Adventures with Nick and Sally » Life Lyn Style

Adventures with Nick and Sally at Horseshoe Lake Park

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Jun 102011

We were invited to a little party at Horseshoe Lake Park to celebrate the birthday for one of our friends. We packed up our lunch and headed to the park after the J.

This isn’t a park with a playground (no slides, monkey bars, etc.) But, it has swings, a climbing structure, grassy areas, restrooms and a couple of pavilions. The kids had a ball and enjoyed the open space. It wasn’t crowded which was a bonus.

The park is located at 17499 S Park Blvd, Shaker Heights, OH 44120. We ended up getting rained out and Nick wasn’t feeling well, so we didn’t stay too long. The next time we go back, we’ll have to take a hike on the trail and explore a bit more.

U-Pick Tour–West Orchards Farm, Perry Ohio

Jun 082011

One of our favorite times of the year began today. It’s time for U-Pick.

If you’ve never been picking before, here are a few things to consider.

Bring water, snacks, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, etc. when you go to pick.
Some places want you to have your own containers. Other places provide them.
Call ahead and make sure u-pick is open. Many places only pick for a few hours a day depending on condition.
Most places are “reasonably” stroller friendly, but keep in mind you are in the fields – it’s a perfect time for the stroller with the big wheels.
Ask about restrooms or port-a-jon availability when you call to verify hours so you aren’t caught off guard, especially if you take little ones.
It’s nice to have correct change, so it’s a good idea to stock up on small bills for u-pick farms.
Some places will have parking close to the fields, but at others you will have a walk to get to picking.
Www.pickyourown.org is a great resource.

Also, pick your own isn’t usually cheaper than the local market or store. Pick your own is about enjoying the experience, seeing how crops are grown and and enjoying fresh and local.

First up for the U-Pick season here is strawberries. This year, strawberries were a bit later than normal due to all of the rain that we have had. Today, we traveled to West Orchards Farm in Perry, Ohio. From our house in Mayfield Heights, it’s about 30 minutes away. It took us a few minutes longer today due to the construction on route 2.

The U-Pick here opened at 8am. We arrived a few minutes after 8 and were the only ones doing U-pick! Here’s the view of the entrance of the market along with a sign directing you to the picking area.

We were greeted by Allee who has worked at the farm for 5 years. She’s a student at Mt. Union and works here during the summer. She set us up with our containers and headed out to the field with us. When it’s not busy, she picks. West Orchards provides containers. The kids each had a small basket and I had a larger container for berries. We ended up picking 9 pounds of berries. Here the strawberries were $2 per pound regardless of the number of pounds picked.

Nick enjoyed picking eating the strawberries. He had a red face and fingers to show for it.

Sally spent most of the time in the stroller, so I didn’t get any good photos of her. I’ll have to try to capture her next time.

We were able to park really close to the fields and there was a port-a-jon available as well. We’ll definitely be returning to West Orchard. If we don’t make it for more strawberries, we’ll definitely go out for sour cherries in a few weeks.

Nick, Sally and I hope to be picking a couple of times a week throughout the summer as we enjoy our seasonal fruits and vegetables that are available for U-Pick in the area. I hope you enjoy our tour of the local U-Pick farms.

West Orchards Farm Market 3034 N. Ridge Rd. (SR. 20)Perry, OH 44081 (440) 259-3192

Adventures with Nick and Sally: Bicycling on the Towpath Trail

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Jun 052011

Stephen and I met bicycling. So, we love it. It’s only natural for us to want to bicycle with the kids. Our friends from Minnesota gave us a Burley trailer a few years back. It’s great, but both kids together are not comfortable. Nick is just too big. So, we’ve been investigating the I-Go, Trail A Bike, Co-Pilot, and others to be able to take the kids bicycling.

Today, we decided to venture down to Century Cycles in Peninsula. They have a rental business out of that location and they have the I –Go that you can try out. We almost were too late to rent it for today (by 5 minutes), but they made an exception. We were looking to buy it. We really weren’t there to rent it. I think that made the difference.

We really thought we would love the I-Go and we were right. It was really easy to ride this with Nick. Stephen will be pulling Sally in the other trailer, so we are really looking for a package deal where Nick and I are comfortable riding. I like that Nick is in a comfortable seat that is close to the ground. He’s also buckled in like a car seat. I love that I don’t feel like he’ll be falling out. We would love to buy one, but we need to figure out transport first. We also need more spec information first. I’ll keep you all posted.

We rode about 5 miles total (from Peninsula to Boston and back). Sally and Nick were both happy as we finished.

Maybe it was playing in the dirt or seeing the train. I’d like to think the smiles were from riding.

next up: hoping for an afternoon workout tomorrow!

Adventures with Nick and Sally at the Cleveland Zoo

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Jun 042011

Today, we went to the zoo. We are members of the Akron Zoo thanks to a Groupon purchase earlier in the year. When we activated our membership, they gave us a coupon for $5 for our family of 4 to go to the Cleveland Zoo. The zoos are no longer 100% reciprocal with each other and the coupon is a way of helping out the members.

We arrived at the zoo just before they opened. We wanted to get there early because the kids are early birds, it’s not too hot and it’s not too crowded. Mission accomplished.

Although we trekked up to the primates area, saw the koalas and a few other animals, this visit was all about the return of the elephants. It seems like it took forever to rebuild the new elephant home. It turned out great and we enjoyed seeing them inside and out.

We enjoyed 2 perfect hours at the zoo that ended with eating our picnic lunch in the shelter. It was a nice and active day.

Next up: workout at the J in the morning

Bicycling with a Purpose.

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Jun 022011

We never made it to the JCC today. Sally was up for a couple of hours last night. We lose 2 nights of sleep per new tooth. Last night, she got a molar. We ran errands today and then played at the playground. Nick rode his bike and Sally took a tricycle, but ended up walking. They were both exhausted when we came home and took great naps. Sally slept for almost 4 hours. Nick slept for almost 3. I was in heaven.

By the time everyone was aware and ready, there was not enough time left for a gym workout. We headed to another park and then to pick up our Fresh Fork CSA.

After dinner, the family went out on our bikes. Instead of just riding around the neighborhood, we ran errands. Stephen rode his recumbent with Nick and Sally in the Burley trailer and I rode my single. We rode to Target and Michael’s to pick up a few items that we’ve needed for a while. It was great to get a ride in (about 4 miles total) and check something off the to do list at the same time.

Next up: physical therapy in the morning.

Adventures with Nick and Sally–Little Builders Exhibit

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Jun 012011

Today, we ventured to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History to check out the Little Builders exhibit. It was GREAT. We arrived about 5pm and Nick and Sally were the only ones at the exhibit. We were greeted by Dane and Amanda. They work at the admissions desk Wednesday evenings and we see them often.

The exhibit is full of items that turn, stack, move and topple!

Since the exhibit is open until September, I think we’ll get to know it well.

On the exercise front, I completed 15 minutes on the elliptical along with my PT exercises and a nice arm workout (row, lat pull down, biceps, triceps).

Next up: PT and water workout tomorrow afternoon.

Another Day, Another Party

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May 292011

Today, we had another birthday party to attend. We decided to ride our bikes. Nick and Sally rode in the trailer that Stephen towed and I rode my single. Our friends with the birthday girl live just over 2 miles away. We had a great time at the party. There were lawn games and birthday hats.

And of course, the birthday girl! (who was not at all interested in the cupcake!)

We left to ride home. Even though it was starting to sprinkle, we detoured to Rite Aid to buy milk. It’s a good thing that the trailer has a cargo area. We dodged a bit of lightening on the way home, but the downpour came after we were all settled inside. My computer on the bike needs a new battery, but I estimate that we rode a little less than 6 miles. The knee feels worked, but good.

Next up: no concrete plans for tomorrow. Smile

A Walk to the Park

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May 282011

Today, we had a birthday party to go to for a girl who turned 4 today. The party was at our local park. So, my activity for the day was walking to and from the party for a total of just over a 1/2 mile plus standing around at the party. Oh, and a few (not many) PT exercises.

Mostly, today was just about friends and family. Enjoy the day in pictures.

Here’s Stephen on the bike with Nick and Sally in the trailer arriving at the park.

Sally sliding across with help. Nick laughing down the slide.

Most of the kids at the party.

Time to sing!

The birthday girl enjoying her favorite pastime.

Next up: another party tomorrow and some more PT exercises.

A Gorgeous Day!

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May 092011

The weather is absolutely beautiful once again. We started our day with a trip to the J. Stephen is still out of town, so it was just the kids and I.

I did my normal spin class along with some abdominal work and back extensions. We had a bit of excitement during class. One of the regulars fell off their bike when the handlebars came out. It was scary for a couple of minutes, but she was ok and got back on the bike and rode the rest of the class. WOW! It was a good reminder to make sure the handlebars on secure in a hole and tightened down properly every class. It’s also a good idea to check them during class and re-tighten if necessary. They are attached to a post that goes in a hole in the front of the bike, since it’s adjustable.

Later in the day, the kids and I went to the park. Nick didn’t want his picture taken, so he hid. I love the blue sky! Sally has been a daredevil on the slides. It was fun to spend time outside with them.

Next up: trainer workout with Chelsea in the AM.

Happy Mother’s Day!

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May 082011

Happy Mother’s Day to all of the moms!

With Stephen out of town, it was just the kids and I. We went to the JCC. I burned 600 calories in 45 min on the elliptical. I also did biceps and triceps.

After lunch and nap time, we headed to the playground, and then we played outside at home. After dinner, we headed up to the duck pond.

It was such a beautiful day outside and I was happy to spend it playing with my kids.

Next up: spin class in the AM.

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