Have a Fun Labor Day Weekend!

We hope you have a wonderful, long weekend at some of these amazing events around town… enjoy!

WorldFest- Friday, August 31- Sunday, September 2, 11am-11pm each day; on downtown Louisville’s Belvedere; FREE admission; one of the region’s largest international festivals

7th Annual Back-to-School Pool Party- Friday, August 31, 6-8pm at the Southwest Family YMCA, 2800 Fordhaven Road; FREE swimming, pizza, and inflatables; fun for your entire family (no membership required to attend event; open to the community)!

Crescent Hill Outdoor Cinema- Friday, August 31 at dusk on the Peterson-Dumesnil House lawn, 301 S. Peterson Ave.; FREE to the public; bring a blanket or chair and enjoy Puss in Boots and Ghostbusters at this double feature

Hike, Bike and Paddle- Monday, September 3, 10am-2pm at Waterfront Park; Jefferson Memorial Forest is providing canoe tours on the Ohio River; FREE; bring your whole family

Photo by Lara Kinne via

Music to Their Ears

Here are Five Ways Parents Can Help Their Children Learn About Music from Music Together’s Kenneth Guilmartin:

Simply sing and dance with your child. The best thing you can do to help set your child on the road to a lifelong love of music is to participate enthusiastically in music activities yourself. Have you ever noticed how instinctively children try to imitate older siblings and grownups? Imitation is an important part of how they learn. Children learn to talk this way, as well as to walk. If you read books, they’ll want to read. If you sing and dance, they will, too.

KentuckyShow! Giveaway

We’ve got a whopper of a giveaway this week.  At the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, there’s an amazing production going on called KentuckyShow!.

This breathtaking, large screen, multi-media production narrated by Ashley Judd really captures the unique elements that make our Bluegrass State so spectacular.  It’s even one of the recommended attractions in Louisville on tripadvisor!

Family Challenge- Family Dinner

“What’s for dinner?” Most nights this question is directed at my husband. Unfortunately for him, I don’t cook. For a few years, he held out hope I would change my mind, but 11 years and 2 kids later my specialty remains take-out.

Parent’s Perspective- Part 6

Carrie Vittitoe, parent-writer for Today's Family magazine, gives us her perspective on summer break and getting back into the swing of things in a new school year.

And They’re Off! When I was a childless middle school teacher, I lived for the quiet and ease of summer break. Now that I have three young children and my summers are not quiet or easy, I feel differently. My kids bicker and throw tantrums during the summer months, and I tire of playing concierge for my kids.

Have a Fabulous Weekend!

We live in the best place in the world!  Where else can one find so many fantastic events that are FREE for the whole family to enjoy?!  Here is what has made it onto our radar.

Ford Ironman Louisville- Sunday, August 26 at Fourth Street Live!; FREE; cheer on athletes as they compete in the world’s most difficult athletic challenges; the competition begins at 7am with a 2.4mi swim in the Ohio river, then a 112 mi bike ride, and finishes with a 26.2mi run that ends at Fourth Street Live!

Rock Around the Clock- Friday, August 24, 5-7pm; Free to the public; celebrate the re-dedication of the Louisville Clock at Theater Square with Mayor Greg Fischer

Kentuckiana’s Got Talent- Friday, August 24 at 8pm at RiverStage in Jeffersonville, IN; at this FREE event, your family will enjoy singers, dancers, a banjo player, and ballroom dancers

Grand Opening Celebration of Brilliant Sky Toys & Books- Saturday, August 25, 10am- 8pm at Brilliant Sky Toys and Books, 4600 Shelbyville Rd; FREE; “fun-filled day with face painting, balloon twisting, door prizes, and a performance by Heidi Howe of The Wee Rock! Show"

Floyd Memorial Hospital Baby Fair- Saturday, August 25, 10am-noon at Floyd Memorial Hospital’s Paris Health Education Center; whether you’re already pregnant or just thinking about it, you’ll enjoy door prizes, interactive booths, and meet physicians

PeaWee Kiwi Popsicles

 

Today's recipe is courtesy of Louisville’s own Catherine McCord of weelicious.

Prep Time: 15 minutes  Total Time: 4 hours, 15 minutes

(makes 6)

Ingredients

• 4 kiwis, peeled and chopped
• 1/2 cup orange, apple or pineapple juice
• 3/4 cup frozen peas
• 6 dixie cups*

Preparation

1. Place the kiwis and juice in a food processor and puree until smooth.
2. Place 2 tablespoons of peas in each Dixie cup.
3. Cover peas with kiwi puree and stir to evenly distribute peas.
4. Freeze pops for 4-6 hours or until frozen through.
* These can also be made in popsicle molds

Kart Kountry Giveaway

Feel like a kid again with the wind blowing in your hair as you speed around the largest go-kart track in the world!  At Kart Kountry, not only do they have go-karts, but they can entertain your whole family with their bumper boats, miniature golf, arcade, and more.

Located in Shepherdsville, KY, Kart Kountry is just a short drive from Louisville. 

The best part is that one lucky person will win $200 in gift cards to use at Kart Kountry!  Enter below for your chance.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

School Lunch vs. Packed Lunch

For many parents, the decision of whether to send their child to school with a packed lunch or purchase a meal at school is fraught with uncertainty. Which one is the healthier option?

Scavenger Hunt 2012 Presented by Thorntons

Who’s ready for some old school fun?! We are, and we are so excited to bring to you Today’s Family Every Day’s first Scavenger Hunt presented by Thorntons. 

Below is an entry form, complete with 10 Scavenger Hunt questions.  To enter, you’ll need to search throughout Today’s Family Every Day to find the answers to the questions. 

You’ll know you’ve found the post with the right answer if you see the Today’s Family Every Day Scavenger Hunt 2012 presented by Thorntons “stamp.”

We will compile all of the entries that contain all 10 correct answers and draw a winner.  The winner of this scavenger hunt will receive a Thorntons gas card worth $350!

You have until August 31,2012, at midnight to find all of the answers and complete the entry form below. 

Have fun!

Update: Our winner is Sarah Victor.

Parent’s Perspective- Part 5

As part of our Parent’s Perspective series, Lorie Gant Leitner gives us all some great insight into Getting Schooled – From the Sidelines.

When my son, Noah, started Kindergarten, I was excited at the prospect of attending field trips and class parties; however, other activities ate up my available vacation days from work. I found myself mastering how to prep and participate from the sidelines.

Find a trusty sidekick.
Since I couldn’t attend field trips to the pumpkin patch or children’s hospital...

Have a Great Weekend!

Boy, oh, boy... we've got some great events that have made it onto our radar for this weekend!  Enjoy!

2nd Annual Supply a Dream Give-A-Way Block Party- Saturday, August 18, 11am-3pm in the McDonald’s parking lot at 6214 Old Shepherdsville Road; this is a FREE event for all ages; kids should bring their backpacks to fill up with supplies! (supplies are limited- first come, first served); games, face painting, dancing, food, & more

Homemade Ice Cream & Pie Kitchen- Saturday, August 18, 12pm-5pm; Celebrating 30 years, they are offering 30¢ ice cream scoops—hey, that’s practically free… right?!

Pet and Butterfly Day- Saturday, August 18, 10am-2pm at Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve in Goshen, KY; FREE to all; crafts for kids in the Nature Center; “pet friendly for friendly pets on leashes”; enjoy booths and FREE giveaways

Free Kids’ haircuts at JcPenney’s- kids (Kindergarten-6th grade) can receive a FREE haircut the entire month of August; appointments available while they last; below is the information to all of the local JcPenney stores

Getting Vaccinated for Meningitis

It’s time to get all the details on meningitis from Belinda Stivers, RN, MSN, school nurse, Eminence Independent Schools, and a past-president of The Kentucky National Association of School Nurses.

 How does meningitis spread? It’s spread through common daily contact like sharing drinks or water bottles, kissing, and living in close quarters or being in close crowds. It puts otherwise healthy people at risk because it can be spread by doing regular, normal activities.  

What are some signs that your child may have it? There are different stages of it.

Kentucky State Fair Concert Giveaway- The Band Perry

With vocal harmonies so sweet that only a family could create, this group is raking in the accolades on the country music scene. 

They’ll be performing at the Kentucky State Fair on Sunday, August 26.  Tickets are $35 and $45 and can be purchased online here at Ticketmaster.

One lucky winner won’t have to buy theirs, though, because we’re giving away one family 4-pack of tickets to see them in concert at the Kentucky State Fair.  Enter below for your chance now through midnight August, 21, 2012.

Kentucky State Fair Concert Giveaway

Win a family 4-pack of tickets to see The Band Perry in concert at Freedom Hall on August 26. Enter below by telling us what seeing The Band Perry in concert would mean for your family.

First Name*

Last Name*

Address*

City*

State*

Select --- US States --- AL - Alabama AK - Alaska AZ - Arizona AR - Arkansas CA - California CO - Colorado CT - Connecticut DE - Delaware FL - Florida GA - Georgia HI - Hawaii ID - Idaho IL - Illinois IN - Indiana IA - Iowa KS - Kansas KY - Kentucky LA - Louisiana ME - Maine MD - Maryland MA - Massachusetts MI - Michigan MN - Minnesota MS - Mississippi MO - Missouri MT - Montana NE - Nebraska NV - Nevada NH - New Hampshire NJ - New Jersey NM - New Mexico NY - New York NC - North Carolina ND - North Dakota OH - Ohio OK - Oklahoma OR - Oregon PA - Pennsylvania RI - Rhode Island SC - South Carolina SD - South Dakota TN - Tennessee TX - Texas UT - Utah VT - Vermont VA - Virginia WA - Washington Washington DC - District Of Columbia WV - West Virginia WI - Wisconsin WY - Wyoming Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces other American Samoa Guam Northern Mariana Islands Palau Virgin Islands --- UK Counties --- Avon Bedfordshire Berkshire Buckinghamshire Cambridgeshire Cheshire Cleveland Cornwall Cumbria Derbyshire Devon Dorset Durham Essex Gloucestershire Hampshire Hereford & Worcester Hertfordshire Humberside Kent Lancashire Leicestershire Lincolnshire London Manchester Merseyside Norfolk Northamptonshire Northumberland Nottinghamshire Oxfordshire Shropshire Somerset Staffordshire Suffolk Surrey Sussex Tyne & Wear Warwickshire West Midlands Wiltshire Yorkshire --- Canadian Provinces --- Alberta British Columbia Manitoba New Brunswick Newfoundland and Labrador Northwest Territories Nova Scotia Nunavut Ontario Prince Edward Island Quebec Saskatchewan Yukon Territory --- Australian States and Territories --- Ashmore and Cartier Islands Australian Capital Territory Coral Sea Islands Territory New South Wales Northern Territory Queensland South Australia Tasmania Victoria Western Australia --- New Zealand Regions --- Auckland Bay of Plenty Canterbury East Cape Hawke's Bay Manawatu-Wanganui Marlborough Nelson Northland Otago Southland Tasman Waikato Wellington West Coast --- Hong Kong Administrative Districts --- Central and Western Eastern Islands Kowloon City Kwai Tsing Kwun Tong North Sai Kung Sha Tin Sham Shui Po Southern Tai Po Tsuen Wan Tuen Mun Yuen Long Wan Chai Wong Tai Sin Yau Tsim Mong

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Phone Number*

What would it mean for you and your family to see The Band Perry? *

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Parent’s Perspective- Part 4

We can all take some pointers from parent-writer Ideisha Bellamy when it comes to Building Your Network.

On school days at 4:30pm, the school bus unloads a large group of elementary school kids at my house. They arrive chasing each other, laughing, and racing towards our door. Usually, there are three sets of parents standing in the driveway to receive them with smiles.

These kids have developed into a tight-knit group who go to school together and are growing up together. We have built a network of supportive families, and since each school year brings new challenges, it is a good thing that we have each other.

French Lick Resort Giveaway

Wouldn’t a weekend getaway to French Lick Resort in Indiana, just hit the spot right about now?? With all of the hustle and bustle of a new school year upon us, a nice relaxing weekend away from the city would be a fantastic change of pace. 

With French Lick Resort being only 70 miles away from Louisville, it’s a perfect spot for a family weekend getaway.  The best part about all of this is that one lucky family will win just that and more!

Parent’s Perspective- Part 3

As part of our Parent’s Perspective series, Monica Lynn Williing shares with us some great advice when it comes to influencing our teens.

Don’t Forget To Bond
Recently my 13-year-old daughter and I watched home movies from her preschool years. It brought back sweet memories to see how silly we were, just having fun together. Our love for one another was pure and joyful. 

Ten years later, not so much!  I realized once she entered middle school...

Have a Fun Weekend!

We hope your family gets the opportunity to stop in at one of these fun {and FREE} family events around town this weekend!  Enjoy!

Steve-O Magic Show- Saturday, August 11, 11am-12pm at the Okolona Branch of the Louisville Free Public Library and 2pm-3pm at the Highlands branch of the Louisville Free Public Library; bring your whole family to this FREE magic show (we had him for our younger son’s birthday party, & it was AMAZING!!!!  He even did a levitation act and made a real rabbit appear!)

Fifth Third Bank Curious Kids Days- Saturday, August 11, 11am-3pm at Fourth Street Live!;  this FREE event is open to the public of all ages and includes music and karaoke by Just Julie and Just Jack; this month’s theme is “Curious About Recycling”; so, bring plastic grocery bags for a special project!

Free Family Fun Workshop- Saturday, August 11, 10am-12pm at Carnegie Center for Art & History in New Albany, IN; bring a large, smooth, round, flat stone no larger than 6” in diameter and make a painted stone turtle in this FREE drop-in family workshop; pre-registration is required, so go ahead and call 812.944.7336 today to register your children

Family Fun Day at Gordon Biersch- Saturday, August 11, 11am-2pm; Buddy the Bat (& maybe a few Louisville Bats baseball players!) will be there for photos with the kids; plus, if you take your family to lunch at Gordon Biersch during that time, the kids will receive a FREE Oreo Pie dessert.

Hula-Hoop Contest- Saturday, August 11 at 11am at Toyland in the Oxmoor Mall; FREE contest is open to kids of all ages; winners will receive a PRIZE; bring your own hula-hoop or use one of theirs

Parent’s Perspective- Part 2

Although this school year is nearly underway for many, it’s never too early to start thinking about next year. We asked our parent-writers what is was that they “wished they’d known” when it came to sending their children to school, and we received great tips from parent-writer, Bob Uberti, that you’ll definitely want to remember for next year.

Get in the Game
A great way for new students to meet their future classmates before the first day of school is...

Fun at the Kentucky State Fair

This week, we talked to Amanda Storment from the Kentucky State Fair to get the inside scoop on what we can expect this year.

She says that the concerts at this year’s fair will really draw music lovers. “We have four main stage concerts at Freedom Hall. The free concert series is in old Cardinal Stadium.” Some of the Main Stage artists include Journey, Pat Benatar, Rascal Flatts, and The Band Perry.  Another great event that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser this year is...

Kentucky State Fair Concert Giveaway- Rascal Flatts

With hits like “Bless the Broken Road” and “What Hurts the Most,” Rascal Flatts is always a fan favorite!  They will be playing at the Kentucky State Fair on Saturday, August 18, at the Main Stage, and tickets are $49 and $60. You can purchase yours online here at Ticketmaster, or… win some!

First Day Jitters

As a child and as an adult who taught sixth grade students, I never slept well the night before the first day of school. I felt both excitement and fear at what the school year held for me. Now as a mom of a preschooler and third grader, I see my children experiencing those same feelings.

A Parent’s Perspective- Part 1

We asked our parent-writers what is was that they “wished they’d known” when it came to sending their children to school.  Here are some words of wisdom from parent-writer John G. Warren.

Your child is eventually going to bring some critters home. Whether it's head lice, pink eye or the vast petri dish of viruses in our country...

Have a Great Weekend!

There are a coupole of spots where your family can catch a great movie outdoors for FREE this weekend on either side of the river!  Enjoy!

Cards Under the Stars- Friday, August 3, 6:30pm on the lawn beside the Natural Science Building at the University of Louisville Belknap campus; at this FREE event, the family entertainment begins at 7:30pm, & the movie The Lion King begins at sunset

First Friday Night at the Speed- Friday, August 3, 5-9pm at the Speed Art Museum; your family will enjoy FREE admission to the Museum’s permanent collection and Art Sparks Interactive Family Gallery

Back to School Bash- Saturday, August 4, 9-11am at Farnsley Middle School; there will be door prizes, FREE school supplies, FREE school physicals, and inflatables for the kids

Twilight Cinema- Saturday, August 4 at RiverStage in Jeffersonville, IN; FREE; enjoy Puss in Boots on the jumbo screen at sunset with the family

Preschool Dance Party- Saturday, August 4, 10-11am at the Main Library; FREE; ages 2-5; in addition to the dance party, the children will enjoy snacks and a craft

Toddler Dance Party- Saturday, August 4, 10-11am at the Southwest Branch of the Louisville Free Public Library; FREE; ages 0-5; includes snack and games

10 Under $10

My business, HolleyWrap, is a gifting service; so I think about gifts at least 10 hours a day. In fact, I'm so busy thinking about them, I forget to give them. Well, that's about to change.

Like you, I routinely wrap up gifts for special occasions, but why not show appreciation and gratitude routinely? I'm not talking about a lot of time and expense either … believe it or not, $10 or less will still send the message you want.

Kentucky State Fair Concert Giveaway- Hank Williams, Jr.

Who doesn’t love a great Hank Williams, Jr. song?!  You probably subscribe to a different “family tradition” than his, but that’s okay, his songs are pure entertainment!

He will be playing at the Kentucky State Fair on August 16, at the Main Stage, and tickets are $39 and $49. You can purchase yours online here at Ticketmaster, or… win some!

One lucky person will win a family 4-pack of tickets to see his concert at the Kentucky State Fair.  Enter below for your chance. This giveaway ends at midnight on 8/7/12.

Kentucky State Fair Concert Giveaway

Win a family 4-pack of tickets to see Hank Wiliams, Jr. in concert at Freedom Hall on August 16. Enter below by telling us what seeing Hank Williams, Jr. in concert would mean for your family.

First Name*

Last Name*

Address*

City*

State*

Select --- US States --- AL - Alabama AK - Alaska AZ - Arizona AR - Arkansas CA - California CO - Colorado CT - Connecticut DE - Delaware FL - Florida GA - Georgia HI - Hawaii ID - Idaho IL - Illinois IN - Indiana IA - Iowa KS - Kansas KY - Kentucky LA - Louisiana ME - Maine MD - Maryland MA - Massachusetts MI - Michigan MN - Minnesota MS - Mississippi MO - Missouri MT - Montana NE - Nebraska NV - Nevada NH - New Hampshire NJ - New Jersey NM - New Mexico NY - New York NC - North Carolina ND - North Dakota OH - Ohio OK - Oklahoma OR - Oregon PA - Pennsylvania RI - Rhode Island SC - South Carolina SD - South Dakota TN - Tennessee TX - Texas UT - Utah VT - Vermont VA - Virginia WA - Washington Washington DC - District Of Columbia WV - West Virginia WI - Wisconsin WY - Wyoming Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces other American Samoa Guam Northern Mariana Islands Palau Virgin Islands --- UK Counties --- Avon Bedfordshire Berkshire Buckinghamshire Cambridgeshire Cheshire Cleveland Cornwall Cumbria Derbyshire Devon Dorset Durham Essex Gloucestershire Hampshire Hereford & Worcester Hertfordshire Humberside Kent Lancashire Leicestershire Lincolnshire London Manchester Merseyside Norfolk Northamptonshire Northumberland Nottinghamshire Oxfordshire Shropshire Somerset Staffordshire Suffolk Surrey Sussex Tyne & Wear Warwickshire West Midlands Wiltshire Yorkshire --- Canadian Provinces --- Alberta British Columbia Manitoba New Brunswick Newfoundland and Labrador Northwest Territories Nova Scotia Nunavut Ontario Prince Edward Island Quebec Saskatchewan Yukon Territory --- Australian States and Territories --- Ashmore and Cartier Islands Australian Capital Territory Coral Sea Islands Territory New South Wales Northern Territory Queensland South Australia Tasmania Victoria Western Australia --- New Zealand Regions --- Auckland Bay of Plenty Canterbury East Cape Hawke's Bay Manawatu-Wanganui Marlborough Nelson Northland Otago Southland Tasman Waikato Wellington West Coast --- Hong Kong Administrative Districts --- Central and Western Eastern Islands Kowloon City Kwai Tsing Kwun Tong North Sai Kung Sha Tin Sham Shui Po Southern Tai Po Tsuen Wan Tuen Mun Yuen Long Wan Chai Wong Tai Sin Yau Tsim Mong

Zip*

Email Address*

Phone Number*

What would it mean for you and your family to see Hank Williams Jr. in concert? *

* Indicates field is required.