WHEN
Of all you’ll feel during pregnancy—joy, anticipation, uncertainty—knowing your caregivers have the expertise and options to make your pregnancy both meaningful and personal is a great comfort. We’ll help you choose how and from whom to receive your care, whether an OB or nurse midwife, available 24/7 when it comes time to deliver. And should concerns ever arise, you and your baby will have access to everything academic medicine offers.
Mommy Time...18
A pregnant writer samples a variety of prenatal practices
Camp Guide 2013...29
Kids explain why they can’t wait to go back to camp
Fairfield photographer Stina Booth snapped this shot of Mason Hungerford, born last July, catching some “z”s. See more of Booth’s work at stinabooth.com.
Copublisher Colby Roberts colby@kidsvt.com ext. 77
Copublisher/Executive Editor Cathy Resmer cathy@kidsvt.com ext. 74
Creative Director Don Eggert don@kidsvt.com ext. 71
Managing Editor Carolyn Fox carolyn@kidsvt.com ext. 73
Director of Marketing & Events Corey Grenier corey@kidsvt.com ext. 76
Account Executive Kaitlin Montgomery kaitlin@kidsvt.com ext. 72
P.O. Box 1184 Burlington, VT 05402 802-985-5482 kidsvt.com
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• © 2013 Da Capo Publishing Inc. All rights reserved.
one that honors
child’s
style and interests— one that can be explored in the warmth of your own home, enjoyed outdoors, or taken on the road. Now imagine that this education included an awardwinning curriculum, the support of a dedicated team of educators, and the assurance of accredited transcripts.
Thousands of families worldwide have imagined—and discovered— the joy of homeschooling with Oak Meadow. Call or visit today to explore our PreK-12 learning options.
Editorial in Kids VT is for general informational purposes. Parents must use their own discretion for following the advice in any editorial piece. Acceptance of advertising does not constitute service/product endorsement. Kids VT is a proud member of the Parenting Media Association. Kids VT distribution is audited for accuracy.
Da Capo Publishing shall not be held liable to any advertiser for any loss that results from the incorrect publication of its advertisement. If a mistake is ours, and the advertising purpose has been rendered valueless, Da Capo Publishing may cancel the charges for the advertisement, or a portion thereof as deemed reasonable by the publisher. Da Capo Publishing reserves the right to refuse any advertising, including inserts, at the discretion of the publishers.
Copy Editor Paula Routly
Proofreaders Marisa Keller
Hayley Lamberson
Production Manager John James
Lead Designer Brooke Bousquet
Designers Andrew Sawtell
Rev. Diane Sullivan
Circulation Manager Steve Hadeka
Digital Media Manager Tyler Machado
Office Manager Cheryl Brownell
Intern Kylie Dryzga
Contributing Writers: Janet DuPont, Kathryn Flagg, Erica Houskeeper, Amy Lilly, Suzanne Loring, Cindy Morgan, Alison Novak, Ken Picard, Liz Small
Photographers: Shem Roose, Matthew Thorsen, Jeb Wallace-Brodeur
Illustrators: Susan Norton, Rev. Diane Sullivan
2013 Dates: July 8th–12th / July 15th–19th / July 29th–august 2nd august 5th–9th / august 12th–16th
MY PARTNER, ANN-ELISE, gave birth to both of our kids, but being in the delivery room with her was an intense experience for me, too, especially with our firstborn. When I saw our son, Graham, for the first time, I was filled with love, wonder and a boundless joy — but also a new, almost paralyzing fear.
I realized in that moment: If anything were to happen to him, I would feel responsible. And I understood, for the first time, how devastating it would be to lose him.
I’ve been feeling that fear a lot lately — news of the Boston marathon bombings has been inescapable these past few weeks. I couldn’t help thinking, What if one of my kids had been killed in the bombing? Or, perhaps worse: What if my children had planted the bombs?
Fortunately, while all of this has been going on, I’ve been editing the stories in this Baby & Maternity Issue of Kids VT. Many of them are about nurturing and celebrating new life, from Alison Novak’s piece on baby massage in “Fit Families” (page 11) to Erica Houskeeper’s “Use Your Words” essay about becoming a mom at age 40 (page 55). Ken Picard’s “Strapped for Crash” (page 22) o ers some tips for keeping our children out of harm’s way.
I found Kathryn Flagg’s story about her prenatal preparations (“Mommy Time,” page 18) particularly moving. In it, she describes attending a
pregnancy circle, during which she and another mom-to-be were each instructed to write up a list of their fears. The length of Flagg’s surprised her. Then the two women burned their lists in a metal bowl while a doula assured them, “You are strong enough.”
The doula was presumably talking about going through labor, but she could have been referring to all that comes after. Her message filled me with confidence — it’s one all parents probably need to hear more often.
If you, like me, are looking for signs of hope, turn to page 29 to read “Keen on Camp,” in which four campers explain why they can’t wait to get away this summer. When I asked 12-year-
old Gabriello Lewis to share what he loves about the Kinhaven Music School, he began by telling me excitedly, “It’s just too good to describe.”
After I spoke with him, I got his mom’s version. Lori informed me that Gabriello raised $1100 toward camp tuition all by himself by busking on the Church Street Marketplace.
It makes me feel better knowing there’s a place in this crazy world that inspires that kind of positive passion.
This issue of Kids VT lifted my spirits; I hope it has a similar e ect on you. Give us a call or send us an email to let us know. We love hearing from you.
CATHY RESMER, EXECUTIVE EDITOR
P.S. Check out the picture of 7-yearold Graham on page 7. Time flies!
Kathryn Flagg (“Mommy Time”) is a sta writer for Seven Days. She lives in Shoreham with her husband, dog and herd of shaggy cows. She is expecting her first baby this summer.
Erica Houskeeper (“Use Your Words”) is a communications strategist for Fletcher Allen Health Care. For five years, she was editor of the former Parents and Kids newspaper in Needham, Mass. Houskeeper lives in Burlington with her husband and 21-month-old daughter.
Liz Small (“Project”) is a graphic designer and mother of two who lives in Cambridge. She is a do-it-yourselfer who blogs about craft projects, motherhood and more at LizSmall.com.
Pizza Roll
Fresh baked dough wrapped with mozzarella, herbs & choice of pepperoni or broccoli. $5
The following feedback was posted to our online events calendar or Family Resources Guide at kidsvt.com.
My son loves camp at ECHO Camp because he enjoys any chance to explore science, dig into nature and invent useful things. I love it because he learns to be a good Earth steward, sharpen his scientific skills and become involved in Burlington’s cultural community.
Janet Essman Franz ShelburneIn response to last month’s article, “Secondhand Strategies,” readers shared these money-smart shopping tips.
I’ve had good luck at the Salvation Army Store on Dorset Street and, for furniture, Anjou & the Little Pear.
Michelle Zimmerman Edelbaum Shelburne
As a Logistics Team member at St. Albans City School, I went immediately to the Vermont Emergency Management website to peruse the Vermont School Crisis Guide after reading the excellent article “Reading, Writing and Readiness” [March].
Watch out for seasonal/periodic events. I’ve had good luck occasionally at yard sales. For the last few years, Champlain Elementary School in Burlington has had a “Holiday Shop” in December with amazing deals!
Alice Stokes Burlington
If you aren’t having much luck shopping at stores because of schedules or other obstacles, there are online ways to get quality, gently used kids clothes. thredUP [thredup.com] is my favorite new app for this ... You can browse tons of clothes in its collection.
Jenn Adams Williston
vem.vermont.gov/preparedness/ school_crisis. The guide is easy to peruse and download, section by section. Thank you again for an excellent article.
Mike Parker AlburghHowever, the link you provided has apparently been changed by the webmaster. It is now located at
We have updated the links in the story online, available in our archives at kidsvt.com/vermont/ reading-writing-and-readiness.
Sally’s Second Act in Middlesex, across from Red Hen Bakery, has a great selection of everything from clothes to furniture. The prices are very reasonable, the selection is always changing, and it is wellorganized. All are qualities of a thrift store that a busy mom needs!
Emily Leighty East Montpelier
Your Turn Thrift Store, on 151 Main Street, Vergennes, has good prices and a selection of kids sports items, too!
Cheryl Tuiqere Charlotte
My husband and I attended Birth Journeys’ childbirth class, which was both informative and encouraging. I loved having Jenna and Genie do a belly cast for me in my final month of pregnancy — somehow they made me feel like a goddess, which was not an easy task at that particular time.
Jenna was our doula for our daughter’s birth, which allowed us to prepare and make informed decisions, and it ultimately empowered me to have a positive birth experience. She supported us in doing most of the labor at home, navigated us through the hospital, and was a calming, supportive presence for my partner and me during the birth.
Overall, Birth Journeys’ support, guidance and knowledge assisted in our transition to parenthood ... and continues to do so. They are wonderful and we are forever grateful for their support and care!
Shannon Hawley
Kids VT writer Kathryn Flagg recounts her own visits to Birth Journeys in “Mommy Time” on page 18.
A favorite spring event for our family every year, and it gets better every time with more activities and crafts. Don’t miss it! Best big truck festival around.
Jamie CudneyThis year’s festival takes place on May 18; see calendar listing on page 44 for details.
Thank you for doing this contest [“Coloring Contest,” April]. It inspired my son to borrow books from the library on poison dart frogs.
Melanie Needle
“Keeping Kids Safe in the Garden and the Yard”: Demand for this April 2011 “Ask the Doctor” story spiked when the warm weather returned.
“Secondhand Strategies”: Three moms shared their thrift-shopping tips in last month’s Money Issue.
You know what they say: Time’s fun when you’re having flies! One hundred and twenty-six fantastic frogs — many of them depicted mid-dinner — hopped into our o ce this month. Thanks for sharing your awesome amphibians with us.
CREATIVE CAMOUFLAGE
“Tie-Dye Frog”
Gianna Troland, 11, Milton
DELICIOUS DINNER
“Frog vs. Fly”
Norman Douglas, 8, New Haven
FANTASTIC FLY CATCHER
“Fletcher the Frog”
These winners get $25 from TD Bank.
Our sta spent much of this month writing and designing “Connecting the Drops: A Water Story” (see page 26). Executive editor Cathy Resmer even put her 7-year-old son, Graham, to work! Here he is, reading the pages.
“Making a Splash”: This April-issue “Fit Families” dove into the Learning Pool’s playful swim lessons.
“Out to Eat: Pho Dang Vietnamese Café”: The hole-in-the-wall Winooski eatery earned praise from our restaurant reviewer last month.
“When Is a Child’s Fever Too High?”: In this June 2011 story, Dr. Lewis First o ered parents advice for keeping cool when the little ones feel hot.
Jasper Lee Turner, 8, Montpelier
FUNNY BUNNY
“The Easter Frog”
Alex Rice, 9, Panton
HO-HO-HOPPY
“Santa Frog”
Jakobi Kmiecik, 3, Worcester
LOVELY LILIES
“Lily Pad Pond”
Carly Hansen, 9, Jericho
MASTER MASQUERADER
“Frog in Costume”
Stephanie Miskavage, 4, Hinesburg
PERFECT POLKA DOTS
“Spoterific!”
Camryn Fewer, 11, Barre
RHAPSODY IN BLUE
“Blue Puddle Frog”
Evie Alice Pirie, 3, Barre City
RIBBIT ROYALTY
“Queen of the World”
Aranne Jung, 7, South Burlington
TERRIFIC TOP HAT
“The Old Frog”
Linden Stelma-Leonard, 8, Westfield
WINGED WONDER
“Multicolor Flying Frog”
Chris Prim, 9, Williston
TOP TITLES
“FRANKENFROG”
Eddie Fallis, 7, Castleton
“FROGGING AROUND”
Keara Mathieu, 9, St. Albans
“SPLOT! GOTCHA!”
Ella Ma, 10, South Burlington
Find this month’s coloring contest on page 53. The deadline for submissions is May 15.
“A Smiley Frog”
Eamon Morency, 4 BURLINGTON
“The Amazing Frog”
Abby Cote Comeau, 8
GEORGIA
“Ribbit Ribbit the Rainbow Frog”
Kate Gruendling, 11 SHELBURNE
Saturday, May 25 New! Daily Specials So much to do every day!
BY CAROLYN FOX
(802)
The journey to motherhood generally requires a new wardrobe. “Your body — who knows what it’s gonna do?” says Andrea King, owner of Burlington lingerie boutique ARISTELLE. During pregnancy, “Some people gain 20 pounds; some people gain 80 pounds.” That’s why her store, which opened in February, carries more than 100 bra sizes. Professional lingerie specialists help customers find their comfort zone, and can recommend a timeline for maternity, nursing and post-nursing fittings. “I’ve been pregnant,” says King. “I remember searching for nursing bras. I remember not knowing what you need.” To further support her clientele, King has recently partnered with lactation expert Kathleen Bruce to o er breastfeeding consultations. They’ll cohost a meet up for moms and their new babies on May 8, 9-10 a.m., and a gathering for expectant moms on May 22, 7 p.m.
ARISTELLE: Located at 61 Church Street in Burlington. Visit aristelle.com for more information.
Allyson Spanier planned on making baby food for both of her kids. But the Je ersonville mom didn’t always have time to make special blends in the kitchen, and store-bought organics were disappointing. “Everything was made by a large corporation, watered down and overpriced,” she says. “In Vermont, we’re such localvores, and I was surprised there was nothing of that quality.” So last summer, Spanier launched VERMONT BABY, a line of local and organic jarred foods. She manufactures fruit-and-vegetable blends such as Sweet Potato & Peaches at Hardwick’s Vermont Food Venture Center. Her almost-3-year-old son still asks for the Beets & Blueberries.
A toxic-green glow and eerie, billowing fog have taken up residence at Whirlie’s World in Middlebury. In early April, the family-fun center known for its arcade rooms and bounce houses opened ALIEN STORM LASER TAG, allowing visitors to zap each other in an intergalactic invasion. “There’s no other arena like it,” says owner Peter “Nerf” Ne . The 2000-square-foot facility, installed by Florida-based laser-tag experts Budget Arenas, has a unique layout and color scheme; strobe lights and extraterrestrials painted on the walls add intrigue to the 16-player sport. Players can sign up for single games, family packages and laser-tag birthday parties.
ALIEN STORM LASER
TAG: Located at Whirlie’s World in Middlebury. Visit whirliesworld.com for more information.
Providing
A child-centered alternative education.
dedicated
VT MOMMIES ADULT STORY TIME:
Tuesday, May 14, 6:30-9 p.m., at Phoenix Books in Essex. Free. RSVP and sign up to read at vtmommies.com.
Women from all over the state contribute to VTmommies.com, which calls itself “The voice of Vermont moms.” Founded two years ago by South Burlington’s Melissa Reyes, the site covers everything from relationships to health to shoes. Now there’s a live show. VT Mommies writers and readers are getting out for VT MOMMIES ADULT STORY TIME, inspired by “The Moth.” Participants will share prepared essays about the first time they really felt like parents. “We’re excited to get together, laugh — and complain,” says organizer Amber Leventry. Check the website for future grown-up “playdates”; Reyes says VT Mommies will be partnering with local businesses to o er biweekly group classes this fall.
“It Gets Better” is how gay activist and author Dan Savage reassures lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender teens. Why not sooner rather than later? Outright Vermont’s seventh annual QUEER & ALLIED YOUTH SUMMIT brings together more than 150 participants to create a community of support and empowerment for LGBTQ kids and their allies. Cohosted by Burlington High School’s Pride Alliance, the conference invites students and educators from di erent schools to “celebrate their accomplishments and all that they’ve done throughout the year,” explains Dana Kaplan, Outright’s director of education. Beyond workshops, the summit hosts a Youth Pride March on Church Street, a SpeakOUT at Burlington City Hall, a Queer Prom and — new this year — a talent show.
QUEER & ALLIED YOUTH SUMMIT: Saturday, May 18, 9:30 a.m., at Edmunds Middle School and downtown Burlington. Visit outrightvt.org or call 865-9677 for information.
IF
Between the ages of 18 and 42 and plan to become pregnant in the next year
Never had a child before, or Have diabetes or hypertension, or Had preeclampsia, or
Researchers at the University of Vermont would like to speak with you. is study will examine risk factors for preeclampsia, a disease of pregnancy.
Financial compensation of up to $375 is provided. We will provide you with ovulation detection kits to aid timing your conception.
If you are interested please call 802-656-0309 for more information.
MANY PARENTS ARE EAGER for their babies to move beyond the breast or bottle and take that first messy bite of food. Years ago, some doctors even advised parents to feed new babies solids so they’d sleep better.
Not anymore. Today, research shows that babies fare better on a breast-milk or formula diet until their digestive systems are ready to handle solids. But when is that? Dr. Lewis First, head of pediatrics at Vermont Children’s Hospital at Fletcher Allen Health Care, helps parents digest the latest research on what babies should eat, and when.
KIDS VT: How do parents know when their baby is ready for solid food?
LEWIS FIRST: Some parenting books say your baby is developmentally ready for solid foods between 4 and 6 months of age. Rather than look at a particular age, parents should consider whether their baby has lost those primitive reflexes that make it difficult for them to take a solid food on the tongue and move it backward to be chewed and swallowed.
Basically, babies are ready when the tongue-thrust reflex, which helps the baby latch onto the breast nipple, has disappeared. You can measure that by your baby’s head and neck control. If you pull your baby up from lying on his or her back to a sitting position and the head remains on the same plane as the back, that’s a good sign your baby is getting ready to process solid food without risk of choking or di culty swallowing.
KVT: Do infants get much nutrition from solids?
LF: As exciting as it is to start babies on solid foods, parents need to realize that most of those solids fill your baby up but don’t fill your baby out — meaning they have very few calories to help your baby grow. Typically, a four-ounce jar of vegetables has only 20 to 40 calories. Four ounces of breast milk or formula have 80 calories.
If you load your baby’s stomach with a lot of cooked carrots and then try to breast-feed, he or she may not take milk. Solid foods can provide some nutrients and iron, but, for the most part, babies’ weight gain, growth and development in the first year of life
are dependent upon breast milk — or, secondarily, formula.
KVT: What are the other benefits of delaying solids?
LF: When parents wait six months to start solids, even if their baby shows developmental readiness earlier, studies show they reduce their baby’s risk of ear and respiratory infections. Other studies suggest that babies who exclusively breast-feed to 6 months will also be less apt to become obese, get diabetes, have allergic skin diseases such as eczema or develop celiac disease. Six
every two to three days. If your baby develops an allergy, you want to be able to figure out the culprit. Once your child has tried a new food and you haven’t seen vomiting, diarrhea, fussiness or a skin rash, that food is probably good to go and you can add another.
KVT: When should parents introduce animal proteins?
LF: Meat contains a lot of zinc and iron, so if your baby has been exclusively breast- or formula-fed, there’s no problem getting the meats going as soon as your baby has started on cereals, fruits and vegetables.
KVT: Any advice for parents who make their own baby food?
LF: Avoid beets, spinach, turnips and collard greens, all of which contain high levels of nitrates. Too much can cause serious anemia. Steaming or baking fruits and vegetables is preferable to boiling, which destroys many of the nutrients and vitamins. And, once you open any jar of baby food, homemade or store-bought, you shouldn’t keep it longer than one to two days, because it spoils quickly.
KVT: Are there other foods that should be avoided within the first year?
months of exclusive breast-feeding also reduces your baby’s likelihood of sudden infant death syndrome.
KVT: Which foods should babies eat first?
LF: Breast milk has very little iron. As soon as your baby reaches six months, he or she will need more. Most parents start with an iron-fortified rice cereal.
Between 6 and 9 months, you can introduce finger foods. Good ones include soft pieces of fruit, scrambled eggs, cut-up pasta, soft squash, peas and Cheerios.
But parents should introduce new foods no more frequently than once
LF: You don’t want to give babies whole milk before one year, because that can lead to an iron deficiency. You don’t want to give your baby honey because of the risk of botulism. Foods that are choking hazards — such as whole grapes, hard fruits, hard candies, hard cheeses, popcorn and raisins — should be avoided until your child has molars, which is usually not until 2 years of age.
KVT: Any other new recommendations?
LF: Worried your baby is going to be allergic to eggs or peanuts? Studies now show that if you wait beyond the window of six to eight months, and don’t introduce them until one year, you may actually increase the risk that your child will become allergic to those foods.
Six months of exclusive breast-feeding reduces your baby’s likelihood of sudden infant death syndrome.
THE HEAT WAS CRANKED UP HIGH in the Visiting Nurse Association Family Room, where eight new moms and their bare-bummed babies formed a circle in preparation for an infant-massage class.
Unlike adult massage, the infant variety involves gentle caresses with less pressure.
“Bring your hands into your baby’s energy field,” instructed VNA infant and toddler specialist Nell Ishee, demonstrating on a life-size doll. “‘Paddle wheel’ down the belly, nice and smooth and slow,” she said, rotating her hands above the doll so that she stroked its plastic belly with one palm after the other.
The babies, ranging in age from 8 weeks to almost 6 months, splayed their arms and legs, chewed their chubby fists, and craned their necks to look at each other. The moms moved on to other massage techniques, such as using their fingers to brush the
bottoms of their babies’ tiny feet in a gentle “windshield wiper” motion.
The one-hour class was undeniably adorable. But cuteness aside, there are real health benefits to baby massage, said Ishee, a 20-year veteran of the Family Room who has been teaching the practice for the past 15 years.
She first became interested in it when she read that frequent massage caused premature babies to gain weight quicker than their non-massaged peers. Ishee noted that regular massage has also been shown to relieve gas and constipation, stimulate growth hormones, reduce cortisol levels associated with stress, and help babies sleep better.
As soothing music played in class, Ishee showed moms how to sweep an open palm in a rainbow shape around the top of their babies’ bellies to alleviate gas and stroke down their backs to stimulate the head-lifting reflex. The babies cooed, babbled and looked wide-eyed at their mamas in response.
Strengthening the relationship between parent and child is another purpose of the practice. Ishee said that new moms and dads are often “besieged” by the media and relatives telling them what they’re doing wrong. Baby-massage sessions help them relax and truly listen to infants who can’t yet talk.
“Babies are in some ways such a black box,” Ishee said. “But we can
BABY-MASSAGE OPPORTUNITIES:
You can practice massage at home with your baby from 6 weeks up to crawling. Ishee recommends setting the stage by turning off the TV and phone and putting on slow, soothing music. Use natural oil, such as olive or coconut oil, so it’s OK if it gets into your baby’s mouth. Warm the oil by rubbing it together in your hands and use firm, slow pressure to massage, starting with the belly or legs. Take deep breaths before you begin and as you move from one body part to the next to ensure you’re relaxed. And always watch your baby’s reaction to make sure he or she is enjoying it.
feel what’s going on when we quiet the chatter.”
Before and after the massage instruction, moms compared notes about nighttime feedings, natural hand sanitizers and cloth diapers. This camaraderie was partly what drew Brandi Thomas to the class when her now 1-year-old son, Sam, was just 6 weeks old. There aren’t many interactive classes for moms and new babies, Thomas said. The class was “a social experience” for her.
How did Sam like it? He was “totally blissed out,” she said.
Baby-massage classes are offered weekly through the VNA’s Early Months group at the Family Room at 20 Allen Street in Burlington. Space is limited and registration is required. For more information, contact Nell Ishee at 860-4420.
Evolution Yoga, at 20 Kilburn Street in Burlington, offers an eight-week Infant Yoga and Massage class for new moms and babies from 6 weeks to 6 months old. Registration is open for a summer session on Monday mornings from July 1 through August 5. Call 864-9642 or visit evolutionvt. com for more information.
“Fit Families” is a monthly feature that offers easy and affordable ways to stay active. Got an idea for a future “FF”? Email us at ideas@kidsvt.com.
LaVaude’s summary:
“There was one little baby who was born far away/ And another who was born on the very next day/ And both of these babies, as everyone knows/ Had 10 little fingers and 10 little toes!”
LIBRARIAN: Gail LaVaude, codirector at Bradford Public Library
BOOK: Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
AGE RANGE: 3 and up
So begins this delightful picture book, a collaborative work from renowned children’s-book creators Mem Fox (Possum Magic) and Helen Oxenbury (Tickle, Tickle).
The simple text and multicultural watercolors teach young children to celebrate diversity while demonstrating that people across all cultures have something in common. And the repeating rhymes help kids develop phonological awareness. That’s an important step in literacy development.
Why you’ll like it: I love reading this book aloud at story hours. Toddlers enjoy the sing-song rhythm of the words, and the repetition makes the story easy for them to follow. Kids can’t help but join in as they guess what’s coming next.
“The Librarian Likes” features a different librarian and book each month.
Got an idea for a future “LL”?
Email us at ideas@kidsvt.com.
Cuteness aside, there are real health benefits to baby massage.
JUNE 24-28, 2013
8:45 am – 4 pm daily with 2:30 pm concert on June 28 Explore a great variety of musical activities with some of the best music educators in Vermont.
For more info or to register: www.vyo.org
Band students woodwind, brass, percussion must be entering grades 6-10 in Fall 2013 Orchestra students string players must be entering grades 4-10 in Fall 2013
Music Day Camp has two levels of Band and String Orchestra, chamber music, and fun electives that may include jazz band, chorus, conducting, composition, improvisation, art, outdoor recreation, and others.
Celebrating our 50th Anniversary during the 2013-14 season!
Email auditions@vyo.org to schedule an audition.
The VYOA provides exceptional performance experiences for your instrumentalists and vocalists in a supportive community. We aim to offer placements within our range of ensembles to every quali ed student who auditions.
Orchestral Auditions: Open to musicians currently in grades 3-11. One year playing experience recommended. All are welcome.
Choral Auditions: Open to vocalists currently in grades 4-11.
The Vermont Children’s Trust Foundation supports statewide prevention programs for children and families to help give all kids a fair chance at success.
In elementary school, I was a struggling student with poor self-esteem; I had trouble reading and barely passed first grade. Fortunately, I had a loving grandmother who valued education.
I grew up just outside of Philadelphia; my grandmother, Ellen Ward, lived in Ocean City, N.J., two hours away. I spent my summers with her — at the beach, the pool, the boardwalk.
My grandmother didn’t get very far in school; she left after eighth grade to work and help support her family. Later, during the Great Depression, she raised four children while working day and night from home smocking dresses — that’s a di cult and time-consuming embroidery technique that you don’t often see these days. But she approached each day with a wonderful, positive attitude.
The summer I was 7, she encouraged me to read every day. That daily practice helped build my self-confidence and led me to love books. Slowly, as my reading skills improved, so did my grades. My grandmother’s can-do attitude overpowered my fear of failure — and learning became a way of life for me.
My family moved to Vermont when I was 15. My confidence had grown, fueled by academic successes and my grandmother’s unconditional love and encouragement. I graduated valedictorian of my high school class and went on to complete two
bachelor’s degrees, two master’s degrees and, just recently, a PhD in nursing education. My grandmother didn’t live to see me graduate from nursing school. She was diagnosed with cancer and moved to Vermont while I attended the University of Vermont school of nursing; she died during my junior year. I helped take care of her in those last few years of her life. Even through her illness, she continued to encourage me to do my very best and to be my own person.
I’ve tried to follow her advice.
As a nurse, I was drawn to obstetrics; I’ve enjoyed a 26-year career working as an RN in the Birthing Center at Fletcher Allen Health Care. I feel fortunate to be able to help families during such a life-changing time and am thankful to have a job that I love.
I’ve also been teaching nursing at Vermont Technical College for 13 years. Just as my grandmother taught me to love learning, I hope to instill in my students a love for women’s health and newborn care.
I married the man of my dreams, Butch DuPont, 23 years ago. We have two sons — Matthew, whose name means “God’s gift,” and John, named after my grandfather, John Ward. As they leave the nest, I look forward to filling it back up with grandchildren. I hope I can love and support them the way my grandmother loved and supported me.
The Because Project asks Vermonters to share their stories about people and experiences that have shaped their lives, especially during their formative years — stories that may inspire others to get involved. Because together we can all make a di erence.
VERMONT CHILDREN’S TRUST FOUNDATION PRESENTS THE
JANET DUPONT, PROFESSOR OF NURSING AT VERMONT TECHNICAL COLLEGE
I am an obstetric nurse and nurse educator BECAUSE of the encouragement I received from my grandmother.
sandbox, checking out the vegetable garden or running around the playground.
The dining area is an open and attractive room with a dozen tables and local art on the walls. In warm months, there’s additional seating on the patio. We chose a table with a view of the bridge, and I sipped a delicious dark roast from the Vermont Coffee Company.
through with my first cup of coffee. The scrambled eggs were bright yellow and steaming; the potatoes golden brown and flecked with paprika. The breads were toasted perfectly — crunchy but without a single burn mark. The potatoes needed ketchup, but otherwise the meals were a hit. My daughter’s onion bagel was so good she asked for a second.
My muffin was substantial, though not overly sweet or rich. The flavor came from the fruit that had melted into the batter and the light sprinkling of streusel on top. It was fresh and good, but nothing compared to my second course. This was the pancake I had been dreaming of for the last 38 days — a plate-sized disk, evenly browned, neither too spongy nor too cakey, and dusted with powdered sugar.
I jUmpEd On ThE glUTEn-frEE bAndwAgOn for Lent this year. By day three, I was dreaming of baguettes and fantasizing about spaghetti. This fast couldn’t end soon enough.
When my sentence was up, I took my two kids — both sick of hearing me complain about my GF life — to On the Rise Bakery in Richmond for breakfast. I planned to order something freshly baked and decadent. Maybe a cinnamon roll or a muffin. Maybe both.
On the Rise occupies the first floor of a red, twostory farmhouse overlooking the Richmond Bridge and the Volunteers Green playground. You order at the register, pour your own coffee and bus your own table. The only wait here is for food, and antsy kids can pass the time digging in the restaurant’s outdoor
“Out
The menu is locavore and totally vegetarian, with some creative spins on traditional breakfast fare, such as biscuits and “sausage” gravy made with mushrooms. It also includes a number of gluten-free and vegan options; the same is true of the brunch, lunch and dinner menus.
Seitan sausage sounded unappealing to my son — his actual word was “disgusting” — so he ordered the Ol’ Standby: two scrambled eggs, home fries and fresh-baked Portuguese white toast. My daughter got the Kids Ol’ Standby, which consists of one egg and home fries. She substituted a house-made onion bagel with cream cheese for the toast. Making up for weeks of wheat-free breakfasts, I ordered a Very Berry Muffin with a pancake chaser fresh off the griddle.
Our beautifully plated meals arrived before I was
The pancake was so good on its own that I skipped the butter, whipped cream and local maple syrup. I topped each bite only with a smear of organic strawberry spread that perfectly balanced sweet and tart. I ate every bite. Never even considered sharing it with my kids.
Stuffed but still suffering from wheat withdrawal, I purchased a number of pastries to take home, including mini cinnamon rolls, maple cupcakes and something called Profanity Bread — glazed pastry dough filled with peanut butter and bananas.
If we hadn’t had things to do, I would have stayed for lunch, too. The crust on the wood-fired pizza looked and smelled amazing. K
KId-frIEndly AmEnITIEs: a number of menu items — Kids silver dollar Pancakes, Kids French Toast Fingers — come in child-sized portions; wooden puzzles; two booster seats; one high chair
to Eat” is a monthly family-friendly restaurant review. Where should we eat next? Email us at ideas@kidsvt.com.
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DUXBURY
MUSICIAN
Son Alex, 3
Up until I had a child, I had always done what I wanted to do, when I wanted to do it. I have always been a very independent person who needed a lot of time to myself. When my son, Alex, was born, that independence came to a halt. I could no longer go out when I wanted, or sleep as late as I wanted. The time I used to take for myself was now devoted to Alex. I never realized how selfish I was or how hard of an adjustment this was going to be.
However, I’ve been noticing that as Alex gets older, he, too, has a strong need for independent time, and he’s beginning to take it on his own. He’ll just go up to his room and play by himself for a while and come down when he wants some company. It’s taken a while to get here, but I love that we can sometimes do things on our own during our days together.
BURLINGTON
TEACHER, BURLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL
Daughter Jillian, 3
My parents listen to classical music. Now that I’ve hit 35, I can handle it. I even find myself enjoying it when I’m at their house. When I was 15, however, it was awful. Road trips were especially rough. Stuck in a car, we would take turns controlling the dial, each oscillating between happy and miserable. It’s only in hindsight that what I considered a compromise — Alice in Chains’ acoustic EP, for instance — was a sacrifice for my folks.
What surprised me about fatherhood is that I, too, have become a martyr. My daughter’s vice? Julie Andrews. Thankfully, she’s willing to compromise. “Daddy,” she says, “it’s your turn.” But after a song or two from my playlist, it’s back to “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” or “The Lonely Goatherd.” Have mercy. Life is stuck on repeat, with me in the same rut as my parents in the ’90s. But seeing her smile — her utter glee — it’s worth it.
Son Emmett, 2
I was surprised by the sheer volume of stu we received. First of all, I couldn’t believe how generous our friends and family were. They came out of the woodwork and sent all kinds of baby gifts. We received hundreds of dollars worth of nice gear: a car seat, a travel booster seat, a play mat, bottles, toys, bedding and so many clothes!
People get so excited for you when you’re having a baby. Not only that, but if they’ve had kids themselves, they send the gear that proved to be most useful to them. At first, a lot of it seemed like overkill. I thought there was no way we needed all that gear. In time, I was surprised — again — to learn how much easier it made our lives to have all these gadgets and gizmos.
Son Sebastian, 5; daughter Isobel, 3
There was so much anticipation and joy involved in becoming a dad for the first time. The day my son was born was certainly one of the happiest of my life.
However, a few months into fatherhood, I began feeling down and constantly tired. I was having di culty finding joy in my life and began losing interest in things that had always made me feel happy. I have always been an even-keeled person. I initially attributed how I was feeling to a lack of sleep and the stress of balancing my responsibilities at work with all of the new ones I had at home. But even after things began settling down and I became more used to this new life, my feelings of depression continued.
I paid a visit to my primary-care physician. She told me I was su ering from depression and sent me home with a prescription. It was not until almost a year later that I learned I had been experiencing the male equivalent of postpartum depression. Now that was a surprise. My son is now 5, I have a daughter who is 3 and, thankfully, I am once again experiencing joy and happiness in life as a father.
I had been experiencing the male equivalent of
depression. Now that was a surprise.
MICHAEL MARCIEL
SIXTEEN SMOCKED THIRD GRADERS were restraining themselves. Seated on the small stage at Montpelier’s Union Elementary School, they gazed at the paintbrushes they longed to hold as Dan Baginski finished his brief lecture on adorning the puppet heads before them.
“I always start upside down and paint the chin,” explained Baginski, who is one half of the Randolph-based No Strings Marionette Company; the other half is his wife, Barbara Paulson. Over the years, the couple has taught countless Vermont children, in preschool through high school, to stage their own puppet performances. Their artist-in-residence program brings them to schools for everything from three-day spongepuppet workshops to “the full monty” — a three-week residency. This is day three of the latter, an annual tradition at the Montpelier Union school for the last 10 years.
Preparations for the workshop were extensive — starting with the story selection. To enhance her unit on world cultures, third-grade teacher Emme Erdossy chose the Japanese tale “The Tongue-Cut Sparrow.” The fable tells of a kindly man who heals an injured sparrow, his greedy wife who cuts o its tongue for stealing food, and the reward
and retribution the sparrow’s family deals each.
“We as teachers can pick any story that we really like,” says Erdossy. “Barb has never said, ‘That’s impossible.’”
Paulson turned “The Tongue-Cut Sparrow ” into a script, increasing the character list with neighbors and an extended sparrow family to create a speaking part for each student.
Throughout No Strings’ residency, the students papier-mâchéd, painted, assembled and decorated their puppets, raiding the couple’s “treasure” boxes of fabrics, sequins, buttons and more to create them. Baginski and Paulson helped the children make simple rod or stick puppets rather than marionettes.
Wielding a paintbrush, student Maddie Lapera coated her puppet, the sparrow’s wife, in black. Nearby, Sonya Sagan-Dworsky proudly showed o what she called “frowning eyebrows” on her character, the evil neighbor-woman Magumi.
“They get really invested in their puppets,” Paulson said of the children, “maybe because, in the end, you’re bringing something to life.”
In the next weeks, the kids also practiced their lines, honing enunciation and reading skills in the process. Then Baginski recorded them reading the
script, so the students could focus on manipulating their puppets during the final school performance.
“The most amazing thing is to see how the students respond when the audience reacts to what they’re doing,” says Paulson. “They almost levitate o the floor, they get so excited.”
Schools and parents can arrange a workshop with Dan Baginski and Barbara Paulson by calling 877-STRING-1. For varying prices, they offer in-school residencies, after-school programs, festival demonstrations, short workshops at their Randolph studio and a “backstage pass” that gives kids an in-depth, behind-the-scenes experience after performances.
As the No Strings Marionette Company, Baginski and Paulson regularly tour New England performing a repertoire of 10 shows, each of which ends with a Q&A session, allowing young audiences a closer look at the puppets and sets. The troupe’s next public performance is Wasabi: A Dragon’s Tale on June 22, 6:30 p.m., at the Old Town Hall in Brandon.
Visit
In the end, you’re bringing something to life.
BARBARA PAULSONStudents at Montpelier’s Union Elementary School practice moving their puppets Dan Baginski instructs students on how to use their puppets.
“You just worship this,” the bartender advised after presenting me with a glass of seltzer. I’d stopped after work for a drink with a friend, and my increasingly noticeable pregnancy was attracting attention from someone I’d never met. The barkeep waved her hand around me dreamily, a gesture that encompassed my sizable belly. “Just worship this,” she repeated.
I’ve been getting a lot of comments like that lately. “Worship this” was a first, but it came on the heels of “Look at you!” and “That belly!” Some time in the last month or two, this pregnancy — my first — became a public talking point. Seemingly overnight, strangers had begun stopping me in the grocery store to ask about my due date — July 2, in case you’re curious.
I’m not complaining; if anything, it’s a relief to be talking about what during those early months felt like an invisible, imaginary malady. Perhaps I’m overly sensitive about being one of those women who can’t shut up about their pregnancies, and because I’m the first among my close friends to be pregnant, I’ve put the kibosh on baby talk at work and among many of my friends.
Yet, as my belly grows, so, too, does my eagerness to discuss this pregnancy with anyone — everyone — who will listen. If that means I’m gabbing with the bartender, so be it. But I also decided to explore the world of prenatal services in search of childbearing companionship. Fortunately for me, there is an astonishing array of support groups, classes and get-togethers from which to choose — from prenatal massage to prenatal yoga, from blessing ways to “belly bowls.”
Is it all necessary, or even useful? I admit I’ve had my doubts about this sort of thing. But in the spirit of investigative journalism, I embarked on an Eat, Pray, Love-style adventure of prenatal preparations.
On a snowy evening in March, I found myself at a henna party at Birth Journeys, a childbirth education center in downtown Burlington. I bared my belly for a small group of women while Rebecca Freedner of Heartfire Henna meticulously painted homemade henna paste across it.
This was my first brush with henna, which Freedner has been working with for seven years. Henna is considered auspicious in India for pregnant women, especially in the eighth month of pregnancy, but traditionally it’s confined to hands and feet; it’s a Western adaptation to adorn our abdomens with the herbal dye.
Freedner typically works with pregnant women at “blessing ways” or baby showers; she thinks women are increasingly tired of silly games and are “searching for rituals.”
“Do you want something symmetrical, or flowy?” Freedner asked. I went for symmetrical, and the resulting design — centered around my belly button, which several of the other women sweetly pronounced as “cute” — bloomed on my midsection. Freedner had a steady hand, even as I awkwardly giggled my way through the event. The paste was cool and smelled pleasantly camphorous.
Next, it was o to prenatal yoga. The Evolution Yoga studio in Burlington was packed with pregnant women — the most I’d ever seen in one place. The hourlong session began with a frank, funny comparison between your water breaking and peeing your pants. Apparently, it’s hard to tell the di erence.
The “om”s would wait, for a little while at least; Evolution Yoga cofounder and veteran yoga teacher Susan Cline Lucey starts every prenatal class with up to a half hour of conversation and “checking in” with her students. One by one, we introduced ourselves and shared some pertinent details of our pregnancies.
A certified doula and childbirth expert, Cline Lucey had an answer for seemingly every complaint or question that cropped up during the discussion. Leg cramps? She had advice. Trouble sleeping? Ditto. One woman’s question about abdominal pain launched an informative — if slightly terrifying — lesson about separated stomach muscles.
“Hello, baby,” Freedner cooed when “baby” bumped back against her hand.
After Freedner finished her work, I sat around for an hour or so waiting for the henna paste to dry, chatting with the other women at the party. One was just a week away from her due date. As she slipped out that evening, a doula called after her, in some incantation for bringing on labor, “Hydrate! Pelvic tilts! Smooching! Date nights! Spicy foods!”
As someone too lazy for makeup, too indecisive for tattoos and too skittish for piercings, I wasn’t expecting to be on board with body art. And sure, I was a little sheepish when I pulled up my shirt a few days later at an appointment with my midwife. But Freedner’s design was lovely, and even though I kept my temporary tattoo safely hidden from sight, I was sad to see it fade away two weeks later.
Heartfire Henna, heartfirehenna.com. $35 at a Birth Journeys henna party.
Cline Lucey started teaching prenatal yoga when she was pregnant with her older son, Emmett, now 8. After his birth, she says, she returned to it with a passion and trekked to Seattle three times for advanced certification in pre- and postnatal yoga. Now she teaches a whole suite of classes and workshops designed for childbearing women and their partners: prenatal and postnatal yoga, couples yoga for labor, and playgroups for new mothers.
“It’s all about building that confidence in this di erent stage of life,” said Cline Lucey.
In prenatal yoga, she focuses on helping women find comfort and confidence in their bodies — and, crucially, in practicing a “deep-connection” breathing. She shies away from talking too explicitly about the role this practice might play in labor and delivery, in case women in her classes are planning C-sections, but she points out that rehearsing deep “belly breaths” can be a way to tackle challenging situations at any point in life.
Periodically throughout class, she instructed women to connect with their babies — either by focusing on sending deep breaths to the growing fetus or resting a hand on one’s stomach.
“It’s not just about you in yoga,” she said. “It’s about you and your baby moving together and creating a supportive home.”
Honestly, at first it was hard for me not to be self-conscious among so many other pregnant women. How does my belly stack up? I found myself wondering, casting sidelong glances at my compatriots.
By my second visit, though, I’d loosened up and learned some helpful tips and tricks that have since proved invaluable. I’ll be going back as often as I can before giving birth.
Prenatal yoga at Evolution Yoga, evolutionvt.com.
$14 per class.
My next stop was a prenatal massage appointment with Eileen Togher of EarthySoul Massage in Burlington. I settled in to a cozy chair at her College Street massage studio and, before long, I was pouring my heart out about my various ailments.
Togher took notes, nodding sympathetically.
pressure and nausea. She’s also equipped to deal with pregnancy-specific concerns such as sciatica, hip pain or swelling during summer months.
After moving her practice to Burlington in 2009, Togher noticed that Vermont mamas-to-be don’t seem quite as stressed out as her New York clients; she sees fewer stilettos kicked o at the door. But even in our relatively calm environs, she said, mas-
sage can be a benefit for many pregnant women.
“For many months during pregnancy, you feel like this isn’t your own body,” said Togher. You’re telling me, sister.
I’m too stingy — and too preoccupied budgeting for baby — to be sold on a regular massage appointment. And while I was thoroughly magically fix all of my aches and pains. My advice? Drop hints about
a gift certificate.
Prenatal massage at EarthySoul Massage, earthysoul.com. $75 for a one-hour massage.
After all of the pampering and socializing and talking about feelings, I was itching for something a little more, well, practical. So my husband, Colin, and I hauled ourselves
but there’s no shortage of other options in the region. Sally MacFadyen, a board-certified lactation consultant, o ers a similar two-hour class in Burlington. MacFadyen points out that women typically leave the hospital with their newborns before their milk comes in, a process that takes about three days.
“Breast-feeding is a learned behavior,” said MacFadyen. “A lot of people think, well, I have breasts, and babies drink milk, and it should just be easy.”
Then she showed me to her complicated pillow fort of a massage table. I shimmied out of my maternity jeans and onto it. Her system of cushions and bolsters allowed me to lay face down — for the first time in months! — without squashing my belly.
The soundtrack for my massage was some sort of soothing woodland-fairy-type music. Sure, it was cheesy, but I was totally on board. Scented oils? Cozy blankets? Yes, please. The hour was over in a blink.
Togher started her career as a massage therapist and reflexologist in Brooklyn, working in a Park Slope boutique where it often seemed to her as if every other woman walking through the door was pregnant. That prompted her to pursue additional training in prenatal massage.
Her education prepared her to work with clients experiencing gestational diabetes, high blood
to Porter Medical Center, our local hospital, for a two-hour breast-feeding workshop one Monday night. My midwife had recommended we start thinking about lactation.
“Women become preoccupied with labor during the third trimester,” she warned. But labor, she went on, is — let’s hope! — just one day of your life. Nursing, which surprises many women as more di cult than expected, lasts much longer.
Porter o ers its “Breastfeeding Mondays” class roughly once a month,
How does my belly stack up?
I found myself wondering, casting sidelong glances at my compatriots.
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That’s not always the case, as I learned in my crash course. Porter nurse and lactation consultant Vicki Kirby pulled out a baby doll and a breast-shaped beanbag prop. Colin and I, and about 15 other expectant parents, dutifully studied a full-color illustration of variations in baby poop. Oh yeah, I thought. I forgot about that part. Turns out, checking diapers is one of the best ways to tell if a newborn is getting enough to eat. I took notes.
I’m not sure how much of the two-hour class will stick with me in the hazy days after birth. Without a real, live baby in hand, the class was more theoretical than I would have liked. Hopefully, MacFadyen is right that “it’s not rocket science.”
“Breastfeeding monday” will be held on June 10 and august 5 at Porter medical center, portermedical. org. sally macFadyen, thefourthtrimestervt.com. $30 per class; some health insurance providers may reimburse the cost.
In early spring, I returned to Birth Journeys to attend the monthly Pregnancy Circle hosted by Rachel Stanton and Sarah Campbell, the doula team behind Mother Rising Childbirth Services. The monthly gathering is intended as a place for women to share and connect over pregnancy. Going in, it sounded like hippie-dippy group therapy. I was skittish.
It turned out that our circle was more of a square: In addition to the two doulas, only two pregnant women, myself included, turned out for the event. We hunkered down on low couches in the comfortable, soft-lit space at Main Street Landing and munched on whole-grain cookies and hummus and veggies artfully displayed in
— you guessed it — a belly bowl. We soaked our feet in herbal foot baths and chatted about cloth diapering.
The pregnancy circle is a fledgling undertaking; the meeting I attended in early April was only the second time the group had gathered. The evening’s theme focused on fears around labor.
Stanton and Campbell spoke briefly about the ways fear — and the tension resulting from it — can make labor more difficult and painful. Then they turned expectant gazes on us two participants. What, pray tell, were we afraid of?
I was dubious about the exercise, but dutifully made a list as instructed — and was surprised to note my sheet of paper was covered with items. Who knew I’d been bottling up so many worries? Then we headed outside, and Stanton unveiled a metal bowl filled with lavender buds. We huddled around the cauldron, put our sheets of paper in it and Stanton lit them on fire. A passerby gave us a look.
“There goes all the fear you hold about birthing,” Stanton intoned. “The birth will be perfect.” I started to giggle, and soon the other women were chuckling, too. “You will be strong enough,” Stanton read. “You are strong enough.”
And you know what? I believed her.
When I recounted the experience to a friend — down to the foot baths and ritual burning — I threw in an eye roll for good measure, to prove I hadn’t gone off the prenatal deep end. But truthfully, this was exactly what I had been looking for: a chance to talk frankly, unabashedly and at length about the strange, transitory experience of pregnancy. A chance to just worship this.
mother rising pregnancy circles, motherrising.org. $5-15 suggested donation to cover snacks and supplies. K
We soaked our feet in herbal foot baths and chatted about cloth diapering.
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Ayear ago this month, a 1997 Subaru Legacy heading north on Interstate 89 fishtailed suddenly in Bolton, crossed the median and collided head-on with a southbound truck. All three passengers, including a 7-month-old boy, were killed.
It was Vermont’s only fatal collision in 2012 involving a child in a car seat. By all accounts, no one could have survived the crash. Nevertheless, in the days immediately after, Richmond Rescue — which had responded to the scene of the accident — saw a spike in the number of parents coming in to get their car seats inspected.
Why? Because the Vermont State Police reported the baby’s car seat hadn’t been properly installed.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t an aberration. Michael Chiarella, director of operations at Richmond Rescue, found that eight of every 10 seats he inspected that week had been installed incorrectly. While that figure might sound high, it’s typical for Vermont, as well as most other states. According to the Governor’s Highway Safety Program, Vermont had an 84 percent car seat “misuse rate” in 2012. The national average is 80 percent.
Car seats today are used in hundreds of different vehicles, and getting one to fit your particular year, make and model can be a challenge. Plus, a new car seat typically comes with a fat instruction manual, often prefaced with several pages of bold-lettered warnings, which can be hard to follow.
Chiarella doesn’t blame parents for getting it wrong. “It can be really frustrating,” he admits. He says he’s installed hundreds of car seats and still occasionally has trouble with one. “Most of the correct installations are done by parents who have been really vigilant, reading through every single thing in the manual and doing their research online.”
Further compounding parents’ confusion is the discrepancy between state laws and recommended “best practices” — both of which can change from year to year. This confusion makes it hard to determine when a child should graduate from one level of restraint to the next.
Understanding a few fundamentals about car-seat safety — and how the seats are supposed to function in an accident — can help DIY types. Those who need assistance can get it from a number of local resources.
We’ve simplified some of the expert advice and recommendations below. It’s no substitute for reading your car-seat manual, but hopefully points you in the right direction.
State law requires that young children use “an approved child restraint” — aka a crash-tested car seat designed for infants and children that meets Federal Motor Vehicle Standard No. 213. There are three basic types of car seats: rear-facing, forward-facing and booster seats. Rear-facing seats and most forward-facing seats employ a five-point harness to secure the child.
Many things about children’s anatomy make them more vulnerable in a crash, says Ann Weinstein, a safety specialist at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington. Weinstein ran Vermont’s child-passenger safety program, Be Seat Smart, until last December. (Once under the purview of the Department of Public Safety, the program is moving soon to the Department of Health.)
Weinstein notes that child-size heads are proportionally larger than adult ones, which means kids are propelled head first. And kids have softer bones and less developed skeletal structures, making them more susceptible
to crushing injuries. Car seats restrain and protect them.
Chiarella, who’s been an EMT at Richmond Rescue for the last seven years, says he’s seen very few serious car accidents involving children. But when they have occurred, the child seats have made an enormous di erence.
He remembers an SUV rollover a few years ago on I-89. When first responders arrived on the scene, the parents were “all banged up” and had to be transported to the hospital. Their child was found dangling upside down in his car seat but was otherwise just fine.
In Vermont, all children who are under the age of 1 or weigh less than 20 pounds must be in a rear-facing car seat. Kids have to be both older than 1 and weigh more than 20 pounds to move to a forward-facing one.
All kids under 8 must ride in some type of child-safety seat.
But even the state’s own Be Seat Smart website calls that “a minimum standard.” Local safety experts claim that state mandates don’t measure up to the latest scientific research.
Most Vermonters don’t install or use their car seats correctly. How to get it right.
In 2007, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia conducted a study comparing injury rates for kids who were in rear-facing car seats to those who were forward-facing at the time of their accidents. It found that rear-facing kids had a 500 percent lower rate of injuries than those who were facing forward.
As a result, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Highway Tra c Safety Administration issued a joint statement in 2011 recommending that all kids stay rear facing at least until age 2. They also recommended that the time frame for each stage of child restraint be extended, so that kids face the rear longer, stay in their child seat longer and move from a high-backed booster seat to a low-backed one at a later age and/or greater weight.
The NHTSA now recommends that kids stay in a car seat with a five-point harness until they’re at least 4 years old and weigh 40 pounds, though local experts say it’s preferable to wait until they’re 5 or 6 to graduate them to a booster seat with regular seat-belt restraint. That’s when the iliac crest in their hips is more developed and can hold a seat belt down, preventing it from riding up in an accident and crushing their internal organs.
If children graduate to a booster seat too early, says Weinstein, there’s a possibility they can slide under or over the seat belt.
Weinstein warns against “premature graduation” — moving a child from a rear-facing seat to a forwardfacing one, or from a forward-facing seat to a booster seat, simply because it’s more convenient for the parent. “Every step forward with car seats is a step down in safety,” she cautions.
Rushing it may also be against the law: After age 8, kids must either be in a car seat or secured by a “properly fitting” seat belt.
(See seat-belt test
sidebar). Weinstein goes on to note that the average seat belt in a car is designed to fit a 5-foot, 10-inch man who weighs 175 pounds.
“We wouldn’t ask a child to wear his dad’s shoes,” she adds. “This is the same thing.”
Getting a car seat? Find out where it came from.
Some parents assume it’s OK to buy a used car seat or borrow one from friends.
Bad idea! Local experts say it’s never safe to acquire a used car seat unless you know for sure that it’s never been involved in an accident. Even a minor accident can render it unsafe. For this reason, experts also warn parents to avoid car seats provided by rental-car companies, as their histories are unknown.
Furthermore, if you’re using a secondhand car seat, you don’t know whether there have been any manufacturer recalls.
Additionally, all car seats have an expiration date, typically after six years; it’s stamped on the base. Why do car seats expire? As Chiarella explains, the belts and plastic covers deteriorate in the sun and heat, which, on a sunny summer day, can exceed 150 degrees in a car.
Vaccines are an important part of a healthy pregnancy. Talk to your health care provider about the vaccines you need to protect yourself and your baby.
Pregnant women should get:
Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy —ideally between 27 and 36 weeks— to prevent whooping cough
Influenza “flu shot” each year
84% Vermont’s car-seat “misuse rate” in 2012. The national average is 80 percent.
500%
Studies show that rearfacing kids had a 500 percent lower rate of injuries than those who were facing forward.
Best advice: Buy a new car seat. If you can’t a ord one, or don’t know where to get one, call your city hall. Many police departments, fire departments and rescue squads sell them, often at a financial loss. Richmond Rescue, for example, will provide car seats to people who qualify for public assistance such as WIC, Dr. Dynasaur and Medicaid for only $20. That’s a bargain, Chiarella notes, considering that the cheapest seats at Walmart start at $40.
250-300 mph
The speed at which airbags in the front seat explode
6 years
The typical car-seat expiration date
Newborn babies are at high risk of severe illness from the u or whooping cough. But, when you get Tdap during pregnancy, you help to protect your baby when she or he is too young to get vaccinated.
If parents still can’t a ord it, “we will send them away with one that’s safe for their kid,” Chiarella insists.
STRAPPED FOR CRASH,
You
continued from p. 23
Where a kid sits in the vehicle is crucially important. Children should never ride in the front seat of a car, due to the danger of a front-airbag deployment. Airbags in the front seat explode at 250 to 300 miles per hour. Side-curtain airbags, especially in the backs of cars, deploy at a much lower velocity, making them safer.
Nearly all vehicles manufactured in the last decade have a Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system, which are the anchors found beneath the rear seat. If possible, a single car seat should be secured in the center of the back seat, provided the car’s seat belts or LATCH system are designed to accommodate a center-mounted seat. Otherwise, kids should be in car seats on either side of the rear seat.
Chiarella says the most common mistakes he’s seen at inspections are ones that are easily fixed: child restraints that aren’t cinched snugly enough against the car’s rear seat; seat belts that are threaded through the
wrong pathways; seat belts that aren’t locked; and seats that are tethered to the wrong anchors on the car.
“Some were attached to cargo hooks, which are designed to hold a 10-pound bag of groceries” — nowhere near the force exerted in an accident, he says.
Chiarella has also observed parents who didn’t know how to secure kids properly in their seats, or had them facing in the wrong direction for their age and weight.
all children who are under this age or weigh less than 20 pounds must be in a rear-facing car seat. Kids have to be both older than 1 and weigh more than 20 pounds to move to a forward-facing one.
the nHtsa recommends kids stay in a five-point harness until they’re at least this age — and weigh 40 pounds.
after this age, kids must either be in a car seat or secured by a “properly fitting” seat belt. 5’ 10”
the average seat belt in a car is designed to fit a man of this height who weighs 175 pounds.
Another common mistake parents make is not removing kids’ winter coats and snowsuits before securing them in their car seats. Bulky clothing can prevent
the five-point harness from being tightened enough to restrain the child in a crash.
Equally bad are zippered car-seat inserts such as Bundle Me and other wool or fleece covers meant to keep babies and toddlers warm during the winter. These and other after-market products that get attached to child seats — including cup holders, mirrors and dangly toys — void the warranty, warns Weinstein.
“If it doesn’t come with the seat, it hasn’t been crash-tested with the seat and we don’t know how it’s going to behave in a crash,” she says. Her advice: “Avoid them all.” K
Ask yourself the following questions:
1. does your child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
2. do your child’s knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?
3. is the lap belt on top of his or her thighs?
4. is the shoulder belt centered on his or her shoulder and chest?
5. can your child stay seated like this for the whole trip?
If you answered “no” to any of these, your child is not ready for an adult seat belt.
Find more information and a list of upcoming car-seat safety inspections at beseatsmart.org.
• 1:1 labor support
Intimate, comfortable and confident The Copley Birthing Center gives our moms and babies the kind of care that only a small, family oriented facility can offer. From our homey décor of cozy quilts and soothing earth tones to the comfy, hand-made knitted caps we give to each new arrival, our family of doctors, nurses and midwives provide our moms and newborns with a very personal level of support, both physically and emotionally
• Water Births & Hydrotherapy
• OB/GYN Specialists and Certified Nurse Midwives
• Pain Management including Epidurals
• Lactation Support
• Vaginal Birth after Cesarean Section (VBAC)
How does stormwater runoff hurt the natural waterways we all love? And what can we do to keep it from gushing into the lake every time it rains?
Find out this summer by reading a seasonal story walk created by Kids VT and the Winooski Natural Resources Conservation District. “Connecting the Drops: A Water Story” starts at the top of the Church Street Marketplace and ends at the ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center on the Burlington Waterfront. The fact-based tale unfolds along the way on 19 separate panels illustrated by Winooski artist Matt Morris.
The story walk and the rain barrels will appear in mid-May and remain in place until August 30. At the South End Art Hop on September 6, you can bid on a barrel at a live auction to support the “Let It Rain” stormwater program, which seeks to reduce runoff in the Lake Champlain Basin. Find more information about the program at letitrainvt.org.
Stormwater runoff is rain that doesn’t soak into the ground during a storm. It runs off into lakes, rivers and streams.
Each of the story-walk panels accompanies a piece of public art — a rain barrel that has been transformed by a Vermont artist. Rain barrels collect and store water that flows from downspouts, as you’ll discover in our story. You can see a full list of participating artists at Frog Hollow on Church Street.
The story explains the problem of stormwater runoff — and offers some DIY solutions — in a simple and entertaining way that young children will love. We hope parents will appreciate it, too. At Kids VT, we were surprised by how much we learned and how much we enjoyed working on this project!
Don’t miss this unique chance to teach your kids about our aquatic ecosystem. If you visit on a rainy day, you might want to duck inside ECHO to check out its stormwaterinvestigation table and “Let It Rain” stormwater programs.
Aquatic ecosystem is a community of plants and animals living in the water that are dependent upon each other.
One of the worst pollutants the stormwater picks up is the mineral phosphorous It’s attached to nearly every little particle of soil, sand and dirt.
When algae dies, it uses up lots of oxygen. This can cause fish to die, too. And some algae species — Cyanobacteria — are toxic to the people and pets who might swim in the water.
Water quality isn’t the only problem. When stormwater runoff enters natural waterways, it does so in sudden bursts. The rush of water is too much for little streams and rivers to handle. It eats away at the land, which hurts plants and wildlife that live on the banks.
Kids VT has published several stories about camp this year. Our writers have interviewed administrators, counselors, American Camp Association staffers and parents about the pros and cons of various types of summer sessions. This month, we decided to ask kids to tell us about camp in their own words.
Four local campers — two girls and two boys — shared their stories with us. It wasn’t difficult to get them to talk. Once they started, they didn’t want to stop! Here are some highlights of our conversations.
Warning: Reading this story could make you wish you were going to camp this summer.
CAMPER: Olive Oski
AGE: 9
HOMETOWN: Burlington
RETURNING TO: Camp Kiniya, Colchester
Camp Kiniya is a girls’ camp on the shores of Lake Champlain; Camp Dudley, the boys’ facility, is located across the lake in Westport, N.Y. They claim to be the oldest continually operating summer camps in the country.
Olive launched her Camp Kiniya experience with a weeklong session when she was 7. Last summer, she went for a month. She’s headed back for four more weeks in June.
FAVORITE THING ABOUT CAMP KINIYA: “Food is one of my favorite parts about camp. The cook, Gail, is amazing. All the food there is really good. We have pizza, scones, oatmeal, fish sticks, chicken, noodles, salad, just all these di erent kinds of foods. On Sunday, she makes doughnuts. I get to try a lot of foods I don’t get to eat at home.”
WHAT’S THE SOCIAL SCENE LIKE? “You get to meet a lot of new people from a lot of new places. You get to spend time with girls you might not spend time with otherwise — you can have a lot in common. You just make a lot of friends.”
DID SHE LEARN ANYTHING NEW AT CAMP? “Something new that I learned was
GUTTERSON ARENA UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT
Professional Coaching... Affordable Price!
802-324-6876
ksneddon_21@hotmail.com | www.kshockeyschool.com
Ages 5-8, 9-12
July 22-26, 2013
Summer 2013
For advanced students entering grades 4-9 who want to have fun while learning!
Johnson State College
June 23-29, 2013
“TDI has provided an environment where being intelligent is encouraged….TDI has given me confidence to be myself outside the camp and introduced me to friends I look forward to seeing each year.” — Camper
For more info and electronic version of brochure, please go to vermontgifted.org and tdivermont.com. Or contact Lucy Bogue at lucybogue@yahoo.com or 658-9941.
University of Vermont
adventure day camp
Camp Dates: June 17 - August 2
Age Groups: Rangers: 5-6
Trailblazers: 7-8 Vikings: 9-11
Online registration is open!
2013
June 24-28: Camp regal’s Got Talent
July 8-12: Disney
July 15-19: Hollywood
July 22-26: Gone Country
July 29-aug 2: Fantastic Gymnastics
august 5-9: Jungle Safari
august 12-16: On Broadway
august 19-23: Hawaiian Luau
Each theme week will offer gymnastics, arts and craft projects, outdoor play, fun activities and a SHOW on the stage of our two story castle every Friday. Two snacks and lunch provided 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Extended hours available.
register for a week session or the entire summer!
Lake Iroquois Shelburne Farms
Ben & Jerry’s Factory Carnival Day
Field Trips Include: Daily Activities: swimming sports & games arts & crafts water games and more!
www.uvm.edu/recreation/adc
Learn more about how holistic education helps children reach their full potential. Now enrolling for 2013-2014 Limited spaces available.
Summer Camps for children ages 4-13
For more info contact Rachel Valyou 802.656.3070 / rachel.valyou@uvm.edu
archery and lacrosse. I thought they were really fun. I want to play them when I get older.”
Favorite camp memory: “When I first got to camp and I saw how beautiful camp was, and all the new people and counselors. And also the first time I ever cantered on a horse.”
a scary camp memory: “The first time getting on my horse. My horse was gigantic, and I was really little.”
What does camp Kiniya’s motto, “the other FelloW First,” mean? “It means, like, say that, when you go swimming, it’s full, and your friend really wants to go. You would let her go first. It’s not thinking about yourself. It’s thinking about the other people, too.”
camper: Gabriello Lewis
age: 12
hometoWn: Burlington returning to: Kinhaven School of Music, Weston
Young musicians audition to attend Kinhaven’s high-level, coed summer music programs, which draw participants from all over the country. While there, students play in orchestras, perform concerts and receive private lessons. Violinist Gabriello Lewis will be returning this year for the second time to attend the twoweek junior session. Next year, he’ll have to audition to move up to the senior session.
Smith loves Kinhaven so much that he’s paying his own way — he earned $1100 toward his tuition last year by busking on the Church Street Marketplace. He’ll be out again soon, passing the hat.
What’s so special about Kinhaven? “It’s kind of like that one thing that you have — that one thing from your childhood that you don’t want to give up. It’s just too good to describe. You’re away from everybody else for 10 days, except for the people who love doing exactly what you do. It’s great.”
Favorite thing about camp: “Getting to make so many friends. They’re all very passionate about what they do. I live in Burlington, and there’s a large group of people who play instruments. But a lot of kids play instruments because they have to. It’s kind of nice to be in a group of 70 other kids who all love the instrument and don’t just play it because they have to.”
Favorite music to play: “Romanian folk dances by Bartók.” hoW much does he practice the violin at camp? “I spent three hours practicing every day. That’s just me, myself, practicing. I know there’s one kid who studies with Itzhak Perlman. He practiced for six hours a day. We didn’t believe him, but we took shifts just watching him to make sure he didn’t stop.”
What else is there to do at camp besides play music? “The boys did rugby, football, soccer, seeing who could hold their head underwater in the freezing cold lake the longest, that sort of thing. The girls did nail-painting parties, I believe.”
best camp memory: “Staying up until midnight playing Mafia.”
Friday, May 3 Saturday, May 4
Even foodies with kids have no excuse to miss out on Vermont Restaurant Week. Parents can enjoy a Friday or Saturday night on the town while their kids have fun at the Y!
A ordable childcare is available for children ages 1-12, Friday 6-8:30 p.m., Saturday 5:30-8 p.m. Food and beverage are included in the fee: $10 (members), $18 (nonmembers) per child. Participation is limited to 45 children/night. Pre-registration is required.
Call 802-862-9622
to sign your kids up and don’t forget to make your dinner reservations ASAP. Weekend tables will fill up fast!
you’re away from everybody else for 10 days, except for the people who love doing exactly what you do.
gabriello leWis
camper: Hannah Rainville
age: 11
hometoWn: Fairfax returning to: BFA Fairfax cheerleading camp run by Champion Cheer Central
During the school year, Hannah is a member of the BFA Fairfax Elementary School cheerleading team. Over the summer, the school hosts a three-day day-camp for middle- and high-schoolers who want to step up their game. Hannah attended for the last two summers and is headed back this year — with her little sister in tow.
“I can’t wait,” she says. Why cheer camp rocks: “The coaches are different from the regular school coaches. They just have a bunch of different moves. And in camp, you don’t have to worry about any competitions. It’s just for fun. You don’t have to stress about it.”
Favorite thing to do at camp: “Tumbling — I’m working on my back walkover right now. Cheer camp is really where we get to tumble the most. My goal by the eighth grade is to get my roundoff back handspring down. I would like to be one of the top tumblers on my team.”
does going to camp give her an advantage during the regular season? “I learned a lot of different moves. I went from just being able to do a cartwheel to now being able to do a walkover. It’s definitely helped a lot.”
camper: Solomon Neuhaus
age: 12
hometoWn: Plattsburgh, N.Y.
returning to: Camp Abnaki, North Hero
Camp Abnaki is a boys’ camp on Lake Champlain run by the YMCA. Neuhaus is a veteran Abnaki camper; this will be his sixth summer session. He went for two weeks when he was 7 and has gone for a month every year since.
He says he had so much fun the first year that he cried when his parents came to pick him up.
What does he love about camp? “Oh man, everything. All the time at school, there’s a teacher trying to boss me around, tell me what to do. At home, my parents boss me around, tell me what to do. At camp, they lay out the ground rules on the first day. It’s like, ‘Have fun — and flush.’ That’s it, pretty much. It’s awesome. There’s no obligations for four weeks. You don’t have to do anything.”
Why he likes campin’ With the boys: “We can do basketball pickup games with shirts and skins. It lets you get away from all of the drama of everything.”
Favorite organized camp activity: “Basketball — where I live, it’s hard to get a pickup game going.”
hoW he spends his Free time: “There’s this card game that I really like called Magic: The Gathering. Everybody there likes it. If you collect all the good cards and you play them right, you win.”
best thing about Weekends: The counselors organize special programming. “It’s always something really fun but kind of stupid. Last summer we played Zombie Apocalypse — half the kids were zombies and half were human survivors.”
Favorite camp memory: “If you go for five years, you get to be this thing called Medokenack. It’s really cool, because you get this patch thing that you can keep, and there’s a ceremony. It sounds kind of cheesy, but it was, like, an honor.”
advice to kids considering going to camp abnaki: “Go. You’ll love it. Don’t be scared. Everyone there is awesome. Everybody loves you. Nobody is going to be a bully. Plus, it’s going to be a lot of fun.” K
summer 2013
creative camps for ages 1-18 plus adult & teen classes
AGES 6-8
6/17-21: Magic Tree House Adventures A
6/24-28: Muppets & Puppets
7/1-5: The Magic School Bus
7/15-19: Horses, Snails, & Fairy Tales
7/22-26: Magic Tree House Adventures B
www.flynnarts.org
7/22-26: Fairies, Elves, & Royalty: Dancing Legends
7/29-8/2: Ultimate Superheroes
8/5-9: Shipwrecked! Pirates & Palaces
8/12-16: The Cat in the Hat & Seuss on the Loose!
802-652-4548
Measuring up to 20 feet tall, the Tyrannosaurus rex cut an imposing figure when it walked the Earth millions of years ago. But it wasn’t the biggest dinosaur of them all. Skeletons of the more massive Giganotosaurus and Mapusaurus are part of ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center’s new traveling exhibit “BIGGER THAN T-REX.” It offers an interactive look at some of the largest prehistoric predators ever discovered. A hands-on dig pit, robotic raptor and actual dinosaur figures filmed in Jurassic Park appeal to the inner paleontologist in each of us.
“BIGGER THAN T-REX”: Exhibit opens Saturday, May 25, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., at ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center in Burlington and runs daily through September 2. Jurassic Park figures are at the museum now. All ages. Regular museum admission, $9.50-12.50; free for kids under 3. Info, 877-324-6386. echovermont.org
Arts for Tots: Music, movement, free play and art projects inspire creativity in young minds. 18 months-4 years. ArtisTree Community Art Center, Woodstock, 10:15-11:15 a.m. $10 drop-in; preregister. Info, 457-3500.
Pop-Up cards: Ellen Bressler shares simple techniques for three-dimensional masterpieces. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 3:30-5 p.m. Free. Info, 426-3581.
Breast-Feeding-mom support: New mothers get to know each other during this informative and informal session. Children welcome. Grace Church, Rutland, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 747-8665.
‘one movement for People & the Planet’ march & day of Action: Vermonters unite for affordable housing, childcare, universal health care, women’s rights, education, a healthy planet and more. Kid-friendly activities, art, live music and food make it a celebration of community. All ages. Vermont Statehouse, Montpelier, 11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 861-4892.
NooK Kids APPtivity: Tablet-tapping tots play, create and learn on store-provided devices and kid-friendly apps. Barnes & Noble, South Burlington, 11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 864-8001.
social Thinking: Kids with nonverbal learning disabilities, Asperger’s syndrome and high-functioning autism develop their social skills. Call for times. Ages 6-17. Preregister. Maple Leaf Clinic, Wallingford. Info, 446-3577.
Food
chocolate-dipping demonstration: Fans of cocoacovered confectionery experience the tempering and dipping process. All ages. Laughing Moon Chocolates, Stowe, 2 p.m. Free. Info, 253-9591.
cookie decorating: Budding bakers doll up treats with sprinkles, frosting, sugar and nuts. Barrio Bakery, Burlington, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 863-8278.
Kids in the Kitchen: Holy guacamole! Fledgling foodies scoop, smash and mix their way to this avocado-based sauce and accompanying cheese quesadillas. All ages. Healthy Living Market and Café, South Burlington, 3:30-4:30 p.m. $20 per child; free for accompanying adult; preregister. Info, 863-2569.
Vermont Restaurant Week: Hungry? Families save their appetites for this 10-day festival of prix-fixe menus, organized by Seven Days. Various locations statewide, all day. Various prices; visit vermontrestaurantweek.com for details. Info, 864-5684.
Family Game Night: As part of Screen-Free Week, folks play various games, including staff favorites such as Taiga, Chickyboom and Architecto. All ages. Phoenix Books, Essex Junction, 5-8 p.m. Free. Info, 872-7111.
Lego Afternoons: Youngsters create freely from big buckets of building blocks. Parents encouraged to send a snack; popcorn provided. Ages 6 and up. Lincoln Library, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 453-2665.
Lego club: Amateur architects piece together creative scale models of cityscapes. Lawrence Memorial Library, Bristol, 3:15-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 453-2366.
Afternoon Hoops: Basketball-loving high school students spend the afternoon dribbling, shooting and scoring. St. Albans City Hall, 2:30-3:45 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 524-1500, ext. 266.
Kids open Gymnastics: Tykes tumble and jump while adults connect with other families. Snacks provided. Ages 5 and under. River Arts, Morrisville, 10-11:30 a.m. $5. Info, 888-1261.
open Gym: Little ones bound around on big blue mats. Sunrise Gymnastics, Barre, 10 a.m.-noon, $10 per child; $5 per each additional sibling. Info, 223-0517.
Tiny Tumblers open Gym: Young gymnasts bounce, bend and balance. Ages 9 months-6 years, accompanied by an adult. Green Mountain Gymnastics, Williston,
9:30-11 a.m. $10 per child; $15 per family; preregister. Info, 652-2454.
dorothy canfield Fisher Book discussion: Bibliophiles voice likes and dislikes about award-nominated books, such as Christopher Paul Curtis’ The Mighty Miss Malone. Ages 8-11. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-0313.
Food
See dr. First videos “First with Kids” at fletcherallen.org/ firstwithkids
Richford PJ story Time: Kids gather with friends for bedtime prep through stories, songs and crafts. Ages 6 and under. Arvin A. Library, Richford, 4-5 p.m. Free. Info, 527-5426.
moving & Grooving With christine: Tots let loose to the rhythms of rock-and-roll and world music. Recommended for ages 2-5, but all are welcome. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 865-7216.
‘opus 26’: Young composers in concert: Professional strings and woodwind players perform musical works written by students. All ages. Haskell Free Library and Opera House, Derby Line, open rehearsal, noon; concert, 6:30 p.m. Donations accepted. Info, 879-0065. Preschool music With mr. chris: A fun, tune-filled gathering strikes the right note. Ages 3-5. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 1 p.m. Free. Info, 878-0313.
Farm Programs for Preschoolers: Stories, hands-on activities and snacks teach little ones about life on the farm. Ages 3 and up. Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock, 9-10:30 a.m. $3-5 includes museum admission; preregister. Info, 457-2355.
Raptors Up close: Little nature lovers discover the fascinating lives of birds of prey through touchable artifacts and hands-on materials. All ages. Vermont Institute of Natural Science Nature Center, Quechee, 11-11:30 a.m. Regular admission, $11-13; free for members and kids under 4. Info, 359-5000.
Talk to the Trainer: Visitors meet animal ambassadors and learn tricks of the raptor trainers’ trade. All ages. Vermont Institute of Natural Science Nature Center, Quechee, 2 p.m. Regular museum admission, $11-13; free for members and kids under 4. Info, 359-5000.
Pollywog Preschool drop-in: Multimedia projects involving play dough, paint and paper introduce young kids to artistic expression. Ages 6 months-5 years, accompanied by an adult. BCA Center, Burlington, 9:3011:30 a.m. $6. Info, 865-7166.
Breast-Feeding support Group: Lactating moms bring their babies and bond over stories and advice. Family Birthing Center, Northwest Medical Center, St. Albans, 10 a.m.-noon. Free; preregister. Info, 524-7970.
La Leche League of Essex: Moms and little ones meet to discuss parenting and breast-feeding. Pregnant and planning moms are also welcome. First Congregational Church of Essex Junction, first Thursday of every month, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 383-8544.
Postnatal Yoga: Moms bring their pre-crawling kids to a tone-up class addressing sore shoulders and backs. Evolution Yoga, Burlington, 1:30 p.m. $14. Info, 864-9642.
summer-camp Fair: Representatives from six local organizations share detailed information about their upcoming programs. Snacks and youth activities provided. Ages 5-14 and their parents. Sustainability Academy at Lawrence Barnes Elementary School, Burlington, 5-7 p.m. Free. Info, 316-0731.
Food
chocolate-dipping demonstration: See May 1. Vermont Restaurant Week: See May 1.
Family Game Nite: Kid-friendly activities spark good-natured competition. Geared toward ages 3-10. University Mall, South Burlington, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 863-1066.
shelburne magic club: Illusionists practice card tricks and share their most successful sleights of hand.
Grades 5-8. Pierson Library, Shelburne, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, 985-5124.
martial Arts class: Playful but focused activities build agility, strength, balance and peaceful cooperation. Ages 7-12. 2 Wolves Holistic Center, Vergennes, 4-5 p.m. $14 drop-in. Info, 870-0361.
Fairfax PJ story Hour: Children don pajamas to listen to a story and make a craft before bedtime. Ages 6 and under. Fairfax Community Library, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 849-2420.
Hand in Hand: Kids help put together birthday boxes for peers in need. The kits will be available at HOPE for families who can’t afford the cost of a child’s birthday party. Ilsley Public Library, Middlebury, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 388-4369.
Homeschoolers’ Book Group: Peers gather for talks on a variety of books. Ages 10-14. St. Albans Free Library, 1-2 p.m. Free; regular attendance required; preregister. Info, 524-1507.
music With mr. chris: Singer, storyteller and puppeteer Chris Dorman leads kids in song and dance. All ages. Buttered Noodles, Williston, 10-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 764-1810.
Preschool music: Lively tunes strike the right note among the wee crowd. For ages 5 and under with a caregiver. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10:30 a.m. Free; limited to one session per week per family. Info, 878-4918.
Raptors Up close: See May 1. Talk to the Trainer: See May 1.
Building Bright Futures Parenting Workshop series: Instructors lead three weeks of classes addressing positive discipline, intentional language and meal planning on a budget. Essex Elementary School, 6:30-7:45 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6715.
childhood Vaccinations: Questions All Parents should Ask: To immunize or not to immunize? Dr. Heather Rice and members of the Vermont Coalition for Vaccine Choice weigh the pros and cons. Healthy Living Market and Café, South Burlington, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 863-2569.
Family clay drop-in: Parents join kids for some work on the wheel. All ages. BCA Center, Burlington, 5:30-7:30 p.m. $5-6 includes one fired and glazed piece per participant; additional pieces are $5 each. Info, 865-7166.
Homeschoolers Knitting Group: Stay-at-home learners hang with peers as they improve their needlework. Ilsley Public Library, Middlebury, 3-4:15 p.m. Free. Info, 388-4095.
Tadpole Preschool clay drop-in: Young artists learn to create pinch pots, coil cups and sculptures. Ages 3-5. BCA Center, Burlington, 9:30-11:30 a.m. $5-6 includes one fired and glazed piece per participant; additional pieces are $5 each. Info, 865-7166.
First Friday Family dance: A wholesome evening of live music and dancing ends with a song circle. All ages. Worcester Town Hall, 6:30-9:30 p.m. $5-12. Info, 229-0173.
chocolate-dipping demonstration: See May 1.
Vermont Restaurant Week: See May 1.
Vermont Restaurant Week: Parents Night out: Eating out? Make it a table for two. Parents drop off their kids for an evening of fun and games. Ages 1-12. Pomerleau Family YMCA, Burlington, 6-8:30 p.m. $10-18; food and beverage provided; preregister. Info, 862-9622.
magic: The Gathering: Planeswalkers seek knowledge and glory in this trading-card game. Grades 6 and up. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.
Afternoon Hoops: See May 1.
Family Gym: Indoor playground equipment gives tumblers a chance to run free. Ages 7 and under. Pomerleau Family YMCA, Burlington, 10:30 a.m.-noon. $5-8 per family. Info, 862-8993.
Family Yoga: Participants strike a pose, play games and calm their minds. All ages. Barlow Street Community Center, St. Albans, 6-6:45 p.m. $5 per child; accompanying adult is free; preregister. Info, 524-1500, ext. 268. Kids open Gymnastics: See May 1. open Gym: See May 1, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 3-5 & 5-7 p.m.
Tiny Tumblers open Gym: See May 1.
Essex drop-in story Time: Picture books, finger plays and action rhymes captivate babies, toddlers and preschoolers. All ages. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 10-10:45 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.
spring Fling Book sale: Avid readers keep their shelves stocked from this selection of thousands of books, CDs and DVDs. Proceeds support library collections and programming. Rutland Free Library, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 773-1860.
After-school movie: Film buffs put up their feet and watch a flick, popcorn in hand. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 3 p.m. Free. Info, 223-4665.
First Friday Youth classical music concert: Young instrumentalists perform polished solos, duets and trios in an aesthetically and acoustically beautiful setting. All ages. Christ the King Church, Burlington, 7-8:30 p.m. Donations accepted for young musicians in need. Info, 864-6411.
spanish musical Kids: Amigos learn Latin American songs and games with native Argentinian Constancia Gómez. Ages 1-5. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Free. Info, 865-7216. Grades K and up. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3:30-4:15 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.
Raptors Up close: See May 1.
Talk to the Trainer: See May 1.
‘Botanica’: MOMIX dancers flit like insects and undulate like sea creatures in a fantastical production about nature incorporating video projections and puppetry. Flynn MainStage, Burlington, 8 p.m. $15-50. Info, 863-5966.
Performing-Arts Workshop: Improvisational activities ignite would-be actors’ imaginations and enhance their theatrical skills. Ages 12 and up. University of Vermont, Burlington, 3:30-5 p.m. Free; preregister for specific location. Info, 656-5429.
clay for Families: Special ceramics made in the studio are left for firing and glazing, then picked up later. All ages. ArtisTree Community Art Center, Woodstock, 10
a.m.-noon. $20 per parent/child pair; $5 per additional person; preregister. Info, 457-3500.
it’s All About mom!: Flora fans make special cards bursting with spring blooms. Ages 3 and up. Gardener’s Supply, Williston, 10-11 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 658-2433.
Kids craft: Fingerprint Flower Tote Bag: Little ones make Mother’s Day gifts at this hands-on, drop-in session involving fabric paint. Ages 5 and up. Creative Habitat, South Burlington, 1-3 p.m. $5. Info, 862-0646.
saturday Art Hour: Creatively inclined? Families fashion a papier-mâché planet to study Earth from outer space. Ages 2-18; children under 6 should be accompanied by an adult. The Art House Gallery, Studio & School, Craftsbury Common, 11 a.m.-noon. $8; preregister. Info, 586-2200.
saturday Kids drop-in class: Avian enthusiasts create a clay birdhouse. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Shelburne Craft School, 10-11:30 a.m. $12; $10 for accompanying friend or sibling. Info, 985-3648.
Breast-Feeding support Group: The Vermont Department of Health organizes this informative social group for moms, babies and families. Bent Northrop Memorial Library, Fairfield, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 524-7970.
march for Babies: Hundreds of walkers — furry friends, too — take a stroll in support of the March of Dimes, an organization dedicated to preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. All ages. Registration, 8 a.m.; walk, 9 a.m. Oakledge Park, Burlington, 8 a.m. Info, 560-3239.
montpelier Postnatal Yoga: Brand-new mamas and their babies relax, stretch and bond. For moms with newborn to pre-crawling babies. Yoga Mountain Center, Montpelier, 10:30-11:30 a.m. $12 drop-in. Info, 778-0300.
Bob’s Birthday Bash: Author Tracey Campbell Pearson attends this 10th-anniversary celebration of her beloved book Bob. Activities include face painting, a story walk and themed crafts. Ages 3 and up. Jericho Community Center, noon-2 p.m. Free. Info, 872-7111.
Burlington community Tree Nursery Planting: Volunteers plant saplings, which will later be transplanted to B-town streets, at this Branch Out Burlington! initiative. Robert Resnik and On the Border Morris perform.
submit your June event for print by may 15 at kidsvt.com or to calendar@kidsvt.com.
Most of us shed our winter coats weeks ago, but some animals are still sporting their woolen wear. Families follow the journey of their fleece at the NoRTHEAsT KiNGdom FARm To YARN ToUR WEEKENd, which highlights an important part of our state’s agricultural heritage. alpacas, goats, rabbits, lambs and other farmyard friends greet visitors at 11 participating locations, which demonstrate everything from sheep shearing to yarn spinning. at agape Hill Farm in Hardwick, folks can even walk a llama through an obstacle course.
NoRTHEAsT KiNGdom FARm To YARN ToUR
WEEKENd: Saturday, May 18, and Sunday, May 19, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., in the Northeast Kingdom; visit travelthekingdom.com for participating locations. All ages. Free. Info, 626-8511.
All ages. UVM Horticulture Farm, S. Burlington, 9-11 a.m. Free. Info, 862-2930 or 656-5440.
dux the Balloon man: The rubber artist twists up masterful creations in the Center Court. Each child will get to meet him one-on-one. University Mall, South Burlington, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, 863-1066, ext. 11.
Green Up day: It’s easy to be green! Neighborhood groups around the state rid Vermont’s roadways and rivers of refuse. Visit greenupvermont.org to find volunteer opportunities in your town. All ages. Various locations statewide, Free. Info, 229-4586.
Green Up day: cash for Trash Fundraiser: Ecofriendly folks bring roadside litter to this designated bag pickup and drop-off site. It counts as a cash donation to Berlin Elementary School’s playground fundraiser. Food, drinks and goodies round out the day. All ages. Twin City Subaru, Berlin, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Info, 223-5232.
Green Up day: cleanup & community celebration: Volunteers show Mother Nature a little love at this Earth-friendly event hosted by the Winooski Valley Park District and state AmeriCorps/VISTA members. Call for specific locations and to sign up. All ages. Salmon Hole Park, Winooski, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 863-5744.
milton Girls day: Girl power! Females have fun at a special day of zumba, yoga, crafting and more. For girls in grades 3-8 and the women in their lives. New Life Fellowship Church, Milton, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free; lunch included. Info, 893-1009.
Touch a Truck: All aboard! Kids get up close and personal with tractors, police cars, dump trucks, fire trucks and more. Colchester High School, 9-11 a.m.; sirens may be used from 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 264-5640.
Hopstop: Ballet Folklorico de dartmouth: Olé! In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, dancers demonstrate colorful Mexican traditions and costumes. Ages 3 and up with accompanying adult. Alumni Hall. Hopkins Center for the Arts, Hanover, N.H., 11 a.m. Free; seating is limited. Info, 603-646-2010.
Kids Workshops: Children learn do-it-yourself skills and tool safety as they build a different project each session. Ages 5-12. Home Depot, Williston, 9 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 872-0039.
Evergreen Preschool children’s Fair: Musician Josh Brooks presides over an entertaining afternoon filled with mini golf, face painting, tie-dye, fire-department trucks and cake. All ages. Vergennes Union High School, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, 877-6380.
mayfest: Folks soak up springtime through maypole dancing, face painting, pony rides, live music and lunch. For families with children ages 6 and under. Lake Champlain Waldorf School, Shelburne, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 985-2827.
Food
capital city Farmers market: Root veggies, honey, maple syrup and more change hands at an off-season celebration of locally grown food. All ages. Corner of State and Elm streets, downtown Montpelier, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 223-2958.
chocolate-dipping demonstration: See May 1. middlebury Farmers market: Crafts, cheeses, breads, veggies and more vie for spots in shoppers’ totes. All ages. Marble Works District, Middlebury, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free. Info, 537-4754.
Rutland Winter Farmers market: More than 50 vendors sell local produce, cheese, homemade bread and other made-in-Vermont products. All ages. Vermont Farmers Food Center, Rutland, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, 779-1485.
Vermont Restaurant Week: Parents Night out: See May 3. 5:30-8 p.m.
Vermont Restaurant Week: See May 1.
Enosburg Tumble Time: Children burn off some extra energy with play time in the gym. Ages 6 and under. Enosburg Elementary School, 9-10 a.m. Free. Info, 527-5426.
Hoopapalooza iV: Hula Hoopers swivel their hips to favorite songs or choreographed dances in this fun, judged competition. Proceeds support Puppets in Education and Burlington Rotary Club projects. All ages. Burlington City Hall Park, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $50 per team of five; free to watch. Info, 860-3349.
Yoga Tots: Toddlers and parents stretch it out in exercises meant to build self-esteem and positive attitudes toward physical activity. Ages 3-6. Highgate Town Office Building, 9 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 868-3970.
cleo the Therapy dog: Tots are treated to tale time with a furry guest from Therapy Dogs of Vermont. Ages 3 and up. Milton Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 893-4644.
Read to a dog: Adorable pups from Therapy Dogs of Vermont listen to read-aloud tails — er, tales. Ages 5 and up. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, Free; preregister for event times. Info, 865-7216.
spring Fling Book sale: See May 3, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Used-Book sale: Bibliophiles gather new reads for their
nightstands. All ages. Ilsley Public Library, Middlebury, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Info, 388-4095.
Worldwide Free comic-Book day: Readers of all ages have fun with the funnies at this annual day celebrating the art form with complimentary copies. Wonder Cards & Comics, West Berlin, noon-6 p.m. Free. Info, 476-4706.
Fossils: Evidence of the Past: Youth sleuths clue into the origins of preserved remains. All ages. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 11 a.m. Regular museum admission, $10-12; free for members and kids under 2. Info, 649-2200.
international migratory Bird day: Children’s activities and visits from Outreach for Earth Stewardship wild ambassadors take flight after a morning bird walk for ages 10 and up. Shelburne Farms, 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 985-8686.
mirror, mirror: Little ones use looking glasses to investigate reflection and symmetry. All ages. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 3 p.m. Regular museum admission, $10-12; free for members and kids under 2. Info, 649-2200.
Planetarium Presentation: An astronomy expert offers a guided tour of the cosmos. Ages 5 and up. Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium, St. Johnsbury, 1:30-2:30 p.m. $5. Info, 748-2372.
Raptors Up close: See May 1. sheep shearing & Herding: Agricurious youngsters look on as Southdown ewes get a haircut and border collies herd sheep in the fields. Fiber demos, a children’s art show and tours of the operating dairy farm round out the day. All ages. Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Regular museum admission, $3-12; free for kids under 3. Info, 457-2355.
Talk to the Trainer: See May 1.
Preschoolers & school Readiness: Have a child entering kindergarten this fall? Fletcher Allen Health Care’s Jerry Larrabee helps parents make it a smooth transition by discussing “sticky” topics such as discipline, bullying, homework, social skills and screen time. Conference Room, South Burlington Community Library, 10-11:30 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 847-2278.
saturday drama club: Thespians help Very Merry Theatre produce a show in just three hours. Ages 5-12. Very Merry Theatre, Burlington, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. $15 (or pay what you can). Info, 863-6607.
5 SUNDAY
Arts & crafts
Poker Hill Arts’ Art show Reception: Visual learners take a look at masterpieces created by the kids of this after-school art program and summer day camp. Phoenix Books, Essex Junction, 4-6 p.m. Free. Info, 872-7111.
Postnatal Yoga: See May 2, 12:15 p.m.
cots Walk: On a three-mile trek, participants follow the path a homeless person in our community might take, visiting various programs and shelters run by the Committee on Temporary Shelter. Music and free ice cream included. Battery Park, Burlington, registration, 1 p.m.; walk begins at 2 p.m. Donations accepted. Info, 540-3084, ext. 207.
Food
chocolate-dipping demonstration: See May 1. Kids cooking class: Petite cooks make delicious Vietnamese spring rolls with a peanut dipping sauce on the side. Ages 8 and up, accompanied by an adult. McClure Multigenerational Center, Burlington, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. $5-10; preregister. Info, 861-9700.
Vermont Restaurant Week: See May 1.
Family Gym: See May 3. open Gym: See May 1, 3-5 & 5-7 p.m.
Lullaby Brunch: Stories, songs and treats with Little Library Bunny honor the newest members of the community. For South Burlington babies born in 2012 and their families. South Burlington Community Library, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 652-7080. Read to a dog: See May 4.
Vermont Youth orchestra spring concert: Jeffrey Domoto conducts up-and-coming instrumentalists and the VYO Chorus in a season finale, featuring Lydia
Most art-class projects end up on the refrigerator. But a collaboration between Stowe-area schools and the Helen day art center lands some of those classroom creations on art gallery walls. Students in elementary through high school contributed papier-mâché shoes, colorful crustaceans and ceramic sculptures to this month’s sTUdeNT ART sHoW young visitors can admire the efforts of their peers and, if they’re so inspired, add some art of their own to a 3-d community mural.
sTUdeNT ART sHoW: Opening reception with ice cream, judging and an awards ceremony on Friday, May 3, 3-7 p.m., at Helen Day Art Center in Stowe. Exhibit runs Wednesdays through Sundays, noon5 p.m., through May 26. Open-house days for families: Monday, May 13, Wednesday, May 15, and Thursday, May 16, 3:30-4:30 p.m. All ages. Free. Info, 253-8358. helenday.com
Herrick on violin. Flynn MainStage, Burlington, 3 p.m. $10-15. Info, 863-5966.
dairy day: Got milk? Curious kiddos see the milking parlor in action, visit with Brown Swiss calves and hop a wagon ride. All ages. Shelburne Farms, 1-4 p.m. $5 per car; free for walkers. Info, 985-8686.
Herb Walk: Folks explore our edible landscape on a tasting walk with acupuncturist and herbalist Brendan Kelly. All ages. Arethusa Farm, Burlington, 1-2:30 p.m. Free. Info, 861-9700.
Leafcutter Ants: Nature fans investigate the secret lives of “insect fungus farmers.” All ages. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 11 a.m. Regular museum admission, $10-12; free for members and kids under 2. Info, 649-2200.
Parachutes: Curious kids make mini ’chutes to test air resistance. All ages. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 3 p.m. Regular museum admission, $10-12; free for members and kids under 2. Info, 649-2200.
Planetarium Presentation: See May 4. Raptors Up close: See May 1. sheep shearing & Herding: See May 4. Talk to the Trainer: See May 1.
6 MONDAY
clay for Tots: Little potters practice and play with a malleable artistic medium. Ages 3-5. ArtisTree Community Art Center, Woodstock, 10:30-11:30 a.m. $20 drop-in. Info, 457-3500.
montpelier Prenatal Yoga: Pregnant mamas focus on movements that will help prepare their bodies for labor and birth. Yoga Mountain Center, Montpelier, 5:30-7 p.m. $15 drop-in. Info, 778-0300.
Yoga After Baby: New moms focus on their core, pelvic floor and arm strength, bringing their infants along if they choose. Shambhala Center, Montpelier, 11 a.m.noon. $10. Info, 778-0300.
Food
chocolate-dipping demonstration: See May 1.
Hoopla: Large, easy-to-use hoops and great music make for a funky dance-fitness experience. All ages. Windancer Movement Center, Middlebury, 7-8 p.m. $8-12 per child, accompanied by an adult. Info, 388-3381. open Gym: See May 1.
Yoga class: Playful breathing, stretching and relaxation techniques build mindfulness and body awareness. Ages 6-12. 2 Wolves Holistic Center, Vergennes, 4-5 p.m. $14 drop-in. Info, 870-0361.
RU12? Rainbow Reading Hour: LGBTQA families come together for stories and activities. Ages 6 and under. Bent Northrop Memorial Library, Fairfield, 5:306:30 p.m. Free. Info, 860-7812. Write Now!: Best-selling authors-to-be get inspired to start penning that book or poem. Ages 12-18. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-0313.
Young Adult Advisory Board: Tweens and teens discuss how to make the library a destination for their peers. Ages 12-18. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 5:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-0313.
Youth Advisory Board: Lit lovers dream up exciting new programs for fellow tweens and teens. Highgate Public Library, 4:45 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 868-3970.
Preschool music: See May 2, 10:45 a.m.
Raptors Up close: See May 1. Talk to the Trainer: See May 1.
7 TUESDAY
craftacular Tuesdays: Kids get caught up in low-tech projects. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 3:30-5 p.m. Free. Info, 223-4665.
creative Tuesdays: Artists engage their imaginations with recycled crafts. All ages, but kids under 10 must be
accompanied by an adult. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 3-5 p.m. Free. Info, 865-7216.
summer-camp Fair: See May 2, Champlain Elementary School, Burlington, 5-7 p.m.
‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’: Lewis Carroll fans travel down the rabbit hole in this fantastical Royal Ballet broadcast production. Catamount Arts, St. Johnsbury, 7 p.m. $6-18. Info, 748-2600.
chocolate-dipping demonstration: See May 1. Games
chess club: Checkmate! Kids of all ability levels scheme winning strategies. All ages. Fairfax Community Library, 3-4 p.m. Free. Info, 849-2420.
martial Arts class: See May 2. moovin’ & Groovin’: Energetic youngsters develop self-confidence, coordination, and language and socialinteraction skills through varied creative play, including obstacle courses, dancing and drumming. Ages 18 months-4 years. ArtisTree Community Art Center, Woodstock, 10-10:45 a.m. $12 drop-in; preregister. Info, 457-3500.
Tiny Tumblers open Gym: See May 1.
music With Robert: Families sing along with a local legend. All ages. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 1111:30 a.m. Free. Info, 865-7216.
Homeschooler day: The whole world is a classroom! Young scholars learn about harvesting, seed saving, heirloom vegetables and more. Ages 5 and up. Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. $5; preregister. Info, 457-2355.
Raptors Up close: See May 1.
Talk to the Trainer: See May 1.
Arts & crafts
Arts for Tots: See May 1.
Baby & maternity
Burlington La Leche League: Babies and older kids are welcome as moms bring their questions to a breastfeeding support group. Lending library available. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 9:30 a.m. Free. Info, 985-8228.
History for Homeschoolers: Reading, writing and hands-on activities hosted by the Vermont Historical Society offer a new perspective on the past. Ages 6-12. Vermont History Center, Barre, May 9, 1-3 p.m. $4-5; preregister. Info, 828-1314.
NooK Kids APPtivity: See May 1.
social Thinking: See May 1.
Food
chocolate-dipping demonstration: See May 1. cookie decorating: See May 1.
Kids in the Kitchen: Small chefs cook up a healthier, locavore version of a fast-food favorite: crispy chicken tenders. All ages. Healthy Living Market and Café, South Burlington, 3:30-4:30 p.m. $20 per child; free for accompanying adult; preregister. Info, 863-2569.
Georgia Family Game Night: Players sit down for friendly competitions of Candy Land, checkers and Monopoly. Visitors are welcome to bring their own games, too. Georgia Public Library, Fairfax, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Free.
Info, 524-4643.
Lego Afternoons: See May 1.
Lego club: See May 1.
Afternoon Hoops: See May 1.
Kids open Gymnastics: See May 1. open Gym: See May 1.
Tiny Tumblers open Gym: See May 1.
‘sid the science Kid: The movie’: Vermont Public Television offers a sneak peek at new episodes of a series promoting science, technology, engineering and math learning. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.
moving & Grooving With christine: See May 1. Preschool music With mr. chris: See May 1.
Aspiring Naturalists Teen Program: On a monthly exploration, young adults practice primitive skills, from building a fire by friction to foraging for wild edibles. Ages 14-17. Shelburne Farms, 4:30-7 p.m. Preregister. Info, 985-0327.
Farm Programs for Preschoolers: See May 1.
Raptors Up close: See May 1.
Talk to the Trainer: See May 1.
mom & me card-making Workshop: Parent/child pairs express their sentiments on paper at this workshop with Stampin’ Up demonstrator Deanna Smith. Ages 3 and up, accompanied by an adult. Highgate Public Library, 6 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 868-3970.
submit your June event for print by may 15 at kidsvt.com or to calendar@kidsvt.com.
List your class or camp here for only $15 per month! submit the listing by the 15th at kidsvt.com or to classes@kidsvt.com.
Little music makers Baby music (0-1 year), 11-11:45 a.m.: knee bounces, peek-a-boo songs, guitar sing-a-longs, instruments, parachute fun and bubbles! Toddler music (1-3 years), 10:15-11 a.m.: guitar sing-a-longs, rhythm instruments, dancing, finger plays, knee bounces, parachute fun and bubbles! Preschool music (3-5 years), 9:30-10:15 a.m.: creative movement, rhythm activities, “handson” instruments (tuba, banjo, etc.) parachute games and bubbles! Weekly on Sat. mornings, two six-week sessions avail. Spring: May 4-Jun. 15 (no class May 25); Summer: Jul. 13-Aug. 24 (no class Aug. 3). Cost: $56/Colchester residents; $61/nonresidents. Location: Colchester Meeting House, 898 Main St. Info: Ellie Tetrick, elliesparties@ comcast.net, 264-5640. To register online, visit goo.gl/Ve4k8.
Kids Academy at Rocky Ridge: Junior golfers will learn the fundamentals of the golf swing with regular daily instruction in putting, chipping, pitching and bunker play, as well as basic rules, etiquette and sportsmanship. Student to instructor ratio of 4:1 ensures individual attention. On the last day of each week students will participate in a fun and educational tournament on the course. Ages: 8-14. Jun. 24-28, Jul. 8-12, Jul. 15-19, Jul. 29-Aug. 2, Aug. 5-9. Cost: $175/wk. Location: Rocky Ridge Golf Course, 7470 Vermont 116, St. George. Info: Seth Emerson, 863-0535, semerson@cvuhs. org, rockyridge.com. Preregistration required.
sewing saturday/Basics of Embroidery Workshop for youth: In this special Saturday workshop, kids ages 4 to 12 can learn age-appropriate embroidery techniques and basic stitches as they create a work of art on fabric! Join instructor Jacquie Mauer as she takes students on an embroidery adventure and shows them how to draw with stitches! Scholarships available. Sat., May 25, 9:30 a.m.-noon. Cost: $25. Location: Helen Day Art Center, 90 Pond St., Stowe. Info: 253-8358, helenday.com. K
Pollywog Preschool drop-in: See May 2.
History for Homeschoolers: See May 8, 1-3 p.m. money-smart Kids: Mad River Valley Libraries and the Vermont state treasurer’s office teach kids — and their parents — savvy ways to save. Childcare and dinner provided. Ages 2 to adult. Warren Public Library, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 496-3913.
9 THURsdAy, p. 40
Chocolate-Dipping Demonstration: See May 1.
Library Legos: Building-block lovers get busy with the library’s giant collection. All ages. St. Albans Free Library, 3-5 p.m. Free. Info, 524-1507.
Teen Wii Challenge: Tech-savvy youngsters try out the video-game console. Ages 12 and up. Milton Public Library, 3:30-5 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 893-4644.
Martial Arts Class: See May 2.
VolunTeens: Young adults gear up for “Out of the
Pages,” the 2013 Teen Summer Reading Program. Grades 7-12. Ilsley Public Library, Middlebury, 3:304:30 p.m. Free. Info, 388-4097.
Music With Mr. Chris: See May 2.
Preschool Music: See May 2.
Nature & Science
Raptors Up Close: See May 1. Talk to the Trainer: See May 1.
Parenting
Building Bright Futures Parenting Workshop Series: See May 2.
Theater
‘The Witches’: The Saints & Poets Production Company
MONDAY
Bristol Toddler Story Time: Lawrence Memorial Library, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 453-2366.
Burlington Stories With Megan: Fletcher Free Library, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 865-7216.
Colchester Preschool Story Time: Burnham Memorial Library, May 6, 10:30 a.m. Free; pregister. Info, 878-0313.
Essex Drop-In Story Time: Essex Free Library, 10:3011:30 a.m. Free. Info, 879-0313.
Marshfield Story Time: Jaquith Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 426-3581.
Milton Infant Story Time: Milton Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 893-4644.
Richmond Pajama Time: Richmond Free Library, 6:30-7 p.m. Free. Info, 434-3036.
St. Albans Story Hour: St. Albans Free Library, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 524-1507.
Stowe Story Time for 2- to 3-Year-Olds: Stowe Free Library, 10:15-11 a.m. Free. Info, 253-6145.
Waitsfield Story Time: Joslin Memorial Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 496-4205.
Waterbury Toddlers-’n’-Twos: Waterbury Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.
Woodstock Baby Story Time: Norman Williams Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 457-2295.
TUESDAY
Alburgh Story Hour: Alburgh Community Education Center, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 796-6077.
Barre Children’s Story Hour: Aldrich Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 476-7550.
Colchester Toddler Story Time: Burnham Memorial Library, 10:30 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 878-0313.
East Barre Kids Story Hour: East Barre Branch Library, 9:30 & 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 476-5118.
East Middlebury Preschool Stories: Sara Partridge Community Library, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 388-4097.
Essex Story Time for 3- to 5-Year-Olds: Brownell Library, 10-10:45 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 878-6955.
Essex Story Time for Babies & Toddlers: Brownell Library, 9:10-9:30 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.
Georgia Pajama Story Time: Georgia Public Library, third Tuesday of every month, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 524-4643.
Grand Isle PJ Story Time: Grand Isle Free Library, first Tuesday of every month, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 527-5426.
Highgate Story Time: Highgate Public Library, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 868-3970.
stages Roald Dahl’s children’s book with live actors, puppetry, video and original music. See calendar spotlight on page 46. Ages 8 and up. Main Street Landing, Burlington, 7 p.m. $15-20. Info, 863-5966.
10 FRIDAY
Arts & Crafts
Family Clay Drop-In: See May 3.
Homeschoolers Knitting Group: See May 3. Tadpole Preschool Clay Drop-In: See May 3.
Homeschool Project Day: Out-of-classroom learners present their current studies to peers. Milton Public Library, 2:30 p.m. Free. Info, 893-4644.
Early-literacy skills get special attention during these read-aloud sessions. Some locations provide additional activities such as music, crafts or foreign-language instruction. Contact the story-time organizer or visit kidsvt.com for details. Most groups follow the school calendar; call ahead to confirm these schedules.
Hinesburg Preschool Story Time: Carpenter-Carse Library, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 482-2878.
Hinesburg Toddler Story Time: Carpenter-Carse Library, first Tuesday of every month, 9:30 a.m. Free. Info, 482-2878.
Milton Preschool Story Time: Milton Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 893-4644.
Richmond Story Time: Richmond Free Library, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 434-3036.
Science & Stories: ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center, 11 a.m. Regular museum admission, $9.50-12.50; free for kids under 3. Info, 877-324-6386.
South Burlington Tiny Tot Story Time: South Burlington Community Library, May 7, 9:15 & 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 652-7080.
St. Johnsbury Story Time: St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 748-8291.
Waterbury Story Time: Thatcher Brook Primary School, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 244-5605.
Wilder Story Time: ‘Where the Wilder Things Are’: Wilder Club & Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 295-6341.
Williston Story Hour & Crafts: Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.
Williston Story Time With Corey: Buttered Noodles, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 764-1810.
Winooski Preschool Story Time: Winooski Memorial Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 655-6424.
Woodstock Preschool Story Time: Norman Williams Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 457-2295.
WEDNESDAY
Berkshire PJ Story Time: Berkshire Elementary School, second Wednesday of every month, 6-7 p.m. Free. Info, 527-5426.
East Barre Realms of Reading Crafts: East Barre Branch Library, 3-5 p.m. Free. Info, 476-5118.
Essex Story Time for 3- to 5-Year-Olds: See Tuesday, 10-10:45 a.m.
Essex Toddler Story Time: Essex Free Library, 10:3011:30 a.m. Free. Info, 879-0313.
Grand Isle Preschool Story Time: Grand Isle Free Library, 10 a.m. Free; newcomers should preregister. Info, 372-4797.
Hardwick Preschool Story Time: Jeudevine Memorial Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 472-5948.
Highgate Story Time: See Tuesday, 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Montgomery Story Hour: Montgomery Town Library, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, montgomery.librarian@ gmail.com.
Quechee Story Time: Quechee Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 295-1232.
Randolph Morning Story Time: Kimball Public Library, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 728-5073.
Richford Story Hour: Arvin A. Library, 9:30 a.m. Free. Info, 848-3313.
South Burlington Baby Book Time: South Burlington Community Library, May 1, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 652-7080.
South Burlington Story Time: Barnes & Noble, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 864-8001.
Swanton Story Hour: Swanton Public Library, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 868-7656.
Warren Preschool Story & Enrichment Hour: Warren Public Library, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 595-2582.
Waterbury Baby Lap Time: Waterbury Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.
Williamstown Story Time: Ainsworth Public Library, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 433-5887.
THURSDAY
Bristol Preschool Story Time: Lawrence Memorial Library, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 453-2366.
Colchester Preschool Story Time: See Monday. May 2, 10:30 a.m.
Essex Preschool Story Time: Essex Free Library, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 879-0313.
Franklin Story Time: Haston Library, 10-10:45 a.m. Free. Info, 285-6505.
Rutland Story Time: Rutland Free Library, 10-10:45 a.m. Free. Info, 773-1860.
Shelburne Story Time With Mary Catherine Jones: Pierson Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 985-5124.
St. Albans Story Hour: See Monday, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Vergennes Story Time: Bixby Memorial Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 877-2211.
Westford Story Time: Westford Public Library, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 878-5639.
FRIDAY
Brandon Preschool Story Time: Brandon Free Public Library, 1 p.m. Free. Info, 247-8230.
Enosburg Story Hour: Enosburg Public Library, 9-10 a.m. Free. Info, 933-2328.
Essex Drop-in Story Time: Brownell Library, May 10, 10-10:45 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.
Essex Musical Thirds Story Time: Essex Free Library, third Friday of every month, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 879-0313.
Georgia Preschool Story Time: Georgia Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 524-4643.
Huntington Story Time: Huntington Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 434-4583.
Food
Chocolate-Dipping Demonstration: See May 1.
Dungeons & Dragons: Players exercise their problemsolving skills in imaginary battles and adventures. Grades 6 and up. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.
Afternoon Hoops: See May 1.
Family Gym: See May 3.
Kids Open Gymnastics: See May 1.
Tiny Tumblers Open Gym: See May 1.
Middle School Planners & Helpers: Over snacks,
Lincoln Toddler/Preschool Story Time: Lincoln Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 453-2665.
Milton Toddler Story Time: Milton Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 893-4644.
Moretown Story Time: Moretown Memorial Library, 11:15 a.m. Free. Info, 496-9728.
South Burlington Pajamarama: Barnes & Noble, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 864-8001.
South Burlington Story Time Adventures: South Burlington Community Library, May 3, 9:30 a.m. Free. Info, 652-7080.
Stowe Baby & Toddler Story Time: Stowe Free Library, 10-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 253-6145.
Waterbury Preschool Story Time: Waterbury Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.
SATURDAY
Barre Story Time: Next Chapter Bookstore, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 476-3114.
Burlington Saturday Story Time: Phoenix Books, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 448-3350.
Colchester Drop-In Story Time: Burnham Memorial Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 878-0313.
South Burlington Story Time: See Wednesday, 11 a.m.
St. Johnsbury Story Time: See Tuesday. First Saturday of every month, 10:30 a.m.
SUNDAY
Williston Russian Story Time: Buttered Noodles, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 730-2673.
students play games and plot cool projects for the library. Grades 6-8. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3:304:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.
sing & dance With constancia: Kids bop along to stories and music in English and Spanish. Ages 6 and under.
Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.
See Dr. First videos “First with Kids” at fletcherallen.org/ firstwithkids
songs & stories With matthew: Listeners start the day with tunes and tales of adventures. All ages. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 10-10:45 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.
movies
After-school movie: See May 3.
Teen movie: Dim the lights and pass the popcorn! Les Misérables transports the audience to 19th-century France. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 6 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.
Raptors Up close: See May 1.
Talk to the Trainer: See May 1.
Theater
‘The Witches’: See May 9.
11 SATURDAY
Arts & crafts
Art studio drop-in: Little learners explore current exhibits through creative drawing, painting or sculpting projects. Ages 6 and up. BCA Center, Burlington, 1-3 p.m. $5 suggested donation. Info, 865-7166. Kids craft: mommy & Baby Pigs: Just in time for Mother’s Day gifting, little ones create pink-nosed piggies from wooden eggs. Ages 5 and up. Creative Habitat, South Burlington, 1-3 p.m. $5. Info, 862-0646. saturday Art Hour: Creatively inclined? Families repurpose glass bottles into colorful lanterns. Ages 2-18; children under 6 should be accompanied by an adult. The Art House Gallery, Studio & School, Craftsbury Common, 11 a.m.-noon. $8; preregister. Info, 586-2200. saturday Kids drop-in class: Animal lovers express their affection through critter-themed magnet clips. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Shelburne Craft School, 10-11:30 a.m. $12; $10 for accompanying friend or sibling. Info, 985-3648.
montpelier Postnatal Yoga: See May 4.
Kids Night out: One- to 4-year-olds and 5- to 12-year-olds attend separate sessions featuring everything from pizza to pool time. Ages 1-12. Pomerleau Family YMCA, Burlington, 5:30-8 p.m. $8-16; preregister. Info, 862-9622.
Bloom-Time Festival: Families pack a picnic lunch for this annual celebration of the flowering landscape, which features live music, hay rides, plein-air painting and a plant sale. All ages.
UVM Horticulture Farm, S. Burlington, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Info, 864-3073.
Kids day: Burlington celebrates its youth with a parade, performances, food, games and fun at the park. All ages. Battery Park, Burlington, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. $2. Info, 864-0123.
Burlington Farmers market: Farmers, artisans and producers offer fresh and prepared foods, crafts, and more in a bustling marketplace. All ages. Burlington City Hall Park, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, 310-5172. capital city Farmers market: See May 4. chocolate-dipping demonstration: See May 1. middlebury Farmers market: See May 4. Rutland Winter Farmers market: See May 4.
Burlington children’s space Fun Run: For the second year, participants support programming that connects BCS children with the natural world. All ages. Burlington Intervale Center, registration, 9:30 a.m.; 1K walk/ run, 10 a.m.; 5K run, 10:30 a.m.; postrace raffle, 11:30 a.m. $5-10; $20 maximum per family. Info, 658-1500.
Franklin Tumble Time: Gym time provides youngsters with the opportunity to run, jump and play. Ages 6 and under. Franklin Central School, 9-10 a.m. Free. Info, 527-5426.
shoreham Apple-Blossom derby: Families pound the ground in a 5- or 10K fundraiser for the school, a tradition in its 30th year. All ages. Shoreham Elementary School, registration, 9 a.m.; fun run, 9:30 a.m.; race, 10 a.m. $5-20. Info, 922-0681.
Tiny Tumblers open Gym: See May 1, 10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Read to a dog: See May 4.
movie matinee: Film buffs screen a PG-rated superhero story. Call the library for details. St. Albans Free Library, 12:30 p.m. Free; popcorn and drinks provided. Info, 524-1507.
Bird-monitoring Walk: Beginning birders embrace ornithology on an identification walk. Appropriate for older children. Green Mountain Audubon Center, Huntington, 7-9 a.m. Donations accepted. Info, 434-3068.
Ephemeral Zoo: Hands-on explorers meet amphibian and aquatic creatures from local marshes and ponds through activities held inside and out. All ages. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Regular museum admission, $10-12; free for members and kids under 2. Info, 649-2200.
Planetarium Presentation: See May 4.
Raptors Up close: See May 1.
Talk to the Trainer: See May 1.
‘The Best of Rutland Youth Theatre’: Audiences are encouraged to come in costume to this rollicking, 10year revue featuring songs from The Pirates of Penzance, Seussical, Into the Woods and more. Paramount Theater, Rutland, 2 & 7 p.m. $10. Info, 775-0903.
‘Gathered safely in: A circus for All Times’: A graduation showcase by the students of the New England Center for Circus Arts follows the lives of 16 circus performers in the 1930s as they prepare for a big-top production. All ages. Greenhoe Theater, Landmark College, Putney, 3 & 7 p.m. $8-15; free for kids under 2. Info, 254-9780.
saturday drama club: See May 4.
‘The Witches’: See May 9, 2 & 7 p.m.
school open House: Little folks and their parents explore the playground, view individual classrooms and meet licensed teachers. Kid Logic Learning, South Burlington, 3-6 p.m. Free.
spring Fest & opening day: Museumgoers scope out brand-new exhibitions, attend a Mother’s Day garden tea party, and partake in activities both outdoors and in. All ages. Shelburne Museum, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Regular museum admission, $5-22; free for kids under 5. Info, 985-3346.
chocolate-dipping demonstration: See May 1.
Family Gym: See May 3.
mother’s day Fun Run: Walkers and sprinters cover ground in 5- and 10K races and a half-mile kids fun run. All ages. Sherburne Base Lodge, Burke Mountain, 8:30 a.m. $15-30; free for fun run. Info, 748-1992, ext. 315.
12 sUNdAY, p. 42
doWNToWN BURLiNGToN
‘connecting the drops’: Families follow a Kids VT story walk from the top of Church Street to the waterfront, stopping at artist-decorated rain barrels to learn how to prevent stormwater runoff. ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center hosts a related investigation table and “Let It Rain” stormwater program. Exhibit ends on August 30; bid on a barrel at a live auction on September 6, during the South End Art Hop.
EcHo LAKE AQUARiUm ANd sciENcE cENTER, BURLiNGToN
Info, 864-1848
‘strange matter’: Kids explore the mindboggling world of materials as they discover the science behind everyday products, such as DVDs and cellphones. Through May 12.
‘Bigger Than T-Rex’: Petite paleontologists study prehistoric skeletons of Giganotosaurus, Mapusaurus and other humongous dinos. A hands-on dig pit, excavation videos and animatronic raptors make it even more exciting. See calendar spotlight on page 35. All ages.
FAiRBANKs mUsEUm & PLANETARiUm, sT. JoHNsBURY
Info, 748-2372
‘Wildflower Table’: This living exhibit reflects the abundance and diversity of flowers, grasses, berries, ferns and evergreens found in the Northeast Kingdom. Kids are introduced to more than 400 species displayed throughout the year, in both fruit and flowering stages.
HELEN dAY ART cENTER, sToWE
Info, 253-8358
student Art show: For the 32nd year, artists from area schools exhibit their work. See calendar spotlight on page 38. All ages. Opening reception on Friday, May 3, includes ice cream, art judging and an awards ceremony. Exhibit runs through May 26.
moNTsHiRE mUsEUm oF sciENcE, NoRWicH
Info, 649-2200
‘How People make Things’: Visitors don hard hats and safety glasses to become factory technicians, workers or supervisors as they learn how people, ideas and technology contribute to the manufacture of familiar childhood objects. Through June 2.
Read to a dog: See May 4.
Bird-monitoring Walk: Eagle-eyed participants bring binoculars and explore the museum property for avian activity. Best for adults and older children. Birds of Vermont Museum, Huntington, 7-9 a.m. Donations accepted; preregister. Info, 434-2167. cells!: Kiddos compare plant and animal cells using a compound microscope and their own cheek cells. Ages 9 and up. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 3 p.m. Regular museum admission, $10-12; free for members and kids under 2. Info, 649-2200.
Kitchen chemistry: Mad scientists combine common household products, which yield unexpectedly entertaining results. All ages. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 11 a.m. Regular museum admission, $10-12; free for members and kids under 2. Info, 649-2200. mother’s day Wildflower Walk: Why settle for a bouquet? Flora fans see meadows of spring blooms and learn the folklore behind their names, on this easy, enjoyable stroll. All ages. North Branch Nature Center, Montpelier, 1-3 p.m. $10; free for kids and moms. Info, 229-6206.
Planetarium Presentation: See May 4.
Raptors Up close: See May 1.
Talk to the Trainer: See May 1.
‘Gathered safely in: A circus for All Times’: See May 11, 3 p.m.
‘The story of the Three Little Pigs’: Accused of huffing and puffing and blowing houses down, the Big Bad Wolf finally tells his side of the story in this musical production by the Dallas Children’s Theater. Ages 5 and up. Spaulding Auditorium, Hopkins Center for the Arts, Hanover, N.H., 3 p.m. $10-23. Info, 603-646-2422.
‘The Witches’: See May 9, 2 p.m.
13 MONDAY
Arts & crafts
clay for Tots: See May 6.
childbirth Education Refresher class: Expectant parents review the physical and emotional aspects of labor, as well as relaxation and breathing techniques. Franklin County Home Health Agency, St. Albans, 7-9 p.m. $25. Info, 527-7531.
montpelier Prenatal Yoga: See May 6.
Yoga After Baby: See May 6.
community
summer-camp Fair: See May 2, J.J. Flynn Elementary School, Burlington, 5-7 p.m.
Food
chocolate-dipping demonstration: See May 1.
Legos at the Library: Builders fashion architecturally sound constructions based on an inspiring theme. Ages 7-12. Milton Public Library, 3:30-5:30 p.m. Free. Info, 893-4644.
Hoopla: See May 6.
open Gym: See May 1.
Yoga class: See May 6.
movies
Young Adult Film crew: Aspiring actors, directors and audiovisual buffs put together a program for Lake Champlain Access Television. Ages 12-18. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-0313.
Preschool music: See May 2, 10:45 a.m.
Raptors Up close: See May 1. Talk to the Trainer: See May 1.
14 TUESDAY
creative Tuesdays: See May 7.
Kindergarten Registration: Parents sign their little learners up for class. Children must have been born between September 1, 2007, and August 31, 2008. Barre Town Middle and Elementary School, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 476-6617, ext. 6306.
chocolate-dipping demonstration: See May 1. Kids in the Kitchen: Participants whip up a comfortfood classic with a twist: tomato-butternut soup. All ages. Healthy Living Market and Café, South Burlington, 3:30-4:30 p.m. $20 per child; free for accompanying adult; preregister. Info, 863-2569.
chess club: See May 7.
Game on!: Kids learn new diversions or play old faves. All ages. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 3:30 p.m. Free. Info, 223-4665.
Wii-tastic!: Gamers check out LEGO Star Wars and Wii Sports Resort, in addition to classics like Mario Kart. All ages. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.
martial Arts class: See May 2. moovin’ & Groovin’: See May 7.
Tiny Tumblers open Gym: See May 1.
Little Night-owl story Time: Listeners swoop in for some bedtime tales, songs and crafts. Ages 5 and under. Essex Free Library, Essex Junction, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 879-0313.
story Time in the Nestlings Nook: Bird lovers stretch their wings during a themed session of tales, crafts, music and outdoor exploration. Intended for preschoolers, but all ages are welcome. Birds of Vermont Museum, Huntington, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Donations accepted. Info, 434-2167.
music With Robert: See May 7.
Nature & science
Raptors Up close: See May 1. Talk to the Trainer: See May 1.
VT mommies Adult story Time: In 1000 words or less, mothers swap written stories about the first time they really felt like parents. Phoenix Books, Essex Junction, 6:30-9 p.m. Free; cash bar; preregister and sign up to read. Info, 872-7111.
15 WEDNESDAY
Arts & crafts
Arts for Tots: See May 1.
Education
NooK Kids APPtivity: See May 1. school open House: Tours give families a peek at the action in preschool through grade 8 classrooms, as well as the state-of-the-art science wing and computer labs. All ages. Mater Christi School, Burlington, 8:30-11 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 658-3992.
social Thinking: See May 1.
Food
chocolate-dipping demonstration: See May 1. cookie decorating: See May 1.
Lego Afternoons: See May 1.
Lego club: See May 1.
Afternoon Hoops: See May 1. Kids open Gymnastics: See May 1. open Gym: See May 1.
Tiny Tumblers open Gym: See May 1.
Pajama story Time: Small ones curl up for bedtime tales, cookies and milk. Ages 18 months-5 years. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-0313.
‘Wild Kratts: Lost at sea”: Vermont Public Television offers a sneak peek at new episodes of a series promoting science, technology, engineering and math learning. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.
music
moving & Grooving With christine: See May 1. Preschool music With mr. chris: See May 1. spring concert: Students from Stowe Middle and High School play their hearts out at an annual performance. Proceeds support the band’s trip to Germany and Prague. Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, Stowe, 7 p.m. Donations accepted. Info, 760-4634.
Farm Programs for Preschoolers: See May 1.
Raptors Up close: See May 1.
Talk to the Trainer: See May 1.
16 THURSDAY
Pollywog Preschool drop-in: See May 2.
chocolate-dipping demonstration: See May 1.
Kids in the Kitchen: Get out your green thumbs! Youngsters have fun with flowerpots, planting both real seedlings for the windowsill and a creative cupcake dessert for immediate eating. All ages. Healthy Living Market and Café, South Burlington, 3:30-4:30 p.m. $20 per child; free for accompanying adult; preregister. Info, 863-2569.
shelburne magic club: See May 2, 6-8 p.m.
martial Arts class: See May 2.
Food for Thought: Teen volunteers chow down on pizza while tackling library projects. Grades 7-12. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 4-5 p.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.
middle school Books-to-Film discussion: Words jump from the page to the screen as readers recap C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, then watch the film adaptation. Milton Public Library, 3:305:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 893-4644.
Reeve Lindbergh: The author of Homer the Library Cat reads from her book about a feline who finds his way to the best place in town. Ilsley Public Library, Middlebury, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Free. Info, 388-4369.
storytelling With Linda costello: Spoken-word
stories about springtime captivate young listeners. Grades 1 and up. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.
VolunTeens: See May 9.
music With mr. chris: See May 2.
Preschool music: See May 2.
Raptors Up close: See May 1.
Talk to the Trainer: See May 1.
Building Bright Futures Parenting Workshop series: See May 2.
‘The Witches’: See May 9.
17 FRIDAY
Family clay drop-in: See May 3.
Homeschoolers Knitting Group: See May 3.
Tadpole Preschool clay drop-in: See May 3.
Teen Night: Adolescents enjoy pizza, popcorn, a movie on the big screen or themed activities, supervised by an experienced staff. Ages 12 and up. David Gale Recreation Center, Stowe, 8-11 p.m. $10. Info, 253-6138.
chocolate-dipping demonstration: See May 1.
magic: The Gathering: See May 3.
Afternoon Hoops: See May 1.
Family Gym: See May 3.
Kids open Gymnastics: See May 1.
Tiny Tumblers open Gym: See May 1.
Essex drop-in story Time: See May 3. Jiggity Jog: A tuneful meetup with Miss Susan entails singing, dancing and instrument playing. Ages 2-6. South Burlington Community Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 652-7080.
Teen Advisory Board: Adolescents gather to plan library programs. Yes, there will be snacks. Grades 9-12. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.
Youth Night: Teens and tweens hang out and enjoy movies, snacks and projects. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 6-9 p.m. Free. Info, 223-4665.
After-school movie: See May 3.
Family movie: Popcorn and soda are provided for a screening of the animated adventure Rise of the Guardians. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.
‘Next Generation’: Outstanding young musicians who have seriously studied classical instrumental or vocal music share their talents. Chandler Center for the Arts, Randolph, 7:30 p.m. $10-19. Info, 728-6464.
Raptors Up close: See May 1.
Talk to the Trainer: See May 1.
‘Gathered safely in: A circus for All Times’: See May 11, 7:30 p.m.
‘The Little mermaid’: Rutland Youth Theatre takes audiences under the sea — and then onto land — in this magical retelling of the Disney tale. Paramount Theater, Rutland, 7 p.m. $8-10. Info, 775-0903.
‘The Witches’: See May 9.
Arts & crafts
See Dr. First videos “First with Kids” at fletcherallen.org/ firstwithkids
Kids craft: insect Pot stake: Bug out! Using foam and craft sticks, youngsters create a decorative feature for potted plants. Ages 5 and up. Creative Habitat, South Burlington, 1-3 p.m. $5. Info, 862-0646.
saturday Art Hour: Creatively inclined? Families fashion “rainbow makers” to catch colorful rays of light. Ages 2-18; children under 6 should be accompanied by an adult. The Art House Gallery, Studio & School, Craftsbury Common, 11 a.m.-noon. $10; preregister. Info, 586-2200.
saturday Kids drop-in class: Mixed-media artists fashion fiercely expressive paper dragons. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Shelburne Craft School, 10-11:30 a.m. $12; $10 for accompanying friend or sibling. Info, 985-3648.
montpelier Postnatal Yoga: See May 4.
Welcome Baby social: Babies born in the past year get a warm welcome through music, yoga, refreshments and prizes. Memorial Hall, Essex Junction, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Free; preregister; siblings are welcome. Info, 876-7555.
Family Fun Night: Dive on in: This intergenerational evening includes swimming, a bounce castle, a movie and food. All ages. Pomerleau Family YMCA, Burlington, 5-8 p.m. $3-5. Info, 862-9622.
Migratory songbirds and waterfowl are returning to their northern homes this month. In celebration of these feathered flyers, Huntington’s Birds of Vermont Museum and audubon Vermont cohost a Bird for avian enthusiasts of all ages. Kids and their parents break out the binoculars on guided nature walks and get a closer look at birds of prey in raptor demos. Time flies, too, as visitors picnic and listen to interactive songs and stories by the Swing Peepers.
Bird dAY FesTiVAL: Saturday, May 18, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., at Birds of Vermont Museum in Huntington. All ages. $5; free for members. Info, 434-3068. vt.audubon.org or birdsofvermont.org
18 sATurdAY, P. 44
Kids enjoy fun and games during these informal get-togethers, and caregivers connect with other local parents and peers. The groups are usually free and often include snacks, arts and crafts, or music. Contact the playgroup organizer or visit kidsvt.com for site-specific details. Most groups follow the school calendar; call ahead to confirm these schedules.
9:30-11:30 am. Free; bring indoor shoes. Info, 872-9580.
Waterbury Music and Movement: Thatcher Brook Primary School, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 244-5605.
Barre Open Gym: Sunrise Gymnastics, 10 a.m.-noon. $10. Info, 223-0517.
Burlington Crawlers, Waddlers & Toddlers: St. Joseph School, 11 p.m. Free. Info, 999-5100.
Cambridge Hometown Playgroup: Cambridge Elementary School, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 888-0539.
Colchester Playgroup: Malletts Bay School, 9-11 a.m. Free. Info, 264-5900.
Essex Open Gym: Regal Gymnastics Academy, 11 a.m.-noon. $8; free for children under 18 months. Info, 655-3300.
Isle La Motte Playgroup: Isle La Motte School, 7:309:30 a.m. Free. Info, 527-5426.
Jericho Playgroup: Jericho Community Center, 9:3011 a.m. Free. Info, 899-4415.
Moretown Playgroup: Moretown Elementary School, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 262-3292.
Morrisville Hometown Playgroup: Morristown Graded Building, 9-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 888-0539.
Rutland Babies & Toddlers Rock: Rutland Free Library, first Monday of every month, 10-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 773-1860.
South Burlington Music With Raphael: Kids City, 11:30 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 859-9130.
South Hero Playgroup: South Hero Congregational Church, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 527-5426.
Swanton Playgroup: Mary S. Babcock School, 9:3011 a.m. Free. Info, 527-5426.
Twinfield Playgroup: Twinfield Union School, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free. Info, 262-6071.
Waterbury Playgroup: Thatcher Brook Primary School, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Info, 244-5605.
Williston Playgroup: Alice in Noodleland: Buttered Noodles, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 764-1810.
Winooski Fathers & Children Together: Winooski Family Center, 5-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 655-1422.
Wolcott Playgroup: Wolcott Depot Center Preschool, 8:15-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 888-0539.
TUESDAY
Bristol Playgroup: Bristol Baptist Church, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 388-3171.
Burlington Family Play: VNA Family Room, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 860-4420.
Burlington Fathers & Children Together: VNA Family Room, 5-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 860-4420.
Colchester Playgroup: See Monday, 9-11 a.m.
Colchester Teddy Bear Picnic: Malletts Bay School, 9-11 a.m. Free. Info, 264-5906.
Essex Building Bright Futures Playgroup: Essex Junction Recreation and Parks Department,
18 SATURDAY (CONTINUED)
Saturday Morning at the Museum: Specially geared toward families, this gathering invites visitors to explore every inch of the quirky collections. All ages. Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium, St. Johnsbury, 10 a.m.-noon. $5 per family. Info, 748-2372.
Wallingford Bike-Safety Day: At an annual gathering complete with an obstacle course, face painting and prizes, pedal pushers take advantage of helmet fittings and bike-safety inspections. All ages. Wallingford Elementary School, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 446-2693 or 446-3672.
Big Truck Day & Children’s Festival: Vroom, vroom! Auto aficionados climb aboard fire trucks, dump trucks, school buses, tractors and more. Crafts, face painting, a
Essex Open Gym: See Monday, 11 a.m.-noon.
Georgia Playgroup: Georgia Elementary & Middle School, 9-11 a.m. Free. Info, 527-5426.
Hardwick Playgroup: Hardwick Elementary School, 8:15-10:15 a.m. Free. Info, 652-5138.
Johnson Baby Chat: Church of the Nazarene, fourth Tuesday of every month, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 888-3470.
Middlebury Playgroup: Middlebury Baptist Church, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 388-3171.
Milton Playgroup: New Life Fellowship Church, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 893-1457.
Montpelier Lego Club: Kellogg-Hubbard Library, third Tuesday of every month, 3:30 p.m. Free. Info, 223-4665.
Montpelier Tulsi Morning Playgroup: Tulsi Tea Room, 10 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 223-0043.
Richford Playgroup: Cornerstone Bridges to Life Community Center, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 527-5426.
South Burlington Baby Time: Faith United Methodist Church, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 658-3659.
WEDNESDAY
Barre Open Gym: See Monday, 10 a.m.-noon. Enosburg Playgroup: American Legion, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 933-6435.
Essex Building Bright Futures Baby Playgroup: Move You Fitness Studio, 10 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 872-9580.
Essex Open Gym: See Monday, 11 a.m.-noon.
Fairfield Playgroup: Bent Northrop Memorial Library, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 527-5426.
Hinesburg Playgroup for Dads: Annette’s Preschool, 5-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 860-4420.
Montgomery Playgroup: Montgomery Town Library, every fourth Wednesday, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 527-5426.
Northfield Playgroup: United Church of Northfield, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 262-3292.
Richmond Playgroup: Richmond Free Library, 8:4510:15 a.m. Free. Info, 899-4415.
Shelburne Playgroup: Trinity Episcopal Church, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 764-5820.
South Royalton Playgroup: United Church on the Green, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 685-2264.
St. Albans BBF Playgroup: NCSS Family Center, St. Albans, 9-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 527-5426.
Vergennes Playgroup: Congregational Church of Vergennes, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 388-3171.
bouncy house, a barbecue and other kid-friendly activities round out the a air. All ages. Hinesburg Nursery School, 9:45 a.m.-2 p.m. $5 per child; free for adults. Info, 482-3827.
Bird Day Festival: Got feathers? Folks celebrate the return of migratory birds through live raptor encounters, educational exhibits, music and more. See calendar spotlight on page 43. All ages. Birds of Vermont Museum, Huntington, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. $5; free for members. Info, 434-3068.
Northeast Kingdom Farm to Yarn Tour Weekend: Folks have fun with fiber from angora goats, alpacas, llamas, sheep and rabbits at farm demos and tours. See calendar spotlight on page 37. Visit travelthekingdom. com for participating locations. All ages. Various locations statewide, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Info, 626-8511.
Woofstock: A Festival of Fidos: Kids and canines have a doggone good time at a 5K run or 3K walk and the festival that follows. Basin Harbor Club, Vergennes, 9 a.m. $4-8 (race registration is separate); donations accepted. Info, 475-4800.
Williston Babytime Playgroup: Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, May 8, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 658-3659.
THURSDAY
Alburgh Playgroup: NCSS Family Center, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 527-5426.
Brandon Stories & Crafts: Brandon Free Public Library, 9:30 a.m. Free. Info, 247-8230.
Burlington EvoMamas Playgroup: Evolution
Physical Therapy and Yoga, second Thursday of every month, 10:20 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 864-9642.
Burlington Family Play: See Tuesday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Essex Building Bright Futures Playgroup: See Tuesday, 9:30-11 a.m.
Essex Open Gym: See Wednesday, 11 a.m.-noon.
Fletcher Tumble Time: Fletcher Elementary School, second Thursday of every month, 9-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 527-5426.
Fletcher Playgroup: Fletcher Elementary School, first Thursday of every month, 9-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 527-5426.
Johnson Hometown Playgroup: United Church of Johnson, 9-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 888-0539.
Milton Playgroup: New Life Fellowship Church, Tuesdays, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 893-1457.
Montgomery Infant Playgroup: Montgomery Town Library, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 527-5426.
Montpelier Baby Playgroup: St. Augustine Parish, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 262-3292, ext. 115.
Montpelier Dads and Kids: Family Center of Washington County, 6-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 262-3292, ext. 115.
Morrisville Baby Chat: First Congregational Church of Morrisville, first Thursday of every month, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 888-3470.
Waitsfield Playgroup: Big Picture Theater, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 262-3292.
Waterbury Playgroup: See Monday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Winooski Playgroup: O’Brien Community Center, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 655-1422.
FRIDAY
Bradford Story Hour: Bradford Public Library, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 222-4536.
Essex Center Playgroup: Memorial Hall, 9-11 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6751.
Essex Open Gym: See Monday, 11 a.m.-noon.
Fairfax Community Playgroup: BFA Fairfax, 9-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 527-5426.
Burlington Farmers Market: See May 11.
Capital City Farmers Market: See May 4.
Chocolate-Dipping Demonstration: See May 1.
Middlebury Farmers Market: See May 4.
Life-Size Sorry!: Four-person teams of middle schoolers play this apologetic game on a 24-foot board. University Mall, South Burlington, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 863-1066, ext. 11.
Cleo the Therapy Dog: See May 4. Read to a Dog: See May 4.
Ferrisburgh Open Gym: Ferrisburgh Central School, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 388-3171.
Huntington Playgroup: Huntington Public Library, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free. Info, 899-4415.
Montgomery Tumble Time: Montgomery Elementary School, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 527-5426.
Randolph Toddler Time: Kimball Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 728-5073.
St. Albans MOPS: Church of the Rock, first Friday of every month, 9-11 a.m. Free. Info, 393-4411.
Stowe Hometown Playgroup: Stowe Community Church, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 888-0539.
Swanton Late-Morning Playgroup: Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 527-5426.
Underhill Playgroup: Underhill Central School, 9:3011 a.m. Free. Info, 899-4415.
Waterbury Playgroup: See Monday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Williston Playgroup: Allen Brook School, 9-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 876-7147; jakruwet@yahoo.com.
Worcester Playgroup: Doty Memorial School, 9-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 229-0173.
SATURDAY
Franklin Playgroup: Franklin Central School, second Saturday of every month, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 527-5426.
Morrisville Weekend Baby Chat: Lamoille Family Center, second Saturday of every month, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 888-3470.
Montpelier Playgroup: Family Center of Washington County, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 262-3292.
South Burlington Tots & Tykes Open Gym: Chamberlin Elementary School, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 846-4108.
‘Action Lab’ Grand Opening Celebration: State-ofthe-art technology and childlike wonder collide as visitors scope out a 3-D virtual watershed sand table, a high-powered microscope, citizen-scientist programs and more. For teens and adults. ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center, Burlington, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Regular museum admission, $9.50-12.50; free for kids under 3. Info, 877-324-6386.
Balch Nature School Open Classroom: Inquisitive youngsters explore Mother Earth through toys and crafts. Ages 7 and under, accompanied by an adult. Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium, St. Johnsbury, 10 a.m.-noon. Regular museum admission, $6-8; free for kids under 5. Info, 748-2372.
Leafcutter Ants: See May 5, 3 p.m.
Microscopic Investigations: Hand lenses and microscopes help kids discover there’s more to the world than meets the eye. All ages. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 11 a.m. Regular museum admission, $10-12; free for members and kids under 2. Info, 649-2200.
Planetarium Presentation: See May 4.
Raptors Up close: See May 1.
Talk to the Trainer: See May 1.
Water-critter Wonders: Nature lovers explore a pond and look for the amazing adaptations of its inhabitants. Shelburne Farms, 9:30-11:30 a.m. & 12:30-2:30 p.m. $5-6; preregister. Info, 985-8686.
Theater
See Dr. First videos “First with Kids” at fletcherallen.org/ firstwithkids
‘Gathered safely in: A circus for All Times’: See May 11, 3 & 7:30 p.m.
‘The Little mermaid’: See May 17, 2 & 7 p.m. saturday drama club: See May 4.
‘The Witches’: See May 9, 2 & 7 p.m.
19 SUNDAY
Fairs & Festivals
Northeast Kingdom Farm to Yarn Tour Weekend: See May 18, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Food
chocolate-dipping demonstration: See May 1.
Health & Fitness
Family Gym: See May 3.
JdRF Walk to cure diabetes: Folks show solidarity with the millions of Americans who have type-1 diabetes. All ages. Champlain Valley Union High School, Hinesburg, 9 a.m. Donations accepted; preregister. Info, 603-263-4362.
Library & Books
Read to a dog: See May 4.
Nature & science
Bird-monitoring Walk: See May 12.
mirror, mirror: See May 4, 11 a.m.
Planetarium Presentation: See May 4.
Raptors Up close: See May 1.
Talk to the Trainer: See May 1.
Turtle discovery: Young naturalists learn about this slow-and-steady species and help feed those that reside in the museum. All ages. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 3 p.m. Regular museum admission, $10-12; free for members and kids under 2. Info, 649-2200.
Theater
‘The Witches’: See May 9, 2 p.m.
20 MONDAY
Arts & crafts
clay for Tots: See May 6.
montpelier Prenatal Yoga: See May 6.
Prenatal Ultrasound & Testing: Stephen Brown and David Jones, associate professors of Women’s Health Care Services at Fletcher Allen, explain what prenatal tests can and can’t tell you about your baby before birth. Davis Auditorium, Medical Education Center Pavilion, Fletcher Allen Health Care, Burlington, 6:30-8 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 847-2278.
Yoga After Baby: See May 6.
Food
chocolate-dipping demonstration: See May 1.
Kids in the Kitchen: Food lovers go bananas over fromscratch banana fritters. All ages. Healthy Living Market and Café, South Burlington, 3:30-4:30 p.m. $20 per child; free for accompanying adult; preregister. Info, 863-2569.
Hoopla: See May 6. open Gym: See May 1. Yoga class: See May 6.
intergenerational dessert Book discussion: Book lovers gather for a good read-and-rant session, complete with something sweet. Ages 12-adult. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-0313.
‘star Wars’ club: Young fans channel the Force as they build themed Lego creations and play the Wii. All ages. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 4:30-6 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.
music
Preschool music: See May 2, 10:45 a.m.
Nature & science
Raptors Up close: See May 1. Talk to the Trainer: See May 1.
21 TUESDAY
Arts & crafts
creative Tuesdays: See May 7.
Baby & maternity
Natural Beginnings: Mothers gather at this breast-feeding support group. Ilsley Public Library, Middlebury, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Free. Info, 388-4095.
Food chocolate-dipping demonstration: See May 1.
Games
chess club: See May 7.
Health & Fitness
martial Arts class: See May 2. moovin’ & Groovin’: See May 7.
Tiny Tumblers open Gym: See May 1.
Library & Books
PJ story Time: Lullabies, bedtime tales and warm milk ease the transition to dreamland. Bent Northrop Memorial Library, Fairfield, 6:15-7:15 p.m. Free. Info, 827-3945.
music
music With Robert: See May 7.
Nature & science
Raptors Up close: See May 1. Talk to the Trainer: See May 1.
22 WEDNESDAY
Arts & crafts
Arts for Tots: See May 1.
Flowers & Fairy Houses: Believers in fairies experience the magic of nature as they make mini habitats for pixies. Ages 3-5 with adult companion. Green Mountain Audubon Center, Huntington, 10-11 a.m. $8-10 per adult/child pair; $4 per additional child; preregister. Info, 434-3068.
Education
NooK Kids APPtivity: See May 1. social Thinking: See May 1.
Food chocolate-dipping demonstration: See May 1. cookie decorating: See May 1.
22 WedNesdAY (continued)
Kids in the Kitchen: Armed with melon ballers, participants create edible fruit baskets topped off with homemade maple-berry-yogurt sauce. All ages. Healthy Living Market and Café, South Burlington, 3:30-4:30 p.m. $20 per child; free for accompanying adult; preregister. Info, 863-2569.
Games
Lego Afternoons: See May 1.
Lego club: See May 1.
Health & Fitness
Afternoon Hoops: See May 1.
Kids open Gymnastics: See May 1. open Gym: See May 1.
Tiny Tumblers open Gym: See May 1.
‘dinosaur Train: The submarine Adventure’: Vermont Public Television offers a sneak peek at new episodes of a series promoting science, technology, engineering and math learning. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3:304:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.
music
moving & Grooving With christine: See May 1. Preschool music With mr. chris: See May 1.
Nature & science
Farm Programs for Preschoolers: See May 1.
Raptors Up close: See May 1.
Talk to the Trainer: See May 1.
23 THURSDAY
Arts & crafts
Pollywog Preschool drop-in: See May 2.
Fairs & Festivals
spring carnival: Step right up! The fair rolls into town with 15 rides, as well as games and concessions. University Mall, South Burlington, 5-10 p.m. Free admission; $18 for ride bracelets; see ticket booth for specific pricing of individual tickets. Info, 863-1066, ext. 11.
Food
chocolate-dipping demonstration: See May 1.
Games
Library Legos: See May 9, 3-5 p.m.
Health & Fitness
martial Arts class: See May 2.
Library & Books
VolunTeens: See May 9.
music
music With mr. chris: See May 2.
Preschool music: See May 2.
Nature & science
Raptors Up close: See May 1.
Talk to the Trainer: See May 1.
24 FRIDAY
Arts & crafts
Family clay drop-in: See May 3.
Homeschoolers Knitting Group: See May 3.
Tadpole Preschool clay drop-in: See May 3.
community
Kids Night out: Children won’t miss their parents too much at this exciting evening of supervised games and movies. Ages 5-15. David Gale Recreation Center, Stowe, 6-10 p.m. $10; additional $5 for ice skating (seasonal); preregister. Info, 253-6138.
spring carnival: See May 23.
Food
chocolate-dipping demonstration: See May 1.
Games
dungeons & dragons: See May 10.
Health & Fitness
Afternoon Hoops: See May 1.
Family Gym: See May 3.
Art studio drop-in: See May 11.
Kids craft: Under-the-sea Felt Artwork: Mixed-media artists create oceanic scenes at this drop-in class. Ages 5 and up. Creative Habitat, South Burlington, 1-3 p.m. $5. Info, 862-0646.
saturday Art Hour: Creatively inclined? Families make collages from cut, torn and painted paper. Ages 2-18; children under 6 should be accompanied by an adult. The Art House Gallery, Studio & School, Craftsbury Common, 11 a.m.-noon. Free; preregister. Info, 586-2200.
saturday Kids drop-in class: Creative types try their hands at fun fabric banners. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Shelburne Craft School, 10-11:30 a.m. $12; $10 for accompanying friend or sibling. Info, 985-3648.
sewing saturday: Small stitchers learn the basics of embroidery. Ages 4-12; young kids must be accompanied by an adult or teen. Helen Day Art Center, Stowe, 9:30 a.m.-noon. $25; preregister. Info, 253-8358.
Vermont open studios Weekend: Artists and craftspeople throughout the state open their studios to the public. Visit vermontcrafts.com for participating locations. All ages. Various locations statewide, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3380.
montpelier Postnatal Yoga: See May 4.
cheese & dairy celebration: Got milk? Families sample artisan cheeses, enter a “Name the Calf” contest, make “moo masks” and hand-churn chocolate ice cream. All ages. Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Regular museum admission, $3-12; free for kids under 3. Info, 457-2355.
spring carnival: See May 23, noon-10 p.m.
Burlington Farmers market: See May 11. capital city Farmers market: See May 4. chocolate-dipping demonstration: See May 1. middlebury Farmers market: See May 4.
mVP Health care YAm scram: In celebration of Burlington’s Youth Advocacy Month, RunVermont hosts a fun-run festival during marathon weekend. Races range in distance from a half mile to 2 miles. All children receive a medal. Ages 4-14; parents may participate with their child only in the half-mile run. Waterfront Park, Burlington, 7:45 a.m. $20-30; preregister. Info, 863-8412.
Read to a dog: See May 4.
“this is not a fairy tale. this is about real WitcHeS,” wrote roald dahl in his 1983 children’s book THe WiTcHes the Saints & Poets Production company embraces the frightful fun with a family-friendly stage version that combines puppetry, live acting, video and an original score. champlain Valley union High School senior isabelle Fenn — recently accepted to the tisch School of the arts at nyu — plays the lead in this slightly eerie but electrifying story about the witches who walk among us, trying to turn children into mice.
THe WiTcHes: Thursday, May 9, and Friday, May 10, 7 p.m.; Saturday, May 11, 2 and 7 p.m.; Sunday, May 12, 2 p.m.; Thursday, May 16, and Friday, May 17, 7 p.m.; Saturday, May 18, 2 and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, May 19, 2 p.m., at Black Box Theatre, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, in Burlington. Ages 8 and up. $15-20. Info, 8635966. flynntix.org
Kids open Gymnastics: See May 1.
Tiny Tumblers open Gym: See May 1.
Reading & Writing dystopia: Love The Hunger Games? Fans of the genre talk about apocalyptic reads and write some fiction of their own. Grades 6 and up. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.
songs & stories With matthew: See May 10.
After-school movie: See May 3.
Raptors Up close: See May 1. Talk to the Trainer: See May 1.
Bird-monitoring Walk: See May 12, 7:30-9:30 a.m.
Fingerprints: Kids get up close and personal with their prints, exploring what makes them unique. All ages. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 11 a.m. Regular museum admission, $10-12; free for members and kids under 2. Info, 649-2200.
Full Flower moon Hike: A 1.5-mile trek through the woods culminates in a marshmallow roast over a toasty fire. All ages. Hard’ack, St. Albans, 8 p.m. $4-6. Info, 524-1500, ext. 268.
Glaciers: Small geologists explore the properties of ice. Ages 9 and up. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 3 p.m. Regular museum admission, $10-12; free for members and kids under 2. Info, 649-2200.
Planetarium Presentation: See May 4.
Raptors Up close: See May 1.
Talk to the Trainer: See May 1.
Theater
saturday drama club: See May 4.
Arts & crafts
Vermont open studios Weekend: See May 25, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Baby & maternity
See Dr. First videos
“First with Kids” at fletcherallen.org/ firstwithkids
Newborn 101: Moms- and dads-to-be learn baby basics — from breast-feeding to prolonged crying — as well as how to enjoy the first three months of parenthood. Franklin County Home Health Agency, St. Albans, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $30; preregister. Info, 527-7531.
cheese & dairy celebration: See May 25. spring carnival: See May 23, noon-10 p.m.
Food
chocolate-dipping demonstration: See May 1.
Family Gym: See May 3.
KeyBank Vermont city marathon & Relay: Longdistance runners pound a 26.2-mile path through the Queen City. Onlookers cheer their efforts. Downtown Burlington, 8 a.m. Free to watch. Info, 863-8412.
Read to a dog: See May 4.
Bird-monitoring Walk: See May 12.
creeping colors: Marker dyes break down into a rainbow of hues as small scientists watch capillary action. All ages. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 11 a.m. Regular museum admission, $10-12; free for members and kids under 2. Info, 649-2200.
Fossils: Evidence of the Past: See May 4, 3 p.m.
Planetarium Presentation: See May 4.
Raptors Up close: See May 1.
sundays for Fledglings: Junior birders hike, goof around and investigate the lives of nature’s winged wonders. Ages 5-12. Birds of Vermont Museum, Huntington, 2-3 p.m. Regular museum admission, $3-6; preregister. Info, 434-2167.
Talk to the Trainer: See May 1.
Baby & maternity
montpelier Prenatal Yoga: See May 6.
Yoga After Baby: See May 6.
Fairs & Festivals
spring carnival: See May 23, noon-6 p.m.
Food
chocolate-dipping demonstration: See May 1.
Health & Fitness
Hoopla: See May 6.
open Gym: See May 1.
Yoga class: See May 6.
magnetic moments: Budding scientists experiment with invisible pull. All ages. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 3 p.m. Regular museum admission, $10-12; free for members and kids under 2. Info, 649-2200.
Paper-cup Telephones: Ring, ring! Talkers and listeners discover whether sound can really travel through a string. All ages. Montshire Museum of Science,
submit your June event for print by may 15 at kidsvt.com or to calendar@kidsvt.com.
Norwich, 11 a.m. Regular museum admission, $10-12; free for members and kids under 2. Info, 649-2200.
Raptors Up close: See May 1. Talk to the Trainer: See May 1.
28 TUESDAY
Arts & crafts
creative Tuesdays: See May 7.
Food
chocolate-dipping demonstration: See May 1.
Games
chess club: See May 7.
Health & Fitness
martial Arts class: See May 2.
moovin’ & Groovin’: See May 7.
Tiny Tumblers open Gym: See May 1.
Nature & science
Raptors Up close: See May 1.
Talk to the Trainer: See May 1.
Theater
improv: Drama kings and queens get silly in spur-ofthe-moment games. Grades 6 and up. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.
29 WEDNESDAY
Arts & crafts
Arts for Tots: See May 1.
Baby & maternity
Nursing Beyond a Year: Moms gather to discuss the joys and challenges of an older nursling. Discussion topics include nighttime parenting, weaning and setting limits. Bring a snack to share. Aikido of Champlain Valley, Burlington, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 879-3000.
Pregnancy circle: Mothers-to-be practice labor breathing and relaxation while sharing positive birth stories. A healthy snack is provided. Birth Journeys, Burlington, 6-7:30 p.m. $5-15 sliding scale; preregister. Info, 324-8809.
community
Families Together support Group: Parents of children with special needs convene for information and connections. Vermont Family Network, Williston, 5:30-7 p.m. Free. Info, 876-5315, ext. 215.
NooK Kids APPtivity: See May 1.
social Thinking: See May 1.
Food
chocolate-dipping demonstration: See May 1. cookie decorating: See May 1.
Lego Afternoons: See May 1.
Lego club: See May 1.
Afternoon Hoops: See May 1.
Kids open Gymnastics: See May 1. open Gym: See May 1.
Tiny Tumblers open Gym: See May 1.
moving & Grooving With christine: See May 1.
Preschool music With mr. chris: See May 1.
Farm Programs for Preschoolers: See May 1.
Raptors Up close: See May 1. Talk to the Trainer: See May 1.
30 THURSDAY
Food
chocolate-dipping demonstration: See May 1.
Games
Lego Fun: Budding builders share blocks. Grades K and up; kids under 5 are welcome to participate with adult supervision. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.
martial Arts class: See May 2.
VolunTeens: See May 9.
music
music With mr. chris: See May 2.
Preschool music: See May 2.
delta Bird Walk: Binocular buddies consider how the park plays an important role in the migration of many bird species. All ages. Delta Park, Colchester, 6 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 863-5744.
Raptors Up close: See May 1.
Talk to the Trainer: See May 1.
Theater
Puppet show: Children’s librarians perform their Summer Reading Program puppet show. St. Albans Free Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 524-1507.
31 FRIDAY
Arts & crafts
Homeschoolers Knitting Group: See May 3.
community
milton High school coffee House: Students and teachers showcase their musical, artistic and literary talents before an open mic. All ages. Milton High School, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, 893-4922.
Food
chocolate-dipping demonstration: See May 1.
magic: The Gathering: See May 3.
Health & Fitness
Afternoon Hoops: See May 1.
Family Gym: See May 3.
Family Yoga: See May 3.
Kids open Gymnastics: See May 1.
Tiny Tumblers open Gym: See May 1.
Library & Books
Book Lust club: High schoolers chat about the reads they love — and the ones they loathe. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956. Essex drop-in story Time: See May 3.
After-school movie: See May 3.
Nature & science
Raptors Up close: See May 1.
Talk to the Trainer: See May 1. K
Opening-day
Sunday, May
• Week-long ballet-themed camps for ages 3-9.
• Week-long ballet mini-intensive for ages 12-18, for the serious dancer.
• Week-long jazz and tap camps for ages 5-12.
• Weekly ballet classes for young dancers to adults; beginner to advanced.
Summer Intensive for Teens! Week-long dance intensive for the teen dancer that wants to take their dance training to a higher level. Dance all day, every day and we’ll help you to reach your goal!!
When Tiffany and Billy Brigham of South Burlington were expecting their daughter, Harper, they created a bedroom for the ultimate girlie girl, with plaid curtains, white wicker furniture and a hot-pink rocking chair. But for their son, Bowen, born last month, Tiffany didn’t want anything “too blue or boyish.” Instead, they threw color coding to the wind and created a nauticalinspired nursery.
Parents: Tiffany and Billy Brigham
Kids: Bowen, 1 month, and Harper, 21 months
In the six months before her due date, Ti any — a speech-language pathologist with a passion for interior design — combed the web and local stores for furniture and décor. And then the DIY began. She and her husband refinished a $180 dresser they found on Craigslist, for example, and followed a Pinterest tutorial to paint beige and white stripes across one wall.
“It was good teamwork,” says Ti any. “My husband is the muscle, and I’m the visionary.”
• The couple painted and sanded the Craigslist dresser to a sunbeaten blue and added drawer handles made from metal boat cleats.
• Tiffany refinished a pair of oars — bought at HomeGoods as part of a coat rack — and decorated them with confetti stars saved from her wedding.
• Following YouTube directions, Tiffany and Billy created the monkey’s-fist rope knots that function as curtain ties.
• Woven baskets on the changing table, bookshelf and floor neatly store diapers and laundry.
• A wooden sailboat mobile hangs above the crib.
• Bowen’s name is spelled out on the wall with block letters and a life preserver.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THESE ENTHUSIASTIC YOUNG CRITICS who shared their reading recommendations with us this month. Each wins a $25 gift certificate from Crow Bookshop in Burlington. We loved reading about all the entrants’ literary adventures and have included some of our favorite excerpts below.
95 No. Brownell Rd., Williston 802-652-0100 rainbowvermont@yahoo.com www.rainbowplay.com
Jac Lacourciere, 5 ESSEX recommends: The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
“I like the part when the Giving Tree gave all her apples to the boy. The tree always found a way to help the boy.”
Eddie Fallis, 7
HUBBARDTON recommends: The Million Dollar Shot by Dan
Gutman
“[The story] made you want Eddie to miss the shot and make the shot ... It was cool because the book ended with a twist.”
Jericho Rutledge, 10 ST. JOHNSBURY recommends: Water Balloon by Audrey
Vernick
“My favorite part of the story was when Marley went to her friend Jane’s Fourth of July party. Every year, they have a balloon blitz over the summer.”
Megan Knudsen, 10 SOUTH BURLINGTON recommends: Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob
Buyea
“Mr. Terupt tells the kids they get to make concoctions to feed the plants they are growing. I like that part because Luke, the class genius, makes a concoction that blows up!”
BABIES LOVE TO GRAB AND CHEW — you don’t have to be a parent for long to figure that out. Here’s something that will keep little hands occupied while your baby is breast- or bottle-feeding. It also o ers needed distraction when his or her first teeth come in. This necklace, to be worn by the parent, is both fashionable and functional. Choose a patterned fabric with bright colors to attract your infant’s attention. To clean the necklace, simply hand wash it in warm water with a mild soap and hang to dry.
— LIZ SMALL1. Fold the fabric in half lengthwise. If there is a printed side, it should face in.
2. Using a sewing machine, stitch the edges of the fabric together, making a quarter-inch seam and creating a long tube.
3. Turn the tube right side out.
4. Loop the embroidery thread through and around one bead, securing it in place with a double knot. Leave a seven-inch tail at one end.
5. Drop the bead and thread down into the fabric tube. The ends of the fabric and the thread should line up.
6. Gather the fabric and the embroidery thread together, making a tight knot on each side of the bead.
7. Thread another bead on the string, letting it fall down into the fabric tube. Tie it in place with a knot and repeat until you have seven beads on your necklace. Make a secure knot after the last bead has been threaded.
8. Hold the necklace up to your neck to see the length. If desired, trim the ends of the fabric to shorten it.
9. Fold in both ends of the fabric tube at least a quarter inch.
10. Slide one ribbon about a half inch into one end of the fabric tube, then sew the seams shut. (Tip: Sew over the seam several times to make it extra strong. Babies tend to pull hard!) Repeat on the other side of the fabric tube.
11. To wear the necklace, tie the ribbons together in a tight double knot.
12. Inspect your necklace prior to each use to make sure it remains intact and baby safe.
Materials
• one 4-by-44-inch piece of clean cotton fabric
• sewing machine
• thread for the sewing machine
• one 44-inch-long piece of embroidery thread
• seven medium-size, round wooden beads
• scissors
• two narrow, 14-inch-long ribbons, ends cut on an angle (grosgrain ribbon is best, as the ends rarely fray)
Riddle Search — Orchestras
Look up, down and diagonally, both forward and backward, to find every word on the list. Circle each one as you find it. When all the words are circled, take the UNUSED letters and write them on the blanks below. Go from left to right and top to bottom to find the answer to this riddle: Why did the orchestra have bad manners?
BY HELENA HOVANECSam lives in Grand Isle and turns 9 in May. He loves playing sports and enjoys eating chicken wings while watching Philadelphia Eagles games with his father and brother. Sam wins a gift certificate for two dozen mini cupcakes.
To enter, submit information using the online form at kidsvt.com/birthday-club.
Just give us your contact info, your children’s names and birth dates, and a photo, and they’re automatically enrolled.
Charlie, Cynthia Jo and Eliza win gift certificates for a sixpack of mini cupcakes.
CHARLIE lives in Shelburne and turns 4 in May. He is a very curious and loving little guy! He likes to spend time outside and go swimming in the lake.
CYNTHIA JO lives in Berlin and turns 9 in May. She is a gifted artist and loves to get dirty working on cars with her stepdad.
Riddle Answer:
ELIZA lives in East Montpelier and turns 10 in May. She enjoys sports, outdoor adventures and being part of a Girl Scouts troop.
Send us your work of art by May 15 for an opportunity to win $25, sponsored by TD Bank
Be sure to include the info at right with your submission. Winners will be chosen in the following categories: (1) ages 4 and younger, (2) ages 5-8 and (3) ages 9-12. The best artwork will be featured on kidsvt.com, and winners will be named in the June issue of Kids VT. Send your high-resolution scans to art@kidsvt.com or mail a copy to KidsVT, PO Box 1184, Burlington, VT 05402.
WHEN I WAS IN MY EARLY TWENTIES, I thought I would be a mother by age 30. I would have two or three children, maybe even four. Back then, having a few kids seemed perfectly reasonable and entirely possible. My parents had seven children, and I always assumed motherhood was in my future.
Giving birth for the first time at 40 was definitely not part of the plan.
I married my husband, Dave, when I was 33. He was a kind, creative 28-yearold, just out of art school. We knew we wanted a family but kept finding reasons to postpone parenthood. We didn’t have enough money in the bank. Our one-bedroom condo in Boston was too small for a child. Putting our family plans on hold seemed like a wise decision.
“Just don’t wait until you’re 40,” a gynecologist warned me during a routine exam when I was in my mid-thirties. I remember saying, “Oh, I definitely won’t wait that long.”
3 years old to 8th Grade
Phoebe was born at Fletcher Allen in July 2011, seven months after my 40th birthday. Her name is Greek for “bright” and “radiant,” and we chose it because it contains the word “be.”
“This child will be,” Dave and I had reassured each other when I was pregnant. All that mattered was that she be part of this world.
136 Locust Street Burlington, VT 862-6696 www.cksvt.org
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enough to see Phoebe get married? meet children? If I had become a mother
Visit http://www.cksvt.org/documents/ SOAP-summer.pdf to find out about our summer vacation program, which is open to campers outside our school community, or call the school for more information.
When I was 38, we lost a child when I was five months pregnant. Suddenly, my journey to parenthood became far more complicated than I had ever imagined.
Though my age was a constant concern up until Phoebe’s birth, now that she’s here, being an older mom doesn’t define me the way I thought it would. I don’t spend my days feeling like an anomaly or questioning whether age has limited my ability to be a good parent. Sure, I probably tire more easily and look more haggard than I would have 10 years ago. And, yes, age and time trigger my deepest fears. What if I’m not around long enough to see Phoebe get married? What if I don’t live to meet my grandchildren? If I had become a mother earlier in life, perhaps I wouldn’t have these worries.
ney to parenthood became far more complicated
Ready to shoulder the blame, I asked my obstetrician, “Did this happen because I’m old?” She assured me it had not, that many women my age give birth to healthy babies. The doctors couldn’t pinpoint any particular reason why our baby had failed to thrive. They encouraged us to try again.
I was frightened — the thought of losing another baby was almost too much to bear. At the same time, I wanted a child more than anything. So we tried again to conceive.
For months, nothing happened. My lifelong assumption that I would become a mom began to look foolish. I was angry with myself for waiting so long.
She assured me it had not, that many women my couldn’t pinpoint any particular reason why foolish. I was angry with myself and acupuncture as our last hope. During that and blood tests. The acupuncture helped me relax and gave
The doctors said the diculty in getting pregnant again was most likely related to age and stress, but they didn’t know for sure. We turned to fertility treatments and acupuncture as our last hope. During that time, my life revolved around doctor’s visits, ultrasounds and blood tests. The acupuncture helped me relax and gave my body the boost I guess it desperately needed.
Eventually, we did conceive, and my pregnancy with my daughter was relatively trouble-free. But I was scared. Scared of losing her. Scared of having her. Scared, too, of being an older mom.
my heart with the deepest love I that di coming a mom at 25 or 35. Even with didn’t possess a decade ago, I still have days when it seems as if everyone has is challenging and, at times, heartbreaking. Because of my age and fertility challenges, there is no question that Phoebe will be an only child. I feel a dash of envy and that
ask about having a little brother or sister. It’s a don’t know yet how I’ll answer her.
But Phoebe makes me feel young in so many ways. She fills my heart with the deepest love I have ever known. And I suspect that becoming a mom at 40 is, in some ways, no di erent than becoming a mom at 25 or 35. Even with maturity, experience and patience I didn’t possess a decade ago, I still have days when it seems as if everyone has parenthood figured out but me. My guess it that, at any age, motherhood is joyful, challenging and, at times, heartbreaking. Because of my age and fertility challenges, there is no question that Phoebe will be an only child. I feel a dash of envy and sadness when I hear that someone is expecting a second baby. Growing our family isn’t an option for us, and Phoebe will eventually ask about having a little brother or sister. It’s a question that’s painful to consider, and I honestly don’t know yet how I’ll answer her.
JUmbLES cry. fame. melt. sunk.
RIDDLE ANSWER:
When the change machine wouldn’t work, it didn’t — mAkE “cENtS.”
What gets me through those di cult and fear-
do the best I can as her mom. When I hear her say “Mama,” or when her tiny arms reach out to hug me, all that really matters is having Phoebe, right here, right
What gets me through those di cult and fearful moments is my commitment to fill Phoebe’s life with love, support and encouragement, and to do the best I can as her mom. When I hear her say “Mama,” or when her tiny arms reach out to hug me, all that really matters is having Phoebe, right here, right now.
I also think of my own parents. My mother was 38 and my father was 40 when I was born, and they’re still going strong in their early 80s. I hope I’m as lucky.
RIDDLE SEARcH ANSWER: It could not conduct itself.
The doctors said the difficulty in getting pregnant again was most likely related to age and stress.
is a place of innovation, fun and fitness for school age children ages 5-12. Our program offers a variety of indoor and outdoor activities including sports, craft projects, field trips and more! Our campers have an active summer playing and learning with their friends! Campers are placed in one of three groups based on age: Mighty 5s (5 years old)
Edgers (6-8 years old)
Activities offered by CAMP EDGE:
• Group Sports (including but not limited to: baseball, soccer, floor hockey, basketball, kickball)
