November Rain
We won’t bore you with lyrics of a great rock ballad from GNR!
We do hope you went and voted! Oh, and we hope you survived Halloween weekend. Our family had a blast, and we have truly a metric ton of candy to work through…
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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, 11/4
Baby & Toddler Story Time
Downtown Library, 9:30-10:30 am
Join us for this 15-minute story and song program for newborns to three-year-olds, followed by a 45-minute playtime.
Thursday, 11/5
Partners in Play
Hiawatha Library, 9:30 am-10:15 pm
Each session will focus on an aspect of early child development, with caregivers enhancing child-led play by encouraging exploration, conversation, and discovery. The program will conclude with a shared circle time that brings everyone together through songs, stories, or other activities.
Symphony Kids Music Program
Marion Library, 10:30-11 am
Symphony Kids is a music literacy program provided by Ms. Amy from Orchestra Iowa. This is geared towards children and families who love music, rhythm, and rhyme and want a chance to learn more about the importance of music in early literacy.
Stuffed Animal Sleepover at the Library
Busse Branch, 6-7 pm
Join us for a story time, snack, and craft. Then leave your stuffy for a sleepover! During the night, the librarians will photography your stuffy enjoying the library after the doors close. Pick up your stuffy with photos from their adventures the following afternoon!
Friday, 11/6
Early Learning Story Time
Busse Branch, 9:30-10:30 am
Join us for a fun-filled story time for children ages 2-5, featuring stories, songs, movement, and bubbles!
Saturday, 11/7
Saving Seeds for Tomorrow
Sugar Grove Farm (3697 St Peters Road, Marion, IA 52302), 10-11 am
Join us at Sugar Grove Farm in collecting seeds to contribute to the management of our native landscapes. Most of the seeds collected at this program will be used by the Land Team to continue maintaining the health and beauty of the lands at the nature center. A few select seeds may be taken home with participants.
All ages are welcome. Cost is $5/person
Pre-registration is required and closes 24 hours before the event.
Car Seat Safety Check
Cedar Rapids Fire Department, 11 am-3 pm
Come join us in keeping your kid(s) safe in the car. Appointments only. Please sign up via sign up genius.
Sunday, 11/8
Sewing Basics for Teens
Marion Library, 1-3 pm
Sewing volunteer Carolyn will teach the basics of sewing machines. No previous sewing experience needed and all materials will be provided. This program is for teens ages 12 - 18.
Register here
Monday, 11/9
Baby & Toddler Story Time
Busse Branch, 9:30-10:30 am
Join us for this 15-minute story and song program for newborns to three-year-olds, followed by a 45-minute playtime. This program helps strengthen babies’ and toddlers' foundation for literacy with rhymes, rhythm, repetition, story, and movement.
Family LEGO & KEVA Building
Downtown Library, 5:30-6:30 pm
Builders are invited to construct and create with LEGO and KEVA blocks. Activities will include both challenges and free play. Geared to K-5th graders and their grownups.
Tuesday, 11/10
“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1” Movie Showing
Downtown Library, Whipple Auditorium, 5:30-7:30 pm
Unite with friends, family, and fans to enjoy a night reliving the culmination of the original "Hunger Games" film adaptations. Light snacks will be provided. Doors will open at 5:15 pm with the movie starting at 5:30 pm.
Grown-Up Getaway… 99 problems and a kid ain’t one.
Rock the Roost!
📆Friday, November 6 from 6-8 pm
📍Newbo City Market
The Vibe: Casual, cozy, and filled with local flavor.
The Plan: Head over to NewBo City Market for Rock the Roost, a free live music event featuring fantastic regional artists, spanning genres from blues and rock to acoustic covers.
Start your evening by exploring the market hall to grab food and drinks from local shopkeepers. Whether you're craving artisan tacos, wood-fired pizza, craft beer, or fresh pastries, everyone can pick their favorite feast before settling in for the show. Afterwards, kick back, enjoy the live tunes from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and support the community while enjoying a stress-free night out together.
Gif by cbs on Giphy
Knee-Slappers😂🤣
Kid Tested & Approved
What do you call a group of musical whales? 🐳 🐳
An orca-stra! 🤣
Why did the math book look so sad? ➕ 📖 ➖
Because it had too many problems! 😂
Knock knock…. who’s there?
Cargo…. Cargo who?
Cargo beep beep! 🚗
🥁ba-dumm, tsssst…. 🥁
Gif by namslam on Giphy
Bon appétit! It’s time to eat!
Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
An easy-peasy meal, that shouldn’t be too difficult to prep or make! Plus, everyone gets to make fajitas their own way!
Ingredients
1-1.5 lbs of chicken breasts or thighs
Tortillas
1 McCormick Fajita Seasoning pack
Shredded cheese (we like cotija! or Colby jack)
3 Bell Peppers (or jalapeños if you like it spicy)
1 red or white onion
Toppings: salsa, sour cream, guacamole, cilantro, hot sauce, lime, etc.
Optional sides: refried beans, taco rice
Step 1: Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Step 2: While pre-heating the oven, slice peppers into long thin strips and place in large mixing bowl. Trim and slice chicken into strips as well, place in same mixing bowl.
Step 3: Pour 2 Tbsp. of vegetable oil into the bowl, then pour half the fajita mix into bowl. Stir. Pour remaining of seasoning into bowl, stir until veggies and chicken are coated evenly.
Step 4: Dump everything in the bowl onto a greased sheet pan.
Step 5: Bake/roast in oven for 30-40 mins, or until chicken is cooked through. Stir/flip/shake halfway through.
Step 6: Top your tortillas with your toppings and cooked fajita mix, enjoy!
We microwave a can of refried beans until warm as a side. We also cook up a pack of Knorr Taco Rice. Easy!
Yes, here’s our delicious dinner from Monday night! A huge win in our house, plus it smelled divine as it baked in the oven!
Need to know Nuggets
Weather Report ⛅⛈
Wednesday, 11/4 | 54℉/47℉ | 🌧 |
Thursday, 11/5 | 54℉/38℉ | 🌧 |
Friday, 11/6 | 48℉/34℉ | ⛅ |
Saturday, 11/7 | 51℉/37℉ | ⛅ |
Sunday, 11/8 | 55℉/39℉ | 🌥 |
Monday, 11/9 | 63℉/41℉ | 🌥 |
Tuesday, 11/10 | 58℉/39℉ | ⛅ |
Well, now it feels officially like fall. It looks like it too! Don’t forget that leaf collection is starting up again, make sure you get your leaves raked to the curb, or grind them up and leave them ‘til spring to help the little critters stay warm all winter! 🐛 🦋
Weather courtesy of KCRG.com
Newsworthy Nuggets
Some interesting local stories from the past week:
Election Results - from KCRG
Cedar Rapids cutting nearly 25 positions to address upcoming budget shortfall - from Corridor Business Journal
That’s it for this week!
November always feels like that sweet spot where things slow down just enough for us to really appreciate home. Whether your week includes bundling up for a walk through the autumn leaves, catching up over a warm cup of coffee, or just laughing through a chaotic family dinner night, I hope you get to enjoy those simple, good moments.
Thanks for reading!