Jan's Day Care

Child care is never an easy thing to find! When my oldest child was 11 months old, we were looking for a different provider. We came across Jan and interviewed her along with MANY other providers. She is amazing! She has been doing child care for many, many years and is extremely knowledgeable about child development. She provides a safe, loving environment with an amazing ability to handle the chaos of children. She is licensed and participates in the food program. She is a committed Christian, for those looking for that aspect. My children have been in her care for almost 7 years now, and they all LOVE her. I have had many friends bring their children to her as well. I highly recommend her!

PROS: Licensed, safe, fun, loving, Christian
CONS:

Applewood Hills Public Golf

Applewood is a great course to walk, especially in the early fall. It is beautiful and has tons of apple trees. Great for a nice snack! We have gone here many times and it is an executive type course, so it isn't too long for walking. It offered enough challenge to my husband, but wasn't too overwhelming for me. It is a very pretty course. The only drawback for me is that it is far away from my house. It is a great course to try!

Ponds At Battle Creek

I took my husband here for his birthday and I was pleasantly surprised! It is an executive type course and is perfect for doing 9 holes. It is a beautiful course with lots of trees and, you guessed it, ponds. (A little too much water for me). The only drawback is that it is next to a police firing range. A little strange. The staff in the pro shop were very helpful and accomodating. The price was great and we really enjoyed ourselves. I will definitely go back!

Golf Zone

This is a great place to come. They offer a real grass mini-golf course, a par 3 course, and an indoor driving range. They also offer coupons in the Entertainment book. The par 3 course is ok, nothing too special, and pretty short. The mini-golf is quite fun and challenging. I have not done the indoor driving range, but I love the idea. The staff are friendly and accomodating. This place is worth a try!

Heritage Links Golf Club

I really like playing at Heritage links. It is a pretty course located in Lakeville. The prices are reasonable, and if you get on their mailing list, they will send you a coupon book at the beginning of the season with buy one get one free greens fees and other coupons. Being a woman (and not very good at golfing), I found this course reasonable for walking and playing without totally killing myself. I would definitely recommend it!

Burnsville Mini Golf

This is a very small putt-putt course that is fun for the kids, but it isn't very imaginative or involved. Being from California I am used to really elaborate mini-golf places, and I have been disappointed with most of the ones here in MN. However, I have 3 small boys, and they all loved it. So for little kids, I would say go for it, but if you are looking to play a good course, I would go somewhere else.

Let's dish

Let's dish is a wonderful alternative to meal making! You go online and select the items you want to make, and sign up for a 2 hour session. You go to your session with a cooler and that is it. They have everything already sliced and diced and ready to assemble. You then go to each station and assemble your meals. You can add more spices or leave things out, it is up to you. In your 2 hours, you will come home with 8-12 assembled meals ready to go into your freezer. You then just take them out and cook them! Wow, dinner made easy!

Simon Delivers Grocery Store

What a wonderful concept! I first discovered Simon Delivers when my 5 year old was a baby. I was not wanting to go out of the house to grocery shop! This was such a wonderful answer. You can spend 15 minutes on the computer and complete your grocery shopping and then they will deliver it on your scheduled day! Their prices were reasonable, although the selection was not as good as going to a physical store. They do accept coupons as well. The nice thing about this concept is it really keeps you to your list. You don't end up with lots of extras you don't really need.

PROS: convenience
CONS: selection not as extensive

Slumberland Furniture

Slumberland furniture is a nice, medium sized furniture store. They have lots of selection and have several locations in Minnesota. They even have a few outlets. The furniture quality is decent and the prices are good. They have great sales and coupons around. They also are very generous in their non-profit donations for special events. We have purchased several pieces of furniture through them and I am sure we will continue!

Fairview Health Svc

I had 2 of my children at Fairview Ridges hospital. It is much smaller than Fairview Southdale. I liked the personal touch I felt like it added. The rooms were defiitely adequate and the nurses were wonderful. My entire stay was great, minus the food of course. Hospital food I am afraid is just never going to cut it. They brought in a pull out bed for my husband to sleep on, which was nice. He said it wasn't too bad. I don't have any hesitations in recommending this hospital!