Bundled up inside on a cold snowy day sounds great, unless you have three kids climbing the walls and tearing your house apart.  It's just after the holidays that we look for outdoor activities to burn off excess energy and create memories.  Sledding is one of the most popular of those activities.

If you think about it, sledding is an odd sport.  Dragging metal/plastic disk up a hill just to flop aboard and plumet toward the bottom.   Weird as it may be, it's hard to deny the blissful feeling of the wind in your face while you fly across the slippery slopes.  I find that my toddler loves it as much as I do (albeit I am a giant kid).    

I will admit that some hills work better for my family than others.  Being that I have to carry sleds and an abominable snow toddler, I tend to look for hills with stairs.   The age and confidence level of your sledder will also make a difference in your hill of choice.  For these reasons I have come up with a few suggestions in our area.  Check them out or let me know if I am missing your favorite slope.  

We never miss this big event for two reasons; my kids love riding the bus, and everything is free.  There is no better time to visit our historical landmarks, museums, ballparks, etc.  All you have to do is pay $1 for your passport (kids 3 and under are free) and enjoy the best that Lansing has to offer. 

 Too hectic for you?  We choose 1 or 2 locations and ride the busses the rest of the morning.  Trust me, this is really cool and you need to check it out.  Below are the bus routes and to the right is the website that will provide further explanations and a list of attractions.  

Buy your $1 passport ahead of time or right on the spot.  

Ride Special BATYOT CATA Routes all day for $.50 per person!
These special routes will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the day of the event. Children 42" or less ride for free!  Have exact change!

Flick's Family Film Festival returns February 27th through April 23rd with eight family-friendly titles! For each film, all regularly scheduled showtimes are free for kids 12-and-under and just $5 for adults.

Follow the link below for shows, times, dates, and movie trailers.

Dear Mid-Michigan Family Fun Friends,

I need to apologize for the lack of updates and additions to the site for the past three weeks.  Due to a soccer injury, I had to have ACL surgery on my left knee.  This would have taken but a couple of days in bed if the plague hadn't come knocking at our door.   Okay, it wasn't as bad as the plague but it felt like it.  My four year old attracted influenza, who then passed it to me, like every great mother I passed it on the three year old then the ten month old.  Needless to say we have been out of commission.  

I hope you and your family had a great holiday season.  This month has been busy with a plethora of events to enjoy along with the hustle and bustle of the holidays.  Stay tuned for upcoming events as each city is now sending me their 2015 calendars.  Feel free to contact me with both activities and family friendly locations you enjoy.  

Happy New Year,
Karen Delaney

EAST LANSING — There is something for everyone at the popular Winter Glow event – East Lansing’s free, outdoor winter festival. This winter-inspired annual tradition will take place on Saturday, Dec. 6 in downtown East Lansing with a wide variety of fun-filled seasonal activities from 2-5 p.m. It’s FREE.
 
Winter-Inspired Activities
This year’s Winter Glow will feature ice carving, a reindeer petting zoo, horse and carriage rides, a special outdoor holiday farmer’s market, a heated music tent, a kid’s winter carnival, marshmallow roasting, merchant activities, hot chocolate and much more.
 
Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be arriving at the Marriott Hotel in downtown East Lansing and available for photos from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. 
 
Outdoor Holiday Farmer’s Market
A special outdoor holiday farmer’s market will feature many of the popular vendors of the East Lansing Farmer’s Market. Items for sale will include artisan bread, maple syrup, pickles, granola, honey, baked goods and much more.
 
Jingle Jam Music Tent
The Jingle Jam Music Tent will host three musical performances in a heated tent. Pat Zelenka will perform from 2-2:45 p.m., Kathleen & the Bridge Street Band from 3-3:45 p.m. and John Latini from 4-4:45 p.m.
 
Green Friday (& Saturday too!)
Support local businesses! This year’s Green Friday shopping event will take place in conjunction with the Winter Glow! More than 30 businesses will bring a special East Lansing version of the popular day-after-Thanksgiving Black Friday sales to downtown East Lansing Dec. 5-6. Visit www.cityofeastlansing.com/greenfriday.  
 
Pick up Visitor Pocket Guide
Pick up a Winter Glow program guide and/or Green Friday shopping guide at the festival information booth located in Fountain Square on the corner of M.A.C. and Albert avenues adjacent to the East Lansing Marriott. 

Visit www.cityofeastlansing.com/winterglow or call (517) 319-6927 for more information.

I have enjoyed Silvers Bells long before I had children.  I loved being outside in the cool night air making my way through the mass of merry makers for the perfect location to watch the festivities.  Now that I have three little ones, the experience is completely different... I have to be smarter about packing for the event and do a little planning ahead of time. 

5:00 - 9:00 Village - Local vendors are set up on the 100 E. Block of Allegan Street between South Washington Square and Grand Avenue.


5:00-6:00 Radio Disney - Music and games on the capitol building steps.

6:00 Parade - The parade starts on the corner of Lenawee and South Washington Square.  

7:20 Community Sing -  The Larry Callahan and Selected of God Choir will lead the crowd in the singing of Joy To The World.  


7:35 Lighting of the Tree - The tree is located in the front yard of the Capitol building.

7:45 Fireworks - Presented over the Capitol Dome.

8:00 Live Concert - Enjoy the music from the band ARJ.

Here is what I have learned throughout the years! 

Before you head out door make sure everyone is bundled from head to toe (I was afraid of losing toes a few years back because I wore thin socks).  Pack blankets and snacks to have on hand during the parade and while waiting for the tree lighting.  

If you have small children you can battle the cold and crowd by bringing a wagon, stroller, or both.   Line the bottom, wrap them up and make way.  Wagons force people to give you space and acts as step stool if you find yourself in the back of the crowd.  

The closer to 5:00 you get there the better the view.  This is a very popular event, so most likely you will have to park a fair distance away.  There are couple of parking structures to choose from.  Otherwise, look for parking meters lining the streets.

Most importantly, have fun and enjoy the festivities!
See you there!

Karen Delaney

Check out the completed "Birthdays" page.  Know of a really cool venue not listed?  Email me and I'll add it to the site.  

Karen Delaney

Today we took the kids for a drive so I could get some pictures of Holt Parks.  Our first stop was to Valhalla Park.  What a gem!  I can't believe we've visited this amazing park.  The kids loved the playground and even begged to walk the trails through the woods.  This park has officially become one of my top five favorite parks.  

I made it to the top 5 in The Hatching contest.  Thanks for all your votes and support.  Now I have the chance to present this website to 4 judges for a chance to win $1,000 and other prizes.  Wish me luck!

Mid-Michigan Family Fun is on Twitter @mmfamilyfun.  My goal is to master Tweeting by the end of the week.  Wish me luck!