JAK CHAT

Normal or Different Written by Just Add Kids  G uest Blogger from Caledonia, Gavin Schultz  Do you ever stop to think that the people that say they are “normal” really are not?  Thank God for making us all different. I am grateful that he made me extra special. Special needs individuals have extraordinary gifts to share with the world. Do you even realize how much more intelligent gifted people are? Take for instance, Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton, Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison. Their minds were able to see and invent spectacular things. Read more... We benefit daily from their obsessions with creating technology. Think about the beautiful art work by Michelangelo and Vincent Van Gogh, it is breath taking. The masterpieces of music that was written and performed by Beethoven and Mozart were magnificent. Temple Grandin has created better livestock handling systems. She has written many books and shares her knowledge at conferences.  She is amazing. There are many more people that think

Harvest Happenings by Just Add Kids founder, Paula Herrmann Autumn will soon be in full swing with leaves changing color, crisp fall breezes a blowin', and our favorite restaurants offering all of those spicy frothy sweet satisfying drinks. A lot of fun and a lot of yum is on tap! Fall is so delectable! In the spirit of keeping  "Family Fun @ Your Fingertips..." Just Add Kids has put together a listing of area destinations to help you make the most of creating fall memories with the kiddos. So jump in your minivan, your suv, or on your broom, momma. Let's go! ==>  Read more... Festive Fall Family* Destinations Sponsored by Educators Credit Union                                                                                                                                               Abandoned Haunted House Complex* - 2825 S. East Frontage Road, Mount Pleasant WI Apple Holler - 5006 S. Sylvania Avenue, Sturtevant WI Bear Den Zoo & Petting Farm -  6381 Big

Christiane: A 9/11 Tribute by Just Add Kids Founder Paula Herrmann My 13 year old daughter, Christiane, in one of her first English assignments wrote about her name. She labeled it as "uncommon". Funny the whole description had the feel of "common", kinda "blah". While I've told the story to her so many times as to how her name was derived, she included nothing of the sort in her essay. Seriously, she has so much material to work with! So, okay, maybe mom here is a bit biased, but her name comes, in part, with some recent historical significance. Read more... I was pregnant with this one, my number 3 girl, on September 11, 2001 when our country was attacked. Along with my fellow Americans and the world, I was glued to our TV as events and reports unfolded. I was a big CNN watcher then and was mesmerized by one of their lead reporters who was constantly on the scene with some middle eastern landscape in the backdrop. Her name, Christiane Amanpour. Not s

BARK! Who Goes There?      My pooch, Leo, on my dad's bed! Update of original post: The Healing Power of a Friend. Woof! So often dogs help us through our darkest hours. Whether it is guiding the blind, protecting our family and property, or supporting those who are sick, they are by our side. They don’t judge, they don’t stray.  Instead they comfort us through our lows, and jump and sing with us at our best.  This loyalty is no more evident than a dog’s love and affection during the often grueling battle with cancer. “Dogs are more than just best friends. Nearly half of pet owners consider their dogs a part of their family,” said Tara Panasewicz, American Cancer Society’s Bark For Life Volunteer Event Leader. “Bark For Life is the canine counterpart to Relay For Life, a very family friendly movement.  Read more... Cancer patients often receive a great source of comfort from their pet during their cancer journey. This event celebrates our canine caregivers, just as we honor other