Happy 1 month anniversary to us!
Yes, like a high-school couple who is in their very first relationship, we are celebrating 1 whole month of doing this thing. And just like giddy-teenagers, who know for sure they will never, ever be apart… we are pronouncing our love. WE LOVE YOU!
Gif by looneytunes on Giphy
“I love you.” “I love you more!”
Love might be an over-reaction… but you get the gist.
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, 5/6
Baby & Toddler Storytime
Cedar Rapids Downtown Library, 9:30-10:30 am
A 15-minute story and song program for newborns to three-year-olds, followed by a 45-minute playtime.
Expressive Arts For Teens: The Art of Music
Hiawatha Public Library, 4-5 pm
Join Tanager and Hiawatha Public Library and explore four major musical genres and their key expressive elements, pairing each concept with an Expressive Arts project.
Unconventional Self-Portraits
Since its emergence, jazz music has celebrated creative freedom and expression. In this workshop, explore how jazz musicians make intentional, spontaneous artistic choices, with or without words!
Thursday, 5/7
All About Balance, After-school Studio
Iowa City Children’s Museum, 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Enjoy elementary aged special activities that blend STEAM activities focused on balancing. Museum educators will guide kids as they tinker, build, and create.
Admission required.
Friday, 5/8
Pied Piper Concert for Young Children
Cedar Rapids Downtown Library, 9:30-10:15 am and 10:30-11:15 am
Bring on the Brass Instruments!
Pied Piper Concerts engage young children with the orchestra through lively, hands-on musical experiences.
Baby & Toddler Story Time
Cedar Rapids Ladd Library, 9:30-10:30 am
A 15-minute story and song program for newborns to three-year-olds, followed by a 45-minute playtime.
Dungeon & Dragons for Teens and Tweens
Hiawatha Public Library, 6-7:30 pm
Dungeons and Dragons: Teen & Tween Edition will be focused on learning mechanics, having excellent adventures, and learning the rules of the game with Librarian Morgan and a guild of DM's who are prepared to help provide a supportive environment for adventuring.
Saturday, 5/9
Cedar Rapids Cars & Coffee
Big Grove Brewery & Taproom, 8-10 am
Whether you’re rolling in a classic, special interest vehicle, or just love cars and coffee, everyone is welcome to come hang out!
Pied Piper Concert for Young Children
Hiawatha Public Library, 9:15-9:45 am
Marion Public Library, 10:30-11 am
Bring on the Brass Instruments!
Pied Piper Concerts engage young children with the orchestra through lively, hands-on musical experiences.
Sunday, 5/10
Mother’s Day Showcase
Noelridge Park Greenhouse, 10 am - 5 pm
Enhance your garden with plants grown in the Noelridge Greenhouses. Plants for sale include natives, annuals, perennials, and house plants.
The Conservatory will also be decorated for spring.
Hiawatha Farmers Market
Guthridge Park, 10 am - 1 pm
Explore a vibrant mix of vendors offering farm-fresh produce, homemade baked goods, handcrafted items, and ready-to-eat favorites.
Monday, 5/11
Teen Crochet Class
Marion Public Library, 4-5:30 pm
This class is beginner friendly and designed specifically for teens (ages 10-18). Beyond learning the art of crochet, this class can provide a chance to socialize and meet new friends.
Supplies will be provided.
Registration required by May 10 at 4 pm.
Sensory Night
AirFx, 5-7 pm
Sensory Night is a dedicated time for jumpers with special needs to use the park. Admission required.
Music is played at a lower volume, and sound is turned down on games.
One parent or guardian can support jumpers on the trampolines for free. Siblings of jumpers are welcome to jump for the same price but must be more careful during this time.
Tuesday, 5/12
Preschool Play Day
Marion Public Library, 10:30-11:30 am
Preschool Play includes activities geared toward children between the ages of 2 and 5, as well as their caregivers. Drop in to play and explore!
Family Night (Free Kids Meal with adult purchase!)
Chick-fil-A, Westdale location, 5-7 pm
CFA is partnering with the Cedar Rapids Police Department to make Family Night bigger and better than ever!
Meet Police Officers, get an up-close look at a squad car, and even get fingerprinted!
A portion of your sales will go directly to the Police Department to support their Community Outreach Program.
When you purchase a regular Chick-fil-A meal, you’ll get a FREE Kid’s Meal — dine-in only.
Cedar Rapids Kernels Home Game vs. Fort Wayne Tin Caps
Veterans Memorial Stadium, 6:35 pm
Bark in the Park/3-1-9 Night - $3 Burgers & Hotdogs, $1 Stadium Popcorn, $9 Club Tickets
Purchase tickets here
Grown-Up Getaway… 99 problems and a kid ain’t one.
Do your sexy walk on the cat walk yea… the CityWalk yea..
No event this week, instead, just some classic wining and dining. 🍷 🍴
We recently went to Citywalk Eatery for a date night, and we were not disappointed and, well… since recency bias is a real thing… now you get to hear about it!
The restaurant has been around for more than a year, but we only now had a chance to check it out (it’s tough to get away from three kids!). The menu is sort of an upscale-Americana, think roasted chicken, pasta, steaks, etc.
The wait staff was great; friendly and knowledgeable. Drinks went down easy. The risotto was to die for, some of the best in town that we have found so far. The kitchen definitely stood up to their waiter’s recommendation. For those that like their veggies, definitely give the roasted brussels a try.
The restaurant claims to have a BIG city vibe and a local heart, and they deliver on that front. It felt like a high-end restaurant, one you might find in the heart of Manhattan with a years-long wait list, but nope, it’s right here in downtown CR.
Citywalk gets a glowing recommendation from us, find a sitter and try to sneak away to check it out.
Image from Citywalk’s own site.
Knee-Slappers😂🤣
Kid Tested & Approved
Knock knock…. who’s there?
Leaf 🍁 …. Leaf who?
Leaf me alone! 🙃
Why did the ant feel confused? 🐜
All of his uncles were ants! 😑
Why did the teddy bear skip lunch? 🧸
It was already stuffed! 🤣
🥁ba-dumm, tsssst…. 🥁
Gif by Mochimons on Giphy
Check out what we’re having…
Honey Garlic Sheet Pan Chicken
Ok this sounded amazing, and it tasted amazing. Asian/stir-fry style cuisine is a close second in our book, losing out to tacos, enchiladas, and pork verde. Rather than slave over the stove, let your oven do the work.
Ingredients:
1.5lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
1 lbs. broccoli florets
2 large carrots (or a handful of baby carrots)
CRFW Tip🧑🍳: Julienne some red onions and bell peppers to go with and/or and use snap peas.
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tbsp. olive oil
3 cloves minced garlic (or a big heaping spoonful of the pre-minced stuff)
1 tsp. ginger
Prep your kitchen, mise-en-place…
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or spray it with non-stick oil.
Chop those veggies (CRFW Pro Tip👩🍳: Carrots take longer to cook than broccoli, so chop then on the thinner side, but not slivers.)
In a small bowl, whisk together all the sauce ingredients (honey, soy sauce, olive oil, garlic, and ginger.)
Place the chicken, broccoli, and carrots on the baking sheet. Pour 3/4 of the sauce over everything. Toss using your hands or tongs to ensure every piece is coated.
Roast in the oven for 20–25 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the edges of the broccoli are slightly crisp.
Finish: Drizzle the remaining sauce over the hot tray before serving.
To complete the meal, we made some frozen, pre-made, store-bought spring rolls in the air fryer and steamed some 5 mins. white rice in the microwave (if you wish to be a more distinguished culinarian then cook some jasmine rice).
Need to know Nuggets
Weather Report ⛅⛈
Wednesday, 5/6 | 55℉/36℉ | ⛅ |
Thursday, 5/7 | 64℉/44℉ | 🌧 |
Friday, 5/8 | 68℉/47℉ | 🌧 |
Saturday, 5/8 | 75℉/48℉ | 🌦 |
Sunday, 5/10 | 65℉/41℉ | 🌧 |
Monday, 5/11 | 67℉/46℉ | ⛅ |
Tuesday, 5/12 | 74℉/52℉ | 🌦 |
Well, you’ll get all the spring weather over the next 7 days. A little bit of wind, a chance of frost Wednesday evening, some potential rain as well, then some sun and 70-degree weather.
Weather courtesy of KCRG.com
News Worthy Nuggets
Some interesting local stories from the past week:
Duckling rescue goes swimmingly in North Liberty - from KCRG
Iowa farmland values tick up 1.3%, outlook remains positive - from Corridor Business Journal
Ban on eminent domain for pipeline projects doesn't pass legislature - from IowaNewsNow
That’s it for this week.
1 month of doing this thing has been pretty fun. I think we will plan on keepin’ on and writing some more, at least for another month.
As always, please pass along to any of your friends and family members that you feel would also enjoy this weekly email.
See you later! 👋
P.S. This Sunday is MOTHER’S DAY! Make sure that the special mom in your life (yes, both your own mother and your spouse) get some appreciation.
P.S.S. For all the moms who read this, happy Mother’s Day! We recognize all the hard work you put in for you and your family, it might not get acknowledged by the kiddos (or even your partner), but it is certainly appreciated. Please enjoy the day!