Halloween Happening at Shorewood Library

Our friends at the Shorewood Library are hosting the Halloween Happening tomorrow, Wednesday, October 29, from 2:30-4:00 p.m.  Kids can wear their costumes and trick-r-treat the "haunted hallway", make a "boo-tiful" craft, and enjoy a "spook-tacular" treat.  Check out this free event right in our neighborhood.

Halloween Party Fun For All

On the heels of a trick-r-treat weekend, the Halloween festivities continued at this morning's playgroup.  In the nursery today, brides blushed, flowers frolicked, and fairy tales came to life.  The adults had plenty to "ooh and aah" about while those adorable costumed kiddos enjoyed face and hand painting, a photo booth, and not-so-spooky snacks and crafts.  A sincere thank you to Amanda and Jennifer for making this morning's playgroup so special for all the families in attendance.  Happy Halloween!

November Book Club Selection

Here are the choices for the next book club selection.  Please take a moment to vote for your favorite at the right.  You can click on the title of each novel to read a synopsis and reviews of the book.  We'll announce the winner next Tuesday.

• Orphan Train by Kristina Baker Kline
• Someone by Alice McDermott
• Dreams of My Russian Summers by Andrei Makine
• Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

It's the Great Pumpkin, Whitefish Bay

Nothing says Halloween like the Great Pumpkin Festival in Whitefish Bay.  This year, the Whitefish Bay Civic Foundation will host the annual event from Tuesday, October 28 - Saturday, November 1.  The event runs from 6-9 p.m. nightly at The Old Schoolhouse Park across from the WFB library, 5420 N. Marlborough Drive.  This free, family-friendly event invites pumpkin enthusiasts to select a pumpkin and then enjoy carving it before it's lit and displayed at the park for all to see.  In addition, there are live music and food offerings daily.  With hundreds of carved pumpkins on display from professional and amateur carvers, it is truly a sight to behold and a sure sign of the Halloween season.

Trick or Treat

The costumes are on and the kiddos are ready, but when can they trick or treat?  Here is a list of trick or treat times for nearby suburbs.  More detailed information can be found here.

    
• Mequon - Friday, October 31, 5-8 p.m.
• Fox Point - Sunday, October 26, 1-3 p.m.
• Bayside - Sunday, October 26, 1-4 p.m.
• Brown Deer - Sunday, October 26, 1-4 p.m.
• Glendale - Sunday, October 26, 1-4 p.m.
• Milwaukee - Sunday, October 26, 1-4 p.m.
• Wauwatosa - Sunday, October 26, 1-4 p.m.
• Shorewood - Sunday, October 26, 2-4 p.m.
• Whitefish Bay - Sunday, October 26, 4-6 p.m.

Boo! It's a Halloween Party!

You won't find any scary ghosts or goblins at our Halloween celebration, but you will find fun with your crazy costumed friends.  Mark your calendar to join us on Tuesday, October 28, from 9:30-11:00 a.m. for Halloween fun in the nursery at the North Shore Presbyterian Church.  Kids and caregivers can wear their costumes (though they're certainly not required to appreciate the fun) and enjoy a special craft project, healthy Halloween treats, a goofy photo booth, and a Halloween sing-a-long.  Let's pack the playroom and celebrate the fall season.    

Fall Family Fun

Miltown Moms has a great list of 10 Things To Do In Milwaukee Before Fall Is Over.  Check it out and get out and enjoy this beautiful time of year!

To Vaccinate Or Not To Vaccinate?

It's October 10th, and the kids have been back to school for a month, just long enough to bring home the first round of illnesses.  Sniffles started appearing at our house about two weeks ago and we ramped-up our hand washing efforts in an attempt to cut it short.  Thankfully, the most significant impact of our head colds was a few sleepless nights.  But the start of the flu season, along with the unprecedented outbreak of Ebola and the spread of the enterovirus D-68 have made the stakes much higher.  Beyond hand washing, what can parents do to protect their vulnerable children?

A recently aired NOVA program, Vaccines - Calling the Shots, presents thoughtful perspectives on vaccination, one of the first lines of disease defense.  Specifically, the documentary explores a hot-button issue swirling through parental circles - the decision NOT to vaccinate.  Scientists explore the possible connection between the anti-vaccination trend and the resurgence of previously eradicated diseases.  This program is well-researched and provides an organized view of the issues surrounding immunization.  It is certainly worth a look.

NOVA: Vaccines - Calling the Shots

Cleaning Day

It's cleaning time!  On Friday, October 3, we will have our first cleaning day of the year at play group.  Please make plans to join us to give the toys a good scrub and stop those germs before they have a chance to spread.