FREE Ice Cream

Seriously, who doesn't love FREE ice cream

and from Cold Stone??

So mark your calenders for the......

See you there...

ok maybe I wont but you better

believe i'll be at a Cold Stone in Wyoming!

Sure miss all you Iowans!

PRESENT PAAARRTAY!

It's time for another present party!!!! It's a fun way to get a gift and chat with other girls. This party has been a tradition for at least 5 years now and is still going strong! Last year we had a great turnout of over 25 girls. So please come and join the fun again!!
When: Saturday October 16th @1:30pm
Where: Maple Grove Villas Lounge
Theme: Fall/Halloween/Thanksgiving

Please bring a fall themed gift that is 10-15$ and be sure to wrap it. We will then do a gift exchange and go home with something cute or fun. Also please bring a small treat to share with everyone (doesn't have to be a dessert). Just remember NO kiddos, unless they are tiny babies. I hope everyone can come. If you know of anyone who didn't get this email let them know. The more people the better!! If you have any questions please feel free to email me !! Hope to see you all there!
Cassie
cass2244@aol.com

Pumpkin Patches

Sadly girls,

I have decided that summer is at an end.
I'm heartbroken.

So, to cheer myself up, I want to know what your favorite "Fall in Iowa" activity is.

I'll go first.

Without a doubt:
it's the Pumpkin Patches.

I'm pretty sure there are a few of them in the general vicinity, but our favorite is
Howell's Pumpkin Patch

In case you've never been, here's the rundown.
They have:

Tractors,
Goats, rabbits, sheep, and more.
(And they are roaming free.)
Gift shops,

Amazing fall beauty,
Horse swings,
Picture opportunities,
Cars, slides, tiny tractors,
Big fat tire swings,
Funny signs,
A corn pit,
and of course...
PUMPKINS!

There is a small fee for the pumpkin patch (I think $6... maybe.)
Check out the website and start celebrating fall!

(And post your favorite fall activity - I need some ideas!!)

Are you ready for a party?

If you answered yes, keep reading.

Because this is going to be a party...

Saturday, September 25th
is
THE ILLUMIFEST!!
A Fall Festival of Light
(you better believe it.)

This will be located at the water/grass area right by the WDM library/city hall on Mills Civic.

The evening kicks off at 5 pm with FREE (no typo - yes Free!) carnival rides, FREE hot air balloon rides (what?!?), FREE Ferris Wheel rides, FREE paddle boat rides, FREE lantern making craft, and a whole lot of vendors/activities/cool stuff to see.

At 7:30 the outdoor movie "Up" (love it...) will begin.

And at 9:00 the fireworks will light up the sky.


Don't you love Iowa?
Me too.

Click here for the website.

Thanks for the info Nicole!

Now that summer is almost over...

I plan on eating all the ice cream I possibly can.
Coldstone has a 2 for $5 coupon you can print here.

Go eat some icecream!

Figure 8 Races and Fun Friday

Ever been to a Figure 8 Race?

Me neither.

But if you want to, you could hit up this one this weekend.
It's only on Saturday the 21st at 6:30 in Adel and it's $10 for adults.
(directions are on the website)
If you have little boys,
you like seeing mullets,
you own some white trash clothing and have always wanted to have the perfect excuse to wear it,
well, here you go.

Also, Fun Friday this week will be at the Union Park Carousel at 11 am.
Go here to print off your buy one get one free coupon.
Bring a lunch and a swimsuit.

See you there!

FUN FRIDAY

If you didn't get the email, here it is:

Fun Friday is back!!
(And hopefully here to stay for a little while!)

The Details:

When: Friday (naturally...)
Where: Raccoon River Park
What: A beach/park play date.
Time: 10:30 am.
Bring: Yourselves, you kids (don't forget them...), your swimsuits (please don't make me be the only one in a swimsuit. again.), your beach toys, and your lunch (if you want to.)

See you there!
Ashley

The YMCA, the Divas, and the Junction.

Hey everyone! I just thought I would give you all a "head's up" about the YMCA.
The registration for all their fall classes (swimming lessons, gymnastics, cooking classes, fun with music, etc.) opens TOMORROW!! (Wednesday)
Those classes fill up fast, so if you want in - get on it!!

Also, the blog Dating Divas (that we talked about at the fireside for those of you who attended) is awesome. Having regular scheduled date nights while in Med School is a must. This blog has some awesome ideas to spice things up a little.

One more thing. When we first moved here (2 years ago) I heard people throwing around the term "Valley Junction" a lot. It took me a few months to learn what it was, so I thought I would help you newcomers out. Valley Junction is a little street in West Des Moines that has some historic shops, an old train car, and is commonly the site for farmer's markets, and various celebrations. It is also where one of the Human Service's Building is located. (Hint, hint.) They have a little candy shop/bakery that my kids like, a toy story that's pretty awesome, and some vintage antique/collectibles shops.
It's worth visiting once or twice.

That's all I got.

Don't forget about all the fun and excitement going on this weekend!
(Check the post below if you are confused...)

Now go have some fun!!

It's Been A While, Girls.

And I apologize.

But I'm back now and ready to have some fun.
So, here's what's going on in the greater Des Moines area.
(By the way, welcome to all the new families - I'm so excited to get to play with you all!)

*DO THE ZOO!
August 2-6th is Safari Splash at the Des Moines Zoo (from 1 - 4 pm).
They have inflatables water slides, splash pads, free treats and of course - animals.
We went last year.
Fun times.


*DO THE MALL!
-Tax free shopping on Aug. 6th and 7th.
-Merle Hay Mall has kid's inflatables and cotton candy on Sat. Aug. 7th from 11 - 3.


*DO THE BALLOONS!
This is classic Iowa. A party for air balloons. I love it.
-Balloon flights, live music, arts and crafts shows, fireworks, etc.
Located at Memorial Balloon Field (between 118th and 113th in Indianola.)
(Morning admission is free; evenings are $3 adults/$10 carload.)
Hurry thought, this ends soon!! (July 30th - Aug. 7th)


*DO THE CORN!
What's more Iowan than corn?
That's why you should go to the Adel Sweet Corn Festival
(No, I'm not joking. There really is a corn festival. Really.)
-Aug. 13 (5pm - midnight) and Aug. 14 (9:30 am - midnight).


*DO THE FAIR!
This one is still a little ways off, but there's no harm in getting excited, right?!
You. must. go. here.
Open August 12 - 22.
It's a little pricey, but I can fix that.
Monday - Thursday, 5-10 p.m. is half price! $5 (adults), $2 (ages 6-11)
Also, parking is $10. (Sheesh...) However, they do have busses that shuttle you over from free parking for $2/adult round trip. (This could be the way to go...)


*DO THE BBQ!
Raccoon River Park. This Saturday. 5:00. Bring food to BBQ, dishes, and a side to share.
See you all there!

Do You Like Pictures?

Because a special girl in Idaho Falls is having a give away on her blog. Her stuff is amazing - I love her kid's photos.

Be one of the first 11 to leave a comment on her blog and link and you'll get a $25 gift certificate in the mail.


Awesome?
I think so.