Some of you saw me at the Mud Room on FOX 17 over winter break.  Did you know that I made them get up at 6am, just so we could have a great backdrop for our TV shoot?  And they didn't even complain!  Some pretty nice & creative folks over there...

So, the Mud Room can help you out if you are still looking to make something for mom for Mother's Day, or they even have an event you can bring mom to and let the experience of the Mud Room be her gift.

The first option is to attend the Doodlepots activity this Saturday, where you will decorate a clay pot that will be fired and planted  and ready for pick-up for gift giving before May 9.  The other option is to take mom to the Creativi-Tea Party on Mother's Day, where mom will get free studio and firing fees!

Popular pieces to paint are anything with handprints, coffee mugs, picture frames, cookie plates. They have the"Hand Over Heels" program, where all you have to do is come in to stamp the hand/foot prints and they do all the artwork ($15 includes the studio visit and custom painting... plus the piece they choose and $2 to fire it). The fused glass handprint suncatchers (see photo) look amazing and are really easy. And if you make a gift for Grandma, you might just want to make one for yourself, too!

Although you can show up at the studio during any of their open hours to make your gifts, they do request reservations for the Doodlepots activity and the Creativi-Tea Party. Just give them a call at 682-9706, or send them an email. If you need more details, you can find them on their website.
 
 
Picture
Lemon Lavendar.  Makes me think spring, freshness, cleanliness.  Yum!  Now you can have a chance to try out this all natural product, made by an Ada mom, for FREE.

Here are some things that others have said about Lemon Lavendar Exfoliating Cleanser...

"I love the texture and the feel of it as I am using it. My skin feels very clean after use and I don't feel a need to use any other cleanser. I will definitely be buying this again and again!"

"Simply the best."

"I'm now a BIG fan of this product and will be buying it again. Nice natural scent and works well!"

"Best facial cleanser I've ever tried!"

"LOVE this scrub. Absolutely love it. Deep cleaning, yet gentle on sensitive skin, and it smells divine!"

"amaaaaaazing in every way. my co-worker mentioned that my skin was "glowy" today!"
Just visit Skin Deep Natural's Etsy Site and comment here on what you love and why and you'll be entered to win.

For a second chance at winning, become a facebook fan (or "like this page") of Skin Deep Naturals, comment on this blog post that you are now a fan, and you now have another chance to win!

Contest Ends May 10.  Good luck!
This is your new blog post. Click here and start typing, or drag in elements from the top bar.
 
 
Cultural Membership Exchange 2010

Have you heard? GRCM is part of the Cultural Membership Exchange! This means during the summer months your Pals Membership will get you into other cool and exciting cultural organizations around town! During the following
months, show your GRCM Pals Membership card and get up to 2 adults and 4
children in for free!

May: Frederik Meijer Gardens
June: Gerald R. Ford Museum
July: Grand Rapids Art Museum
August: John Ball Zoo

All of these institutions also participate, so if you are a member at one, then you will also get some reciprocal benefits!
 
 
Picture
Head on out to the Lowell Wittenbach/Wege Agriscience and Environmental Education Center for Earth Day!

Saturday, April 24th 9:00 – 1:00 p.m.

Every year millions of people world-wide set aside Earth Day as a day to celebrate our earth and all its splendor. Come out to the WWC and help us celebrate all Mother Nature has provided us on Saturday April 24th. Check out the schedule of events below so you don't miss a thing!

9:00 -10:30 a.m. Invasive Species Removal
       Lend a hand in removing spotted knapweed from encroaching on the prairie. Participants are encouraged to wear gloves and bring along garden trowels. Great way for Connecting Families with Nature passport holders to earn a stewardship stamp!
  
10:30-11:00 a.m. Guided Hike
       Join us on a short hike through the forest to look for signs of spring. Binoculars welcomed.
  
11:00 a.m. Learn How to Build Bat and Bird Houses
       Master Naturalist and craftsmen John Guertin will share with you his passion for making bat and bird houses from barns scheduled for demolition. This program will inspire you to create your own works of art out of salvaged materials.
  
12:00 p.m. Solar Panel Presentation
       Interested in renewable energy? If so, join Mike Linsea, Founder and Project Manager of Solar Winds Power Systems, LLC. to learn how to harness solar energy. Participants will tour the WWC barn to see solar panels at work. Make sure to bring along your
renewable energy questions.
  
All Day – Safari Club International Sensory Trailer
       Members of Safari Club International will provide you with a hands-on opportunity to learn about animals from all over the world.
Their Sensory trailer will put your senses to the test!
 
 
Picture
There's a whole host of ways to celebrate Earth Week at Grand Rapids Public Libraries.  Follow this link for a complete description, or find events on the grkids.com event calendar.

Activities and events include:
  • Trendy T-Shirt Makeovers for Teens
  • Bike Safety and Basic Repair
  • Recycled Journals
  • Rain Barrel Construction Party
  • Container Gardening
  • Green Clean
  • Scientists are the New Rockstars
  • Farmers and Artisans Market
  • Book and Media Swap
  • Looks Better on You
  • Movie: Food, Inc.
  • Movie: The Cove

 
 
You and your family have one more Saturday to plan a trip out to the Coopersville Farm Museum for the Spring Petting Zoo.  My kids went with their grandparents this past weekend and came home excited about touching baby chicks, goats, and more!  It is all indoors, so don't let the weather stop you.  And the price of $2 per person can't be beat.



$2.00 admission per person
Members and Children under 3 are free!
 
 
Picture
!Amazing cuteness at your fingertips with K bella bambino!  From baby to young girls, you will be delighted with the original style the K bella bambino offers, and all from a local mom!  Their Summer Line will be available starting Thursday!

If you like to shop in person, you can see K bella bambino at the Tulip time Art and Craft show May 1 and 2 in Holland. 

You now have the chance to win a $50 gift certificate to K bella bambino.  Actually, you can have 2 chances :)  Here's how you enter:

Option One:  Visit K bella bambino's website, choose your favorite product, and leave a comment ON THIS BLOG POST about why you love it.

Option Two:  Become a fan of K bella bambino on Facebook and leave a comment ON THIS BLOG POST that you are now a fan.

Feel free to do both options...that will get you (2) entries into this fabulous contest!

You have until April 26 to get your entries in.  Happy Shopping!

Congrats to our winner, Kresta Graham!
 
 
Picture
SATURDAY – APRIL 17 – 10:00am – 3:00pm

Kick off spring in style…GREEN style, that is!!!  This celebration of earth day brings the community together for an all out conservation expo at the Zoo! 

Over 20 organizations, companies and experts will be on hand to help families figure out easy ways they can help save our planet’s resources in their own homes and neighborhoods.  There will be talks, animal demonstrations, science experiments, and give-aways, too!   

Admission is only $3.50 for adults and $3.00 for kids 13 – 3 yrs. old.  Kids under two are free!

Here's the link for more information!
 
 
Picture
When you look at that photo, what do you see? 

As a former teacher, I am all for different ways of reaching kids.  I don't believe for one second that there is a single teaching method that will reach all kids.  That is why it is great that our area has a movement based preschool.  How many of our young children have a great learning potential that would be reached in a non-traditional way?  How many parents would like to see more activity integrated into their child's life, especially in this age of increasing youth obesity?

If you are shopping for a preschool, it would be worth it to check out Gymco's Movement Based Preschool Program.  They take kids 3-6 that are potty trained, and you can choose from some different scheduling options.  Their phone number is 616-956-0586.
 
 
Okay, we're going to travel into the land of "what-ifs" that no parent wants to think about.  That place where we wonder what will happen to our kids and our stuff if the worst should happen.  Do you have a will or a trust?  Have you had those difficult discussions with your loved ones?  I guess it is our Type A personalities that prompted my husband and I to visit an attorney 5 years ago right after the birth of our first child.  Our attorney asked all sorts of questions I had never considered, but I was glad that he knew enough to ask those questions.  I was even happier when we signed the documents and made everything official, because I hear that in the State of Michigan, if you don't have these documents the court system has no choice but to take your stuff (and kids!) and distribute it as they see fit under the law, regardless of your wishes.
Picture
If you are in a place where you want to take care of this business, I suggest that you check out a local family attorney named Mike Lichterman.  He has the legal background that you need to address drawing up plans for your family as well a great relational rapport with his clientele.  With Mike, you will never feel like a number, and you will get courteous, quick service from his office.

I have not used Mike for estate planning services, but I have consulted with him on other business matters.  My impression is that he is fair, honest, and will do a good job for you.

If you are interested in Mike's services, follow this link.  If you are interested in saving a few dollars, get our coupon first, and then call Mike :)

Facebook users can check out Mike's page on Facebook.