Mrs. Weber's Neighborhood

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood!


Enjoy Active Indoor Play at Fort Clarkston

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The post below is sponsored by Fort Clarkston. All opinions expressed belong to me.

“That place was SO fun! Can we come back here again soon?” – My kids as we left Fort Clarkston.

If that’s not a glowing review, I don’t know what is.

We recently visited the indoor play structure with my three kiddo crew {ages 4, 6, and 8} to beat the heat and we had a blast. So much so, it was hard to leave!

Fort Clarkston is located in Clarkston in a shopping plaza at the corner of White Lake Rd. and Dixie Highway. It offers the chance for families to enjoy some playful and imaginative fun in a contained environment.

In fact, I love that there was a gate at the front to deter any children trying to escape. If you have a runner, you know how crucial that is!

How cute is this set-up? Plenty of spots to sit and spy as the kids play!

The play structure features various slides, including the famous bear slide, a climbing wall, a track for scooters, a small zip line, and more.

There also was a giant Connect 4 game and large LEGOs my kids spent a ton of time building with.

The Fort also features party rooms, perfect for celebrating that special occasion. They even have the ability to have a favorite princess show up to the party.

How cute was this room set-up? Learn more about parties here.

In the back, there is a small arcade area and a cafe for food, including items like pizza, wraps, salads, kids meals and more.

We were able to try the pizza during our visit and it was SO good. Perfect amount of stretchy cheese. And after playing hard, we devoured it!

Parenting Tip: They also have a FULL bar. Always a fun option, especially if you visit on the weekend 😉 There’s a nice selection of Michigan wines and beer ranging from $3.50 – $5.

As a work-from-home mama, these types of places are my JAM in summertime, especially since my kids are at an age where they can care for themselves {besides the occasional sibling drama!}.

This would be a great place to park for a bit to get work done but know my kids can’t escape and are getting the physical activity their bodies require.

ADMISSION COST + HOURS

The cost for admission is $10/child Monday – Thursday, and $12 Friday – Sunday. Adults are always free. There’s no time limit, so stay all day if you’d like! There is plenty to do to occupy kids. Check the calendar for special events, too.

There’s also a family membership available for $199/year {2 adults and up to 4 children}. If you have more than two kids, and are somewhat local. this is an easy way to save big!

Fort Clarkston is located at 7127 Dixie Highway in Clarkston, Michigan 48346.

Hours of operation:

  • Monday – Thursday: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
  • Friday – Saturday: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
  • Sunday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Learn more about Fort Clarkston by checking out their website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Find more places to play inside at this big list.

GIVEAWAY

I am thrilled to be able to give away THREE family passes, which will allow up to four children {+ adults} in. Must be a U.S. resident, age 18 or up, to win. Please respond to email notification within 24 hours to claim the prize. Giveaway will end on July 24, 2019.

Best of luck!

Fort Clarkston

Summer Must: A Visit To Degroot’s Strawberry Farm

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One item that is always on our summer bucket list is strawberry picking. My kids often say berry picking is one of their favorite traditions we do each summer! This year we decided to visit Degroot’s Strawberry Farm in Gregory, Mich.

I’ve highlighted Spicer Orchards before, but Degroot’s has a special place in my heart since it’s where I always visited growing up. The property is beautiful and paired with a cute little area of farm animals, it makes for a great outing with kids.

Strawberries are typically in season in mid-to-late June. The season isn’t long, so go while they’re fresh!

How it works at Degroot’s:

  • Park in the grass lot.
  • Grab a container or bring your own.
  • Wait for the tractor to take you into the field where patrons can pick.
  • Hop on the tractor for a quick ride out to the field.
  • Pick your little heart out.
  • Head back on the tractor.
  • Get in line to weigh your berries and pay. Note: Degroot’s is cash or check ONLY.
  • Bring quarters and feed the farm animals!

Perfect little morning!

TIPS FOR PICKING AT DEGROOT’S STRAWBERRY FARM

  • Go early or late. It gets hot and crowded on the weekends and afternoons. Degroot’s is actually open until 8 p.m. during the week, so evenings are a good, cooler time to go as well.
  • The best berries are usually found in the middle of the plant. Dig in and look under the leaves!
  • We chant “the redder the better” with the kids so they understand picking green berries is a bad idea.
  • If you have kids that *need* to hold a container, bring them! Each of my three have their own pail to carry so there’s zero drama over who is holding it. I usually just bring tupperware and then dump all of the berries in the larger container in the end.
  • If you have a baby, wear ’em. Strawberries are planted close together so not ideal for a stroller.
  • Wear sunscreen and bug spray and apply at home.
  • Pack water. I bring a backpack with a few small snacks and water for everyone…Because someone is guaranteed to be hungry and thirsty while in the field.
  • Use the bathroom before heading into the field.
  • Bring quarters if your kids would like to feed the animals. They are very friendly, and will likely charm you into feeding them from the vending machine.
  • Don’t dress the kids too nicely because between strawberry juice and the playground, they are going to get dirty.
  • 2019 pricing is $2.03/pound

HAVE FUN!

Degroot’s is located at 4232 Bull Run Road in Gregory.

Berry picking hours are Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Visit their website here or Facebook page.

Where is your favorite spot to pick strawberries?

Our 2019 Summer Bucket List

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We LOVE making a big summer bucket list each year to gear up for the seasonal fun ahead. Although our lists are usually too ambitious to get through {believe me ya’ll — I’m not that extra!}, we just love having a guideline for things to do when we have an open day or boredom strikes {find ideas to squash those days here}.

I’m super excited to re-visit some of our favorites, and throw in some new things to do too thanks to the kid’s ideas. I’m sure there will be plenty of random adventures too!

Make sure to share with us with what is on your summertime fun list 🙂

Our 2019 Summer Bucket List

  • Go stand up paddle boarding
  • Read in hammocks at the city park
  • Make homemade ice cream
  • Play flashlight tag
  • Make friendship bracelets
  • Walking tacos dinner with neighbors
  • Play disc golf
  • Go on a family bike ride to get ice cream
  • Pick up garbage to help the environment {my oldest suggested this; bless her little heart!}
  • Play in Mill Creek in Dexter
Mill Creek is a cute little spot for kids to explore
Heritage Park in Farmington Hills
Heritage Park has a really cool nature themed play space
35+ Unique Date Ideas In Livingston County
Birthday shake from M Street

This list will do to get us started! I’ll be sharing all kinds of additional fun this summer too, so be sure to follow along on my Facebook and Instagram.

What’s on your summer bucket list?

$2 Kids’ Movies at Emagine Theatres Summer 2018

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Get out your pen and paper and mark your calendar for this family fun: Starting in June, check out $2 kids’ movies at Emagine Theatres in Michigan on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m.

This will make for the perfect excursion to beat the heat…and maybe eating a little popcorn too since it will be just $5 for a small combo 😉

Admission this year is $2 for all guests. This promotion is sponsored by Goldfish Swim School.

Movies at Emagine Theatres Summer 2018

$2 Kids’ Movies at Emagine Theatres Summer 2018

Participating Michigan Locations Include:

  • Birch Run
  • Birmingham {Palladium}
  • Canton
  • Farmington Hills
  • Macomb
  • Novi
  • Saline
  • Rochester Hills
  • Royal Oak

Movie Schedule:

All movies will be at 10 a.m.

  • June 13 & 14: The Wild Life
  • June 20 & 21: Smurfs: The Lost Village
  • June 27 & 28: The LEGO Movie
  • July 4 & 5: Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs 2
  • July 11 & 12: Boss Baby
  • July 18 & 19: Storks
  • July 25 & 26: The Emoji Movie
  • August 1 & 2: Ferdinand 
  • August 8 & 9: The Star
  • August 15 & 16: My Little Pony Movie

More information about this special promotion can be found HERE.

Which movie are you most excited to see?

See ideas for FREE fun at this post and get more ideas for summer planning!

Summer Bucket List 2012

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Summer is quickly approaching, therefore I’ve decided to create my official list of the things I’d like to accomplish – both alone and as a family. This summer is going to be much different from the last since I will have a new baby in late July or early August, but I’m not going to let that stop me from having fun!

My list from last year brought a ton of traffic here and I was lucky to accomplish just about everything on my list. Thank you all for reading! Hope this one is just as exciting 🙂

1. Take photos of a field of sunflowers. (DONE)

2. Visit the petting farm and splash pad at Kensington Metropark.

3. See at least one outdoor concert. (DONE)

4. Have at least one night away with the hubby before baby arrives. (OK, FAILED. BUT PLANNING SOMETHING FOR LATE FALL!)

5. Watch the sunset over a lake. (DONE)

6. Run through the sprinkler. {It may look ridiculous while pregnant, but I don’t care!} (DONE)

7. Attend the Balloonfest and take photos of the hot air balloons. (DONE)

8. Visit Greenfield Village.

9. Buy produce from local farmer’s markets and roadside stands as often as possible. (DONE)

10. Make s’mores. And these campfire cones I found on Pinterest. And pizza hobo pies. YUM. (S’Mores = DONE)

11. Plant basil and tomatoes {+ more hopefully, but I’m being realistic!}. (DONE W/BASIL. NO GO ON TOMATOES THIS YR.)

12. Hit up as many garage and estate sales as possible. (IN PROCESS)

13. Visit the park and read books to my babies on a blanket.

14. Have an impromptu picnic for our family.

15. Finger paint on a rainy day. (DONE)

16. Introduce Kinley to the wonders of fort building. (DONE)

17. Drink my coffee on the deck — without my phone or computer — at least once a week.

18. Try a new recipe using ingredients I’ve never cooked with before.

19. Make an effort to get to know my neighbors better by baking something and dropping it off to them.

20. Teach my little gal the game hide and seek {my childhood favorite}. (DONE)

21. Drive by my childhood home in the country. Knock on the door and ask the people if I can take photos of the property.

22. Eat banana splits for dinner. (DONE)

23. Let Kinley get as dirty as she’d like in a day…without saying “no” while she digs in dirt. (DONE)

24. Take a Saturday morning to go on a photowalk alone.

25. Read at least one new book.

26. Download some new, summery-feeling music.

27. Try one new restaurant for burgers and one new place for pizza. (DONE)

28. Enjoy several bonfires. (DONE)

29. Witness a rainbow and try to capture it on camera. (DONE)

30. Put sunscreen on before going outside. {Easy to forget to do it myself!}

31. Make homemade lemonade.

32. Make root beer floats.

33. Decorate a stepping stone with our girl’s handprints in concrete to place in our garden.

34. Attend a parade.

35. Buy a pinwheel and a balloon at the grocery store for Kinley.

36. Once baby has arrived, try a new Michigan beer. And a new Michigan wine! (DONE)

37. Get Kinley her own fancy baby doll so she can do things like I do with her new sister. (DONE)

38. Create a list/menu of healthy toddler-friendly meals we’ve never ate.

39. Make my favorite summertime treats: Tex Mex dip, veggie pizza and fruit pizza. (DONE)

40. Pick blueberries at Hazen’s Farm…Try not to sweat to death! (THEY WERE TOO SMALL TO PICK!)

What’s on your summer bucket list?!

Summer Bucket List

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Because I LOVE making lists, I jumped at the chance to create a summer bucket list. Unlike my usual new years resolution lists, this should all be completely attainable – and low-cost – after all, I’m a gal on a tight budget.

Here are 50 things I hope to do for myself and with my family this summer:

1. Make bubbles and show Little K the magic
2. Feel sand between my toes…with an adult beverage in my hands
3. Build a sand castle for Little K and let her feel the sand in her hands
4. Watch a sunrise
5. Watch a sunset
6. Learn more about photography…and take TONS of photos
7. Read a new book (The Help is next on my list – didn’t get The Help yet, but read books!)
8. Taste some new Michigan-made wine and beer
9. Learn to make more exciting baby purees
10. Go to the Detroit Zoo as much as possible to maximize our membership
11. Feed the neighborhood ducks
12. Go to a local water park with Little K
13. Encourage Little K to crawl (she’s 8 months and still not very interested)
14. Learn some new summer recipes
15. Walk the gardens at Meadowbrook, a local gem
16. Pick blueberries to freeze
17. Eat ice cream for dinner
18. Plant some flowers (Yes, I still haven’t…)
19. Post on this blog 5 days a week (eek!)
20. Take a long walk each day…without my cell phone
21. Remember to kiss my husband and say “I love you” at least once a day
22. Gaze at the stars
23. Volunteer at a local event
24. Watch fireworks
25. Make a new summer song playlist
26. Enjoy a bonfire
27. Attend another Tiger’s baseball game
28. Ride a jetski
29. Take Little K on her first pontoon ride
30. Swim in multiple lakes
31. Go on a picnic
32. Do something to celebrate our 3rd wedding anniversary…finally (plans set!)
33. Go on a hike through the woods
34. Capture photos of a rainbow
35. Tube down a river with girlfriends
36. Read books to Little K on our outdoor swing
37. Go to a new local farmer’s market
38. Check out an event at a local library
39. Visit Eleanor and Edsel Ford House to tour the grounds
40. Hear live music outdoors
41. Check out neighborhood garage sales for hidden treasures
42. Attempt to speak with my neighbors more
43. Get a free slurpee from 711 on 7/11 (FAILED!!! But got a slurpee on another day!)
44. Make my favorite summer treat – fruit pizza
45. Try a new, fun local place to eat (Hippo’s Hot Dogs to be specific)
46. Go to the movies…since I haven’t been in 8+ months
47. Take some bike rides with Little K in her trailer
48. Walk the Dequindre Cut in Detroit
49. Eat every meal outside at least for one day
50. Wake-up everyday with a smile…because the sun is shining and we are blessed.

I’d love to make this list 100 things to do! Feel free to drop me a comment with any ideas of fun, low-budget things to do with a baby who is >1 year old.

My little doll is always ready for adventure. After I took this, she had a meltdown...she likes to be on-the-go, not stuck in the house!

Thanks, Mama Kat for the fun prompt!

Mama’s Losin’ It

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