It's a Zoo Out There!

Today we went to the zoo and enjoyed the 75 degree (and non-rainy) weather!

It was so nice to see everyone out and about,

let the kids burn off some of their cooped up energy,

and we got to see a surprise animal- the zoo's new male elephant Willy!!!

The Cleveland Zoo has been working on the new elephant exhibit called Elephant Crossing

for the better part of 2 years, expanding the area and adding new animals to the herd.

This is the first time that we have had a bull elephant since 1962 

and the zoo hopes to breed the elephants in the future.

The kids and I have been looking forward to this exhibit since they started construction

but the opening day is May 5th,

so it was quite a surprise to see Willy in front and the girls in the back!

Here are some other photos of our trip where the kids met a screech owl named Hooty,

visited Austrailian Adventure with the kangaroos,

and toured the Lorakeet Aviary!

Crafty Goodness

One of best things about living in Lakewood is the abundance of creativity and small businesses. Many stores have unique, well made things that often find their way into my home like our pink children's table and my craft closet. I visited a new store today called Crafty Goodness, a cute little shop that only sells local handmade art. One of my fellow Etsian blogger friends- Prasti- has some adorable onesies and plush blocks there along with about 64 other artisans! (The blocks shown are from her Etsy shop- Here to There- aren't they pretty?!)

In the store I saw awesome zombie art, belts made from car seat belts, makeup, plush monsters, pillows, jewelry, and so much more! It was really cool to know that everything there was local and made with love.

Speaking of local art, there is a new addition to my store! A Special Edition Fairy Door that is shaped like a rainbow. It is so colorful and happy... I can't wait to paint some more! (Anyone who orders a fairy door in the month of April will get complimentary brass door numbers as a thank you from me, all you have to do is put in the notes to seller what number(s) you want on the door!)

And if you are curious what others think of my fairy doors, here is a wonderful review from an Etsy buyer. I made a  pretty hot pink and white door for her little girls that turned out so pretty.

It was so nice to get out for a walk today. it finally feels like Spring is coming sooner than later. Happy days to you all!

And the ice has returned...

After a couple wonderful days of temperatures in the mid 50's

the cold and ice has returned.

But, even though it is freezing outside,

I have a yard of fallen branches,

and there are downed power lines due to the weight of the ice...

there is still a sense of hope that soon the cold will be done.

I love the winter, 

but by the end February even I am looking forward to some sunshine.

I am gazing longingly at gardening books, 

visiting the greenhouses for inspiration

and when it reallly gets cold going to the Rainforest at the zoo 

for some much needed warmth.

Even when the kids are driving me bonkers from being inside

I try to remember the words to a song that I love

"The colder the winter, the warmer the spring."

Here's to a VERY warm spring!! 

A Berry Good Morning!

One of my favorite things about the last bit of summer into fall is all the pick your own farms that are in our area. We go apple picking, pumpkin picking, and this year we added raspberry picking to the list! The farm we went to is Rosby's Berry Farm, which is only about 15 minutes away from us. It was hot, humid, and on the brink of raining... but that didn't deter us from picking 3 HUGE quarts of yummy berries. The nice thing about this farm is that every day the owners keep the website updated to let you know if there are enough berries to pick. Since it is early in the season there are days that they need to close down to allow ripening to happen, but if you check the website before you leave you will know if they have berries or not.


Well, with all of those berries I am now looking for some delicious recipes to make.... tonight I think I will be making some peach and raspberry crisp! If you have a good recipe for using raspberries please let me know as I know we will be going back to the farm again soon. =)

(Miss Gabby- the birthday girl and queen of the berries!)

Advil Doesn't Kick Cabin Fever

We haven't had a real snow storm yet in Cleveland, to my friend's delight, but being from good old Buffalo NY I know that it is on it's way and that I had better find some really good tips on how to survive the winter with all these little ones around me- and I am not talking about goofy tips like build a fort and make your own clay.... those tips will all be used up by the end of January for sure! So what does one do with little ones cooped up in the house while the weather outside is frightful? Well here are some cabin fever survival instructions that have worked for me in the past:

1. Put on some fun music and dance away! No headache inducing Wiggles or Hana Montana required, just put on music you remember rocking out to as a kid and let 'er rip! A little New Kids On the Block anyone??

2. If the kids are having a snow day you get one too. Seriously, why try to clean and get stuff done when the little rugrats are going to undo it right away? If they are goofing around and playing then you get to as well!

3. Don't follow normal routines. Eat ice cream for breakfast, breakfast for dinner, and stay in your PJ's all day. Let them watch movies all day, play on the computer, and have a "mommy drink" before 5!

4. Pizza- order some! The dishes aren't done, you didn't get to the grocery store, and do you really even feel like cooking? No? I didn't think so!

5. Ignore the kids for a bit... in a good way. Just give them some things to keep them entertained, sit back, and enjoy the mayhem. I personally like taping a $1 shower liner to the floor and letting the kids go to town with markers, crayons, and cars!

6. Invite some other homebound parents over with their kids! No I am not crazy, just a firm believer that it is easier to entertain lots of kids rather than 1 or 2. They keep each other happy and the other moms will keep you happy!

7. Turn up the heat, have everyone put on summer clothes and pretend that it is summer again. Throw on some Beach Boys, grill some hot dogs, and eat a popsicle!

8. Or you can bundle up in layers and layers and go outside for a bit.... I had to throw it out there!

Apples to Apples

(pics courtesy of Melissa!)

Yesterday we went apple picking at an awesome orchard about 30 mins south of Cleveland. I am seriously a HUGE fan of this particular farm- Pick N Save. Not only do they have an enormous selection of apple trees, but the prices are beyond reasonable, they have a beautiful Friesian horse who loves to be fed apples, and there are even honey hives and chickens to look at! (Yes, I am a city girl and yes, chickens intrigue me!)


Last time AJ and I went with some great friends we got about 11 lbs of apples... and ate them all in 2 weeks. So this time around we got almost 20 lbs to cook, snack on, and make into lovely desserts! AJ loves picking apples, especially the bitty ones that she fondly calls her "baby apples". I love the realness of it all, the smells of the fallen fruit, and knowing exactly where they have come from. I was unaware that apples you get in the grocery store are actually LAST year's apples.... ugh! No wonder they have to color, wax, and chemical the heck out of them!


So look forward to some posts about apple crisp, apple dumplings, and such.... oh and be sure to send some links to YOUR favorite recipes my way!!! (20 lbs is a LOT of apples!)

BOO!

Last night we were at the Cleveland Zoo for Boo at the Zoo!
What a great time,
Gabby was a triceratops and AJ was a cowgirl complete with horse... it was a blast! =)

Clever Marketing 101

There are many things that I love about living here in Lakewood OH. The artsy feel, the community garden spaces, the big city atmosphere in a small city, and all the independently owned shops and restaurants. One of my favourite is Melt Bar & Grilled, who just came up with the most genius promotion.

Let me start by telling you about Melt. It is a very cool place that serves sandwich varieties of the basic grilled cheese. It is famous here in NE Ohio and attracts people from all over the country. Their awesome creations have been featured on the Food Network, and there is going to be another feature in January 2010.

Now, this is the genius that is Melt.... whoever is their marketing director should be handed a raise. They just announced that if you get a tattoo of their basic logo, any size, anywhere, you get 25% off your entire order FOR LIFE!! Holy Cow!!
And here is the best part: get the tattoo at Voodoo Monkey Tattoo and you will get $25 off the tattoo!! Love it!

So know I am actually debating on whether I want to get a tattoo of a sandwich and crossbones... or if I can convince Klint to get one instead!
Absolute genius!

Picture Perfect Baby Monkey

We went to the zoo today with all the kids. It was a wonderful, perfect time. This photo says it all.... isn't he adorable? He is a Swamp Monkey born on August 1st, already a star! The Cleveland Zoo is running a photo contest until Labor Day.... I think Klint is entering this in it. No matter what, it is a beautiful shot of a very new and very cute baby monkey!

A Night at the Movies

We went to Crocker Park last night to see the Bee Movie out on the lawn. Let me tell you, there is nothing better than hanging out with friends, in your pj's, in a ritzy public shopping area! It was sooooo much fun! AJ actually sat and watched the whole movie, which is shocking in itself since it was from 9-11pm... waaaaayyyy past bedtime! Gabby and her good friend Emily got to spend some time together, and Joan and I got some adult conversation in. Yay!! Every Thursday Crocker Park has this so if anyone is in the mood for a free movie outside, that is the place to go. Next week is Top Gun and the week after is Mary Poppins, which we will be attending for sure. =)

Enjoying the City

This week has been Field Trip Week- Krebs Style! Since we got our Boonshoft pass we have gone to the zoo three times, the Science Museum twice, and the Natural History Museum once- all in the last week and a half!!! =)
I absolutely adore a new friend that I made at the Lakewood Library, we have been hanging out a lot and I feel like I am back at college with my sorority sisters. She is down to earth, has great kids, and I feel like we have soooo much in common!
Here are some pics from our latest escapades:

What a Great Day!!

I am having a great day! It is perfect outside, a balmy 57 degrees (my ideal temp), the kids are all being really good, and I met a wonderful new friend with kids who got along with my crew like "peas and carrots"!

Today, my new friend and I took all the kids to the Rocky River Nature Center, another wonderful aspect of the Cleveland Metropark System. This was a new place for me and the kids and while it did not have a ton of animals (of course the few that it did have were snakes... of course!) there was a lot to keep the kids occupied for well over an hour. I loved how the building seemed nesteled in the woods and had lots of little nooks and cranies for the kids to see.

I am super excited because my friend also told me a little secret that I have to share with all my Cleveland readers out there- the Boonshoft Pass. Everyone here knows that Mondays are free at the Cleveland Zoo for county residents, but I personally would much rather buy a membership so I can go anytime I want and won't have to fight the crowds. But.... the membership alone is close to $80-90 for the year. And we love going to the Museum of History, but it is so pricey that we only go once a year or so. Now, thanks to hearing about this pass we will be able to go to the zoo, the Science museum, and the History museum and so many more...UNLIMITED for a year for only $69!!! Nuts huh??? Seriously- go check it out now!! (Then call me and we will go places!)

Hmmmm.... what else? Oh we had our first house showing yesterday... who knew that keeping a house "show ready" would be so challenging with 4 kids around and the animals? Since this is going sort of fast we are looking around at diffent houses all over a little more seriously. Fun fun fun!!