Great Lakes Science Center - Cleveland, OH

I received free tickets to attend the science center with my family. All opinions are my own (well, or my kids').

I've got to start out by saying how great Cleveland is! There is so much to do. Hubby and I got to visit for a weekend years ago when I worked for Quicken Loans. They were renaming the old Gund Arena to the Q, and Quicken brought all of its employees to Cleveland for the celebration. We had tickets to several major attractions, a hotel for the overnight stay, and a giant party at the arena. So we knew we'd enjoy going back to Cleveland. We decided to check out the Great Lakes Science Center this time, and we are so happy we did!

Getting there was easy. Since we were already on a road trip, I searched my GPS for 'attractions' and followed the directions. The GPS spit me out at a nice parking garage with different rates based on where you validated. It was $8 to park for the day and visit the
science center.

Just to the left of the main ticket window, we entered the science center to see several space exhibits. The kids and I were surprised to see one of the space suits on display had the word 'Eva' in the title. Is this where Wall-E's girlfriend got her name? I'm really not sure.



I'm always concerned when I go to things like this that I'll have to 'fake' enthusiasm for the kids, but I think this was seriously the best science center we've been to. There were so many exhibits, and most of them worked exactly like the accompanying signs said they would.

After going through the areas with the space exploration exhibits, some goodies about energy, and fascinating things about genetics and the human body, it was time for our Dome theater movie.

At the Cleveland Clinic DOME Theater, we chose to see the 'Amazon Adventure' movie. It took us on a journey through the life of Henry Bates, his 11-year adventure in the Amazon, and his exciting discoveries for biology. We picked this movie because we expected it would engage our kids more, but hubby was a little disappointed that he didn't get to see 'America's Musical Journey' instead. Maybe next time! We were all happy at the snacks for sale so we could eat a bit while enjoying the show. What's a movie without popcorn, right?




When we exited the theater, we found ourselves entering all the hands-on exhibits. And there were so many different things to try! Most of them were perfect for my ten-year-old. My six-year-old son liked a little help, but then he could appreciate and enjoy things. I particularly liked playing with the kids in the flash room (where you could momentarily 'freeze' your shadow on the wall).






While my daughter's favorite things at the science center were the movie and the hands-on exhibits, the best was yet to come for my son. We headed down to the level we'd originally entered on to find the TapeScape. This is an exciting exhibit you don't want to miss! The TapeScape was built from stretch wrap and TAPE around a metal frame. It's big enough for kids of all ages to tour through (but I'll warn you, the slide at the end frequently makes a loud sound that could be confused for a fart. LOL). My kids both went through this again and again. My son still spent the whole next day saying he wanted to do our visit over again.

Would I recommend visiting the Great Lakes Science Center? I can only answer a big YES, along with my hubby and two kids. This was a great experience with something for everyone.

Check out the Great Lakes Science Center website for details before your visit, and let me know what you think!

10 Random Things for Friday

1. <<--- THIS is all me right now :) It finally feels summery, and I worked my morning shift, filled in for someone else mid-day, and now am trying to get my work-from-home hours in before dinner time! BUT all of my work is essentially done in three more weeks - once school is done, I have no work to go to.
2. No more full weeks of school left! We have Memorial Day off (obvs) which gives us four days next week, then the following two Fridays are both half-days of school.
3. I'm so excited to surprise my kids tomorrow! Hubby has to pick up an engine for his dad. The engine is in Cleveland. So while we're there, we're going to check out the Great Lakes Science Center! We also got some audio-books to listen to on the way. The kids know we're taking a road trip, but they don't know about the science center. We're gonna have so much fun!! If you've been there, let me know any tips before we go!
4. The kids are sitting in the other room and just now voted that we go out for dinner tonight. LOL I told them to take it up with dad. Otherwise, I'm making canned chow mein. Their odds are pretty good, as hubby doesn't like the chow mein any more than they do...
5. As much as I was grumbling about working today, I expected all test scoring to be done for the year. I am pleased to be on one last project for the next few weeks. More spending money for summer!
6. I've got several cool posts coming up! A book review for a book coming out in a few weeks, another Stitch Fix box to talk about, and each of the kids are getting a clothing box this weekend! Hubby also said I can sign him up for Stitch Fix, since he needs some more business casual at his new job...
7. What's your favorite season? While I always really say fall or autumn, I sure do like the warmth of late spring and summer!
8. Our weekend plans (besides tomorrow's surprise) is pretty much just the local parade on Monday. Maggie will twirl baton again :) I haven't told her we're expecting a high temperature of at least 90 that day. #drinkwater
9. Hubby's home. We're grabbing dinner on the way to open swim. Big surprise! Hahahaha....
10. Hope you enjoy a beautiful, long weekend. Thank you to those who have lost loved ones through their service to our great country. We are so grateful for your sacrifice and theirs.

Stitch Fix - Fix #11

First of all, I realize I'm missing a Fix review somewhere. I don't know which one. I just realized that when Stitch Fix sends me a new box, they say "Thanks for letting us style Fix #11 for you. Enjoy." (for example). Which is how I figured out that my blog calls this Fix #10, but my letter says #11. I'm betting on Stitch Fix keeping better records than me, and so I probably just missed one. Sorry.

On to the main event! Since I've gotten the Style Pass this year, I'm scheduling a Fix every month! :O Reviews are getting hard to keep up with (not a bad #firstworldproblem to have).

In this fix, I received two tank tops, a pair of shorts, a pair of skinny jeans, and a cardigan. Don't tell my stylist, but I'm a total sucker for cozy cardigans. This Fix was again styled by Julia, and she did a great job.

First I tried on the Skies Are Blue - Ritta Smocking Detail Blouse (cost $54) with the Lila Ryan - Skinny Jean (cost $98). Remember, if I keep it all, I get a 25% discount on everything.
I did like both pieces, but not for the prices on them. The jeans were a little too skinny and I already have a Kut From the Kloth pair of skinnies that I LOVE. And hubby prefers more fitting tops as he says they're more flattering on me.
So these both went back.



Next up was the Market & Spruce - Ezide Textured Print Top in navy (cost $58) with the Dear John - Josephine Roll Cuff Short in mint (cost $64). I've seen these colors paired a lot so far this year, so it must be a popular-ish thing. I also like them together, which is more important than being popular to me. It's hard to see the detail on this top in the picture, but it's definitely textured, which looks more interesting than just the navy top that appears here. I kept both of these items because they fit me well, were flattering, and will also pair well with a lot of other things I have. I've already worn this outfit again on a regular day (after work clothes, of course).





Last but not least was just adding on the Evolution by Cyrus - Leesa Hooded Cardigan (cost $88). Yeah, on the pricey side for me, but trust me, I get a ton of wear out of cardigans. And the hood was just another plus. This is a super smooth knit that doesn't snag as much as some of my other cardigans (of course I have a collection!). I also like the off-white color. I have a white cardigan that I love, but it's definitely looking dingy over time. Whitening it again works for a little while, but I'm hoping the off-white will stay 'fresh' looking longer.


Overall, this was a very successful Fix. If I had more disposable income for clothes, I totally could have seen keeping the other two items.

If you'd like to give your wardrobe a boost, try StitchFix! Use my referral link to waive your $20 styling fee on your first box! Let me know how it goes :)

Jack's Kidbox Box - Spring

Jack got another Kidbox styled for spring! Let me tell you about what he received.

First was this cute Losan graphic tee (Kidbox price - $31) and French Toast crab print shorts (Kidbox price - $17). I love em both! He hasn't worn them yet, and please don't base his approval on his expression. Lately he insists on not smiling for pictures. Oh, where does he get these ideas??
The shorts are more tailored than anything else he has, but the crab print still makes them fun. He just last week started wearing short-sleeved shirts (he says you have to wear long sleeves with long pants, and short sleeves only with shorts). I'm hoping we'll get more wear out of this outfit as the weather warms up.

The other summer outfit I liked best was this Nanette dino print tee (Kidbox price - $11) and Eland chino shorts (Kidbox price - $24). He said the dino shirt was his favorite thing from the box, but he isn't quite up to speed for wearing short sleeves yet.
While I think both of these outfits look nice and are hopefully still comfy enough for casual wear, he's still waiting for true summer to settle in. Fingers crossed it warms up soon!!


Honestly, he's a reasonably happy kid!

Here he is in the Eland raglan long sleeve tee (Kidbox price - $25) and Reebok short (Kidbox price - $21). The color of this shirt is deep and flattering on Jack. His dad also has one the same color, so I'm sure I'll get 'twinsie' pictures of them in them sometime. The shorts are super-soft and comfortable. He wore them for 'yellow' day at school because the stripe on the side is bright yellow.

The last item in Jack's Kidbox for spring was this U.S. Polo Assn zip front fleece hoodie (Kidbox price $31). He tried it on over his favorite Super Mario outfit. The jacket definitely came in handy, as his winter coat has a broken zipper, and the cold days weren't yet gone when our spring box arrived. He's worn it quite a few times as a coat for school.


Overall, this box was nothing super-wow, but we kept it all. The long-sleeves were sort of a surprise for spring, but apparently whoever was shipping it knew about Michigan's moods. LOL
We kept everything for $98 (vs their stated retail price of $217.50 :O ).


If you'd like to check out your own Kidbox, user our link to get $25 toward your first box!

Peter Rabbit - My Review

The kids and I went and saw Peter Rabbit a little while ago as part of our 'Easter weekend' celebration. After watching the movie and having popcorn for lunch, we went and had our picture taken with the REAL Easter rabbit.

All three of us really enjoyed the movie. While the trailer has lots of the funny lines, there were even more in the movie. Mrs. Tiggy Winkle was one of our favorite characters, especially when she couldn't resist the peanut butter on the electric fence. Another favorite was the attempts of the badger to hide when people come to the house.

We also love a happy ending. Peter Rabbit is a great movie for the whole family. There were a few jokes understood more by the adults in the theater, but not off-color for the kiddos. And what's not to love about talking animals? I'd give it 4 out of 5 stars, and plan to watch it again when I'm looking for something to watch via Redbox or Netflix.

Book Review - TwoSpells by Mark Morrison

I was provided an electronic copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Beautiful cover!

Sarah and Jon (twins, with Jon just a couple minutes older) were expecting a boring summer visiting their grandparents in Wales. But after hitting a large creature with the car, and passing the same TwoSpells sign multiple times while feeling like they’re lost, everything starts to seem a bit out of the ordinary.

Upon arrival at their grandparents’ home, their mother disappears on a mysterious errand, and the twins are left to do their grandparents bidding around the farm. In the evening, though, they’re delighted to listen to stories of their supposedly magical heritage, things they’d never known about, since they were raised far away as ‘Regular’ non-magical people.

The story really gets moving when they finally visit the legendary TwoSpells library with their grandparents. There is indeed a magical battle, as their grandparents told them about. The library is the middle of a family battle in which the twins are critical players, even though they never knew til days before. They suddenly have to learn how to use their magical library cards to travel in and out of stories, as well as how to fight creatures they’ve never seen or heard of before. Luckily they have the help of manufactured Golems, a couple of library Guardians, and even their mother as a magical being they’ve never witnessed.

TwoSpells, the first book by author Mark Morrison, is a great mystical read of a classic good vs evil struggle. There’s so much more to find out in books still to come! I’d give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars, and recommend it for middle-grade readers who enjoy fantasy.

Books - April 2018

You could not even believe right now how much I'm looking forward to summer, and more time to read! Working with the schools has been great for me this year, but as it's occurred to me that I don't work when the kids don't go to school, I've been hustling and working lots of extra hours while I can.

In April, I only finished two books! Here they are.

The first book I read in April was Guilt by Amanda Robson. It's a great story of two sisters and the man who turns them against each other. I reviewed this one for Books I Think You Should Read.

In short, I think this would make an intriguing beach read. It was a bit confusing toward the beginning, so it wouldn't give away the end. This helped make it a page-turner for me - I wanted to find out what had really happened!

The other book I read in April was one of the best books I've read in a while! A Blood Thing by James Hankins is scheduled to be published June 5, 2018, and you should get it. The governor of Vermont (and his family) are being blackmailed by someone framing their disabled brother for a terrible crime. The plan is so intricate, I never saw most of it coming.

Check out my full review for this one on Books I Think You Should Read. She's also having a giveaway (ends May 24, 2018).


Summer is coming - what do you recommend as a great read? Or what would you like me to check out for you? I'm all ears. :)

Stop the Ride - I Need to GET OFF!!

What a spring! Sorry I've sort of disappeared on ya'll (both of you? LOL).

Anyway, my schedule (which is mine and the kids, obvs) has been off the hook. I think I mentioned already about test scoring. That was 'just' from home for maybe a month or so? But the company asks for at least 20 hours/week. And they pay more than my kitchen job by a little bit. So I'll make it work, right?
Around the same time, the kitchen people had some staffing issues at another building close to mine, so I filled in a few shifts for them. I like helping out, the co-workers are fun, and I'm saving up money for summer, right?
When all was said and done, I had a few weeks where I think I worked pretty darn close to 40 hours. Between my '10 hours/week' job, subbing in other kitchens, and my test scoring, that is.
Somehow all that sounds less exhausting now that I've written it out.....

But now I can't seem to catch up. Don't get me wrong, even with all that work, I never had less than eight hours/night in my bed, asleep. Everyone knows I turn in to a pumpkin at 10pm (unless I can get away with 9pm...), and get up again at 6am to get ready to serve breakfast.
So why am I so tired???

I honestly don't know, and the next part shouldn't have anything to do with it.

A few weeks ago, I went for my annual lady-appointment, to get a refill on my hormones. Yes, other people call them birth control pills, but for me, I take them to control the side effects of having my period. I LOVE the seasonale pill, which regulates me to four cycles/year. I still tend to get sick and have bad headaches when I finally do have my period, but at only four times a year, it was somewhat bearable. (TMI? Sorry.)

Unfortunately at this appointment, she said my blood pressure was high, so she wouldn't give me any more of my magic pills. What?!?!? Stroke risk. Great.
I went for a blood pressure re-check. Just as high. (Around 150/90, if you're wondering.)
So I had to go to my primary doc to get that taken care of, and got switched on to the 'mini pill.' She told me that a lot of people don't cycle on the mini pill. I, on the other hand, started just a few days later and have had a headache ever since.

I finally got an appointment with a PA in my doctor's office, and they did a work-up yesterday, along with putting me on a high blood pressure pill. And I get to go in next week to find out about my blood tests, etc.

But I'm still tired, probably need different hormones, and am generally pissed off at the world. Because mine and my kids' schedules aren't going to get easier. And I always need a nap.

You're still reading? Thanks, I suppose. Anyway, I really hope to get back to my regular posts soon! I've got a book review to finish up for Books I Think You Should Read, I'm almost done with another book I'm reviewing, I've got TWO Stitch Fix boxes to tell you about, and I think I still have another subscription box for one of the kids that I haven't posted yet.

Believe it or not, in the midst of everything, I miss writing. I hope to have the time and/or energy to get back more regularly soon.