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.

The calendar is filled. The classroom is almost ready. Our speakers are preparing. And Unplug & Play is beginning to feel very real. On Sunday, we stop talking about what is coming and start cooking, creating, questioning, experimenting, and playing together. You do not need to attend every session or create the perfect summit plan. Choose the experiences that make your family curious. Add one that stretches you a little. Leave room for something unexpected. The complete schedule of live events is waiting in the calendar. Take another look today and tell us: Which session has already earned a place on your family’s must-do list? P.S. While you are waiting, why not explore the active classrooms?

Family vacations are wonderful. And laid-back family at home evenings are equally wonderful. Play can enrich those easy, quiet evenings. There will be much inspiration for adding a dose of fun to life in the Unplug & Play Summit. Different presenters with different inspirations each day. Join me on the final day, Saturday the 22nd. I'll be a "tour guide" for playing in the kitchen as a family. Expect some new ideas you might not have thought of. Like peeling yellow squash and adding the ribbons to the marinara (or meat sauce) the next time you cook pasta. Peeling yellow squash is easy. Good for a younger kid. Come join us! https://www.skool.com/connectthruplay/about #UnplugAndPlay

You all know who makes this community hum, right? It's the ones who show up consistently, ask thoughtful questions, and spark conversations that keep us all thinking and growing. I want to give a great big thank you to @Paulette Ng for bringing creative energy and genuine connection to every thread. @Jen Staniforth who brings two decades of expertise and warmth that lifts everyone around her. @Sandy Chong shows up with curiosity and courage as a fellow baker. @Chanie Twersky creates space for real, meaningful dialogue and play. @Anna Murrietta brings wisdom from years of big-picture thinking and her grandparenting experience. @Brenda Chilstrom generously shares her expertise with such care. @Auli Takala bridges worlds and brings perspective from across the globe. And @Lyndal P shows up consistently to add thoughtfulness to our conversations. If you've been reading along, I invite you to jump in with a comment and join the magic.

I'm wondering if anyone has reference points for having fun with family in the kitchen. I'm sure there have been fun moments for many of you with baking. I'm especially interested in fun times when cooking dinner. Or times you recall when you were a kid watching someone cook. I'll share a memory first.