JAK CHAT

by Just Add Kids Founder,  Paula Herrmann My how the time flies. A little over a year ago, my dad was diagnosed with Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. A spring and summer journey bounced between the hospital and residential rehab facility, he was finally brought home for Labor Day weekend. He successfully licked the cancer. Unreal. Yet, numerous seemingly minor (compared to the cancer) issues continued to surface. His quality of life sucked. Mostly exhausted, on oxygen 24/7, in pain due to degenerative disc issue that no surgeon would touch, my dad's body finally had it. He died on Monday, May 23rd at 2:18pm. Myself, my mom, two of my children, my siblings, and a number of other family members and friends, were there when he passed. I'm a lucky gal. I had. My siblings had. My mom had. My hubs had. My kids had. Many had a great relationship with my dad. He was a great guy. Although the last year of his life was not a pleasant one for him, it sure was a gift to us. Knowing that we di...

May Day! May Day! May Day! by Just Add Kids Founder, Paula Herrmann                                                                                        Welcome to the juggle.                                                                                        Today is May 1st and already the schedule juggle has ramped up a notch. If you've been with me for a couple of years, you know how I feel about this month. Oh, it can be wonderful if our dear mother nature is kind and blows in some warm sunny weather. Then again, this IS Wisconsin. Don't hold your breath!                                                                                                                                Mommas (dads, somehow I think you're exempt) once your kiddos reach school age...bring on the juggle struggle in May. Especially for those of you that have multiple children. Hang on we're in for a ride... Read more...                                                                   ...

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...

The MAY-hem Continues If you read last week's blog, MAY-hem : A Mom's Life , you know that I am, just like many of you are, especially those with school-aged children, in the midst of probably THE busiest month of your parenting year. May, while crazy busy, is joyfully filled with spring concerts, recitals, banquets, tournaments, graduation celebrations, layered on top of your normal practices, games, and other extra-curricular activities. You ever wonder why they (who is they anyway? Hallmark?) throw in Mother's Day in May? Read More... ? Is it suppose to provide us moms with a day of respite while in the mix of mayhem? Perhaps, if you hit up a brunch.  Or on the other hand if we as moms weren’t spearheading the creation and/or purchase of gifts to celebrate our own mothers and mother in laws, etc.  Or if you are “lucky” enough to have hosted the celebration at your home, which was our case (thank you hubs) you are in a mad mad rush to get your house looking presentable fo...