Pinkalicious

Pinkalicious the Musical came to Detroit last weekend and some of the moms from our playgroup came with us to see it! The girls all got pink (of course) lollipops before the performance...which they licked (or in Josie's case - chomped on) throughout the show. They were so fun to watch as they watched the play!

The show took place downtown Detroit in Hockeytown...so Jos took a picture with a Red Wings bobble head.  The state of Michigan is pretty pumped for Red Wings playoffs....a parade would be fun.

Election Tuesday in the D

Yesterday was Election Day - and also "Teacher Work Day" at BOTH schools. Conspiracy. So I suggested we visit Tyson at work. We piled into my car and took off for Detroit. It was a BEAUTIFUL day. Gorgeous. We started off walking along the Detroit River and found a HUGE old steamboat called the Detroit Princess.

Make sure you click on this picture so you can see her true disappointment.

As we were walking up to the boat the conversation went like this:
Me: "Ohhhh, wow, Jos - look this is called the Detroit Princess. How cool is that?"
Josie: :SQUEAL: " I WUV PRINCESSES!!!"
We spend a few minutes looking at the boat as we walk past it. We are about to walk away.
Me: "Josie, sit down - I want to get your picture by the boat."
Josie: "I'm SO mad. I wanted to see the Princess."
Me: "It's not an actual princess, Josie, it's just a boat called Detroit Princess."
Josie: (as I'm taking this picture) "I don't like THIS princess."

We walked through Hart Plaza. It was pretty empty - but that made it even better for the kids to run through. Nolan took in the city sites.

After lunch at American Coney (because, when in Detroit...) we found the Detroit Water Ice Factory. You can read about it on the sign. Interesting idea. Love that it is benefiting the Detroit community. FYI - Josie got Pink Lemonade and it was super tasty! And pink.

I'd like to tell you it was a stress-free, fun-loving two hours with Daddy downtown - but you all know better. Why? Because. Kids.

We set off to spend time together: check.

Enjoy the weather: check.

And eat lunch: check.

Ohhhh Lions.

See this. It's called - being hardcore fans. Even in the face of perpetual LOSING...we still watch. We still cheer. We still believe that one day...SOMEDAY...the Lions will win again.

If you don't believe me - ask a Cubs fan.

Congrats to the diehards on your team's advancement to the NLCS. Jerry Clevenger is one happy man tonight. Go Cubs, go.

A Visit to the RenCen

Last Tuesday the kids and I visited Tyson at work. We always have a fun time when we go for a visit. Josie and Jack were most impressed with the Palm Trees that live in the Winter Garden there. Josie was hugging them - in true Tree Hugger fashion.

We tested out some cars. All of them got HIGH ratings from the kids. They were both BIG fans of the Lime Green Chevy Spark...and - when I pointed at a beautiful blue Corvette and asked Jack which one he would want...he chose the Spark. Fine. But I have a feeling he'll be changing his tune over the next few years. {Also, for the record, NO BECKER CHILD - in this family - will ever drive a Corvette on their parents' dime}

 After the car testing - we enjoyed lunch in the food court. Big stuff for the kids!

 Then we jumped on the elevator and went to meet Tyson's "work friends" (as Jack calls them). Josie worked on some Excel Spreadsheets...

 And Jack caught up on some light reading...as some barges passed on the Detroit River.

 Nolan was just happy to be along for the ride {literally}.

Little tidbit - I have never been to Canada. And every time I'm downtown Detroit I think "I'm just going to grab my passport and drive over there." But I still haven't done it.

Dinosaurs in the D

On Saturday we took a family excursion into the city for a Dinosaur "show." Jack is really into dinosaurs. He might look scared in this picture, but don't be fooled. That's an excited face.

 This is a creepy face. A creepy caveman to be exact.

Nolan's first selfie with Joe Louis. (there will probably be more)

After our adventure with the dinosaurs and cavemen - we hopped on the People Mover for a trip around the city. Nolan was along for the ride. Literally.

Jack and Josie loved looking out the windows. They both yelled out things they saw - "Look a taxi!" And then "Hey, I know that place (Comerica Park)." Oh and Josie licked the window...because that's a completely normal thing to do. We came home with three EXTREMELY tired kids and TWO worn out parents.

Getting Gangsta

"Found you mom. You are a terrible hider. Now let me wear that hat." -Nolan

Cincy takes Detroit

Two weekends ago our friends, Blake and Sarah, visited us from Cincy. Their son, Floyd, came too. He's our favorite bassett hound. Grandma Nancy came up to help watch the kids, so we could enjoy {an almost} child-free weekend. We hit up Zingerman's deli for lunch in Ann Arbor. Delicious.

After lunch we took in an indoor soccer game. Jack's team took a beating again...but we recently learned that they're a bunch of 4/5 year olds...playing again 6/7 years old. It explains why all the other teams appear to be World Cup contenders.

Saturday night we went downtown Detroit for drinks at Sugar House and dinner at Gold Cash Gold. Both were AMAZING! If you are venturing to the Detroit area - Corktown is where it's at! So many fun new bars and restaurants!

We skipped dessert because we knew we had these waiting at home. Sarah knows we love our Oreos!  Chocolate covered oreo truffles. Ummm. Yes.

You can read Sarah's post about their visit...and see Floyd HERE.

Detroit: more than what you hear in the news...

My mom mentioned that she had never seen downtown Detroit (random fact: her mom, my Grandma Walker, was born in Detroit). So, we packed everyone up and headed downtown.  My parents got to see the building where Tyson works. And the kids discovered the Splash Pad along the River Walk.

Despite being fully dressed...and lacking towels - we went ahead and told them they could run through the water. A) It was hot. B) They're kids & you're only a kid once. C) If I didn't despise clingy wet clothes - I would have been in the water, too.

Because it was so hot - we squeezed out the excess water from shirts & shorts/tutus...and let the kids air dry with a stroll down the River.

Grandpa Jerry treated us to a pre-lunch ice cream treat (we were breaking all the rules that day) and then a carousel ride. After filling our bellies with a DELICIOUS lunch from the famous Slows Bar BQ Restaurant, we headed back to Northville for naps.

It was a fun day and it was great to show my parents a different side of Detroit.  Our home is open to visitors who want to experience Detroit for themselves. Free room & board in exchange for childcare & laundry. (kidding. kinda.)

Tigers Game

Friday afternoon Tyson sent me a text from work to see if the kids and I were interested in going to a Tigers game downtown that night. Seemed like fun, so we napped and headed into Detroit. Unfortunately, getting to Detroit from Northville is a nightmare because the highway is completely closed until October. I got a very small taste of Tyson's daily commute...and it was AWFUL! It took me an hour and twenty minutes to get to Comerica Park (that drive is usually 30-40 minutes). 

We watched a few innings, ate some ballpark food, Josie did some stats...

Then we rode the carousel and the ferris wheel. Bought some cotton candy...and called it a night.

It was a fun night at the ballpark. We have limited time for fun summer nights out on the town - so we will enjoy these nights out.

More Farm, More Ice Cream

Monday night I was sitting at the computer working when I received an email from Jack's teacher. It was titled: FIELD TRIP TOMORROW. I panicked. Pregnancy Brain (yes, that's a real thing) had struck again. I was SURE the field trip was Thursday. Nope. I immediately contacted Josie's sitter and  - PHEW - she was scheduled to come Tuesday. Seems I gave her a date "May 13" from the permission slip... So all Tuesday plans were scrapped and Jack & I headed to the Kensington Park Farm.

There were TONS of new baby animals to meet! Jack got to pet a baby pigmy goat and a lamb. We also saw a bunch of ducklings, piglets, and a calf.

This is the Draft Horse, Mary. She came out to say hello - but her boyfriend, Max, didn't.  Jack learned that horses wear shoes...which he thought was hilarious.

The Dairy Cow, Pearl. Fabulous name. Jack really liked her.

It was a muggy day and these pigs were enjoying the coolness of the mud. Interesting pig fact: their gestation period is 3 months, 3 weeks, and 3 days.

As we pulled out of the MetroPark there just happened to be a Dairy Queen. Jack didn't see it, but I did! We stopped for a pre-lunch treat...because Mommy & Jack dates are rare & they deserve to be special. Tyson asked Jack what the best part of his field trip was and he said, "Ice Cream!" For the record, I did make it a "teachable moment" by reminding him that ice cream comes from milk, and milk comes from cows - like Pearl. See - it was actually educational.

Tigers in Florida

Last Tuesday afternoon we loaded the family up (along with Grandpa Jerry) and headed to Lakeland, Florida for a Detroit Tigers Spring Training game. It was HOT. But we weren't complaining. Snow was heading to the Detroit area that day...so we were happy to be in sunshine and warmth.

The game was SOLD OUT. I was shocked at how many Tigers fans were there! I guess we weren't the only ones hoping to escape the Michigan winter! We sat in the outfield - and despite some bugs - had a fun time. Tyson thinks he was able to watch about a half inning of actual baseball...guess that's what we get for dragging the kids along.

We enjoyed some hotdogs, beer (not for me), and popcorn. And everyone around us was talking about the Tigers or our awful winter. Felt like home.

She's still chewing on her hotdog...

Overall, we enjoyed the day! Grandpa Jerry was disappointed the Cubbies weren't playing and his efforts to get Jack to become a Cubs fan were foiled.

Looking forward to Opening Day in Detroit! 

A Day in Detroit

On Saturday we loaded the kids into Tyson's new car (GM perk!) and headed into the city for the day. We were lucky Ty has a Yukon - because we needed it! The roads were a mess and we saw lots of accidents along the way. When we got downtown we parked at the RenCen and took the People Mover (that's really it's name) to Cobo for the Auto Show.

 The four year old waiting for the People Mover...not to be trusted.

 Both kids loved looking out the windows at all the tall buildings.

We snapped this pic for Mikkel - who works for Ford. There was a great turn out Saturday and it was one of the best Auto Shows in recent history!

The 2014 North American Car of the Year! The Chevy Corvette Stingray. We'll pretend that I snapped this pic at the Auto Show - but in reality I took it in the RenCen. There was a flock of people around the one at the Auto Show and we couldn't even get close to it. Gorgeous car. I'm sure I could load some carseats in the back.

Before we left - we went up to Tyson's office. Obviously, Tyson and I aren't related by blood - because his desk had NO CLUTTER. Mine was always covered in very organized piles. Josie is thinking she will replace CEO Mary Barra in a few years.

 A look over the Detroit River at Canada.

We drove by Joe Louis Arena so Jack could see where the Red Wings play.

And, of course, no trip to Detroit is complete without a Coney Dog.

We had a fun day and everyone was pretty tired when we got home. We're looking forward to warmer weather and the Detroit Tiger's baseball season.