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STEM Education Through a Snapology Franchise

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I can’t believe we’re a mere two weeks away from the start of the school year here in Ohio! And with my first born headed off to kindergarten, it’s been making me think a lot about education and supplementing his learning with STEM activities.

STEM education (or science, technology, engineering, and math) helps to prepare our children of all ages to make a real difference in this world by helping them to learn the skills that may be missed in our traditional education system.

That’s why Snapology franchises — like the one opening in Westerville — are so important to me.

For those not familiar with Snapology, it’s a nationwide company based in play through learning with LEGO and robotics. They offer after-school workshops, Summer camps, and even birthday parties for kids of all ages.

So you can understand my excitement to know that there is a location nearby for my little guy. He has thousands and thousands of LEGOs already and I watch his imagination run wild with creativity all day every day. I just want to encourage his enthusiasm for STEM learning even further.

Science is more than a school subject, or the periodic table, or the properties of waves. It is an approach to the world, a critical way to understand and explore + engage with the world, + then have the capacity to change that… Click To Tweet

I often wonder how different my adult life would be if I was encouraged to pursue science and mathematics as a young adult. In fact, as soon as I graduated from college I regretted not getting my degree in accounting. I have such a love of numbers and mathematics, but it was overlooked in high school and thus even I missed my I think may have been my calling.

I’m happy to know that my children’s’ curiosity for STEM will be nurtured, with both the help of me and the amazing programs in our area. And so I guess I can go into this (very first!) school year with a bit less anxiety. I mean, for now! 🙂

 

What are some of the ways
in which you are encouraging
STEM learning for your children?

 

Akron Restaurants for Foodies With Kids

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I wrote this post earlier this year and it was originally seen on the Cleveland Plus blog in April of 2018. 
Before my husband and I started our family, we would dine out at local establishments regularly. As silly as it may sound, one of my fears in starting our new journey was that our life would need to change dramatically. We’ve all seen and heard stories about restaurants kicking a screaming child and its family out for ‘disruptive behavior’… would this happen to us? Would we need to stop going out to eat??

Now that I’m five years and (almost) three children deep into this motherhood thing, I’m here to set the record straight — having children does not need to impact your social life. The great thing about children? They can go wherever you go!

I learned quickly that one of the best things about raising a family in Akron are the endless restaurants that welcome children of all ages. Click To Tweet

Here are a few of my favorite family-friendly restaurants in the Akron area!

The Lockview. 

Appropriately named, considering it’s proximity to Lock 3 in downtown Akron, this gourmet grilled cheese restaurant is perfect for all ages! Grownups can enjoy an extra large variety of craft beers, both on top and hard-to-find bottles, while everyone will certainly enjoy the grilled cheese selections.

All of the signature sandwiches are numbered one through 13. My personal favorite is the Number Six — Cheddar, grilled apples, and applewood smoked bacon on a country buttertop bread — served with a side of goldfish crackers.

For the kids, I’ll get the Number 1 to split — it’s a basic sandwich, but it’s way better than any sandwich I could make for them at home!

The restaurant itself is quite narrow but the staff is always so helpful in making sure my kids are seated at a table that is out of the way.

Family pro tip: The portions are large so if you have a couple of small kids, I recommend splitting a grilled cheese.

Chowder House Cafe.

Located on the corner of State Road and Chestnut Blvd in Cuyahoga Falls, this hidden gem is a must for seafood-loving families. My husband and I have been going to this restaurant for the last 6 years. The staff has watched our family grow and continuously urges us to bring the kids with us instead of opting for a sitter.

If going on a weekend, call and make a reservation. They definitely get busy, but as long as you have a reservation, your family (highchairs and all) will most certainly be accommodated.

The kids will be in awe of the art on the walls (the walls are literally works of art themselves). It’s a great distraction until the kids get their meals. Our favorites? The crab cakes, pulled pork, and lobster bisque (ask for extra bread!). But really, my kids will eat anything on the menu — even the seafood etoufee!

Family pro tip: They do not take credit so make sure you have cash! Also, it’s BYOB, so bring a bottle of wine!

Diamond Deli.

This fast-casual deli, located right on Main Street downtown, is the epitome of a family restaurant — and it’s truly an Akron staple.

The owners and most of the staff are family members, and the menu is full of even more family members with sandwiches like the “Where’s Jason?”, the “Mom Come Get Me — I’m Sick,” or, my favorite sandwich, the Old Bald Guy.

Being a family-owned and family-run restaurant, it’s the perfect spot to bring your family for a quick, delicious, and homemade lunch. There are no kids menus, but they just make every kid feel so welcome.

Family pro tip: Get a slice of the cheesecake, too.

Retro Dog.

Located on Steels Corners Road, just minutes from Blossom Music Center, this drive-in (and dine-in) hot dog restaurant serves incredibly fun hot dog creations, spicy hamburgers, a pound of seasoned fresh-cut french fries, homemade custard, and Thirsty Dog root beer and beer!

We’ve been taking the kids since they opened several years ago and each and every time we are in, we are treated like family. The owners always greet us with open arms before filling our bellies with delicious food. The kids love to sit and color, put Monster Dog stickers all over, and eat as many fries as their tiny tummies can handle.

Mom and dad love that they can sit back and relax while someone else makes dinner! Oh – and the Retro Lite beer — brewed by Thirsty Dog specifically for Retro Dog — doesn’t hurt either!

Family pro tip: Get ‘the Pounder’ of fries and split with everyone.

The Blue Door Cafe.

Located at the corner of State Road and Broad Boulevard in Cuyahoga Falls, the Blue Door is the perfect breakfast or lunch spot for any family.

Their commitment to ‘good food,’ free of chemicals, is something that is important to us as a family, and a value we hope to pass on to our children. So when the kids want to order a chocolate croissant for breakfast, we let them! And the croissants are truly delicious!

If you’re in the mood for lunch, I highly recommend the Chicken and Waffles, but my oldest will tell you that you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.

Pro tip: Arrive early on the weekends — they will be very, very, busy and they do not offer reservations for breakfast/lunch.

Luigi’s.

This should be a no-brainer for anyone visiting Akron, but just in case you needed a gentle reminder, Luigi’s restaurant is perfect for families of all ages and sizes.

You cannot go wrong with Luigi’s Pizza. You just can’t. Ask my kids.

They are still cash-only, and if you go on a weekend, arrive early or be prepared to wait. But Luigi’s has family-friendly down to an art. They know families want to get in and out as quickly as possible and avoid any significant wait for meals to arrive, so everything comes fast — be ready to eat!

My kids love the massive amounts of cheese on the pizza, and this mama loves the massive amounts of cheese on the salads. It’s the perfect place to grab a pizza with the whole family any day of the week!

Family pro tip: Order the large. It won’t go to waste. And never, ever, decline cheese on your salad.

Honestly, this list could go on and on. I’ve found that most places are more than willing to welcome children with open arms — even many breweries are family friendly (I’m looking at you, HiHo!).

So parents -- existing and expecting -- don't be afraid to get out and explore with your kids, regardless of their age. Go out to eat, enjoy, and remember that everyone has been there and everyone deserves a meal out of the home. Click To Tweet

And thank you to those amazing restauranteurs and staff for welcoming this generation, with their arms and hearts full, to dine at your establishments. We want to have our cake and eat it too — and you truly make that possible.

Save Money This Summer + Have More Family Fun

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This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #GiantEaglePerks #CollectiveBias #cbias

It’s hard to believe that Summer is just around the corner. Preschool has officially ended, our Spring activities are wrapping up… and I’m in disbelief that I’ll soon be on maternity leave for baby number 3!

One of many things that has had me nervous about this round of maternity leave is that I am no longer working in a full-time position. Which means my ‘leave,’ much like the maternity leave of most women in this country, will be unpaid. Which has made me get insanely creative, budget-wise, these last 9 months!

Because, believe it or not, I’m still planning for my family to have a pretty awesome Summer of fun. One of the ways I’ve been amping up our Summer spending budget is by simply doing the same things I already do everyday!

1. Shop for groceries, as usual, at Giant Eagle or Market District, using my Giant Eagle advantage card! 

Giant Eagle has long been my go-to place for groceries, but with their recent price slashing on everyday items, I’ve been scanning my advantage card even more frequently — and earning fuelperks+ — which quickly add up to savings at the pump and savings of up to 20% off groceries!

I’m lucky that Miss Remy is a really big fan of our frequent shopping trips! Ha! She loves filling up our cart with all of her favorites — yes, even those darn baby food pouches still make an appearance in our cart every once in a while! But how do I say no when it’s healthy AND helps me earn perks!?

Regardless of how many times we end up at Giant Eagle each week, it truly is helpful to see the savings pile on for future purchases, whether they be on more groceries or on a tank of gas!

2. Plan all of your meals — not just dinner!

When I first started meal planning, I was only planning out our dinners. I would (incorrectly) assume that we would have leftovers from dinner for lunches the next day. Not exactly. Either the dinner would be consumed by two tiny, children-sized vacuums at dinner; or they would have zero interest in eating it for lunch the next day.

Instead of heading out for donuts in the morning or a fast-food lunch, I started to really think about easy things I could keep at home for these meals. So in meal planning for dinner, lunch, and breakfast, we have seen a huge savings in our overall budget!

Often times our breakfasts consists of cereal, either hot or cold, and our lunches consist of fruits, veggies, crackers, and cheese (what can I say — my children are just like me!).

3. Purchase gift cards at the checkout for everyday expenses — like home improvement projects, travel, or clothes!

Whenever I know that I have a purchase to make, whether it be at Target or if we’re going out to dinner at Chipotle, I’ll go to Giant Eagle and purchase a gift card so that I also earn fuelperks+. I mean, why not, right?! I’m already going to buy the kids clothes at Target, I might as well also earn some perks from it!

The gift card selection is so big that nearly everything we need to purchase, whether it’s those darn kids clothes (because they just continue to grow nonstop) or items for the home or car, can benefit from a gift card purchase!

4. Fill up the gas tank while running your errands and scan your advantage card.

It’s inevitable. I will need to fill up the gas tank in our new minivan at least once a week — it just doesn’t have the same fuel economy as our smaller car. So when I do hit the pump, I go to GetGo and scan my advantage card first! Not only is their gasoline incredibly competitive as far as price is concerned, but in doing this task — which I have to do anyway — I am also earning those fuelperks+!

5. Cut out the cable and sign up for streaming!

In an effort to save a good chunk of change where we can, we cut our cable and switched strictly to streaming-only. My kids will watch TV entirely too much, if I let them; but, especially during the Summer, there’s just really no need to be tied up to the TV.

Sure, it’s nice to have for a rainy afternoon or, in my case, those soon-to-be late night feedings; but it’s also totally unnecessary. And do you know how inexpensive Netflix is!? Bonus — you can purchase Netflix gift cards at Giant Eagle and earn those extra fuelperks+!

As I continue watch the savings roll in, we’ll be treating our family to a staycation that we so desperately need. My husband will be taking some time off work this Summer in an effort to help our family adjust to life with a new little; but we’re also going to indulge the older kids with trips to the movies, playing at the trampoline park, and a trip to the north coast (that’s the islands off Lake Erie, for those of you not in the Midwest 😉 ).

What would YOU do with extra savings

 

from Giant Eagle’s fuelperks+ program

 

this Summer ??

 

Explore Ohio // Glass Blowing at the Glass Asylum

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I’ve been so busy nesting for Baby # 3 that I’ve barely had a moment to breathe. But last week I decided to take some blogger friends up on some plans and meet them for a fun night of laughs, food, and glass blowing at The Glass Asylum in Chagrin Falls.

Getting acquainted!

We were greeted with open arms by the owner, Chris Crimaldi, and welcomed with adult beverages (yes, I had a glass of wine). I browsed the shop and watched the artists work while chatting up friends from near and far that I had not seen in ages!

I was immediately amazed at the detail in the pieces — flowers, vases, wine glasses, beer mugs, and more. We were encouraged to begin thinking of colors to work into our piece. I am notorious for being awful at what should-be simple decisions. Right then and there I decided to go with the ‘party mix’ of colors, AKA every color so that I don’t have to pick just one! Ha!

too many choices!

party mix!

As we settled in to learn about the history of The Glass Asylum,which is celebrating its third anniversary, we snacked on some amazing foods from M Italian, which is located in the same building.

Pizzas from M Italian

delicious salad + fried ravioli from M Italian.

Pizzas, fried raviolis, salad, and calzones galore!! Not to mention a nice plate of meats and cheeses from Jim Alesci’s Place! I was in pregnant lady HEAVEN!

Italian desserts from Alesci’s!

After a brief safety run-down and a short history of Chris, a trained electrician by trade, coming to glassblowing, it was time to get started.

the artists during our safety rundown.

Y’all, the fire for glassblowing is HOT. The ovens, known as glory holes (no joke), are on pretty much nonstop with the exception of July, August and September — because it’s just too darn hot! But the guys (and gal) of The Glass Asylum don’t seem to mind.

My big ol’ pregnant belly – getting my colors!

When it was my turn to go, I was assigned to two of the staff members, who are all trained artists, for help. I told them my idea — a multi-color beer mug — and they helped bring it to life!

Into the glory hole!

One of the coolest parts of this process was all of the science behind it. As I worked with the artists, they carefully explained what we were doing and WHY we were doing it — which is something I absolutely LOVE about learning anything new.

Pulling apart the top of my mug.

The entire time they were walking me through it, I kept thinking, “Dang, Ari (my 5 year old) would LOVE this!” It turns out he’s a bit too young to do it himself, but I am going to take him in to see the artists work and hear the explanation anyways. He’ll totally nerd out about it.

I’ll be picking up the finished product today and I could not be more excited! Here’s how it looked before the cooling process:

my mug.

Look at all of our creations! They are GORGEOUS!

Oh – and shout out to Kate of the Greatest Escapist for snapping a photo of us! And thanks to The Glass Asylum for hosting this incredible event!

Lady Bloggers.

Want to experience the art of glass blowing for yourself?

Contact The Glass Asylum online or call (440) 394-8483 to inquire about an event or experience of your own!

Explore Ohio // Kent

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Ohio in Winter — is cold — but it’s also a gorgeous time to explore our local community. It’s hard not to think about moving when the temperatures are -15 degrees. But heck! even if I could, I wouldn’t move out of Ohio. Nope. I’d move to this gem in the Short North, Columbus. (Listed on HER realty — OMG isn’t it gorgeous!?)

But, alas, I won’t be moving anytime soon. But if you live in Ohio one of the places you’ll hear about frequently is Kent.

Kent, Ohio is home to Kent State University, which is primarily what people think of when they hear “Kent.” But there is so much more to Kent than just the university! Really! I promise!

Fresco Mexican Grill and Salsa Bar.  Fresh is definitely the name of the game of this restaurant, which sits at the corner of Erie Street and Water Street.

Everything is prepared to order and comes out quickly! From their tacos (order three, you won’t regret it but you will be full), to burritos, to salads, Fresco blows those other fast-food mexican restaurants out of the water! And, of course, bottomless chips. FRESHLY made bottomless chips, that is, with a huge selection of house-made salsas! Oh – and 60 hot sauces sit next to the salsa bar, in case you need to turn up the heat a little more! 😉

If you’re coming after work for a quick dinner, grab a frozen sangria or frozen margaritas (or try a mix of Sangria + Margarita combined!)

Haymaker Farmers’ Market.  Every Saturday of the year people from all over come out to this farmers’ market — which just so happens to be the oldest farmers’ market in Portage County. Their mission is to bring local food and community together. Their vendors range from artisan soaps to fresh fruits and vegetables. Oh — and Ohio City Pasta and pour over coffee!

My favorite part is the space — located underneath the Haymaker overpass bridge! It’s a gorgeous location for their outdoor market.

Tree City Coffee.  Stop in at any time of day to pick up one of their signature Tree City Maple Lattés and a homemade biscuit, because they truly are delicious! And I can get behind any place that has ethically sourced coffee with direct trade.

Also? They make their own peanut butter concoctions and offer them in a variety of ways on the menu. Like the fluffernutter sandwich, made with their freshly ground peanut butter and marshmallow fluff!

If you don’t have time to stay and relax, they do offer a super convenient drive-thru (which, I’ve hit up more times than I care to admit).

Brimfield Bread Oven.  Located just a couple of miles outside of downtown, this little gem is a true hidden treasure. All of their breads are homemade daily and baked in a woodfired oven. They serve breakfast treats, like morning buns, pretzel croissants, and danishes, as well as a huge variety of breads — including a local HiHo Beer Bread!

Honestly, everything I’ve had from here is delicious, but I have yet to try their woodfired pizza (served most days, but only in the evenings). I keep telling Chad that we must go for a date night, like, soon!

Freedom Trail.  This trail, I think, is one of the most underutilized flat trails in all of Summit Metro Parks! From the Kent trailhead (located off of Northeast Avenue) to Howe Ave, it’s 2-miles of mostly flat running or biking trail. Which means when I want to take the kids in the double-stroller for a run, this is the most perfect place for it! A total of four easy miles, surrounded by huge trees, close to the KSU airport (so lots of sights for the kids to see in the skies), and the occasional train blaring in the distance.

It’s truly my go-to place for running and if you have never been, I highly suggest checking it out!

Peace, Love, and Little Donuts.  And like any ‘good runner’ I like to eat donuts after my 4-mile run! 😛 I kid (kind of)!

But if you are looking for a place with fresh donuts (and gluten free options), that are customized right in front of your eyes with all kinds of toppings (think caramel, fruity pebbles, and basically any other form of sugar you can think of), you’ll want to stop in to Peace, Love, and Little Donuts of Kent.

I, of course, seem to always opt for the plain donuts because there’s just something about a powdered sugar cake donut — you can’t go wrong!

101 Bottles of Beer on the Wall.  Switching things up a little bit, but this place needs a mention. Kent has no shortage of places to sip and savor your favorite beers and wines thanks to the university students. But 101 Bottles is different. It’s not a college hangout — it’s a craft beer mecca.

Offering individual bottles, six packs, cases, growlers, and kegs of your favorite craft beers, 101 Bottles has truly made it’s name for itself in the area. Want a beer that is hard to find like Bodhi? or Bell’s Hopslam? or the latest from 3 Floyds? This place always gets it. And if you sign up for their text message alerts, you’ll be alerted when all of your favorites are in.

Stop in to check them out and stay for a flight at their bar area!

Lucky Penny Creamery.  I am hardly the farmer type of gal, but I’ve run into the folks from Lucky Penny too many times to fail to mention them. If you’re looking to purchase goats milk, cheese, cajeta, or just see how it’s it made, head to Lucky Penny Farms and see how their beautiful dairy goats make delicious cheese!

If you can’t make it to Kent, you can always find their cheese and milk at the Haymaker market, Countryside Conservancy market, or at Mustard Seed.

Where is your favorite place to explore in Kent, Ohio!? 

 

 

 

 

This post is a partnership with Nakturnal. As always, all opinions herein are my own.

Northeast Ohio Holiday Gift Guide //

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Hi. My name is Rachel and I LOVE Ohio. Like, I really, truly, have a passion for my home state. We produce amazing people, products, and industry. I always try to buy as local as possible, but it’s especially important for me at this time of year. There are just so many local options from amazing creators right here in Northeast Ohio.

Not sure where to start knocking off your holiday gifts? I’ve rounded up my favorite local ideas below!

 

Pope’s Kitchen Bloody Mary Mix. 

I am a recent convert to the Bloody Mary. The spicy aroma has always been something that has reminded me of my grandmother. But Pope’s Kitchen puts a fresh, local, and extra spicy spin on the traditional bloody mary. When I was pregnant with Remy I used to just drink the mix straight up (I had a craving for spicy!).

Find it in any local Market District or order online here ($12/32 oz.).

Coffee from Akron Coffee Roasters.

Want fresh, locally-roasted coffee? Look no further than S. High Street in Akron! Their love for their coffee and the roasting process is evident in each pour over they serve.

Their coffees are available online for purchase to ship directly to your loved ones, or you can go right into their store on South High Street (and then head over to The Nightlight to catch a flick!). (from $12/10 oz.)

Middlebury Butter from Akron Honey Company. 

Akron Honey is a family operated, artisan honey company, and they have recently opened up a brick and mortar store at the Northside Marketplace in Downtown Akron. I’ve personally tasted all of their honey, but the Middlebury Butter remains my favorite. I put it on everything — bread, apples, you name it!

It can currently be found at a variety of pop up markets (like the Cleveland Flea, Crafty Mart, etc) and their store in Northside Marketplace.

The Vitamix Ascent Series A3500. 

Vitamix is the leader in culinary blenders and food processors — and they are also a local Ohio company, with their headquarters located in Olmsted Falls!

Their products are produced, manufactured, and distributed here locally — and for those of us in Northeast Ohio, that means we’re lucky enough to get the first peak at new products! This past year I received the A3500 and was able to get rid of my old Vitamix. Let me tell you, this new version is incredible and so easy to use!

You can pick one up in their local store in Solon or online here (A3500 $549.99).

A Family Membership to the Akron Zoo.

With the slogan “You’ve never been this close,” the folks at the Akron Zoo truly mean it! The zoo itself is the perfect size to take children of all ages for a few hours or an all day excursion. The recently renovated exhibits are absolutely stunning! And members are able to get discount admission on events ranging from Brew at the Zoo to Wild Lights!

Order a family membership online here or pick one up on-location in Akron (Family Membership, $80/year).

Tickets for the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.

The CVSR, operated wholly by volunteers, leaves either the Rockside Station in Independence or the Northside Station in Akron. You can hop on with a round-trip ticket or bike one way and take it one way back! Besides just regular train rides, the CVSR offers a variety of special events, such as The Polar Express and Ales On Rails!

Not sure when your recipient would like to go? The CVSR offers gift certificates in denominations ranging from $15 – $150 and can be purchased by calling 800-468-4070 x 1.

Shirts from The Social Dept.

We have a lot of options when it comes to local t-shirts here in Northeast Ohio. My favorites, by far, come from the Social Department. Located in my town of Cuyahoga Falls, they offer an eclectic variety of Midwest apparel.

Their sizes range from kids to adults, so no one will be left out! My personal faves are this Cleveland Indians shirt (which I bought for my husband last year) and this Go Local Sports Team shirt (which I should totally have because, sports!).

You can visit them in store at their Front Street location in Cuyahoga Falls, Tuesday through Sunday, or you can order online here  with guaranteed delivery by Christmas Eve if you order by December 18th (Prices range from $22+ but gift certificates available in $10+).

Growler of the Month Club at HiHo Brewing Co. 

Located right next door to The Social Department, HiHo Brewing Company is a welcomed addition to Front Street in Cuyahoga Falls this last year. And their beers are incredible, too! Former teachers turned craft brewers, Ali and Jon, have turned this spot into one of Northeast Ohio’s most popular breweries!

They offer a range of beer, from blond ales to stouts, and tapas style food options. Don’t know what you want? Try a flight!

Open Wednesday through Sunday, you can purchase the gift of their Growler A Month Club or just a plain old gift card! (Growler of the month: $180 – includes growler and punch card for 12 fills; gift cards available in all denominations).

The Gift of Play from Café O’Play in Stow.

Café O’Play, located in Stow right off of Route 8, is a safe and fun indoor play place for kids ages crawlers through tweens! They offer climbing activities for young and old, as well as a special toddler-only zone for a safe-space for those who are just past the crawling stage, 7-days a week.

In addition to being a safe place to play, owners John and Carolyn make sure that parents feel like they have a partner in this parenting journey. Sure, it’s not all fun and games, but they make it easy for the kids to have fun while the adults can (kind of) sit back and relax a bit on the café side!

You can purchase gift cards in person or online here (gift cards available in denominations of $25, $50, and $100).

There are so many more options that I could go into — soap from Saint Augustine and Suds; tickets to Playhouse Square; hot sauce from Not Yo’ Daddy’s; just to name a few!

Not from Northeast Ohio and still not sure what all of the fuss is about?!? Well how about this for a reason — Cleveland was recently ranked #14 in the 21 places you need to visit by none other than National Geographic! So get your butt to Northeast Ohio and see exactly why I’m freaking out about where I live all of the time!