4th of July Celebrations

In case you are looking for some fun things to do tomorrow, here are some options:

July 4 Parade in Downtown Waukesha

July 4, 2012, 11:00 am

Cutler Park, 321 Wisconsin Ave, Waukesha, WI | Get Directions » 

The America the Beautiful parade begins at 11 a.m. leaving from Cutler Park. The parade will begin at the corner of Maple and Wisconsin Ave., travel west on Wisconsin Ave., turn right at West Ave., follow Main St. east, turn left on Buckley, then right on Baxter, finishing at the Schuetze Recreation Center, 1120 Baxter St. in Frame Park.

**A group from WFA is meeting in front of Allo Chocolate to watch the parade together.

Waukesha Fireworks Show

July 4, 2012, 7:15 pm

Waukesha County Expo, 1000 Northview Rd, Waukesha, WI |Get Directions » 

FREE

Bring your blankets and chairs and celebrate with the City of Waukesha’s 4th of July activities with the annual Fireworks Show at the Waukesha County Expo.

The grounds will open at 7:15 p.m. with the show beginning at approximately 9:30 p.m.

The show promises to be unique and of exceptional quality. It will consist of some high aerials along with low level effects.The show will be best viewed from the Waukesha County Fairgrounds.

Carry-in of alcoholic beverages or fireworks will not be allowed.

**Come celebrate Independence Day with WFA. The fairgrounds open at 7:15 p.m., and we would love to play games, hang out, and watch the fireworks together. Please bring lawn chairs, blankets, and snacks to share.

Other area celebrations:

Bayside: Bayside's parade begins at Bayside Midde School at 9 a.m., ending at Ellsworth Park with an ice cream social and Bayside's Best Dog Competition. More on the Bayside celebration. There will be no fireworks display in Bayside.

Brookfield (city): The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. on Gebhardt Road near Brookfield Central High School, turns north on Calhoun Road, west on North Avenue, south on Norhardt Drive, ending at Civic Drive. From 6 to 9 p.m. Family Fest will be held at Mitchell Park, with the band Our House, Heads Up Juggling and magician Glen Gerard. Also on tap: games, food and fireworks at about 9:15 p.m. More details

Brookfield (town): The parade starts at 9 a.m. at Elmbrook Church and runs east along Davidson Road and then south on Linden Lane, ending at Marx Park, 700 S. Barker Road. The parade is followed by activities for children.

Cudahy: Cudahy's fireworks will be at 4800 S. Lake Drive. The parade will start at noon on Lake Drive, and it will run from Grange to Armour Avenue. More on Cudahy's celebrations.

Fox Point: Fox Point festivities include the annual parade, which starts at the Fox Point Police Station. The annual softball game will also take place, featuring village residents against the Fox Point Police. Kids will have an opportunity to jump around in a bounce house, play with clowns, and get their faces painted. More on the Fox Point celebration. There will be no fireworks in Fox Point.

Greenfield: Greenfield will celebrate the holiday with daylong event at Konkel Park from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. That event will include live music, activities for all ages, plenty of food vendors and fireworks at dusk. The parade will begin at 12:15 p.m. and will feature former Green Bay Packers lineman Mark Tauscher as the honorary grand marshal and appearances by the UW Marching Band and Bucky Badger.

Greendale: Greendale's daylong celebration will kick off at 9 a.m. with Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence at Village Hall. The reading will be followed by the parade, including a separate children's parade.  The fireworks display will start at 9:15 p.m. The American Legion and Greendale Lions Club will be selling a number of food items July 2 through July 4. Click here for the complete schedule of Greendale's celebrations.

Muskego (JULY 3): The July 3 Muskego celebration will begin at 1 p.m. at Idle Isle Park, W182S6666 Hardtke Drive, opening with activities like a bungee run and rock climbing. A ski show will be held at 7:30 p.m., and fireworks (with a musical background) will begin around 9:15 p.m. More on the Muskego celebration.

Oak Creek: A parade starts at 9 a.m. at the corner of Groveland Drive and Shepard Avenue, and ends at the American Legion Post. The Legion Post will be the site of a daylong celebration featuring live music, food and more. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. at East Middle School. More on Oak Creek's celebrations.

Hales Corners:  A "Community Bash" includes a children's parade, classic and antique car show, a pie contest and open houses throughout the village. Events are held at different locations, and fireworks will begin at dusk at Hales Corners Park, 5765 New Berlin Road. More on the Hales Corners celebration.

Menomonee Falls (JULY 3): The parade begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Appleton and Elm streets, ending at Menomonee Falls High School. Fireworks shot form the MFHS football field begin at dusk.More on the Menomonee Falls celebration.

Mount Pleasant-Sturtevant (JULY 3): Sturtevant's Fireworks Festival begins at 4 p.m. July 3 at Firemen's Park, off of Charles Street between 90th and Wisconsin streets. Admission is free, parking on the grounds is $5 and carry-ins are discouraged. The day is filled with family-friendly activities, culminating in fireworks at dusk. More on the Sturtevant celebration.

Pewaukee: The 4 p.m. parade starts at Pewaukee High School and proceeds to Village Park along West Wisconsin Avenue along the beach. Enjoy food on the lakefront starting at 1 p.m. at 213 W. Wisconsin Ave., with a 6:45 p.m. ski show and fireworks at dusk. More on the Pewaukee celebration.

Port Washington: A downtown parade begins at 11 a.m., followed by a picnic in Veteran's Memorial Park Park. At the park, after the parade, there will be a ceremony to recognize the armed forces, a bike decorating contest, a watermelon seed spitting contest and a children's play area with a bounce house and live music. The lakefront fireworks display will be shot at dusk near Grand Avenue and Franklin Street. More on the Port Washington celebration.

Racine: The 8:30 a.m. pre-parade starts at the intersections of Goold and Main Streets and runs south down Main Street through Downtown then turns west on 14th Street. The parade starts at 9 a.m. and travels the same route. This is an extremely popular parade, leave early to get a good seat. Fireworks can be viewed anywhere along the shores of Lake Michigan starting at dusk. More on Racine Fourth Fest celebration.

Saukville: The Saukville parade starts at 1 p.m. starts at Rebel Road and South Main Street. After the parade, there will be activities at Grady Park, and food and beverages as well as music will be available in the park until 5 p.m. Everything moves to Peninsula Park at 6 p.m. with more food and beverages as well as live music until fireworks at dusk. More on the Saukville celebration.

Shorewood: The 3:30 p.m. Shorewood parade kicks off at Oakland Avenue and Kensington Boulevard, ending at River Park, followed by free ice cream from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the park. Live entertainment in Atwater Park leading up to the fireworks at dusk will be provided by the Shorewood Concert Band and the Tweed Funk Band. More on the Shorewood celebration.

South Milwaukee: Fourth of July celebrations at Grant Park, 100 E. Hawthorne Ave., include a decorated bike parade, races and games for kids and free ice cream and caramel corn for children. Their fireworks display is set to begin around 9:30 p.m. More on the South Milwaukee celebration.

Sussex: The Fourth of July celebration in Sussex begins at 6 p.m. at Sussex Village Park with live entertainment from Rabid Aardvarks, a top 40s cover band. Fireworks will begin at dusk. More on the Sussex celebration.

Whitefish Bay: The 11:30 a.m. parade will step off at Silver Spirng Drive and Kent Avenue, finishing at Klode Park. Activities at the park include kids games, live entertainment and plenty of food vendors. Fireworks are at dusk. More on the Whitefish Bay celebration.

- source http://waukesha.patch.com/articles/waukesha-fourth-of-july-celebration-set

July Calendar Coloring Sheet

http://familycrafts.about.com/library/spdays/caljul12pd.pdf

http://www.coloring-page.net/pages/fireworks-coloring-page.html

Resurrection Eggs

Today my sister, Kelly, has written a guest post for us just in time for Easter!

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A couple of years ago, my sister in law Hope gave me this wonderful book along with a carton of plastic eggs. The book is called "Benjamin's Box" and the eggs are called Resurrection Eggs.

I think this is one of the best ways I've seen to explain the Easter story to your children.

It's the story of a little boy named Benjamin and his treasure box. Benjamin was given a box by his grandfather filled with nothing but straw, straw that came from a manger bed of a king named Jesus. Benjamin had heard that Jesus was coming into town and so he begins his journey.

As you turn each page, you and your child take a journey with Benjamin picking up treasures along the way to put into their own treasure box.

Each page of the book corresponds to a plastic egg. For example, during Benjamin's journey he hears a rumor that the priests have offered money for someone to betray Jesus. Benjamin warns one of the men following Jesus and the man tells Benjamin he will take care of it and hands him a denarius not to repeat it to anyone else. Benjamin thanks him and asks his name...his name is Judas Iscariot. Benjamin adds the coin to his treasure box.

You can start the book 12 days before Easter and read 1 page per day. You also open 1 egg each day allowing your child to place the item inside their own treasure box. {You can also do it all at once or make it part of an egg hunt }

By the time you reach the end of the story, the glorious resurrection of King Jesus, your child will have heard the entire story of Jesus' journey to Calvary. At the end of the book when your child turns the last page and its Benjamin praying and thanking God for sending Jesus, you open their last egg. Inside they see a picture of themselves and you can explain that Jesus did it all for them because He loves them so much.

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Thank you, Kelly! This is such a great visual for kids to help them understand what Easter is really about.

Happy New Year Coloring Sheet

http://www.thebestkidsbooksite.com/crafttemp/newyeartwohats.pdf

Countdown to Christmas

Whether I want to admit it or not, Christmas is right around the corner.

Christmas CAN be the most wonderful time of the year. The hustle and bustle can damper my spirits, though, and if I'm not prepared and organized, I can be a real Grinch.

I received my iMOM email yesterday and they provided a 7 week planner to keep things organized and flowing smoothly at this most stressful time of the year.

I thought I would share it with you all, too.



http://www.imom.com/downloads/color-pdf/imom_7_week_holiday_planner_color.pdf

The link to the iMOM website is on the sidebar to the left. They have some great tips and resources. Check it out!

May you have a stress-free, enjoyable holiday season!

Father's Day Treats

Father's Day is this Sunday. I'm sure you were all aware of that fact; unlike Mother's Day which always seems to come as a shock to our men. ;)
Looking for a real manly treat to serve for Father's Day? Well, I've found a "cute" one for you. Once again, Family Fun has come up with another fun idea. I put the link to their website in the sidebar to the left.


Dress up a snack for Dad -- cheese and crackers in full Father's Day fashion.

Ingredients
Crackers (we used RyKrisp)
American cheese slices
Red or green bell pepper
Pepperoni
Scallions
Yellow mustard

Instructions
*For each shirt, top a cracker with a rectangle of cheese.
*Next, cut shirt details, such as a collar, pocket, tie, or button seam, out of cheese, peppers, or pepperoni.
*Use thinly sliced scallions or dots of yellow mustard for buttons.
For a fun presentation, wrap Dad's treat in a small jewelry box lined with waxed paper.

So fun, right? Make 'em, enjoy 'em! Have a Happy Father's Day!

Friendship Blossom Valentines

I made these Valentines with my girls last year for their class Valentines Day parties. They are super cute and very simple. I saw them in Family Fun magazine. I'll include the link at the bottom.

Materials:
Scrapbooking paper or card stock
Scissors
Lollipops
Tape

Instructions:
For each, cut three heart-shaped petals, two leaves, and two flower centers from scrapbooking paper or card stock. *(I actually cut a 4th green heart then cut the heart in half to make 2 petals. For the centers, I just cut out circles and it looked just as cute.)*
Poke a small hole in each, crease the petals as shown, and slide the pieces onto a lollipop stem. Tape the bottom to secure.

More messages:
You're a sweet heart
Our friendship is blooming
Be my bud-dy

These Valentines were a big hit and so simple and SWEET!

http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/friendship-blossoms-825185/

Mom discovers real meaning of Memorial Day by Kim Dailey

I was driving past the American Legion a couple days ago when I heard my youngest daughter's voice pipe in from the back seat.

"Why are all those flags there, Mommy?"

I looked out the driver-side window and saw folks planting American flags near the parking lot entrance.

"It's almost Memorial Day," I replied.

"What's Memmm-oril Day?" she asked.

"Mem-or-ial Day is a day we remember people who have passed away. We also get to enjoy a break from school and work," I answered.

I co-teach in my school's history department, and I was excited to be embarking on a history lesson with my daughter. I spoke on remembering soldiers and family members and friends. Barbecues with family, sleeping in, and shopping the sales were also part of our discussion. I could hardly wait to get home and research the topic online for further dialogue.

I googled "Memorial Day History" and the website www.usmemorialday.org came up at the top of the list. I began to read about "Decoration Day," the original day of remembrance. The account spoke of the first official recognition of Memorial Day by John Logan in 1868. At that time, flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers in Arlington National Cemetery.

It described poems and songs tied to the event and the sale of poppies by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. My mind slipped back to my youth as I remembered my parents purchasing these little red flowers and twisting their wire stems onto our car's rear-view mirror.

Reading further on the website, I was stopped in my tracks.

"Traditional observance of Memorial day has diminished over the years. Many Americans nowadays have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day. At many cemeteries, the graves of the fallen are increasingly ignored, neglected ... Some people think the day is for honoring any and all dead, and not just those fallen in service to our country."

I was one of those people. I read on.

"Many feel that when Congress made the day into a three-day weekend with the National Holiday Act of 1971, it made it all the easier for people to be distracted from the spirit and meaning of the day ... No doubt, this has contributed greatly to the general public's nonchalant observance of Memorial Day."

The words 'shopping" and "barbecue" reverberated in my head, and I began to feel guilt well up in my core. I looked back to the top of the article and read the first line from the website aloud to my daughter.

"Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service."

Let us never take for granted our service people who fought to secure our freedoms. Let us never forget that while we are sleeping in or shopping or barbecuing, there are still service men and women facing uncertainty and risking their very lives so that we may continue to enjoy these endeavors. This Memorial Day, as we take note of the red, white, and blue, let us never forget to remember those who sacrificed their lives in the service of our country.

Kim Dailey, of Columbia, is a wife, mother of five and special education teacher who relies on her faith and sense of humor to survive in this crazy world. In her free time she soaks it in, sorts it out and writes about life.

Who likes parades?!?

WAUKESHA
Memorial Day events will begin at 9 a.m. Monday in front of the Lee Sherman Dreyfus State Office Building . There, chaplains will deliver Memorial Day prayers. There also will be a massing of colors, casting flowers on the water and a rifle salute. The parade will start at 9:15 a.m. on Baxter Street and will proceed to Buckley Street . Then, it will turn left onto West Main Street and then right onto Main Street . The parade will proceed to Maple Avenue and end at Cutler Park . Further ceremonies will continue in Cutler Park at 11 a.m.

OCONOMOWOC

Memorial Day observances will start at 10 a.m. Monday at City Beach with a traditional Memorial Day service. This year’s featured speaker is Maj. Ben Wagner, Gulf Company weapons commander. Wagner served two tours in Iraq and was awarded a Bronze Star. The parade will begin at the band shell and proceed east on Wisconsin Avenue to Oakwood Avenue , where it will stop for a brief ceremony. Then, the parade will continue to LaBelle Cemetery , where floral, military and musical tributes will honor veterans who have passed since last Memorial Day.

ELM GROVE

This year’s Memorial Day parade grand marshall is John Malan, who earned a Purple Heart during his service in Vietnam . The parade begins at 10:30 a.m. Monday  at the Village Grounds. The parade will conclude at the Sendik’s parking lot. The Elm Grove Business Association will sponsor food, drinks and music there.

SUSSEX

The parade will begin at 1 p.m. Monday at Highway 74 and Waukesha Avenue . The parade will proceed west on Main Street to the VFW Post. After the parade, the VFW will present a service recognizing and honoring men and women in the armed forces.

NEW BERLIN

New Berlin VFW Post 5716 will host this year’s Memorial Day celebration. The ceremony will begin 11 a.m. Monday at the Veterans Memorial located in the southwest corner of Highland Memorial Park Cemetery 14875 W. Greenfield Ave.

PEWAUKEE

The village will host a weekend Veterans Festival continuing through Monday. Throughout the weekend, there will be rides, raffles and live music. On Memorial Day, the American Legion will host a parade that begins at the schools and ends at St. Mary’s Cemetery. There will be five stops at memorials along the way to honor veterans. The parade begins at 9:30 a.m.