School has officially started!
We hope back to school went off without a hitch! And if there was a hitch or two in the process, that is ok! The new routine is tough, and it is a shock to everyone’s system.
Alarm clock, breakfast, make lunch, pack the bag, get in the car, forget the water bottle… Like we said, it is ok, routines take 2-3 weeks before they set in!
And we are only like 2 or 3 days into it…. May God have mercy on our souls.
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, 8/26
Therapy Dog Story Time
Marion Library, 6:30-7:30 pm
Trained, certified therapy dogs provide companionship to young readers as they practice their literacy skills. Everyone is welcome to read to the dogs. Stay for tricks from the dogs at 7 p.m.!
Thursday, 8/27
Cultivate Community Market: Back-to-School-Bash
Matthew 25 Urban Farm, 4-7 pm
Whether you stop by for fresh Urban Farm produce, brick oven, enjoy live music, or simply spend time with neighbors, there’s something for everyone.
Five Seasons Water Ski Show
Ellis Blvd., Ski bleachers, 6:45 pm
Food truck will be Boulevard Grill
Friday, 8/28
Doodlebugs: Yellowstone National Park
Hiawatha Library, 10:30 am
When wolves disappeared from Yellowstone, the entire ecosystem was affected. Learn about how they brought back the wolves, and the park came back to life.
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.
Saturday, 8/29
Marion Farmers Market
Willowood Park, 8-11 am
Attendees will find fresh produce, baked goods, meats, flowers, honey, jewelry, woodworking, crafts and more at this neighborhood farmers market.
Saturday Story Time
Barnes and Noble, 2 pm
Join us every Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. for Storytime in the children's department.
Market After Dark
Downtown Cedar Rapids, 6:30-11 pm
One of Downtown Cedar Rapids’ most popular, free, open-air events, Market After Dark, features a variety of vendors mixed with lively entertainment. This event brings a unique atmosphere to Downtown Cedar Rapids with food, beer, wine, art, entertainment and creative placemaking displays.
Sunday, 8/30
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, 8/31
Learn how to Skate
ImOn Ice Arena, Cedar Rapids, 6-8pm
Whether you're new to skating or looking for the perfect program, our Learn to Skate Open House is the perfect opportunity to get started! This free event is open to all ages and skill levels, classes open to everyone!
Attendees will have the opportunity to, try ice skating, meet experienced Learn to Skate instructors. Enjoy complimentary snacks and receive a special discount on the upcoming six-week Learn to Skate session.
Tuesday, 9/1
Early Morning Story Time
Downtown Library, 9:30-10 am
Join us for a fun-filled story time for children ages 2-5. This high-energy story time features stories, songs, and bubbles!
Expressive Arts
Hiawatha Library, 11-11:45 am
Discover the power of expressive arts —a creative program using books, dance, art, and more to help children and families build confidence, explore emotions, and strengthen inner resilience.
Grown-Up Getaway… 99 problems and a kid ain’t one.
Market After Dark
📍 Downtown Cedar Rapids, August 29, 6:30-11 pm
Looking for a fun, easy date night to get away from the everyday routine? Market After Dark transforms downtown Cedar Rapids into a giant, electric open-air night festival that's perfect for an evening out. You and your partner can grab a drink, stroll under the city lights, and check out over 120 unique food, art, and craft vendors.
The lively atmosphere is packed with local food trucks, beer and wine stations, creative art displays, and awesome live music. Can’t find a babysitter? No problem! The event is free to enter and welcoming to all ages, so you can easily bring the kids along for the fun early in the evening before settling into your date night vibe. (We’ve taken our kids the past couple of years and they have so much fun dancing to the music!)
Whether you want to grab a bite, listen to live bands, or just people-watch with a drink, it's the perfect spot to relax and enjoy a late-summer night in the city.
Knee-Slappers😂🤣
Kid Tested & Approved
What do you call a frog stuck in mud? 🐸
Un-hoppy! 😅
Why do fish swim in salt water? 🐟
Because pepper makes them sneeze!😆
Knock knock…. who’s there?
Says…. Says who?
Says who? No, says me, that’s who!! 🙃
🥁ba-dumm, tsssst…. 🥁
Giphy
Bon appétit! It’s time to eat!
Shepherd’s Pie Tater Tot Casserole
Ok, so casseroles are sometimes a hot topic around our household…. but this one is not up for debate! We actually found this recipe online from The Natural Nurturer and it was an instant winner. We have always liked shepherd’s pie, but the thought of using tater tots in lieu of mashed potatoes makes life about 183.5x easier, plus this recipe packs in hidden veggies. 😉
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 cup grated carrot (about 1 large carrot)
1½ cups grated zucchini (about 1 small zucchini)
1 pound ground beef
1½ cups frozen peas
24 ounces frozen tater tots
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 cups frozen riced cauliflower
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1½ cup beef (or chicken) broth
1) Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
If your skillet is large enough and oven safe, you can also just bake the casserole right in that and save yourself dishes.
2) Sauté the veggies. Add the oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, and zucchini, and sauté until the vegetables are tender, 2 to 3 minutes.
3) Add the ground beef and cook. Breaking into crumbles, until browned and cooked through. About 5 to 7 minutes.
4) Season. Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried thyme, or any of your other favorite seasonings.
5) Stir in the cauliflower, Worcestershire sauce, and tomato paste, and cook for 1 minute to let all the flavors combine.
6) Whisk the cornstarch into the broth, making sure no clumps remain. Stir the broth mixture into the pan and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes so the sauce can thicken.
7) Stir in the peas. Then transfer the beef mixture to the prepared casserole dish.
8) Spread the tater tots in rows over the top. Bake until the tater tots are browned and crispy, 20 to 25 minutes. Allow to sit for 5 minutes then serve.
Need to know Nuggets
Weather Report ⛅⛈
Wednesday, 8/26 | 82℉/61℉ | ⛅ |
Thursday, 8/27 | 82℉/56℉ | ⛅ |
Friday 8/28 | 83℉/62℉ | ⛅ |
Saturday, 8/29 | 83℉/67℉ | ⛅ 🌦 |
Sunday, 8/30 | 89℉/69℉ | ⛅ 🌦 |
Monday, 8/31 | 86℉/67℉ | ⛅ 🌦 |
Tuesday, 9/1 | 85℉/66℉ | ⛅ 🌦 |
The weather is telling us fall in approaching! FYI, the “chance of rain” is at 20% for Saturday-Tuesday, probably worth throwing an umbrella in the backpack just in case.
Weather courtesy of KCRG.com
News Worthy Nuggets
Some interesting local stories from the past week:
That’s it for this week.
Just because “summer” is officially over for everyone, that does not mean that the fun has to stop! We still plan on pushing this newsletter out during the school year.
Trust us, this will be great reading while you wait in the pickup or drop-off line.