zoo

the weekend + our first day of school.

September 10, 2016 by Rachel Leave a Comment

Guys. GUYS. I have a preschooler. My heart hurts and is, simultaneously, so overjoyed. What are these feelings!? Ugh!

OK, so this weekend was, simply, lovely.

Saturday Miss Bea woke up early (of course), and we ended up taking a nap by 8am. We woke up just in time to get ready to go to the Akron Zoo as they opened. Surprisingly, the zoo wasn’t busy at all. The weather was absolutely gorgeous! Zero humidity. No warmer than like 80 degrees. Just absolutely amazing.

We met up with some friends and their two kids. Ari gets so excited whenever there are “friends” for him to play with. The girls, just a tad bit older than him, quickly took him under their wing and helped to escort him from exhibit to exhibit. I wore Remy in the ErgoBaby and she was content.

It was great catching up with friends we haven’t seen in nearly ages (it’s Chad’s best friend from high school — we’ve seen him since high school lol. But it’s been about a year).

We all went to bed at 7:15pm Saturday night and it was glorious!

Sunday was completely low-key. I mean, like, everyone took naps, and I went on a trip to Target. That’s it.

But Monday we woke up and went to the apple orchard. Honestly, I keep remembering “our last family outings” and they were basically a year ago. Sure, we’ve done things here and there over the last year; but since I was pregnant and Remy was born we’ve kinda been in hibernation mode (thanks to sickness and then a super awful baby). So it feels like we were *just* at the apple orchard when, in reality, it was a year ago…

We walked through the orchard, tasted peaches and apples, and eyed up the pies. We ended up getting home before it got too hot and spending the rest of the day napping and prepping for our first day of school!

That’s right. Tuesday was not only my first day of teaching gymnastics to the preschoolers at the Y for the Fall, but it was Ari’s very first day of preschool! He’s going to preschool at the Y two days a week. And each day during his class he gets swim lessons built in! Bonus!!

We’re officially at the “super sassy toddler” stage. This was the best picture I got (after many, many, attempts) at his “FIRST DAY OF PRESCHOOL” pic!

A photo posted by Rachel (@itsahero) on Sep 7, 2016 at 9:28am PDT

Dude had no reservations whatsoever. And was totally in teenager mode when it came to me asking for a picture. Insert toddler eyeroll and refusal to smile!

I didn’t cry nearly as much as I expected to as I dropped him off. Then again, I didn’t really have an opportunity to. I was so busy getting the gym ready for classes myself! When I picked Ari up after preschool he had, like, zero to report. Seriously? Such a threenager!! “How was school?” “Good.” “Anything exciting happen??” “No.”

It turns out, he did go swimming (and he liked it!) and he sang a new (to him) song! So see? Exciting things did happen in preschool. He just failed to report them — initially!

Aaaand now this blog post is coming during yet another weekend. Ugh. I just cannot be caught up on life. Or sleep. Or my DVR. 🙂 But for serious, friends… have a good weekend!

Weekly Mantra //

September 5, 2016 by Rachel Leave a Comment

This week is not only a short work week (obvy) but it’s the start of preschool! Which really means two things: 1. My new preschool gymnastics classes start tomorrow! My first ‘full year’ of coaching these little nuggets!; and 2. Ari starts preschool for the first time.

I’m so excited for him and so sad that my baby is so grown up already! There will be tears, ya’ll. Lots of tears.

I’m grateful to have had a weekend filled with family time, including a trip to the Akron Zoo with the kiddos and our friends. It was Miss Bea’s first time at the zoo, and our first trip in a very, very long time (boo to that rough pregnancy!). Even though we had let our zoo membership expire, this trip solidified our need to start it up again!

I’m content knowing that I can take the kiddos to the zoo by myself on days when Chad can’t come with us. The zoo is small enough and the parking is close enough to where I can easily navigate wearing one kiddo and pushing the other in the stroller! I feel like it’s such an underutilized gem here in Akron!

I wish little Miss Bea’s teeth would come through already! One tooth down, plenty more to go. Sigh. This kiddo is a hot mess!

Happiness is (still) a clean house on a quiet morning… Seriously. Oh, and trips to Target alone! 🙂

Weekly Mantra:

I need this. Perhaps you do, too.

Animal Attractions at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo // GIVEAWAY

December 3, 2015 by Rachel 2 Comments

With the warmer-than-average Fall, this Winter is going to hit us like a ton of bricks. Snow bricks, that is. Also? Snow bricks may have been something my pregnant mind said because I couldn’t think of the term “snow balls.” Yep. That happened.

Anyways…

This February 4th, 2016, between 6-9pm, in the depths of our Northeast Ohio Winter, The Cleveland Zoological Society will be hosting the 12th Annual Animal Attractions valentine’s event inside of the RainForest in the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo! That’s right — enjoy an adults-only event, complete with open bar + tasty eats from local restaurants — in a nice, 80 degree tropical climate. In Cleveland. In February! It sounds like a perfect evening to me!

Tickets for the event went on sale earlier this week and admission includes an open bar, wine tasting, up-close animal opportunities, presentations, and a sampling of foods from the following local restaurants:

AMP 150
Butcher & The Brewer
Cleveland Cupcake Company
Creekside Restaurant & Bar
Fresh Fork
Great Lakes Brewing Company
House of Blues Cleveland
Merwin’s Wharf
Tremont Tap House
Vitamix

I’m excited for an adults night out + to have the opportunity to explore the RainForest at an after hours event, all in support of the Cleveland Zoological Society! For those who aren’t aware, the Cleveland Zoological Society supports the zoo and the educational programs that the zoo offers! It’s a hugely important asset to our community and I’m honored to be supporting them!

Tickets for Zoo members are $60 each and for non-members they are $65. Attendees must be 21-years or older to attend.

But before you purchase tickets to this must-see Winter event, you have the chance to win a pair right here!

Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Entrants must have the intention of going [please only local entries] & will need to be 21 or older. Winner will be notified by email shortly after the giveaway ends.

And if you don’t win, there will be plenty of time to still purchase tickets here!

Disclosure: I was asked by the Cleveland Zoological Society to help promote Animal Attractions. In exchange, I will receive two complimentary tickets to the event. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.

Twilight at the Zoo // Upcoming Events!

July 14, 2015 by Rachel 2 Comments

It’s hard to believe we are midway through summer already! And the event calendar is getting more and more busy! I hope you’ve pencilled in a sitter for your little ones for the evening of Friday, August 7th, because it’s one of the biggest events of the summer — Twilight at the Zoo!

The Cleveland Zoological Society will host you and 18 local bands to dance away the night under the stars while you eat, drink and check out the zoo exhibits!

The general admission party goes from 7pm-midnight and includes admission to the zoo, access to listen to all of the bands, hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine, and soda. General admission tickets are $80.

The VIP party is presented by Scene Magazine and goes from 6pm-9pm — an hour early admission for partygoers to extend the fun (then join the general admission crowd until midnight!)! It includes all the general admission perks, plus an open bar, priority parking, and food from AMP 150, Choolaah Indian BBQ, and Sterle’s Country House (this will make for a VERY awesome date night for us! Hooray!). VIP tickets are $150.

This years’ Twilight at the Zoo will not only be one of the best events Cleveland hosts this summer, but the proceeds directly benefit the amazing Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Hurry and purchase your tickets today!

PS. Date Night at the ZOOvies sold out in just ONE day! I know it’s a different event, but this just goes to show you how popular these events truly are!

Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. I was asked by the Cleveland Zoological Society to help promote Twilight at the Zoo. In exchange, I will receive 2 tickets for myself. All opinions herein are my own.

Zippity Zoo Doo // A (Late) Wrap Up!

June 16, 2015 by Rachel 1 Comment

A lot has been happening in life lately. I kind of alluded to the fact that things have been kind of crazy around here. More on that later (sorry).

But a week and a half ago I had a chance to kind of set all of that aside and went[ to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo for the Cleveland Zoological Society’s annual Zippity Zoo Doo. The theme was Serengeti Sunset and besides being African-inspired, I wasn’t sure what to expect.

I was greeted by valet and an owl! Talk about rolling out the red carpet! But really, the owl was adorable. And I did not expect live animals, but what a pleasant surprise! And that wasn’t the end! Once I met up with Jen from Why? CLE and her husband, we headed for a glass of wine and scoped out the hors d’oeuvres! I had stalked the menu prior to the event and as more than excited for the African-inspired menu.

I realized after chowing down that I was so excited I forgot to snap a couple of quick pics! Above (clockwise from left) is the event tent (which was MUCH larger than it appears in this picture), a grand display of the Lamb Tagine & Couscous and sliders, followed by a close-up of the delicious (and spicy!) South African Farmer’s Sausage Slider with Crunchy Slaw! Not pictured, but also delicious, were the Lobster BLT and the Peri Peri Chicken Kebabs. Seriously so good I ate too fast for a picture. Ha!

After we snacked and sipped we took a quick trip to the new Ben Gogolick Giraffe Encounter! The previous giraffe area had a single-file line type of walk-up where you can feed a single giraffe. The new setup features a large patio that allows visitors to walk right up to the giraffes (yep – multiples!). Sadly, the giraffes were in “hiding” while we visited, but we were still close enough to see the mama and baby!

We also had a chance to ride the carousel. In honor of Moosh, I rode “Nemo,” also known as the clown fish. I sent Moosh and Chad a picture while I was on it. Which apparently prompted Moosh to want to watch Finding Nemo! Ha!

We eventually ventured back down to our table for dinner. We met up with Alicia from Poise In Parma and sat down for an amazing dinner. While we ate, chatted, and laughed, the auction festivities were on a roll, including the highest table for the Giving Tree (the highest table as of 9pm received a ‘backstage’ visit at the giraffe encounter). Our table wasn’t quite in the running, but that’s OK because we were enjoying the food SO much!

The salad? Was. To. DIE.FOR! It’s unfortunate I ate so many hors d’oeuvres because I would’ve eaten way more of the salad (which was spinach, grilled pineapple, bell pepper, raisins, toasted coconut, and pineapple ginger dressing!). Next up? Smoked fennel crusted filet with golden fig chutney (yum!) and red snapper yassa. The wild rice and filet were delicious. For whatever reason, snapper just isn’t my thing. Ya know? By the time dessert came out I had to leave (I know – lame! It was only about 8:45, but my mom was coming into town from Kentucky and I wanted to be there when she arrived (and it’s about an hour drive home). On my way out they were serving dessert — French cheesecake with raspberry drizzle. Umm. It was hard not to sit my butt back in my chair and indulge, but I left without dessert (I heard it was delicious). And I’m secretly still dreaming about the “what if” I stayed to eat it. Ha!

The only thing that would have made this night more perfect is if Chad would have been able to make it with me. But I had a blast with the gals. Thank you, ladies, for hanging out with this ‘single lady’!

Disclosure: I was asked by the Cleveland Zoological Society to help promote Zippity Zoo Doo. In exchange, I received one complimentary ticket to the event. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.

Zippity Zoo Doo // Explore Locally

May 31, 2015 by Rachel 1 Comment

Long before I became a mom I enjoyed visiting the zoo. In fact, when I was a student in Buffalo and Syracuse, I would go to the zoo by myself. Just to explore. It’s one of those places that I find comfort in. And for the past several years we have been members of our local zoo, the Akron Zoo. One of the perks of being a member is getting discount and free admission to other zoos across the country.

We just so happen to have TWO wonderful zoos in our backyard. The other of which is the Cleveland Zoological Society!

I’m honored to be attending the Cleveland Zoological Society‘s 42nd annual Zippity Zoo Doo, Friday, June 5th, to benefit the mission and educational programs of the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.

The theme of this years event is Serengeti Sunrise, where guests will enjoy an African inspired seated-dinner (think Smoked Fennel Crusted Filet and Red Snapper Yasa, just to name a couple of items), along with themed cocktails and hors d’oeurves (think Lobster BLT and Peri Peri Chicken Kebabs! Yum!).

Guests will not only be able to bid on a wide array of silent auction items, but they will also have the opportunity to visit the Zoo’s herd of Masai giraffe at the new Ben Gogolick Giraffe Encounter. In addition to the Wild Side silent auction, guests will be asked to help raise $50,000 for education scholarships by filling The Giving Tree. By 9pm, the table with the highest combined contribution will win an immediate behind-the-scenes experience with the giraffe herd.

What an awesome night this is going to be! All of this excitement PLUS live music under the stars at a highly-rated Cleveland fundraiser?! I cannot wait. Tickets for Zippity Zoo Doo are still on sale. Individual donation levels start at $250 and table champion levels start at $3,500. Click here for more details. And see you at the Serengeti Sunset.

Disclosure: I was asked by the Cleveland Zoological Society to help promote Zippity Zoo Doo. In exchange, I will receive one complimentary ticket to the event. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.