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Goodnight, Sunday

I stopped at Meijer this week, and the 4th of July items are on clearance, and school supplies are on the shelves. If you're picking your jaw up off the floor, you're not alone. Let's pump the brakes, Meijer. Michigan summers are too wonderful to rush.

If we only have 18 summers with our kid(s) living at home, I want to embrace each day for all it's worth. We are filling our July with splash pads, beach days, and plenty of picnics and outdoor dining.

How does your family seize the day during Michigan summers?

~Jacqui

BASICS for Monday [07/12/21]

Rain, Rain, You Can Stay: There's 50% chance of rain tomorrow, which I'm totally fine with — watering the flowers is getting laborious in this heat!

What's "Growing" On This Week?: Fill your week with something fun every day of the week at Frederik Meijer Gardens. Participate in story times, the Discovery Cart, self-guided activities, and special guest events all summer long. Tomorrow you can catch Music Monday in the Children's Garden at 10:30 AM. Included in cost of admission.

Speaking of Gardens...: Every Monday this month, drop by Calvin Ecosystem and Nature Preserve to play FREE lawn games like Giant Jenga, corn hole, Connect Four, and Tic-Tac-Toe with the whole family. Games are spread throughout the gardens for you to play at your own leisure. Mondays in July, 1:30 - 3:30. Be sure to check out other Calvin Nature Preserve events!

Summer course serves as bridge from high school to college

Bridges to College-Raider Ready is a free, five-week course that meets three hours on Monday through Thursday mornings to help 2020-21 high-school graduates in Kent and Ottawa counties prepare for college at GRCC or anywhere else.

Students receive a $500 stipend and use of a GRCC laptop and Wi-Fi hotspot.

Reported by School News Network | Facebook #schooltidbits

Do You M-22?: Leelanau Peninsula is a year-round getaway just a few hours north to experience all things Michigan: beaches, wineries, quaint towns, hiking, color tours, winter adventures, and of course, the famous Sleeping Bear Dunes. Want to make the most of your time on M-22? Check out this ultimate family fun guide to Leelanau.

Dive Right In: This month you can take a leap and try indoor sky diving in Michigan! iFly World is opening July 25 in Novi, MI and welcomes people ages 3 and up to give their vertical wind tunnel a whirl. Instructors provide a training course and the appropriate equipment required for the "dive".

Close Encounters at John Ball Zoo

Make your Zoo trip extra special with a Behind the Scenes tour. Step into the bear habitat to help keepers prepare the habitat and then head inside to see (and smell!) the bear dens or dive into the aquarium for a tour and opportunity to touch some tide pool critters.

Facebook #partnernews

#FreeFridayNight: Lynne Sherwood Waterfront Stadium in Grand Haven is hosting free Friday night concerts every Friday now through September. Pack a picnic dinner (alcohol-free) and soak in the lake view while you jam. Righteous Cuisine's tacos are a great option for take out! Music starts at 6:15 PM.

Photo of the Day

West Michigan has delivered on the hot days this summer, and we are drinking it all in. Summer in this corner of our great state fills me and fuels me in ways that the oh so special snow just can't touch. I love the giddy squeals my toddlers make when we pull into the pool parking lot, the burnt marshmallows at every campfire, and the magical in-state vacation destination options.

Summer is so good 😎

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