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Consider Adventureland This Summer!

6/14/2014

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"Come on over to Adventureland.  You're gonna have a fun-filled day!"  At least, that's what the song always promised.  We had always chosen Great America/Six Flags for our Amusement Park trips.  It seemed less hokey and much bigger. 

This year, a family obligation brought us to Adventureland in Altoona, IA.  Despite the convincing jingle, we had pretty low expectations.  ;)  When we arrived at the park, we were able to get a front row parking space right near the gate.  I was impressed, but thought maybe it was just because most people didn't go there.  We were greeted warmly at the front gate, by young-ish people who were smiley, friendly, and helpful.  (So far, so good)  As we walked through the tunnel leading into the park, all my Adventureland cynicism began to fade.  What we saw was a very pretty, clean, cute, old-fashioned town.  The train station up on the hill had a few riders ready to go.  Our gang started out on the carousel.  There weren't many people there yet, so they went about 6 times before we called it quits.  We wandered into a couple of the shops where I was once again taken aback.  Instead of ridiculously priced hunks of junk, we found some very cute, REASONABLE souvenirs.  Then we started on the rides.  Everyone wanted to go in different directions, so we found some mid-ground and let the kids wander a bit from there.  It felt like a safe, local park.  The grounds were clean and very well-maintained.  The only ride we passed that had had, er...an incident on it, had 4 men cleaning it up with different types of cleaning implements. We spent 7 hours there and still weren't able to see and do everything.  I'd wager we missed half the park.  We got a brief stop at the water park but unfortunately a storm drove us out.  (You could spend an entire day right there!!)

Here are some reasons we were REALLY impressed by Adventureland...
*Tickets are reasonable.  If you do any scouting around, or if you bring 15 or more people, you'll get discounts off the $40 gate price. 
*You can bring in your own water bottles!  That is a huge money saver right there!  You can't bring in food, but you can eat outside the grounds in a shaded area.
*You can leave and re-enter the park without any rigamarole.  They stamp you, check you and you're back to having fun.
*The entire park is smoke-free!  No walking through smoke clouds or finding cigarette butts on the ground.
*Their maps are really helpful.  One section is set up with two columns "If you are looking for..."  and "You'll find it at..."
*Souvenirs and many snacks are very reasonable.  We got sno-cones for $2/each. 
*
The employees are all really professional and were all very nice. 
*The amazing waterpark, Adventure Bay was included in our admission price.  There are cabanas and lockers around you can rent and the area is huge and REALLY good for older kids.  (I wouldn't recommend a full day there with an under 5 or so.  Many of the rides are REALLY big and the lazy river is pretty fast)
*Even though we aren't huge amusement park people, we had a GREAT time! 


Adventureland, my apologies to you!  My snobbery and disdain for you all these years was COMPLETELY unwarranted!  I would go back in a heartbeat.  We really DID have a fun-filled day!

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Summer Fun at Michael's

6/11/2014

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I've been doing the summer activities thing for a LOT of years, and every once in awhile I'm STILL surprised by what there is to do in our area!  Today I discovered that Michael's (craft store in Davenport) offers a program called Passport to Adventure.  This class costs $2/day and takes place Monday/Wednesday/Friday from June 16-August 1.  Each week the kids take an imaginary trip to a museum and make crafts based on what types of exhibits are found there.  Each day they make different crafts, so kids can go all summer long and always do new things.  The first couple of weeks they'll "visit" the Field Museum and the Georgia Aquarium.  These are the crafts that they're scheduled to do on the first day.  Cost includes all materials and supplies.  Pretty cool, huh?

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Take your kids to CHEAP movies this summer!!

6/11/2014

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Summer is in full swing.  School is out and moms are looking for fun things to do that won't break the bank.  Here's something  that you can do with your kiddos for 8 weeks!

One excellent feature that our movie theaters offer during the summertime is a weekly cheap movie.  These vary by theater, but all are in the mornings and all are very reasonably priced.  They are first-come, first-served so don't wait until 5 minutes before starting time and figure you'll always get in.  We have actually hit a couple of times where they were full (daycare groups love these!).  Most of the time they'll play the movie in multiple theaters, so if you're meeting people there, have a plan in place (we've frequently missed our friends and run into them out in the parking lot afterwards)  The concession stands are always open for drink/popcorn/snack sales, and since you are getting such a great deal on your tickets, consider supporting them (believe me, we don't EVER do this except in the summer).

We've attended these for several summers and you can bet we'll hit a few this year as well.  These are a great rainy or too-hot day activity, and a nice way to have a playdate with your kids' friends. Here's this year's run down....

Cinemark Theater (Davenport)- Wednesdays. movies begin at 10 AM, Doors open at 9:30.  Movies are $1/person OR $5/person for all 10 if you buy your pass in advance at the theater or www.cinemark.com

6/11--Ice Age The Meltdown
6/18--Epic
6/25--The Croods
7/2--Turbo
7/9--Smurfs 2
7/16--Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2
7/23--Walking With Dinosaurs
7/30--The Lego Movie
8/6-- Rio 2


Regal Theater  (Moline)- Tues & Wed. movies begin at 10 AM, doors open at 9:30.  Movies are $1/person.  Choose either movie or see one each day.  Tuesdays are a bonus concession day for club members.  Get a small popcorn for only $2, or upgrade for a couple dollars more.

6/10-6/11-- The Pirates: Band of Misfits  or Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2
6/17-6/18--Despicable Me 2 or Arthur Christmas
6/24-6/25-- The Lego Movie or Free Birds
7/1-7/2--Adventures of TinTin or Rise of the Guardians

7/8-7/9-Kung Fu Panda 2 or Madagascar 3
7/15-7/16--The Croods or Epic
7/22-7/23--Turbo or Walking with Dinosaurs
7/29-7/30-- Mr. Peabody & Sherman  or Rio 2

Nova 6 Theater  (Moline) has closed as of 5/27/14
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EICC Summer Camp Programs

6/11/2014

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Eastern Iowa Community Colleges is offering some cool camps this summer.  To register, visit eicc.edu/summercamp or call 888-336-3907.

June 16-20:
Health Careers Camp  (Class #141953) 9-3 PM, for 8th/9th graders. Held at Scott Community College. Cost $160
Wilderness Camp  (Class #141951) 9-3 PM, for kids 7-10 years old.  Held at Nahant Marsh Ed Center. Cost $160

June 16-19:
College Connection Camp (Class #141956) 9-noon, for 7th/8th graders.  Held at Clinton Community College. FREE

June 23-26:
College Connection Camp (Class #141955) at Muscatine Community College (all info same as above)

June 23-27:
Zombie STEM Camp (Class #141950) 9-3 PM, for kids 11-14 years old. Held at Midwest Public Safety Training Center. Cost $160

July 14-18:
Wilderness Camp (Class #141951) 9-3 PM, for kids 7-10 years old.  Held at Nahant Marsh Ed Center. Cost $160

July 30-August 1:
Culinary Skills Camp (Class #142051) 9-3 PM, for 11th/12th graders. Held at Scott. Cost $160
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It's Time for Summer Reading Programs!!

6/11/2014

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Moms love to see their kids reading and kids love to get new books--the Summer Reading Programs are great for both!  In addition to encouraging our kiddos (and us!) to read, the local libraries have a ton of fun activities planned for the summer.  Here's the rundown of what to expect this summer from our local libraries....

BETTENDORF
Once again the BPL will have a summer program!  Stop by the library to sign up you and your children.  Their prizes are a secret, so you'll have to get reading to find out what you'll win. To see the entire list of activities, visit bettendorflibrary.com/youth-services

DAVENPORT
All three libraries are working together on this program.  Stop into any one of the Davenport libraries (Fairmount, Main, Eastern Avenue) and get signed up.  You'll receive a coupon for a FREE book from the Friends' Book Stores, a cloth library bag at the half-way mark, and a new FREE book when you finish.  Once you're done, you get entered into the grand prize drawings for prizes like a Wii, iPod Shuffle, Color Nook, Fuhu Tablet, $50 iTunes gift card, or a Kindle Paperwhite.  Visit www.davenportlibrary.com for more information.

MOLINE
The Moline library allows you to sign up for their reading program online.  Kids in 1-6th grade can sign up at www.molinelibrary.com.  You'll record your minutes online and the library will notify you when it's time to come pick up your prize.  How easy is that?

ROCK ISLAND
The RI library is kicking off their program this Saturday with a carnival.  To kick off summer in a big way, the Rock Island Library will host the Paws to Read Summer Reading Carnival from noon to 3:00 pm on Saturday, June 7. Activities include summer reading registration and prizes, hourly prize drawings, a children's bounce house, games, mascot visits, free face painting, magic, chalk art, and special presentations, including a K-9 police demo, and a costumed pet parade.  For more information, visit rockislandlibrary.org
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Camp Hand-in-Hand

6/11/2014

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  If you have child with special needs or disabilities, you should be familiar with Camp Hand-in-Hand.  Your special needs children can spend a week at Camp Abe Lincoln with caregivers who understand their needs.  They will get the opportunity to swim, ride horses,  play games, do arts and crafts...and most of all have a terrific week of "typical kid" camp fun.    
 

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Build-A-Bot in Bettendorf

6/11/2014

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If you have an 8-18 year old who likes Legos, Robots, or both, the Bettendorf Library has a program for you! Build-A-Bot! Lego Robotics Club will meet June 16th from 2-4, and July 7 and 21st from 2-4. Registration IS required for this program. You can register online  HERE
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Want to go to the fair??

6/11/2014

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Here's a list of Quad City and surrounding community county fairs with their dates and links to their websites, courtesy of our friends at KWQC.

Iowa:

Cedar July 9, July 10, July 11, July 12, July 13

Clinton July 16, July 17, July 18, July 19, July 20

Des Moines July 21, July 22, July 23, July 24, July 25, July 26, July 27, July 28, July 29

Henry July 15, July 16, July 17, July 18, July 19, July 20, July 21

Jackson July 23, July 24, July 25, July 26, July 27

Lee July 9, July 10, July 11, July 12, July 13

Louisa July 20, July 21, July 22, July 23, July 24, July 25, July 26

Muscatine July 16, July 17, July 18, July 19, July 20

Scott (Mississippi Valley) July 29, July 30, July 31, Aug 1, Aug 2, Aug 3

Illinois:

Bureau August 20, August 21, August 22, August 23, August 24

Carroll August 5, August 6, August 7, August 8, August 9

Henderson July 13, July 14, July 15, July 16, July 17, July 18, July 19

Henry June 24, June 25, June 26, June 27, June 28, June 29

Jo Daviess July 31, August 1, August 2, August 3

Knox July 16, July 17, July 18, July 19

Lee July 24, July 25, July 26, July 27

Mercer July 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Rock Island June 17, June 18, June 19, June 20, June 21

Stark August 26, August 27, August 28, August 29, August 30, August 31, September 1

Warren July 23, July 24, July 25, July 26

Whiteside August 12, August 13, August 14, August 15, August 16
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