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#MOMLIFE with Michelle of Little Black Box

Looking for inspiration + ideas for things to do with kids in Metro Detroit? Tried and true suggestions that real moms actually do? Here they are! Hungry Howie’s appreciates Moms and joins LittleGuide Detroit in spotlighting a local Mom each week in the #MomLife series. To take one thing off her plate and give her more time for fun, Hungry Howie’s is giving each week’s featured Mom a free pizza dinner for her and her family to enjoy. Thank you Hungry Howie’s for being the Official Pizza of Moms.
Are you following @michellelsoto on Instagram? Michelle is a local mom to three kids and the co-founder/co-owner of Little Black Box which offers amazing luxury gift boxes. The Perfect Baby Shower Box, The Ultimate Activity Box and The Best Friend Box are just a few examples of how Little Black Box makes gift giving super easy!
Meet Michelle
Hi, I’m Michelle Soto! And a proud mom to Max 16, Zac 13, and Mia 12. As a single mother, I am used to dealing with a lot of ups and downs in life especially because of raising children with special needs. So when the world turned upside down, rising to the occasion and joining forces with my dear friend, Carrie Weiner, to build a business that could not only provide for our children but could also give back to the community in a way that brings the community together and empower other women entrepreneurs we created Little Black Box, LLC.
Favorite Ways To Spend Family Time:
- Bowling
- Hiking
- Board Games
Favorite Places To Go:
- Detroit Zoo (Royal Oak)
- The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village (Dearborn)
- Ann Arbor Hands on Museum (Ann Arbor)
Favorite Bedtime Stories:
- Barnyard Dance by Sandra Boynton
- The Skin you Live in by Michael Tyler
- The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
Favorite Family-Friendly Restaurants:
- Bigaloria (Ann Arbor, Royal Oak, Plymouth, Southfield)
- Greek Islands (Birmingham, Farmington Hills, Plymouth, West Bloomfield)
- California Pizza Kitchen
Best Park/Playground: Booth Park (Birmingham)
My kids are older now but Booth Park in Birmingham was definitely all three of their favorites for parks and I loved it because it was easy to watch all three of them easily.
Your Mom Must-Have: My Mom Tribe!
What I have learned is that the most important must have for a mom is not all of the gadgets, goodies, bags, etc. it’s a fantastic mom tribe!
Best Summer Destination or Event: Dairy Mat (Birmingham)
Go to Dairy Mat! My kids count down for it to reopen every year. Ice cream makes everyone smile!!
“Pat Yourself on the Back” Accomplishment: Rolling With the Punches
Learning that you can’t predict the future, accepting what is, and rolling with the punches. Knowing some days I’m an amazing mom and some days I still have an awful lot to learn and being okay with that.
Our #MomLife Series is Presented by Hungry Howie’s – the Official Pizza of Moms!
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About Ashley Hubbbard-Porter
Ashley Porter is a Chicago native who now calls Birmingham home. Ashley and her husband Mike and son Jake love attending local festivals, exploring Detroit’s diverse food scene, and venturing outside of Metro Detroit to enjoy the natural beauty of Michigan. With a background in Early Childhood Education, Ashley loves connecting with and supporting families in her community, which is why she is so excited to be a part of LittleGuide Detroit.
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