That Time I Made a Root Beer Float on TV

I'm not certain what possessed me to say, "Sure, I'd love to make adult root beer floats on local TV!" But, I did.

And, so what that I forgot to mention the name of my blog - I did an okay job.

I made Not Your Father's Root Beer Floats with Graeter's Ice Cream.

And, I let the weatherman keep my commemorative Graeter's Ice Cream mug because he really is as upbeat and nice in person as on camera. I wish I had another for Maureen, because she is pretty fantastic, too.

What to do in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio February 25 - March 3

Cheers for mini getaways!

Last weekend, we surprised the kids with a trip to Castaway Bay.

Wave pool fun at #CastawayBay. Winter #minigetaway fun. #bloggingatcp #love #clevelandkid #instakids #instagood

A photo posted by Mary Johnson (@mryjhnsn) on Feb 21, 2016 at 6:21pm PST

Their excitement was contagious and we all had a great time. Best part, Castaway Bay gave me four (4) day passes to giveaway! Look for it Tuesday!

Bucket List - Family Friendly Events in Northeast Ohio 
The bucket list calendar is a list of fun things we would like to do in Northeast Ohio if we had unlimited time and money. Some are free, most are not, and be sure to call all events prior to attending, just in case I have some information wrong or it was canceled.

What to do in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio February 18 - 24

Snow or no?

From the looks of the ten-day forecast, Friday will be 50 degrees! Of course, that's after three days of snow, but who cares! It's really hard to complain about this winter when the kids' haven't even had a snow day.

This past weekend we saw Monster Jam and as always the hard working crew and drivers did not disappoint! There was drama, crashes, and a record was broken!

Not just the time to beat but #MohawkWarrior has the best time of the season - 15.110 #MonsterJam #thisiscle #liveattheq #monsterjamcle

A photo posted by Mary Johnson (@mryjhnsn) on Feb 14, 2016 at 3:09pm PST

Monster Jam is always a good time!


Bucket List - Family Friendly Events in Northeast Ohio 
The bucket list calendar is a list of fun things we would like to do in Northeast Ohio if we had unlimited time and money. Some are free, most are not, and be sure to call all events prior to attending, just in case I have some information wrong or it was canceled.

What to do in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio February 11 - 17

Is this really going to be a snowy Valentine weekend?!?!

Monster Jam is this weekend! 4 tickets for $48 by using FAM48 code in special offers and promotions!

Who's ready for those valentine parties?!? Need an easy and quick idea that can be adapted? Here's mine for a fishy valentine.

Who remembers fortune fish? I haven't seen them in years! Don't they make cute Valentines?! ❤️ #valentines #craft #instakids #fish #instadaily #instalove #love #ontheblog

A photo posted by Mary Johnson (@mryjhnsn) on Feb 9, 2016 at 10:42am PST

What to do in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio February 4 - 11

Spring is around the corner!

Being cooped up in the house just sucks! School events and mini excursions help, but so is watching a whole lot of Amazon Prime and baking cookies.

Someone is done with BINGO and ready for a COOKIE at the bake sale. #1lkwd #PTA #instamood

A photo posted by Mary Johnson (@mryjhnsn) on Jan 29, 2016 at 4:40pm PST

Bucket List - Family Friendly Events in Northeast Ohio 

What to do in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio January 28 - February 3

Go Monsters!

The kids went to a Monster's game while mom and dad had some quality time! Can't compain about weekends like that start off well.

Go @monstershockey! #liveattheq #thisiscle #Cleveland #clevelandkid

A photo posted by Mary Johnson (@mryjhnsn) on Jan 22, 2016 at 5:13pm PST

Bucket List - Family Friendly Events in Northeast Ohio 

What to do in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio January 21 - 27

Lazy-ish Weekends

Saturday brunch and laundry was the highlight of our weekend. Well, that and binge watching Sarah Jane Adventures. The kids love scary, sci-fi shows and this is perfect for the kids to watch.

Someone can't get enough of #bacon. #1lkwd #instafood #brunch #clevelandkid

A photo posted by Mary Johnson (@mryjhnsn) on Jan 16, 2016 at 7:45am PST

Bucket List - Family Friendly Events in Northeast Ohio 

What to do in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio January 14 - 20

Disney on Ice is fantastic!

Save $5 on tickets to Disney on Ice presents 100 Years of Magic using code MAGIC here. Grab your Mickey ears and get ready for the ultimate Disney experience at the Q through this Sunday!

#DisneyonIce is so good! So many of our favorite #Disney friends in 100 Years of Magic! My little one was sad it was over. ad #liveattheq #cleveland #disneyside #disneyprincess #instakids

A video posted by Mary Johnson (@mryjhnsn) on Jan 9, 2016 at 2:03pm PST

Bucket List - Family Friendly Events in Northeast Ohio 

What to do in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio January 7 - 13

It's Girl Scout Cookie Season!

I have a Dasiy and she is embarking on a whole new adventure and honing her business skills. Check out how she got ready at a cookie rally!

Hello Girl Scout Cookie season! @gsneo has an app to find where cookies will be sold and my little #cookieboss will be launching her own (official) website so you can purchase #cookies from her from anywhere! ad #girlscouts #girlscoutscookies #clevelandkid #cleveland #1lkwd #onemorebox

A photo posted by Mary Johnson (@mryjhnsn) on Jan 4, 2016 at 10:35am PST

But, really! How cute is she in that uniform!


Bucket List - Family Friendly Events in Northeast Ohio 

What to do in Cleveland on Martin Luther King Day 2016

How do you spend a day off with the kids in the dead of winter? 

Here is a list of free, mostly free, discounted or special days that are family friendly and open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Cleveland.

Spend the day at Castaway Bay - check out our visit! (try code: WEB)

If you have a suggestion for what to do in Northeast Ohio, drop me a comment or send me an email!

What to do in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio January 1 - 6

Happy New Years Eve, Eve!

It feels like it was just Thanksgiving! Where has the time gone!?!

Oh, what fun @disneyonice was last year! Can't wait to see it at @theqarena! Click the link in my bio of you'd like to win tickets. ad #liveattheq #clevelandkids #disney #thisiscle #disneyonice #happyincle #memorymonday #Cleveland

A photo posted by Mary Johnson (@mryjhnsn) on Dec 28, 2015 at 8:25am PST

If you entered the sweepstakes for Disney on Ice - 100 Year of Magic - check your email!

Bucket List - Family Friendly Events in Northeast Ohio 

What to do in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio December 24 - 31

Happy Christmas Eve, Eve!

It feels like it was just Thanksgiving! Where has the time gone!?!

Happy tree decorating and movie watching day! I was told that the invasion happened on Christmas Day so we're watching Home on @netflix 😉 #netflixbinge #bingewatching #christmasspirit #clevelandkid #instamoments

A photo posted by Mary Johnson (@mryjhnsn) on Nov 27, 2015 at 11:23am PST

If you entered the sweepstakes for Wash Club Cleveland - check your email! If you didn't win but want to try it enter code 'marylakewood' for 25% off your first time!

Check out the new sweepstakes to win tickets for opening night of Disney on Ice - 100 years of magic! Won't that be the best way to welcome the New Year!


Bucket List - Family Friendly Events in Northeast Ohio 

Win Tickets to Disney on Ice 100 Years of Magic at The Q Arena!

I have received tickets to facilitate this post and sweepstakes. Opinions are my own. 

Get your Micky ears ready!

Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic Presented by Stonyfield YoKids Organic is coming to Quicken Loans Arena January 8 - 17!

Join Mickey and Minnie Mouse and over 50 stars from Cinderella, Disney’s Frozen, Beauty and the Beast, Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story, and many more! Quicken Loans Arena will be filled with Disney magic when these amazing performers skate into Cleveland!

Look back at last year's Disney on Ice - Frozen when it came to Cleveland!

What to do in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio December 17 - 23

Are you done with your Christmas shopping?

Friday is National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day! Take a selfie and tag it with #GiveHeifer and $5 will be donated to Heifer International! Don't have an ugly sweater? I have a list of my favorites as well as more information about this wonderful organization.

Thanks to @heiferinternational, I'm ready for #nationaluglysweaterday this Friday! Post a selfie in your ugly #Christmas sweater tagged with #GiveHeifer and $5 will be donated to help a family struggling with poverty. #charity #sponsored

A photo posted by Mary Johnson (@mryjhnsn) on Dec 15, 2015 at 11:15am PST

Laundry piling up? Treat yo' self and let Wash Club Cleveland do it for you! Or, enter to win a week's worth of laundry done for you!

Do I want my clean and folded laundry dropped off early? Why yes! Thanks @washclubcleveland for awesome service! Stay tuned #Cleveland! Next Tuesday you'll be able to enter to win a week's worth of #laundry done by #washclubcle! #thisiscle #happyincle #clevelandkid #1lkwd [ad]

A photo posted by Mary Johnson (@mryjhnsn) on Dec 4, 2015 at 1:57pm PST

Bucket List - Family Friendly Events in Northeast Ohio 

What to do in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio December 10 - 16

Who's ready for Christmas!

This is probably the very last weekend for Holiday Lighting activities, but take a look at the past events so you can enjoy the lights of the season!

This past weekend I walked in my first Christmas parade! Well, I followed behind my Daisy as she tossed out candy to the crowds. She loved it despite being sick!

Almost parade time! #lightuplakewood #1lkwd #girlscouts #gsneo @gsneo #thisiscle

A photo posted by Mary Johnson (@mryjhnsn) on Dec 5, 2015 at 1:51pm PST

And my sweet, not so little anymore, boy sang in three events! Honors choir with the High School and with his choir.

Two concerts down and one more to go tomorrow. Love Christmas carols 🎄 #1lkwd #clevelandkid #choir #carolsinging

A photo posted by Mary Johnson (@mryjhnsn) on Dec 4, 2015 at 7:28pm PST

It's his last year in elementary school *sniff, sniff*

Ah, well, such is life. They get older, bolder, and move out. At least, we have plenty to do this weekend to enjoy them while they are here.

Bucket List - Family Friendly Events in Northeast Ohio 

What to do in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio December 3 - 9

Hello, December!

I haven't blogged in a week and I wish it was because it was something fun but alas I've been sick. That did not stop us from volunteering on Thanksgiving nor hanging out at Hart Crane Memorial Park.

Everyone is officially fighting a cold in our house today. As I sit with watery eyes and a runny nose, I look back at the fun we had on thanksgiving and wonder how we would all be sniffing, coughing, and sneezing only a few short days later. #thisiscle #hartcrane #clemetroparks #comeoutandplay #passtheplus #clevelandgram #humansofcleveland #clevelandkid #thanksgiving #latergram #hartcranememorial #myohioadventure #ohiogram #ohiopoet

A photo posted by Mary Johnson (@mryjhnsn) on Nov 29, 2015 at 7:41am PST

As I fight off a hacking cough, I'm also preparing a fantastic new sweepstake that will be starting on Tuesday for a weeks worth of laundry done for you by Wash Club Cleveland!

Don't forget to take a look at my special Holiday Lighting calendar for more places to go this year.

Bucket List - Family Friendly Events in Northeast Ohio 

What to do in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio November 26 - December 2

Only 1 day left until Thanksgiving! 

Need something for the kids to do while watching the parade? Check out my Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Bingo!

This past weekend we traveled all of two whole hours to Columbus for the final stop on the LEGO Creativity Tour! 

It's our friend, Spider-Man at #legocreativitytour in #Columbus! #legokidsfest #expcols #lego #marvel #spiderman

A photo posted by Mary Johnson (@mryjhnsn) on Nov 20, 2015 at 11:27am PST

We stayed at the gorgeous Drury Hotels and wandered the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. It was one busy weekend and I can't wait to share the rest of our trip with you so keep a lookout!

Don't forget to take a look at my special Holiday Lighting calendar for more places to go this year.

Bucket List - Family Friendly Events in Northeast Ohio 

What to do in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio November 19 - 25

Only 7 days left until Thanksgiving! 

And, 36 days until Christmas. Where has this year gone?

This weekend kicks off the Holiday Lighting season and I highly recommend Crocker Park's festivities! Bundle up - snow, rain, and only 45 degrees! Take a look at my special Holiday Lighting calendar for more places to go this year.

This weekend! 

Greater Columbus Convention Center – Columbus, Ohio November 20 - 22

What to do in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio November 12 - 18

My birthday has come and gone, but...

This weekend we'll be pub crawling up and down Madison Ave starting at the historic Mahall's Bowling Alley! If you follow me on Instagram, know that I have a new phone and plan to over share, a lot!

I only know two of these people!

Congrats to Sadie B! 

She and a guest will be going to LEGO KidsFest in Columbus November 20!

Greater Columbus Convention Center – Columbus, Ohio
More Info at www.LegoCreativityTour.com

Most sessions at each tour stop have sold out days in advance. Purchase your tickets now to ensure admission to the session of your choice.

TICKET ALERT! OHIO TICKET STATUS

Friday, November 20, 2015
Session I: 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm: Tickets Available
Session II: 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm: Tickets Available

Saturday, November 21, 2015
Session I: 8:30 am - 11:30 am: LIMITED AVAILABILITY
Session II: 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm: SOLD OUT!
Session III: 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm: LIMITED AVAILABILITY

Sunday, November 22, 2015
Session I: 8:30 am - 11:30 am: Tickets Available
Session II: 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm: SOLD OUT!
Session III: 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm: Tickets Available


Bucket List - Family Friendly Events in Northeast Ohio 

The bucket list calendar is a list of fun things we would like to do in Northeast Ohio if we had unlimited time and money. Some are free, most are not, and be sure to call all events prior to attending, just in case I have some information wrong or it was canceled.

What's on your weekend bucket list?

Where will you see the holiday lights?

2015 Holiday Lighting Ceremonies in Northeast Ohio + Cleveland Suburbs

It's beginning to feel less fall like...

As I look out at Lake Erie on this gorgeous sunny day and see a bright blue sky, it's hard to imagine snow will be coming soon. Sadly, snow is inevitable in Northeast Ohio, but so are all of the fun holiday lighting activities!

Last year, we went to three lighting ceremonies plus Holiday Circlefest. There are two that we really loved and one that was just okay. It could have been so much better. Maybe, we'll try it again.

Here are our Holiday Lighting favorites in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio + a Calendar of events for the rest of the year

Crocker Park's Annual Tree Lighting - November 21, 2015

Crocker Park and Light up Lakewood were our favorites! Santa was shot from a cannon and we got our pictures taken in a gigantic snow globe. 

#Santa being shot out of a canon at #CrockerTreeLighting #Christmas festival #CLE #instamood

A video posted by Mary Johnson (@mryjhnsn) on Nov 22, 2014 at 6:09pm PST

List of events at Crocker Park

5 pm: Performance by community groups on the Main Stage as well as family-friendly activities and costumed characters throughout Crocker Park

6:45 pm: Main Stage presentation hosted by Jen Toohey & Tim Richards from Christmas 102’s Jen & Tim in the Morning

7 pm: Musical performance by Chrissie Fit

7:15 pm: Magical act by magician Stephen Knight

7:30 pm: Help Santa Claus countdown to light up Crocker Park with a brand new Tree Lighting Extravaganza!

*Scheduled times are subject to change

After the Holiday Tree Lighting, visit the MetroHealth Santa House, located in the East Park (between Cheesecake Factory and Vieng’s)

Light Up Lakewood - December 5, 2015

Light Up Lakewood is a festival, with a parade, and fireworks! Plus, an all-day event featuring many of Lakewood's favorite establishments. If you only go to one - this is the one you really need to take the family to see!

#Brightlights on a #Christmas #tree #hellophotochallenge #BloggersGetSocial #hellophotochallenge #lightuplakewood #thisislkwd #passtheplus #eventsincleveland #thisiscle #clevelandgram

A photo posted by Mary Johnson (@mryjhnsn) on Dec 6, 2014 at 5:18pm PST

Detroit Avenue will transform into a pedestrian only winter wonderland of activity including

• The main stage showcasing the talents of live bands and student performers

• Pictures with Santa Claus

• Street performers and costumed characters

• Indoor and outdoor crafts, games and activities for the entire family

• Shopping specials offered by select businesses and vendors located within the festival grounds

• A centralized food court with vendors, food trucks and much more

• An indoor Vendor Village for you to warm up and purchase some of the finest crafts and holiday treats.

Holiday CircleFest - December 6, 2015

Holiday CircleFest is when Wade Oval kicks off the holidays, opens the ice rink, and shows of holiday decorations. The museums are all free and there are even events planned in Wade Oval like ice sculpting and carriage rides. I must admit, we spend a great deal of time at the botanical gardens but this year - ice skating!

Holiday Lighting Ceremonies in Northeast Ohio's Cleveland Suburbs

The Holiday Lighting Calendar is not a complete list of holiday lighting events but ones I have found. If you would like to add yours - please email me. Be sure to call any event prior to attending, just in case I have some information wrong or it was canceled.

How does your community kick off the holidays?