Finn's Monster Truck Birthday Party

Finn’s 4^th birthday party is coming up, so it only makes sense to finally post some pictures from his 3^rd birthday, right? Last year he wanted a monster truck themed birthday. Good thing we still have some plates left over, because this year, you guessed it, he again wants a monster truck themed birthday party. My boy.

 

As we had already purchased Mater for his gift before he decided he wanted monster trucks, I decided to make a cake with Mater pulling a monster truck out of the mud. 

We created "roads" all over the family room with painter's tape.

 

Ramps and garages completed our town.

 

 All the vehicles were ready for the guests to arrive!

 

Fine examples of my cheap-o decorations

THE CAKE!!!!

The Food!!!

The happy guests!!!

 

The Birthday Boy

(who will be wearing that same shirt again in a week)

Vote for Ithaca Family Fun for "Best of Ithaca"

Every year the Ithaca Times puts out a "Best of Ithaca" issue. It's a great way to learn more about people's favorite local bars, waterfalls, eateries and such. The categories change each year and there had not been a good category for Ithaca Family Fun to win a "Best of" award....until this year!

Please take a moment go to www.Ithaca.com and vote for Ithaca Family Fun under the categories Best Local Blog and especially Best Ithaca Website.

Your vote means a lot to me, but it is essential for getting the word out to others who can benefit from this website. Although Ithaca Family Fun will be celebrating it's 3rd birthday this fall, there are still many people who have not heard of it. Winning a "Best of Ithaca" award would create huge exposure for Ithaca Family Fun, reaching thousands more parents and caregivers than I could ever reach on my own. I believe in community. I feel that one of the best ways to create a strong community is to get active in your community. Ithaca Family Fun helps people do this. I truly believe it is the best Ithaca website out there, and I hope that you do to. Please take the time to vote.

Voting:
Go to www.Ithaca.com. There is a banner at the top that says "Vote Best of Ithaca 2013." Click on this banner and follow the steps. Once you have submitted your survey, there is still one more step. You must review your answers, type in a code and hit "finish." Though I am not sure about this and I don't see anything about it on the website, their printed copy states you must vote for at least 2/3 of the categories in order for your vote to count.

Thank you so much for your support! And please pass on the word!

Summer Meals for kids June 24-Aug 30

The Summer Food Service Program serves free meals to all kids and teens, 18 and younger Monday-Friday June 24-August 30 (except July 4). Just show up and eat!

Northside Community Center (625 Hancock St)
Breakfast 8:00-10:30
Lunch 11:00-1:30

Southside Community Center (305 S. Plain St)
Breakfast 8:30-9:30
Lunch 11:30-12:30

For more info, call SFSP Office at 274-2234

This amazing program helps to ensure no child in our community goes hungry.
Please share this info with anyone you think may benefit from it!

Come see "Parent Stories!"

How many times have you heard the words: “Enjoy it! It goes by so fast?” How many times have you said those words?

In the Summer and Autumn of 2012, parents, grandparents, stepparents and caregivers in the Ithaca area met for a series of story circles, in which they stopped to reflect on the child-rearing experience from birth, to college, to grand kids.


These story circles provided the inspiration for an original collaborative play written and performed by parents of the Ithaca community who contributed their stories.


The Civic Ensemble presents: "Parent Stories,"
playing at the Kitchen Theatre
Friday, May 31 at 8pm, and Saturday, June 1st at 2pm & 8pm.
Pay what you can ticketing-
The suggested donation is $5-10 per ticket, but no one will be turned away.
Seating is limited! Reserve tickets here, or by calling (607) 241-0195, then pay at the door - CASH ONLY, please!
http://www.civicensemble.org/Community_Based_Play.html
 
 
The show will run around 90 minutes. Although Parent Stories is about life with children, it contains some adult themes and language and is not recommended for kids.

Family Resource Connection - Tompkins

Announcing the official launch of the Family Resource Connection - Tompkins! www.FRCT.org
The Family Resource Connection is a collaboration of organizations who provide services for families with young children in the home. Through this online hub, we hope to provide parents, grandparents and other caregivers better access to and basic information about the many resources our community provides. Find the Family Resource Connection - Tompkins at www.FRCT.org.

Facebook

Did you know that Ithaca Family Fun is on Facebook? Through the Facebook page, I send out occasional updates and reminders about what's going on next weekend or info about special events. You can "like" the Ithaca Family Fun page by clicking here.

Save Isla's Eyes

Save Isla's Eyes is a local fundraising effort to help a local 3 year old girl. Isla was born with Congenital Cataracts and developed Aphakic Glaucoma as a result cataract Surgeries. At her tender age, Isla has already endured years of medications, multiple surgeries, procedures and countless tests. In efforts to save her eyesight, Isla and her family travel on a regular basis to specialists located in Syracuse and Philadelphia. Last April, Isla underwent yet another surgery to treat her condition. Sadly, a rare and extremely severe infection traveled rapidly through the shunt that was placed from her surgery. Isla underwent two emergency surgeries in 48 hours to help stop the spread of the infection throughout her body. She has now lost all vision in this eye. Isla is being monitored closely by her Doctors, whose next concern is to keep Isla’s other eye healthy, especially as she has Glaucoma in this eye as well. She is already on the maximum dosage of medication; it is know the only eye that allows her to see.

As Isla's family encounters numerous medical and day to day expenses, their primary concern is the welfare of Isla and their family as a whole. That being said a little help can go a long way to a family in need. Please consider supporting this family through a donation to their fund. You can find donation info below or attend their fundraiser on Saturday, March 30 at the LakeWatch Inn on Eastshore Drive. The Fundraiser goes from 2-7:30 and will have face painting for the children, an Easter Egg Hunt, Local Bands, Chinese raffles, door prizes, and silent auctions and lots of food, beverages and desserts.


Save Isla’s Eyes
c/o Deputy Langlois, TC Deputy Sheriff’s Assoc
PO Box 3820
Ithaca, NY 14850

Please make checks payable to Adam Langlois and note “Save Isla’s Eyes” in the memo field


You can join their Facebook page here:


http://www.facebook.com/SaveIslasEyes?fref=ts