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inside
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columns 20 Family Matters At My Age? Some of the Best Parents Are Older Parents 24 The Learning Curve Community College Calling These Institutions are More Than Just Affordable 30 Family Connections Gifts of Appreciation From Sweet Cards to Smart Watches, Some Gift Ideas for Every Mom 32 Lifelines Baring It All: 5 Sun Exposure Myths That Need to Fade Away
12 Hearts Full of Grace
61 Ten Things…to Do for Mother’s Day! 64 Humor Please, No Video Consoles This Mother’s Day
calendar 54 Family Events 59 Parenting Events 60 Story Times
in every issue 18 9 Must-Dos for Day Camp
34 Thank You, Billy Idol
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Play It Safe Product Recalls Around Austin Kidzone by YMCA Activities for May
artículos en español extras
22 ¿ A Mi Edad? Algunos de los Mejores Padres son Padres de Edad Avanzada
36 Summer Camp Guide 63 Focus on Doctors
62 Readers Poll Ballot Hurry! Voting Ends May 15
tune in
Where’s Jack? Our Films column has moved online! Find Jack Kyser’s take on films at austinfamily.com/category/films
26 Colegio Comunitario Estas Instituciones Son Más Que Sólo Económicos 57 Piensa Positivo Errores
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Catch Austin Family live on “Good Day Austin” every Friday morning and “Despierta Austin” the first Friday morning of each month.
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New items each week. Visit our website to register.
The Ellisons of Round Rock are the ambassador family for this year’s March of Dimes March for Babies.
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austinfamily®
editor’s note by Sherida Mock
May 2015 May brings so much activity for families: end of school celebrations, Mother’s Day, recitals, graduation ceremonies, tournaments and so much more. It’s also a time when families make plans for the summer involving camps and vacations. So, let me tell you that we appreciate your taking the time to pick up and read Austin Family Magazine. We love being a part of your life. We have a great list of family-friendly events in and around Austin, and our annual Summer Camp Guide is a valuable resource. We hope you enjoy our other offerings, as well: timely, locally-focused articles; fun giveaways; our Readers Poll Favorites; Cover Kids Contest and Young Writers Contest. But it’s time to have a dialog, a two-way communication—and that means we need to hear from you. Let us know what you like and don’t like. Tell us what you’d like to see more of, or ways we can improve your reading experience, both in print and online. You can always reach me directly at editor2003@austinfamily.com. We also welcome comments on our Facebook page @Austin Family Magazine and Twitter @ATX_ Family accounts. Or, if you still like to pick up the phone and speak to a person, you can reach us at 512-733-0038. I look forward to hearing from you!
Volume 23, No. 2
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, Amy Edwards and Dr. Lamia Kadir TRANSLATION TEAM Maribel Ruvalcaba, Margo Vogelpohl, Pilar Korgel AD DESIGN and PRODUCTION TEAM John Franzetti jfranzetti@att.net 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 Yarn, Rocking Chairs and Strollers Spinrite is recalling about 620,000 skeins of Bernat brand Tizzy Yarn because in finished knit or crochet items, the yarn can unravel or snag and form a loop, posing an entanglement hazard to young children. The recall includes all 11 colors of Bernat brand Tizzy Yarn. The yarn was sold as a ball or skein in a 3.5 ounce package with a paper sleeve. Affected units were sold at Jo-Ann Stores, Michaels and other craft retail stores nationwide and online at yarninspirations.com from April 2012 through February 2015 for between $4.50 and $5. Consumers should immediately stop using the yarn or finished yarn projects, keep them out of the reach of young children and contact Bernat for a full refund. Levels of Discovery is recalling about 150 airplane rocking chairs because the red wooden knobs on the rocker’s steering panel console can detach, posing a small parts choking hazard to young children. The recall involves Fly Boy Airplane Rockers, which are wooden children’s rocking chairs. The chairs have red wooden spindle frames and red wing-shaped arm rests. Affected units were sold at independent juvenile product retail stores nationwide and online at LevelsofDiscovery.com from June 2014 through November 2014 for about $160. Consumers should immediately take the recalled rocker away from young children and contact the firm to receive a replacement console. Stokke is recalling about 400 Trailz strollers because the stroller handle can break while in use, posing a fall hazard to the infant. The recall involves Stokke Trailz strollers in black, black mélange, beige mélange, deep blue, red and purple. The fourwheeled chassis is silver aluminum and measures approximately 45 inches high by 32 inches long when fully extended. Affected units were sold at specialty baby boutiques nationwide and online at AlbeeBaby.com, BuyBuyBaby.com, Diapers.com, Nordstrom. com and Stokke.com from November 2014 to December 2014 for about $1,300. Consumers should immediately stop using the stroller and contact Stokke to schedule a repair. 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 gifts for all the grads in your life. Some ideas for memorable commencement presents: freshman year survival kit, Dr. Seuss’s “Oh, the Places You’ll Go” signed by favorite teachers and Jenga game pieces signed by graduation party guests. Don’t forget the teachers you know. May 5 is National Teachers Day. Some gifts teachers love: dry erase markers, a summer fun tote bag and gift cards for restaurants or car washes. Observe a moment of silence for your fallen footwear on May 9, which is Lost Sock Memorial Day.
BY THE NUMBERS
85.4 million
Del Valle ISD elementary school students take part in the Sodexo Future Chef competition.
Future Chefs Competition In March, students from 19 school districts across Texas joined more than 2,500 students in 29 states to prepare healthy after school snacks. The activity was part of the national Sodexo Future Chef competition.
Five winners from the first round competed in late April in a national competition online. Included was national finalist Mackenzie Wood from Liberty Hill ISD with a Cucumber Avocado Chick Salad. This is the fifth annual Future Chef Competition.
Touch-a-Truck Returns Kids of all ages can get up close and personal with their favorite big rigs on May 9 at Touch-A-Truck at Camp Mabry. This family friendly event presents an array of autos for kids to play on while learning about how they help serve their communities.
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with early VIP entry at 9 a.m. Admission is $5 per person; VIP admission is $20 per person. For more information, visit austinchildrenshelter.org.
In addition to a variety of vehicles, TouchA-Truck features live music, food trucks, a petting zoo, face painting, barrel-train rides and more.
Estimated number of mothers in the U.S. in 2009. Source: U.S. Census Bureau 8
Touch-A-Truck is a fun way for children to explore the rigs they have seen in movies, books or just driving down the street. But more than that, the event raises funds for Austin Children’s Services, a local nonprofit that provides programs to address child abuse and neglect prevention and intervention.
Kids can explore big rigs at Touch-aTruck on May 9.
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Autism Study Examines Language New research from a linguistics professor and alum at UT Austin sheds light on a well-known characteristic of children with autism: their reluctance to use pronouns. Words such as “you” and “me” are sometimes reversed (for example, a child will use “you” to refer to herself) or avoided altogether. Previous research pointed to causes stemming from language confusion or echolalia (automatic repetition of sounds). But the current study examines whether the same phenomenon occurs in children who use American Sign Language (ASL). The difference between signed and spoken language is that pronouns are points with the index finger, rather than spoken words. Nonetheless, children with autism prefer using signed names over pronouns. For
example, when shown a picture of himself, a child with autism—using spoken English or ASL—is more likely to say “that is Johnny” rather than “that is me.” The researchers—Richard P. Meier, a professor in the College of Liberal Arts at UT Austin, and Aaron Shield and Helen Tager-Flusberg from the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Boston University—note that children using ASL tend not to reverse pronouns, as do children using spoken English. “Our work suggests that the opacity of pronouns in English and other spoken languages is not at the root of the problem,” said Shield, lead author for the study. “We suspect, though more work is needed, that people with autism may differ in their experiences of selfhood.”
Design a T-Shirt Contest
The Austin Police Department’s Operation Blue Santa is hosting a t-shirt logo redesign contest to find a bold, fresh design for the 2015 holiday season. Submissions for the contest will be accepted through June 10. Contest awards will be announced August 4. For more information, including rules for submission, visit bit.ly/1IgfAvv.
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Westood Teams Win BBB Student Video Contest Three teams from Westwood High School took top honors in the 2015 Better Business Bureau Student Video Competition. In February, the students created short public service announcements, then submitted them to the Better Business Bureau. In late March, winners were selected by a panel of judges. The videos were evaluated on how well students were able to communicate the theme, overall creativity and overall production value. The first place entry, “Trust Fall,” was submitted by Julia Siegmund and Allison Melton. The second place entry, “You Can Trust Us,”
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came from Kathryn Eversmann, Charlotte Manning, Sierra Higginbotham and Kele Roberson. Taking third place was “Trust Yourself” by Justin Lescano, Isabel Prchlik, Armand Topcubasi, Fedya Vinkovetsky and Nathan Kranz. The videos and all other contest submissions are available at bit.ly/1EEh9k0.
Food Bank Partners With Farmers’ Market Food bank clients in the San Marcos area now have access to more fresh produce, thanks to a partnership among the City of San Marcos, the Hays County Food Bank and the San Marcos Farmers’ Market Association. The Farmers’ Market Voucher Program was unveiled at the end of March. For $10, food bank clients can purchase voucher booklets they can then redeem at the farmers’ market for $40 worth of produce. The City of San Marcos staff collaborated with food bank staff to develop and submit a grant proposal that provides initial funding for the program.
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Nominate a NICU Hero Hand to Hold, an Austin-based nonprofit, is hosting its third annual NICU Heroes program to find and honor professionals who care for families in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). 2014 NICU Hero Stephanie HoreckyHall attends a patient.
Winning awardees will receive a trophy, a certificate and a $2,500 donation made
Report Reveals State of Health A statewide report on Texas health ranked three Austin-area counties favorably. Of 237 counties ranked, Williamson County came in third place, Hays County in fifth and Travis County ninth. The report, released in late March by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), underscores that where we live matters to our health. The report compares counties on 30 factors including smoking, high school graduation rates, income inequality, employment,
in their name to the pediatric healthcare charity of their choice. To nominate an outstanding doctor, nurse, therapist, social worker, lactation consultant or other neonatal professional, visit handtohold.org/hero. Deadline for nominations is May 14.
Top Texas Counties 1 Presidio
physical activity, access to healthy foods and more.
2 Collin
“While we are pleased to be among the top ranked counties in Texas, there is more to be done to make this community the healthiest in the nation,” said Carlos Rivera, director of Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services. “We will use this data to address health equity gaps within our population.”
4 Denton
This is the sixth annual rankings, published online at countyhealthrankings.org.
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3 Williamson 5 Hays 6 Mills 7 Fort Bend 8 Concho 9 Travis 10 Brazos
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Hearts Full of Grace Ambassador Family Honors the Memory of Their Daughter at the March for Babies It’s a chance for the couple to honor the memory of a daughter born with a severe medical condition. The Ellisons, this year’s March of Dimes ambassador family, have found a sweetness and a richness to life that came from an experience no parent wants to endure. “We have an appreciation for how fragile life is,” says Will. It started early in 2012, when the little family of three—Mitzi, Will and 7-month-old Wayne—learned that a second child was on the way. “We got pregnant with Grace in February,” says Mitzi. “And at 12 weeks, we got the first indication that something was up. Our doctor [Dr. Christopher Seeker] and his staff were amazing. The minute we got a positive diagnosis for Trisomy 18, he said, ‘You come in any time.’”
Will and Mitzi Ellison play outside their Round Rock home with sons Weston, 7 months, and Wayne, 3.
When Mitzi and Will Ellison walk the trail at Old Settlers Park in the March for Babies on May 9, they’ll be observing, as they put it, their “Grace time.” by Sherida Mock
According to the Trisomy 18 Foundation, the condition starts at conception with an error in cell division. Trisomy 18 results in an extra copy of the 18th chromosome, which can cause life-threatening medical complications. It occurs in about 1 in 2,500 pregnancies, and the statistics can be devastating for expectant parents. Fifty percent of babies carried to term are stillborn. Fewer than 10 percent survive to their first birthday. However, there is hope for survival. For example, Bella Santorum, the daughter of former presidential candidate Rick Santorum, has Trisomy 18 and celebrates her 7th birthday on May 13. That hope, and the desire to give Grace whatever life they could, led the Ellisons to seek information about her specific situation. Trisomy 18 meant that any number of complications could reveal themselves at any time. “It’s more difficult to prepare,” says Mitzi, “because you don’t really know what’s going on.”
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The couple visited Dr. Ronald Shapiro, a pediatric cardiologist, who spent nearly two hours performing a fetal echocardiogram on Grace’s heart as Mitzi lay on her side, uncomfortably large. “I had polyhydramnios,” says Mitzi. “It’s an excess of amniotic fluid that can
We still have that energy. We still have all that love in us. —Mitzi Ellison Will says they have 1,000 photos of their time with Grace, “and it’s not enough.”
stem from heart defects. It made me enormous. I couldn’t feel her moving. It was frustrating every day.” Afterward, Dr. Shapiro told them Grace’s heart had a serious defect. It meant she had little chance of survival after birth. “She basically didn’t have any walls in her heart,” says Mitzi.
However unwelcome it was, the news did give the couple insight into Grace’s condition. “You have to consider what you are going to do with this information,” says Will. “Even when there were potential surgical options— if hypothetically speaking, they could repair her heart—it still didn’t change the fact that she had Trisomy 18.”
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The two ricocheted between worry over Grace’s condition, especially since Mitzi couldn’t feel her move, and hope that her complications didn’t preclude survival. And so it went, until October 17, 2012—a Wednesday—when Mitzi and Will entered St. David’s North Austin for a scheduled C-section.
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Although Grace was born blue and not breathing, after four and a half long minutes—a time that “felt like two weeks” to Will—she gave out a small cry and began breathing. The joy was short-lived, as a nurse trying to perform suction on the baby discovered that Grace had esophageal atresia. Her esophagus and stomach were not connected. “It was a big, big blow for us,” says Will. “It’s the most primal parenting thing, to feed your child.” Dr. Seeker eased their concerns when he explained that to be comfortable, Grace needed warmth more than feeding. “Normally, you feed a baby right away, of course,” says Mitzi. “But to survive, she didn’t need to feed until Saturday.” And the NICU nurses taught them about “kangaroo care,” a technique of skin-to-skin comfort holding, typically used with preemies. “She was very comfy,” says Mitzi. The Ellisons went through two days of routine new-baby activities, all
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the while recognizing that their time with Grace was limited. Grandparents, aunts and close family friends came in to meet and hold Grace. On Thursday, one NICU nurse gave the Ellisons a gift they treasure to this day. She suggested that they take the baby to the little garden outside Will introduces Wayne to his sister. the hospital. At the time, it seemed unnecessary, but in retrospect, that time has become periods of time. On Friday night, she slipped away peacefully in her mother’s a solace to them both. embrace. “We said a prayer over her “It was a little bit of normalcy,” says and sang to her and said good-bye,” Will. “We were outside on a beautiful says Will. day, and we got to feel like a family.” Both parents acknowledge it was the “It’s probably one of the best gifts that hardest day of their lives. And yet, they we’ve ever gotten,” says Mitzi. “Grace are comforted by the time they did opened her eyes. Having that memory have with Grace. “You talk to someone and those pictures, that aren’t of you in who hasn’t gone through it,” says Will. a hospital bed, is a big deal.” “And you say that you had 61 hours with your daughter, and they say, ‘I’m Throughout the day on Friday, Grace so sorry.’ You talk to somebody who’s increasingly stopped breathing for short been through stillbirth or Trisomy 18
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has shown tremendous strength as they go through their journey, and we feel so fortunate to have them as part of the March of Dimes family.” The Ellisons have since added a son, Weston, to their brood. For Mitzi, the pregnancy with Weston brought up old concerns and a new opportunity to help moms facing hard circumstances.
Mitzi’s mother’s ring contains birthstones representing all three of her children.
and had one hour, they say, ‘You’re so lucky.’”
both of them. It benefits families that have both kinds of babies.”
Soon after, the Ellisons looked for a cause, a focus for honoring Grace. “We still have that energy; we still have that hope,” says Mitzi. “We still have all that love in us. March of Dimes makes sense, because we had Wayne and we had Grace, and March of Dimes benefits
The couple’s March for Babies team, Give With Grace, raises money for the March of Dimes every year. In addition, Mitzi volunteers with the Family Teams Committee. Kimberly Petrilli, executive director of the March of Dimes Austin, says, “They are a wonderful family who
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“It was a very difficult pregnancy, mentally,” says Mitzi. “But I realized that I’m not in control of everything. I couldn’t fix Grace. I couldn’t worry her into not having a problem. To moms that are just getting a diagnosis: there is hope. It may not work out exactly the way you want it to, but that doesn’t take away the hope of life and the hope of living. I know it’s really easy to go into the depths of despair. It’s an out of order death. You do have to allow yourself anger.” “It’s just shifted the hope,” says Will. “It’s hope from the diagnosis being wrong, to hope that she’d survive, to hope that we’ll see her in heaven. Hope and trust.”
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9Must-Dos for Day Camp
Our Local Experts Get You Organized for a Week (or More!) of Summer Fun by Sherida Mock Summer camp is no time to wear your Sunday best.
Summer camp time is just around the corner, so we collected the advice from a handful of seasoned, local pros to help you get ready. Here are nine tips to fill the next several weeks with minimal stress and maximum fun.
2. Send Water
1. Visit in Advance
How much to send varies by camp. Consider whether your child will spend most of her time indoors or out. For mostly outdoor camps, “the best thing is a personal-sized, Igloo-type jug,” says McMorris. “Fill it with ice and add water; it’ll last a child all day.”
Bring your child to the facility before the first day of camp. “I think it’s wise to visit the place you’re going to send your child,” says Susan McMorris, owner of Rio Vista Farm, “even if you just do a drive-by.” “It’s always good for the camper and the parents to see the facility,” says Dan Neal, director of Camp Doublecreek. “The camper can get a visual of what will happen on Monday.” Check with the camp to see what they advise. Some camps suggest you to tour the grounds and meet the staff. Others offer a free trial class. 18
Hydration is key to health and enjoyment during a hot Central Texas summer. Most day camps make water available, but “many children like to carry their own water,” says Jan Fiebig, president of Mad Science of Austin and San Antonio.
“My clever parents will freeze a half-full water bottle overnight, then fill the rest with water,” says Neal.
3. Pack a Smart Lunch If you’ve been packing a lunch all school year, this can seem like a no-brainer. But wait a sec: day camps have some special requests. First, be considerate of children with food allergies.
“Kids like to share,” says Karina Lucio, general manager of Dance Discovery. “And they aren’t always aware of other kids’ allergies.” So skip the peanut butter in favor of other protein sources—but not yogurt tubes. “Those are very messy,” Lucio says. McMorris adds that while her camp has a small refrigerator, “it’s best not to send something that needs to be refrigerated. With large numbers of kids, it’s hard to do that for all of them.”
4. Label Everything Most parents know—but often forget—to label every item their child takes with them. McMorris says her weekly Parents Day affords an opportunity to claim lost items. But camps that don’t have a Parents Day sometimes end up with a mountainous lost-and-found inventory. “Among other things, at the end of the summer, I have about 100 backpacks that I donate to charity,” says Neal.
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5. Dress Appropriately Campers should be ready for some serious play—and that means no Sunday best. “Come dressed to have a good time,” says Fiebig. If you need to buy clothing, “go cheap-o on the camp clothes,” says Neal. “They’re going to get dirty.” Lucio adds that most camps have craft time, so she suggests sending an overshirt for the messy activities. And Neal has a special request: “Please wear tennis shoes. Don’t wear Crocs; don’t wear Toms. They’re great shoes, but you’re coming to camp to play hard.”
6. Slather on the Sunscreen Have your child apply sunscreen before she arrives at camp and send some along for reapplication. Neal says children as young as 4 can learn how to apply sunscreen themselves. As for brands and types, McMorris says “what works best is the kind they will put on.” Don’t assume you’re off the hook if the camp is mostly indoors. Even those camps spend time in the sun. “We go
outside for about half an hour every day,” says Lucio.
7. Pay Attention to Paperwork Lucio asks that during registration, parents make sure to note any important allergies or other medical needs. For example, if your child keeps an EpiPen handy, make sure that is communicated to the staff. Feibig agrees, saying that “if a parent has specific concerns, share it with the camp provider. We prefer it to be written and then reinforced with the instructor upon arrival.” In addition, be sure to provide a thirdparty emergency contact number. Neal has experienced emergencies in which both parents were unavailable, “and then we don’t have anybody we can call.”
8. Have a Dropoff and Pickup Plan Make sure you are aware of camp hours and know what to expect if you are late. “It’s not uncommon for Mom to think
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Dad’s picking up today, or vice versa,” says Fiebig. “There’s about a 10-minute window before we start making calls.” For camps that offer shuttles, plan to arrive at the pickup spot 10 minutes early. “We don’t wait,” says McMorris. “It delays the camp getting started.” Be prompt in meeting the end-of-day dropoff shuttle, as well. Otherwise, “the van driver, who is also the camp instructor and has been teaching kids all day, has to sit and wait. It’s just not considerate,” says McMorris.
9. Diversify the Experience For families who fill their summer with weeks of camp, Neal has one final bit of advice: mix it up. “I love the fact that we get campers who come back week after week after week,” he says. “But I see a lot of great development that comes from diversifying camp experiences—going to maybe three or four, depending on the age. When children are about 9, I think it’s important for them to do overnight camp. It makes them enjoy our experience even more.”
austinfamily.com | May 2015 | 19
family matters by Dr. Betty Richardson
At My Age?
Q
Some of the Best Parents Are Older Parents My husband and I have two energetic boys, ages 5 and 7. I’ve just gotten them both in school and am enjoying some “me” time, but I find I desperately want another baby. My husband is ok with the idea; however, I just turned 40, and he is 46. We both hear scary stories about things that can go wrong in a pregnancy at my age. Are we too old? What can you tell us about lowering risks and enjoying a third child?
A. One of the best mothers I know married in her 30s and was unsuccessful in becoming pregnant right away. Around age 39, she gave up the idea of children. On her 40th birthday, she felt strange and blamed it on aging. It wasn’t long before she found out that it wasn’t her age, but pregnancy. She had a healthy energetic boy, and two years later she delivered a second healthy son. Her life and that of her husband is full of more fun and love because of having children.
Another way to lower risks is to work closely with a good obstetrician. I’m sure you have heard that there is an increased risk of genetic disorders and birth defects in older mothers and yet most mothers over 40 deliver healthy
getting enough sleep, avoiding alcohol and devoting time for exercise and meditation or practicing relaxation are just some of the ways to keep yourself and your baby healthy.
babies. While this can be scary if you let it, keep in mind that health care today for expectant mothers and babies is far advanced compared to the past. Your doctor may order more sonograms and see you more often. You will probably be given the choice to have amniocentesis to see if your baby is healthy. There are also optional blood tests to determine if there are early indications of a genetic disorder.
Returning to your original question: as one mother put it, “It’s not about age but about resources—time, family support, finances—and mostly about the ability to nurture.” It’s more than having a baby. It’s caring for that bundle of joy for many years in a way that produces the best adult child that you can.
Lots more women are becoming pregnant in their early 40s than in the past. There are many new parents around your age—and some fathers much older. In fact, some of the best fathers I know are in their late 40s and 50s with small children and in their 70s with children just graduating college. I assume that part of the reason you want another baby is to bring more fun and love into your life, as well as to nurture and raise another child. You do need to ask yourself why you want another baby. If it’s to see if you can have a girl, then ask yourself if you will be disappointed if your baby is a boy. If you feel like your family isn’t complete without another child, you and your husband are the best judge of this. You ask how to lower the risks of something going wrong with you or the baby in the pregnancy. A 2012 study by Dr. John R. Barton, director of maternalfetal medicine at Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky, found that pregnant women over 40 who were obese had much higher rates of complications than non-obese pregnant women. One way to reduce your risks is to get and maintain a healthy weight. 20
In addition to working with your doctor, mothers of any age can help lower risks by thinking and acting in healthy ways. Eating healthy balanced meals,
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.
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family matters by Dr. Betty Richardson
¿ A Mi Edad? Algunos de los Mejores Padres son Padres de Edad Avanzada
P
Mi marido y yo tenemos dos niños energéticos, uno de 5 y el otro de 7 años de edad. Apenas acaban de entrar los dos a la escuela y estoy disfrutando de un poco de tiempo para mí, pero me doy cuenta que quiero desesperadamente otro bebé. Mi marido está de acuerdo con la idea; Sin embargo, acabo de cumplir 40 y el tiene 46 años de edad. Ambos escuchamos historias que nos asustan acerca de las cosas que pueden salir mal en un embarazo a mi edad. ¿Estamos demasiado viejos? ¿Qué nos puede decir acerca de disminuir los riesgos y disfrutar de un tercer hijo?
R. Una de las mejores madres que conozco se casó poco después de sus 30 años de edad y no logró quedar embarazada inmediatamente. Aproximadamente a los 39 años, renunció a la idea de tener más niños. El día que cumplió 40 años de edad, se sintió extraña y le echó la culpa al envejecimiento. No pasó mucho tiempo cuando se entera de que no era por la edad, sino por el embarazo. Ella tuvo un
niño saludable y lleno de energía, dos años más tarde dio a luz a un segundo niño sano. Su vida y la de su marido están llenas de más diversión y amor por tener hijos. Hoy en día, mucho más mujeres se están embarazando a principios de sus 40 años de edad que en el pasado. Hay muchos padres primerizos alrededor de su edad—y algunos padres mucho mayor. De hecho, algunos de los mejores padres
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que conozco están en sus 40 y 50 años de edad con niños pequeños y de 70 años de edad con hijos graduándose de la Universidad. Supongo que parte de la razón por la que quiere otro bebé es para traer más diversión y amor a su vida, así como cuidar y criar a otro niño. Usted necesita preguntarse por qué quiere otro bebé. Si es para ver si puede tener una niña, entonces pregúntese si se sentirá decepcionada si su bebé es un varón. Si siente que su familia no está completa sin otro niño, usted y su marido son los mejores jueces de esto. Usted pregunta cómo reducir los riesgos de que algo salga mal con usted o su bebé en el embarazo. Un estudio del 2012 por el Dr. John R. Barton, director de medicina materno-fetal en el Hospital Central Baptist en Lexington, Kentucky, encontró que las mujeres embarazadas mayores de 40 años de edad que eran obesas tenían un porcentaje más alto de complicaciones que las mujeres embarazadas no obesas. Una forma para reducir los riesgos es conseguir y mantener un peso saludable. Otra forma de reducir los riesgos es trabajar de cerca con un buen
ginecólogo. Estoy seguro que ha oído que hay un mayor riesgo de trastornos genéticos y defectos de nacimiento en madres mayores de edad, y sin embargo la mayoría de las madres mayores de 40 años dan a luz a niños saludables. Si bien, esto puede ser aterrador si lo permite, tenga en cuenta que hoy en día el cuidado de la salud para las mujeres embarazadas y los bebés es muy avanzado en comparación con el pasado. El médico puede ordenar más ultrasonidos y verla con más frecuencia. Es probable que se le dé la opción de tener una amniocéntesis para ver si su bebé está sano. También hay la opción de pruebas de sangre para determinar si existen los primeros indicios de un trastorno genético. Además de trabajar con su médico, madres de cualquier edad pueden ayudar a disminuir los riesgos de pensar y actuar de una manera saludable. El consumo de comidas sanas y equilibradas, dormir lo suficiente, evitar el alcohol, el ejercicio razonable y la meditación o la práctica de relajación son sólo algunas de las formas para mantenerse usted y su bebé sanos. Volviendo a su pregunta original: como una madre dijo, “No se trata de la edad sino de recursos—tiempo, apoyo de la familia, finanzas—y sobre todo acerca de la capacidad de nutrir.” Es algo más que tener un bebe. Es cuidar de ese paquete lleno de alegría durante muchos años de una manera que produce al mejor hijo adulto que pueda.
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
Community College Calling These Institutions Are More Than Just Affordable
H
ave you given community college a fair shake? As hundreds of thousands of high school seniors walk across the stage this May in Texas, some will choose community college as the next step on their educational journey. This affordable option may be the best fit for your new grad, as well. Show Me the Money Community college in Texas is less than half that for public four-year colleges and one-tenth the cost of private institutions. Even students who plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree can save money by attending a year or two at community college before transferring to a university. Students can also save money by living at home. Who Benefits? Anyone can benefit from the cost savings of a community college, but there are some populations that seem to be a perfect match.
The variety of courses available at your local community college is stunning.
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responsibilities of adulthood. Nontraditional students. Community colleges typically accommodate a highly diverse student population. That can translate into a comfortable place for students of all backgrounds and abilities to get a start on their education. Unlike many four-year institutions, community colleges design their course schedules for part-time and evening students. In addition, students can get extra support in basic skills such as writing, reading and mathematics—skills they’ll need to be successful in a more competitive four-year program. There may also be extra support, such as study skills training, counseling and tutoring, as well as adaptations for students with disabilities.
Young commuters. Some students are not quite ready to leave the nest. “A university is a tough place to start. It can be big, and it can be quite intimidating,” says Debi Gaitan, vice president for student success at Northwest Vista College in San Antonio.
Certification seekers. Many respectable and well-paying professions—such as dental assistant, computer tech and auto mechanic—do not require a fouryear degree, but do require certification. Community colleges provide a focused certification plan so students can get in, get certified and get a job without the extras of a four-year plan. Through connections with local businesses, community colleges keep a pulse on what positions are in high demand and what skills employers are seeking.
With small classes, flexible schedules and locations close to home, community colleges can help a hesitant student gain confidence in his ability to make it on his own. Community colleges often have strong support systems to ease the transition from adolescence to the
Lifelong learners. Not all college students fit the standard age range of 18-22. Whether brushing up on skills, pursuing a long neglected interest or working toward a career change, community college provides a path of affordable learning that does not
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necessarily lead to a degree. A retiree may wish to take a few writing classes. An experienced teacher may decide that he would like to learn Spanish. A young mother may want to take childhood development classes. The Downside If community college is so great, why doesn’t everyone go? There are, of course, drawbacks to the community college route.
followed by two more years at a public or private institute automatically ends with a bachelor’s degree. The coursework required for a specific degree may need to be taken in succession and may take more than two years to finish. If you spend an extra year in college, you will miss out on a year of salary you could be earning.
The variety of courses available at your local community college is stunning. Whatever your interest, passion or plan, consider signing up and seeing what the buzz is all about! Jennifer VanBuren is a Georgetown mother of three school-aged children, an educator and a childbirth doula.
The College Experience. Some students may regret missing out on the traditional college experience, including dorm life. They may also face difficulty “fitting in” later when transferring to a four-year college. Hidden Costs. Being a college student has certain fixed costs no matter where you go. For example, the College Board estimates that a year of textbooks and materials costs about $1,200 for a full-
Did You Know? • Core curriculum courses taken at a Texas community college are guaranteed to transfer to any public college or university in Texas. • Faculty at a community college can focus on teaching, not research or publishing. • Average class size for community college is 25-35, in comparison to universities, which may have classes as large as 300. • Many well-paying and rewarding careers require certification rather than a bachelor’s degree.
time student. And while you may save money on room and board, you’ll still need groceries and a place to live. You’ll also need a way to get to and from classes, an expense you wouldn’t have if you were living on campus. Lost Credits. Community college credits may not transfer to a private college or out-of-state school. If you have a specific institution and course of study planned, be sure to check ahead of time to see which courses will transfer. Years in School. Two plus two does not always equal four. Don’t assume that two years at community college Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market
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the learning curve by Jennifer VanBuren
Colegio Comunitario Estas Instituciones Son Más Que Sólo Económicos ¿Le ha dado al colegio comunitario una oportunidad justa? Mientras cientos de miles de estudiantes de preparatoria se gradúan este mes de mayo en Texas, algunos escogerán el colegio comunitario como el siguiente paso en su viaje educativo. Esta opción económica puede ser el más adecuado para su recién graduado, también. Muéstreme el Dinero El colegio comunitario en Texas es menos de la mitad que para las universidades públicas de cuatro años y una décima parte de costo de las instituciones privadas. Incluso los estudiantes que planean seguir una licenciatura pueden ahorrar dinero al asistir un año o dos en un colegio comunitario antes de transferirse a una Universidad. Los estudiantes también pueden ahorrar dinero viviendo en casa. ¿Quién se Beneficia? Cualquier persona puede beneficiarse de los ahorros en los costos de un colegio comunitario, pero para algunas poblaciones parece ser la opción perfecta.
La variedad de cursos disponibles en su universidad local es impresionante.
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Jóvenes que viajan. Algunos estudiantes no están listos para abandonar el nido. “La Universidad es un lugar difícil para empezar. Puede ser grande, y puede ser bastante intimidante”, dice Debi Gaitán, vicepresidenta para el éxito estudiantil en Northwest Vista College en San Antonio. Con clases pequeñas, horarios flexibles y ubicaciones cerca de casa, los colegios comunitarios pueden ayudar a los estudiantes indecisos a ganar confianza en su capacidad para hacerlo por su cuenta. Los colegios comunitarios a menudo tienen fuertes sistemas de apoyo para facilitar la transición de la adolescencia a las responsabilidades de la edad adulta.
Estudiantes no tradicionales. Los colegios comunitarios suelen acomodarse a un grupo estudiantil muy diversa. Eso puede traducirse en un lugar cómodo
¿Sabía Usted? • Las clases básicas del plan de estudio tomadas en un colegio comunitario de Texas están garantizados para transferir a cualquier colegio público o universidad en Texas. • La facultad en un colegio comunitario puede enfocarse en enseñar, no en investigar o publicaciones. • El cupo promedio de las clases en un colegio comunitario es de 2535 estudiantes, en comparación con las universidades, que pueden tener clases tan grandes como 300 estudiantes. • Muchas carreras gratificantes y bien pagadas requieren la certificación en lugar de una licenciatura.
para los estudiantes de todos los orígenes y habilidades para obtener un comienzo en su educación. A diferencia de muchas instituciones de cuatro años, los colegios comunitarios diseñan sus horarios de clases para los estudiantes de medio tiempo y por la tarde. Además, los estudiantes pueden recibir apoyo adicional en las destrezas básicas como la escritura, la lectura y matemáticas—habilidades que necesitan para tener éxito en un programa más competitivo de cuatro años. También puede haber un apoyo extra, tales como técnicas de estudio, entrenamiento, asesoría y tutoría, así como adaptaciones para estudiantes con discapacidad.
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Los que buscan la certificación. Muchas profesiones respetables y bien pagadas— como asistente dental, tecnología informática y mecánica automotriz—no requieren un título de cuatro años, pero si requieren una certificación. Los colegios comunitarios ofrecen un plan de certificación enfocada para que los estudiantes puedan entrar, obtener la certificación y conseguir un trabajo sin los extras de un plan de cuatro años. A través de conexiones con las empresas locales, los colegios comunitarios están al tanto de que posiciones están en alta demanda y que habilidades están buscando los empleadores. Estudiantes de por vida. No todos los estudiantes universitarios se ajustan a la franja de edad estándar de 18 a 22. Ya sea repasando habilidades, persiguiendo un interés que tenia olvidado o trabajar hacia un cambio de carrera, el colegio comunitario ofrece un camino económico de aprendizaje que no necesariamente conducen a un título. Un jubilado podría tomar un par de clases de escritura. Un maestro con experiencia puede decidir que le gustaría aprender español. Una joven madre puede querer tomar clases de desarrollo infantil.
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La Desventaja Si el colegio comunitario es tan fabuloso, ¿por qué no van todos? Hay, por supuesto, inconvenientes al elegir asistir al colegio comunitario. La experiencia universitaria. Algunos estudiantes pueden lamentar perderse la experiencia universitaria tradicional, incluso la vida en los dormitorios. También pueden enfrentar dificultades para “encajar” más adelante cuando se transfieren a una universidad de cuatro años. Costos ocultos. Ser un estudiante universitario tiene ciertos costos fijos no importa donde vaya. Por ejemplo, el College Board estima que un año de libros de texto y materiales cuesta alrededor de $1,200 para un estudiante de tiempo completo. Y mientras que usted puede ahorrar dinero en alojamiento y comida, todavía necesita alimentos y un lugar donde vivir. También necesitará una manera de transportarse de ida y regreso a las clases, un gasto que no tendría si estuviera viviendo en el campus.
transferirse a una universidad privada o fuera del estado de la escuela. Si usted tiene una institución específica y el curso de estudio planificado, asegúrese de consultar por adelantado para ver qué clases pueden transferirse. Años en la escuela. Dos más dos no siempre son cuatro. No asuma que los dos años en el colegio comunitario seguido por dos años más en un instituto público o privado termina automáticamente con un título de licenciatura. Los cursos requeridos para un grado específico pueden necesitar tomarse en sucesiones y pueden tardar más de dos años para terminar. Si pasa un año más en la universidad, perderá un año de salario que podría estar ganando. La variedad de cursos disponibles en su universidad local es impresionante. ¡Sea cual sea su interés, pasión o plan, considere inscribirse y ver de qué están todos hablando! Jennifer VanBuren es una educadora de Georgetown y madre de tres niños.
Créditos perdidos. Los créditos del colegio comunitario no pueden
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family connections by Richard Singleton
Gifts of Appreciation
From Sweet Cards to Smart Watches, Some Gift Ideas for Every Mom
I
t’s the classic, generic elementary school Mother’s Day card blessing: “Dear Mom, I wouldn’t be here without you. Thank you. I love you.”
Indeed! We get it. We know that our little jellysmeared, doll-faced kiddoes aren’t trying to give us a medical school lecture on the human genome. They are, in the most tender and efficient way possible, saying that Mom is important, that she’s irreplaceable—that she’s Mom! It doesn’t get any easier to try to sum that up as the years go by. It’s hard to put words to just how important Mom is.
She’s certainly worthy of more than just a special Sunday each year, in which she gets inundated with cheesy cards, burned toast, lovely hugs and a sink full of dishes to wash on Monday morning. Gifts are a symbol. They represent something more valuable than their price tag, something more lasting than their shelf life and something more significant than their sparkle (though sparkle does have its place!). Gifts represent the concepts of recognition, of purposefulness, of focused attention. The recipient—in this case Mom—feels the aim of appreciation, the significance of being honored and the exclusiveness of being recognized for her tireless excursions into the jungle of child rearing. Gifts often start couples down the road to marriage and motherhood (see said reference to sparkle above), but gifts can also help couples stay off the road to divorce court. A friend of mine recently told me a story. She was having lunch with another friend of hers, and they started talking about a tiff that had transpired between her and her husband over where the TV remote had been misplaced. My friend had an inspired solution: a universal remote app for their phones. Remotes are shared and get lost. There’s just one of them. If your phone is your remote, it’s harder to lose and when you do lose it, you know exactly who’s to blame! Just kidding about the blaming part, of course. We don’t often associate tech gifts like universal remote apps with Mothers Day, but we’d be wrong to assume that
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we should overlook tech and dive right into the flowers and cards. Don’t misunderstand. You must do the flowers and the cards, but why not explore some new ideas as well? Change it up. • Go big. For those who are looking to get out of a huge doghouse or just to be extra special nice with sugar on top, Mom might be the perfect person to adorn with the new Apple Watch. It’s versatile enough for a variety of styles and sensibilities. Just make sure dad keeps it off his wrist and on hers.
you’ll be getting the call: “Dear, I can’t seem to turn this thing on. Sweetie, do you remember my password that we set up a few Christmases ago?” Perhaps rather than buying new tech for Mom, the most compelling gift that you could offer her is to put down the phone, make your way to her house, enjoy some time catching up on life and taking some extra time to sort out her
tech challenges face-to-face. While you’re at it, please remember to tell her that you love her and that “you wouldn’t be here without her.” It will be the most important gift that you’ll ever give her. Richard Singleton, MACE, MAMFC, LPC, is the executive director at STARRY in Round Rock.
• Go small. Perhaps Mom already has all the tech a girl could want. Phones, tablets, laptops…they get a little boring on the outside after a while. It’s super cheap and simple to spruce up her current tech with a facelift. You can order personalized covers and “skins” for almost any device. Sure it can be
We’d be wrong to assume we should overlook tech and dive right into the flowers and cards.
a bit cheesy, but she’s your Mom. She raised you. She can handle cheese like no other. • Go smaller. Moms are busy. In our house, I’m usually the one who can’t find my keys, but maybe in your house, Mom’s the guru of misplacing. She’s rushing to and fro, her calendar is stacked, she has meetings, events, lunches, dinners, presentations, and she has to drop one of the kids off at daycare five minutes ago and can’t find her keys. There are a range of devices, such as the Tile, that can help solve this old problem with new technology. Okay, now for the final thoughts and to address the elephant in the article. What if buying tech for Mom makes your eye twitch, not twinkle? You know that Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market
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lifelines by Dr. Lamia Kadir
Baring It All
5 Sun Exposure Myths That Need to Fade Away Let’s expose some common myths that might get you rethinking your sun protection routine.
MYTH 1: Sunscreen Causes Skin Cancer Fact: The research is clear. Using sunscreens that absorb and/or block UV radiation results in less damage to the skin’s DNA. It’s that DNA damage that increases the risk of skin cancer. So, consistent use of sunscreen equals lower likelihood of developing skin cancer. There are many sunscreen products that work well, and you should choose the product that works best for you. The American Cancer Society recommends broad-spectrum UV radiation blockers with SPF 30 or greater, reapplied periodically to ensure continuous protection. Most important is that you choose a product you feel comfortable wearing every time you go out in the sun.
MYTH 2: A Light Tan Will Clear Up Acne
S
ummer is just around the corner: carpools, recess and homework will soon be replaced with road trips, swimsuits and sun! So you—and your kids—should know that 1 in every 3 cancers diagnosed worldwide is a skin cancer.
UV radiation, through exposure to sunlight, is the major environmental factor responsible for basal cell, squamous cell and melanoma skin cancer. The incidence of melanoma, the most commonly fatal form of skin cancer, is increasing faster than any other potentially preventable cancer in the United States. 32
Fact: Tanning darkens the skin around pimples, making them stand out less. It does not clear acne. Actually, UV rays damage the skin, weakening the barrier and causing it to lose moisture. In response, your skin will “hydrate” itself by producing more oil, which can then make blackheads more likely to occur. As if that weren’t enough, many of the chemicals in anti-acne medications (such as benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid) make our skin more sensitive and vulnerable to UV-related aging and damage.
MYTH 3: Darker-Skinned People Don’t Need as Much Sunscreen Fact: The risk of sunburn is related to the melanin (or color) in our skin. The
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darker the pigment, the less likely you will burn. But no one is immune to sunburns, so sunscreen is recommended for everyone. And unfortunately, this myth has led to African Americans being diagnosed with skin cancer later and having worse outcomes. In addition, most people are unaware that melanoma can arise in atypical locations (such as the palms, soles of the feet and nail beds). Did you know that Bob Marley died of melanoma at age 36?
your whole body, you would have to use enough to fill a shot glass. Reapply every two to four hours and more often if you are wet. A good way to conserve sunscreen is to cover up with clothing. Clothes are more reliable than sunscreen, because you don’t have to remember to apply and reapply.
out in the open in the bathroom, next to the toothpaste, as a physical reminder. If your kid is involved in after-school sports, make sure a bottle of sunscreen is always in his equipment bag. Dr. Lamia Kadir is a board certified family physician practicing in Austin.
Make sunscreen application part of your child’s daily routine. Keep the sunscreen
MYTH 4: Tanning Beds Are Safer Than Direct Sun Exposure Fact: “Just one session in a tanning bed increases melanoma risk by 20 percent,” says Dr. Ted Lain, a board certified dermatologist with Steiner Ranch Dermatology. In fact, people who first use a tanning bed before age 35 increase their risk of melanoma by 75 percent.
Enjoy Your Summer Sun safety doesn’t condemn you to life indoors. Just remember to take an active role in preventing skin cancer. Let’s heed the call and remind each other to “Slip, slop and slap.” • Slip on a shirt • Slop on sunscreen (broad spectrum, SPF 30 or greater) • Slap on a hat
Young people are under enormous pressure to dress, talk and look a certain way. Your teen should know that being tan does not mean being healthy. Share with her that sun lamps give off harmful UV rays, with an intensity up to 15 times that of the sun. “Melanoma is one of the most common cancers in young people under 29,” says Lain. “If I could convey one message to teenagers and young adults, it is to absolutely avoid indoor tanning. It causes skin cancer, just like smoking causes lung cancer.”
MYTH 5: You’re Applying Enough Sunscreen Fact: Don’t be stingy when applying to yourself or your children. To cover Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market
austinfamily.com | May 2015 | 33
Thank You, Billy Idoll How Punk Rock Helped Me Find Peace in Motherhood by Amy Edwards
Punk rock…it’s mohawks and The Clash. Studs and safety pins. Youth and anger and fists…or so I thought, until I was recently described as punk by several different sources.
You can listen to Amy Edward's latest album "Forward" at amyedwardsmusic.com.
I’m a local musician, and I’ve definitely got some rock-and-roll in me, but punk? I’m a 42-year-old mom of two! A few months ago, this notion was still rattling around in the back of my mind when I picked up a copy of Billy Idol’s memoir on a whim while traveling. Dancing With Myself is basically a primer on the origin of the punk movement in late-70s Britain. Idol describes the movement as a do-it-yourself, indefinable, imperfect thing. He wanted punk to be uplifting and give people inspiration.
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Musically, this was a description I could get on board with. I never know what I am doing—really, I don’t—but I do it myself, anyway. I jump in and figure it out. I am inherently a fist-pumping, hairswinging child of the 80s and 90s, and my music is never perfect. In fact, I’ve begun to think that it just might be better when it’s not perfect.
figured out than I do. Their kids have cooler monogrammed backpacks. And cleaner faces. And brushed hair and healthier diets and read all the time and get more help with homework. I can beat myself up like crazy, constantly analyzing whether I am doing things right, whether I am screwing up my kids and what will the other parents think?
But I have a very hard time accepting imperfection in my parenting. I see other moms and dads, and I get an inner monologue going in which I’m convinced they have it more
As a divorced parent of my older daughter, this especially hits home, when internal judgments and perceived assumptions get the best of me. I know it’s not ideal for her to have two homes. She
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even tells me that she doesn’t like it and wishes it were different. I don’t know how to answer her, and I know there’s no way to make it right. She’s never going to have that nuclear family. Her life will always be a little different, and I will always feel guilty for that.
I have begun an attempt to put
a punk attitude
in place with my parenting.
But since reading Idol’s book, I have begun an attempt to put a punk attitude in place with my parenting. The musicimperfection-acceptance thing didn’t happen overnight; I had to work at it—hard. So I have to work at this, too. Deep down, I know that no parent is perfect. I have enough experience to know that no one gets it right all the time. No one. We have to know that that’s part of it. We have to know that this is normal, that we make mistakes. We just have to do it ourselves, figure it out and stay focused on trying to be better and more loving and more present. And we have to laugh. This Mother’s Day, let’s all choose to go punk. Our imperfection is our perfection, together. It’s perfect to laugh and make mistakes. It’s perfect to mess up and make messes. It’s perfect to know we can do better next time. It’s perfect to learn. So turn on The Clash today. And as you turn it up a little louder than usual, and your kids roll their eyes, remember… You are punk, mom. You are punk, dad. And that’s cool.
Amy Edwards is an Austin-based mom, musician, writer, actress and fashion victim. She is married with two girls, ages 9 and 5.
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Camp Guide Camp Guide
Camp Guide sponsored by: YMCA of Greater Williamson County ymcagwc.org
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YMCA of Austin austinymca.org
Camp Guide
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!
Camp Guide
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DAY CAMPS Pages 36-52 OVERNIGHT CAMPS Pages 52-53
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DAY CAMPS
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 36
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 My Own! Or MoMO! Afro-Cuban and Brazilian Percussion. ATA Martial Arts 13343 Research Blvd., Austin 1335 E. Whitestone Blvd., Cedar Park www.barrettsatacom 512-796-0953 512-786-2837 Age 8 mos and up Get fit, be strong. We offer fun-filled camps almost every week in summer. 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 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
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Camp Guide Camp Guide
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.
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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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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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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 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.
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Badgerdog Creative Writing Summer Camp 7 Austin area locations www.austinlibrary.org 512-542-0076 Ages incoming 3rd - 12th grades Have fun learning to write.
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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.
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NEED
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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, stopmotion animation movie making and Minecraft® programming.
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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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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, 512-8052800 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.
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 a variety of activities. Doublecreek’s mission is that all campers leave at the end of the day knowing someone believes in them. 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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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
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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Cheer Station 12112 Boardwalk Dr. www.cheerstation.com 512-45-CHEER Ages 3 - 17 Austin’s favorite place to cheer for 6 years running. Club Z Summer Camp Round Rock, Austin, Cedar Park www.zsclubhouse.com 512-219-0700 Ages 5 - 12 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
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Central Texas Writing Camp Texas State University San Marcos and Round Rock 512-245-3680 Ages 6 - 18
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.
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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. Beginners receive a free guitar! Classes in age-appropriate technique, improv, theory, recording, performance and much fun. Great teachers.
Our camp will inspire creative writing thinking, and explore various writing styles. Campers will meet new friends.
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Camp Quarries 1400 N. Mopac www.hpbc.org/quarries 512-241-0233 Ages K - 6th grade An amazing camp experience at a great location near Mopac and Braker. Full-day camps. Tons of fun!
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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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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, kids’ 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.
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. Emler Swim School 10700 Anderson Mill Road #207 Austin 3267 Bee Caves Road Suite 145 Austin www.emlerswimschool.com 817-552-7946 Infant to adult Emler’s award-winning, semester-based, swim script curriculum offers 20 levels of effective, goal-oriented swim education for all ages and skills year round. Sign up today! Esoteric Farm 15 minutes north of downtown Austin www.esotericfarm.com
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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 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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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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Froggin ¡Cuidando al planeta! 6203 N. Capital of Texas, 78731 at the intersection of 360 and 2222 www.frogginlearning.com 512-345-3764 Ages 3 - 10 years Spanish Immersion Summer Camp. Playbased methodology that allows children to really learn the skills and not just memorize. Native speakers, 6:1 student-teacher ratio.
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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 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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ESTEAM Camps 22a Chisholm Trail, Round Rock www.actonacademynorth.com 512-740-3024 Ages rising 1st - 5th The Acton Academy North ESTEAM Camp and Leaning Fun 101 - LEGO Robotics have united to bring you a summer experience that features traditional games, learning and fun in an exciting, creative atmosphere.
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512-272-4301 Ages 5 - 16 Eleven weekly sessions, daily horse-related games and activities, indoor horse arena; fun, active, affordable.
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Fun 2 Learn Code Round Rock and Dripping Springs (see website 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 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.
Heartsong Music 2700 West Anderson Lane, Ste. 320 www.HeartsongMusic.net 512-371-9506 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. High Hopes Sports Camp 800 Clover Ln., Cedar Park 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.
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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!
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JCC Summer Camps 7300 Hart Lane, Austin www.shalomaustin.org/camps 512-735-8050 Ages Toddlers to 10th grade JCC Summer Camps offer enthusiastic counselors, a pool, nature trails, low ropes course, playgrounds, special events and more! Everyone’s welcome and respected at the JCC!
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Kiddie Academy Summer Camp 2617 Kelly Ln., Pflugerville www.kiddieacademy.com/pflugerville 512-270-9988 A summer bursting with all the fun and learning of Life Essentials
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kidsActing Summer Camp 15 Locations throughout Austin www.kidsActingStudio.com 512-836-5437 Ages 3 - 18 Act, sing, dance, play fun theatre games, do face painting and theatre arts and crafts! Each camp will have a performance for
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Iron Horse Country Ranch – The Motorcycle Summer Camp North Austin schools pickup to ranch. 512-917-5733 www.ironhorsecountry.com
Boys and girls ages 8 - 15 It is every child’s dream to ride a motorcycle, and we make dreams come true. The camp for safely training children to ride. Everything included.
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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, precollege summer academy for ages 13-18) is also held at the University of Texas at Austin.
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Highland Lakes Camp and Conference Center 5902 Pace Bend Rd., Spicewood www.highlandlakescamp.org 512-264-1777; 888-222-3482 Ages Youth, Preteen, Children 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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family and friends on the last day! Themes include: Cinderella, Star Wars, Tangled and Frozen!
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Kid Spa Austin Avery Ranch (W. Parmer Ln. and Avery Ranch Blvd.) Circle C Ranch (Mopac and West Slaughter Ln.) www.KidSpaAustin.com 512-828-5772; 512-301-5772 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. 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.
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2700 West Anderson Ln. 107 Ranch Rd. 620, S #300, Lakeway www.austinbilingualschool.com 512-299-5731, 512-299-5732, 512-4662409 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 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
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512-266-9620 Ages 3 - 10 Mornings: 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.
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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.
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. 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. Soapbox race cars, mural painting, outdoor campsite and more! 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, noncompetitive and competitive swimming around.
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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.
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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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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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Smudge Studios 500 West 38th St, Austin 512-777-1742 www.smudgestudiosaustin.com Ages 5 - 13
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Rio Vista Farm 13013 Fallwell Ln. www.riovistafarm.net 512-247-2302 Ages 7 - 16 Austin’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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Rainbow Station’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. Full-day 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.
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Paul Cates Stable Round Rock 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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$225 per session Summer camp at Smudge Studios is ARTRAGEOUS! Spend your summer having fun and making art with Smudge! Explore several mediums through a variety of fun projects and finish each day with some outside playtime and water slip and slide.
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Spicewood Country Camp 6102 Spicewood Springs www.spicewoodcountry.com 512-346-2992 scschool@flash.net Ages 3½ - 10 Nine shady acres in Northwest Austin with animals, music, swimming, crafts, sports and horseback riding.
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St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School Summer Camps 9300 Neenah Ave., Austin www.saviochs.org/parents/summer_camps. cfm 512-388-8846 Ages 1st - 12th St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School is offering numerous camps this summer such as: art, music, robotics, soccer, volleyball and Lone Star Hoops basketball.
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. Stepping Stone School 12 locations around Austin Metro area www.steppingstoneschool.com 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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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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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.
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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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.
integrated, hands-on approach, presented in a fun, creative manner.
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Summer Entrepreneurship Club 1900 Cypress Creek Rd, #101, Cedar Park www.educenter4me.com/services/ entrepreneurial-learning 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 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
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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. 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. 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. 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!
OVERNIGHT CAMPS Camp Cedarbrook Rosebud, TX www.cedarbrooktexas.com Ages 2nd - 12th grade Central Texas Christian camp builds Christian skills through activities and relationships. 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. Iron Horse Country Ranch – The Motorcycle Summer Camp North Austin schools pickup to ranch. 512-917-5733 www.ironhorsecountry.com Boys and girls ages 8 - 15 It is every child’s dream to ride a motorcycle, and we make dreams come true. The camp for safely training children to ride. Everything included.
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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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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 8!
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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.
SeaWorld San Antonio, TX www.seaworld.com 800-700-7786 All ages Explore the world of animals by doing upclose, 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.
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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Newk’s Adventure Camp New Braunfels, TX www.newktennis.com 830-625-9105 Ages 9 - 16 Experience an action-packed week this summer enjoying rafting, Schlitterbahn, paintball, rappelling and more.
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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calendar 5/15
COMPILED BY BETTY KEMPER
++ Denotes the event occurs on multiple dates.
family events Friday 1
Cenicienta/Cinderella May 2
Brushy Creek BBQ Cookoff and Family Festival May 2
family events page 54 parenting events page 59 story times page 60
May Day IMAX: Jerusalem 3D ++ All Day. Through May 28. Bob Bullock Texas History Museum, 1800 Congress . $9 adults. thestoryoftexas.com or 512‑936‑8746. Spirit Theatre: Shipwrecked ++ All Day. Through June 15. Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 Congress. $7 adults. thestoryoftexas.com or 512‑936‑8746. La Belle: The Ship That Changed History ++ 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Through May 17. Bob Bullock State History Museum, 1800 Congress. $12 adults. thestoryoftexas.com or 512‑936‑8746. Sprouts ++ 9:30 to 11 a.m. Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave. Free for members. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland ++ 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Through July 6. Ransom Center Galleries, 300 W. 21st St. FREE. hrc.utexas.edu/ visit/. Woodland Faerie Trail ++ 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Through May 26. Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Rd. FREE with park admission. zilkergarden.org or 512‑477‑8672. First Fridays 5 to 10 p.m. Downtown, Historic Square, Georgetown. FREE. thegeorgetownsquare.com or 512‑868‑8675. Concert in the Park 7 to 10 p.m. Elizabeth Milburn Park, 1901 Sun Chase Blvd., Cedar Park. FREE. cedarparktexas.gov. Once Upon a Mattress ++ 7 p.m. Dougherty Arts Center, 1110 Barton Springs Rd. $12 All ages. austintexas.gov/ doughertytheater or 512‑974‑4000. Round Rock Express vs Nashville 7 p.m. Dell Diamond, 3400 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock. $12 and up. milb.com/schedule or 512‑255‑2255. Shakespeare at Winedale: Love’s Labour’s Lost ++ 7 to 9 p.m. Shakespeare at Winedale Theatre Barn, 3738 FM 2714, Round Top . $10 $5. UT students. www.shakespeare-winedale.org or 512‑471‑4726. Village International Folk Dancers ++ 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Hancock Rec Center, 811 East 41st St. Adults $5. Taming of the Shrew ++ 8 to 10 p.m. Through May 24. Zilker Hillside Theater, 2206 William Barton Dr. FREE. austintexas.gov/zilkerhillsidetheater or 512‑974‑4002.
Saturday 2
Join Hands Day
Madrone Canyon Hike 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Laura Bush Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd. FREE. westbanklibrary.com or 512‑327‑3045. Cinco De Mayo Fiesta 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Center Street Park, Kyle, TX. FREE. haysfiesta.com. Comic Book Giveaway and Trivia Contest 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Half Price Books in Cedar Park, 1335 East Whitestone, Cedar Park. FREE. halfpricebooks.com or 512‑259‑2851. North by North Austin Garden and Artisan Tour 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Various North Austin Gardens, 1701 Pheasant Roost. $10 donation. nxna. ticktbud.com/nxnaardentour or 512‑836‑5989. Becker Vineyards 17th Annual Lavender Fest ++ 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Becker Vineyard, 464 Becker Farms Road, Stonewall. Free but $5 to park. http://www.beckervineyards.com/contact or 830‑644‑2681. CPals Park Play Day 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Play for All Park, 151 North A.W. Grimes Blvd., Round Rock. FREE. cpathtexas.com or 866‑74C‑PATH. Craft Fair 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cedar Park Rec Center, 1435 Main St., Cedar Park. FREE. cedarparktexas.gov/ index. Nature Play Hour ++ 10 to 11 a.m. Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave. Free for members. Stand Up and Soar for Children’s Mental Health 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Texas State Capitol-South Steps and Wooldridge Square Park, 900 Guadalupe St. FREE. txsystemofcare.org. Violet Crown Festival 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Brentwood Elementary School, 6700 Arroyo Seco. FREE. violetcrowncommunity. org. Pokemon Saturday Morning Breakfast Club ++ 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tribe Comics and Games, 3005 S. Lamar. FREE. tribecag.com or 512‑693‑4300. Cenicienta/Cinderella ++ 11 a.m. Zach Theatre, Whisenhunt Stage, 1510 Toomey Rd. starting at $12. www.zachtheatre.org or 512‑476‑0541. Brushy Creek BBQ Cook-Off and Family Festival 12 to 6 p.m. Brushy Creek Community Center, 16318 Great Oaks Dr., Round Rock. FREE. bcmud.org. Giant Chess ++ 12:30 to 3 p.m. Wooldridge Square Park, 900 Guadalupe. FREE. giantchess.org. Cenicienta/Cinderella ++ 2 p.m. Zach Theater, Whisenhunt Stage, 1510 Toomey Rd. starting at $12. www.zachtheatre.org or 512‑476‑0541. Round Rock Express vs Nashville 6 p.m. Dell Diamond, 3400 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock. $12 and up. milb.com/schedule or 512‑255‑2255. CONTINUING: IMAX: Jerusalem 3D see Friday 1; La Belle: The Ship That Changed History see Friday 1; Once Upon a Mattress see Friday 1;
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.
54
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Shakespeare at Winedale: Love’s Labour’s Lost see Friday 1; Spirit Theatre: Shipwrecked see Friday 1; Taming of the Shrew see Friday 1; Woodland Faerie Trail see Friday 1.
Sunday 3
Free First Sundays 12 to 5 p.m. Bob Bullock State History Museum, 1800 N. Congress Ave. FREE. thestoryoftexas. com or 512‑936‑8746. Community Art Sundays 1 to 4 p.m. Center for Creative Action , 2921 E. 17th St. Bldg. B. FREE. creativeaction.org. First Sunday Free 1 to 4 p.m. Neill-Cochran House Museum, 2310 San Gabriel St. FREE. nchmuseum.org or 512‑478‑2335. Round Rock Express vs Nashville 1 p.m. Dell Diamond, 3400 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock. $12 and up. wmlb.com/schedule or 512‑255‑2255. Sunday-Fundays: Ojos de Dios and Paper Plate Sombreros 1 to 4 p.m. Neill-Cochran House Museum, 2310 San Gabriel St., TX. FREE. nchmuseum.org or 512‑478‑2335. CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Saturday 2; IMAX: Jerusalem 3D see Friday 1; Spirit Theatre: Shipwrecked see Friday 1; Taming of the Shrew see Friday 1; Woodland Faerie Trail see Friday 1; Cenicienta/Cinderella see Saturday 2.
Monday 4
Chess Club ++ 6 to 7 p.m. Cepeda Branch, 651 N. Pleasant Valley Rd. FREE. library.austintexas.gov or 512‑974‑7372. CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Friday 1; IMAX: Jerusalem 3D see Friday 1; La Belle: The Ship That Changed History see Friday 1; Spirit Theatre: Shipwrecked see Friday 1; Woodland Faerie Trail see Friday 1.
Tuesday 5
Cinco de Mayo National Teachers Day SPARK Homeschooling Group 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wells Branch Library, 15001 Wells Port Dr. FREE. wblibrary.org or 512‑989‑3188. Family Activity Night: Laughter Yoga 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 Friday 1; IMAX: Jerusalem 3D see Friday 1; La Belle: The Ship That Changed History see Friday 1; Spirit Theatre: Shipwrecked see Friday 1; Woodland Faerie Trail see Friday 1.
Wednesday 6
Baby Time 10 to 11 a.m. Bridges to Growth, 805 W. University Avenue, Georgetown. FREE. www. georgetownproject.org or 512-864‑3008. Naturalist Workshop and Trade Center ++ 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Naturalist Workshop, Visitor’s Pavilion. FREE. austintexas.gov/page/anscprograms-exhibits or 512‑974‑3888. High Noon Talk 12 p.m. Texas State History Museum, 1800 Congress. FREE. thestoryoftexas.com or 512‑936‑8746. Yoga in the Park ++ 12 to 1 p.m. Republic Square Park, 422 Guadalupe St. FREE. www.austinparks.org or 512‑477‑1566. Martian Math
4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Wells Branch Library, Austin, TX. FREE. wblibrary.org or 512‑989‑3188. Arts and Crafts ++ 6 to 7 p.m. Wells Branch Library, 15001 Wells Port Dr. FREE. wblibrary.org or 512‑989‑3188. Music on Main Street ++ 6 to 8 p.m. Main Street, Plaza Stage, Round Rock. FREE. roundrocktexas.gov. Night Crafters 6 to 8:30 p.m. Manchaca Road Branch, 5500 Manchaca Road. FREE. library.austintexas.gov or 512‑974‑8700. Visions of ASH Art Show and Sale 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Mercury Hall, 615 Cardinal Ln. FREE. ashvolunteers.org/wp/events. Wednesday Night Contra Dancing ++ 7:30 to 9:45 p.m. Hancock Recreation Center, 811 E. 41st St. FREE. austinbarndancers.org or 512‑453‑4225. CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Friday 1; IMAX: Jerusalem 3D see Friday 1; La Belle: The Ship That Changed History see Friday 1; Spirit Theatre: Shipwrecked see Friday 1; Woodland Faerie Trail see Friday 1; Sprouts see Friday 1.
Thursday 7
Mother Earth Day Festival at the Springs 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Barton Springs, 2201 Barton Springs Rd. FREE. motherdayfest.net. CPC Thursday Noonday Concerts ++ 12:05 to 12:35 p.m. Central Presbyterian Church, 200 E. Eighth St. FREE. cpcaustin.org. First Thursdays 5 to 8 p.m. Congress Avenue, 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. National Day of Prayer 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Georgetown High School Football Stadium, 2275 North Austin Ave., Georgetown. FREE. Movies in the Park 8:15 p.m. Republic Square Park, 422 Guadalupe St. FREE. austinparks.org. CONTINUING: IMAX: Jerusalem 3D see Friday 1; La Belle: The Ship That Changed History see Friday 1; Naturalist Workshop and Trade Center see Wednesday 6; Spirit Theatre: Shipwrecked see Friday 1; Taming of the Shrew see Friday 1; Woodland Faerie Trail see Friday 1; Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Friday 1.
Friday 8
CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Friday 1; La Belle: The Ship That Changed History see Friday 1; Naturalist Workshop and Trade Center see Wednesday 6; Spirit Theatre: Shipwrecked see Friday 1; Sprouts see Friday 1; Taming of the Shrew see Friday 1; Village International Folk Dancers see Friday 1; Woodland Faerie Trail see Friday 1.
Saturday 9
Bright Leaf Hikes ++ 9 to 11:30 a.m. Bright Leaf Preserve, Creek Mountain Rd. FREE. brightleaf.org or 512‑459‑7269. Gault Archaeological Site Tours 9 a.m. Williamson Museum, 716 S. Austin Ave., Georgetown. Tour $10. Market Days on the Square 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Downtown Square, Georgetown. FREE. thegeorgetownsquare.com. Pine Street Market Days 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pine Street, Bastrop. FREE. bastroptexas.net or 512‑303‑6233. Parents Morning Out
Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market
austinfamily.com | May 2015 | 55
35th. $10 per family or $5 for members. thecontemporaryaustin.org or 512‑458‑8191. The Big Bolt ++ 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. The Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Dr. from $10. thelongcenter.org or 512‑474‑5664. JCVFD Annual Fish Fry and Raffle Fundraiser 5 to 11 p.m. Blanco County Fairgrounds, 619 US Hwy 281 N., Johnson City. By donation. johnsoncity-texas.com or 830‑868‑7684. CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Friday 1; Cenicienta/Cinderella see Saturday 2; Giant Chess see Saturday 2; La Belle: The Ship That Changed History see Friday 1; Naturalist Workshop and Trade Center see Wednesday 6; Nature Play Hour see Saturday 2; Spirit Theatre: Shipwrecked see Friday 1; Taming of the Shrew see Friday 1; Woodland Faerie Trail see Friday 1.
Sunday 10
Mother’s Day at the Capitol May 10 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Bridges to Growth, 805 W. University Avenue, Georgetown. FREE. georgetownproject.org or 512-773‑1366. Hands-On-History 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Williamson Museum, 716 S. Austin St., Georgetown. FREE. williamsonmuseum.org or 512‑943‑1670. Second Saturdays are for Families 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Laguna Gloria, 3809 W.
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Mother’s Day Mother’s Day at the Capitol 7 p.m. Capitol, South Steps. FREE. austinsymphonicband.org or 512‑345‑7420. CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Friday 1; Bright Leaf Hikes see Saturday 9; Giant Chess see Sunday 3; La Belle: The Ship That Changed History see Sunday 3; Spirit Theatre: Shipwrecked see Friday 1; Taming of the Shrew see Friday 1; The Big Bolt see Saturday 9; Woodland Faerie Trail see Friday 1.
Monday 11
Crafternoon 3:30 p.m. Manchaca Road Branch Austin Public Library, 5500 Manchaca Rd. FREE. library. austintexas.gov or 512‑974‑8700. Crafternoon: Get Your Craft On 3:30 to 5 p.m. Manchaca Road Branch, 5500 Manchaca Rd. FREE. library.austintexas.gov or 512‑974‑8700.
Lego Lab 3:30 p.m. Howson Branch, 2500 Exposition Blvd., Ausrtin. FREE. library.austintexas.gov or 512‑974‑8800. CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Friday 1; Chess Club see Monday 4; La Belle: The Ship That Changed History see Friday 1; Spirit Theatre: Shipwrecked see Friday 1; Woodland Faerie Trail see Friday 1.
Tuesday 12
Nurses Day Round Rock Express vs Omaha 7 a.m. Dell Diamond, 3400 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock. $12 and up. milb.com/schedule or 512‑255‑2255. 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 Friday 1; La Belle: The Ship That Changed History see Friday 1; Spirit Theatre: Shipwrecked see Friday 1; Woodland Faerie Trail see Friday 1.
Wednesday 13
Toddler Time 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Bridges to Growth, 805 W. University Avenue, Georgetown. FREE. www. georgetownproject.org or 512-864‑3008. Round Rock Express vs Omaha 11:30 a.m. Dell Diamond, 3400 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock. $12 and up. milb.com/ schedule or 512‑255‑2255. CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Friday 1; Arts and Crafts see Wednesday 6; La Belle: The Ship That Changed History see Friday 1; Music on Main Street see Wednesday 6; Spirit Theatre: Shipwrecked see Friday 1; Sprouts see Wednesday 6; Wednesday Night Contra Dancing see Wednesday 6; Woodland Faerie Trail see Friday 1; Yoga in the Park see Wednesday 6.
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Thursday 14
Crafternoon 4 p.m. Twin Oaks Branch, 1800 S. Fifth St. FREE. library.austintexas.gov or 512‑974‑9980. Sip, Shop and Stroll 5 to 8 p.m. Downtown Elgin. FREE. elgintx.com. Round Rock Express vs Omaha 7 p.m. Dell Diamond, 3400 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock. $12 and up. milb.com/schedule. Movies in the Park: The Incredibles 8:30 p.m. Republic Square Park, 422 Guadalupe St. FREE. austinparks.org. CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Friday 1; CPC Thursday Noonday Concerts see Thursday 7; La Belle: The Ship That Changed History see Friday 1; Naturalist Workshop and Trade Center see Wednesday 6; Spirit Theatre: Shipwrecked see Friday 1; Taming of the Shrew see Friday 1; Woodland Faerie Trail see Friday 1.
Friday 15
40th Deutschen Pfest ++ All day. Downtown Pflugerville. $5 Friday and Sunday. pflugervilletx.gov. Williamson County Symphony Orchestra Concert 7:30 p.m. Milburn Park, 1901 Sun Chase Blvd., Cedar Park. FREE. wilcoso. org or 512‑789‑5073. CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Friday 1; La Belle: The Ship That Changed History see Friday 1; Naturalist Workshop and Trade Center see Wednesday 6; Round Rock Express vs Omaha see Thursday 14; Spirit Theatre: Shipwrecked see Friday 1; Sprouts see Friday 1; Taming of the Shrew see Friday 1; Village International Folk Dancers see Friday 1; Woodland Faerie Trail see Friday 1.
Sunday 17
Family Yoga in the Park 11 a.m. Wooldridge Square Park, 900 Guadalupe St. FREE. austinparks.org or 512‑477‑1566. Renegade Craft Fair 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fair Market, 1100 East Fifth St. FREE. renegadecraft.com/austin. CONTINUING: 40th Deutschen Pfest see Friday 15; Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Friday 1; Cenicienta/Cinderella see Sunday 3; La Belle: The Ship That Changed History see Sunday 3; Spirit Theatre: Shipwrecked see Friday 1; Swing on the Square see Saturday 16; Taming of the Shrew see Friday 1; The Big Bolt see Saturday 9; Woodland Faerie Trail see Friday 1.
Monday 18
CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Friday 1; Chess Club see Monday 4; Spirit Theatre: Shipwrecked see Friday 1; Woodland Faerie Trail see Friday 1.
Tuesday 19
Crafternoon 4 p.m. Ruiz Branch, 1600 Grove Blvd. FREE. library.austintexas.gov or 512‑974‑7500.
Saturday 16
40th Annual Deutchen Pfest in Pflugerville May 15 - 17 Armed Forces Day Swing on the Square ++ 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Lego Lab Downtown San Marcos, 111 E. San Antonio 4:30 p.m. Manchaca Road Branch Austin Public Street, San Marcos. FREE. http://www. Library, 5500 Manchaca Rd. FREE. library. smtxswingfest.com or 512‑393‑8430. austintexas.gov or 512‑974‑8700. Ney Day Family Activity Night: Craft 12 to 5 p.m. Elisabet Ney Museum, 304 E. 5:30 to 7 p.m. Laura’s Library , 9411 Bee Cave 44th St. FREE. austintexas.gov/planetmusic or Rd. FREE. westbanklibrary.com or 512‑327‑3045. 512‑978‑2690. CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Hispanic Heritage Festival see Friday 1; Spirit Theatre: Shipwrecked see 2 to 4 p.m. Round Rock ISD Performing Arts Friday 1; Woodland Faerie Trail see Friday 1. Center, 5800 McNeil Dr., TX. roundrockisd.org or 512‑464‑6580. Friday Night Live Wednesday 20 6 to 9 p.m. Hutto Family YMCA, 200 Alliance La Leche League Toddler Enrichment Meeting Blvd., Hutto. $10 per student. huttotx.gov or 10 a.m. Brentwood Park, 6710 Arroyo Seco. 512‑759‑4030. FREE. texaslll.org. Williamson County Symphony Orchestra Concert CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland 7:30 p.m. Old Settler’s Park Pavilion, 3300 Palm see Friday 1; Arts and Crafts see Wednesday 6; Valley Rd., Round Rock. FREE. wilcoso.org or Music on Main Street see Wednesday 6; Spirit 512‑789‑5073. Theatre: Shipwrecked see Friday 1; Sprouts see CONTINUING: 40th Deutschen Pfest see Friday Wednesday 6; Wednesday Night Contra Dancing 15; Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see see Wednesday 6; Woodland Faerie Trail see Friday 1; Cenicienta/Cinderella see Saturday 2; Friday 1; Yoga in the Park see Wednesday 6. Giant Chess see Saturday 2; La Belle: The Ship That Changed History see Friday 1; Naturalist Thursday 21 Workshop and Trade Center see Wednesday Third Thursdays at the Blanton 6; Nature Play Hour see Saturday 2; Pokemon 12 to 7:30 p.m. Blanton Museum of Art, Congress Saturday Morning Breakfast Club see Saturday Ave. and MLK Blvd. FREE. blantonmuseum.org or 2; Spirit Theatre: Shipwrecked see Friday 1; 512‑471‑7324. Taming of the Shrew see Friday 1; The Big Bolt CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Saturday 9; Woodland Faerie Trail see Friday see Friday 1; CPC Thursday Noonday Concerts 1. see Thursday 7; Naturalist Workshop and Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market
PIENSAPOSITIVO Errores El famoso dicho que dice “mas sabe el diablo por viejo que por diablo” nos recuerda que entre mas experiencias vividas tengamos nos hacemos mas sabios. Sobretodo de los grandes errores que muchas veces como humanos cometemos. Pero una vez cometido el error, no queda mas que aprender de el y si es posible corregir lo que se pueda de la situacion. Pero si la culpa o el sentimiento negativo por equivocarte atormenta tu mente cada vez que viene a tu mente practica lo siguiente. Haz un acto de contribucion par alguien necesitado. Ejemplo si tienes un conocido o amigo enfermo o triste hazle una llamada telefonica en ese momento, veras que la formula para perdonarte a ti mismo de tus errores es haciendo un acto de contribucion para alguien mas. Ponlo en practica y veras, Piensa Positivo. Mistakes The popular saying “the devil knows more because he’s old than because he’s the devil” reminds us that our experiences make us wiser—especially the bigger mistakes that we make. Once a mistake is made, there is nothing we can do but learn from it and, if possible, correct it. If a feeling of shame or negativity lingers, do the following: help somebody that is in need. For example, if you have a sick or sad friend, call her right in the moment when you feel hopeless. Caring for others and helping them feel better is the best way to forgive yourself from mistakes. Put this theory into practice, and you will see. Think Positive.
by Leslie Montoya Host of Despierta Austin
austinfamily.com | May 2015 | 57
Ballet Under the Stars May 29 Trade Center see Wednesday 6; Spirit Theatre: Shipwrecked see Friday 1; Taming of the Shrew see Friday 1; Woodland Faerie Trail see Friday 1.
Friday 22
National Maritime Day CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Friday 1; Naturalist Workshop and Trade Center see Wednesday 6; Spirit Theatre: Shipwrecked see Friday 1; Sprouts see Friday 1; Taming of the Shrew see Friday 1; Village International Folk Dancers see Friday 1; Woodland Faerie Trail see Friday 1.
Saturday 23
Yoga in the Park 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Stacy Park, 1400 Alameda Dr. FREE. www.austinparks.org or 512‑477‑1566. Saturday Night Concert Series ++ 7 to 9 p.m. Hill Country Galleria, 12700 Hill Country Blvd. FREE. facebook.com/ events/938497012836010/. CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Friday 1; Cenicienta/Cinderella see Saturday
2; Giant Chess see Saturday 2; Naturalist Workshop and Trade Center see Wednesday 6; Nature Play Hour see Saturday 2; Spirit Theatre: Shipwrecked see Friday 1; Taming of the Shrew see Friday 1; Woodland Faerie Trail see Friday 1.
Sunday 24
“Mr. Will” Dupuy Kids Show 10 to 11:30 a.m. Cherrywood Coffeehouse, 1400 East 38 1/2 St. FREE. mrwillmusic.com. CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Saturday 2; Giant C http://images. spacecrafted.com/width/1300?url=http://8f e55a021b81a8d4d96c-69c818e7cb77bc90 d54ca239960d276a.r10.cf2.rackcdn.com/ d3b572fc7e3c4ad095a32991ab3b1891.png hess see Sunday 3; Spirit Theatre: Shipwrecked see Friday 1; Taming of the Shrew see Friday 1; Woodland Faerie Trail see Friday 1.
Monday 25
Memorial Day Round Rock Express vs El Paso 7 p.m. Dell Diamond, 3400 E. Palm Valley Blvd.,
Round Rock. $12 and up. milb.com/schedule or 512‑255‑2255. CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Friday 1; Chess Club see Monday 4; Spirit Theatre: Shipwrecked see Friday 1; Woodland Faerie Trail see Friday 1.
Tuesday 26
Crafternoon - Homeschool Edition 1:30 p.m. Faulk Central Library, 800 Guadalupe St. FREE. library.austintexas.gov or 512‑974‑7400. Crafternoon - After School 4 to 5 p.m. Faulk Central Library, 800 Guadalupe St. FREE. library.austintexas.gov. Pajama Storytime 6:30 p.m. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave. FREE. westbanklibrary.com or 512‑327‑3045. CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Friday 1; Round Rock Express vs El Paso see Monday 25; Spirit Theatre: Shipwrecked see Friday 1; Woodland Faerie Trail see Friday 1.
Wednesday 27
Culture Nights 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. AGE Cafeteria, 3710 Cedar St. austinpowwow.net. CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Friday 1; Arts and Crafts see Wednesday 6; Music on Main Street see Wednesday 6; Round Rock Express vs El Paso see Monday 25; Spirit Theatre: Shipwrecked see Friday 1; Sprouts see Wednesday 6; Wednesday Night Contra Dancing see Wednesday 6; Yoga in the Park see Wednesday 6.
Thursday 28
CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Friday 1; Round Rock Express vs El Paso see Monday 25; Spirit Theatre: Shipwrecked see Friday 1.
Friday 29
Ballet Under the Stars ++ 8 a.m. Zilker Hillside Theater, 2206 William Barton Dr. FREE. austintexas.gov/zilkerhillsidetheater or 512‑974‑4002. CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Friday 1; Spirit Theatre: Shipwrecked see Friday 1; Sprouts see Friday 1; Village International Folk Dancers see Friday 1.
Saturday 30
Round Rock Symphony Concert 8 to 9:30 p.m. San Gabriel Park, 1003 N. Austin Ave., Georgetown. FREE. roundrocksymphony.org or 603‑560‑2632. CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Friday 1; Ballet Under the Stars see Friday 29; Giant Chess see Saturday 2; Naturalist Workshop and Trade Center see Saturday 9; Nature Play Hour see Saturday 2; Saturday Night Concert Series see Saturday 23; Spirit Theatre: Shipwrecked see Friday 1.
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Sunday 31
Austin Fashion Doll Club All Day. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd. westbanklibrary.com or 512‑327‑3045. Westcave Preserve Public Tour ++ 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Westcave Preserve, 24814 Hamilton Pool Rd., Round Mountain. $10 adult. Really Really Free Market 1 to 3 p.m. Chestnut Community Park, 2207 E. 16th St. FREE. treasurecitythrift.org. Reckless Kelly’s Celebrity Softball Jam 2015 1 p.m. Dell Diamond, 3400 E. Palm Vallley Blvd., Round Rockl. Kids under 12 FREE with paid adult ticket. rkcsj.org or 512‑255‑2255. CONTINUING: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland see Friday 1; Giant Chess see Sunday 3; Spirit Theatre: Shipwrecked see Friday 1.
parenting events Saturday 2
English Conversation Group All day. Wells Branch Community 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 4
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 5
La Leche League Meeting 10 a.m. Christ’s Workshop, 212 E. Monroe. FREE. texaslll.org. Little Texas Homeschoolers 10:30 a.m. Wells Branch Community Library, 15001 Wells Port Dr. FREE. wblibrary.org. Nurturing Parenting ++ 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Any Baby Can, 1121 East Seventh St. FREE. anybabycan.org or 512‑454‑3743. Parenting Class ++ 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Any Baby Can, 1121 E. 7th St. FREE. anybabycan.org. CONTINUING: Clases de Crianza con Cariño en Español see Monday 4.
Westcave Preserve Public Tours May 31 CONTINUING: Clases de Crianza con Cariño en Español see Monday 4; Parenting Class see Tuesday 5.
Saturday 9
CONTINUING: Clases de Crianza con Cariño en Español see Saturday 2; Parenting Class see Saturday 2.
Monday 11
CONTINUING: Clases de Crianza con Cariño en Español see Monday 4.
Tuesday 12
CONTINUING: Clases de Crianza con Cariño en Español see Monday 4; Nurturing Parenting see Tuesday 5; Parenting Class see Tuesday 5.
Wednesday 13
10:15 a.m. Will Hampton Branch Library, 5125 Convict Hill Rd. FREE. texaslll.org. Encouraging Literacy in Preschoolers 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Bridges to Growth, 805 W. University Avenue, Georgetown. FREE. www. georgetownproject.org or 512-864‑3008.
Thursday 14
CONTINUING: Clases de Crianza con Cariño en Español see Monday 4; Crianza con Cariño – Clases de Padres see Thursday 7; Nurturing Parenting see Thursday 7; Parenting Class see Tuesday 5; Postpartum Support Group see Thursday 7.
Saturday 16
CONTINUING: Clases de Crianza con Cariño en Español see Saturday 2; Parenting Class see Saturday 2.
La Leche League Meeting
Wednesday 6
La Leche League Meeting 10 a.m. Austin Public Library North Village Branch, 2505 Steck Ave. FREE. texaslll.org. School Readiness for 3 and up; 4 Year Olds 6:30 to 8 p.m. Bridges to Growth, 805 W. University Avenue, Georgetown. FREE. www. georgetownproject.org or 512-864‑3008.
Thursday 7
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 East Seventh St. FREE. anybabycan.org or 512‑454‑3743. Postpartum Support Group 10 to 11:30 a.m. Any Baby Can, 1121 E. 7th St. FREE. anybabycan.org. La Leche League Meeting 7 p.m. North Austin Medical Center, Room 2B, 12221 N. Mopac Expy. FREE. texaslll.org. Teaching Children About Money 7 to 8 p.m. Bridges to Growth, 805 W. University Avenue, Georgetown. FREE. www. georgetownproject.org or 512-864‑3008.
Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market
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Monday 18
CONTINUING: Clases de Crianza con Cariño en Español see Monday 4.
Tuesday 19
Parents are Partners for Reading 6:30 to 8 p.m. Bridges to Growth, 805 W. University Avenue, Georgetown. FREE. www. georgetownproject.org or 512-864‑3008. CONTINUING: Clases de Crianza con Cariño en Español see Monday 4; Nurturing Parenting see Tuesday 5; Parenting Class see Tuesday 5.
Thursday 21
CONTINUING: Clases de Crianza con Cariño en Español see Monday 4; Crianza con Cariño – Clases de Padres see Thursday 7; Nurturing Parenting see Thursday 7; Parenting Class see Tuesday 5; Postpartum Support Group see Thursday 7.
Saturday 23
CONTINUING: Clases de Crianza con Cariño en
Español see Saturday 2; Parenting Class see Saturday 2.
Monday 25
CONTINUING: Clases de Crianza con Cariño en Español see Monday 4.
Tuesday 26
Digital Culture and Child Development 7 to 9 p.m. Bridges to Growth, 805 W. University Avenue, Georgetown. 15.00. www. georgetownproject.org or 512-864‑3008. CONTINUING: Clases de Crianza con Cariño en Español see Monday 4; Nurturing Parenting see Tuesday 5; Parenting Class see Tuesday 5.
Wednesday 27
Spanish Family Support Group 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Bridges to Growth, 805 W. University Avenue, Georgetown. FREE. www. georgetownproject.org or 512-864‑3008.
Thursday 28
CONTINUING: Clases de Crianza con Cariño en Español see Monday 4; Crianza con Cariño – Clases de Padres see Thursday 7; Nurturing Parenting see Thursday 7; Parenting Class see Tuesday 5; Postpartum Support Group see Thursday 7.
Saturday 30
CONTINUING: Clases de Crianza con Cariño en Español see Saturday 2; Parenting Class see Saturday 2.
Wednesdays
story times Public story time library events listed here are FREE unless otherwise noted. Programs are subject to change. Please contect the hosting facility 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
Baby Bookworms Storytime 10:30 a.m. Wells Branch Library, 15001 Wells Port Dr. wblibrary.org or 512‑989‑3188. Baby Bookworms Storytime 11:15 a.m. 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. Evening Storytime 6:30 to 7 p.m. Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main St., Round Rock. roundrocktexas.gov. Daddy and Me Evening Storytime (May 25 only) 7 p.m. Hampton Branch, 5125 Convict Hill Rd. library.austintexas.gov.
Tuesdays
Baby and Me Storytime 9:30 a.m. Georgetown Library, 402 W. 8th St., Georgetown. library.georgetown.org. Baby and Me Storytime 9:30 a.m. Leander Library, 1011 S. Bagdad Rd., Leander. leander.lib.tx.us. Baby Storytime 10 a.m. Pflugerville Library, 1008 W. Pfluger St., Pflugerville. tx-pflugerville2.civicplus.com.
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Children’s Storytime (May 5 only) 10 a.m. French Legation Museum, 802 San Marcos St. frenchlegationmuseum.org or 512‑472‑8180. Bilingual Storytime 10:30 to 11 a.m. Round Rock Library, 216 E. Main St., Round Rock. roundrocktexas.gov/library or 512‑218‑7012. Bilingual Storytime in English and Mandarin (May 5 only) 10:30 a.m. Round Rock Library, 216 E. Main St., Round Rock. roundrock.gov/library. Storytime 10:30 a.m. Barnes and Noble, 12701 Hill Country Blvd., Bee Cave. barnesandnoble.com or 512‑263‑7402. Toddler Storytime 10:30 a.m. Lake Travis Library, 2300 Lohman’s Spur, Suite 100, Lakeway. laketravislibrary.org. Bilingual Storytime 11 a.m. Pflugerville Library, 1008 W. Pfluger St., Pflugerville. tx-pflugerville2.civicplus.com. Reading Dog Program 11 a.m. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd. westbanklibrary.com. Storytime 11 a.m. Barnes and Noble, 2701 Parker Rd., Round Rock. barnesandnoble.com or 512‑600‑0088. StorySign (May 5 only) 4 p.m. Old Quarry Branch, 7051 Village Center Dr. library.austintexas.gov. Storytime and Craft 6 to 6:30 p.m. Wells Branch Community Library, 15001 Wells Port Dr. wblibrary.org. Babytime 9:30 a.m. Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main St., Round Rock. roundrocktexas.gov. Toddlertime 9:30 a.m. Round Rock LIbrary, 216 E. Main St., Round Rock. roundrocktexas.gov. Wobbles Storytime 9:30 a.m. Georgetown Library, 420 W. 8th St., Georgetown. library.georgetown.org. Pre-K Storytime 10 a.m. Leander Library, 1011 S. Bagdad Rd., Leander. leander.lib.tx.us. Baby Storytime 10:30 a.m. Lake Travis Library, 2300 Lohman’s Spur, Suite 100, Lakeway. laketravislibrary.org. Preschool Storytime 10:30 a.m. Round Rock Library, 216 E. Main St., Round Rock. roundrocktexas.gov. Story Pals Storytime 10:30 a.m. Georgetown Library, 420 W. 8th St., Georgetown. library.georgetown.org. Storytime 10:30 a.m. Barnes and Noble, 12701 Hill Country Blvd., Bee Cave. barnesandnoble.com or 512‑263‑7402. Tot Time Storytime 10:30 a.m. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd. westbanklibrary.com. Toddlertime 10:30 a.m. Round Rock Library, 216 E. Main St., Round Rock. roundrocktexas.gov. Storytime 11 a.m. Barnes and Noble, 14010 Hwy. 183. barnesandnoble.com. Storytime 11 a.m. Barnes and Noble, 5601 Brodie Ln. #300. barnesandnoble.com or 512‑892‑3493. Lisons Ensemble: Let’s Read Together! (May 13 only) 3:15 p.m. Hampton Branch, 5125 Convict Hill Rd. library.austintexas.gov.
Thursdays
Babytime 9:30 a.m. Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main
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St., Round Rock. roundrock.gov/library. Wobbles Storytime 9:30 a.m. Georgetown Library, 420 W. 8th St., Georgetown. library.georgetown.org. Preschool Storytime 9:30 a.m. Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main St., Round Rock. roundrock.gov/library. Story Pals Storytime 10:30 a.m. Georgetown Library, 420 W. 8th St., Georgetown. library.georgetown.org. Hola, Hola! Spanish Storytime 10:30 a.m. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd. westbanklibrary.com. Infant Storytime 10:30 a.m. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd. westbanklibrary.com. Preschool Storytime 10:30 a.m. Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main St., Round Rock. roundrock.gov/library. Toddlertime 10:30 a.m. Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main St., Round Rock. roundrock.gov/library. Cuddle Up and Read: Lap-Sit Storytime for Babies 2 p.m. Hampton Branch, 5125 Convict Hill Rd. library.austintexas.gov. Kids Club 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. Pflugerville Public Library, 1008 W. Pfluger St., Pflugerville. tx-pflugerville2. civicplus.com. StorySign (May 7 only) 4 p.m. Twin Oaks Branch, 1800 S. Fifth St. library. austintexas.gov.
Fridays
Babytime 9:30 a.m. Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main St., Round Rock. roundrocktexas.gov. Baby and Me 10 a.m. Leander Public Library, 1011 S. Bagdad Rd., Leander. leander.lib.tx.us. Storytime
10 a.m. Briarcliff Community Center, 22801 Briarcliff Dr., Briarcliff. laketravislibrary.org. Children’s Storytime 10:30 a.m. Georgetown Public Library, 420 W. 8th St., Georgetown. library.georgetown.org. Toddler Storytime 10:30 a.m. Wells Branch Community Library, 15001 Wells Port Dr. wblibrary.org. Toddlertime 10:30 a.m. Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main St., Round Rock. roundrocktexas.gov. Preschool Storytime 11:15 a.m. Wells Branch Community Library, 15001 Wells Port Dr. wblibrary.org. All Ages Storytime 12:30 p.m. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd. FREE. westbanklibrary.com. Storytime 7 p.m. Barnes and Noble, 2701 Parker Rd., Round Rock. barnesandnoble.com or 512‑600‑0088.
Saturdays
Baby Bloomers 9 a.m. The Thinkery, 1830 Simond Ave. Included in museum admission. thinkeryaustin.org. Family Storytime 11 a.m. Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main St., Round Rock. roundrock.gov/library. Saturday Storytime 11 a.m. Barnes and Noble, 5601 Brodie Ln. #300. barnesandnoble.com or 512‑892‑3493. Storytime 11 a.m. Barnes and Noble, 14010 Hwy. 183. barnesandnoble.com. R.E.A.D. Dogs 12 to 2 p.m. Georgetown Public Library, 420 W. 8th St., Georgetown. library.georgetown.org. Cuentacuentos: Storytime en Español (May 23 only) 2 p.m. Barnes and Noble, 5601 Brodie Ln. #300. barnesandnoble.com or 512‑892‑3493.
Ten Things... to Do for Mother’s Day 1. Go berry picking at a pick-your-own farm. 2. Explore an art exhibit. 3. Take Mom and a picnic lunch to her favorite park. 4. Launch a family tournament at a miniature golf course. 5. Take a yoga class with her. 6. Go on a bike ride together. 7. Relax together with a mani-pedi. 8. Help her try her hand at an art class. 9. Take a trip to a zoo. 10. Bake something together as a family.
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austinfamily.com | May 2015 | 61
Ki d e n o Z
Activities for May The month of May calls us to the great outdoors, end-ofschool fun and lots of opportunity for activity. The weather is usually stellar in Central Texas during May, so take a bike ride to enjoy the blossoming wildflowers and take outdoor hikes through our many trails and city parks before the summer heat sets in. Get in some play every day! I Am the Eggman: May is National Egg Month! Give it a twist by learning about dinosaur eggs, shark eggs and lizard eggs. Make crafts with egg cartons or scramble up a few eggs with fresh herbs and veggies. A Splash of Confidence: May is also National Drowning Prevention Month! Before any camps or vacations, make sure everyone in your family knows how to swim and understands the importance of following basic water safety guidelines. Swimming instruction and water exercise classes for all ages and abilities are offered through organizations like the YMCA of Austin. Swimming is a skill that saves lives and will last a lifetime! The Man in the Moon: Connect with your surroundings in a new way by taking a night hike on May 14, under the full moon. The same trail by day offers a completely different experience after sunset. Listen to the calls of nocturnal wildlife, sharpen and engage your senses and identify constellations in the sky. Bring along some wintergreen-flavored Life Savers, chew them with an open mouth and watch as sugars and wintergreen oil combine to create flashes of light! This sparkly phenomenon, known as triboluminescence, can only be seen in the dark. On the Town: Don’t overlook the opportunities right where you live. Pretend you are a tourist arriving in town for the first time. Contact the Chamber of Commerce or National Historic Society and see all that the Austin area has to offer. Tour historic buildings, discover battles fought where you’re standing, check out monuments, statues, trees (think Treaty Oak) and high peaks (think Mt. Bonnell). Visit a cemetery to search for the oldest tombstones. Discover what makes your community so special! Fun. Delivered Fresh Daily. 63 years of summer camp experience! YMCA of Austin Summer Camp Registration is now open. Visit AustinYMCA.org for details or call 512236-9622 to find the locations nearest you. 62
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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 33
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humor
by Carrie Taylor
Please, No Video Consoles This Mother’s Day As Mother’s Day approaches, I can’t help but look back on days past, when I attempted to show my own mother gratitude by gifting her with items I thought she would enjoy and appreciate, like Tupperware and ceramic bowls.
2. Deep-tissue massage. This is something my husband and his bone-crushing grip have down to a T, but I prefer a lighter touch from someone who will relax my muscles rather than shred them.
How kind of me, I thought, to provide my mother with items she would covet. I assumed since my mother spent the majority of her time in the kitchen, she must have wanted more supplies.
3. Poop coupons. For the husband who chooses to go the DIY route, these custom coupons make Mom exempt from changing number-two-filled diapers for a specified period of time, preferably indefinitely.
She also spent most of her time wearing jeans that went up to her bra and Velcro tennis shoes, which I believed had nothing to do with comfort and everything to do with her sense of style. As a child, I remember asking my Dad to buy Mom some more “moon shoes” and pants “where the pockets cover Mom’s whole butt.” I just thought she liked to store snacks back there.
4. Shopping spree. Even moms deserve a treat-yourself moment to buy a beautiful pair of high heels, which we will wear once a year, only to remind ourselves why those pink slippers are our shoe of choice.
Now that it’s my turn, and considering my husband’s most recent gift to me was an Xbox One at Christmas, I thought I’d compile a list of mom-worthy gifts and gestures. 1. Breakfast in bed. As in: I will stay in bed while you and the baby eat breakfast, and I prefer to not be disturbed until mid-afternoon.
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5. Date night. This date night should include a nice dinner I do not have to prepare (this excludes the option of hubby preparing dinner at home, because we all know whose hands will be washing those dishes), followed by an average-rated movie that I will not regret falling asleep in the middle of. Carrie Taylor is a native Texan, freelance writer and mother of one precious baby boy.
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