Starting them young… getting your child into snowsports – Mitten Kidz
By Joan O’Neill – Mitten Kidz We enrolled our three year old, Soren, in his first ski lesson the other day. We’ve actually had our son on the slopes since he was 19 months old, however this was his first true lesson, taught by a teaching professional and made official by a [...] more...

Get thee to a campground! – Mitten Kidz
Lake of the Clouds in Michigan’s Porcupine Mountains. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) By Joan O’Neill – Mitten Kidz I can still smell it. The huge ten-person canvas tent that my family had while growing up. It weighed a ton, had that distinct weathered canvas aroma, and came accompanied by an arsenal of no less than [...] more...

Our Summer 2012 Bucket List – Mitten Kidz
By Joan O’Neill – Mitten Kidz Each summer, BK (before kids), my husband and I would make a list of the top things we wanted to do, see or enjoy over the summer. Annual standbys included watching the Perseid Meteor Shower from a we-don’t-dare-disclose Lake Michigan beach; a drive-in movie at the Cherrybowl Drive-In [...] more...

Joan O’Neill is the author of the blog, MittenKidz.com, a site that is all about growing up in Michigan and the places and activities that are unique to the Great Lakes State. Mostly out-of-doors, some indoors, all of them Pure Michigan. O’Neill is a 20-year veteran of the Michigan resort business and a MittenKidz at heart, herself. A big proponent of getting out and having fun in Michigan, no matter what the season, O’Neill is now sharing her favorite pastimes with her two young sons.