The Southern Oregon Mom

Kids Land Medford is opening soon!!! I was able to get a sneak peek to share more of what they’ll have. This family friendly play place is geared for children ages 1-12. It’s upstairs in the mall near JC Penney.There’s a lot happening: 22ft long inflatable obstacle course, a big trike track, Kid safe axe throwing,Air hockey,an interactive video gaming system, a gated toddler area with age appropriate toys, a walk through sensory room, & lots of little fun activities throughout. There’s a large birthday party/event area. They’ve thoughtfully included a nursing room w/ changing table, and they have their own restroom too. One of my favorite parts is their huge section of tables and comfortable seating for adults. They’ve got free Wifi, so it makes it easy to bring your laptop and get some work done. They’ll have coffee, drinks, and snacks for sale too. You’ll find them upstairs in the Rogue Valley Mall near J C Penney. They’re where the laser tag place was previously. They’ll be opening VERY soon (likely this month). They’re taking care of a few final details, and I’m hoping to have a firm Grand Opening date to share in a couple of days. Drop in play pricing includes 90 minutes access to all the activities (except the arcade machines).$10 Mon-Thur 11-7$15 Fri, Sat, Sun 11-7📍 Rogue Valley Mall 1600 N Riverside Ave, Medford, OR #thesouthernoregonmom #southernoregon #medfordoregon #southernoregonlocals

2024 was filled with so many adventures! Can’t wait to see where 2025 takes us! #thesouthernoregonmom #southernoregon #medfordoregon #roguevalley #southernoregonlocals #grantspassoregon

Have you guys been to Rogue Winterfest at The Bear Hotel in Grants Pass? It’s such a unique holiday experience! We went last year and have been looking forward to this year’s event. Rogue Winterfest is an annual fundraiser for 3 local mental health organizations: Family Solutions, Kairos, and Options for Southern Oregon. All these beautiful trees & items are donated from other organizations and businesses and are auctioned off. Each one has a different theme. Visiting Evergreen Federal Bank’s Bear Hotel is an experience in itself. You can journey through the Redwoods, hike across a river, and walk through a covered bridge to the coast. The bears who are out in the summer in Grants Pass are stored here. They are hibernating during the event though. Santa and Mrs. Claus will attend the weekend event. Wallflour Bakery will have desserts for sale. Saturday & Sunday 12/7-12/8 10am-5pm$5 per person at the doorKids 2 & under are free 📍 2101 NE Spalding Ave Grants Pass OR #thesouthernoregonmom #southernoregon #grantspassoregon #roguevalley #southernoregonlife #oregon #pnw #roguewinterfest #bearhotel #christmas #holiday #mentalhealth

We visited the Gingerbread Jubilee for the first time this year. Wow what talented artists we have here!! Some entries are from kids and some are from adults, and they were all pretty amazing. It’s open Sunday 11/24 and Monday 11/25 too. Go by and check them out if you can. 📍Craterian Theatre Sun., Nov. 24th 10am-6pm Mon., Nov. 25th 10am-4pm. Admission is $4 per person, and benefits the Craterian Theater. #gingerbreadhouse #gingerbreadjubilee #MedfordOregon #thesouthernoregonmom #southernoregon #holidayseason

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Who else did The Santa Experience-Medford OR this weekend? Ya’ll told me how good this was, and I trusted you, BUT OH MY GOODNESS I was not prepared for what this did to my mama heart. No wonder you all make this a yearly tradition and look forward to it all year long. Ok I get it now. Yep. I stood there watching my kiddo fully involved in all the wonderful Santa Magic this morning, and I thought I was going to ugly cry in front of everyone. ((Spoiler alert!! If you’ve got sessions next weekend and want to be surprised, stop reading now.))For those who haven’t been, I’ll give you a quick run down of our experience. This was our first year. They ask you to arrive at a set time to allow a few minutes to adjust and play before photos. We walked into a straight up winter wonderland. The path is lined with inflatables as you travel past Santa’s mail room to the check in area. While you fill out a little paperwork, a kind lady helps your kid make a special mix of reindeer food to take home. There are kid size cut outs and other themed back drops if you want to get some photos of your own while you wait. There’s even a coloring and sticker station to enjoy and take home. Once it’s your time, the nice lady escorts you to Santa’s cabin. It was like stepping into a movie production!! No detail was missed in their set up. It was a level of authenticity I’ve never had for studio photos. Santa is amazing. He knows the kids names, talks about the toys they’re wanting (bc he knows what they want already since he’s Santa), and really makes a genuine connection. He even pulls out his official nice list with your child’s name written on it (I mean unless they’re on his other list 😉). He also shows him his book full of Christmas magic. Santa asks them to go outside and play, and you literally walk through his cabin door to a second high quality set. It’s unbelievable. Snow is falling from the sky, and Santa asks your kid to build a snowman. They ice fish

“Speak your mind even if your voice shakes” Maggie Kuhn #thesouthernoregonmom #mompower #goodheart #speakyourmind

Rainbow Connection

Why are there so many songs about rainbows,and what's on the other side?Rainbows are visions,but only illusions,and rainbows have nothing to hide.So we've been told and some choose to believe it,I know they're wrong, wait and see.Someday we'll find it,the rainbow connection,the lovers, the dreamers, and me.Who said that every wish would be heard and answered,when wished on the morning star?Somebody thought of that,and someone believed it.Look what it's done so far.What's so amazing that keeps us stargazing,and what do we think we might see?Someday we'll find it,the rainbow connection,the lovers, the dreamers, and me.All of us under it's spell,we know that it's probably magic.Have you been half asleep, and have you heard voices?I've heard them calling my name.Is this the sweet sound that calls the young sailor?The voice might be one and the same.I've heard it too many times to ignore it.It's something that I'm supposed to be.Someday we'll find it,the rainbow connection,the lovers, the dreamers, and me.La da da di da da doo.La la da da da, dee dah dooo! #thesouthernoregonmom #fall #southernoregon #ashland #rainbowconnection Daniel Sperry

Daniel Sperry in Lithia Park

Fall in Southern Oregon is so lovely. The Japanese Garden at Lithia Park in Ashland, OR is in full color right now. I took these today (11/4). This is the absolute best week to see color at Lithia Park. Try to carve out some time soon to go explore. I don’t know how long the leaves will hang on for. It’s FREE. It’s Kid friendly (but not stroller friendly). I’d recommend parking near the bandshell. Cross the street. Go up the stairs to the fountain. Hang a left and follow the sidewalk there. It’s maybe a 5 minute walk. There’s a map as you enter with instructions on how the garden is intended to be viewed. You can comfortably explore the gardens in 15-20 minutes. Budget longer though to take photos and sit on a bench to take it all in. If you have more time, be sure to walk through the rest of Lithia Park and take in all the Fall color there. Grab lunch and do some shopping in downtown Ashland too. Stay tuned for photos from the rest of Lithia Park. The bridges and duck pond are gorgeous now. #lithiapark #ashlandoregon #southernoregonlocals #thesouthernoregonmom #southernoregon #pnw #Oregon #fall #beautifuldestinations

Built in 1922, Antelope Creek Bridge was originally in Medford, OR. Once it was no longer in use, it fell into disrepair. In the late 1980s, it was moved to Little Butte Creek in Eagle Point, OR and reassembled to serve as a pedestrian bridge. It’s on the National Register of Historic places. It’s right off Main Street in downtown Eagle Point. You can park just a few feet away and it’s an easy and quick place to explore if you’re over that way. 📍104 N Royal Ave Eagle Point, OR #coveredbridge #oregon #oregoncoveredbridges #eaglepoint #southernoregon #southernoregonlocals #pnw #thesouthernoregonmom

Nothing beats the beauty of Fall in southern Oregon ❤️ #thesouthernoregonmom #fallvibes #fall #letitgo