100 Things to Do in Cleveland and Beyond: Activity 27

Acticity 27: Rainbow Babies- University Hospital System

Poor little Faye had to have a minor surgery and we are so blessed to live in a place with one of the top children's medical centers in the nation. I heart Rainbow Babies. I was sooooo nervous and they were so kind and loving and helpful and they made Faye, Dave and I all feel a little more comfortable about the whole process.

So, this Cleveland activity is one that I pray you don't have to venture to, but if you do- I hope you feel good about taking your baby there. I did.

Faye checks out her new threads.


Look at the smile on that nurse! So awesome!


This was post surgery. It scared me to death to see her like this.


Just waking up.


It was like she didn't even know it happened.


Thanks Rainbow team!
Love, the Cains.

100 Things to Do in Cleveland and Beyond: Activity 25

Activity 25: Country Lights at Lake Metroparks Farmpark

Ok. This is seriously one of my favorite things we have done since we moved here. Lake Farm Park transforms into Santa's Workshop and the kids LOVED it. Here, let me show you.

Here we are waiting to enter Santa's Workshop. Often Faye gets compared to Little Cindy Lou Who. So it was really exciting to see the two of them together. At least it was exciting for me- not so much Faye.





Once inside, the kids got to pick out the toy they wanted to make in the workshop. Miles picked a jet plane and Faye picked a rocking horse. They got to sand, hammer and glue their projects. It was so fun for them.





And right in the middle of working on the toys- Miles' elf excused herself, put on a microphone, climbed some scaffolding and lead everyone in the shop in a funky fresh dance. Watching Miles' confused, but enjoyable dancing in this video is worth your time.



Then it was time to paint. Both of the kids went to work. They felt so good about their toys after they built and painted them all by themselves. We were pretty proud of them too.





Once the toys were completed, we got to take a horse drawn sleigh(ish) to see millions of twinkling lights in all shapes and colors. So fun. I couldn't waste my time taking pictures, so i just captured Miles as we were going through a rainbow tunnel.



And last (and probably least) we met Santa. Faye wasn't into it. I'm amazed that Miles sat next to him. Santas that aren't cartoons creep me out. But, alas, here we are.



I had to put this in. Even with all the other amazing things we did- this was truly one of the highlights of the evening for Dave and I.



Loves for Christmas in May.
-Cicely

100 Things to Do in Cleveland and Beyond: Activity 24

Activity 24: Enjoying the snow.

This romp in the snow happened to be nearing the wee hours of the early evening so you can see the progression of the night's sky upon us.

What did I just say?

Notice on this video how Miles body checks Faye and she doesn't seem to care.

I love when Faye crosses her little tiny legs in this one.

Faye's little snowballs are the best.

Classic Miles at the end of this.

100 Things to Do in Cleveland and Beyond: Activity 23

Activity 23: Children's Museum of Cleveland

We recently got a membership to the museum and the kids have LOVED it. This is our first trip...



















Faye spent about 200 minutes putting these two babies to bed. And then, in true Faye style, she got a little frustrated with her shoe- so I kept that in there.


We went again with my parents a couple months ago:







There is an amazingly large Egyptian Sandbox every winter at the museum. The kids could go and spend hours just in there. And they have.

100 Things to Do in Cleveland and Beyond: Activity 22

Activity 22: Shaker Family Center- Family Connections Gym

Well, hello there.

This past winter we bought a pass to the Family Connections Playroom and Gym at the Shaker Family Center. The kids absoluetly LOVED it. They had a blast every time we went. The hours they are open were kind of hard for us sometimes- so we didn't get to go as often as we would've like to, but we enjoyed every second we could there.

Take a look at this video I just produced.

Miles is four! And has been for some time. Both of my kids have graduated in age and I have yet to post the pictures of their fabulous birthday parties. Since Miles' birthday was in October- I guess I had better start with his:

This is what we did on Miles' actual birth day. This, like Cedar Point, is a drive from Cleveland. But, like Cedar Point, it is very worth the drive. So, I'm counting this as my #21 Things to do in Cleveland and Beyond.

So... with that:

Activity #21- Port Farms.

Located near Erie, in Waterford, Pennsylvania this is easily one of my favorite places in all the world. There are SO MANY fun things to do at this place. You could easily go for a day trip and enjoy your time there the whole day. I took many pictures and only captured about 1/2 of what we actually did. This fabulous Fall find is only open for your enjoyment mid-Sept thru October. Since Miles' birthday is at the beginning of October- we use his birthday as an excuse to go. For more info- click here.

We will start you off with our favorite part of Port Farms:
























As you can see- we had a blast and the kids had a blast. We can't wait for Miles' next birthday. Well, yes we can. But, when it comes- we will defenitely be enjoying it at Port Farms.

100 Things to Do in Cleveland and Beyond: Activity 11

Activity #11: Backyard Bathing.

That bathing refers to sun bathing and bathing the car. There are a million ways to enjoy the summer sun here in Clevestown, but I have to say that hanging out in the backyard happens to be one of my favorites. Oh, the kids sort of like it too.

100 Things to Do in Cleveland and Beyond: Activity 9

When making my list of our first 20 adventures- I realized that I apparently forgot #9 and #11. So I am back tracking a little bit and will try to get those done, before I move on with our winter activities.

Activity #9: CLE --Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

What?! An aiport? I know, but here is the thing: when you live over 1700 miles from every member of your family- you tend to spend a lot of time at the airport. And every time we make the journey- it is an enjoyable one for the kids. Two words: escalator. There are about 50 escalators at CLE and my kids aren't satified until they ride every last one. Who needs Cedar Point when you can go to the airport?






Of course, it's also nice to see our favorite people come down one of the escalators to greet us at the bottom.