $10 general admission suggested donation
Friday, October 7, 2016
Family Friendly Restaurant Ratings: Verve
Here are our guidelines and how we will be rating:
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 busy they are busy and you can't do much about that.
Verve is a great place for kids -- at least the one in Orono is. I have not been to the Bangor location with my toddler. There are two high chairs for kids and a table that used to have arcade games that the kids love. There are comfy chairs and couches with kids books as well. I know my daughter just enjoys going up and down the three steps from the lower space to the upper space where the couches are. The staff always love the kids and never complain about high energy. I know that the owners personally and I am almost positive they have no problems with breastfeeding I want to say 98%. They don't have anything that is extra kid friendly aside from the neat arcade table. The meals can be affordable as long as you aren't stacking on the ingredients and getting tons of extras . I am guilty of all of those things might I add (I am a sucker for the smoothies, cookies and chips) and they have cups with covers and straws for kids. Overall, we love Verve and bring our kids on play dates to Verve for a quick bite to eat before a concert in the park or library pajama story hours. The kids get excited to go and so do the parents the food is healthy and for you and you don't get the sluggish feeling after eating there. That is why Verve gets a such a super high rating in our book. 10 out of 10
- High chairs and booster seats
- Have food the kiddos will eat
- Entertainment for said child ( coloring books, toys, puzzles, etc.)
- Changing tables in both restroom areas for both parents
- Atmosphere that is child friendly
- Affordability
- Child friendly staff
- Kids Cups
- Breastfeeding friendly
- 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 busy they are busy and you can't do much about that.
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