Full Moon Hike

Howl at the moon on Sunday, March 20 at 7:00 p.m. during the Full Moon Hike at County Farm Park. Meet in the Medford Lot for a hike through the park trails as the moon rises then end with
hot drinks around a campfire.

The moon of March goes by many names, the Hard Crust on Snow Moon, the Breaking Snowshoes Moon and the Maple Sugar Moon are just a few.    By any name it is a beautiful sight for families to see!

Win Free Strawberry Shortcake at the Belleville National Strawberry Festival

Win (4) free strawberry shortcakes ($16 value) during
Belleville's National Strawberry Festival June 19-21.

For YEARS before my children came along, I have enjoyed Strawberry Festival time. When the kids were born it became even more special. We enjoy the crafts, activities and events that happen during Belleville's National Strawberry Festival. We were happy to end up joining a church that promoted the event too and even happier to learn that our church makes the most amazing Strawberry pies and shortcakes! That's one reason why I love this opportunity to share with Ann Arbor Mom readers this great give-away.

Since 1977, Trinity Episcopal Church has been a part of the National Strawberry Festival in Belleville, which is held yearly over Father’s Day weekend. Visitors come from all over southeast Michigan for the famous homemade sloppy joes and glazed strawberry pies offered. Imagine a pie filled with four pounds of fresh berries! Don't have time to stop in to the church and eat out back? Don't worry as I have personally observed MANY visitors even stopping by just to pick up their pie.

It is best though to stop in and stay a while. Come for the craft show or enjoy many tasty treats in a comfortable, family friendly atmosphere. Nachos, sloppy nachos, 100% beef hot dogs, strawberry shortcake, sundaes, and smoothies are just a few of their delicious offerings. In addition to the fresh glazed strawberry pies, their bakery tent sells homemade strawberry bread and muffins, strawberry freezer jam, cheesecake, and tarts. They also offer no-sugar-added and gluten-free options. Food tent and bakery menus can be found on the Trinity Episcopal Church Strawberry Fest page of the website too!

I am proud too, that my children have had the opportunity to work alongside many volunteers during the festival, and that half of the proceeds from Trinity’s Strawberry Festival activities go back into the community. Your support helps support local services and projects while the other half supports special projects in the church.

In addition to their craft show, bakery and good food, this year Trinity will also have live entertainment on Friday and Saturday evening and a free Kid Zone on Saturday and Sunday with crafts and games and special guest appearances by Disney’s Princesses Anna and Elsa.

Let Trinity Episcopal Church is the first Strawberry Festival stop you see on Belleville Road when you exit I-94 heading into Belleville. They will be open on Friday, June 19 (4:00-9:00 p.m.), Saturday, June 20 (10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.), and Sunday, June 21 (11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.) Credit cards will be accepted at the bakery and food tent and parking is free. Find more information about the event at the Strawberry Festival Facebook Event Page for Trinity Episcopal Church.

Trinity is also one of the National Strawberry Festival Trolley stops.

Want another reason to stop at Trinity during Strawberry Festival? How about winning (4) FREE Strawberry shortcakes to eat there or take home? Now for Ann Arbor mom readers, comment below for your chance to win. Comment on Facebook for a second entry too. Just tell us which product your family likes best: A - Strawberry shortcake, B - - Strawberry pie, C - Strawberry smoothies, D - Strawberry cheesecake or E - ANYTHING strawberries!!!

All entries must be submitted by midnight Wednesday, June 17.

Kids Learn About Michigan Frogs and Toads

Join the Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation and Faye Stoner exploring Michigan's frogs and toads on Saturday, April 11, 7:00-8:30 p.m. The free program is perfect for all ages and takes place at the Beach Center at Independence Lake (3200 Jennings Rd, Whitmore Lake, MI 48189). A brief indoor presentation will be followed by hike to look and listen for frogs. A few live frogs will be on hand to see and touch.

Exploring the Back Forty

Get outdoors and Explore the Back Forty of Rolling Hills. On Sunday, March 29, 2:00-4:00 p.m. (meet in the northern Sports Field Lot) join naturalist Faye Stoner to explore  the western-most fields and hedge rows of the park. Hikers will discuss the plant and animal life found. Some easy bushwhacking may be required for this hike so dress appropriately.

Spring Campfire Programs for the Family: Free Events

There are a couple fun campfire programs I wanted to share with readers. The nice weather makes being outside special, especially at night. My family enjoys listening to the birds, frog choruses and nature awakening. Wouldn't you like to breath the fresh spring air too?

The first event, “Winter or Spring?” is a night hike and campfire program with Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation. On Saturday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m. at Park Lyndon (North Lot - 18801 N Territorial Rd, Chelsea, MI 48118), Faye Stoner will guide families on a brief hike the trail to the wetlands and back. Families will talk about seasonal changes, listen for night sounds, learn about frogs and owls and other night animals, and look for early spring stars! At the conclusion of the hike, enjoy light snacks and hot drinks around the fire.

The following weekend, families can join in on "Fireside Fun" at the Leslie Science & Nature Center (1831 Traver Road Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105). The old-fashioned campfire circle is set up on Sunday, March 29 at 6:30 p.m. Families are sure to be reminded that there's nothing more relaxing as sitting around a campfire roasting marshmallows and swapping stories. Families will need to bring camp chairs, and s'mores fixings - the LSNC staff will provide a blazing outdoor campfire and plenty of marshmallows.

Both of these programs are free events and perfect for the entire family.

Full Moon Hike with Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation

On March 5, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at County Farm Park (Medford Lot), families can explore the surrounding woods, fields, sky and snow as the last full moon of winter rises. Dress for the weather (and in suitably celebratory celestial attire) for this free event. At the end of the hike, hot drinks will be served by the campfire at 7:30 p.m..

This wonderful program is appropriate for the entire family, including children in strollers. Please pre-register with Shawn Severance at severances@ewashtenaw.org or call 734- 971-6337 x 335.

Father Christmas at the Leslie Science & Nature Center

The Leslie Science and Nature Center (1831 Traver Road Ann Arbor) is excited to have an 1890s-era version of Father Christmas visit! On Saturday, December 6 (1:00-2:00 p.m. or 3:30-4:30 p.m.) Father Christmas will visit with you and your family to tell stories about holiday season traditions.

"Santa," complete with a long brown hooded robe, staff, and a wooden backpack brimming with interesting items will even offer you and your kids a photo opportunity following the presentation, so bring your camera! Registration is $8/person or $30/family. To be sure that all our guests for this program have a terrific time, space is limited for this program and preregistration is required.

For more information visit the website or call 734-997-1553 to register by phone today!

BOO at the ZOO a Great Lakes Zoological Society Event

On October 24, noon-4:00 p.m. the Great Lakes Zoological Society (6885 Jackson Rd, Ann Arbor) is hosting BOO at the ZOO! This family friendly Halloween event includes a not-too-spooky trail, trick or treating, costume parade, animal activities, treats, music and more. The regular admission fee ($5.50/seniors & children 3-11, $8.00/12+) includes Boo at the Zoo activities and admittance into the Zoo.

This event is terrific and a lot of fun - Families have a wonderful time, and the venue fills up fast so please register soon!

Weekend Event Round-Up: March 21-23

It has been a while since I have posted a weekend planner. This just seemed like a good weekend to share, and honestly I had a bit of time to collect the information. My daughter is excited to be off with my cousin for a weekend away - They will be crafting, seeing the new Muppet movie and sewing a dress for her to wear for book character day at school. I on the other hand want to see Divergent, will likely take my son to see the Muppet movie and will be shuttling him around to various Science Olympiad practices. I'll then end my weekend with my Brownie Troop skating at the Spectacular Scout Skate at Skatin Station. No rest for the weary here!

What are your weekend plans for this first weekend of spring? Doing anything special with the kids in Ann Arbor? If not I hope this weekend events round-up can provide some great ideas for fun!

Saturday

9:00  a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Predators and Prey at the UM Museum of Natural History

9:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m. Free movies: Madagascar

10:00 a.m. Celebrate the 10th birthday of the AADL Malletts Creek Branch with a Happy Birthday Craft Celebration For Youth (ages 3+).  Make a three tiered paper cake with gems, tissue paper, stickers and ten candles and have a little treat.

10:00 a.m. Get crafty when visiting Michael's (3655 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor). For just $2 kids get to decorate a picture frame with felt stickers. This program runs every half hour until noon.

11:00 a.m. Get hands-on with a great snake demo at the UM Museum of Natural History (1109 Geddes Avenue Ann Arbor, MI 48109). Explore the world of snakes: How they move, how they hear and smell and what they eat. Kids will even get up close and personal with snake skin, hear like a snake, and use museum specimens to learn more. This is a free event however donations are always appreciated! Families can also attend at 3:30 p.m.

11:00 a.m. Celebrate the beginning of Spring by planting an herb garden and enjoying an ice cream float at the Ypsilanti Library (Michigan) Spring Fling free event.

11:30 a.m. Check out the stars when exploring the planetarium at the UM Natural History Museum during the "The Sky Tonight: Star Talk".  Learn about stars, constellations, planets, and telescopic objects in the current night sky. Cost is $5/person. Other planetarium shows are hourly on the half hour throughout the day.

12:00 p.m. Rainbow Loom Meet Up at Michael's crafts. Cost if $5. Register at Michael's online.

2:00 p.m. Free dinosaur tours.

2:00-4:00 p.m. Get your lab rats excited with gravity experiments during the Ypsilanti District Library (Whittaker) Library Lab Kids. This program allows kids in grades 1-6 to dive into scientific discoveries with fun, hands-on experiments. Be sure to wear old clothes for this messy lesson about gravity. Parents do need to stay to help too. Registration is required for this program by calling 482-4110 x1340 or logging onto your library account. 

3:00 p.m. Free Event. Raptor Feeding at the Leslie Science and Nature Center (1831 Traver Road Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105).

4:00 p.m. Bring your budding artist to the Drop in and Draw Kids teen event. Kids will work on drawing skills. All skill levels are welcome, all supplies are included free too.

4:00 p.m. Experience spring by creating a spring terrarium at the Eddy Discovery Center (17030 Bush Rd., Chelsea, MI 48118). Families should bring a glass container with a lid (quart to gallon size) and be ready to dig in to create a small ecosystem beautiful enough for display. This is a free event.

Sunday

9:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m. Free movies: Madagascar

12:00 p.m. The Critter House is open at the Leslie Science & Nature Center.

2:00-3:30 p.m. The sky's the limit when your kids create their own telescope!  This Eddy Discovery Center program allows your kids to be their own little Galileo as they make their own working telescope with astronomy buff Meg Gower. The cost for this program is free to members of the Waterloo Natural History Association or $2/person or $5/family Supplies for the telescope are $8/telescope. This event is limited to creating 20 telescopes so advance registration required at by calling 734-475-3170.

2:00 p.m. Free dinosaur tours.

3:30 p.m. Hands-on snake demo at the UM Museum of Natural History.

4:00 p.m. Your budding musician will enjoy the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra Family Concert "The Planets" (at the Michigan Theater) featuring music from Star Wars as well as many famous planetary musical compositions. Starting at 2:30 p.m. kids can enjoy pre-concert activities including an instrument petting zoo. There will also be a real Apollo Space suit for viewing and after the show, Astronaut Tony England will be signing autographs.Sounds like a plan that is out of this world!

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Predators & Prey at the UM Museum of Natural History

 On Saturday, March 22, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. families can explore the UM Museum of Natural History (Ruthven Museums Building - 1109 Geddes Ave., 48109) during a special Predators and Prey Discovery Day.

The special day-long free event at the Museum will explore the interactions of predatory animals and their prey from prehistory to today. Learn about what can fossils from India tell us about the world. Find out how humans affect predator/prey relationships. Ages 5-99 will enjoy this family event with activity stations and special guests, so be sure to stop in and explore!

Free family fun exploring the UM Museum of Natural History during
Predators and Prey Discovery Day March 22.