It’s easy! Just like riding a bike!
But, riding a bike is really really hard! Like really hard… We are in the midst of taking off the training wheels and graduating from glider bikes to the real thing, 2-wheels and pedals. Our oldest almost has it down, just needs a few more reps to get that confidence up.
We are so excited, but what we might forget as adults is how hard it is for our kids to fail. Fail again. And fail again. Riding a bike is the hardest thing a kid has probably done in their life up to that point? It’s a huge milestone and tons of adversity to overcome. Plus, add in the physical exertion on those tiny leg muscles (oh, and that sit bone pain for an unconditioned booty).
So, take a break with us and catch us at some of the cool stuff we found for this upcoming week!
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, 8/12
Beat the Heat
ImOn Ice Arena, 12:30-3 pm
Skate rental is FREE during Public Skate, you pay admission.
Perseid Meteor Shower
Any rural location, 10 pm - 5 am
The first meteors should be seen around 10 pm and then go all night. The prime viewing window will be early Thursday, 12 am to 5 am. If conditions work out right, you could potentially see up to 100 meteors an hour!
Thursday, 8/13
Picasso in the Park
Greene Square Park, 10 am-1 pm
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.
Summer Fun LEGO Challenge
Downtown Library (Beems Auditorium), 6:30-7:30 pm
Each group will get their own set of random LEGOs to complete a series of build challenges set by our librarian. Work together and have fun with this laid-back activity.
Five Seasons Water Ski Show
Ellis Blvd., Ski bleachers, 7 pm
Food truck will be Boulevard Grill.
Friday, 8/14
Sarsaparilla Friday
Ushers Ferry, 12-1 pm
Step into the old-time saloon at Usher's Ferry and enjoy a classic treat! Every Friday from June through August, stop by for Sarsaparilla, old-fashioned soda pop, and cold drinks, while the village is open to explore.
Ice Cream Social
Greene Square Park, 5-7 pm
Join Cedar Rapids Parks & Recreation for a fun-filled evening in Greene Square featuring free ice cream, family-friendly activities, and an opportunity to connect with friends, neighbors, and the community.
Music in the Park - Dogs on Skis
Guthridge Park, 6-9 pm
Living Characters Balloon Artists: 6-9pm, Concessions by Metro Kiwanis: 6-9pm, Treats by The Freeze: 6-9pm, Farmers Market After Dark: 6-9pm
Bring a lawn chair, blanket, some snacks, and enjoy live music!
Movie Night at the Farm - "Monsters University”
Old MacDonalds Farm Amphitheater, 8:15 pm
Bring the whole family to the farm's amphitheater for a movie beginning at sunset.
Bring your own non-alcoholic drinks and snacks. No registration required.
Saturday, 8/15
Downtown Farmers Market
7:30 am-12 pm
Whether you’re shopping for the week or simply enjoying the atmosphere, the market is the perfect place to gather, explore, and support local.
STEAM Saturdays
Newbo City Market, 11 am-2 pm
Meet a live animal and participate in hands-on nature activities.
Music Under the Moon
Klopfenstein Amphitheater, 6-10 pm
The evening begins with opening performances by duo Olivia Rudeen and Zoe Cummins at 6:30 p.m., followed by Vegas McGraw taking the stage at 8 p.m. Activities throughout the park begin at 6 p.m. Sponsored by Veridian Credit Union.
Sunday, 8/16
Hiawatha Farmers Market
Guthridge Park, 10 am-1 pm
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, 8/17
Mega Foam Blaster
Guthridge Park, 10-11 am
Wearing sunglasses or protective eyewear and bringing a towel are recommended!
Monday Movies - "Raiders of the Lost Ark”
The Yard, 6 pm
Bring your family, a blanket, and a lawn chair to the ImOn Stage and enjoy a FREE showing of Raiders of the Lost Ark, thanks to Downtown CR.
Tuesday, 8/18
Tuesday Night Titans Racing
Hawkeye Downs Speedway, 7-9 pm
Racing will feature Go-Karts, including Rookie, Kid Karts, Jr. 1, Jr. 2, Champ, Clone Heavy, 206 Sprint (oval), Semi Pro Clone, BP Cage Karts, Rookie Red Plate, R-Box Cage, and Predator Kart classes.
Get tickets here
Adults (18-59) $15; Youth (9-17) $10; Seniors (60+) $10; Veterans $10; Children 8 & Under FREE (with paid adult); Pit pass $30
Grown-Up Getaway… 99 problems and a kid ain’t one.
Music in the Courtyard: The Name is Bond, James Bond
📍 Brucemore Carriage House Courtyard (2160 Linden Dr SE, Cedar Rapids, IA)
📆 Wednesday, 8/12 thru Saturday, 8/15, 7:30-10 pm (Gates open at 7 pm)
This beloved summer event is back in the courtyard! Step into an unforgettable evening rooted in a tradition of bringing people together to experience the best of local music in a relaxed, open‑air setting.
This year's program features music made famous by 007. From Dr. No in 1962 to No Time to Die in 2021, James Bond films have entertained generations of moviegoers and introduced some of pop culture's most iconic melodies. Experience the cinematic magic of these songs reimagined by Brucemore's Artisan in Residence Gerard Estella and performed by powerhouse singers Stephanie Goff and Allison Yoder.
Registration & admission is required - more info and pricing can be found here.
Knee-Slappers😂🤣
Kid Tested & Approved
What do you call a dinosaur who goes to school?
A gradua-sauraus!! 🤣
Why did the tree go to the dentist? 🌳
To get its roots checked! 🙃
Knock knock…. who’s there?
Radio…. Radio who? 📻
Radio not, here I come! 😹
🥁ba-dumm, tsssst…. 🥁
Gif by malikdani5h on Giphy
Bon appétit! It’s time to eat!
Sweet Corn Elote Dip
This stuff has been a hit! We made it about a month ago for a grill-out night and since then, it has been requested on an almost weekly basis by Mrs. CR Family Weekly. Even one of the kids like it! Dad has rounded the corner and caught Mom and Daughter both chowin’ down and not leaving any for him.
Ingredients
4-5 ears of home-grown Iowa sweet corn (or use 2-3 cans of canned corn)
1 bell pepper (choose your favorite color)
1 jalapeño
½ large red onion
Cilantro (we love it, so we use lots, but call it ¼ to ½ bunch)
4-6 oz of shredded or blended Cotija cheese (taco blend can work too)
2-3 Tbsp plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
2-3 Tbsp mayonnaise
2-3 fresh squeezed limes
Fritos “scoops” corn chips (or tortilla chips) for dipping!
To taste: salter, pepper, garlic powder, cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper/chili powder
Instructions
Grill the sweet corn cobs, either in husked or unhusked (your preference, we like to do half and half) about 10-15 mins total
Slice the kernels off (carefully!) and let cool in a large bowl
If using canned corn, drain and rinse.
Dice up the onion, bell pepper, cilantro, and jalapeño
Like it spicy? Put jalapeño seeds in! if not, leave them out (dice this up last too to not cross contaminate with spiciness)
Combine all ingredients in the bowl and mix!
Be sure to throw in the seasonings and spices too!
CRFW Pro Tip 👩🍳 : We like to throw in a couple spoonfuls of white queso to make it creamier and cheesier!
CRFW Pro Tip #2 🧑🍳: Use this recipe as a baseline, get creative with it, want it saltier? Add more. Need more lime? Don’t let us hold you back! Something doesn’t quite taste as amazing as it should? Maybe more mayo or queso or cheese or corn!
Courtesy of: Taste of Homemade
Need to know Nuggets
Weather Report ⛅⛈
Wednesday, 8/12 | 84℉/70℉ | 🌦 |
Thursday, 8/13 | 78℉/68℉ | ⛈ |
Friday 8/14 | 78℉/70℉ | ⛈ |
Saturday, 8/15 | 86℉/71℉ | ⛈ |
Sunday, 8/16 | 82℉/64℉ | ⛈ |
Monday, 8/17 | 80℉/64℉ | ⛅ |
Tuesday, 8/18 | 81℉/68℉ | ⛅ |
Make sure you have your umbrella packed in your car over the next 7 days! It will be wet and stormy.
Weather courtesy of KCRG.com
News Worthy Nuggets
Some interesting local stories from the past week:
Groundbreaking for ‘The Core’ launches Hiawatha’s push to establish downtown area - from Corridor Business Journal
Cedar Rapids School Board approves $20K bonuses for teachers to retire early - from Iowa News Now, KGAN
That’s it for this week.
That’s a wrap! Go ahead and forward to the group chat so everyone knows you’re officially the organized one. Now, go pretend you’re actually reading the rest of your inbox while the kids turn the living room into a wrestling ring.
We’ll be back next week with more event picks and reasons to leave the house. Until then, stay sane, stay hydrated, and try not to step on any stray Lego bricks.