I created this image, with the help of AI. It features our community mascot, the kid and his friend. This is where we have some fun. I’ll start the story, and everyone builds on it one sentence at a time. Let’s play!

We have reached our final group of Expert speakers, and they are taking us somewhere important. Beyond the activities, schedules, and things families make together is a bigger question: What are we helping children carry into the world? @Beth Hanning opens the conversation with Illustration Scholarship Journey on Sunday, August 16, from 7:00–8:00 PM CDT. @Betty Jo Winters helps families think more intentionally about play in the pre-recorded session How to Choose the Best Toys. @Elizabeth Raum brings us The Joys of Reading With Kids on Thursday, August 20, from 2:00–3:00 PM CDT. @Gopika Ashok M makes an essential life skill approachable with the pre-recorded session Finance in 60 Seconds. Art. Play. Books. Money. They may look like four unrelated topics. They are really four ways families help children explore ideas, make choices, develop confidence, and imagine what might come next. That feels like the right way to close our Expert introductions. What is one question you would like to ask any of our experts? Drop it in the comments. Not with one answer to family life, but with more doors to open together. Unplug & Play begins Sunday.

While @Charlotte Bick and I are busy putting the finishing touches on the Unplug & Play summit I first wanted to thank everyone for being involved and active. I'd also like to invite all of our speakers that are in the community to follow the lead of @Paula Artis, @Cristal Vancarson, @Elliott Robertson, and @Andrew Brooks and take a few minutes to post about your session and ask our fabulous community members what questions they might have about your presentation. This is a great way for everyone to get to know each other while I tidy up behind the scenes. Tomorrow, I'll also be back with more Meet the Speaker updates but in the meantime, @Auli Takala, @Anna Murrietta, @Beth Hanning, @Betty Jo Winters, @Brenda Chilstrom, @Cam Parkes. @Celia Kibler. @Chanie Twersky. @Dale Cox. @Elizabeth Raum. @Gopika Ashok M. @Henry Hunter. @Janell Bitton. @Jen Staniforth, @Joanne Langston. @John Futch. @Kayla Meyer, @Elizabeth Houston, @Max Orlewicz. @Mayelice Castro, and @Tosca Fasso Let's get to know each other and let the community ask some questions.