Get Your Summer On!

Um, Smile!

Written by Just Add Kids Founder,

Paula Herrmann

It was the highlight of my life, being a post-college, 20 something year old. Year after year. A tradition. I'd take off of work for a week, just so that I could spend every vacation day soaking up the sun, the sights, and the sounds; eating my chive fry lunch accompanied by a Miller Lite (or 5, who was counting?). Oh the life, before children. I LIVED for Summerfest!

Fast-forward to the summer of my 30th year. My first year of mommyhood. Why not bring baby in the stroller to see Kool and the Gang? Baby-friendly...I think not. Kid-friendly? Read More...I would've questioned that a couple of years ago when I dragged our gang of 6 down to the Henry Maier Festival Grounds so I could share and relive with my tweens and littles the joy found in a plate of Saz's Chive Fries. Funny, they weren't overly impressed.

My husband reflected back to the day his drinking ceased. Seriously. A day at Summerfest forever etched in my memory (and of course, his) that I will not fully share the details of, ended his days of drinking alcohol. Let's just say, he lost his cookies (or rather gyro and beers) after a ride. Yikes! Sorry.

Okay, let's get back to the kid-friendly topic...if I told you that my kids enjoyed it, I'd be lying. Maybe a few things here and there. Yet, mostly, they complained while my hubs and I tried to get them excited about the BMX bike demonstration, food, music, shopping, waiting around as we bumped into and conversed with a few people. Hmmm. We dragged it out as long as we could so at least we could say we gave it a shot for the admission investment.

So now a few years have passed. And guess what? I am willing to give Summerfest another shot with the family. I don't know, maybe we just didn't plan it right the last time. Or...maybe Summerfest has ramped up their kid-, family-friendliness game.

At Just Add Kids, we've pulled out and highlighted the family fun at the big gig and posted each day on our website's Happenings Calendar of Events in the event you want to bring the youngins'. Oh yah, and the daily admission promotions are posted daily, so hopefully you can save a few bucks (more money for chive fries!)

A couple of things we're looking forward to are the paddle boats (seriously, how refreshing), the zipline (wheeee!) and personally, I have an affection for robots, so I can't wait to "take control" and learn more about the robotics programs available in SE Wisconsin (you know I'll be sharing that info with ya'll).

For those with really young ones (as young as 2), there are plenty of activities provided by who else, but Kohl's. Captivation Station features Kohl’s Wild Theater, Kohl’s Color Wheels, Kohl’s Design It! Mobile Lab and Kohl’s Building Blocks Workshop. There's also Northwestern Mutual's Children's Theater and Playzone and a Kid's Activity Tent.

So whaddaya think? Sound enticing? Let us know if you go and what you think. Posts/comments are welcomed!

AWESOME Dad

Well, most are! I know your kid's daddy might not be tops in your book, yet, in the eyes of your child, he probably is. I am so grateful that when my husband and I mutually took the risk to vow to spend our lives together, then had/have children, (while not always perfect) he ended up being quite the awesome dad. Assist your child in sharing his/her celebration of dad. (Um, I am sure you know, Father's Day is next Sunday, June 17th). Here's a great way to do that, pocket $100 gift card for your kiddo, and knock out that Father's Day gift! Here's how... Read More... For the third year in a row, Just Add Kids has partnered with Educators Credit Union to bring you, your kids and their daddy a fun contest in celebration of Father’s Day. This year, RelyLocal Racine is also partnering with JAK and providing a plethora of gift cards perfect for dad. So, how to participate? Kids color a portrait of their dad, grandaddy, or other fatherly figure (portrait frame and e

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Putting Thoughts Into (60 Second) Action Just Add Kids welcomes Mollie Bartelt, a Caledonia mom, as JAK's guest blogger Do you want to make a difference in your life this summer? Or make a difference for a child who has a life threatening illness? Or win $1000 in a fun challenge? Game on! My story began six months ago, when my happy, healthy nine year old daughter came in from outside playing in the snow feeling dizzy. We became alarmed when she couldn’t stand up after resting a bit...her legs were wobbly and criss-crossing and she appeared to have no balance. A few short hours later in the emergency room, the situation looked worse as she was starting to slur her speech and not even be able to get words out correctly... and she couldn’t get her hands to work to put a snack in her mouth. Read more... The hospital ER staff then sent us up to Children’s Hospital where Hannah stayed for nearly a week, undergoing tests and having therapy. While all the tests were negativ

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