JAK CHAT

The Thrill of the Hunt! by Just Add Kids' Silva Karapetian Frosted, White, Flocked, Fiber Optic, or Aluminum?   What is your Christmas tree memory? Growing up, I always had an artificial Christmas tree.  You know the kind, plastic, tree-in-a-box, assembly required, had the smell of being stored in the musty basement for 11 months.  I thought it was perfectly normal (and it is!)  Then 11 years ago, I realized I married a very lovable, Grizwold-esk man.   Read more...   A little back story: My husband’s family has nothing artificial about their Christmas tree.  Their gifts are dwarfed under the 15 foot REAL conifer, as wide as it was tall, donned with 1500 lights, depending on the girth.  True Christmas bliss!  Now this feat never comes to fruition without the usual trip to 3-4 (and once 7) Christmas tree lots.  It may have been shortly after that trip to 7 lots that Papa decided to downsize, and came home with an “average” 6 foot tree.  Needless to say, that was also the year they ...

Light those Lights! Compiled by Just Add Kids' Silva Karapetian We're loving this time of the year with the sights and sounds of the holiday season. Whether you drive by, go on foot, or grab a ride...Have fun with the family celebrating the season of lights.  At Just Add Kids , we are proud to present the 2015 Holiday Tour of Lights featuring a directory of light show destinations, home light shows, and more, graciously sponsored by the Racine Art Museum . Read more... 2015 Holiday Tour of Lights (updated 12/12) Sponsored by Racine Art Museum       Nightmare Before Christmas - Bayview 2700 Block Logan Avenue, Bayview mid-September until early January The 2700 block of Logan transforms into the Nightmare Before Christmas. After Halloween one house follows the chronology of the movie in actual time, the decorations changing every week or two until New Years. Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival Pere Marquette Park, 900 N. Plankinton Avenue, Milwaukee Cathedral Square Park, 520...

SCAN's Gimme 5 for Safe Kids An invitation from Karen Fetherston, Child Abuse Awareness Coordinator Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan and Paula Herrmann, Founder Just Add Kids   A hand goes up, and a child begins to talk about things happening at home, asking: “Is this child abuse?” The innocence behind the question underscores the importance of educating children at a young age about child abuse so they know when to ask for help... Continue reading and you'll see PRECISELY why the Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) program of Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan is crucial to our community's children. ... In this case, a seven-year old Racine child told a SCAN presenter about long-term sexual abuse by two family members. The child had kept this from other family members, school staff and other trusted adults. The informat ion presented by SCAN, as well as the SCAN facilitator's compassionate demeanor, taught this child that what was ...

...Of Santa Stops! (updated 12/8/2015) Compiled by Just Add Kids' Silva Karapetian 'Tis the season! It's the battle of the "Breakfast with Santa' s". Let the games begin! The jolly man in the big fuzzy red suit is coming town. We here at Just Add Kids are compiling an ongoing list of where you can find Santa Claus 'round our corner of southeastern Wisconsin.  Read more... So check this list, and do it twice, or more! We'll add Santa events here and on our website's calendar JAK Happenings , along with other kid-oriented, holiday happenings as we learn about them. Ho Ho Hope you have fun! **DENOTES**activities and events that are designed for and/or welcoming to families of children/dependent young adults with special needs. Finding Santa 2015 Directory (updated 12/8) Sponsored by Educators Credit Union Make A Date With Santa Southridge Mall, 5300 S. 76 th Street, Greendale November 6 to December 24 (daily 10am - 9pm) Come take your photo with Sant...