MEMORIAL DAY... It's the weekend that we celebrate the official kick off to summer and BBQ season. With the long weekend to look forward to, people are planning road trips, heading out camping, finalizing their get-togethers and looking forward to all summer has to offer. Amidst the celebrating and festivities, we should not lose the real meaning behind Memorial Day. Our country has been celebrating Memorial Day since 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery, and New York was the first state to officially recognize this day as a holiday in 1873. Today, we hold the last Monday of May as a day to honor Americans who have died serving our country in war. In 2000, the National Moment of Rememberance was passed, asking all Americans to pause what they are doing at 3pm on Memorial Day and have a moment of silence, remember and honor those who have lost their lives in service to our country. We hope that everyone will remember as they enjoy this long weekend, the lives that have been lost while fighting for us to have the freedoms that we enjoy as Americans today.

GRADUATION..."Congratulations! Today is your day. You're off to Great Places! You're off and away! You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go." ~Dr. Seuss, On the Places You'll Go!

I usually give this book as part of a graduation gift to graduates of any level because the words still ring true, whatever the age. These are timeless words of wisdom and inspiration for our high school and college graduates as they take the next major step in life. So, congratulations to all our graduates! As Dr. Seuss would say: "Kid, You'll Move Mountains"!

Celebrating our children's milestones begins with their first smile, the first time they roll over and the first steps they take. When you are in those early stages it is hard to imagine the graduation celebrations that lie ahead, but they come faster than you can ever imagine! Promotion ceremonies and graduations, complete with caps & gowns, begin when preschoolers move up to kindergarten, kindergarteners head to first grade, sixth graders transition to junior high, middle schoolers move up to high school, high school students receive their diplomas and of course college graduates earning their degree. Each of these transitions is big in its own right and gives parents, family and friends the chance to acknowledge the hard work, commitment and achievements our children are making.

GIFTS FOR THE GRADUATES... Books and gift cards to the bookstore are always great for younger graduates; many middle school and high school graduates prefer cash. However, there is always an opportunity to get a little more creative if you so choose. Recently someone told me about a gift card album - it looked like a photo album, but each sleeve had a different gift card to a store or restaurant. What a great gift for someone going off to college or starting out on their own! Another great idea is to find really cute laundry bags and baskets and pack them with detergent, fabric softener and new linens and towels helping the high school graduate begin the next phase of their life with a "clean" start.

Please tell them you saw it on CVParent.com!

We hope you have a great, long weekend!

Below is only a partial list of upcoming events and activities so be sure to click on our ANNUAL EVENTS CALENDAR so you do not miss anything.

Use the PARENT PLANNER to click on events and resources you are interested in and click PRINT MY PLANNER to print or email your list.

Post an Event | Parent Perks Coupons| Classifieds