The Cherry Life

03/03/2022

Norte camp registration is open!

🚨 IT'S (ALMOST) TIME 🚨 Registration for the 2022 season of Grand Traverse Regional Summer Bike Camp opens tonight at 6 pm. There are many exciting changes to bike camp this year, including 16 hours of camp per week, an expanded ShredVenture program, and bike train drop-off to our afternoon camp partners — Traverse Area Community Sailing, Traverse Bay Area Youth Soccer (TBAYS), and — NEW this year — Taekwondo with ATA Martial Arts Traverse City. Register or learn more ➡️ elgruponorte.org/bikecamps

24/02/2022

What a fun way to teach kids about health topics. Traverse Area District Library has many other kits available to make these long, cold winter days fly by.

Let's look inside a health care kit! This one is focused on Stroke Recovery.

19/02/2022

Traditional summer camp or horse camp? Nature-based camp or art camp? We have many great options for summer camp for kids throughout northern Michigan. Registration is already open and some even have waiting lists. Checkout the summer camp options here!

https://thecherrylife.net/?p=168

Sign your kids up for summer camps in Traverse City and the surrounding community for a summer of swimming, arts, sailing and fun!

17/02/2022

What’s a snow day like for your family?

☃️😎1. Day of fun with the kids
🙈🙉2. Day of juggling the kids while working

14/02/2022

14/02/2022

Looking for swim lessons?

Growing up, water safety became second nature. A family tragedy propelled safety rules anytime we were near the water. Swimming lessons have become common for kids in our region, but what’s offered in the Traverse City area?

Help your child become a confident swimmer (and give yourself peace of mind too)!

https://thecherrylife.net/?p=153

Find swim lessons for kids near Traverse City and tips for helping them become confident swimmers while enjoying Lake Michigan.

05/02/2022

February is cold, however, the conditions are perfect for ice skating! Meet up with friends, create memories and check out a local outdoor rink.

https://thecherrylife.net/?p=90

Outdoor ice skating rinks in Traverse City, Suttons Bay, Leland and Elk Rapids. Grab the kids and enjoy a favorite winter activity.

01/02/2022

01/02/2022

After taking a long winter nap, The Cherry Life is back! It’s going to look a little different, but continue to be a place to connect you with family-friendly happenings in northern Michigan. The community we developed has meant the world to me and I genuinely missed you all.

We’re just getting (re)started, so stick around for a while!

Learn more here: https://thecherrylife.net/?page_id=144

About TheCherryLife.net

14/01/2022

Comment below! What winter activity do you love as a family?

🛷 Sledding
⛸ Ice skating
⛷ Skiing
⛄️ Making snowmen
☀️🏖 Going somewhere warm

08/01/2022

Happy New Year! In life during a pandemic, maybe your “ideal” start to the new year has been paused.

Stomach bug. Quarantine. School canceled. Virtual school. Uncertainty.

Life for the past two years.

I remember the first time my 3-year-old said “COVID”. It brought worry, fear and disbelief that we couldn’t “hide” what was happening around us from our kids. I’ve learned to welcome it seeing the understanding they are building.

COVID. Masking. Vaccines. Birthdays. Visiting family. Play dates.

How do normal childhood experiences that seem like a distance memory fit into a pandemic world?

Although this season may bring grief and stress - our kids are building resiliency and understanding for differences in ways that only life experience can bring.

This will not last forever, but embracing where we are - you are - in this season is valuable.

It’s okay to have an unbelievable week - the mountain of laundry and dishes are a telltale sign. It’s okay - life is messy and it’s a season.

Spread kindness. Smile with your eyes. Count your blessings when your day is “ideal”.

We don’t know truly what’s behind the mask that people choose to wear.

Have you had an ideal start or a messy start to the year? All of it is welcome here.

03/01/2022

Happy new year! What’s one fun thing your kids enjoyed over winter break?

23/02/2021

A fun winter activity!

30/11/2020

Santa Claus is coming to town!

30/09/2020

The little kid hiker. Every single time!

27/09/2020

Adventure is around us, but has looked different this year. The Cherry Life is changing in new ways and is excited to continue connecting your family to experiences in northern Michigan. Read the update for more information.

I look forward to helping you find new ways to adventure and make memories with your family.

-Elise

https://thecherrylife.com/the-cherry-life-is-changing/

15/09/2020

Do your kids wear masks in public? It’s can be a big debate for so many reasons.

Here are some tips as you navigate the masking highs and lows with your kids.

Should kids wear masks? What kind? Where to? Are they safe?

We addressing all these questions and more on the blog! https://bit.ly/33s7eDB

04/09/2020

🤣

04/09/2020

🎃

03/09/2020

Brand new playground to explore!

01/08/2020

Could these be more accurate? Just need the quarantine up north addition with endless beach toys, cherries, Cuppa Joe coffee and wine delivery. Which Barbie are you?

25/07/2020

Last weekend to pick local cherries around Traverse City! Santucci Farm in Old Mission has plenty and their kid buckets sealed the deal for our kids.

Where is your favorite farm to pick cherries?

23/07/2020

Taking a moment to breathe. Watching the sail boats cruise around in the breeze has a way of releasing stress. When my hubby says I should take the night off - I know it’s not because I have been delightful 😬.

As moms, we are constantly juggling. If your kids are home all. The. Time. You are not alone. If you are working while the kids are home - you are not alone. If you feel like screaming because the table that was cleared off for lunch is now home to fairy glitter for the stuffed animals joining us. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. If your child’s closet that was overhauled and organized yesterday is now home to ALL her stuffed animals - you need a glass of wine 🍷.

I had an evening off and the only thing calling me was an entire pizza 🍕(don’t worry half is left for lunch tomorrow), an empty bench, a book and this view. Find a moment to sit and not move. Find a moment to escape the constant balls you are juggling and realize how amazing you are.

We all know what could be worse, but can you do me a favor and give yourself a pat on the back? Canceling your kid’s birthday party 🥳 is far worse than planning one. Concocting adventures with the people you spend every waking moment with is not always enjoyable - especially if their waking moments are before the sun ☀️ is awake. Planning for a school 🏫 year that is still a blank slate is worse than seeing aisle upon aisle of school supplies - looked lonely.

2020 is weird and has been filled with choosing between 10 options of uncertainty. You are rocking it and we all see you putting on a brave and happy face for your angels.

Take a moment to breathe.

20/07/2020

Who loves kayaking? We are trying out some new spots! What are your favorite places to kayak with kids in the TC area?

17/07/2020

Timbers Recreation Area is stunning! This revitalized trail offers accessibility to all, a fishing dock, dock for swimming, many picnic tables, benches and amazing views. The squirrels are well fed and it’s home to countless birds. Let’s all do our part to keep this place gorgeous! Thank you for your hard work Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy!

13/07/2020

Need a kid’s mask?

12/07/2020

Fun ways to stay active - especially while it’s warm!

Involving your kids in your exercise routine not only sets a good example for them, but can be really fun! Check out these six ways you can enjoy time with your kids while getting the movement you need this summer: https://bit.ly/3iSSrZu

09/07/2020

Happy summer! Anyone else feel like trying to make plans seems impossible? Normally seeing back to school supplies right now makes me want to scream, but it would be a welcome sign of normal and knowing what’s coming.

Are your kids going to school this fall? Homeschooling? A combo? It’s impossible to know the next plan to make, so we’re prepping for a bit of everything.

🛴Possible homeschool preschool? Sure!
🚲Possible homeschool third grade while working full time? Don’t let the sitter go just yet!
☕️Investing in Starbucks and building the Keurig supply in case there is a coffee shortage?

One thing that you can plan on are the many online learning opportunities. A new one is a virtual program for girls entering kindergarten through the Girl Scouts! https://www.girlscouts.org/en/about-girl-scouts/join/ready-set-kindergarten.html

We are all in this together no matter what this upcoming school year looks like.

Your little girl is about to take a BIG step! Naturally, you want to do everything you can to prepare her to start kindergarten with confidence. That’s where Girl Scouts comes in—our kindergarten readiness course is free and open to all girls.

30/05/2020

Adventure is around us. The Hippy Tree is open!

24/05/2020

Biking vibes through the tunnel. What’s your favorite spot to adventure with kids?

22/04/2020

How is everyone doing? This week is a big week diving into the next layer of school work if your kids go to a school within TCAPS.

Similar to my youngest learning to skate, while navigating quarantine school we will fall and get a few bumps. The right gear (teachers and other parents) will help us get right back up again. We will be STRONGER from this as long as we virtually lean on each other.

We are finally organized (until it changes again!). Spreadsheets, binders, daily to-do lists.

This mom LOVES to stay organized and let the kids run with their to-do lists.

Who needs a spreadsheet or some tips? Comment below and I’ll pm you the system we use. Let’s lean in and help each other.

18/04/2020

Guess the trail! Hint: it’s a kid-friendly trail along a creek.

05/04/2020

Guess the trail!