Travel | Impression 5 Science Center | Lansing, Michigan

So here in the grand city of Lansing, Michigan we have TONS of things to do all year round. But one of my favorite things to do is go to Impression 5. Located right in the heart of downtown Lansing, it is a children's science center full of fun, hands on, interactive exhibits such as:

 

• Chew on This - This exhibit looks at the mouth, it has giant dental tools and a giant mouth. It also allows for you to see teeth up close through a microscope and see how certain foods affect your teeth. They even encourage everyone to take a digital picture and upload it to a digital smile wall!
• Spectrum - This allows you to explore the electromagnetic spectrum and compare different light sources, lenses, prisms and mirrors. They also have a life size Light Mosiac so you can create, along with a Shadow Wall.
• Nano - This exhibit allows you to immerse yourself in nanoscale science, engineering and technology by allowing you to explore with magnetic materials, building a giant carbon nanotube and static electricity.
• Build Zone - This area features large tinker toys, pipes, tubing and giant blocks. This a favorite of my preschoolers whenever we go for a field trip.

 

• MI Nature - This exhibit is full of natural environments that are found in Michigan, including an aquarium-like tank full of fish!
• First Impression Room - This room is for birth to 4 years. It is completely enclosed, so it's a great place to take the kids when they just need to roam around without you for a bit. There is a section for the younger toddlers, with mats and a texture board. There is also a water room and a smart board. This room is usually where we end our field trips.
• POP! A Bubble Experience - This is a room full of bubbles. Ways to make bubbles, different shapes of bubbles, bubbles, bubbles, bubbles. This is kid favorite, being inside of a bubble!

 

There at least another 5-7 exhibits on top of those I have named. Plus they have workshops and programs, summer activities and a membership program. If you live in the Lansing area, or are ever visiting you should definitely check this place out!

Impression 5 has no idea who I am, outside of scheduling field trips for my class. I just truly love this place and wanted to share the information. Also, children's face are hidden for obvious reasons...

Pure Michigan Travel | Eaglemonk Pub & Brewery

So I turned 30 a few weeks ago and it seemed appropriate to go get some drinks and a brewery. A nice classy way to maybe have some giggles with some friends. The brewery options in Lansing, Michigan are few and far between, but luckily we have EagleMonk Pub and Brewery.

The first thing we did was order a sampler. It comes with 8 sample sized beers, and in this case it happened to contain every beer they had on tap. They placed it on this tray with a laminated paper stating what beer was what. I assumed I was going to enjoy the lighter beers only, but I was wrong. They were all delicious!

I am going to consult their brewing list and try to recall which ones I tried...I make no promises as to whether I am accurate or not. It's been like 3 weeks. Also, EagleMonk also has wine, soda and food! We all had pizzas, and they were delightfully delicious. EagleMonk also sells a variety of souvenirs with their logo, including howlers and growlers. We purchased a howler and are looking forward to going back to refilling it. Alright beers sampled:
Red Eye Rye 
Instigator Doppelbock
Irish Red
Belgian Wit
Michigan White
Scottish 70
Delta Porter
And one other that I cannot recall...

EagleMonk also has an awesome program called the EagleMonk Mug Club. It costs $50 for life, and includes one free fill up. You get to chose a mug made by a local artist (mugs pictured above) and they are SUPER COOL. They hang from the ceiling and are super neat. You get a larger pour for the pint price, $10 growler fills on craft beer daily, $2 off any pizza on Tuesdays and $3 mugs on Sundays.

I am so happy that we have a great brewery like EagleMonk in our area, and I can definitely ensure that I will be going there again. With our howler in hand.

High Five for Friday | Link Up

Since it is my last week of official summer vacation, it has just been a chill week. Laying around, going for walks and reading. The calm before the storm if you will.

1.  On Saturday a group of friends and myself went out to celebrate my birthday! We went to a local brewery that I had been wanting to try, EagleMonk Pub and Brewery. Pictured is the sampler that C and I split, to decide what beer we liked best. I had about 4 favorites (out of 8), so that's a definite win in my book! It was a great time, and I super appreciate the people that came to help me celebrate. 

2. It's always a great week when I get to see this old girls smiling face. She was my 16th birthday present, and seeing that I just turned 30...that tells you how old she is. She continues to live at my parents, since it seems evil to yank her from her comfort zone. She has lots of land there, plus her best friend Mojo to snuggle with on cold winter nights. I love her. 

3. I have been going for walks everyday, usually to the library. It's been great to get outside and walk to one of my favorite places ever.

4. I am test driving some cars this week. Unfortunately my car has pooped out. That is not a high five. BUT getting test drive some cars is. I have had my current car...for 12 years. I have never really driven anything else, so this is kind of exciting.

5. We are going to be joining some friends for dinner in Old Town, Lansing. It will be delightful to eat some great food and catch up with people.

Hope everyone has a great weekend, see you back here on Monday!