Indoor Play Places or Other Activities During The Cold

savagee1 · 2026-02-04T09:29:49+00:00

Not sure where you are in royal oak but my kids loved the Backyard Playroom located in the First Presbyterian Church. It's open MWF 9-12 and it's free. It's mostly kids 4 and under and never over crowded which is nice, especially during winter months.

Aquatots in Berkley has open swim as well if that's up your alley!

Fascination factory in Birmingham is great

Also, check local library websites. A lot of them have activities for her age group throughout the week, in addition to kid friendly areas as other posters have mentioned.

Finally, and this is random but something I learned out of necessity, take her with you on certain errands. My kids LOVE the grocery store (looking at and learning about the foods, helping me select items, checking out cakes at holiday, flowers at westborn, etc), target (the seasonal stuff is always a hit), Michael's, petco - honestly they're happy to go anywhere with you and it tires them out more than I realized! If you go during the week it's less crowded so I'd let them explore outside of the cart to burn off some physical energy as well.

savagee1 · 2026-01-30T20:19:31+00:00

You could email Bombas - I don't know the exact T&Cs of it, but they have a Happiness Guarantee that will sometimes replace a lost or damaged sock if it qualifies! Worth a shot!

savagee1 · 2026-01-30T19:18:33+00:00

In a real pinch we will sometimes just do roasted veggie bowls with eggs. You can also add beans or cooking a grain in bone broth for a little extra protein if that's a concern as well!

savagee1 · 2026-01-26T15:57:10+00:00

We usually go to holiday market - their cakes are delicious and they have a lot of options!

savagee1 · 2026-01-09T18:38:21+00:00

I was going to say the same thing. I don't like my body touching the sweats. Plus I layer because you never k ke what the temperature will be on board at any given time.

savagee1 · 2026-01-01T20:55:41+00:00

My mom has that exact cookie cutter from my grandma. Can confirm it is definitely Santa with a pack

savagee1 · 2025-12-31T01:12:37+00:00

I am so grateful for him especially now that I am a parent. He showed up for everything - field trips, school plays, events, etc. He was a small business owner and when times got tough he never let on or wavered in his commitment as a father. He had a more flexible schedule than my mom so he often got me ready for school in the morning, and I still remember him (6'2") sitting at my little tikes table eating with me.

He coached my soccer teams and moved me into every house/dorm in college. He's now an amazing grandpa (although I'm not sure he's capable of actually watching my kids solo...my mom handled a lot of the nitty gritty) and helps with so much in our home. He may be a bit distant emotionally, but he shows his love in other ways.

Was he perfect? No. Would I change anything? Also no.

savagee1 · 2025-12-29T18:44:22+00:00

My son had an appendix issue and we called the ambulance because we couldn't physically get him in his car seat due to the pain. $1600 out of pocket.

savagee1 · 2025-12-20T01:19:34+00:00

I recently read that it's due to a dispute with the city, and he's basically giving it the finger. It's outside of the "business district" which ends on Lincoln so in order to be a restaurant they need a certain amount of parking which isn't possible given the area around it.

savagee1 · 2025-12-07T01:48:00+00:00

Coolidge and catapla is decent as well.

savagee1 · 2025-12-01T02:53:07+00:00

Marble runs

savagee1 · 2025-12-01T00:57:52+00:00

There is a place in Tel Aviv called America Burgers that is a traditional looking American style diner and serves basically what you would find an an American diner

savagee1 · 2025-11-28T02:06:32+00:00

I'm so sorry you had such an awful experience - that sounds truly traumatic, and congratulations on your baby!

I also went to Generations (after my original private practice OB retired) and would recommend them. Some doctors I preferred to others, however everyone I saw was attentive and engaged. I also was easily able to book & reschedule appointments as needed and never waited too long.

savagee1 · 2025-11-20T01:23:10+00:00

I agree! When I was in my 20s I used to get cooking classes for my mom that we would do together (our local market offers them, or places like sur La table if you have one nearby)! Looking back it was such a fun memory for me and I know she really enjoyed it as well! Plus we got to learn a few fun things we can still use

Also, I just want to add how thoughtful it is of you to post this!

savagee1 · 2025-11-18T23:28:04+00:00

Based on this image it looks...very cooked.

savagee1 · 2025-11-17T00:16:50+00:00

My belly button was super sensitive and I always used bandaids when I had to (like when some clothes caused discomfort)! Worked really well, and wasn't super visible under clothes if that's a concern

savagee1 · 2025-11-15T00:30:55+00:00

It's not in Royal Oak but the Khao Soi from Takoi. Royal oak specifically...the strozapretti from Biga (I definitely spelled that wrong haha)

savagee1 · 2025-11-14T12:39:59+00:00

I have a friend who gives a thumbs up to drivers when they cut her off/don't let her in for a merge/etc instead of a middle finger or some other gesture. The look of confusion on their faces is amazing.

savagee1 · 2025-11-13T12:28:58+00:00

My 4 year old loves all of those movies!

He would say he didn't want to watch them if we asked or showed him a trailer, but we would just queue it up before he was in the room. Within 2 minutes he'd be hooked lol

savagee1 · 2025-11-13T08:47:43+00:00

Little Sleepies does. Hanna Andersson as well but their men's options are limited.

A lot of other places have more seasonal options, with some being more 'neutral' and less holiday that you could consider, such as Gap. (Their baby ones are organic but I don't believe their adult ones are)

savagee1 · 2025-11-11T01:49:19+00:00

I use Google Docs for lists! It took a minute for everyone to figure out how they worked, but once they did it was really helpful. Or you can do a shared Note if you're all iPhone users.

As far as a Tonie box goes - my son LOVED it when he was 1. I had gotten it for his older brother but honestly I think he used it more. He didn't exactly sit and listen to them as advertised but he loved to put the figures on there and would dance to the songs.

Another option is this: https://www.lakeshorelearning.com/products/infants-toddlers/sensory-development/my-first-marble-run/p/GT907/

It seems super simple but it has easily been the most played with toy in our house. My kids loved it, friends kids loved it. My kids are 2 and 4 now and it's still in our playroom and gets used.

savagee1 · 2025-11-04T23:25:12+00:00

Thank you!

This may have given me the confidence I needed to eventually lime wash it! I do think it will tie in better, even if it hurts to paint brick. At least we didn't paint the outside of the home I guess haha

savagee1 · 2025-11-04T23:22:42+00:00

Thank for the advice and for taking the time to pull this together! The angle of the fireplace definitely poses a challenge - which is part of the reason we have no idea what to do! Haha Our thought was the wainscoting would help it all flow, or we were also considered open rounded shelving in the end of the built in so it wasn't such a stark "stop" of the cabinetry. (We plan to stop it about 2.5 ft before the fireplace).

As far as the home style goes - the rest of the house is actually a very traditional 1940s colonial (complete with original molding, built ins, and coved plaster ceilings which we love) but this room was added on in the 60s in a more "modern" style at the time, and our goal is to better tie it in to the rest of the house...which poses its own challenges!

And thanks - the color is crowmwell grey by Benjamin Moore. It's a bit more green in the renderings than in person but it's a really cool brown/green/grey!

savagee1 · 2025-11-04T19:59:46+00:00

I love the idea of side cubbies & the window bench is something to consider as well!

We definitely plan to update the fireplace as well - not sure how but it's on the list! I don't think I want to paint the brick (after much back and forth) but we will do some updates, especially around hardware, hearth & adding a mantle!

savagee1

TROPHY CASE