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Brown Deer Mom

Brown Deer mom offers helpful “takeaways” while traveling about town with two girls, ages 6 and 3. It’s not rocket science, just a slice of life.

Why We Support Brown Deer's Fun Fair

It is an “aha” moment that I clearly remember.

 
With the Fun Fair a couple of days away, organizers issued one last
call for volunteers. Out of the blue, a voice in my head said, “If not
you, who?”
 
I was new.  New parent. New homeowner. We were new to the
Brown Deer community after moving more than 100 miles away from
our hometown. I felt fortunate to live in a great public school district.
We benefited from an engaged PTO and its members who work hard to
create a nurturing and competitive learning environment.
 
Then it hit me.
 
This doesn’t just happen. Parents make it happen. They donate time,
talent and money. The high quality of our school community depends
on our participation if it’s to be sustained.
 
Still, sometimes during a crazy, surreal moment, I think the old timers
from our childhood are here to get it done. Obviously, reality snaps
me back and I acknowledge life’s cycle. Worker bees of previous years
are forever gone -- dead, retired or no longer able to help.
 
So that means it’s on us. I am that parent. We are that generation.
Finding time to volunteer isn’t always easy. Life happens.
 
Again, here lies the beauty of this community. Gracious PTO members
always welcome you with a smile accepting whatever you can give,
whenever you give it.
 
However, more than anything, I enjoy the way the Fun Fair connects
you to the community. It fosters a delightful sense of fellowship,
ownership and pride. We’re excited about this year's Fun Fair.
If you still need a reason to support this great event, consider this.
 
According to the PTO, the annual Fun Fair raises about 10 thousand
dollars for the school. The proceeds pay for field trips and classroom
supplies. Your donations also help pay for big-ticket items like smart
boards, science kits and computer programs.
 
The 2013 Fun Fair is this Saturday, March 9th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
at the Brown Deer Middle School.
 
Come out for a good cause and remember that the Fun Fair is
just that, fun.

A Public Thank You to the Kass Family

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Creating a Summer Bucket List

This evening, after much deliberation, I bought a pair of Naot “Kayla” sandals to kick off the summer season.  It's my second pair and perhaps the most comfortable shoes I own.  Who cares that it’s 46 degrees and my toes are freezing. I'm breaking out my summer gear anyway because in one week, I’ll flip the calendar to June.  Mother Nature will just have to catch up.

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Royal Wedding

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Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra for Kids

I’m relatively new to Milwaukee. I didn’t grow up here so I’m still discovering what
the area has to offer. On Sunday, we hit the jackpot! I took the girls to the Milwaukee
Symphony Orchestra Kinderkonzert. I highly recommend it.

We saw “Emily Saves the Orchestra." The musicians and actors/dancers kept the girls attention for the entire performance and that says a lot because my youngest is three-years-old. In fact, she was the one who chatted the most. “Violin! Viola! Cello!” she squealed as the conductor introduced the string section.

On the other side, my six-year-old leaned in and whispered, “I told you there was going
to be ballet.” I laughed. She was right, there was some dance.

I’m no critic. I’m not even a musician but I know the MSO does this well. Musicians
played familiar pieces starting with Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker March. A leading
character in the performance, a monster, was appropriately scary and shocking and kept
the girls on edge. The flashing lights and eerie music added to the drama.

Before the show, the girls had an opportunity to play with instruments. They blew a
saxophone, beat a drum and plucked tiny violins made just for them. After the show, we
walked to Starbucks across the street. While there was a brief meltdown over a cupcake,
we ended our day on an upbeat note. In the car on the way home, the girls started
humming Beethoven’s Ode to Joy. As I joined in, I was overcome with a feeling of
satisfaction. What a great way to introduce the girls to classical music. We’ll see what
happens next.

If you’re interested, the next Kinderkonzert is June 5 at 2 p.m. at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts Uihlein Hall. Tickets are $10 per person.

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