Giveaway Alert: Enter our Natorp's Nursery Outlet progressive giveaway - we have (3) $50 gift certificates to give away. More info! FREE plant babies for kids when you visit.
Hi, welcome to MasonMetu, from Me to You. I love living in Mason, Ohio /Deerfield Township, Warren County and the Greater Cincinnati area since it has so much to offer for families. I hope MasonMetu will be a  a one-stop, easy to use resource to find family-friendly activities and adventures you can embark upon.  You can start at MasonMetu Home for info on what MasonMetu is all about.  You can even do some shopping in the MasonMetu Marketplace.

Visit MasonMetu news below for highlighted events & features!
 

FREE: Sign up for our free weekly e-newsletter or visit our monthly top picks calendar page for a listing of upcoming family-friendly events. Organizations can now add events to the calendar. Please email MasonMetu for details.  


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MasonMetu Blog - scroll down please.

Note: If you pull up a  recent blog post, you'll need to scroll down to the bottom of this page to read it.   All of our giveaways are now posted on our new Giveaway page. Stop by to enter to win some great prizes.   

 
 
Check out GWL DEALS!
Visit our GWL page  for more fun things to do. 

Welcome Advertisers!
Visit our Advertiser Directory to see the
great businesses that help support MasonMetu!


Looking for a cool treat?  Head over to Ice 'N EZ for some delicious gourmet Italian Ices.
Mention Mason Metu when you visit the store and receive:
*1 free pint or quart with the purchaser of 2 pints or quarts of equal or greater value. Offer valid through Aug. 31, 2013 (one per visit per family and not combinable with any other offer).
115 Reading Road
Mason, Ohio 45040
(513) 445-9382

Discounts/Deals
(visit our D/D page for some local links and savings)


MasonMetu News

See our Monthly Top Picks page for a  calendar listing of upcoming events or
click here for our stand alone calendar. Below are some highlights to some upcoming family fun.


 Pop Revolution Gallery
Art Night Out
Thurs, May 23 - 7 - 9 p.m.
 
 

Movies in the Park

FREE

Fleckenstein Park - Deerfeld Township
Friday, May 24 at dark


 

Visit our Discount/Deal Page for some local deals!


 Westshore Pizza & CheeseSteaks
Visit them at 6176 Tylersville Rd. Mason, Oh 45040
513-754-8200
 

"Dragons, Dreams & Daring Deeds!

It doesn't matter what you read - JOUST READ!"

  • Summer reading logs - win prizes
  • FREE movies - Thursdays (June 10-July 29)
  • Special Events
    • Opening program with juggler Matt Jergens - June 10 - Mason Early Childhood Center
    • Open House for Hogwards School - June 16 at Mason Community Center
    • Closing event - Aug. 2 - Pine Hill Park Amphitheater

We are currently updating our 2013 summer camp listing.  If you have any additions, email MasonMetu all the details so we can your summer camp.


Lots of spring/summer programs & camps at
Yoga with Pooja!
  • Yoga & Chess - June 10-14
  • Yoga & Art - July 29 - Aug. 2

Advertiser, Skidaddles is now registering for summer camp with Camp Create!
 
 

Stop by Family Friendly Cincinnati to see some informative posts from some great local bloggers. Hope you'll stop by to see some of my posts.

    Read more about some local bloggers in the Greater Cincinnati area!

     

    You can also find some great women bloggers if you head over to Cincinnati Women Bloggers on Facebook. 

     What's Going on Downtown?
      What's Going on in your community?

    See more on our monthly top picks calendar page.

    Community Links 

    Our surrounding neighbors in West Chester, Loveland, Liberty Township, Sharonville and Lebanon also have so much to offer for families.  I hope you'll visit our Community Links page so you can connect with them and see their listing of community events for kids and families. Visit the local visitors bureau for more in depth ideas on upcoming local events.

     
     
     

    For all the wonderful events
    happening in the heart of the Queen City visit:
    MyFountainSquare.com.

     
    Visit Downtown Cincinnati, Inc. to see 
    all that there is to do!
    Visit their family options page too.
    Click here for Downtown Dazzle events f
    or some holiday fun downtown!


     MasonMetu Blog

    Here you’ll find my blog where I write about some of my own experiences as a Mom as well as post some awesome giveaways (giveaways now featured on our NEW giveaway page).

    Thank you for reading my blog posts. I hope you can laugh along with me, preferably not at me. :) I've had fun writing the posts and I've found it is a great way to journal moments in our lives. One day when my girls are older, I'll be able to share these posts with them. 

    Thank you for viewing and for your support. 


    Cincy Chic featured me in their Chic Spotlight  (June 25, 2012).  You can also see my friend, Shannan Boyer, featured from Family Friendly Cincinnati in the post: "Big Fun for Little Ones"

     

    Mom


    Kristin J. Goecke I've been happily married to Chris since 1995 and I'm currently a stay at home Mom to two girls, K & S and we have a chocolate lab, Bailey. I have a M.A. in Hearing & Speech Sciences from Ohio University (1994), a B.S. from O.U (1992), & I graduated from Middletown High School (1988). I have one older brother, and two younger brothers. We grew up in Jamestown and Olean, NY then moved to Middletown in 1986. I'm close to my parents,a.k.a Cici & Pee-Paw, and do lots of FOD's with them (see tab for more details). I enjoy reading, blogging, watching all my shows and spending time with friends and family.

     

    How to leave a comment on a post: If you'd like to leave a comment on a blog post, please click on the title of the article you are reading, then re-scroll down and you'll find the place to leave the comment.

    Guest Blog Post: How to Select Your Nanny: What to Look For in a Candidate

    April 23, 2013
    How to Select Your Nanny: What to Look For in a Candidate

    Hiring a nanny to care for your child is a very important decision. Your candidate will be responsible for the well-being of your child and you need to know if they are up to the task. While you're away from the home, the last thing you should be worrying about is whether or not you made the right decision selecting an individual. There must be no doubt in your mind that you have confidence in your nanny.

    1. Criminal Check - One of the most important aspects to consider for your potential candidate is the need to know if he or she has been involved in criminal activities. However, not all criminal activities can be damaging to an individual or those around them. For instance, it is possible to face jail time if someone repeatedly drives without insurance. They can be the safest drivers in the world, but the law requires that slip of paper in order to operate a vehicle. Does that mean he or she could put your child in danger? Not necessarily. If an accident was to occur, it would happen regardless if the driver is insured or not.

    2. Experience
    - Dig deeper into the experiences of the candidate. Questions involving his or her experience could help determine if the fit is right between you. Ask about further details regarding his or her responsibilities during their employment elsewhere. He or she may have skills that you would like to see in a candidate but didn't think to add in the application. For those without previous child care experience, still inquire about responsibilities at other locales. You'd be amazed by how many skills are picked up for child care at some of the most mundane of employment types.

    3. Training - Find out if your candidate has had any formal training in fields that could be incorporated into your needs. Child care training of any kind is always welcome, but if he or she has had a cooking class or other extracurricular activity for the home it could be a good sign. Ask about first aid or CPR background training as you want someone who can respond to an emergency should one arise. Find out if the candidate would be averse to taking a child care course provided by your local social services office. Many of these locations will provide the course for free and it could be very intuitive. In fact, it wouldn't hurt to join your employee at these courses to further hone your own child care abilities.

    4. Background Check - In order to collaborate and compare what you have learned about your prospective candidate, you need to have a background check completed. This will help you determine if the candidate is truthful or if they are hiding bits of their past that they don't want you to know about. The more detailed the check, the more information you can gain. The more you know about your candidate, the more confident you will become when deciding on whether or not he or she is the right person for the job.

    Your nanny needs to be a person that your child can look up to and respect. They may be spending a great deal of time together and you need someone that can be a positive role model for behavior and life. Your child is a sponge and they will integrate specific behaviors from those they wish to emulate. Make sure you have confidence in your decision and choose the best candidate that suits your needs.

    Author Bio

    Sara is an active nanny as well as an active freelance writer. She is a frequent contributor of www.nannypro.com.  Learn more about her http://www.nannypro.com/blog/sara-dawkins/.


     
     

    Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey: Dragons - Great Family Fun

    March 18, 2013


    Many thanks to Feld Entertainment for providing MasonMetu with a giveaway for our readers and tickets for our family to see Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey: Dragons.  We always enjoy the show and this year did not disappoint.  It was filled with amazing acrobatics, the awe inspiring Shaolin Troupe, high flying trapeze artists, entertaining clowns,  lots of amazing animals and so much more.  The show is non-stop fun. One of our favorite acts was seeing the Torres family as they spun around ...
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    Hockey anyone? The Cincinnati Cyclones have you covered!

    February 24, 2013

    Last week we attended an energetic and fun hockey game at US Bank Arena.  The Cincinnati Cyclones were on their way to complete a five game winning streak and that night they fulfilled that goal.  We had three generations in the stands and we were all entertained.  The music, the crowd and the game are all so much fun to be a part of.  We all loved watching the Jumbo Tron and seeing some of the crowd antics - lots of dancing, singing and smiling.  Plus, seeing Twister on the ice is an added b...
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    Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey present: Dragons! Get family value pack discount!

    February 14, 2013
    Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey present: Dragons!
    March 13-17


    (photo courtesy of Feld Entertainment)

    The circus is coming to US Bank Arena and this year it is a once in a lifetime experience as Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey present, Dragons. We are excited to attend again this year. If you'd like to go with your family, then check out their Family Value Pack. Here are the details:

    CINCINNATI MOMMY BLOGGER DISCOUNT INFORMATION - RINGLING BROS. SUPER FAMILY 4 PACK

    CODE: NO CODE REQUIRED.  ...

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    I need a NED - "No Electonics Day" - STAT!

    January 6, 2013
    Have you ever logged onto your computer with a specific purpose only to get diverted by Facebook?  The next thing you know, an hour or more has gone by and you've forgotten what your original task was.  I do it all the time and it's starting to wreck havoc on my planning not to mention it's sucking up my time.  I don't like my girls to get too involved in their electronics so I'll impose a "no electronic day" (NED) - no TV, no I-Touch, no I-Pad - nada, zip, zero, zilch. They had a NED interve...

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    Holiday Family Fun - Our Top Ten for 2012

    November 19, 2012


    Thanksgiving is almost here. We will enjoy a day of feasting, relaxation and fun with family (well, not sure how relaxing it will be for me since I am hosting this year).  After coming out of our tryptophan induced turkey sluggishness,  we will be in full throttle mode for the holidays.  There's so much to see and do in Greater Cincinnati.  I thought I'd put together a list of the top ten things we hope to get to this year....sometimes we make them all and sometimes we fall short on a few, bu...
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    Summer Bucket List 2012

    June 27, 2012


    I've been a bit remiss on writing blog posts these days.  Posting about our fab giveaways on our new giveaway page, maintaining the website, updating our Facebook Fan page and continually adding to our calendar of events has pushed my blog to the wayside.  This does not bode well for having a blog. Every summer we like to come up with a "Summer Bucket List" of things we'd like to do as a family and so I thought I'd share those with you and try to get back in gear with an actual blog post.

    So ...
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    "Got to LOVE a Deal" - Giveaway for Warehouse B! (CLOSED)

    April 24, 2012


    I love a deal. I’ve always been a bargain shopper and love when I can get a great buy on something. That’s why I was super excited to accept an invitation to visit Warehouse B.  Warehouse B is located across from the Tri-County Mall and it’s the place to go if you love deals.   The big open warehouse space is filled with plenty to choose from – you can get home goods, sunglasses, jewelry, televisions, lawn and garden tools, bedding, refrigerators, blenders, computers, cameras, telev...


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    Giveaway to see Asia the Elephant & Mr. Redlegs play ball with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Fully Charged Clowns!

    March 3, 2012


    Photo courtesy of Feld Entertainment


    Ringling Bros. and Barnum Bailey Fully Charged show comes to US Bank Arena March 7-11.  Our family is excited to attend the show. It is filled with acrobatic feats, musical entertainment, unbelievable stunts and so much more.  One of the highlights is seeing the majestic Asian Elephants and one of their most talented and entertaining elephants is Asia. She's also famous for her pre-show paintings.  The folks at Feld Entertainment asked me to gather some o...


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    LEGO® KidsFest Giveaway!

    March 2, 2012

    My daughter enjoying some LEGO fun! Thanks Bricks 4 Kidz (look for them at LEGO® KidsFest)


    In February I posted about the LEGO® KidsFest  that is coming to the Duke Energy Convention Center on March 23-25.  This event is sure to be a winner with LEGO fans of all ages. Lucky for us, the nice folks from LEGO® KidsFest have given MasonMetu a family four pack of tickets to giveaway. Here's some of the fun you and your kids can look forward to during LEGO® KidsFest:

    • LEGO Model Gallery: 40 li...

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