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.

Nature Fun For Kids 2015

The naturalists at Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation have an awesome opportunity for Ann Arbor families looking for a great outdoor experience. "Nature Fun For Kids!" happens throughout the summer at various locations at 10:30 a.m. on a variety of topics. Are your kids interested in nature and science? The perhaps they would appreciate learning about clouds, what is swimming in the pond, or local wildflowers! Whatever their interest, the park naturalists can address your needs.

June 13: Cloudspotting
June 18: Dipping the pond
June 27: Hiking
July 2:P Living like a pioneer
July 11: Monarch butterflies
July 16: Wading the stream
July 25: Fishing fun
July 30: Wildflower bouquet
August 8: Skull hunt
Aug 13: Spiders

Just be sure to pre-register for their free program as it is limited to 15-participants. Register by calling 734-971-6337 x334.

National Trail Day

This is the perfect time of the year to get outdoors. Everyone can benefit from the fresh air - Mom, Dad AND the kids. So why not take advantage of National Trail Day?

On Saturday, June 6, 2015 there are plenty of opportunities to participate in organized hikes locally. I will be hiking as part of the Iron Belle Trail dedication hike where 130 Scout Troops throughout the state will hike from Belle Isle to Ironwood in a single day. Of course my group only has 5.5 miles of that! Don't let that scare you though. Your hike can be as short or long as you like!

There are two local organized hikes that Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation are leading. The first begins at 10:00 a.m. and ends at 1:00 p.m. at the Leonard Preserve  (N Union St, Manchester, MI 48158) and the second runs 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the Squires Preserve (Sylvan Rd, Chelsea, MI 48118). All ages are welcome to participate. Bring a snack, water or lunch and dress appropriately.  


If you are not able to walk tomorrow, on Sunday there is another 1-mile family friendly walk too. The Family Adventure Walk is a free event from 10:00 a.m.-noon  at Lily Park (Ellsworth and Platt). Enjoy activities sponsored by the Leslie Science Center, and Ann Arbor Hands On Museum as well as find food, fun and t-shirts! It's all about getting outdoors this weekend.

Mothers Day Crafts

Tomorrow will be beautiful in Ann Arbor, but as my daughter reminded me last night, Mother's Day is NEXT WEEKEND! She was actually pretty cute too, as she told me that she wanted to save money to buy me a big diamond. I didn't have the heart to tell her she didn't need to but instead told her that Daddy will be taking her to Home Depot to build a picture frame. I told her she could give it to Grandma, but I expect I will be receiving it now. With that being said, I wanted to share these three quick Mother's Day craft options that are happening tomorrow.

I already highlighted the Home Depot kids building project earlier this week, but as a reminder, starting at 9:00 a.m. at local Home Depot locations, kids can build a cute picket fence frame. It would be a perfect Mother's Day project.

Lucky kids (and parents) may also want to stop by a local Michael's craft store during their Kids Club® event 10:00 a.m. - noon. This is where they craft and you shop. This 30-minute drop-in event gives kids the opportunity to create and take home a completed project for just $2/child. The cost  includes supplies and none of the mess. It is for kids ages 3 and up. Tomorrow kids are making a Mother's Day frame.

Then later that day, stores are offering a family class for another kind of frame. This one is a cute canvas project that highlights your child's handprints so they can say "Owl always love you! The project runs 6:30-8:30 p.m. and costs $15 for the canvas and all supplies. Once again though, the mess stays at Michael's.

So Whoo loves you this Mother's Day? Be sure to take the kids. If you don't want the projects, I'm certain grandma would love to receive one this Mother's Day!

Birding for the Family

I love spending time in the woods with the kids. In the past few years we have gotten more into birding as well. This is actually the second year I am coaching my daughter in Feathered Friends for the Washtenaw Elementary Science Olympiad too. So why are birds so special? Because they offer the perfect opportunity to see things in nature, and to do so requires everyone to be quietly observant!

There are two great programs available through the Washtenaw County parks and Recreation program in May that I wanted to highlight. They are perfect opportunities for beginning birders and they are free events! Be sure to check them out.

On Saturday, May 2 at the Kosch Headwaters Preserve (Prospect and Ford Roads), walk through open fields, dry woods, wet woods and more to see the birds living there. The area is perfect for birding and should provide a nice variety of spring birds. Bring binoculars and field guide if you can. Beginning birders welcome! Faye Stoner leads this walk starting at 8:00 a.m.

Then on Saturday, May 9 at County Farm Park (Platt Road entrance), bring the kids to the free event called "Birdwatching For Kids." Celebrate backyard and urban birds on International Migratory Bird Day! The program will start with some basic bird identification tips and then head out into the gardens, fields and wooded areas of County Farm to see what birds we can find living in the park. The information collected that day will be sent to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to add to their data on birds that live in urban areas. Bring binoculars and field guide if you can, but some materials will be provided. Children ages 6 and older are welcome to participate. Faye Stoner leads this hike starting at 3:00 p.m.