I'm BACK at the Keyboard!!!

 Life has a way of changing doesn't it? My reasons for starting the blog were pretty specific all those years ago - Learn to blog for clients, spread the word on free/cheap activities to families in the area and maybe find some client work!  I did get several work opportunities as a result and many great experiences for the family. 

As my family grew however, those free and inexpensive things became different, more targeted  experiences - Soccer, scouting, school activities and so many more. I'm passionate about volunteering, so if the kids wanted to participate, and there was not an adult lead, I stepped in and figured it out for them. That meant I was one of the Lego Robotics coaches, helped with Girls on the Run, helped run a Girl Scout troop, Cub Scouts AND Boy Scouts, ran several Science Olympiad events and coached several soccer teams. All this while still being a mom and working. 

I continued working part time - Anywhere from 20-32 hours a week. Scouting quickly filled my schedule though - beyond just working with my kids. My husband liked to say that like in Oklahoma, I epitomized the "I'm Just a Girl That Can't Say No!"  I said I was passionate about volunteering! I ended up helping youth in my own units, youth around the district and greater council and even facilitated adult training for scouts. Scouting has a saying that volunteering is only "one hour a week" but the reality was, with my part time job and scouting I was "working" closer to 50-60 hours each week. So working full time was not in the cards! I loved helping others and did not find as much time to blog.

Fast forward to 2022. My oldest graduated and my youngest was a high school junior. If you have followed the blog all those years ago, you are likely close to being in the same boat. Life changes and kids grow up.

My daughter knew that I was a bit unhappy. Mostly doubting the direction in life that I should take. What to do next? Who I was (or am). And even thoughts about becoming an empty nester. (Ideally that would happen, but that's not the case either - But that's for another blog!) Then one day she said, "Mom why don't you go back to blogging on your Ann Arbor Mom blog? You already have an audience and platform built in!"

I went back and forth on that - For a YEAR! I wanted "permission" from my kids to make that happen. My daughter was a solid yes, my husband is in the "whatever makes you happy" side, but my son was another matter. He was not a fan of my blogging. Specifically about him. The fact is, their names are already in the public from blogging all those years ago. Their photos are too. I will respect my sons privacy, but know that I have a need to tell my stories. I suppose that's where you all come in.

The blog platform I started all those years ago, the one you are reading now, will be that platform. If you no longer want to read, please feel free to leave, the blog will share my life experiences. I'm a story teller. I embellish. Some stories will be embellished and some will be straight forward. Maybe they will be experiences you struggle with, maybe they will be entertaining, maybe it will be something only my family will cherish after I am gone. (No plans to leave soon mind you!) But the stories shared here will NOT be what the blog started as. I figure the blog is growing up, just as I and my kids have.

I am blessed to be back at the keyboard and look forward to sharing!

Historic Tours of Parker Mill

My daughter watching with wonder how the
Parker Mill grist mill works. Take your family
on a free tour this October!

Sundays throughout September and October from 1:00-5:00 p.m. families can get a free tour of the Parker Grist Mill (4650 Geddes Rd, Ann Arbor). Parker Mill is one of a few remaining pioneer grist mills still operational in southeastern Michigan.  Come and learn how the Parker family used water power to grind corn and wheat, turn a lathe and run other machines in their mill.  Your family can stop by anytime to visit, but a more formal detailed tour will begin at 3:00 for interested visitors.

My children have been there many times. In fact when we stopped by the other day after making our cider, they knew so much that they could almost lead the tour themselves. Oddly enough they continue to enjoy the wonders of watching the grist mill operate!

Bring along your camera too for photo ops. Parker Mill is one of the nicest natural places to take family photos too!!!

Keep Cool With FREE Movies This Summer

Hot summer days are sometimes best spent indoors enjoying a movie blockbuster. There is simply something about a dark, cool movie theater that is appealing. Want to make going to the movies even more appealing? How about a discount movie tickets? 

Each summer Goodrich Quality Theaters has the GQT Mornings. For 9 weeks, Monday through Friday at 10:00 a.m., families can see 9 movies for just $1. What a deal! Better yet, if you are a member of their Frequent Moviegoers Rewards program, you will get FREE movies all summer long! Parents can sign up for the GQT loyalty program here for free.

June 17-21:  Smallfoot
June 24-28: The LEGO Movie 2
July 1-5:  Hotel Transylvania
July 8-12:  Goosebumps 2
July 15-19: Smurfs: The Lost Village
July 22-26: The Emoji Movie
July 29- Aug 2: A Dogs Way Home

AMC Theaters is also offering cheap summer movies for kids with kid-friendly movies every Wednesday! AMC Summer Movie Camp showtimes are each Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. and cost just $4.

Cinemark Theaters is hosting a Summer Movie Clubhouse. Although the nearest theater is in Taylor, MI, you can buy tickets for $1 OR purchase tickets for all 10 for $5 with a ten-week series punch card.

I love attending discount movies with the kids. Even if they are often movies that are not currently in theaters, it's a great way to catch up on popular movies at a fraction of the cost. We've even seen some movies a second or third time!

So make sure you get to catch a few of these movies this summer. It's a nice break from the heat and a treat for the kids!

Arrows Away Program: Free Event

Many of you know that I am an avid fan of "free events." That's really why the blog started! I am also an avid scouter and enjoy taking the kids outdoors. We do have our own archery equipment but don't use it often enough, and that's one reason to share this fantastic FREE event.

The Arrows Away program is a free program at the Waterloo State Recreation area (and other state lands) that teaches the traditional outdoor skill of Archery through fun, safe instruction. All equipment and instruction is provided for kids ages 8 and up. I have attended several sessions with my children and have even taken scouting groups out there! To make the date even longer, we hiked some as well as explored the Eddy Discovery Center!

Dates for the program vary throughout the summer and all programs are at the Eddy Discovery Center. Be sure to check their weekly listing for this wonderful program!

Michigan Free Fishing Weekend

The size of the fish is measured by a
kid's smile! Enjoy free fishing in
Michigan this weekend.

Every year the Michigan DNR sponsors free fishing weekends, with June 8-9, being one of them. Although kids can always fish for free, if you are a non-fishing adult, this is a great time to check out the sport and introduce your kids to fishing. Besides you can get out in nature together! All fishing license fees will be waived for the weekend, however all fishing regulations will still apply. That's right it's FREE fishing!

 There are some ideal Washtenaw County fishing spots for families available. My kids especially like the ease of fishing off the docks at Rolling Hills. While there are very few "keepers" caught there, you can be assured that the kids will catch something - This alleviates the long wait times often associated with fishing. Of course this also spoils your children a bit, but seeing their faces when catching fish, well that's priceless!

Events on Free Fishing Weekend

Free Fishing programs are also happening through Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation at Rolling Hills park from 10:00 a.m. - noon on June 10 or at Independence Lake Park, on June 11 from 10:00 a.m. - noon.  Poles, bait and instruction are provided for this free event. available. Pre-registration is required at parksonline.ewashtenaw.org, (June 10: Section A:10-11/B:11-noon ; June 11 Section C: 10-11/ D: 11-noon). This event has a maximum of 15 people per session so be sure to register soon!

Hook Line & Sinker - Learn to fish with the DNR! Rods, bait and instructions will be provided at the Waterloo Recreation Area, Crooked Lake fishing pier in Chelsea at 10:00 a.m.

There were not many events listed at the time of publishing, but the State of Michigan has a partial list of Free Fishing Weekend events.

Want to learn to fish but can't get out this weekend? Then the Hook, Line and Sinker program with the DNR might be up your ally. Learn casting and fishing basics with a borrowed rod and reel if you don't have your own equipment. Hook, Line and Sinker programs begin in mid-June and continue throughout the summer. There is one Saturday, June 4, 10 a.m. At Crooked Lake Fishing Pier in Washtenaw County!

So make a date with the kids or start a new tradition while having some great fishing fun. It's time to enjoy that Michigan fishing!