Parenting Lifehack
Using Donutland as a bribe works (*cough cough*, an incentive is the proper term).
Seriously. Well, at least on kids under 5. We imagine it would work up to about age 31. Possibly 41? Nah. We won’t kid. Donutland works as an incentive for everyone, including your lazy coworker! (aka, the sleeping dog for you SAHMs!).
Gif by loosekeys on Giphy
Have fun this week.
Adventures Ahead📅📅
Check out some below happenings in the CR area!
Have an event suggestion? Just click here and let us know what it is.
Wednesday, 7/1
Happy Birthday America
Old MacDonald’s Farm, 10 am - 6 pm
All ages welcome
Celebrate Independence Day at Old MacDonald's Farm with red, white, and blue fun. Enjoy games, festive activities, and snacks while supplies last.
Crafts for Kids: Patriotic Red, White, & Blue Glasses
Hiawatha Public Library, 10-10:30 am
Make it at the library or take it home! Limited to the first 74 kiddos.
Family Fun Nights
Bever, Cherry Hill, Jones, and Noelridge Pools, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Bring a parent/guardian and enjoy family time at the pool.
$3/person pool admission required.
Thursday, 7/2
Park Playdates @ Prairie Hill Playground
Prairie Hill Playground, Marion, 10-11 am
In addition to the playground equipment, extra activities such as bubbles, balls, pinwheels, sidewalk chalk, yard games, and sports equipment will be available.
The library's bookmobile will also stop by for patrons to find their next great read. This program is geared towards babies and elementary-aged children.
Friday, 7/3
Kernels Ballpark Bash
Veterans Memorial Stadium, 4 pm
Get ready for an unforgettable night of family fun at Veterans Memorial Stadium on July 3rd! Dueling pianos, inflatables, axe throwing, balloon animals, foam blaster, and so much more! Bring your family for a fun-filled night.
Admission is required: Ages 3 & Under: FREE, Ages 4-12: $5, Ages 13+: $20
Fireworks and Fireflies
Klopfenstein Ampitheater Lowe Park, 6pm
Enjoy live music by Well Lit starting at 7 p.m. Food trucks, face painting and a grand fireworks finale will round out the event.
A secondary performance stage featuring School of Rock, the Barnyard Discoveries petting zoo and an expanded Family Fun Zone hosted by AirFX will be located near Irish Drive, on the west side of the park.
Five Seasons Water Ski Show
Ellis Blvd., Ski bleachers, 7 pm
Water ski show on Friday! Not on your normal Thursday evening.
Food truck will be Boulevard Grill
Saturday, 7/4
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY
Be sure to check out some of the local firework shows! They all start around dusk!
Remember, “dusk“ is always later than you wish as a parent.
Sunday, 7/5
Hiawatha Farmers Market
Guthridge Park, 10am-1pm
Whether you’re shopping for the week or simply enjoying the atmosphere, the market is the perfect place to gather, explore, and support local.
Monday, 7/6
Monday Movies: The Princess Bride
Kingston Yard, 6pm
Bring your family, a blanket, and a lawn chair to the ImOn Stage and enjoy a FREE showing of The Princess Bride, thanks to International Paper.
The Cold Blooded Redhead
Hiawatha Public Library, 1-1:45pm OR 2:15-3pm
Get ready to slither, crawl, and explore the amazing world of reptiles! Join Lindsay for an exciting hands-on adventure as we learn about members of the reptile family — and even meet a few up close and personal!
Tuesday, 7/7
Picasso in the Park
Greene Square Park, 10am-1pm
Paint, color, glue, and create at Picasso in the Park! Young artists can explore fun themes, make hands-on projects, and take home their own masterpiece.
Grown-Up Getaway… 99 problems and a kid ain’t one.
Dad Ranch: Blink 182 Tribute Concert
🎶 🎸 Dust off the cargo shorts and dig out the graphic tees,
We’re throwing back the clock to the golden memories.
It’s the 182nd day, the summer sun is high,
And we’ve got the perfect antidote for the elder emo cry.
WHERE ARE YOUUUU? Hopefully at Kingston Yard on Wednesday, July 1st!
We’re bringing the chaos, the noise, and the thirst.
Dad Ranch is taking the stage at 6:00 PM,
Three middle-aged dads acting like they’re seventeen again! 🎵 🤘
Free show, all ages are welcome (but c’mon, your kids probably think your music is weird anyways). Show up, rock out to some kick-a** punk and enjoy the evening.
Knee-Slappers😂🤣
Kid Tested & Approved
Why do cows wear bells? 🔔
Because their horns don’t work! 🐮
Knock knock…. who’s there?
Canoe…. Canoe who?
Canoe help me with my homework?? 😁
What do you call a really cold puppy? 🥶
A chilly dog! 🤣
🥁ba-dumm, tsssst…. 🥁
Gif by Joeljamescomedy on Giphy
A tasty meal, everyone should love.
Spaghetti Chicken Casserole
This recipe is a popular one in our house, and perfect for leftovers!
Ingredients
½ package of long spaghetti, cooked
2 cups of boned chicken (CRFW pro tip: rotisserie chicken or canned chicken works too!)
½ lb cubed velveeta cheese (CRFW pro tip: use 1/3 of the block)
¼ cup green pepper
¼ cup onion
1 can cream of chicken or mushroom soup
½ cup milk
Salt, pepper, Mrs. Dash…whatever your go-to seasonings are!
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Then mix milk and cream of chicken/mushroom soup together.
2) Add in the cubed Velveeta, chicken, and vegetables. Mix well, then toss in the cooked spaghetti and put in casserole dish.
3) Cover with foil and bake 30-40 minutes at 350 degree oven. Optional: add crushed ritz crackers or crushed potato chips to the top and bake additional 5 minutes.
Need to know Nuggets
Weather Report ⛅⛈
Wednesday, 7/1 | 91℉/75℉ | ⛅ |
Thursday, 7/2 | 90℉/73℉ | ⛅ ⛈ |
Friday, 7/3 | 90℉/72℉ | ⛅ ⛈ |
Saturday, 7/4 | 87℉/68℉ | ⛅ ⛈ |
Sunday, 7/5 | 85℉/67℉ | ⛅ ⛈ |
Monday, 7/6 | 85℉/68℉ | ⛅ |
Tuesday, 7/7 | 86℉/68℉ | ⛅ |
Well, it is a Stanley Steamer of a week… hot and humid. Take solace in the fact that everyone you see will be just as sweaty and sticky as you are!
Weather courtesy of KCRG.com
News Worthy Nuggets
Some interesting local stories from the past week:
Cedar Rapids to Switch One Way Roads to Two Way Near Coe College - from IowaNewsNow
Cedar Rapids Marathon a hit — and organizers are already planning for 2027 - from Corridor Business Journal
That’s it for this week.
Enjoy this 4th of July weekend! It is always a bonus when a holiday, especially this one, lands on a weekend! Make sure that you have plenty of water with you if you venture outside and stay hydrated!
Thanks for reading issue #12! Please keep sharing us with your friends and family!
See you later! 👋