Float Your Boat

Sometimes it seems as though there are plenty of activities going on in the city to blog about, but at times there are lulls. Don't worry, there is still plenty to do, it just might not be a grand event with lots of people.

So here is one for the simple list: Float boats at the Mesa Arts Center

Last summer (yes in the heat), my husband's family had a little boat race at the MAC. We all built our best boats before hand, ate at Pete's Fish and Chips (Main and Mesa Dr.) for dinner, had our boat races in the cool water features at the MAC and finished off with a cold treat at Dairy Queen (Main and Hobson). It was fun for all ages.

I'm not positive that the MAC promotes having boat races in the water feature, but we made sure all debris was picked up and there was no one nor any signs that made it appear as though we were being mischievous. So hopefully I'm promoting a legal activity. I would check and make sure you don't head down there at the same time as a concert though.

***In other news, really you should check out the restaurant Papaya Tai. Their curry mango chicken dish was ranked the best Tai dish in the valley by Phoenix Magazine. Not bad for a little restaurant tucked in the corner of a strip mall. Oh - and they do take out.

And the Egg and I is tops for omelets. If you are purely in the mood for just pancakes and bacon (or a meal along those lines), maybe stick with IHOP. But, if you are in the mood for a good quesadilla or omelet, go with the Egg and I. They do serve pancakes and waffles, but I feel you get the most bang for your buck when you go with the egg entrees, hence the name.

There, I just had to add my two cents.

For the Love of Food: Papaya Thai

Last weekend my family and I were in need of a good dining experience. My sister was here from out of town and an adults only dinner was planned. Long story short, we ended up in a strip mall on the NWC of Lindsay and University Roads at Papaya Thai.

Walking in, I think we were all a little skeptical. First, it's in a strip mall. There were large fish tanks on most of the walls that didn't look very inviting. However, I think after all was said and done, we all agreed that we'd definitely go back. In fact, my mother has been craving what she ordered since we left. Plus, there is an open window to the kitchen, which I like. For some reason I always feel more comfortable in restaurants that you can see into the preparation area.

For appetizers, we had the egg rolls. They were surprisingly good for vegetarian egg rolls. The four were $3.95. Next time, I'd like to try the crab wontons. Others in our party ordered and enjoyed them. For my entree, I ordered the Mango Curry Chicken. It had a unique flavor (lots of curry and coconut oil), but it was delicious. They allow you to select your level of spice. I got a one (on a scale of 1-5) and it was almost too much for my weak mouth. But the flavor was delicious. I also tasted the orange chicken, which is probably on the top of my orange chicken list (if you've ever had it from Bamboo Club, that's what it was like). I think the entrees were around $6.95 - 8.95 and they were served with steamed rice.

The service was good, but odd. I'm not sure if it had to do with the fact that we had such a large party (12), but some people at the table had their appetizer and main dish before we got our appetizer. Everything still came out quickly, so they must have turned in the order for the first four people, then the next four and then the final four, resulting in our food coming out in shifts. This didn't detract from the good food, just a warning if you go with a large group.

All in all, it was relatively inexpensive and the food was great. I will definitely be back.

Papaya Thai
2706 East University Drive
Suite F6 & F7
Mesa, AZ 85213
Sunday through Thursday - 9 AM to 9 PM
Friday and Saturday - 9 AM to 10 PM

For the Love of Food: The Egg and I

Last Friday I enjoyed breakfast at The Egg and I Cafe and found myself wondering why I haven't written a review for this blog about that restaurant. Located on the NEC of McDowell and Power Roads, it's very near freeways, allowing for easy access.

On our last visit, they messed up my sister's order and then the "fixed" omelet was still missing her spinach. When the waitress brought it out, she apologized and said she wouldn't be charged with her meal. I don't know about you, but I am a big fan of good customer service. I don't expect perfection, as long as sufficient steps are taken to properly handle mistakes. My sister didn't even complain, they just acknowledged the errors and compensated her in a way they felt was adequate.

Like I said, I've been several times and never been disappointed. I did have an interesting dish there (French toast with cream cheese and sausage in between), that I wouldn't order again, but it wasn't bad quality, just not my preference in taste. They use fresh ingredients and have a wide selection on their menu. The selection is a little overwhelming, especially if you are indecisive. They serve breakfast and lunch from 6:00am - 2:00pm (I think...). My favorite thing to get is the Sunrise Quesadilla.

Have you ever been to The Egg and I Cafe? How was it? What do you suggest?

The Egg and I Cafe
2823 N Power Rd
Mesa, AZ 85215
480-641-8080

(Sorry, no picture. These days I have time to type and that's about it.)

For the Love of Food: Baskin Robbins

I'm back from the dead, and it's for the love of food. I haven't posted my share, or anything actually, for at least two months... just sitting back and making the pregnant (with twins) mother of twins do all the work. I'm awfully thoughtful, don't ya think? Actually, there's more to the story, but no need to waste time on that. I am making a commitment this week: three posts, all about food.

On Wednesday, the 29th, Baskin-Robbins is having 31 cent scoop night from 5 - 10:00pm. Their ice cream is good and that is super cheap. Each person is limited to three scoops. My all time favorite flavor is bubble gum. Just ask my BF from high school that used to work there... every time she saw me come in, she knew what I wanted. Unless of course it was near Valentine's Day, then I typically opted for the Love Potion 31. What's your favorite flavor? With three scoops for under a dollar, it can't hurt to try something new.


I originally thought this was to celebrate their anniversary or something, but it's actually to help them honor America's firefighters. That's pretty cool. So this is a deal that is cool in all sorts of ways... perfect timing for our warmer weather.

Image and info from here.

4th Friday Art Walk

image from here

The days may be getting hotter, but the nights are still nice so I thought I would bring your attention once again to something you can do tonight. Every 4th Friday at the Riverview shopping complex near the Cinemark Theater is - 4TH FRIDAY ARTWALK from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM.

"The event will feature original, gallery-quality fine art, exceptional fine crafts, jewelry and music. All of the art is family appropriate and there will be activities and entertainment for all ages to enjoy. As an added feature, a children's area will be set up for kids to create their own sidewalk art with chalk.

This ArtWalk is a juried event, meaning there are rules that must be followed and requirements of the artists before they can participate. Both novice and experienced artists are represented, but all art exhibited must be original. Pricing ranges from inexpensive to mid-priced.

This event will take place in the Theatre District at Mesa Riverview (between Bass Pro and Cinemark), located at North Dobson Road and the Loop 202/Red Mountain Freeway."

Information from here

The Orange Patch Too Sale

100 degree temps already got you down? Cheer up with a little green. Wouldn't you like to see this lovely line of dishes in person or check out other great finds?

The Orange Patch Too is having their biggest sale EVER - up to 75% off.

Friday, April 24th and Saturday, April 25th, head down to the Orange Patch Too to find something special for your home. Hours are 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM.

And if you can't make it this weekend, you have one more chance at the "It's in the Bag Sale" on April 29th. Receive a bag when you come in and get 21% off everything you can fit into the bag plus one item that doesn't fit.

The Orange Patch Too

3825 E. McKellips Road

Mesa, 85215

Go here for more pictures and a coupon.

Happy shopping.

Fiddler

image from here

Through blogging on iheartmesa I have met an amazing woman who has been through some amazing things and still finds time to share her amazing talents. She has currently been working on the production Fiddler on the Roof. I read her post on her personal blog and thought it sounded perfect, so I hope you don't mind the cut and paste job Emily.

"Last night I was astounded at the Fiddler opening night.
These kids just amaze me.

They rehearsed HALF the hours it normally takes to put this show up and it is still the best production I've seen of Fiddler. They were attentive and professional every moment, making my job so enjoyable. Choreographers pine to work with this kind of cast.

The best part is that they continue working hard and will not settle for mediocrity. Ever. I love that I can know tonight's show will be even better, and tomorrow's will be better than that. We are sold out for every evening, but there are still tickets for Saturday's 2:00 PM matinee, which is great if you have elementary kids you would like to expose to the theater. Please know, Fiddler is a 3 hour experience, and you get your money's worth! Come join us. You will not be disappointed!"

Heritage Academy

32 South Center

Mesa, Arizona 85210
(across the street from the Mesa Arts Center)

$5 adults
$3 kids

call for ticket reservations (480) 969-5641

Thanks Emily for letting me share.

Bike It Up

Need a bike? This Royal Blue beauty could be yours and plenty of other fun ones just by checking out Craigslist. You still have a day to get yourself ready for the event.

"It’s time to ride! April is Valley Bike Month and the perfect time to be outside. Save money on gas, reduce air pollution and stay healthy by riding your bike to work, school, on errands or just for fun. In celebration of Valley Bike Month, the City of Mesa is having two events for bike riders. Our first Bike4Life free family bike ride is on Saturday, April 18th. It starts at O'Connor Elementary School and is a seven mile out-and-back ride to Mesa Multigenerational Center. Registration begins at 8:00 AM and the ride starts at 9:00 AM. There will be free t-shirts and backpacks for riders, while supplies last, along with a raffle for prizes donated by local bike shops. Raffle tickets are$1 and the grand prize is a TREK Cruiser Classic beach cruiser donated by Pat’s Cyclery. All of the raffle proceeds will benefit the Not One More foundation, whose goal is to stop collisions between cyclists and vehicles. Helmets are required for all bike ride participants. More information about the ride, including a printable registration form, is available online at http://www.mesaaz.gov/transportation.

On Wednesday, April 22 join the City of Mesa in celebrating Bike2Work Day. Stop by the north entrance of Mesa City Plaza while biking to work or school for refreshments to pick up a free Mesa Rides! water bottle and to enter into a raffle for more prizes donated by local bike shops. We’ll be out there from 5:30 AM to 7:30 AM. If we are not on your route please ride safely. Thanks for riding to work on Earth Day because every trip counts. More information about Bike2Work Day is available online at http://www.mesaaz.gov/transportation."

Thanks city of Mesa for the e-mail and fun events.

And really, don't forget those helmets. I've learned just how thankful I am for them - they keep those carefree rides going.

Hello Again

Sometimes it is hit and miss with my postings. That is just what's going to happen when you have a mom of twins who is growing twins again (Oh - it's another set of fabulous girls. 4 girls in barely 3 years is going to be a treat.). And sometimes my family just has to take some time out to enjoy the beauties of Mesa that I'm always writing about (or to enjoy a nap). Today we enjoyed some time at the Salt River with visiting family members. I wonder why I don't always take advantage of all the wonderful things that are so close to home. Seriously, a river, just minutes away. Sitting there listening to the rushing water and watching the kids play was beautiful. Why don't we go more often?

I hope that through this blog you come to enjoy Mesa a little more. You may not get a post everyday, but my goal with this blog is to get people to take advantage of their surroundings - to have a little more Mesa pride. You live here, so you might as well let yourself enjoy it.

Image from here, because this nature scene tops any that I took today.

If you would like to enjoy some time on the Salt River make sure you stop by a gas station on your way out to the river to buy a Tonto Pass. The cost is $6 for the day. The Tonto Pass replaces the pay stations at the parks on the Salt River. Today I got the pass at the Chevron on Ellsworth and Brown.

How do you get to the Salt River? Go north on Power or Ellsworth. When you get about 5 miles out of town, you'll start seeing faded brown signs with names like Coons Bluff or Phon De Sutton etc. Turn onto the paved road, park in the parking lot and enjoy some time on the Salt River. It's really just minutes away.

Cooking With Whole Grains

Image from here


I've never claimed to be a great cook. So a cooking class like the one featured today would probably help my family out a lot - healthy and yummy foods - who can complain? Kara, the cook, is committed to making food healthy and yummy with whole grains. Her philosophy, if it's not yummy then who is going to eat it anyways?

Cooking With Whole Grains with Kara Bagley
Saturday, April 11 at 12:00 to 2:00 pm

"This is a hands on, in-kitchen learning experience where you will get to be involved in the cooking process all the way though, taste the results and take samples home to pass by household members. Registration is $35.00. Due to short notice, registration will be collected at the start of class. Please understand these classes are a lot of work to put together, so I would appreciate firm commitments only. Comment or email me with questions."

Go here to check out the cook and to get e-mail information. Information taken directly from Kara's blog.

I know it is late notice and just a quick little post, but I figured people need to be aware of these wonderful classes.

Helicopter Day

image from here

Do you want to check out displays of helicopters, warbirds (like the one pictured above), and other military vehicles? Then get down to Falcon Field tomorrow.

Saturday, April 11th, 2009
Gates Open 9:00AM — 4:00PM

Falcon Field, Mesa, AZ
Higley Rd, North of McKellips, South of Loop 202

Cost:

Children to age 15: Free

16 & Older & Adults: $5

- Helicopter Rides will be available all day at an additional cost
- Special performance by the Mesa City Band

Thanks Nikki for the info.

For flyer go here

Mother Nature's Farm Egg Hunt

pic from here

Let the fun begin at Mother Nature's Farm

1663 E. Baseline RD.Gilbert, AZ 85233

Saturday April 11, 2009

The fun starts at 9:30 am

Included in admission price for children will be an egg hunt, a yummy bag of candy, face painting, hayride, air bounce, farm animals and plenty of fresh air and space to run around and play. Other extras will include: Photos taken by the old tractor with Peter Cottontail. Fun foods like snow cones, cotton candy, popcorn and more. Food carts with lunch items to enjoy a family picnic.

The Egg Hunt will start at 10:00 am and run until 1:00 pm.

0-3 yrs continuously 10:00 – 3:00

4-6 yrs at 10:00, 11:00, 12:00

7-8 yrs 10:20, 11:20, 12:20

9 and up 10:40, 11:40, 12:40

Admission price: Children $5.00 Adults $2.00

Information directly from Mother Nature's Farm's website

2nd Friday

I bet my egg decorations can beat yours. Okay, not really, but it would be fun to try. Head downtown to check out this 2nd Friday's events at "Spring Fling on Main" and bring your egg for the contest.

And as always, included in the 2nd Friday festivities is special pricing at the Arizona Museum of Natural History (or I bet you could get in free if you go check out a culture pass for this museum at the library). To make the night egg-tra special, the museum is hosting some prehistoric egg-periences.

"Celebrate spring the prehistoric way. Come egg-perience an egg-citing prehistoric egg hunt! It’s the theme of the next “Nights at the Museum” at the Arizona Museum of Natural History, 53 N. Macdonald in Mesa, Friday, April 10th from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM. Learn about dinosaur eggs, search for hidden eggs around the museum and make your own nest to take home. You can also enter for a chance to win a set of four tickets to see Dinosaurs Alive! 3D at the IMAX Theatre at Arizona Mills. “Nights at the Museum” will also allow you to enjoy the Mars! exhibition, along with PSI: Poop Scene Investigation and Hohokam! Ancient Monuments of the Salt River Valley.

Special admission is $4 for those 18 and under and $7 for everyone else. Museum members and children under three are admitted free.

For more information on “Nights at the Museum,” contact Arizona Museum of Natural History Curator of Education Kathy Eastman at 480-644-5662."

Info from here and here

Riverview Carnival

image from here

Alright, I don't have many details. All I know is basically the words CARNIVAL and THIS WEEKEND. But my imagination is telling me cotton candy and fried goodies, huge ferris wheel and other spinning rides (that I would love to take pictures of while the rest of my family enjoys because me and spinning do not mix), and a whole lot of pack-em-and-go carnival funness*. Why is it that the thought of a carnival just brings out the kid in us all?

Thursday, April 9th - Monday, April 13th 2009

MESA RIVERVIEW CARNIVAL

5:00 PM - 11:00 PM Weeknights

12:00 Noon - 11:00 PM Weekends

Location: Loop 202 & Dobson
Bring the family and have fun!

Information from here.

*I'm allowed to make up words and to have grammatical errors.

Real Easter Bunnies

Afraid that your child might be a little scared of the man sized Easter bunny at the mall? Or you are just looking for that special place to hunt Easter eggs? Superstition Farm has the answer...

Superstition Farm

3440 South Hawes Rd

Mesa, AZ 85212

"Come get your Easter pictures taken with REAL bunnies and chickens! We will be taking reservations for April 8th-April 10th from 12:00 PM-3:30 PM and April 11th from 9:00 AM-10:00 AM, 11:00 AM-12:00 PM, 1:00 PM-3:30 PM. Please call Jason at 602-509-6865 for details and to make your reservation. Be aware...our bunnies and chickens are very photogenic so your portraits are sure to be adorable!

We will have a Special Easter Egg Hunt for those taking our Farm Tour on Saturday, April 11th. Kids will get to search for Easter eggs on the farm as part of the tour. Be careful... you might find some real eggs!

Tours at 10:00 AM & Noon.
(Regular Tour Rates Apply)"

So if you haven't checked out the farm, now is your eggciting chance.

Oh, and while you are out there, pic up some fresh farm eggs. "The weather has been nice and our girls have been busy! Help us clear out our fridge in Mooster's MOO-tique. One dozen fresh eggs, either chicken or duck is now only $3.50 (chicken reg. price $4.99 and duck reg. price $5.50) while supplies last."

Image and information from here and more information on Superstition Farm here.

The Culture Pass

I first heard about the Culture Pass a few weeks ago. At first I thought that maybe it was a joke since it began on April 1st, but it's official (see here), and I'm pretty sure it's a deal you can't pass up.

A few sponsors got together to help support local arts and activities and because of this you get to experience local museums for FREE.

How do I get to go to museums and other cultural institutions for FREE?

- Bust out your library card and go to the Mesa library.

- Choose a participating location that you would like to visit and check out the card for that museum/location.

- Within the next 7 days, you and 3 others (total 4 people) get to enjoy that museum/location for FREE.

A few minor restrictions:
-Available cards at the library are on a first come first serve basis and cannot be reserved online through the library.
- Admission may be limited to general admission only and may limit some special exhibitions.
- Only one culture pass per person per 7 day loan period.

Participating locations include (although this deal lasts until April 1st, 2010, some locations are not available all year long):

-Phoenix Zoo
- Desert Botanical Gardens
- The Arizona Science Center
-Arizona Museum of Natural History
- Arizona Museum for Youth
- Children’s Museum of Phoenix
- Heard Museum
- Phoenix Art Museum
- Cave Creek Museum
- The Bead Museum
- Mesa Contemporary Arts
- Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Arts
- Taliesin West

Oh, and don't even worry about having to return the pass. Awesome.

Check here for more details and info on participating locations and museums.

Thanks to all those that sent the e-mail my way.

Swimming: Part 3

Why the water safety posts? As you will read in this post, I agree with the Hubbard Family Swim School in that "water safety is a responsibility that all community members share." I realize the ISR program is not for everyone and although I chose the program for my children, that does not mean that I expect everyone to agree with it or to sign their child up. Also, ISR is not a stopping point in learning to swim. I want my daughters to be like their dad and be a good swimmer, not like their mom who is a world class doggy paddler (okay, I can do better than a doggy paddle, but it's not pretty). We live in Arizona. There are options - I'm just trying to get a few out there.

I've heard of Hubbard Family Swim School in the past. The part that has intrigued me is their indoor facilities. To me, indoor = fantastic. No more sweaty legs while sitting in the hot sun watching your child at swim lessons or having to worry about the gallons of sunscreen you need. The following background information comes from an e-mail sent to me by the Hubbard Family Swim School:

"Hubbard Family Swim School teaches swimming lessons across the Valley to children aged six months to 12 years. Lessons are offered year-round in small class sizes with the goal of getting kids exposed to the water to build comfort and enjoyment. The Hubbard philosophy is centered on half-an-hour, once-a-week swimming lessons that consistently reinforce and build success. Hubbard swim instructors use simple steps and building blocks that teach balance, buoyancy, submersion and breathing as keys to becoming a comfortable swimmer. Additionally, the Hubbard baby program is known internationally. They have run programs and instructor courses on baby swimming for the past 10 years all over the United States as well as New Zealand, Sweden and Australia.

The Hubbards founded the Hubbard Family Swim School and Summer Sports Camps in 1998 and now have three indoor, year-round swim school locations across the Valley – Phoenix, Peoria and Mesa. Each Hubbard Family Swim School facility features state-of-the-art pool filtration and UV, family dressing areas, glass-walled observation lobbies, handicap accessibility, swim shops, play areas, snack bars, party rooms and a welcoming family atmosphere.

In addition to serving the learn-to-swim needs of the families of Phoenix and the East and West Valley, Hubbard Family Swim School’s mission of education has expanded outside of the pool into water safety outreach programs in local schools. In a state where 70% percent of backyards have pools, water safety is a responsibility that all community members share. For further information on Hubbard Family Swim School or to enroll your child in lessons, please log on to http://www.hubbardswim.com/ or call (602) 971-4044."

The Mesa Hubbard Swim School is located in the Riverview complex at Dobson and the 202.

Fees for 2009:

$75 per month for group classes

$117 per month for semi-private classes

Do check out their website for more info.

Swimming: Part 2

Do you have a pool? How many bodies of water are 200 yards from your house? Is there a canal or neighbors that have pools or fish ponds? Do they all have fences? Drownings can happen in just a few seconds because children don't always know to hold their breath when they hit the water. Drownings can happen anytime of the year, anywhere. This is my daughter Lucy and no, she is not drowning. She is showing me that if she falls into the water, she has learned how to breath properly and turn to a back float, even while fully clothed.

We have a pool, my neighbors have pools, and my in-laws have a pool. I figured that if we could afford to have a pool, we could afford to spend the time and money to keep our kids safe by enrolling them in swimming lessons. The program that I will be talking about today is Infant Swim Resource or ISR. I know there are other good programs, but this is the program my husband and I chose for our family. After 4 weeks our girls were able to safely turn themselves to a back float and after 6 weeks they had finished mastering the skill of float/swim/float. If our girls were to fall into a pool they had learned to breathe properly, float until they got enough air, swim towards the steps, and continue the process of float/swim until they were safely out of the pool. We still watch our children like hawks around water, but I know that if the unexpected came up, my children will have the extra safeguard of being able to swim.

The ISR program takes dedication. We had 10 minute individual lessons everyday Monday through Friday. I also had to track when and what foods my girls ate, when they slept, their bathroom activity, and any injuries. The charting was so that the instructor could monitor any changes in behavior, etc. to further insure the safety of my children throughout the course of the the lessons. Lessons are not cheap either. But like I said, I was willing to devote the time and money.

ISR may not be for everyone. Most children cry as they get used to learning the new skills. Lessons are not water playtime, they are learning time and to some children this will be scary. However, instructors are kind and must undergo extensive training before they can teach. Although my children cried, I knew they were in safe, loving hands and I knew they were learning a life saving skill. (And as you can see in the video, they now love swimming time.) Also, this program will not insure your child will be an Olympic swimmer, it is to merely teach swimming survival.

This video was taken shortly after my girls finished lessons last summer. They had just turned 2. Children as young as 6 months can be taught the floating skill which teaches them to float on their backs until an adult can save them. Children who have learned to walk can be taught the float/swim/float skill. I think the proof of the program is in the video and the fact that there have been 788 reported cases in which a child used their ISR skills to prevent their own drowning. If you would like to know more, please go to the ISR website here.

Cost: (UPDATE)

Heidi had asked about cost. I thought that it was on the website, but I could not find it. ISR is more pricey. There is a one time registration fee which I thought to be $150. It has been awhile, so I could be off on that fee (please, correct me if I am wrong). Also, each week I paid $135 for both of my girls. Last year I remember figuring the overall cost, and I thought it came out to be about $500 for each girl. It was more expensive than other swim lessons, but I knew it worked and it worked in a timely manner. I wouldn't have to do a year of swim lessons before my girls learned valuable skills (some lessons are cheaper, but if you have to go for a year, in the end you pay just as much). Also, I didn't want my girls to just learn to have fun in the water, I wanted them to learn the skills to save themselves.