Afm 2015 march magazine by Austin Family Magazine

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inside 3/15

austinfamily

smart parenting • healthy homes

columns

calendar

19 Family Matters Help Grandma Shine as a Sitter

56 Family Events 59 Parenting Events 60 Story Times

22 The Learning Curve Drawing the Line: Public School Dress Code 26 Lifelines Heads Up: It’s Soccer Time 28 Family Connections Getting Away Doesn’t Have to Mean Leaving Your Medical Care Behind 57 Ten Things…to Do for Spring Break 63 Films Still Alice

30 features

in every issue 7 8 54

Play It Safe Product Recalls Around Austin Kidzone by YMCA Activities to Welcome Spring

extras 34 Summer Camp Guide 2015 54 2015 Readers Poll Ballot 55 Focus on Doctors

64 Humor The Strange Case of Grand-Mania

The Bullock Museum Tells the Story of Texas

Meditation Creates Harmony in Your Home and Beyond

Babysitting Exchanges – Your House or Mine?

artículos en español 20 Ayudar a la Abuela a Brillar Como Niñera 24 Trazar la Línea: Código de Vestimenta en las Escuelas Públicas 61 Piensa Positivo Depresión

2015 Readers Poll Ballot on page 54

tune in

Catch Austin Family live on “Good Day Austin” every Friday morning and “Despierta Austin” the first Monday morning each month.

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Taylor, Cover Kid Contest winner, likes to practice yoga at school. New items each week. Visit our website to register.

Cover photographed by Tiffany Corbett of Studio213.net

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austinfamily®

editor’s note by Sherida Mock

March 2015

As I write this, we’ve had a string of unseasonably warm days. This being Texas, I know we can never count on the weather, even from one hour to the next, not to mention days or weeks. Even so, I feel spring “springing.” And I’m ready for it. You might be traveling over spring break. If so, give Richard Singleton’s column a read. It lets you know that medical care is just a smart phone away. Or you might be staying closer to home. If you’re looking for something to do, we’ve got 10 Things to Do for Spring Break to get you out and about. One of my favorite places is the Bullock State History Museum, and you really will want to learn more about it in our featured interview this month. If the warm weather has your children out playing soccer or any sport involving contact, Dr. Lamia Kadir’s article about childhood concussions will inform you about that important issue. We also have babysitting in mind this month, in all its various permutations. Sandi Haustein has an innovative take on the subject: how about setting up an exchange? Or you might be one of the many, many families who rely on grandparents for childcare. Dr. Betty Richardson has some serious advice for avoiding the pitfalls in such a relationship. And Carrie Taylor offers a light-hearted interpretation from a new parent’s perspective. Balmy or chilly, breezy or still, damp or dry, I hope you all enjoy your spring breaks and the entire month.

Volume 22, No. 12

PUBLISHER Kaye K. Lowak EDITOR Sherida Mock editor2003@austinfamily.com COPY EDITOR Paula Halloum ADVISING EDITORS Dr. Betty Kehl Richardson Barb Cooper CALENDAR EDITOR Betty Kemper calendar2003@austinfamily.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Sherida Mock, Jack Kyser, Jennifer VanBuren, Dr. Betty Richardson, Richard Singleton, Carrie Taylor, Prem Shivakumar, Sandi Haustein and Dr. Lamia Kadir TRANSLATION TEAM Maribel Ruvalcaba, Margo Vogelpohl, Pilar Korgel ART DIRECTOR John Franzetti jfranzetti@att.net AD DESIGN and PRODUCTION Jason Suarez nr2003@austinfamily.com STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Studio213.net ADVERTISING SALES Kaye K. Lowak kaye2003@austinfamily.com Greg Lowak greg@austinfamily.com BUSINESS & DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Greg Lowak greg@austinfamily.com We are dedicated to serving the Greater Austin area by providing up-to-date information and ideas that promote smart parenting and healthy homes. We promote our clients’ businesses by increasing their customer bases and enhancing their public images. Austin Family is published monthly by KKKemper Inc. Mail Address: P.O. Box 7559 Round Rock, Texas 78683-7559 Phone Number: (512) 733-0038 Web: www.austinfamily.com Advertising rates are available upon request. While we use great care in creating our display ads, mistakes can happen. Austin Family and the publisher are not liable for any damages arising from any typographical or mechanical errors beyond the cost of the ad. Austin Family does not necessarily endorse any of the advertisers, products or services listed in this publication. We do not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Subscriptions are available for $25 per year. Copyright 2015. All rights reserved. No portion of Austin Family may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.

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play it safe: product recalls

Government Recalls Crib Mattresses, Auto Carrier Toy Sets and Pajamas Ikea is recalling about 169,000 crib mattresses because the mattresses could create a gap between the mattress and crib ends larger than allowed by federal regulations, posing an entrapment hazard to infants. The recall involves Vyssa style crib mattresses with the following five model names: Vackert, Vinka, Spelevink, Slöa and Slummer. Affected units were sold at Ikea stores nationwide and online at ikea-usa.com from August 2010 to May 2014 for about $100. Consumers should inspect the recalled mattresses by making sure there is no gap larger than the width of two fingers between the ends of the crib and the mattress. If any gap is larger, customers should immediately stop using the recalled mattress and return it to any Ikea store for an exchange or a full refund. Family Dollar is recalling about 254,000 Tough Treadz Auto Carrier toy sets because the die-cast metal cars can have sharp edges that pose a laceration hazard. The recall involves a plastic toy truck with a plastic case that holds 6 die-cast metal toy cars in assorted colors. The cab of the truck comes in black, blue or red. Affected units were sold at Family Dollar Stores nationwide from September 2014 through December 2014 for about $5. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled toy sets, and return them to any Family Dollar Store location for a full refund. Lazy One is recalling about 8,400 children’s pajamas and robes because they fail to meet the federal flammability standard for children’s sleepwear, posing a burn hazard to children. The recall involves 100 percent polyester Lazy One children’s sleepwear garments, including footed pajamas and two robes. Garments with “Flame Resistant” printed on the neck label are not included in this recall. Affected units were sold at department stores and children’s boutiques nationwide and online at lazyone.com from October 2013 through June 2014 for about $22 for the pajamas and about $15 for the robes. Consumers should immediately take the recalled pajamas and robes away from children and return them to Lazy One for a free replacement garment, including shipping. The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission works to protect the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products.

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Around Austin Go to www.austinfamily.com for weekly updates of Around Austin news

Must-Do This Month Get your nerd on and celebrate Pi Day on March 14. (You know…the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter.) This year, the date matches pi out to 3.1415. Launch a spring cleaning initiative. Windows, gutters and driveways can all use a sprucing up after the winter months. And if you suffer from allergies, consider giving carpets, drapes and upholstery a thorough cleansing.

Keep Austin Beautiful Hosts Awards Brunch Keep Austin Beautiful hosted its 29th annual awards celebration and brunch on February 4. The event honored award winners in six categories, including the Dell Youth Achievement Award and the Silicon Labs Education Award. “The Keep Austin Beautiful program has been one of the core foundation elements of the city. Austin is a magical, wonderful place. I really appreciate groups like this, that are building this city,” said Austin mayor Stephen Adler. The Dell Youth Achievement Award honors a young person who implemented or maintained an outstanding youth project or activity to clean, beautify or restore an area or promote environmental stewardship. Carlos Venegas, a 7th grader at Martin Middle School, won the award. Runner-up was Lorenzo Sanchez, a 12th grader at Eastside Memorial High School.

Pull the kids’ shorts and swimsuits from storage. Bonus points if you can get your kids to try them on.

Venegas, a participant in Keep Austin Beautiful’s Green Teens after-school program, participated in numerous gardening and beautification projects, including pulling weeds and cleaning up creeks.

BY THE NUMBERS

The Silicon Labs Education Award honors a school, organization or other group that raises awareness about environmental stewardship through educational activities. NYOS Charter School in Austin won the award. Runner-up was AISD’s Lamar Middle School.

72%

Led by Keep Austin Beautiful staff, 90 seventh graders from NYOS planted native seeds, painted over a weathered bridge, removed invasive grasses and cleaned up Walnut Creek. The cleanup project was preceded by classroom lessons on watersheds and the impact of litter. NYOS has made a school-wide commitment to recycling, composting and caring for their campus garden. Keep Austin Beautiful provides resources and education to engage citizens in building more beautiful communities.

KLRU Announces PBS KIDS Writers Contest KLRU announced its annual PBS Kids Writers Contest, designed to promote the advancement of children’s reading skills through hands-on, active learning. Children in kindergarten through 3rd grade are encouraged to write and illustrate original stories and submit them to KLRU by March 31. KLRU will select winners and award prizes in May. Amount of grandparents who report taking care of their grandchildren on a regular basis. Thirteen percent say they are the primary caregivers. Source: American Grandparents Association 8 | March 2015 | austinfamily.com

The KLRU first place grade level winners will be entered into the national level of the contest, in which a panel of renowned judges will select the national winners. Winners will be announced and national prizes awarded in June. Winning stories will be featured on pbskids.org/writerscontest. This year, national judges include acclaimed writers, producers and children’s media creators, including Marc Brown, author and illustrator of the Arthur book series, and View the magazine online at austinfamily.com

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the Kratt Brothers, Martin and Chris, from the PBS Kids show Wild Kratts. The national winners will receive prize packages including Arthur books and a personal technology device courtesy of PBS. To enter the contest and for more information on entry rules and contest resources, visit klru.org/writerscontest. The website provides last year’s winning entries and the judging rubric that shows how the stories are scored. KLRU asks that all entrants review contest rules before entering their story.

Texas State-Fish Art Contest Seeks Entries The Texas State-Fish Art Contest, headquartered at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC), announced the deadline for entries in the 2015 contest is March 31. The contest is open to any student in public, private or home schools in grades K through 12. Students must draw or paint any recognized state fish and write an essay about it. Complete contest details and entry forms can be found at www.tpwd.texas.gov/fishart. Educators can download the free “State-Fish Art Contest Lesson Plan” at www.statefishart.com. The interdisciplinary curriculum includes lessons and activities, a species identification section profiling each state fish, a glossary and student worksheets. The Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC) provides funds for prizes for first-, second- and third-place Texas winners in each of the four grade-level divisions. Student art from the Texas contest is featured on TTBC tickets. The next TTBC will take place on Lake Fork in May.

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The Texas State-Fish Art Contest is part of Wildlife Forever’s State-Fish Art Contest. The TTBC also provides a travel allowance Kealey Yoakum of Village Mills won first place in grades 7–9 of the Texas for Texas State-Fish Art Contest with a Prismacolor drawing of a longear sunfish. first-place winners to attend the national awards ceremony, which will be held August 21 and 22 in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Area Preschool Expands in South Austin Stepping Stone School announced the opening of its new, state-of-the-art campus in Austin’s Southpark Meadows on March 2. The new campus features a heritage oak tree, naturally shaded outdoor play areas, enhanced security and Stepping Stone School’s nationally recognized Early Achievers curriculum. “Southpark Meadows is the perfect location for us to serve the preschool and childcare needs of our families who live in South Austin, Buda, Kyle or even San Marcos,” said Rhonda Paver, Stepping Stone School founder and executive director.

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incarcerated in state correctional facilities, the Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center, in partnership with Texas A&M University, announced in late January.

Paver said the new campus will feature an interactive learning center, a hands-on S.T.E.A.M. curriculum room and an interactive dinosaur fossil display. In addition, the campus will offer museum-quality installations where children can examine natural systems, such as the workings of the Edwards Aquifer System, layered light displays that will introduce young minds to the dynamic processes of the earth’s crust and the systems below their feet that make a modern city work. The new campus, at 9325 Alice Mae Lane, will serve children ages 6 weeks through 13 years and will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 6:15 p.m.

CLOSER TO HOME: An Analysis of the State and Local Impact of the Texas Juvenile Justice Reforms, which draws on 1.3 million individual case records spanning eight years, shows youth incarcerated in state-run facilities are 21 percent more likely to be rearrested than those that remain under supervision closer to home. When they do reoffend, youth released from state-secure facilities are three times more likely to commit a felony than youth under community supervision. “The extraordinary data compiled for this study demonstrates convincingly how much better youth fare under community supervision,” said Tony Fabelo, director of Research for the CSG Justice Center.

Study Shows Community-Based Supervision Helps Juveniles

Since 2000, when the number of juveniles incarcerated was at a record high, the number of detained or incarcerated youth has decreased by more than 40 percent nationwide, according to 2013 figures, with some state populations declining by as much as 80 percent. Texas has helped contribute to that national drop.

A study comparing Texas youth with nearly identical characteristics shows that juveniles under communitybased supervision are far less likely to reoffend than those

“Texas has demonstrated it is possible to achieve reductions in crime while reducing the number of youth incarcerated,” said

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Texas Sen. John Whitmire (D-Houston). “Prior to the reforms, youth were placed in facilities and essentially put on a path to the adult prison system. Now, we need to take additional steps to make sure we are doing everything we can to support youth under community supervision to help them become successful adults.” David Reilly, executive director of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, said this report sets the stage for the state and Texas’s juvenile probation departments to partner together to continue make progress in juvenile justice. “We’ve come a long way already,” he said. “Now, we need to continue to reduce the number of youth in state facilities and further refine our partnerships with local probation departments to achieve better outcomes for youth while continuing to maintain public safety.”

Instrument Donations Give Kids “A Chance to Rock” Band Aid School of Music has received a significant donation of instruments for its A Chance to Rock program. The program, created by Band Aid School of Music owner/director James Mays, provides free music education for children who cannot afford tuition or lack the transportation to go to after-school lessons. “We are taking the program directly to the kids as an

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after-school program,” Mays said. “Talented music students in Austin schools can increase their love of music, while learning the necessary skills of playing, performing, promoting and writing for their own rock band.” In February, Austinite John Carrier made a donation of four electric guitars to the program. “Carrier’s generosity and willingness to ‘pay it forward’ helps these young musicians take their play to the next level,” Mays said. “When I put one of John’s guitars in Heather’s hands, her eyes nearly popped out of her head. ‘Really, I can take this home?’ she said. The light in her eyes is what we are looking for: inspiration and belief in oneself. That memory will live in her heart for a lifetime.” Band Aid School of Music provides summer camps, music instruction and after school programs under the guidance of industry professionals. To donate an instrument, contact info@bandaidschoolofmusic.com.

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The Bullock Museum Tells the

Story of Texas

Dr. Victoria Ramirez director, Bullock Museum

by Sherida Mock

March 2 is Texas Independence Day, commemorating the moment when Texas declared its independence from Mexico. Given that Austin is home to the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history museum, we asked Dr. Victoria Ramirez, director of the Bullock Texas State History Museum, to talk with us about Texas history and what the museum has to offer visiting families.

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On the museum’s namesake. Bob Bullock spent the majority of his life in the public eye. When he was Lieutenant Governor, he felt that Texas needed to have a history museum. Sadly, he never saw it open, but he did get to see the vision and plans. He was the driving force behind it. Interestingly, when Bob Bullock had this vision for the museum, the La Belle shipwreck had just been found off the coast of Texas. He was the one to say, “That ship belongs in the state history museum.” It’s an exciting time to be here at the museum, because we are fulfilling that vision. On its visitors. We see about 400,000 visitors a year. We also reach about 100,000 school kids and teachers. If you’re here during the holidays or spring or summer break, you see people from not only throughout the state, but throughout the country. On the permanent and special exhibitions. The museum’s Texas History Gallery is our permanent gallery. We have about 600 original artifacts on view, and we rotate about 150 out every year, so there are always new things to see. Our special exhibitions are here for 12 to 16 weeks. They let the museum tell a deeper story about an era or place or theme. In March, “Roller Derby” will open. Roller skating has always had a history in the U.S., but roller derby’s roots are in Texas. We’ll have uniforms, artifacts, posters and photos. It’s a fun way for families to learn about a sport that has some serious Texas roots.

This summer, we will celebrate African-American history, family and story-telling. June 19 of this year is the 150th anniversary of Juneteenth. It’s a very significant date in Texas history. On the museum’s other offerings. Films are a big piece of what we do. The Texas Spirit Theater is a 3D theater with special effects. So, if you’re watching a film and it’s raining, it starts misting in the theater. We have a terrific film on the La Belle called Shipwrecked; it tells the true story of a 14-year-old boy who survived the shipwreck. When they show the ship sinking, you feel it in your seats. Our IMAX theater closed in January so we could install a brand new projection system, audio system and screen. It is open now, and it will blow your mind. For me, IMAX has always been that complete, immersive, totally awe-inspiring experience. And it’s even more so now. We have drop-in programs, where families can come and go as they please. There’s a great storytime program for young visitors. We have art-making programs, where we look at an artifact and talk about how it was made and then provide materials so people can make their own artifact and take home Texas history. On the challenge of telling the story of Texas. Texas is big and diverse and geographically varied. Visitors want to connect to their history. We don’t want people, if they’re from far West Texas or the Valley or far East Texas, to feel like we’re not telling their story. continued on page 15

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continued from page 13

On special events in March. We are having a big celebration on Sunday, March 1, to celebrate Texas Independence Day. It’s part of our free First Sundays program. We will have activities for visitors of all ages. We will try and set the world record for the most people dressed as Texas heroes. That’s a celebratory day for us.

shipwreck. I love that this story of France’s interest in Texas changed everybody’s perception of early Texas history, because we all thought it was only the Spanish who were interested in the area. To see a shipwreck with weapons, cooking utensils, shoes, a rat skeleton— it really tells the whole story of what the colonists thought they needed to make a life here and what happened to them along the way.

Downstairs is just a temporary exhibition; it’s giving us a chance to put the ship together. A lot of foundations and individuals and corporations are supporting us installing the shipwreck permanently. The plan is, there will be a deck of glass over the ship’s hull that visitors can walk on. They can look down and see the cargo. It’s going to be the jewel in our crown.

On what she thought of history as a kid. I always loved history. I like to hear the stories of things. I like to hear why things are the way they are. I think that’s something museums do really well. You can learn about history just about anywhere, but there are very few places where you can see history. So many people are experiential learners. They want to do; they want to participate.

On her favorite exhibition. The story of the La Belle leaving France and coming to the Texas region is fascinating. The story of its sinking is just as interesting. And the story of finding and conserving it is equally interesting. We are one of the few history museums in the world that have such a complete 17th century Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market

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Meditation Creates Harmony

in Your Home and Beyond by Prem Shivakumar

My two daughters and I have a standard bedtime ritual consisting of jumping on the bed, a bedtime story and each singing her favorite song before she goes to sleep. On some nights there’s an additional step: my daughters hide under their comforters and I, pretending to be unaware of their presence, lie down on top, inducing roars of laughter. My daughters love this game and call it the “love pile.” I think “love pile” captures the idea of family quite well.

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What is family? It means many things: to feel secure and comfortable, to feel loved unconditionally and to share an environment that nourishes body, mind and soul with people who always have time for you. This, in contrast to our rapidly changing world, which keeps us busier than ever—not to mention the continual bombardment of information forcing us to make, save and delete choices at every minute. It leaves me wondering if our obsession with the next bit of information isn’t making us more anxious, distracted, lonely and even sad. It seems that our concept of family—the nucleus of love, harmony and stability—should be growing ever more important, and finding a simple way to enhance and stabilize that nucleus is invaluable. So, how do we balance these opposite poles of our existence? My wife and I started a practice of heartcentered meditation about 10 years ago. It has turned out to be a most rewarding and wonder-filled journey, one that has enriched our individual lives as well as our family beyond our expectations. We found that the practice of meditation creates a peaceful connection inside: very near and always accessible. The ability to create this feeling daily was invigorating. By practicing daily, there’s been a shift in the atmosphere; it feels like lightness and simplicity permeate our home.

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But the real surprise has been how the heart itself has become a source of guidance. We now make decisions not by tiring ourselves out bouncing the pros and cons in our head, but through introspection—waiting for the answer to emerge from inside. And it does. My meditation practice has slowly transformed me from a slave to time schedules into someone who is more relaxed. I now make time for the small things, and that’s extremely fulfilling. Life choices are easier, as well, and we both find that regardless of the circumstances, my wife and I remain cheerful. That brings continuity to our daily family life. It has been heartwarming for us to see how the effects of our meditation have influenced our two young daughters, now 7 and 3. For their age, they are very sensitive and show a delicate appreciation of others’ feelings. An incident a couple of years ago made a deep impact on us. Our family was waiting to board an international flight. It was 2 a.m., and everyone was really tired. A child nearby was crying loudly. While this was disturbing to others around us, our older daughter went straight into her bag, took out some toy cars, and after a few attempts, was able to get the child to calm down and play with her. Both our daughters have shown a surprising emotional maturity and security for their age. My younger daughter’s teachers were touched by her efforts to comfort the other children

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Experience “Heartfulness” on Your Own • Place and Time—Start every day with meditation. If morning doesn’t work, set aside a fixed time of the day. Try to sit in the same place, as this helps create a routine. • Posture—Sit comfortably with your eyes closed, but not so relaxed that you fall asleep. • Attention—Turn your attention inward. Try to become absorbed in the thought that your heart is filled with love. Do this in a natural way, without forcing your mind. Gently ignore distracting thoughts that arise. Observe in silence. • Duration—Start with 15 minutes and try to increase that gradually. Use a timer if needed. • Journal—Maintain a personal diary to record the changes you observe in yourself. • Community—Consider meditating with a group. This provides a sense of community that can reinforce your practice and make it more enjoyable. Want to go deeper? Consider seeking the help of a meditation coach or trainer, who can offer practical help. There are a number of non-profit organizations that offer meditation training free of charge. One place to try: meetup.com/meditate-austin.

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who were still adjusting to the transition of being away from their parents for the first time. We have been pleasantly surprised by their clarity of expression and openness when interacting with people. My wife and I are convinced that the atmosphere created in our home by the practice of meditation has in no small measure contributed to our family’s growth. We have observed the same thing in our friends’ families who meditate, as well. I feel confident that anyone can experience the benefits of a calm and centered mind through meditation. Is it the panacea for a better world? I hope so. _______________ Prem Shivakumar is a father of two and works at a microprocessor design company in Austin. He and his wife started practicing “Heartfulness” after attending a meditation workshop at UT while they were graduate students there.

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family matters by Dr. Betty Richardson

Help Grandma Shine as a Sitter We have a 3-year-old daughter and a 6-week-old son. I need to go back to work to help with our bills and to save up for a house of our own. We currently live in an apartment that doesn’t offer much room for children to play. I am thinking of asking my mother to babysit the children while I work. This would allow my husband and me to work the same hours. Another option is for us to work different hours and take turns caring for the children. We could also put the kids in a child care center, but that would take away our ability to save money. What do you think of grandparents babysitting while the parents work? What do we need to know and consider?

Some people—including grandparents—are great babysitters, and some are not. You know your mother and can guess what kind of care she will provide. Ask yourself: • Will it be minimal care, or will she be interested in helping your children developmentally? • Will she help them with learning things appropriate to their ages? • Will she read to them or play with them? • Will the time with her be a happy time, or will it be somewhat unhappy for all concerned? • Will she feel you have asked too much of her, or will she be thankful for time with her grandchildren?

Some adults today have wonderful memories of grandparents caring for them. Hopefully, your children will have similar memories when they grow up. Betty Richardson, Ph.D., R.N.C., L.P.C., L.M.F.T., is an Austin-based psychotherapist who specializes in dealing with the problems of children, adolescents and parents.

If your mother resents being put into the role of babysitter, she may not be the best caregiver. To overcome this resentment, you may want to compensate her in some way. Praise helps, but she may appreciate you doing some tasks for her or taking her out to eat or engaging in several other ways to show your thanks. If your mother has periods of depression, keep in mind that seriously depressed people are not the best babysitters for long periods of time. Their negativity shows through, and their energy level is seldom up to the children’s needs. If you find that your mother is interested in minimal care, there are ways to compensate for this. Knowing that your children need more than just being kept dry and fed, perhaps you could find a mother’s day out program or a day care with a focus on developmental experiences where your 3-year-old could spend a couple of half-days a week socializing with other children and engaging in developmental tasks and play. Another option is for you to find activities appropriate for 3-year-olds and engage in these with your daughter on your days off or at the end of your workdays. You can discuss these activities with your mother. Be sure to check the calendar in Austin Family magazine for activities for small children. I love these activities myself and hope your family will enjoy them, too. Even your baby needs stimulation of touch and sound and texture. You can spend extra time talking to your baby and providing baby toys that help him developmentally. Most libraries and book stores offer free storytimes, which can provide additional enrichment. Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market

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family matters by Dr. Betty Richardson

Ayudar a la Abuela a Brillar Como Niñera

Tenemos una hija de 3 años de edad y un hijo de 6 semanas de edad. Necesito volver a trabajar para ayudar con los gastos y ahorrar para una casa propia. Actualmente vivimos en un apartamento que no ofrece mucho espacio para que los niños jueguen. Estoy pensando en pedirle a mi madre que me cuide a los niños mientras trabajo. Esto permitiría que mi marido y yo trabajáramos el mismo horario. Otra opción es que ambos trabajemos diferentes horarios para tomarnos tunos cuidando a los niños. También podríamos poner a los niños en una guardería infantil, pero eso nos quitaría la oportunidad de ahorrar dinero. ¿Qué opina sobre los abuelos que cuidan a los niños mientras los padres trabajan? ¿Qué es lo que necesitamos saber y tomar en cuenta?

R. Algunas personas—incluyendo los abuelos—son grandes niñeras, y algunas otras no lo son. Usted conoce a su madre y puede adivinar qué tipo de atención le va a dar. Pregúntese a sí misma: • ¿Será un cuidado mínimo, o estará interesada en ayudar a sus hijos en su desarrollo? • ¿Les ayudará con el aprendizaje de cosas apropiadas para su edad? • ¿Les leerá y jugará con ellos?

• ¿El tiempo con ella será un tiempo feliz, o será algo infeliz para todos los interesados? • ¿Sentirá que ha pedido demasiado de ella, o estará agradecida por el tiempo que le permitirá pasar con sus nietos? Si su madre resiente ser puesta en el papel de niñera, ella podría no ser la mejor opción como cuidadora. Para superar este resentimiento, usted pudiera compensarla de alguna manera. Los cumplidos ayudan, pero ella apreciaría que usted hiciera algunos mandados por ella o llevarla a comer o participar de varias otras maneras para mostrar su agradecimiento. Si su madre tiene períodos de depresión, tenga en cuenta que personas seriamente deprimidas, no son las mejores niñeras durante largos períodos de tiempo. Su negatividad se muestra, y su nivel de energía rara vez corresponde a las necesidades de los niños. Si usted encuentra que su madre prefiere cuidados mínimos, hay maneras de compensar esto. Sabiendo que sus hijos necesitan más que sólo mantenerse secos y alimentados, tal vez usted podría encontrar un programa de un día libre para la madre o una guardería infantil que se enfoque en desarrollar experiencias donde su hijo de 3 años de edad, podría pasar un par de medio días a la semana para que socialice con otros niños y participar en las tareas de desarrollo y juego. Otra opción es que usted encuentre actividades apropiadas para los niños de 3 años de edad y participar en ellas con su hija en sus días de descanso o al final de sus días de trabajo. Usted puede hablar de estas actividades con su madre. Asegúrese de revisar el calendario en la revista Austin Family para que vea las actividades para los niños pequeños. A mí me encantan estas actividades y espero que su familia disfrute de ellas, también. Incluso su bebé necesita estimulación del tacto y sonido y textura. Usted puede pasar más tiempo hablando con su bebé y proporcionar juguetes de bebé que le ayudan a su desarrollo. La mayoría de las bibliotecas y librerías ofrecen lectura de cuentos gratis, que pueden proporcionar enriquecimiento adicional. Algunos adultos tienen hoy recuerdos maravillosos de los abuelos que cuidaron de ellos. Con suerte, sus hijos tendrán recuerdos similares cuando crezcan. Betty Richardson, Ph.D., R.N.C., L.P.C., L.M.F.T., es una psicoterapeuta situada en Austin que se especializa en el tratamiento de los problemas de los niños, adolescentes y padres.

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the learning curve by Jennifer VanBuren

Drawing the Line: Public School Dress Code

hort shorts, baggy pants and spaghetti straps, oh my! School dress codes have been a hot topic since the 1960s, when girls wanted to start wearing pants and boys wanted to start wearing longer hair. Now that the weather is heating up and shorts are coming back out of the dressers, there will also be an increase in kids being sent to the office for dress code violation. Where do schools need to draw the line? Two inches above the knee? Any school dress code will address the issue of the literal and representational messages delivered on clothing. AISD states clearly, “Clothing may not advertise, condone, depict or promote the use of alcohol, tobacco or drugs.” This seems pretty straightforward; there is nothing ambiguous about a marijuana leaf or Joe Camel. The dress code continues, “Also prohibited is clothing with vulgar or obscene language.” Vulgar and obscene tend to be straightforward determinations as well, although different families will define obscenity differently. Things get trickier when looking at the second half of the guideline, which pertains to “writing that promotes disruption of the educational setting.” Where does a child’s right to express himself overtake another child’s right to feel safe and able to focus in her educational setting? What standards are used to determine which images promote disruption? A Confederate Flag t-shirt may cause some children to feel intimidated and distracted, while others feel it is a part of their heritage. Innuendo and double meanings can also make it difficult to determine what is appropriate. 22 | March 2015 | austinfamily.com

Dress code violations disrupt a student’s education in more ways than one, when we consider the time teachers and administrators are taken away from the important task of educating our youth to deal with baggy pants, questionable graphics and skimpy shorts. Punishment for dress code violation in area schools may also end in suspension and removing the child from the educational setting.

Room for Interpretation

One issue that becomes very clear when trying to enforce an ambiguous dress code is that there is considerable room for interpretation. Are teachers and school staff able to remove their bias while judging if an outfit is appropriate for school? Shorts and a sleeveless top may be deemed appropriate for a girl who is immature in appearance but inappropriate for a girl who has womanly curves. It is difficult to talk about dress codes without addressing the sexualization of girls. In the #YesAllWomen Twitter culture, women and girls speak out, saying, “Don’t tell us what to wear; teach the boys not to stare.” Are we sending the message to boys that they are incapable of learning if a pretty girl in a tank top is in view? Peggy Orenstein, mother of a teenaged girl and contributing writer for the New York Times, writes, “Telling girls to ‘cover up’ just as puberty hits teaches them that their bodies are inappropriate, dangerous, violable, subject to constant scrutiny and judgment, including by the adults they trust. Nor does it View the magazine online at austinfamily.com

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help them understand the culture’s role in their wardrobe choices.” While girls seem to get the brunt of dress code restrictions, it was not always this way. In the 1960s and 1970s, the flurry of attention was directed toward long-haired young men. Now, boys mainly find themselves in trouble with dress code if their pants are sagging or if they are wearing gang colors.

colors. Clothing is to be without holes and “right sized” to prevent immodesty of clothing that is hanging (or sagging). Since the only logos or writing or pictures that are allowed are those of the school, there is no room for interpretation of what is or is not appropriate for the school environment. It takes the guesswork and potential bias out of the equation.

But then again, those uniform jumpers still need to be at most two inches above the knee. Jennifer VanBuren of Georgetown is an educator and mother of three school aged children.

Another Way?

If only there were a way out of all of this wardrobe drama, at least during the school day. Two researchers from the University of Nevada, Jafeth Sanchez and George Hill, studied the opinions of middle-school students the year after a uniform policy was passed. While 90 percent of the students self-reported that they did not like having to wear a uniform, they also reported that the policy decreased disciplinary problems, gang involvement and bullying. The students reported increases in selfesteem, ease of going to school, safety and confidence. Research of discipline referrals and school police logs also showed a reduction in student fights, graffiti and property damage. “If a simple change in attire can positively influence more than 30 percent, or even 25 percent of a school’s student population,” Sanchez says, “then perhaps administrators, teachers, students and community members find it worth the effort. Essentially, students reported positive impacts by simply changing the clothes they wore to school, and comparatively, there wasn’t much of a downside.” Often, a district’s dress code is only a set of minimum standards. For example, many individual schools in AISD have adopted more specific and restrictive dress codes, including school uniforms. These policies are implemented after meetings in which stakeholders such as parents and teachers are invited to contribute and eventually vote. At Oak Springs Elementary in east Austin, it is believed that a more specific dress code will positively impact attitude, behavior, academic performance, school spirit and campus unity. Students may wear solid color khaki or blue denim pants, shorts, dresses, skirts or jumpers along with grey, navy blue or white tops in solid Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market

austinfamily.com | March 2015 | 23

Trazar la Línea: Código de Vestimenta en las Escuelas Públicas by Jennifer VanBuren

¡Pantalones muy cortos, pantalones bombachos y blusas de tirantes, oh no! El código de vestimenta escolar ha sido un tema candente desde los años sesenta, cuando las muchachas querían empezar a usar pantalones y los muchachos querían empezar a usar el pelo largo. Ahora que el clima se está calentado y los pantalones cortos están regresando a los aparadores, también habrá un aumento de estudiantes siendo enviados a la oficina por violación del código de vestimenta. ¿Dónde necesitan las escuelas trazar la línea? ¿Dos pulgadas arriba de la rodilla?

La violación del código de vestimenta interrumpe la educación de un estudiante en más de un manera, cuando consideramos el tiempo que los maestros y administradores se ven alejados de la importante tarea de educar a nuestros jóvenes para tratar con pantalones bombachos, gráficos cuestionable y pantalones demasiado cortos. El castigo por violación del código de vestimenta en las escuelas del área también puede terminar en suspensión y retiro del estudiante del entorno educativo.

Cualquier código de vestimenta escolar abordará el tema de los mensajes literales y figurativos puestos en la ropa. AISD establece claramente: “La ropa no puede anunciar, condonar, describir o promover el uso del alcohol, tabaco o drogas”. Esto parece bastante sencillo; no hay nada ambiguo sobre una hoja de marihuana o Joe Camel. El código de vestimenta continua: “También se prohíbe la ropa con lenguaje vulgar u obsceno”. Vulgar y obsceno también tienden a ser determinaciones directas, a pesar de que las diferentes familias definen obscenidad de diferentes maneras.

Una cuestión que se vuelve muy claro cuando se trata de cumplir con un código de vestimenta ambigua es que hay un amplio margen para la interpretación. ¿Son los maestros y el personal de la escuela capaz de eliminar su parcialidad mientras juzgan si una vestimenta es apropiada para la escuela? Pantalones cortos y una camiseta sin mangas que se juzgue convenientes para una chica que es inmadura en apariencia, pero inadecuada para una chica que tiene curvas femeninas.

Las cosas se ponen más complicadas cuando vemos la segunda mitad de la guía, que se refiere a “la escritura que promueve la interrupción del ambiente educativo”. ¿Dónde el derecho del estudiante a expresarse sobrepasa al derecho de otros estudiantes de sentirse seguro y capaz de concentrarse en su entorno educativo? ¿Qué normas se utilizan para determinar qué imágenes producen la interrupción? Una camiseta con la bandera confederada puede provocar que algunos estudiantes se sientan intimidados y distraídos, mientras que otros sienten que es una parte de su patrimonio. Insinuaciones y dobles sentidos también pueden hacer que sea difícil determinar qué es lo apropiado. 24 | March 2015 | austinfamily.com

Margen para la Interpretación

Es difícil hablar de los códigos de vestimenta sin abordar la sexualización de las muchachas. En la cultura de Twitter #YesAllWomen, las mujeres y las muchachas hablan claro, diciendo: “No nos digan qué debemos ponernos; enseñer a los muchachos a no mirar”. ¿Estamos enviando el mensaje a los muchachos que son incapaces de aprender si una muchacha bonita en una camiseta sin mangas está a la vista? Peggy Orenstein, madre de una muchacha adolescente y escritora contribuyente para el New York Times, escribe: “Decirle a las muchachas que ‘se cubran’ al llegar la pubertad les enseña que sus cuerpos son inapropiados, peligrosos, violables, sujetos al escrutinio y juicio constante, incluso View the magazine online at austinfamily.com

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por los adultos de confianza. Tampoco les ayuda a entender la función de la cultura en sus elecciones de vestuario”. Mientras que las muchachas parecen tener la peor parte de las restricciones del código de vestimenta, no siempre fue así. En los años sesentas y setentas, la oleada de atención se dirigió hacia los hombres jóvenes de pelo largo. Ahora, los muchachos se encuentran principalmente en problemas con el código de vestimenta si sus pantalones están caídos o si están usando colores de pandillas.

afectará positivamente la actitud, el comportamiento, el aprovechamiento académico, el espíritu escolar y la unidad de la escuela. Los estudiantes pueden usar pantalones, shorts, vestidos, faldas o jumper de color caqui sólido o azul de mezclilla, junto con una blusa o camisa de color gris, azul marino o blanco en colores sólidos. Ropa sin agujeros y de “tamaño justo” para evitar la inmodestia de ropa que cuelga (o caída). Ya que el único logotipo o escritura o dibujo permitidos son los

de la escuela, no hay lugar para la interpretación de lo que es o no es apropiado para el entorno escolar. Se eliminan las conjeturas y la parcialidad potencial fuera de la ecuación. Pero, de nuevo, esas faldas del uniforme todavía tiene que ser de al menos dos pulgadas por encima de la rodilla. Jennifer VanBuren de Georgetown es educadora y madre de tres niños en edad escolar.

¿Otra Manera?

Si sólo hubiera una manera de salir de todo este drama de vestuario, por lo menos durante el día escolar. Dos investigadores de la Universidad de Nevada, Jafeth Sánchez y George Hill, estudiaron las opiniones de los estudiantes de secundaria el año después de que se aprobó una política de uniforme. Mientras que el 90 por ciento de los estudiantes informaron que no les gustaba tener que usar un uniforme, también informaron que la política disminuyo los problemas de disciplina, la participación en pandillas y la intimidación. Los estudiantes reportaron aumentos en la autoestima, la tranquilidad de ir a la escuela, la seguridad y la confianza. Investigación de referencias de disciplina y los registros policiales escolares también mostraron una reducción en las peleas estudiantiles, grafiti y daños a la propiedad. “Si un simple cambio en vestimenta puede influir positivamente en más de un 30 por ciento, o incluso el 25 por ciento de la población estudiantil de una escuela”, dice Sánchez, “entonces quizás los administradores, maestros, estudiantes y miembros de la comunidad, el esfuerzo vale la pena. En esencia, los estudiantes informaron impactos positivos por un simple cambio de ropa que llevaba a la escuela, y comparativamente, no había mucho de inconveniente”. A menudo, el código de vestimenta del distrito es solo un conjunto de normas mínimas. Por ejemplo, muchas escuelas individuales en AISD han adoptado códigos de vestimenta más específicas y restrictivas, incluyendo los uniformes escolares. Estas políticas se aplican después de las reuniones en las que las partes interesada tales como los padres y maestros están invitados para contribuir y eventualmente votar. En la Primaria Oak Springs en el este de Austin, se cree que un código de vestimenta más específico Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market

austinfamily.com | March 2015 | 25

lifelines by Dr. Lamia Kadir

Heads Up:

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Soccer Time

The Stats

Did you know that The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates there were over 10,000 visits each year from 2001 to 2009 for soccer-related traumatic brain injuries in kids under 19? Since 2000, there has been a dramatic increase in the diagnosis of concussion among pediatric athletes. Estimates suggest that sports and recreational activities account for 25 to 50 percent of concussions that report to the Emergency Department. The incidence of concussion is highest among boys playing collision sports such as American football, ice hockey and lacrosse. Among girls, the sports are soccer, lacrosse and field hockey. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is sudden damage to the brain, usually caused by a direct blow to the head, face or neck, or elsewhere to the body with a force transmitted to the head. TBIs are classified as mild, moderate or severe. Common causes include car accidents, falls, sports injuries and assaults. Injuries can range from mild concussions that usually do not cause permanent brain injury to severe, permanent brain damage. The consequences of a brain injury can affect all aspects of a childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life: physical and mental.

The Amazing Brain

Imagine this: The brain is a soft organ trapped in a hard container (the skull) with only a few teaspoons of fluid between them, acting as a watery

lthough there is no traditional season in youth soccer, most states play a fall and spring season. As our children get ready to cleat-up this spring, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s remind ourselves to play safe. Though soccer is perceived as less violent than collision sports such as football, head trauma and brain injuries are commanding more attention.

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cushion. A direct blow to the head causes a primary injury, whereby the brain crashes back and forth inside the skull. This motion can cause bruising, bleeding and tearing of nerve fibers. Immediately after such an incident, a child can be confused, suffer from visual changes and memory loss or lose consciousness. Initially, a child may appear fine, but his condition can decline rapidly if the injury is severe. After the initial impact occurs, the brain can undergo a delayed trauma; it swells, pushing itself against that hard container of the skull and potentially causing injury to parts of the brain not initially injured. This is called secondary injury, which is often more damaging than the primary one.

Keep Austin Thinking

Learning and conversation about the effects and management of concussions are necessary to promote life-long brain health and wellness. With that in mind, the Healthy Brain Foundation, in partnership with Dell Children’s Medical Center, will host its annual Concussion Conference here in Austin in the spring.

This event will attract healthcare and education professionals from a variety of disciplines, as well as community stakeholders. As roughly 8 million of our youth head for the soccer field this season, I hope they’ll all play safe! Dr. Lamia Kadir is a board certified family physician in private practice in Austin.

The Symptoms

The most common symptoms of a concussion include: • Headache • Fatigue • Dizziness • Nausea and/or vomiting • Unsteadiness • Mental slowness and/or mental “fog” • Memory loss • Difficulty concentrating • Sleep disturbance • Emotional changes

An Ounce of Prevention

There are many who are working to improve the stats. The push for reforming athletics in the U.S. is coming from parents, players, medical experts and safety advocates, who are discussing a number of changes at the youth level including: • Increasing the presence of athletic trainers at matches • Educating coaches and parents of best head safety practices • Developing a greater scientific understanding of head trauma in soccer There is even a push to minimize or eliminate heading (shooting or passing with the head) before high school. Interestingly, top of the head impact is significantly more likely to cause loss of consciousness than front of the head or side of the head impact. The understanding is that because a child’s brain is still developing, recurring brain injuries become more likely each time a child suffers a concussion. Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market

austinfamily.com | March 2015 | 27

family connections by Richard Singleton

Getting Away Doesn’t Have to Mean Leaving Your Medical Care Behind

Suddenly, he caught his foot on a water hose and crashed to the concrete. He hit hard. Really hard. And it was his head that hit first. The sound left a nauseating feeling in our stomachs. It got worse. He lost consciousness and seemed unresponsive. We scrambled for what to do. Thankfully, the town—though tiny— did have a makeshift medical facility. We raced the poor little guy to the clinic and began the long process of evaluation. Thankfully, the injury was not life threatening. A day later he was back at it, as vigorous as ever. That was 2001. We didn’t have iPads and iPhones. No around-the-clock access to all things medical. Times have changed; kids, however, haven’t.

Spring break is here, and thousands of Austin families are hitting the road. Whether you’re lounging at the beach, driving through the mountains or exploring an urban menagerie of skyscrapers and eateries, there’s a very real chance that you or someone you love may need some minor medical intervention. If you do, help might be an app away.

he sickening thud took our breath away. It was 2001, and my wife and I were in a tiny town in Wyoming on vacation with friends. Like all rambunctious toddlers, their little boy was a bolt of energy. He raced across the driveway. Jumping. Laughing. Beaming with reckless abandon after being cooped up in a car for hours.

Apps can help us navigate tummy aches and first aid suggestions, find doctors and pharmacies and remember to take our meds. You’ll need to do your homework, of course, but the apps below would be a great place to start.

• The American Red Cross is a name

trusted by millions. We most often think about them coming to the rescue during massive global disasters. Bless them for that, but they also have a great first aid app. From step-bystep instructions about burns to bad weather, this app is a must.

• GotoAID is another important

resource. This app has first aid options

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not just for the people we love, but also for our pets. If Fido or Felix is headed out on a trip with you, GotoAID will be a great companion.

• ZocDoc is an app that was born out of necessity. Their

website tells the story: “After ZocDoc’s founder suffered a burst eardrum, the doctor couldn’t see him for four painful days. He was left wondering: If we could buy everything from hand soap to airfare with a swipe of the phone, why was healthcare so different?” Consequently, ZocDoc helps you find an available doctor with the ease and efficiency that we’ve come to expect.

• Finally, while it’s not an app, it certainly is applicable.

WebMD has a great list of guidelines and suggestions for being prepared medically for your get-away. Their article Packing for a Healthy Vacation could be just the guide you need to make for a safe, healthy spring break trip. It provides a great checklist to ensure that you don’t just have your favorite jeans and t-shirts, but that you also have your bases covered for prescriptions, insurance documentation and your mobile medicine cabinet.

Of course, there are many more apps out there to make your week away the best it can be. We hope these suggestions will provide a glimpse into what’s available and will spark your interest in exploring ways to make your spring break one that will allow for your time and energy to be focused on the most important thing of all: making memories with your friends and family. Richard Singleton, MACE, MAMFC, LPC, is the executive director at STARRY in Round Rock.

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austinfamily.com | March 2015 | 29

Babysitting Exchanges

by Sandi Haustein

You and your spouse finally agree on a movie you want to see. You find a free weekend night on your calendar. You call up your qualified, reliable, affordable babysitter. Wait…what? Qualified and reliable and affordable? If you’re anything like Lori Huffman, a mother of four, you know “it’s hard to find a good, experienced babysitter who’s old enough to trust and not too expensive.” If, like Lori, the headache of finding a good sitter keeps you from getting out more often, maybe your family could benefit from one of these four types of babysitting exchanges. 30 | March 2015 | austinfamily.com

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- Your House or Mine?

one babysitting night a month in their calendars. The families rotate houses, and two couples stay with the children while the other two enjoy their night of free babysitting.

The One-on-One Exchange

Trading babysitting with another parent is the simplest type of exchange. You ask a neighbor if your kids can come play while you run to an appointment and then reciprocate when she’s in need. Two stay-at-home parents might take turns watching each other’s kids on Tuesdays so each gets a morning to herself.

The rules are straightforward: the kids have to be fed before they come, and the parents have to be prompt in picking them up. They follow a simple schedule so that the kids (and parents) know what to expect each time: free play, craft, make a snack, and popcorn and a movie. Without relatives in town, Kristen feels the four families in her exchange are especially committed to the project. This swap could easily be adapted for fewer families or for a group of stay-athome moms who need babysitting but also want to benefit from time with friends.

Scheduling date nights becomes easy when you switch babysitting with another couple twice a month. Jill Savage, the CEO of Hearts at Home, knows two single moms who trade babysitting once a month. One mom keeps the other’s kids from Friday evening to Saturday afternoon, and the next month she takes her break. With a oneon-one exchange, the options are limitless.

The Four-Family Date Swap

Kristen O’Quinn, a mother of three boys, borrowed this idea of a four-family babysitting exchange from a friend at her church. Once a year, four families sit down together and schedule

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a three-week babysitting exchange for 15 young families at their church last summer. A co-op like the Trenamans’ works best for large groups who prefer using a central location instead of individual homes. Each couple works one week as sitters and, in exchange, they can use the free babysitting the other two weeks. To organize a similar program, pick three dates and recruit families by e-mail or through an announcement in an organization newsletter. Divide

The Three-Week Group Exchange

Stephanie Trenaman and her husband, Mason, organized

austinfamily.com | March 2015 | 31

the group into three and ask each committed couple to babysit one of the dates. If you choose to feed the children, get a head count and keep it simple with protein, fruit and a cookie. Break the time into 30-minute segments and pick fun activities for each block of time: games, free play, storybook time, music, dinner, a short movie or a craft. Stephanie suggests beginning your evening with high-energy activities and moving into slower-paced activities as bedtime gets closer. A three-week exchange is a great way for a big group of parents to get to know each other and to enjoy some stress-free babysitting.

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Ongoing Babysitting Co-op 4 The Being new to town and having a husband who traveled frequently, Janie Werner feels blessed by the quality, affordable childcare she received during the years she participated in a babysitting co-op. In a co-op, parents earn points based on the hours they watch other members’ children, and they redeem points when others babysit for them. Some groups appoint a secretary, who keeps track of each member’s hours, while others trade co-op coupons or poker chips. Janie feels like geography is a key to success for coops: if members live within a well-defined area, they are more likely to use each other’s services. She also suggests capping the babysitting hours that a person can use before working them off, so that no one takes advantage of the system. If you are interested in starting your own co-op, visit sittingaround.com, a website that helps parents set up and organize their own groups. Why not ask your friends if they’re also looking for alternatives to traditional babysitting? When you swap babysitting with another parent, it’s a win-win situation: your children get to play with their friends, you can have confidence that they are in good hands, and it’s free. With these four types of exchanges in your toolbox, you are well on your way to finding truly reliable and affordable babysitters. Sandi Haustein is a freelance writer and a mom of four children. When she and her husband don’t want to pay big bucks for a sitter, they beg their friends to trade babysitting.

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austinfamily.com | March 2015 | 33

Camp Guide

YMCA of Greater Williamson County ymcagwc.org

YMCA of Austin austinymca.org

Finding a great camp is easer at austinfamily.com

Camp Guide

Camp Guide sponsored by:

DAY CAMPS Pages 34-51 OVERNIGHT CAMPS Pages 52-53 SPRING BREAK CAMPS are in RED DAY CAMPS Allstar- Sports Camp Round Rock 3918 Gattis School Rd, Round Rock www.austinsportsarena.com 512-251-7500 Your child will have a blast and develop their athletic skills by playing soccer, basketball, ultimate frisbee, dodgeball, floor hockey, capture the flag, roller skating, and more! American Robotics Leander, Pflugerville, Cedar Park, Central, East and South Austin www.roboticsacademy.com 512-844-2724 Ages 6 - 11 Learn, play, battle, grow and have fun with friends. Basic engineering and hands on fun. Armstrong Community Music School 404 Camp Craft Rd 78746 www.ACMSAustin.org 512-474-2331 Ages 5 and up, 9 and up Campers learn basic drum beats and fills, exploration of instruments, sing, dance and explore Afro-Cuban and Brazilian percussion; all offered in one of the five camps: Introduction to Drumset (2), Little Summer Drummers, Music on May Own! Or MoMO! Afro-Cuban and Brazilian Percussion.

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ATX Action Sports Camp 1111 Hays Co. Acres Rd., Dripping Springs www.texasskateboardingclub.com 866-465-7073 Ages 5 - 15 Skateboarding fun. Sign up now. Your child will have the experience of a lifetime, all while learning what it takes to succeed in camp activities, and ultimately, Austin Aquarium Stingray Camp Shark Camp 13530 N. Hwy 183 www.austinaquarium.com 512-222-5586 Ages 8 - 12 and 13 - 18 Prepare animal food, learn about animals, hands on learning. An awesome aquatic experience. Campers will learn about the necessity of providing enrichment for the animals in our care and have the chance to design and participate in an enrichment activity for the giant pacific octopus! Austin Community College STEM Camps www.acc.edu Ages 8 - 18 Check website for information. Austin Film Festival 13th Annual Film Camp St. Austin Catholic School www.austinfilmfestival.com/young-filmmakers-program/ summer-film-camp/ 512-478-4795 Ages 9 - 18

Rocking workshops that promise to teach, inspire, and help kids and young adults create their very own fabulous, funny, thought-provoking, heartbreaking, award-winning (you never know!) short films. Austin Girls’ Choir Summer Camp www.girlschoir.com 512-453-0884 Ages 8 - 18 June 8 - 12 and 15 - 19, Sign up now. Austin International School Summer Camp 4001 Adelphi Ln., Austin www.austininternationalschool.org 512-331-7806 Ages 3 - 6 We are launching our new fitness camp, taught in French and Spanish! Our professional educators and native speakers will take your child on a new parcours every week, teaching coordination and healthy habits to keep kids’ bodies blooming! Join us for a full program of fun, laughs, and learning. Austin Parks and Recreation Summer Camps Locations throughout Austin www.austintexas.gov/ansc 512-974-3888 Ages 5 - 12 Week-long camps from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ages 5-6: Wonderful Wildlife; ages 7-8: Creature Feature; ages 9-11: Austin Adventures. Pre-registration is required. Fees are $210/week for Austin Residents and $225/week for non-Austin Residents.

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Brandy Perryman Shooting Camp Locations throughout Austin www.bperrymanshootingcamp.com 512-799-8891 Ages 7 - 16 BPSC is a 4-day shooting intense basketball camp mirrored after all the camps Perryman attended and enjoyed the most as a kid.

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Band Aid School of Music South Austin and Westlake/Riverbend www.bandaidschoolofmusic.com 512-730-0592 Ages 4 - 18 Rock Band, Rock Star, Piano Camp, Drum Camp, Guitar Camp and Vocal Camp. We have the strongest rock band program in Texas.

Bob Bullock Museum Spring Break Camp 1800 N. Congress Ave. www.thestoryoftexas.com 512-936-4649 Ages all Daily camps include: Create Your Own: La Belle Artifacts, Exploration Station: Design Your Own Exhibit, Exploration Station: Button Making, Science Thursday, and Create Your Own: Navigation Tools

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Badgerdog Creative Writing Summer Camp Austin www.austinlibrary.org 512-542-0076 Ages incoming 3rd - 12th grades Have fun learning to write.

Bluebonnet Schools Summer Day Camps 10321 Boulder Lane (at 620 N) 3420 El Salido Pkwy. (at 620 N) www.bluebonnetschool.com 512-331-9009 and 512-219-5100 Ages 5 - 10 Kids love our amazing water park; spacious playing fields and outdoor arenas, field trips to fun places, delicious provided hot lunches and snacks, and interesting session themes. Find out how you can get a free week of camp.

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Austin Yacht Club 5906 Beacon Dr., Lake Travis www.austinyachtclub.net 512-266-1336 Ages 4 - 16 PB&J Summer Sailing for ages 4 to 10, a perfect intro for beginners. Junior Sailing Day Camp for ages 8 to 18, fun sun and sailing.

Bits, Bytes & Bots Computer Adventures Locations throughout Austin www.austintx.bitsbytesbots.com 512-415-4120 Ages 6 - 14 Fun-filled technology education programs in LEGO® NXT® Robotics, LEGO® WeDo® Robotics, computer game creation, stop-motion animation movie making and Minecraft® programming.

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Austin Sports Center Academy 425 Woodard St, Austin 1420 Toro Grande Blvd., Cedar Park www.austinsportscenter.com 512-479-8776, 512-260-0333 Ages K - 9 Volleyball and basketball at its best.

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Austin Sailboat Rentals 20 N. IH-35, on Lady Bird Lake www.austinsailboatrentals.com 512-431-1894 Ages 6 - 15 Austin Sailboat Rentals sailing camps are conveniently located in downtown Austin on Lady Bird Lake and are a lot of fun!

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Bricks 4 Kidz ATX Greater Austin locations including Round Rock, Dripping Springs, Lake Travis www.bricks4kidz.com/atx 512-270-9003 Ages 5 - 13 Build LEGO® models that move! Our themed enrichment camps feature motorized building, crafts, games and creative building time. Campers take home LEGO® minifigures or accessory packs.

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Bright Horizons X-treme Camp Bee Cave, Round Rock, Braker Ln., Oak Hill, Capital Metro, Future Stars www.brighthorizons.com/Austin_Summer_Camp Ages 5 - 12 Our camp teachers develop a fun curriculum that welcomes special guest visitors from places such as the Austin Zoo & Animal Sanctuary, The Thinkery and more! Children can explore nature, experiment with science and engage in the creative arts, all while learning about the world around them.

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Café Monet Summer Art Westgate Shopping Center and The Triangle, Austin, San Marcos www.cafemonet.org 512-892-3200, 512-906-2200, 512-805-2800 Ages 6 and up Art Camp @ Café Monet is a hands-on lesson in creativity! Pottery painting, mosaics, clay building, green projects and more! We offer four curricula.

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Camp Doublecreek 800 Doublecreek Drive, Round Rock www.campdoublecreek.com 512- 255-3661 Ages 4 - 14 Camp Doublecreek is Austin/Round Rock’s Best Day Camp for 9 years running. Let your campers be challenged, encouraged and inspired as they engage in

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a variety of activities. Doublecreek’s mission is that all campers leave at the end of the day knowing someone believes in them.

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Camp De Champs, Camp Avalanche 2525 W. Anderson Ln. www.chaparralice.com 512-252-8500 x160 Camp Avalanche for ages 7 - 14 Camp De Champs for ages 6 - 14 Spring break Camp- Camp De Champs. Multiple lessons a day, goal setting, off-ice training, arts and crafts. Two awesome skating adventure camps. Camp De Champs is a skating training class and Camp Avalanche is a general adventure day camp with field trips and swimming with an emphasis on skating.

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Camp on the Move Austin area www.camponthemove.com 512-658-6285 Age 7 - 14 Field trip based summer camp with two trips per week to Schlitterbahn.

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Camp Jump! 2919 Manchaca Rd. and 2117 Anderson Ln. www.jump-austin.com 512-593-6226 Ages 3 - 10 Voted Austin Family Magazine’s Most Fun Camp in 2011. Dynamic, theme-based gymnastics, games, activities and arts and crafts keep kids coming back! Texas Licensed facility.

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Capital City Guitar Camp 9905 Anderson Mill Rd. www.capitalcityguitarcamp.com 417-300-4078 Ages 8 and up A camp for all ages, beginners through advanced.

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Beginners receive a free guitar! Classes in age-appropriate technique, improv, theory, recording, performance and much fun. Great teachers.

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Paul Cates Stable Round Rock, Texas www.paulcatesstable.com 512-565-3886 Ages 5 and up Campers enjoy spending the day in a variety of fun activities focused on learning the basics of horseback riding & caring for the horses. Some of the activities include twice a day riding lessons, grooming, tacking, equine terminology, basic care and feeding, post-ride care, and arts/crafts.

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Central Texas Writing Camp Texas State University San Marcos and Round Rock 512-245-3680 Ages 6 - 18 Our camp will inspire creative writing thinking, and explore various writing styles. Campers will meet new friends.

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Challenger School Summer Camps 1521 Joyce Lane, Round Rock www.challengerschools.com 512-255-8844, 512-341-8000 Ages Preschool - 8th grade Summer fun at Challenger. Cheer Station 12112 Broadwalk Dr. www.cheerstation.com 512-45-CHEER Ages 3 - 17 Austinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favorite place to cheer for 6 years running.

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Club Z Summer Camp Round Rock, Austin, Cedar Park www.zsclubhouse.com 512-219-0700 Ages 5 - 12

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Awesome field trips, organized sports, wonderful environment.

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Country Home Learning Center South Austin 6900 Escarpment Blvd 512-288-8220 North Austin 13120 US Hwy 183 North www.countryhomelearningcenter.com 512-331-1441 Ages 5 - 13 Join us for an incredible summer camp experience! Child approved special events, exciting weekly field trips, kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; choice special interest clubs.

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Creative Action 2015 Camps Trinity United Methodist Church, UT, Center for Creative Action, West Lake Hills www.creativeaction.org 512-442-8773 Ages 5 - 13 We offer theatre, dance, music, puppetry, film, visual arts and more.

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Creative Brick Builders 220 Sundance Pkwy, STE 300, Round Rock and at additional locations in Greater Austin www.creativebrickbuilders.com 512-388-9003 Ages 5 - 13 Create, tinker, build and explore! Creative Brick Builders offers classes, camps and workshops featuring engineering, electronic circuits, digital media, art, computers, handcrafts and more.

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Dance Discovery Central - 2110 White Horse Trail Avery Ranch - 10526 W Parmer Ln www.dancediscovery.com www.averyranchdance.com 512-419-7611, 512-658-2996 Beach Party

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Ages 3 - 6 Ages 3 - 14 Various themed camps include storytime ballet, jazz, hip hop, gymnastics, yoga, arts and crafts, and musical theatre. Each camp week ends with a great show!

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Digital Media UT Austin, Rice, UT Dallas www.digitalmediaacademy.org Ages 6 - 17 Use code DMAAUSTINFAM15 when you register and save $50 on Jr. Adventure camp ages 6 - 8 or Adventure camp ages 8 - 12.

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Esoteric Farm 15 minutes north of downtown Austin www.esotericfarm.com 512-272-4301 Ages 5 - 16 Eleven weekly sessions, daily horse-related games and activities, indoor horse arena; fun, active, affordable.

Extend-A-Care for Kids Summer Day Camp Locations in AISD, DVISD and HCISD www.eackids.org 512-472-9402 All-day licensed child care offering curriculum-based weekly themes from literature books our students read, and the curriculum offers children a constant source of new and interesting material and activities such as arts and crafts, cooking, painting, science, math and more! The children will attend 1-2 swim trips per week, one field trip each week, and participate in sports camps in the morning. Fantastic Magic Camp Highland Mall, Suite N, 6001 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78752. The mall is located at the crossroads of IH35, Highway 290 and 183. www.magiccamp.com 512-850-4677 Ages 5 - 12 Teaching life skills and confidence, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., through magic, juggling and puppets in Austin since 1993! Extra rehearsal time from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. available.

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French Summer Camp 11607 N. Lamar Blvd. www.austinfrenchforkids.org 512-964-7733 Ages 2½ - 13 Where French immersion meets academic excellence.

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Fun2 Learn Code Round Rock and Dripping Springs (see web site for additional locations) www.fun2learncode.com 512-900-8380 Ages 7 and up Computer programming summer camps, including Minecraft Mods with Java, Scratch Programming, Game Design, Robotics and Web Development. Half-day and full-day options available.

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GENaustin Spring and Summer camps at various locations www.genaustin.org

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Girlstart 1400 W. Anderson Lane www.girlstart.org 512-916-4775 Ages 3rd - 7th grade Girlstart offers week-long summer day camps in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Girlstart camps include a balance of hands-on STEM activities, relevant technology, collaborative team building and informal camp fun!

High Hopes Sports Camp www.hhsports.org 512-259-7545 High Hopes Sports and Afterschool is a ministry of Highpoint Fellowship. Our mission is to lead change in our community by providing sports and education in a Christian environment where we can model values through good sportsmanship and loving child care to people of every cultural and spiritual background. Highland Lakes Camp and Conference Center 5902 Pace Bend Rd., Spicewood www.highlandlakescamp.org 512-264-1777; 888-222-3482 Ages Youth, Preteen, Children

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Heartsong Music 2700 West Anderson Lane, Ste. 320 www.HeartsongMusic.net 512-371-9506

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heartsong@heartsongmusic.net Ages Birth - 9 Did you know that Music Learning Supports All Learning®? Join us this Spring and Summer for our Music Together® classes for children from birth to 5 and their parents/caregivers.

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512-808-4044 Girls Ages 4th - 7th grade Camps will help girls find their inner confidence and learn how to project a confident attitude and take risks, and explore healthy friendships by defining what it means to be a good friend.

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Offering customized programs for homeschool day trips, outdoor education, American heritage girl outings, corporate team building, family, youth, preteen and children’s camps.

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iD Tech Camps held at the University of Texas at Austin, St. Edwards UT Austin, St. Edwards University and more www.idtech.com 888-709-8324 Ages 7 - 17 Inspired by tech-savvy instructors, students ages 7-17 code apps, design video games, mod with Minecraft, engineer robots, build websites, produce movies and more. iD Programming Academy (2-week, pre-college summer academy for ages 13-18) is also held at the University of Texas at Austin.

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Kiddie Academy Summer Camp 2617 Kelly Ln., Pflugerville www.kiddieacademy.com/pflugerville 512-270-9988 Creativity, laughter and imagination are all here.

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kidsActing Spring Break Camp Locations throughout Austin www.kidsActingStudio.com 512-836-543 Ages 5 - 12 Monday - Friday, March 16-20 8 am - 5:30 pm Act, sing, dance, play fun theatre games, do face painting and theatre arts and crafts! Each camp will have a performance for family and friends on the last day! Themes include: Cinderella, Star Wars, Tangled and Frozen!

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Kid Spa Austin Avery Ranch, West Parmer Lane and Avery Ranch Blvd Circle C Ranch, Mopac and West Slaughter Lane www.KidSpaAustin.com 512-828-5772; 512-301-5772

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Ages 18 months - 12 years old Voted Austin’s Best Drop-In Center in three separate annual polls, Kid Spa Austin provides childcare when YOU need it! Visit www.KidSpaAustin.com for our summer schedule!

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KidsDance! Summer Camps and Programs Dancers Workshop 11150 Research Blvd. #107 www.dancersworkshopaustin.com 512-349-7197 Age 2 - 10 The young-uns can test out their feet with half- and full-day camps with princess and rock star themes. More experienced dancers should register for summer intensives in ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop and more.

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“Layla y la Ballena” Spanish Immersion 8707 Mountain Crest Dr. 2700 West Anderson Ln. 107 Ranch Rd. 620, S #300, Lakeway www.austinbilingualschool.com 512-299-5731, 512-299-5732, 512-466-2409 Ages 2 - 11 Children join together to make the story “Leyla y la Ballena” come to life. Every week is dedicated to a theme which is taught in an enthusiastic, fun-filled environment.

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Mad Science Locations throughout Austin www.austin.madscience.org 512-892-1143 Ages 4 - 12 Mad Science camps are filled with exciting, fun, hands-on science activities. Children become junior scientists for the week and experience a variety of science adventures.

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Magellan International Summer Camp 7938 Great Northern Blvd. www.magellanschool.org 512-782-2327 Ages 3rd - 7th grade

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Enjoy adventure and discovery. Experience a new country and culture.

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The Magnolia School Summer Camp Between Steiner Ranch and Lakeway www.themagnoliaschoolatx.com 512-266-9620 Ages Â 3 - 10 Mornings;Â academic booster (math, reading, writing, language arts, spelling); Afternoons; themed camp activities and special guests (animals, art, music, around the world, treasure hunters, book fair, water days).

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Master Gohring Kung Fu & Tai Chi 6611 Airport Blvd. www.mastergohring.com 512-879-7553 Ages 4 and up Come check out our program for the entire family.

MoolahU All over Austin www.moolahu.com 512-443-8851 Ages 7 - 18 Kids learn how to make and appreciate money by starting their own business. Mu Sool Won of South Austin Martial Arts 1901 W William Cannon Dr. #121 www.mswsouthaustin.com 512-299-1873 Ages 5 - 15 All inclusive half day summer camp.

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McKinney Roughs Nature Camp 1884 SH 71 West, Cedar Creek

www.lcra.org/naturecamp 512-303-5073 Ages 6 - 15 Explore the outdoors on 1,100 acres of woodland prairies and pine forest; nature study and exploration, wilderness skills, swimming, challenge course, raft trips, hikes. Austin shuttle available.

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Paramount Academy for the Arts The State Theatre 719 Congress Ave. www.austintheatre.org/camps 512-692-0524 Ages 4 years - 12th grade Make lifelong memories at the Paramount and Stateside Theatres! We offer a variety of camps for all ages including acting, singing, dancing and even stand-up comedy. Phoenix Arising Aviation Summer Camp 10435 Burnet Rd. Suite 108 www.phoenixaviation.org 512-588-2359 Ages 6 - 13 Weeklong programs in aviation and aerospace.

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OneWorld Theatre Red Riding Hood Summer Camp 7701 Bee Caves Rd. www.oneworldtheatre.org 512-329-6753

Ages 5 - 18 In just one week, campers will go from auditions to opening night as they step on stage for a public performance as graduates of Camp One World!

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Nitro Swim Center Cedar Park/Round Rock, Bee Cave on Hwy. 71 www.nitroswim.com 512-259-7999 Ages 6 months - adult The indoor Nitro Swim Center offers the highest quality swim lessons, non-competitive and competitive swimming around.

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Neill-Cochran House Museum Summer Camps 2310 San Gabriel St., Austin www.nchmuseum.org 512-478-2335 Ages incoming 1st-incoming 6th grade Week 1 will find us in the 1920s and Week 2 in the 1930s.Â Soapbox race cars, mural painting, outdoor campsite and more!

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Quarries Camp 11400 North Mopac Expy. www.hpbc.org/quarries 512-241-0233 Ages 1st - 5th grade Quarries Camp is always FUN for campers, offering exciting on-site activities and weekly field trips during the entire summer.

Round Rock Express Baseball Camps Dell Diamond, Round Rock www.roundrockexpress.com 512-255-BALL Ages 6 and up Spring Break March 16-18, Camp 1 June 15-18 Half Day, Camp 2 June 29-July 2 Half Day, Camp 3 July 13-16 Full Day/Overnight Camp 4 July 27-30 Half Day

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Rainbow Stationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s The Village Summer Program 11651 W. Parmer Ln. www.rainbowstationaustin.org 512-260-9700 Ages infant - 12 An entire facility dedicated to school-age children. Fullday camp offers weekly mini courses, swim lessons, sports, weekly field trips and an end-of-summer picnic. Freedom of choice is the hallmark of our summer program.

Rio Vista Farm 13013 Fallwell Ln. www.riovistafarm.net 512-247-2302 Ages 7 - 16 Austinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s originator of English Riding camp. Daily lessons taught by professional trainers, lots of horse time/care, arts and crafts, swimming for hotter afternoons. Friday horse shows for parents to attend.

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Youngsters from all over central Texas will have the opportunity to hone their baseball skills. Full-day and overnight camps for ages 8 and up. Call for details.

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Smudge Studio Spring Break Camp 500 West 38th St 78705 www.SmudgeStudiosAustin.com 512-777-1742 Ages All Morning Session Curiously Creative 9-12 or afternoon Lumpy Clay 1-4. Spend your spring break having fun and making art with us at Smudge! Explore several mediums through a variety of fun projects and finish each day with some outside playtime.

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Spicewood Country Camp 6102 Spicewood Springs www.spicewoodcountry.com 512-346-2992 scschool@flash.net

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Ages 3½ - 10 Nine shady acres in Northwest Austin with animals, music, swimming, crafts, sports and horseback riding.

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SAS St. Andrews Episcopal School www.sasaustin.org 512-299-9700 Ages 4 - 18 We offer camps for aspiring artists, athletes, scientists, musicians, chess enthusiasts, cooks and more.

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St. Francis School Basketball Camp 300 E. Huntland Dr. www.stfrancis-school.org 512-657-0817 Ages 8 - 13 For more information contact Dustin Armstrong at wolfpack85@icloud.com or to register contact Amber Brown at abrown@stfrancis-school.org.

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St. Mark’s Day School Summer Camp 2128 Barton Hills Dr. www.stmarksdayschoolaustin.org 512-444-9401 Ages 3 - 5 The storybook summer adventure, boot camp fun class, dance party and more.

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St. Michael’s Summer Sports 3000 Barton Creek Blvd. www.smca.org 512-328-2323 Ages 1st - 12th grade St. Michael’s is continuing a 30 year history of summer sports camps focused on developing young athletes for success on and off the court. All camps will have a 1:8 coach to camper ratio to ensure the highest quality coaching

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Stepping Stone School 12 locations around Austin Metro area www.steppingstoneschool.com

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512-459-0258 Ages 5 - 13 This year’s summer camp will feature biweekly themes on the various biomes of the earth, including the ocean, frozen lands and deserts. Don’t let your child miss out on this captivating summer camp with its exciting Field Journeys, one-of-a-kind entrepreneur and philanthropy program, chess tournaments, swim lessons (at many campuses) and more!

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Summer Entrepreneurship Club 1900 Cypress Creek Rd, #101, Cedar Park www.educenter4me.com/services/entrepreneuriallearning 512-996-9260 Ages 5th – 9th grade Students will explore how to turn their passion into a business possibility. By participating in project based learning, they’ll get inspired and discover their passions for the future.

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Summer Spark Central Austin, O. Henry Middle School 2610 West 10th Street www.summerspark.com 512-593-5393 www.kaylie@summerspark.com Ages Rising 1st - 6th graders or ages 5 - 12 Children come alive as they engage in weekly creative problem solving challenges that involve physical experiments, purposeful tinkering and messy construction. We are creativity unplugged.

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Summer Wonders 3901 Shoal Creek Blvd. www.summerwonders.org 512-203-4540 Ages 4 - 13 A non-profit program for gifted students to explore diverse subjects through an integrated, hands-on approach, presented in a fun, creative manner.

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Switch Willo Stables Summer Camps 4829 Switch Willo www.switchwillo.com 512-331-8668 Ages 6 - 14 Daily riding instruction, horse care and fun. An Austin Family Readers’ Poll Favorite. Visit our website for more details.

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Sylvan Robotics and Coding Camps Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Hays County and Georgetown www.sylvanlearning.com 800-EDUCATE Ages 1st - 6th grade Have fun and stay sharp this summer with brand new robotics and coding camps at Sylvan Learning. Students will build and program their very own robots while learning how to collaborate and work as a team.

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Synergy Dance Studio 3425 Bee Cave Rd Suite C1 www.synergydancestudio.com 512-327-4130 Ages 2 and up, beginning to advanced dancers Dance camps and classes for ages 3-11, full and half-day camps available. Camps include ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, tumbling, theatre, crafts and a performance on Friday. Dance intensives for beginner to advanced dancers ages 7 and up. All camp placement is by age and skill level.

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TexARTS Summer Camps 2300 Lohman’s Spur, Suite 160 www.tex-arts.org 512-852-9079 Ages 5 - 18 TexARTS offers weekly camps in musical theatre, acting and visual arts. You can star in our summer musical “Beauty and the Beast” beginning June 8th!

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Thinkery Camps 1830 Simond Ave., Austin www.thinkeryaustin.org 512-469-6200 Ages PreK - 5th grade Thinkery camps offer hands-on activities in science, technology, engineering, art and math as a platform for innovation. Each week, campers engage in fun challenges that inspire creativity.

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ZACH Theatre Performing Arts Camps 1510 Toomey Rd. www.zachtheatre.org 512-476-0594 x236 Ages 3 - 18 ACT at ZACH! Explore acting, improvisation, singing and dancing. Put on a fun show for family and friends!

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YMCA of Greater Williamson County Summer Camps www.ymcagwc.org Hutto 512-846-2360 Burnet 512-756-6180

Cedar Park 512-250-9622 Round Rock 512-615-5563 Outdoor Adventure Camps, K - 8th grade Excursion Camps, K - 6th grade Specialty Camps, K - 8th grade Kinder Camps, 3 years - K At the Y, we offer a wide array of summer camp options and activities that are designed to make summer fun, exciting, convenient and safe.

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YMCA of Austin 21 Locations in Travis and Hays Counties www.AustinYMCA.org 512-236-9622 Ages 4 - 14 Weekly sessions run June through August. Kinder, theme, sports and adventure camps offer swimming, field trips, games, crafts, character-building activities and more. Financial assistance available.

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Waterloo Swim www.waterlooswim.com 512-921-9893 Ages Infant and up Low swimmer instructor ratio. Call us for strokes improvement, kid and adult fitness, baby swim.

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OVERNIGHT CAMPS

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Camp Cedarbrook Rosebud, TX www.cedarbrooktexas.com Ages 2nd - 12th grade Central Texas Christian camp builds Christian skills through activities and relationships. Camp Heart Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; the Hills 30 Hwy 39, Hunt, TX www.hohcamp.com 830-238-4650 Ages 6 - 16 Ragsdale family-owned and operated, air-conditioned, Guadalupe River, family-style meals, character-building and skills.

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Camp Lantern Creek 4045 N. FM 1486, Montgomery, TX www.camplanterncreek.com 936-597-8225 Girls ages 7 - 17 Our camps are the perfect vehicle for fostering confidence, self esteem and leadership.

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Camp Rio Vista for Boys & Camp Sierra Vista for Girls Ingram, TX www.vistacamps.com 830-367-5353 Ages 6 - 16 Traditional, non-denominational summer camps, where our goal is to provide a safe, wholesome, fun-filled environment for every boy and girl. Brother/sister camps located on the Guadalupe River.

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Camp Stewart Hunt, TX www.campstewart.com 830-238-4670 Boys ages 6 - 16 Camp Stewart for Boys is a traditional residential camp for boys ages 6-16 founded in 1924. Its focus is not only fun, but also personal development.

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Newkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Adventure Camp New Braunfels, TX

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www.newktennis.com 830-625-9105 Ages 9 - 16 Experience an action-packed week this summer enjoying rafting, Schlitterbahn, paintball, rappelling and more.

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Rocky River Ranch Wimberley, TX www.rockyriverranch.com 512-847-2513 Girls ages 7 - 14 Rocky River Ranch is a rustic, residential camp for girls in Wimberley, the heart of the Texas Hill Country.

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Round Rock Express Baseball Camps Dell Diamond, Round Rock www.roundrockexpress.com 512-255-BALL Ages 6 and up Camp 1 June 15-18 Half Day, Camp 2 June 29-July 2 Half Day, Camp 3 July 13-16 Full Day/Overnight Camp 4 July 27-30 Half Day. Youngsters from all over central Texas will have the opportunity to hone their baseball skills. Full-day and overnight camps for ages 8 and up. Call for details.

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SeaWorld San Antonio, TX www.seaworld.com 800-700-7786 Ages all Explore the world of animals by doing up-close, hands-on activities while having a blast with other campers from across the U.S. and around the world. Expedition Camp for grades 5 to 8, Career Camp grades 9 to 12.

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Sugar & Spice Ranch Camp Bandera,TX www.texashorsecamps.com 830-460-8487 Ages 5 and up Bonding mothers and daughters through horses. You and your daughter will own horses for a week and do everything together as a team. All-inclusive week-long session and a great way to reconnect with each other.

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Camp Guide

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Ki d e n o Z Activities to Welcome Spring This is an exciting time of year; spring is just around the corner! A SPLASH OF COLOR: The National Art Education Association began Youth Art Month in 1961 to encourage everyone to support all school art programs. Let your kids try creative outdoor painting, learn to draw cartoons or create art projects based on their choice of materials. Display the finished artwork proudly around the house. A young Picasso may emerge! EAT IT UP: Yum! It’s National Nutrition Month and the perfect time to teach children about healthy eating habits. Take a look at fast food facts to see the numbers behind those convenient meals in a box. Use health and nutrition labels to teach about eating vegetables, taking care of oneself and more. A family grocery trip to read labels, select produce and plan meals can be educational and fun. Consider enrolling in programs such as The Sustainable Food Center’s “The Happy Kitchen/La Cocina Alegre®.” GET CRAFTY: It’s National Craft Month! Never mind the end result; all that matters is the quality time you spend together. The word “collage” comes from the French word meaning “to glue.” A collage is usually a two-dimensional art made by gluing items to a base. You can use flat items such as magazine pictures, fabric, photos and junk mail. The base is usually paper or canvas. Break out the glue and have fun! LUCK ‘O THE IRISH. A little creativity and a lot of green makes for a fun-filled St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Leprechauns, shamrocks and gold-filled pots symbolize this holiday for the Irish or the Irishat-heart. These classic Irish symbols also work well as the theme of St. Patrick’s Day activities for kids. Celebrate on March 17 by dressing in green and taking a trip to your local library to learn the many myths and legends surrounding St. Patrick himself and the holiday. Another fun family activity might be to draw or write about what you would do if you found that magical “pot of gold” at the end of the rainbow. Spend a little time together in the kitchen creating yummy Irish foods such as soda bread, corned beef and cabbage or Irish oatmeal cookies…and share a little blarney while you are cooking! 62 years of summer camp experience! YMCA of Austin Summer Camp Registration is now open. YMCA Camps are a great way to keep your kids safe and active during the summer. The YMCA of Austin offers 22 camp locations throughout Travis, Hays and Bastrop Counties for ages 4 to 14: Kinder Camp, Theme Camp, Sports Camp and Adventure Camp. Register by March 31 and save! Visit AustinYMCA.org for details or call 512-236-9622 to find the locations nearest you.

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Focus On Doctors

Dr. Linda Lopez

ADC Steiner Ranch Dr. Lopez is from the Rio Grande Valley. She received her medical degree from University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston. She completed her internship and residency at University of Texas Southwestern in Austin. Dr. Lopez speaks conversational Spanish and enjoys preventive, developmental and general pediatrics. See ad on page 18

Dr. Rachel Montgomery

Lonestar Pediatric Dental Dr. Rachel Montgomery graduated from Baylor University in Waco, and followed up by attending The University of Texas Dental School in Houston. Her residency was spent at the Boston University School of Dental Medicine, with a specialty in pediatrics. Rachel can most likely be found spending time with her husband Marty and their precious boys. See ad on page 25

Dr. Marty Montgomery

Lonestar Pediatric Dental Dr. Marty Montgomery comes from a family where all the children were drawn to dental careers early in life. A graduate of Baylor University, in Waco, Marty attended Tufts Dental School in Boston. He completed his residency at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, specializing in pediatrics. See ad on page 25

Dr. David Mouritsen

Smileworks Orthodontics Dr. David Mouritsen’s goals are to understand your concerns, communicate treatment options clearly and deliver exceptional care. He earned a master of science degree and certificate in orthodontics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Mouritsen is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists and the American Dental Association. See ad on page 11

Dr. Betty Richardson

Dr. Richardson earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in nursing, and a PhD in psych/mental health nursing. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist and a licensed professional counselor. She has over 30 years of experience working with individuals, couples, families, children and adolescents.

Dr. Theresa Willis

ADC Steiner Ranch Dr. Willis is a graduate of the University of Texas, received her medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and completed her residency at Texas Children’s Hospital. Dr. Willis’s professional interests include developmental pediatrics, fitness and healthy weight in children and teens. She is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. See ad on page 18 Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market

austinfamily.com | March 2015 | 55

calendar

3/15

++ Denotes the event occurs on multiple dates.

family events

The Three Little Pigs March 1 through April 25

Cowboy Breakfast March 6

Sunday 1 86th Annual Zilker Kite Festival 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Rd. FREE. abckitefestival.com. Kosher Chili Cook-Off and Purim Carnival 12 to 3 p.m. Congregation Aqudas Achim, 7300 Hart Ln. caa-austin.org. Free First Sundays 12 to 5 p.m. Bob Bullock State History Museum, 1800 N. Congress Ave. FREE. thestoryoftexas.com or 512-936-8746. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland ++ 12 to 5 p.m. Throughout March. Harry Ransom Center, 300 W. 21st St. FREE. hrc.utexas.edu. Community Art Sundays 1 to 4 p.m. Center for Creative Action, 2921 E. 17th St. Bldg. B. FREE. creativeaction.org. Sunday Fundays: Wildflower Paper 1 to 4 p.m. Neill-Cochran House Museum, 2310 San Gabriel St. FREE. nchmuseum.org. The Three Little Pigs ++ 2 and 4:30 p.m. Through April 25. Zach’s Kleberg Stage, 202 S. Lamar. From $15. Zachtheatre.org or 512-476-0541 x 1. Peter and the Starcatcher ++ 2:30 p.m. Zach’s Topfer Theatre, 202 S. Lamar. zachtheatre.org or 512-476-0541 x1. The Invention of Love ++ 3 p.m. Through March 8. The Long Center, 701 Riverside Dr. $14. thelongcenter.org 512-457-5115 All ages. Julius Caesar 5:30 p.m. Through March 15. The City Theatre, 3823 Airport Blvd. General seating $15; students $12. citytheatreaustin.org or 512-524-2870. Monday 2 Texas Independence Day Planet Music: Texas Independence Day Celebration 1 to 4 p.m. Brush Square Park, 411 E. 5th St. FREE. austintexas.gov/planetmusic. CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Sunday 1.

Rodeo Austin March 14 through 28

Woodland Faerie Trail March 16 through 31

family events page 56 parenting events page 59 storytimes page 60

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Tuesday 3 “Chicken Big!” Puppet Show 10:15 a.m. Carver Branch, 1161 Angelina St. FREE. library.austintexas.gov/literature-live. SPARK Homeschooling Group 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Wells Branch Library, 15001 Wells Port Dr. FREE. wblibrary.org or 512-989-3188. Lego Club 5:15 p.m. Pflugerville Library, 1008 W. Pfluger St. FREE. tx-pflugerville3.civicplus.com. Family Activity Night: Laughter Yoga 6:30 pm. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd. FREE. westbanklibrary.com or 512-327-3045. Homeschool Teen Group: 5-in-a-Row 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Pflugerville Library, 1008 W. Pfluger St. FREE. tx-pflugerville3.civicplus.com. A Month of La Francophone: Amelie 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. Terrazas Branch, 1105 E. Cesar Chavez St. FREE. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-3625. Community Cinema: The Homestretch 7 to 9 p.m. Windsor Park Branch, 5833 Westminster Dr. FREE. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-9840. CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Sunday 1.

COMPILED BY BETTY KEMPER

Wednesday 4 Dougherty Arts School Presents: Kid Sheriff and the Terrible Toads 11 am. Howson Branch, 2500 Exposition Blvd. FREE. library.austintexas.com or 512-974-8800. High Noon Talk 12 p.m. Bullock State History Museum, 1800 N. Congress Ave. FREE. thestoryoftexas.com or 512-936-8746. “Chicken Big!” Puppet Show 3:30 p.m. North Village Branch, 2505 Steck Ave. FREE. library.austintexas.gov/literature-live. Arts and Crafts 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wells Branch Library, 15001 Wells Port Dr. FREE. wblibrary.org or 512-989-3188. Night Crafters 6 to 8:30 p.m. Manchaca Branch, 5500 Manchaca Rd. FREE. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-8700. Wednesday Night Contra Dancing ++ 7:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. Hancock Recreation Center, 811 E. 41st St. FREE. austinbarndancers.org. CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Sunday 1. Thursday 5 Purim Hopewell Middle School Orchestra 10:30 to 11 a.m. Round Rock Library, 206 E. Main, Round Rock. FREE. roundrocktexas.gov/library or 512-218-7012. Dougherty Arts School Presents: Kid Sheriff and the Terrible Toads 11 a.m. Manchaca Branch, 5500 Manchaca Rd. FREE. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-8700. CPC Thursday Noonday Concerts ++ 12:05 to 12:35 p.m. Central Presbyterian Church, 200 E. 8th St. FREE. cpcaustin.org. First Thursdays 5 to 8 p.m. S. Congress Ave., Barton Springs Rd. to Elizabeth St. FREE. firstthursday.info. Starry Nights at Girlstart 5:30 to 7 p.m. Girlstart, 1400 Anderson Square. FREE. girlstart.org. Nancy Rubins’s Monochrome for Austin Celebration 5:30 pm. University of Texas at Austin, 100 E. 24th St. Hackeman Bldg. FREE with advance registration. landmarks.utexas.edu. CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Sunday 1; The Invention of Love see Sunday 1; Julius Caesar see Sunday 1. Friday 6 Cowboy Breakfast 6 a.m. Long Center, 701 W. Riverside. FREE. rodeoaustin.com/events. AARP Tax Help 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pflugerville Library, 1008 W. Pfluger St. FREE. “Chicken Big!” Puppet Show 2 p.m. Willie Mae Kirk Branch, 301 Oak Springs Dr. FREE. library.austintexas.gov/literature-live. First Fridays 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Downtown Georgetown. FREE. thegeorgetownsquare.com or 512-868-8675. Olga Kern with Austin Symphony 8 p.m. The Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Dr. From $12. thelongcenter.org or 512-474-5664. CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Sunday 1; The Invention of Love see Sunday 1; Julius Caesar see Sunday 1. Saturday 7 13th Annual It’s My Park Day 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Parks throughout Austin. Register to volunteer. austinparks.org/its-my-park-day or 512-477-1566.

Austin Family is now making it easier for you to submit your calendar event. Go to www.austinfamily.com, click on “Submit your event” and send in your entry. The deadline is the 10th of each month preceding the month of the event. Events less than $15 usually are listed. For events more than $15, send details to kaye2003@austinfamily.com.

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Madrone Canyon Hike 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd. FREE. westbanklibrary.com or 512-327-3045. Pokemon Saturday Morning Breakfast Club 10:30 a.m. to 12 pm. Tribe Comics and Games, 3005 S. Lamar. FREE. tribecag.com or 512-693-4300. 16th Annual Explore UT 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. University of Texas at Austin. FREE. exploreut.utexas.edu or 512-471-7753. Giant Chess ++ 12:30 pm - 3:00 pm. Wooldridge Square Park. FREE. giantchess.org. Movie: The Boxtrolls 2 p.m. Windsor Park Branch, 5833 Westminster Dr. FREE. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-9840. Movie: The Lorax 2 p.m. University Hills Branch, 4721 Loyola Ln. FREE. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-9940. Star Trek Symphony Concert 7:45 p.m. Akins High School Fine Arts Center, 10701 S. First St. FREE. cinematicsymphony.com or 512-922-9054. CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Sunday 1; The Three Little Pigs see Sunday 1; The Invention of Love see Sunday 1; Julius Caesar see Sunday 1; Olga Kern with Austin Symphony see Friday 6. Sunday 8 Daylight Saving Time Begins Bright Leaf Guided Hike 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Bright Leaf Preserve, Creek Mountain Rd. FREE. brightleaf.org or 512-459-7269. CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Sunday 1; The Three Little Pigs see Sunday 1; The Invention of Love see Sunday 1; Julius Caesar see Sunday 1. Monday 9 Lego Lab 3:30 p.m. Howson Branch, 2500 Exposition Blvd. FREE. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-8800. Crafternoon 3:30 to 5 p.m. Manchaca Road Branch, 5500 Manchaca Rd. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-8700. CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Sunday 1. Tuesday 10 Kickstart: Mario Kart Wii 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Pflugerville Library, 1008 W. Pfluger St. FREE. tx-pflugerville3.civicplus.com or 512-990-6375. Movie Night: Mr. Peabody and Sherman 6:30 p.m. Twin Oaks Branch, 1800 S. Fifth St. FREE. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-9980. A Month of La Francophone: Les Choristes 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. Hampton Branch at Oak Hill, 5125 Convict Hill Rd. FREE. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-9900. Family Activity Night: Puzzles and Games 6:30 p.m. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd. FREE. westbanklibrary.com or 512-327-3045. CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Sunday 1. Wednesday 11 Dougherty Arts School Presents: Kid Sheriff and the Terrible Toads 11 a.m. Twin Oaks Branch, 1800 S. Fifth St. FREE. library.austintexas.gov. Family Movie: Big Hero 6 2:30 to 5 p.m. Round Rock Library, 206 E. Main St. FREE. roundrocktexas.gov/library or 512-218-7012. “Chicken Big!” Puppet Show 3:30 p.m. Hampton Branch at Oak Hill, 5125 Convict Hill Rd. library.austintexas.gov. Lego Lab 3:30 p.m. Carver Branch, 1161 Angelina St. FREE. library.austintexas.gov. Paperback Pirates Book Club 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Pflugerville Library-Joanne Thornton Room, 1008 W. Pfluger St. FREE. tx-pflugerville3.civicplus.com.

Arts and Crafts 6 to 7 p.m. Wells Branch Library, 15001 Wells Port Dr. FREE. wblibrary.org. CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Sunday 1; Wednesday Night Contra Dancing see Wednesday 4. Thursday 12 Intergenerational Music Together Demo Class 10:15 to 11 a.m. Buckner Villas, 11110 Tom Adams Dr. FREE. heartsongmusic.net or 512-371-9506. Studio Spotlight 12 to 12:45 p.m. Ballet Austin, 501 W. 3rd St. FREE. balletaustin.org. Thinkery at the Library 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Windsor Park Branch, 5833 Westminster Dr. FREE. library.austintexas.gov. “Chicken Big!” Puppet Show 3:30 p.m. Pleasant Hill Branch, 211 E. William Cannon Dr. FREE. library.austintexas.gov. Crafternoon 4 p.m. Twin Oaks Branch, 1800 S. Fifth St. FREE. library.austintexas.gov. Lego Lab 4 p.m. Cepeda Branch, 651 N. Pleasant Valley Rd. FREE. library.austintexas.gov CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Sunday 1; Julius Caesar see Sunday 1; CPC Thursday Noonday Concerts see Thursday 5. Friday 13 Legends Cosplay 7 to 9 p.m. Windsor Park Branch, 5833 Westminster Dr. FREE. library.austintexas.gov. Williamson County Symphony Orchestra 7:30 p.m. First United Methodist Church, 1004 N. Mays St., Round Rock. FREE. wilcoso.org/concerts. CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Sunday 1; Julius Caesar see Sunday 1. Saturday 14 Pi Day Bright Leaf Guided Hikes 9 to 11:30 a.m. Bright Leaf Preserve, Creek Mountain Rd. FREE. brightleaf.org. Market Days on the Square 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Downtown Square, Georgetown. FREE. thegeorgetownsquare.com. Docent-led Tour 9:30 to 11 a.m. Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Rd. FREE. zilkergarden.org or 512-477-8672. Hands-on History 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Williamson Museum, 716 S. Austin St., Georgetown. FREE. williamsonmuseum.org or 512-943-1670. Rodeo Austin ++ 10 a.m. to midnight. Through March 28. 9100 Decker Lake Rd. Children 2 and under FREE; ages 3 to 12 $5; ages 13 and up $8. Parking $10. rodeoaustin. com or 512-477-6060. Second Saturdays Are for Families 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Laguna Gloria, 3809 W. 35th St. FREE. thecontemporaryaustin.org or 512-458-8091. “Chicken Big!” Puppet Show 1 p.m. Recycled Reads Bookstore, 5335 Burnet Rd. FREE. library.austintexas.gov. Cosplay Contest 2 to 5 p.m. Round Rock Library, 216 E. Main St. FREE. roundrocktexas.gov/library or 512-218-7001. Movie: Vampire Academy 2 p.m. University Hills Branch, 4721 Loyola Ln. FREE. library.austintexas.gov. Williamson County Symphony Orchestra 7:30 p.m. Klett Performing Arts Center, 2211 N. Austin Ave., Georgetown. FREE. wilcoso.org. CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Sunday 1; The Three Little Pigs see Sunday 1; Julius Caesar see Sunday 1; Giant Chess see Saturday 7. Sunday 15 Ides of March CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Sunday 1; The Three Little Pigs see Sunday

Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market

Ten Things... to Do for Spring Break 1

Catch a free SXSW show at Auditorium Shores. Visit sxsw. com for more info.

Visit the Rodeo Austin going on March 14-28. See rodeoaustin.com for more info.

Take a photo at one of the many murals in town.

Go for a hike. Visit bit.ly/1A1Txrr for some of the best in the area.

Volunteer at a non-profit, such as a food bank or animal shelter.

Attend one of the spring break camps featured in our Camp Guide.

Take a dip in a natural water swimming hole. For locations, visit bit.ly/1EGWRaR.

Check out your local library’s programs.

Visit a museum. Some to try: Bullock State History Museum, Thinkery and Pioneer Farms.

10 Play at a park. A few of our favorites: Pease Park, San Gabriel Park in Georgetown and the Arboretum Duck Pond.

Photo by Keith Hutchinson

austinfamily.com | March 2015 | 57

1; Julius Caesar see Sunday 1; Rodeo Austin see Saturday 14. Monday 16 Woodland Faerie Trail ++ 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Throughout March. Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Rd. Free with garden admission. zilkergarden.org or 512-477-8672. CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Sunday 1. Tuesday 17 St. Patrick’s Day “Chicken Big!” Puppet Show 3:30 p.m. Old Quarry Branch, 7051 Village Center Dr. FREE. library.austintexas.gov. Crafternoon 4 p.m. Ruiz Branch, 1600 Grove Blvd. FREE. library.austintexas.gov. Lego Lab 4:30 p.m. Manchaca Branch, 5500 Manchaca Rd. FREE. library.austintexas.gov. Family Activity Night: Craft 5:30 to 7 p.m. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd. FREE. westbanklibrary.com or 512-327-3045. A Month of La Francophone: A la follie…pas du tout 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. Howson Branch, 2500 Exposition Blvd. FREE. library.austintexas.gov. CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Sunday 1; Rodeo Austin see Saturday 14; Woodland Faerie Trail see Monday 16. Wednesday 18 Toddler Enrichment Meeting 10 a.m. Brentwood Park, 6710 Arroyo Seco. FREE. texaslll.org. 2nd Annual Family Music Meltdown 3 to 7:30 p.m. Pan Am Park, 2100 E. Third St. FREE. familymusicmeltdown.com. Arts and Crafts 6 to 7 p.m. Wells Branch Library, 15001 Wells Port Dr. FREE. wblibrary.org or 512-989-3188.

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CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Sunday 1; Wednesday Night Contra Dancing see Wednesday 4; Rodeo Austin see Saturday 14; Woodland Faerie Trail see Monday 16. Thursday 19 Art and Activities at the Blanton 12 to 7:30 p.m. Blanton Museum, Congress Ave. and MLK Blvd. FREE. blantonmuseum.org or 512-471-5482. Third Thursday Tween Gaming 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Round Rock Library, 206 E. Main. FREE. roundrocktexas.gov/library or 512-218-7001. CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Sunday 1; CPC Thursday Noonday Concerts see Thursday 4; Rodeo Austin see Saturday 14; Woodland Faerie Trail see Monday 16. Friday 20 First Day of Spring (Spring Equinox) Woodland Faerie Trail by Starlight 7 to 9 p.m. Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Rd. $6 per person or $15 per family. zilkergarden.org or 512-477-8672. CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Sunday 1; Rodeo Austin see Saturday 14. Saturday 21 2015 Open House 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Camp Heart O’ The Hills and Camp Stewart. Hunt TX hohcamp.com, campstewart.com. Spring Break Stampede ++ 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pioneer Farms, 10621 Pioneer Farms Dr. $3 per person. pioneerfarms.org or 512-837-1215. CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Sunday 1; The Three Little Pigs see Sunday 1; Pokemon Saturday Morning Breakfast Club see Saturday 7; Giant Chess see Saturday 7; Rodeo Austin see Saturday 14; Woodland Faerie Trail see Monday 16.

Sunday 22 “Mr. Will” Dupuy Kids Show 10 to 11:30 a.m. Cherrywood Coffeehouse, 1400 E. 38½ St. FREE. mrwillmusic.com. Movie: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 2:30 p.m. Yarborough Branch, 2200 Hancock Dr. FREE. library.austintexas.gov. CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Sunday 1; The Three Little Pigs see Sunday 1; Rodeo Austin see Saturday 14; Woodland Faerie Trail see Monday 16; Spring Break Stampede see Saturday 21. Monday 23 Music Together Mixed-age Demo Class 9:30 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. Heartsong Music, 2700 W. Anderson Ln. #320. FREE. heartsongmusic.net or 512-371-9506. “Chicken Big!” Puppet Show 3:30 p.m. Howson Branch, 3500 Exposition Blvd. FREE. library.austintexas.gov. CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Sunday 1; Rodeo Austin see Saturday 14; Woodland Faerie Trail see Monday 16. Tuesday 24 Intergenerational Music Together Demo Class 10 to 10:45 a.m. Brookdale, 4401 Spicewood Springs Rd. FREE. heartsongmusic.net or 512-371-9506. Music Together Big Kids Demo Class 4 to 5:15 p.m. Heartsong Music, 2700 W. Anderson Ln. FREE. heartsongmusic.net or 512-371-9506. Tween Scene Cascarones 6 to 7 p.m. Pflugerville Library, 1008 W. Pfluger St. FREE. tx-pflugerville3.civicplus.com. Pajama Storytime 6:30 p.m. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd. FREE. westbanklibrary.com or 512-327-3045. A Month of La Francophone: Micmacs à tire-larigot 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. Manchaca Branch, 5500 Manchaca Rd. FREE. library.austintexas.gov. CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see

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Sunday 1; Rodeo Austin see Saturday 14; Woodland Faerie Trail see Monday 16; Music Together Mixedage Demo Class see Monday 23. Wednesday 25 Arts and Crafts 6 to 7 p.m. Wells Branch Library, 15001 Wells Port Dr. FREE. wblibrary.org or 512-989-3188. Culture Nights 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. AGE Cafeteria, 3710 Cedar St. FREE. austinpowwow.net. CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Sunday 1; Wednesday Night Contra Dancing see Wednesday 4; Rodeo Austin see Saturday 14; Woodland Faerie Trail see Monday 16. Thursday 26 “Chicken Big!” Puppet Show 3:30 p.m. Yarborough Branch, 2200 Hancock Dr. FREE. library.austintexas.gov. Thinkery at the Library 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Windsor Park Branch, 5833 Westminster Dr. FREE. library.austintexas.gov. Movie: Dolphin Tale 2 4 p.m. Cepeda Branch, 651 N. Pleasant Valley Rd. FREE. library.austintexas.gov. Scratch Programming for Tweens 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Round Rock Library, 206 E. Main St. FREE. roundrocktexas.gov/library. CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Sunday 1; CPC Thursday Noonday Concerts see Thursday 5; Rodeo Austin see Saturday 14; Woodland Faerie Trail see Monday 16. Friday 27 Semillitas de Español 10:30 to 11 a.m. Wells Branch Library, 15001 Wells Port Dr. FREE. wblibrary.org or 512-989-3188. Ballet Austin: Director’s Choice ++ 8 p.m. The Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Dr. $15. thelongcenter.org or 512-457-5115. Movies in the Park: The Boxtrolls 8 p.m. Elizabeth Milburn Park, 1901 Sun Chase Blvd., Cedar Park. FREE. cedarparktexas.gov. CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Sunday 1; Rodeo Austin see Saturday 14; Woodland Faerie Trail see Monday 16. Saturday 28 Click, Clack, Moo 12 p.m. One World Theatre, oneworldtheatre.org or 512-32WORLD. South Austin Volcano Walk 8 to 11 a.m. El Gallo Restaurant, 2910 S. Congress Ave. $3. coloradoriverwalkers.org or 512-828-1229. Annual Zilker Garden Festival 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Rd. Children under 4 FREE; ages 4 to 12 $4; ages 13 and up $8. Parking $5. zilkergarden. org or 512-477-8672. CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Sunday 1; The Three Little Pigs see Sunday 1; Giant Chess see Saturday 7; Rodeo Austin see Saturday 14; Woodland Faerie Trail see Monday 16; Ballet Austin: Director’s Choice see Friday 27.

Tuesday 31 “Chicken Big!” Puppet Show 10:15 a.m. Cepeda Branch, 651 N. Pleasant Valley Rd. FREE. library.austintexas.gov. Crafternoon – Homeschool Edition 1:30 p.m. Faulk Central Library, 800 Guadalupe St. FREE. library.austintexas.gov. Crafternoon – After School 4 p.m. Faulk Central Library, 800 Guadalupe St. FREE. library.austintexas.gov. A Month of La Francophone: Le scaphandre et le papillon 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. North Village Branch, 2505 Steck Ave. FREE. library.austintexas.gov. CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Sunday 1; Woodland Faerie Trail see Monday 16.

parenting events Monday 2 La Leche League Meeting 10 a.m. Christ’s Workshop, 212 E. Monroe. FREE. texaslll.org. Clases de Crianza con Cariño en Español ++ 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Any Baby Can, 1121 E. 7th St. FREE. anybabycan.org. Tuesday 3 Stepping Stone School Open House 12 - 2 p.m., all locations, steppingstoneschool.com. Little Texas Homeschoolers 10:30 a.m. Wells Branch Library, 15001 Wells Port Dr. FREE. wblibrary.org. Parenting Class ++ 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Any Baby Can, 1121 E. 7th St. FREE. anybabycan.org. Clases de Crianza con Cariño en Español ++ 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Any Baby Can, 1121 E. 7th St. FREE. anybabycan.org. Teaching Social Skills Through Play 7 to 9 p.m. The Georgetown Project, 805 W. University Ave., Georgetown. $15. georgetownproject.org or 512-864-3008. Wednesday 4 La Leche League Meeting 10 a.m. North Village Branch, 2505 Steck Ave. FREE. texaslll.org. Baby Time 10 to 11 a.m. The Georgetown Project, 805 W. University Ave., Georgetown. FREE. georgetownproject.org or 512-864-3008. Becoming a Love and Logic Parent: Part 5 of 5 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The Georgetown Project, 805 W. University Ave., Georgetown. FREE. georgetownproject.org or 512-864-3008. Thursday 5 Crianza con Cariño – Clases de padres ++ 9 to 11 a.m. Any Baby Can, 1121 E. 7th St. FREE. anybabycan.org. Nurturing Parenting ++ 9 to 11 a.m. Any Baby Can, 1121 E. 7th St. FREE. anybabycan.org.

Sunday 29 Palm Sunday “Chicken Big!” Puppet Show 2 p.m. Faulk Central Library, 800 Guadalupe St. FREE. library.austintexas.gov. Spring Egg-Stravaganza 2 p.m. Milburn Park, 1901 Sun Chase Blvd., Cedar Park. FREE. cedarparktexas.gov or 512-401-5528. CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Sunday 1; The Three Little Pigs see Sunday 1; Woodland Faerie Trail see Monday 16; Ballet Austin: Director’s Choice see Friday 27. Monday 30 CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Sunday 1; Woodland Faerie Trail see Monday 16.

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Postpartum Support Group ++ 10 to 11:30 a.m. Any Baby Can, 1121 E. 7th St. FREE. anybabycan.org. What Every Parent Should Know About Planning and Paying for College 6 to 7:30 p.m. Intercontinental Stephen F. Austin Hotel, 701 Congress Ave. FREE. collegesavingsfoundation.org. 703-351-5091. Clases de Crianza con Cariño en Español ++ 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Any Baby Can, 1121 E. 7th St. FREE. anybabycan.org. Parenting Class 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Any Baby Can, 1121 E. 7th St. FREE. anybabycan.org. Monthly Moms Meeting 7 to 9 p.m. Hwy. 183 and Anderson Mill Rd. email for exact address: info@northaustinmothersclub.org. La Leche League Meeting 7 p.m. North Austin Medical Center, Room 2B, 12221 N. Mopac Expy. FREE. texaslll.org. Saturday 7 English Conversation Group 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Wells Branch Library, 15001 Wells Port Dr. FREE. wblibrary.org or 512-989-3188. Clases de Crianza con Cariño en Español ++ 3 to 5 p.m. Any Baby Can, 1121 E. 7th St. FREE. anybabycan.org. Parenting Class 3 to 5 p.m. Any Baby Can, 1121 E. 7th St. FREE. anybabycan.org. Monday 9 CONTINUING: Clases de Crianza con Cariño en Español see Monday 2. Tuesday 10 CONTINUING: Parenting Class see Tuesday 3; Clases de Crianza con Cariño en Español see Tuesday 3.

Wednesday 11 Toddler Time 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. The Georgetown Project, 805 W. University Ave., Georgetown. FREE. georgetownproject.org or 512-864-3008. La Leche League Meeting 10:15 a.m. Hampton Branch, 5125 Convict Hill Rd. FREE. texaslll.org. Thursday 12 Teaching Children About Money 7 to 8 p.m. The Georgetown Project, 805 W. University Ave., Georgetown. FREE. georgetownproject.org or 512-864-3008. CONTINUING: Crianza con Cariño – Clases de padres see Thursday 5; Nurturing Parenting see Thursday 5; Postpartum Support Group see Thursday 5; Clases de Crianza con Cariño en Español see Thursday 5; Parenting Class see Thursday 5. Saturday 14 Parents’ Morning Out 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. For children with special needs. The Georgetown Project, 805 W. University Ave., Georgetown. Pre-registration required. 512-773-1366. CONTINUING: Clases de Crianza con Cariño en Español see Saturday 7; Parenting Class see Saturday 7. Monday 16 CONTINUING: Clases de Crianza con Cariño en Español see Monday 2. Tuesday 17 Dr. Linda Lopez Pediatric Q&A 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Austin Diagnostic Clinic, 5145 RM 620 N. FREE. adclinic.com. CONTINUING: Parenting Class see Tuesday 3; Clases de Crianza con Cariño en Español see Tuesday 3. Wednesday 18 Dr. Linda Lopez Pediatric Q&A 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Austin Diagnostic Clinic, 5145 RM 620 N. FREE. adclinic.com. Thursday 19 CONTINUING: Crianza con Cariño – Clases de padres see Thursday 5; Nurturing Parenting see Thursday 5; Postpartum Support Group see Thursday 5; Clases de Crianza con Cariño en Español see Thursday 5; Parenting Class see Thursday 5. Saturday 21 CONTINUING: Clases de Crianza con Cariño en Español see Saturday 7; Parenting Class see Saturday 7. Monday 23 CONTINUING: Clases de Crianza con Cariño en Español see Monday 2.

Tuesday 24 Sci Tech Prepatory Information Session 6 to 7 p.m. 6405 S. IH 35.sci-techprep.org. CONTINUING: Parenting Class see Tuesday 3; Clases de Crianza con Cariño en Español see Tuesday 3. Wednesday 25 Toddler Time 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. The Georgetown Project, 805 W. University Ave., Georgetown. FREE. georgetownproject.org or 512-864-3008. Learning Through Play 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The Georgetown Project, 805 W. University Ave., Georgetown. FREE. georgetownproject.org or 512-864-3008. Family Support Group 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. For bilingual or Spanish-speaking families. The Georgetown Project, 805 W. University Ave., Georgetown. FREE. georgetownproject.org or 512-864-3008. Thursday 26 CONTINUING: Crianza con Cariño – Clases de padres see Thursday 5; Nurturing Parenting see Thursday 5; Postpartum Support Group see Thursday 5; Clases de Crianza con Cariño en Español see Thursday 5; Parenting Class see Thursday 5. Saturday 28 Grand Opening Kiddie Academy 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 2617 Kelly Ln., Pflugerville kiddieacademy.com/plugerville or 512-270-9988. CONTINUING: Clases de Crianza con Cariño en Español see Saturday 7; Parenting Class see Saturday 7. Monday 30 CONTINUING: Clases de Crianza con Cariño en Español see Monday 2. Tuesday 31 CONTINUING: Parenting Class see Tuesday 3; Clases de Crianza con Cariño en Español see Tuesday 3.

story times Public library story time events listed here are free unless otherwise noted. Programs subject to change. Please contact before attending. Austin Public Library story times are too numerous for our calendar, but include story times for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and all ages. In addition, there are dual language and Spanish language story times. Visit the Austin Public Library website for dates, locations, age groups and times. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-7400. Mondays Musical Storytime 9:30 a.m. Ages 3 to 5 yrs. Leander Library, 1011 S. Bagdad Rd., Leander. Leander.lib.tx.us or 512-259-5259.

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PIENSAPOSITIVO Depresión La fórmula exitosa para caer en depresión es pensar en lo que no tienes. En otras palabras, piensa en lo que ya sea por suerte o por desgracia, no has conseguido obtener. ¡No lo hagas! Es normal que de vez en cuando no se tenga la misma energía o entusiasmo por las ocupaciones de la vida. Lo que no es normal es que los estados negativos se conviertan en tu identidad. De acuerdo a un estudio realizado por el centro de control y prevención de enfermedades (CDC por sus siglas en ingles), los Latinos, Afroamericanos, mujeres y personas de entre las edades de 45 a 64 tienden a caer más en la depresión que el resto de la población, y no porque esta condición se lleve en los genes. La mayoría de los casos es por la falta de conocimiento en como controlar nuestras emociones. Nuestra mente es como una caja de música a la que tú mismo le ordenas que melodía tocar; si siempre te la pasas tocando música triste, pues triste estarás. Es importante saber que nuestro estado de ánimo se basa en lo que enfoques tu mente. Piensa positivo. Depression The successful formula to fall into depression is to think about what you lack. In other words, think about what you have not obtained because of your bad luck or fortune. Don’t do it! It is normal, every now and then, to not feel full of motivation or drive due to the daily obligations of life. What is not normal is to adopt a negative state as your identity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Hispanics, African Americans, women and people between the ages of 45 and 64 tend to feel depressed more often than the rest of the population, and it is not because it is in their genes. Most of the cases are because of the lack of control and knowledge on how to manage emotions. Our brain is like a jukebox; if you get used to playing a sad song, guess what? You will be sad most of the time. It is important to know that our emotional state is the result of what we focus on. Think positive.

by Leslie Montoya Host of Despierta Austin

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Signing Storytime 10 a.m. Ages 0 to 5 yrs. Kaleidoscope Toys, 110 N. IH 35 #375, Round Rock. Baby Time 10 a.m. Ages 3 to 5 yrs. Pflugerville Public Library, 1008 W. Pfluger St. pflugervilletx.gov or 512-990-6375. Infant Storytime 10:30 a.m. Birth to 1 yr. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd. westbanklibrary.co or 512-327-3045. Bookaneers 10:30 a.m. Ages 4 to 6 yrs. Lake Travis Library, 1938 Lohmans Crossing. Laketravislibrary.org or 512-263-2885. Bookworms 10:30 a.m.; ages 0 to 18 mos. Wells Branch Library, 15001 Wells Port Dr. wblibrary.org or 512-989-3188. English/Spanish Bilingual Storytime 11 a.m. Pflugerville Public Library, 1008 W. Pfluger St. pflugervilletx.gov or 512-990-6375. Bookworms 11:15 a.m. Ages 12 to 24 mos. Wells Branch Library, 15001 Wells Port Dr. wblibrary.org or 512-989-3188. All Ages Storytime 12:30 p.m. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd. westbanklibrary.com or 512-327-3045. Paws and Read 6 to 7 p.m. Grades K to 2nd. Pflugerville Public Library, 1008 W. Pfluger St. pflugervilletx.gov or 512-990-6375. Evening Storytime at the Library 6:30 to 7 p.m. Round Rock Public Library, 216 Main St. roundrocktexas.gov/library or 512-218-7011. Tuesdays Baby and Me 9:30 a.m. Ages 0 to 12 mos. Georgetown Public

Library, 420 W. 8th St. library-georgetown.org or 512-930-3623. Baby and Me 9:30 a.m. Ages 24 mos. and under with parent. Leander Public Library, 1011 S. Bagdad Rd., leander.lib.tx.us or 512-259-5259. Sprouts 9:30 to 11 a.m. Ages 2 to 6 yrs. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave. wildflower.org or 512-232-0100. Storytime 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Pflugerville Public Library, 1008 W. Pfluger St. pflugervilletx.gov or 512-990-6375. Tales for Tots 10:30 a.m. Ages 2 and 3 yrs. Lake Travis Community Library, 1938 Lohmans Crossing. laketravislibrary. org or 512-263-2885. Preschool Storytime 10:30 a.m. Ages 3 to 5 yrs. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd. westbanklibrary.com or 512-327-3045. Chinese Bilingual Storytime (first Monday only) 10:30 a.m. Ages 3 to 6 yrs. Round Rock Library, 206 E. Main St. roundrocktexas.gov/library or 512-218-5400. American Sign Language Bilingual Storytime (third Monday only) 10:30 a.m. Ages 1 to 6 yrs. Round Rock Library, 216 E. Main St. roundrocktexas.gov/library or 512-218-5400. Storytime 10:30 a.m. Barnes and Noble, 12701 Hill Country Blvd., Bee Cave. Barnesandnoble.com. Storytime 11 a.m. Barnes and Noble, 2701 Parker Rd., Round Rock. Barnesandnoble.com. Reading Dog R.E.A.D. Program 11 a.m. Pre-readers and readers welcome. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd. westbanklibrary.com or 512-327-3045. Storytime and Craft 6 and 7 p.m. Families with kids of all ages. Tickets required; limit of 24 kids per class. Wells Branch Community Library, 15001 Wells Port Dr. wblibrary.org or 512-989-3188. Wednesdays Babytime 9:30 a.m. 12 to 18 mos. Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main St. roundrocktexas.gov/library or

512-218-7011.

Wobbles Storytime 9:30 a.m. Ages 1 to 2 yrs. Georgetown Public Library, 420 W. 8th St. library.georgetown.org or 512-930-3623. Toddlertime 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. 18 to 36 mos. Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main St. roundrocktexas.gov/ library or 512-218-7011. Preschool Storytime 10:30 a.m. Ages 3 to 6 yrs. Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main St. roundrocktexas.gov/library or 512-218-7011. Pre-K Storytime 10:30 a.m. Leander Public Library, 1011 Bagdad Rd. leander.lib.tx.us or 512-259-5259. Tot Time Storytime 10:30 a.m. Ages 1 to 3 yrs. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd. westbanklibrary.com or 512-327-3045. Baby Storytime 10:30 a.m. 3 to 24 mos. Lake Travis Community Library, 2300 Lohman’s Spur, Suite 100, laketravislibrary.org or 512-263-2885. Story Pals Storytime 10:30 a.m. Ages 3 yrs. and up. Georgetown Public Library, 420 W. 8th St. library.georgetown.org or 512-930-3626. Storytime 10:30 a.m. Barnes and Noble, 12701 Hill Country Blvd., Bee Cave. Barnesandnoble.com. Storytime 11 a.m. Barnes and Noble, 14010 Hwy. 183, Austin. Barnesandnoble.com.

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Thursdays Wobbles Storytime 9:30 a.m. Ages 1 to 2 yrs. Georgetown Public Library, 420 E. 8th St. library.georgetown.org or 512-930-3623. Babytime 9:30 a.m. 0 to 12 mos. Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main St. roundrocktexas.gov/library or 512-218-3179. Spanish Storytime 10:30 a.m. All ages. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd., westbanklibrary.com or 512-327-3045. Preschool Storytime 10:30 a.m. 3 yrs. and older. Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main St. Round Rock. roundrocktexas.gov/library or 512-218-7012. Toddlertime 10:30 a.m. 18 mos. to 3 yrs. Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main St. roundrocktexas.gov/library or 512-218-7011. Story Pals Storytime 10:30 a.m. Ages 3 yrs. and up. Georgetown Public Library, 420 W. 8th St. library.georgetown.org or 512-930-3623. Fridays Sprouts 9:30 to 11 a.m. Ages 2 to 6 yrs. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave. wildflower.org or 512-232-0100. Baby and Me 10 a.m. Up to 24 mos. Leander Public Library, 1011 S. Bagdad Rd. leander.lib.tx.us or 512-259-5259. Briarcliff Storytime 10 a.m. All ages. Briarcliff Community Center, 22801 Briarcliff Dr. laketravislibrary.org or 512-263-2885. Toddler Time 10:30 a.m. Ages 18 to 36 mos. Wells Branch Community Library, 15001 Wells Port Rd. wblibrary.org or 512-989-3188. Children’s Storytime 10:30 a.m. Ages 0 to 5 yrs. Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. 8th St. library.georgetown.org or 512-930-3551. Preschool Storytime 11:15 a.m. Ages 3 to 6 yrs. Wells Branch Library, 15001 Wells Port Dr. wblibrary.org or 512-989-3188. All Ages Storytime 12:30 p.m. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd., westbanklibrary.com or 512-327-3045. Storytime 7 p.m. Barnes and Noble, 2701 Parker Rd., Round Rock. Barnesandnoble.com. Saturdays Family Storytime 11 a.m. Ages 3 to 8 yrs. Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main St. roundrocktexas.gov/library or 512-218-3279. Story Time 11 a.m. All ages. Wells Branch Community Library, 15001 Wells Port Dr. wblibrary.org or 512-989-3188. Vietnamese Storytime (second and fourth Saturdays only) 11 a.m. All ages. Wells Branch Community Library, 15001 Wells Port Dr. wblibrary.org or 512-989-3188. Reading Fairy (second and fourth Saturdays only) 11 a.m. Ages 5 to 12. Leander Public Library, 1011 S. Bagdad Rd. leander.lib.tx.us or 512-259-5259. Storytime 11 a.m. Barnes and Noble, 14010 Hwy. 183, Austin. Barnesandnoble.com. Bow Wow Reading Dogs 12 to 1 p.m. Ages 5 and up. Wells Branch Community Library, 15001 Wells Port Dr. wblibrary.org or 512-989-3188. READ Dogs 12 to 2 p.m. Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. 8th St. library.georgetown.org or 512-930-3551.

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films by Jack Kyser

Still Alice Rated PG-13 Starring Julianne Moore, Alec Baldwin, Kristen Stewart and Kate Bosworth Austin Family critical rating: HHHHH of HHHHH Austin Family Family-Friendly rating: HHHH of HHHHH By the time you read this, Julianne Moore will likely have won the 2015 Academy Award for Best Actress for her outstanding performance in Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland’s Still Alice. Although the awards focus has deservedly been on Moore’s incredible work in the movie, the entirety of Still Alice is remarkable. Alice Howland (Moore) is a 50-year-old professor who, near the opening of the film, is diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease. This launches a harrowing journey not only for Alice, but also for her husband John (Alec Baldwin) and her three grown children (Kristen Stewart, Kate Bosworth and Hunter Parrish). To complicate matters, Alice has a genetic form of the disease. Eventually, her children must decide if they want to be tested and know for certain if they will experience the same decline as their mother. The characters’ journey from the beginning of this movie to its end is amazing, considering the film’s relatively tight 100-minute running time. Still Alice is heavy, but also refreshingly matter-of-fact. There have been other films this awards season to deal with horrendous diseases, including The Theory of Everything, but Still Alice is a better and more effective movie because it gives us a small idea of this terrible experience from the inside. We care not simply because it’s horrible, but because we see and feel it destroy someone we’ve come to love. The entire cast will bring you to tears, but I resist calling the film a “downer,” if only because it so movingly shows us the basic goodness of a family coping with an awful experience. Jack Kyser is a graduate of Austin High School and 2013 graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market

Come to the movies at

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humor

by Carrie Taylor

The Strange Case of Grand-Mania Grandparents are awesome. They swoop your sweet offspring away for weekends at a time and provide much needed wisdom and parental experience. There is no question as to whether the grandparents in your life love your children. I am sure they love them a lot, and it may confuse you when they display certain behaviors that cause you to question their sanity. (Ever had a grandparent administer a newborn a pacifier doused in sweet tea?) The onset of this strange behavior seems to immediately follow your child’s glorious exit from the womb. It is a phenomenon I like to call Grandmania, and it comes with a variety of symptoms:

love. (“But I only got to hold her for four hours today! She didn’t seem that tired…”)

3. Desserts become a major food group. (“Oh, it’s just banana pudding! It’s basically fruit!”)

4. Every day deserves a trip to the toy store. (“He doesn’t have that many toy cars – plus they were having a sale!”)

5. All methods from “back in the day” trump the so-called “advice” your pediatrician gives. (“Look at you—you survived—and what do they know, anyway?”)

are the best cure for a fussy baby in a restaurant. (“See how she just sucks it up?!”)

Do not be alarmed if a grandparent in your life displays these behaviors. They mean well. Also, I’ve heard it never goes away, so finding a cure is just one less thing in your life to stress about.

2. Naps and sleep in general are seen as a barrier to their ability to express their

Carrie Taylor is a native Texan, freelance writer and mother of one precious baby boy.

1. They believe caffeinated beverages

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