Well, this year we have successfully survived 1/3 of our holiday season with Thanksgiving Day behind us and Christmas and New Year’s still ahead. But before we put Thanksgiving in the rearview, I thought I’d share some facts about the day of thanksgiving.
46 million. No, that is not the number of calories Jerry consumed at our Thanksgiving Day dinner (close though). It is, however, the number of turkeys that wound up on a table all over the United States this past November 26th. Now that is a lot of turkey legs! 92 million to be exact…
2. Number of balloons that were “stabbed and stomped” by New York police officers in 1997 due to high winds at the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. One was the Pink Panther and the other was…Barney. How many of you would like to have been one of those police officers taking down ole Barney? Be honest… That’s what I thought!
1934. The first year professional football was played on Thanksgiving Day when the Detroit Lions hosted the Chicago Bears. And, I’ll bet you didn’t know this was also the Lions’ last victory. Yep, they’re 0-and-1,113…or something like that.
And a quick “did you know” for you… I’m sure you’re all aware of the Presidential pardon granted to one lucky turkey each year before Thanksgiving. But did you know there are actually two turkeys that are spared the dinner table each year? Sure enough, one is the turkey that the President ultimately pardons and the other is his “backup” in case the presidential turkey “can’t fulfill his duties”. It’s true; I’m not making this up. It seems this happened just last year in 2008 when presidential turkey “Pecan” fell ill and backup bird “Pumpkin” was brought in at the last moment to be pardoned by then President Bush. I guess one could argue that the “fill-in fowl” has more responsibilities than our Vice President does… Don’t believe me? Quick, name one thing VP’s Quayle, Gore and Cheney accomplished while in office? And, no, misspelling potato, “inventing” the internet and shooting your friend in the face do not count as accomplishments… What’s VP Biden been up to I wonder?
“What has that crazy crew at Generation Next been up to since last we spoke?”, I’m sure is what you’re thinking. We haven’t been sitting around, twiddling our thumbs and waiting for you to ask us what we’ve been up to I can assure you that. Where to start… Oh, how about this miracle of small miracles. On November 24th, we hosted a formal luncheon for all the Seniors. A plated lunch was served in the grand ballroom of “Chez Finley” (aka, the lunch room). The attendees of this soiree were clad in their finest dresses and shirts and ties. The tables were decorated and draped with the finest of table linens. And in a culmination of the etiquette and table manners we had practiced all month, they all behaved…admirably. I know, I know it’s hard to believe but they did. All hands were kept to themselves and a minimal number of elbows touched the table. Well done, Seniors!
Also, waaaay back in October our “Fall Parade” went through without a hitch. Okay, there might have been 2 or 3 hitches but since we’re dealing with a bunch of rascals, I’d say that’s pretty good! Along with the parade was the Super-Duper Pumpkin Decorating Contest. There were some unbelievable pumpkins but in the end “Team Management” won the prize. Actually, the whole group won the prize since there was a secret little promise made that if Karen and Mary Beth won, then the whole building got a pizza party! Surprise, surprise, we won!
In November the group here at Generation Next celebrated Finley’s 2nd birthday with a big bash that included cake, ice cream, clowns, fireworks and elephants… Okay, maybe we didn’t have all that stuff but we did have cake and a good time!
December 18th is a big, big day for us here at Generation Next. First and foremost, Santa is coming. You heard me right; the jolly old elf will be here live and in person. He’ll be visiting all the good boys and girls (and some that are borderline), reading a story and handing out some reindeer food (Blitzen and company get mighty hungry hauling Santa around the globe). So make sure to keep all the little ones on the straight and narrow for a few more weeks; or at least until Santa comes.
The 18th of December is also the day we give away a couple of trikes to a couple of very lucky Generation Nexters. Here’s the deal. Instead of “adopting a family” for the holidays we collect personal items (think toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, etc…) and cleaning supplies for the less fortunate and then we give them to charities to hand out as needed. All you need to do to get a shot at one of the trikes is to donate an item and “VOILA!”, you’re registered. Oh, did I mention one of the trikes is a “Hawkeyes” ride and the other is a “Cyclones” festooned little pedaler? They’re both pretty cool…although the Hawkeyes’ is just a tad bit cooler!
The 18th is also the staff holiday party which means the building will be closing a little early that day so everyone can get ready for the big event. This year it will be held at Prairie Meadows but before you start practicing your Texas Hold ‘Em skills, it will be a non-gambling event. And that is a good thing because Mr. G is a terrible gambler…
December also holds in store the window decorating contest. Each room will decorate the window to their room and the best, most creative artwork will win a fantastic prize and they will even get their room mentioned right here in this newsletter. Now that is the kind of spontaneous publicity that can really make somebody!
Also coming up in December is the “New Years at Noon” celebration. There’ll be horns, noise makers (no, not the kids; honest-to-goodness noise makers from the store), hats and a big balloon drop in the PIT at straight-up noon on December 31st! Hopefully we don’t lose any kids amongst all those balloons.
And in the “for-your-information” department this month, Simple Suppers is gone but definitely not forgotten. Actually, it’s not even really gone; it’s just temporarily on hold until after all the craziness of the holidays is behind us. We’ll fire up the Simple Supper machine after the first of the year.
That’s all I’ve got for now. Bundle up those kids as the weather gets colder and have a truly wonderful Christmas and a happy (and safe) New Year!
Posted on December 1 2009 by Jerry.
Posted on November 30 2009 by Jerry.
Autumn must be the most spectacular of all the seasons. Spring garners a lot of fanfare for it is the time of rebirth and renewal. And who doesn’t like summer with its warm weather, swimming and family vacations. But autumn…that’s when the magic happens. Autumn is nature’s multi-colored farewell. If there is one trip I want to take before I leave this place, it’s a drive up the east coast of the United States to drink in the foliage as the colors change. Well, I’m not doing anything right now. How about it? Are you in?
We’ll start our trip off in Boston on a crisp, clear autumn morning. As we climb into the candy red convertible we rented the day before we notice there isn’t a cloud in the sky; it’s going to be a great trip. We’re cruisin’ now; we’re staying off the interstate and sliding through towns like North Cohasset and Humarock. We catch a glimpse of the Atlantic as we roll into Plymouth, Massachusetts just in time for lunch. After a quick bite at a little sandwich joint that’s as old as the pilgrims, we’re back in the ragtop for the short hop down to Hyannis. We arrive just in time to catch the last ferry of the day to Martha’s Vineyard to stay the night. Up at dawn’s first light and we’re the first persons aboard the ferry. Back in the convertible before 10 AM and we’re rollin’ over to Newport, Rhode Island with the top down and wind in our hair. It’s a little chilly but the fleece jacket I pulled on that morning is doing its job. After Newport, it’s over to Connecticut, back up to Massachusetts and into the Berkshire Mountains. We’ll spend a night or two here but we mustn’t linger too long for Vermont and New Hampshire await. Once there, time seems to slow down along with the car. It’s calm and serene. The tree canopy is ablaze with autumn colors. Did you see that? A cardinal, and then another, just flew out of that bush. After a few days of driving through the tree lined roads, we motor along the rocky coast of Maine into Portland. I can almost taste the lobster as we pull into the parking lot of Portland Lobster Company for dinner that evening. The next morning we’re out ahead of the crowd, beating feet down through Kennebunkport and back into Boston, for I need to get back home. I’ve got a business to run…
Last month we had a South of the Border Simple Supper with terrific tacos. Most Simple Suppers go off like clockwork but this one, well, this one had some issues. The King family. Good family, good kids…except for this night. One of the King kids spilled a drink…on purpose. So Mom put the kid in timeout and set about cleaning up the mess. And then the kids did the unthinkable: they “nana, booboo’d” their own mom! So outside they went and into the rocks where they were to stand and wait for their Mother, along with a stern talking to. Well, then they started throwing those rocks. I think mom was at her wits end but it was funny to watch because they are such good boys! And then the Templeman tykes took off with their mom’s keys! And I think she’s still looking for them… About this same time, the Schick boys went nuclear and melted down because they thought they had missed Simple Suppers! Don’t worry guys, we always have plenty of food for everyone and it’s never a party until the Schick siblings arrive.
Oh, and just a mention that over the long Labor Day weekend Renee Murray up and went on vacation down to sunny, scenic Texas without us…and was promptly stung by a jellyfish. I think there’s a lesson in there somewhere… She’s on the mend and we think she’s going to pull through.
Boy, do we have LOTS of stuff happening in the next few months. We’re busier than a foxhound at a fire hydrant convention. October 12th is Columbus Day and there might, just might, be a small prize for the child dressed in the most historically accurate Christopher Columbus costume. Halloween, of course, is October 31st but we’ll celebrating it a bit early here at Generation Next. On Wednesday, October 28th we’ll be having a “Trick or Trunk” party. There will be a costume parade in the parking lot, pumpkins decorated by each class and a car trunk full of treats. See where I’m going with that? Also, the October Simple Supper will be breakfast foods. Who doesn’t love waffles, pancakes and sausage for dinner? It’s like Christmas in July but with syrup! And the week of October 11th is Fire Prevention Week. The Johnston Fire Department will be coming out to the center that week. But with all of our fire drills over the past couple of years, we might be able to teach THEM a thing or two!
And right around the corner in November is Thanksgiving on the 26th and the busiest shopping day of the year on the 27th. Generation Next will be closed both days for turkey eating, football watching and Christmas gift buying. And if your child will be gone over the holidays, pop into the office and give us a “heads up”. November 1st is the end of Daylight Savings so don’t forget to “fall back”. And who can forget one of the biggest birthday celebrations of the year: Mickey Mouse turns 81 on November 18th. Quick, who can name the first film Mickey starred in? Stop by the office and let’s see who knows their Mickey trivia… Picture day at Generation Next is coming up on November 3rd for the Nursery – Freshman and November 4th for Sophomores – Seniors, so make sure to dress everyone in their finest duds!
Just a couple more things to mention before I hit the send button on this edition of Karen’s Corner. Just a reminder to make sure everyone is washing those hands. With flu season upon us we can never be too careful. With all the CitriCide Disinfectant we’re going through, we might just buy some stock in that company!
On a side note, we would like to remind everyone that “static cling” season is upon us. So please remember to check all baby blankets to ensure no lingerie or underwear are clinging where lingerie and underwear should not be clinging. (All names have been eliminated to protect the guilty!)
The staff Generation Next Club will be selling Butter Braids again this year. So make sure to buy plenty. They’re oh-so scrumptious AND the money goes to sending the staff to offsite continuing education conferences.
And finally, the biggest news of all. Finley and Generation Next will turn 2 this November 11th. To help Finley celebrate, we will have a PIT party, sing happy birthday, eat birthday cake, blow out the candles and have a generally fun time! Oh, and as part of the celebration, the kids can bring one wrapped book to the classroom. Each child will exchange books with a friend and all the books will remain in the classroom.
Thanks for reading and have a good fall! I mean, have a good autumn. You didn’t think I wanted you to fall down did you? No, not me…
Posted on October 16 2009 by Jerry.
Posted on September 8 2009 by Jerry.
Generation Next, It’s The Place To Be!
Newsletter Online – September 2011
The current newsletter is now available online. You can access Karen’s Column from the Newsletter tab. The PDF version is available as well. To access the PDF, you will need a password to open it which we sent to all of our parents in an email. If we don’t have your email address or if you don’t have an email account, stop in and see us for the password!
Hand Washing
To help reduce illness in the center, we ask that all parents and children sanitize their hands when they enter the center.
Current September Happenings!
September 5th: Labor Day – Both centers are closed.
September 9th: Iowa VS Iowa State – Wear your favorite team attire!
September 12th: Grandparents Day – Grandparents are welcome to visit and share their favorite book.
Planning Ahead for October
October 5th: Simple Supper @ Aurora Business Park – 4:30 – 5:45 PM
October 6th: Simple Supper @ Johnston – 4:30 – 5:45 PM
October 28th: Costume Parade – Dress up and show off your Halloween costume!
INFORMATION TO KNOW…
Pep Rally
Every Friday is pep rally at 10:00 a.m. in the PIT. Wear purple and gold or your Finley Fan T-shirts and Hats. Finely shirts are available for purchase.
Finley Hats
Finley hats are available for purchase in the office. $10.00 per hat. Hats may be charged to your Tuition Express Account.
No Food in the Center Policy
Candy is classified as food. Please, do not bring food in the center! We have several children that have severe allergies. Many foods that may not contain peanuts have been made around peanuts and are considered dangerous!
Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Posted on August 11 2009 by Jerry.
