NTK Summer 2008 by North Texas Kids

North Texas Your Family Guide to Raising Happy, Healthy Kids

Kids

Cover artist: Shillpa Kumar, age 7

In this issue: Are You Living a Life of Balance? Fireworks Safety Rules for Getting Your Child a Cellphone July/August Calendar of Events Page 1 Summer 2008

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North Texas Kids • www.NorthTexasKids.com • Summer 2008

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North Texas Kids • www.NorthTexasKids.com • Summer 2008

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Summer 2008

Publisher/Editor Minette Riordan minette@northtexaskids.com Web/Media Designer Brad Dobson bdobson@n o r t h t e x a s k i d s . c o m Office Manager Cindy Watts cindyw@n o r t h t e x a s k i d s . c o m Editor of Sports Scoop Mike Kravik mike@n o r t h t e x a s k i d s . c o m Sales Manager Heidi Schlabs heidi@n o r t h t e x a s k i d s . c o m Account Executives Jane Bingham Tari Jacobs Cindy Johnson Janice Robinson Cindy Watts Art Director/Designer Brittany Allen 2nd Story Design Brittany@2ndstorydesign.com Printed by Midway Press Mailing Address Scissortail Publishing 700 E. Park Blvd. #110 Plano, TX 75074 Phone 972-516-9070 Fax 972-516-9048 North Texas Kids is a Division of Scissortail Publishing LLC. North Texas Kids is published 10 times a year. Copyright 2008 by North Texas Kids©. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission prohibited. North Texas Kids encourages your submission of articles, children’s artwork, photographs and ideas. We reserve the right to edit all submitted material. All submissions will be considered for publication. Recommended article length is 500 to 800 words. Viewpoints of the articles are not necessarily the viewpoints of North Texas Kids. Materials will not be returned. Advertising is accepted at the discretion of the Publisher. Advertisers assume all liability for the content of their printed advertisements and agree to indemnify North Texas Kids and its publisher for any and all claims and expenses arising therefrom.

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Contents

Volume 6 No. 6

Feature Articles Are You Living a Life of Balance ......................................6 Fireworks Safety ..................................................................7 8 Simple Rules for Getting Your Child a Cell Phone .......8 Have a Fun Summer Close to Home .............................14 Borden Launches New Perfect-Pour Bottle ..................16 Is Your Child Ready For Preschool or Kindergarten .....20 Goats... Rather than Tractors .........................................28 All About BB Good ..........................................................36 Photo Journaling .............................................................38

Regular Features Healthy KidCast ................................................................10 Simple Concepts within Outings and Adventures ...... 12 Alexandria’s Book Review ..............................................17 What Do I Do Now, CITY House? .....................................18 2008 Summer Camp Guide ...........................................23 Family Resource Guide ...................................................27 Emma’s Kid-Friendly Restaurant Review .......................30 Sports & Fitness Programs ...............................................34 July/August Calendar of Events ....................................39 Index of Advertisers .........................................................45

Kids’ Activities Things You Can Read Word Scramble ..........................13 Do You Know These Texas Butterflies? ...........................15 Kids in the Kitchen: Blueberry Beverages .....................22 Color Some Olympic Pictures ........................................28 2008 Olympic Word Scramble .......................................28 Create Your Own Summer Partyware ...........................29 Get Ready for the 2008 Summer Olympics ..................37

Sports Scoop Emily Federspiel ................................................................31 SVAA: Enriching the Lives of Kids for 32 Years ...............32

North Texas Kids • www.NorthTexasKids.com • Summer 2008

Note from the Publisher

Minette Riordan, Ph.D.

Who Wants to Read a Book? Summer is definitely here, there is no doubt about it. It is now July and I have watched my kids relax, swim like fish, turn into little brown bears and generally enjoy life. I am so envious. It is summertime, my brain wants to relax. I am in vacation mode and find it difficult to stay focused on all the tasks at hand. Days like today I miss being a teacher and a SAHM. My kids are in the pool under the supervision of happy grandparents and I wish I was out there with them, today but not everyday. I love my job, too! I don’t know what it is about summer, besides the heat, that makes me want to just turn my brain off and laze by the pool with a good novel. College is many years behind me and even then I didn’t really take the summer off. It’s a mentality, isn’t it? I realize that it affects all of us. I love seeing my kids relax but I am already worrying about summer learning loss. They say kids lose a lot of information, especially math skills over summer break. But who wants to do math facts

when he could be swimming or riding his bike. I am trying to be creative and have fun with learning. My poor children are cursed with a mother who is an academic and thinks reading is more important than breathing. I try to keep my expectations reasonable but it is so easy to want so much for them. We have shelves full of wonderful books and I want them to love to read as much as I do. My son who is 9 could care less. He would much rather play video games or build with Lego. My daughter who is 6 is just learning to read and is very excited about reading, for short periods of time. I, on the other hand, can read for hours on end without stopping and according to my mother have always been that way. Summer is all about finding the balance between keeping up learning while not having the pressure of deadlines and homework. Being a parent is about balancing our own interests and expecations for our children with their own interests and abilities. Summer camps are a great

way to introduce kids to new skills or give them fun time to build skills they already have in a more relaxed fashion. My son is at SMU this week taking two classes, Lego Droids (think Star Wars) and Mini-Battlebots. He is busy building, constructing, battling, tearing down, shouting and doing all the things boys love to do! My daughter is doing nothing but swimming and reading and having one on one time with her grandparents who are here visiting. They are both so happy, it is such a treat to see them enjoy life. It is also a reminder to me to find moments of quiet, half an hour in the pool, a half of hour of reading at bedtime... to just enjoy life. My children need time to just enjoy life, to not be overscheduled and overburdened with to do lists longer than mine. So we do math facts and memory games in the car. We play board games and read stories to each other. I sneak the learning in when and where I can but I try (mostly successfully) not to push it, to give my kids time and space to

just be. We have some great articles this month on everything from preschool readiness to teaching your kids about cell phones. I hope you can find half an hour to sit and read what interests you and ignore the rest. I am off to Colorado in July to spend some time with family, do some hiking, reading, cooking and generally, nothing important. I want to say thank you to all of the staff at North Texas Kids who make this possible for me. I have learned that life is not about doing it all yourself. My success is thanks to all of the wonderful people that I work with and that help me out in so many ways whenever I need it. I have lost a few important people this year and summer reminds me how precious time is with our loved ones. So don’t forget to kiss your kids, tell your spouse you love him/her and tell all your friends how special they are. My kids are growing up so fast and I want to watch it happen!

Cover Artist...

Your child will receive $50 when we use his/her Shillpa Kumar Shillpa is 7 years old and is in the 2nd Grade at Parish Episcopal School in Dallas. She has varied interests that include gymnastics, ballet, brownie scouts and church choir. She is such a cheerful and lovable kid. She spends most of the time doing drawing/painting at home.

North Texas Kids • www.NorthTexasKids.com • Summer 2008

artwork on the cover of NTK. North Texas Kids loves kids’ art. Feel free to send us your child’s masterpiece. We are looking for covers that are unique, bright and colorful. Each child that appears on our cover recieves $50.00 along with their picture and story in the paper. Call 972-516-9070 for more information. Submissions may be digital or print. Email pictures to info@northtexaskids.com or mail them to Scissortail Publishing, LLC. 700 E. Park Blvd., Ste. 110, Plano, TX 75074.

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Do you ever feel out of balance, stressed and constantly multi-tasking to fit all that you need to accomplish in a day, but at the end of the day feel like you have accomplished nothing? And, are you in constant “reaction mode” rather than “response mode”? If so, you are a part an evergrowing population in our society who are well-intentioned, driven individuals who have somehow gotten lost in their activities of “plugging ahead” in life, having to be the best, the brightest, the one with the most “stuff”, and, of course, with the most talented kids on the block. This way of life often seems like the only path to attaining fulfillment and happiness. Or is it? Many have unwittingly allowed themselves to fall into what I call a “flat-lined chaos” (constant craziness and action, but with the inability of truly moving forward in life), so here are some insights to help you. Step back and catch your breath. Truly take some time to see if you are really on the right path toward your priorities/goals and if your actions are in line with those priorities. Create a list of priorities and goals that help you define your ideal image of optimum health and wellness that fits YOUR personal needs and desires. Write personal and family mission statements to bring powerful focus for action. Stop multi-tasking. We often think that in order to accomplish more, we can save a lot of time by doing multiple things at the same time. It has been found that this type of attitude toward actions actually takes more time because you are constantly readjusting your attention to find where you left off. Stay focused on one thing at a time.

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Stop comparing yourself and your situation to others causing you to focus on your lack or what you don’t have, thus creating potential resentment, which gets in your way of a life of fulfillment. Get active. Join a local sports league. Take Yoga classes. Pick up a hobby. Whatever your interests, make time and do them because they will help alleviate stress, but also help you stay in a stress-free state when stressful situations arise. Commit to feeding/nurturing yourself in small amounts on a regular basis to stay in check. Walk in gratitude, feel blessed, and enjoy the process of “getting there”, rather than the end result. Remember, if you are not happy with your current situation and not grateful for all the blessings you currently have, chances are, you will never be fulfilled when you reach whatever goals you have set for yourself in the future. Live with an abundancementality and understand you are part of a bigger whole. There is more than enough good to go around! Do something for the greater good…join a cause, raise money for your local charity, GO GREEN, etc. So go ahead! Smell the roses along the way (that YOU planted!) and you will probably accomplish more happy experiences than you ever expected! The on-going process of finding balance will be achieved.

Elizabeth de Moraes, M.A., M.F.A., Wellness Consultant, 972.409.2982, Elizabeth@enhancingwellness.biz

North Texas Kids • www.NorthTexasKids.com • Summer 2008

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KidsHealth® offers tips on how to keep your family safe this July 4th

Wilmington, DE, June 4, 2008. The summer heat, the smell of hamburgers on the grill, and the sound of fireworks can only mean one thing: It's the Fourth of July! With warm weather and family events, the holiday can be a fun time with great memories. But before your family celebrates this year, make sure everyone knows about fireworks safety. So how can you enjoy the Fourth of July and still stay safe? The best thing you can do to protect your family is to attend public fireworks displays and leave the lighting to the professionals. However, if you live in a state that allows fireworks and you're planning a do-it-yourself celebration, you need to take extra precautions. KidsHealth.org, the #1 website devoted to children’s health and parenting, offers these safety tips to ensure your family’s holiday is a blast: 1. Do not let children play with fireworks. Firecrackers, rockets, and sparklers are very dangerous. If your teens want to use sparklers, make sure they keep them outside and away from their face, clothing, and hair. 2. Buy only legal fireworks and store them in a cool, dry place. If your fireworks don’t list the manufacturer’s name or have an instruction label, they’re probably illegal. Illegal fireworks usually go by the names M-80, M100, blockbuster, or quarterpounder. 3. Never try to make your own fireworks. Buy ready-made fireworks rather than making your own, even from a kit. 4. Choose fireworks that are appropriate for the area. Avoid using rockets or other aerial fireworks in the backyard of a residential area. Choose fountain-type fireworks instead. 5. Steer clear of others. Fireworks have been known to backfire or shoot off in the wrong direction. Avoid carrying fireworks in your pocket, as the friction could set them off. 6. Keep a bucket of water and a hose nearby. Soak all fireworks in a bucket of water before throwing them away and keep a hose nearby in case dry leaves or other materials catch on fire. 7. Light one firework at a time and never relight a dud. If a firework doesn’t appear to work, do not go over to it or attempt to relight it. Stand back and wait and then douse it with water. 8. Think about your pet. Animals have sensitive ears and can be extremely frightened or stressed by fireworks. Keep your pet indoors to reduce the risk that it will run loose or get injured. “The best way to prevent fireworks injuries is to attend a professional show,” says Kate Cronan, MD, medical editor for KidsHealth.org and an emergency room pediatrician at duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, DE. “However, if fireworks are legal in your state, the #1 rule for parents to remember is that children should never play with fireworks or be allowed to set them off. The most common firework injuries involve the hands, fingers, eyes, head, and face – and many parents may not realize that children are at increased risk for deeper burns because their skin is thinner than adult skin.” If an eye injury occurs, do not allow anyone to touch or rub it, as this may cause even more damage. Do not flush the eye out with water or attempt to put any ointment on it. Instead, cut out the bottom of a paper cup, place it around the eye, and immediately seek medical attention. If a burn injury occurs, remove clothing from the burned area and run cool water over the burn (do not use ice) and call your doctor immediately.

For more information about keeping your family safe this Fourth of July, visit www.KidsHealth.org.

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North Texas Kids • www.NorthTexasKids.com • Summer 2008

by David Pinkard Many of our kids have grown an appendage, usually attached to their ears, sometimes to their thumbs. It’s the cell phone, of course. There can be many good reasons to get your child a cell phone. Once you’ve made the decision to buy, here are some things you can do to make the buying experience easier.

Understand your current plan. Children use up minutes and text message allocations quickly. They will also make use of extra features, like picture messaging and music downloads. Knowing what your plan supports will help you decide what your new costs will be.

Spend some time researching potential phones. Before you walk into the store with your child, go online and look at the variety of models that your cellular provider offers. You can find good reviews of cell phones at www.cnet.com. Look for phones with cameras, a very popular feature with young people, and possibly phones with integrated music players. Phones that protect their screens, like flip phones, offer less risk of accidental damage. Some phones will require you to sign up for additional services to make use of their features; make sure you understand those costs. Stay away from smartphones like Blackberries; they are designed for working professionals and are expensive and complex.

Explain to your child how cell phones work. Children will not understand about peak and off-peak hours, text message charges, weekend rates, and other things that affect your bill. Explain to them what’s “free” and what’s not: the times when the cell phone can be used without incurring different charges, that you get charged for all text messages incoming and outgoing, and that downloading music or games costs money. Use these to help set the rules for using the cell phone.

Set ground rules for cell phone use. Let your child know what is to be expected in terms of late calls, downloading things, etc. Go over your school’s rules for cell phone usage on campus.

Help your child practice safe cell phone use. Work out with your child what to do if they get an improper call (hang up and report it to you to start). Tell them always to look at caller ID before answering and let unknown callers roll to voicemail. They can pick up the message later and return the call if it is okay. Don’t be afraid to get involved if the situation persists.

Accessories. Keep the accessories, especially the manuals, in a place where you can find them if you need them. If the cell phone accepts a memory card, buy some extra memory for the phone. You can get a 1 GB card for less than $20 that will hold lots of pictures and songs.

Read your bill. Your bill will provide plenty of detail about when and who your child is calling/text messaging. This allows you to discreetly monitor their use of the phone and helps you see how they are using it.

Review your plan - again. Once you have seen a couple of bills including your child’s new phone, this is a good time to see if you need to make any changes to your plan, like adding unlimited text messaging or increasing shared minutes.

David Pinkard is president of Pinkard Consulting LLC, a company that helps individuals and small businesses with technology needs. He has worked with school districts and administrators to help them acquire and deploy technology.

North Texas Kids • www.NorthTexasKids.com • Summer 2008

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Ask Nurse Christie (Q & A) “we talk about everything from croup to poop”

n North Texas, we stay nice and warm during the summer, to say the least, so it is no surprise we

get many questions about how to stay active but safe during the hot months. The following questions address some important summer topics.

Dear Healthy KidCast, My son loves to play t-ball but I’m afraid he is not getting

enough fluid. He likes soft drinks and sport drinks but I’m not sure they are the best way to get fluid. Are there certain guidelines as to how much fluid he needs? Thanks for your help. -Carrie, Frisco, Texas

Dear Carrie, You are correct in your concerns about soft drinks and sport drinks

for rehydration. The sugar content and caffeine are counterproductive for replacing fluid. Water and low-calorie sports drinks are preferable. In my family, we like the small packets of Crystal Light that can be added to water bottles and the new G2 which is a low calorie sport drink. Children face a higher risk of dehydration because their bodies are not as efficient as adults in keeping the body cool through sweating, kids’ muscles generate much more heat than adults and kids have a greater surface-area to body-mass ratio so they absorb the sun’s heat faster. Thirty minutes prior to a sport activity, have your child drink 12 ounces of fluid. Then, every 20 minutes during activity, have him drink 5 ounces if less than 90 pounds and 9 ounces if they weigh more. Look for symptoms of dehydration such as dry mouth, headache, irritability, nausea, sluggishness and apathy. Seek medical attention immediately with disorientation, inability to drink or pale skin. Don’t let the heat keep your child on the couch this summer. Find camps, classes, recreation centers and pools to keep your child active and healthy.

Thanks for your question, Christie Camizzi, RN NurseCaster, Healthy KidCast Dear Healthy KidCast, I heard about the little boy who “dry drowned” in South

Carolina. What is this and what should I look for if it happens to my child? -Jennifer, Carrollton, Texas

Page 10

North Texas Kids • www.NorthTexasKids.com • Summer 2008

Dear Jennifer, The story about this 10 year old boy was so tragic because he

left the pool after swimming, walked home and seemed normal for over an hour after he had aspirated, or breathed-in, water into his lungs. Sadly, his mother found him dead while he was napping. According to Centers for Disease Control, 3600 people drowned in 2005 and some 10-15% of these deaths were classified as dry drowning which can occur up to 24 hours after a small amount of water gets into the lungs. In children, this can even happen during a bath. Signs to look behavior. The challenge here is knowing what is normal for your child

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ingested, keep an eye out for these symptoms and seek medical attention if any of the symptoms appear. Stay safe and have fun, Christie Camizzi, RN NurseCaster, Healthy KidCast Thanks to North Texas Kids for allowing Healthy KidCast to share some of our Parents Q&A. For more on keeping your child healthy, join our free internet radio show at www. HealthyKidCast.com. Remember that the advice given here or in our podcast is not meant to replace medical attention that should be provided by your healthcare provider. If you have specific concerns about your child’s health, please see your doctor.

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FREE CIRCUS TICKETS FOR READERS OF NORTH TEXAS KIDS We don’t know about you, but we are soooooo excited that Bello is Back! The Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus is coming to Dallas and Ft. Worth this summer. Find all the details on pg. 10. We would love to give you and your family a chance to go!

to win 4 tickets Deadline for registration is July 15.

North Texas Kids • www.NorthTexasKids.com • Summer 2008

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Simple Concepts within Outings & Adventures By Lynda Morley

uly is a great month to stay indoors and read together. There are a myriad of activities adults can do to enhance their child’s reading abilities and they aren’t always what you might think. On Wednesday,

July 23rd starting at 1pm at the Farmstead, I will host a special discussion on the importance of reading; both aloud and individually, types of books for each age group, and specific titles that fulfill good reading objectives. This free program is designed to be attended by both adults and children and will offer some less-practiced methods for improving a child’s ability to read. Until then, I have outlined several great suggestions for you to try. Remember, the purpose of these activities is to encourage the development of critical thinking skills, allow for exploration of the world close by, and facilitate a strong bond between adult and child. This month you may want to add a few extra supplies into your backpack including lined paper, colored paper for making bookmarks, extra pencils, and a small tape recorder with your other supplies (color pencils,

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clip board, plain paper, ruler, scissors, first-aid kit, wad of string (hey, you never know…) and anything else you think you might need).

Theme: Our theme for this month is reading and reading well! Where: Explore your neighborhood library, grocery stores, retail and discount bookstores, and specialty locations (i.e. pet shops, religious organizations, art museum gift shops, etc.), and don’t forget the Farmstead!

For the 2 year-old:

•

Discover physical elements of a book; the cover, pages, spine. Use these words when talking about books.

•

Offer sturdy books including board books, Touch-n-Feel books, and large picture books.

•

Read frequently for short periods of time throughout the day.

For the 3 year-old:

•

“Read” the book using the pictures not the words. Ask the child what is happening on each page. Allow him to create the story.

•

Visit a public library each week and encourage checking out books.

•

Introduce Lift-n-Flap books, window books, and books with music & finger plays. North Texas Kids • www.NorthTexasKids.com • Summer 2008

For the 4 year-old:

•

Offer books with real themes and subjects, i.e. making friends, moving, getting a pet, going to the dentist, etc.

•

Attend group story readings at libraries and bookstores but be prepared to leave until your child’s attention span develops to allow her to stay the length of the session.

•

Check out books with alternative endings and tab books.

Ask: During story time at home ask your child about the feelings of the character during a particular activity or scene.

For the 5 year-old:

•

Identify the opportunity to read within a variety of materials including a magazine, menu, cereal box, traffic sign, body, end page, back cover, etc.

• •

Talk about a story being real or fake – fiction or non-fiction. During errands, look for symbols that offer clues into words and meanings (i.e. at traffic signals, “the hand” means stop, the “walking person” means go, etc.)

Ask: During story time at home, ask the child’s opinion of what the character did or what will possibly happen next, etc. Lynda Morley, Director of Education at the Heritage Farmstead Museum, in Plano and author of the 5th edition of Outings and Adventures Everywhere! (2006, ISBN 0-9662888-6-6) has experienced hundreds of fieldtrips and adventures throughout the metroplex. For more information about this theme, to register for the July discussion, or other museum programs, please contact Morley at 72-816-3930 or lmorley@heritagefarmstead.org. © 2008 Lynda Morley All Rights Reserved

Things You Can Read Word Scramble

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answers: books, street sign, cereal box, comics, magazine, homework

North Texas Kids • www.NorthTexasKids.com • Summer 2008

Page 13

Have a Fun Summer

Close to Home...

Staycation:

Things to do today: 1. Tell your friends about us! 2. Check out our website for even more neat stuff!

Page 14

the new term for an affordable, time-efficient vacation. This increasingly popular concept provides many benefits to vacationers in our cash-strapped, oil-burdened economy. North East Texas has a wealth of attractions. This means there is no reason that weary workers and students on summer vacation cannot have the respite they need from their normal life. Because staycationers use less fuel, an added bonus is that it is also a more environmentally friendly option. Staycation at the Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary! “Summer at the Heard” offers time to reconnect with nature and let it give you the tranquility and relaxation that escaping city life can provide. You can also safely enjoy observing non-native animals, native Texas snakes, butterflies, and bees. Less than 10 miles from downtown McKinney and only 30 miles from the heart of Dallas, it is the perfect location for a day-trip. The Heard has shaded picnic facilities, almost 300 acres of varied eco-systems with miles of hiking trails running through it, a variety of special programs and exhibits, and much more. The Heard Natural Science and Wildlife Sanctuary constantly hosts new activities for your

family. For only $75 your whole family can become a member of the Heard Natural Science Museum and enjoy unlimited free admission to trails and permanent exhibits for one year from the date of purchase, making it an affordable regular haven. You will also receive discounts on special events and programs. With memberships of $150 or more, your family will even receive full membership benefits to the Dallas Museum of Nature and Science. Currently, the museum is hosting Animals of the World: A Conservation Exhibit and a beehive exhibit. Animals of the World provides families the opportunity to see and learn about twelve non-native animals including ring-tailed lemurs, kinkajous and capybaras. By utilizing wild animal “ambassadors” that emotionally connect visitors to the places these animals live, visitors are inspired to take a more proactive role in conserving wild spaces. The beehive exhibit allows visitors to see bees making honey through a safe, glass enclosure as they fly in and out of the museum through a portal in the wall. Rat Snakes to Rattlers and Native Texas Butterflies exhibits will open June 16 and July 14, respectively.

North Texas Kids • www.NorthTexasKids.com • Summer 2008

Your child learns (or struggles to learn) for a reason. At Rat Snakes to Rattlers, your family can check out what is quite possibly the most complete collection of live native Texas snake species for public viewing! There are fun activities for the kids and live snake feedings every Wednesday at 3 PM. For complete information about activities for the Rat Snakes to Rattlers exhibit, visit our website. Native Texas Butterflies will immerse you in the splendor of hundreds of beautiful butterflies in an 800+ square foot butterfly house. The exhibit also creates a beautiful setting for pictures. Dinosaurs Alive! Life-size Animatronic Dinosaurs will also be back by popular demand, a month earlier than usual at the Heard, August 29th. These animals are coming back from total extinction just for your family to experience and enjoy! Encounters with 12 life-size animatronic dinosaurs will be fun for you and your kids. Last year’s favorite dinosaurs like the Dilophosaurus

and the Tyrannosaurus-Rex will be returning, and the Heard will also present seven new dinosaurs, including the Iguanodon and Crylophosaurus—sure to become your new favorites! Even frequent visitors will enjoy exploring this exhibit again. For additional information about the museum and summer exhibits visit our website at www. heardmuseum.org. Admission is $8 adults and $5 for kids 3-12 and seniors. Members are free.

LearningRx can quickly identify that reason and improve your child’s core ability to learn and read. Cognitive training from LearningRx is so effective that gains can actually be guaranteed. Here’s what parents say about us: “Before LearningRx, Aaron’s ADHD made school and learning frustrating for him and his parents. He grasps things much faster now and is reading above grade level.”

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Also, don’t forget about Heard Summer Camps June-August! Reserve your spot NOW! 972.562.5566 ext. 237.

“Jamie went from C’s & D’s to A’s & B’s on almost every single test. She reads more quickly and understands more of what she reads. Best of all, her confidence level has gone up.”

Address, Contact & General Admission

The Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary 1 Nature Place McKinney, Texas 75069 972.562.5566 www.heardmuseum.org General Admission: $8 adults; $5 kids 3-12 & seniors; Members are free

Do you know these

Texas Butterflies?

LearningRx is Now Enrolling for Summer Programs! Call today to find out how we can help your child learn. 972.267.8900

www.learningrx.com

Conveniently located near George Bush & Tollway

Call today for $75 off a Cognitive Skills Assessment 1. Metalmark 2. Reakirt’s Blue 3. Monarch

Page 15

North Texas Kids • www.NorthTexasKids.com • Summer 2008

Borden Launches New Perfect-Pour Bottle Designed with moms & kids in mind Ergonomic Shape and Smaller Size Make It Easier for Families to Enjoy Organic Milk

Great classes for moms and kids to make lifelong friends and learn in a fun environment.

Art

Music

Play & Learning

Inspire creativity in visual and interactive arts.

Explore music through play, activity and song.

Nurture confidence, curiosity and physical skills.

Plano • 972-964-7529 3263 Independence Pkwy. SW Corner @ Parker

Save $25 off a new membership!

Austin, Texas (May 26, 2008) – No more crying over spilled milk thanks to Borden Dairy, which is introducing a new ergonomically designed milk bottle for little hands and easy storage. The latest innovation from the most trusted dairy brand in Texas, Borden’s new Perfect-Pour Bottle is available in a new 96 fluid oz. size in organic milk varieties and will hit store shelves throughout Texas this month. “We heard from moms that families need a better milk container – one that is easier to pour for young children and that fits well inside a crowded refrigerator,” said Ann Ocana, spokesperson for Borden. “This new bottle was designed to meet demand for better functionality and a more optimum size for weekly milk purchases, which is important since most families buy several kinds of milk every week.” Borden conducted consumer testing before settling on the new ergonomic design. The unique shape with curved contours and a comfortable grip is easy for kids and parents alike to carry, hold, pour and store. The smaller 96 fluid oz. size was developed to answer consumer requests for a milk container smaller than a traditional gallon, but bigger than a half gallon. Demand for organic milk among families continues to grow, with sales up 30 percent around the country and 40 percent in Dallas. Borden is debuting the new bottle for its entire organic milk line. “This is the perfect option in the perfect size for people living the organic lifestyle who want fresh, great-tasting milk from a name you can trust,” added Ocana. Borden Organic Milk comes from a local organic dairy farm in Earth, Texas, and is immediately bottled in Austin to be quickly transported fresh to grocery and mass merchant stores across the state. It is available in Organic Whole, Organic 2 Percent Reduced Fat, Organic 1 Percent Low Fat and Organic Fat Free Milk.

CHILDREN’S HOME HEALTHCARE Caring for those who need it most.

We provide a wide variety of services including skilled pediatric and neonatal care, ventilator and tracheostomy care, nasogastric feedings and education, respiratory care and information, phlebotomy services, wound management and medication administration, patient compliance programs, infusion therapy, respiratory services, and patient education and training. n

www.childrenshha.com Plano Office: p. 469-361-2188 n f. 469-361-6887 Van Alstyne Office: p. 903-482-9020 n f. 903-482-9019 (Serving Collin, Cooke, Denton, Fannin, Grayson and North Dallas Counties)

Hiring RNs and LVNs - please call or visit our website.

Page 16

North Texas Kids • www.NorthTexasKids.com • Summer 2008

Nancy Drew: No Strings Attached A Review by Alexandria Battle

Nancy Drew Mystery Stories #170

By Carolyn Keene 137 pages Ages 8-12 Aladdin (2003)

ancy Drew is a famous girl detective — and solver of many puzzling mysteries. The book series by Carolyn Keene is very well known and loved by people of all ages—in a way it, too, is among the classics. In more than fifty original books and many newer ones, Nancy tackles some confusing puzzles, missing inheritances, lost children, mistaken identities, and even ghosts! Using her keen intelligence and the help of her family and friends, Nancy can put

Page 17

the clues together and come out on top. She’s definitely not a damsel in distress! In Nancy’s latest adventure, called No Strings Attached, Nancy and her friends Bess and George are headed to Paris for a relaxing vacation. They are staying in the third story of a house owned by Mimi Loiseau—a puppeteer who runs a puppet theater, museum and shop in the house. Lately, Mimi and her priceless puppets are in great need of money to make sure the show goes on—she’s had to

lay off employees, deny offers for her shop to be bought, and watch as more and more mishaps are directed at her business. Her only hope is a fabled “family treasure” her great-grandmother Juliette talked about —but Mimi has no idea where, or even what, it might be. And neither, it seems, does the suspicious person who is stealing her puppets and trashing her shop and museum. Could they also be searching for the family treasure? And will Nancy and her friends find the treasure before they do? Nancy’s latest adventure certainly lives up to her continuing role as an amateur detective. Readers will be anxious to find out if the family treasure is found and Mimi’s family business saved— and they might even do a little sleuthing of their own to determine the identity of the perpetrator.

North Texas Kids • www.NorthTexasKids.com • Summer 2008

What do I do now, CITY House? by Sarah Feuerbacher, Ph.D., LCSW

With my children staying home this summer, I’ve done my best to provide them with safe and fun activities to keep them interested and active. Yet they have more time than I have activities, so in their downtime, they automatically go to the television or computer. I feel like I am an involved mother as I am aware of what they watch and play. However, I can’t be everywhere at once, and even much of mainstream media is offensive. How can I keep my children safe while allowing them to participate in technology they enjoy? -“Media Mom in McKinney”

Dear “Media Mom”: Pat yourself on the back! You are already looking in the right direction to acknowledge that even with much involvement, your children still encounter more than you may imagine in their media experiences. However, you’re also off to a good start in recognizing the need to educate your children about the dangers of technology and how they can avoid being exposed to offensive content or becoming innocent online victims. It becomes even more difficult for parents to monitor their children’s online activities because recreational computer usage nearly doubles during the summer months, as noted by

Symantec’s survey of 1,000 internet users between the ages of 7 to 18, revealing that approximately 44 percent of children and teenagers spend more than two hours a day online. Even concerned parents face difficulty monitoring their children’s internet usage based on these trends that were discovered from the Symantec study: nearly half of all youth do not ask for parents permission before giving out their personal email addresses to friends and online strangers; 16 percent do not want their parents to check their emails with them and another third don’t think it is important to have mom or dad check emails with them. More than two-thirds of children and

teens don’t tell parents when they see inappropriate online content, and 22 percent said their parents have never talked to them about spam (internetnews.com). Unfortunately, negative online experiences for children can involve more than just viewing inappropriate spam. The three main risks associated with all connected technology are inappropriate contact (Internet strangers or cyber-bullies), inappropriate content (adult websites or pornography), and inappropriate conduct (hacking or inappropriate chatting). Although these encounters are concerning, there are ways to help keep your children safe on the internet. Start

Academy For Coaching Parents International Take on the Role of a Lifetime! Two Phenomenal Seminars - One Transformational Weekend for Parents, Parent Coaches, and Educators! Part I

Part II

Coaching Intuitive Parents and Children Sept. 24-26, 2008

Coaching Adolescents - Sept. 26-28, 2008

This unique seminar will show you how to honor your intuitive nature, and teach you about the vital role it plays in parenting.

Learn skills that will help you gain confidence in your parenting/coaching abilities,as well as give you the specific tools necessary to empower teens. Learn five innovative tools which empower teens to dive deep and fly high to success.

Join the Academy for Coaching Parents International in Paradise, TX (one hour from DFW airport) for Two to Four Powerful Days of Heart-Centered, Intention-Focused, Parenting Paradigms and Skills

Register online at www.academyforcoachingparents.com or call Dr. Caron Goode at 817-847-8758 for more information. Enroll today and your partner/spouse may attend for free! Page 18

North Texas Kids • www.NorthTexasKids.com • Summer 2008

by setting rules and limits for cell phone and computer use, including who your child may talk to and for how long, and what websites they can and cannot visit. Monitor your child’s technology usage by reviewing phone and computer records. Teach your child to never reveal personal information including name, address, phone number, social security number, financial information, or photos. Talk to your child about where she likes to go on the internet, and let her know she should come to you if someone makes her feel uncomfortable or harasses her. Tell your child to spend more time with real-life friends than virtual friends, but never go to meet someone you don’t already know in real-life. Finally, parents need to be sure not to overreact if they find their child has been exposed to inappropriate material or strayed from a rule. If your child tells

Page 19

you he was uncomfortable with an online encounter, praise him for trusting you and work together to learn from what happened and how to keep it from occurring again (webwisekids.org; ikeepsafe.org). Remember, concerned parents and guardians know that helping their children make safer and smarter online choices means talking with them and keeping an eye on new tech trends. It is up to you as a parent to help your family have a safe, healthy and enjoyable experience. Using connected technology can help young people think critically about the choices they will face in real-life, which is a skill that will last a lifetime. Sarah Feuerbacher, Ph.D., LCSW Clinical Director sfeuerbacher@cityhouse.org www.cityhouse.org. www.drsarahfamilyviolence.com

North Texas Kids • www.NorthTexasKids.com • Summer 2008

Is Your Child Ready For Preschool or Kindergarten? The Biggest & Best INDOOR Kids Amusement Park. Come for the PIZZA, stay for the FUN!

Affordable Birthday Parties Every Day of the Week Roller Coaster Tea Cup Ride Bumper Cars

Knowing signs of readiness for school is an important element in insuring your child’s success at the next level of his/her learning. Parents usually think about choosing a great school for their young child but often ask, “Is My Child Ready?” As a parent, you have worked hard at choosing the RIGHT learning environment. That is the first step in securing your child’s success.

Pirate Ship Jet Planes SE Corner of Parker & Custer 972-985-7711 www.planetpizzaplano.com

BUY 1 GET 1 FREE Unlimited Ride & Soft Play Tickets ($9.99 Savings) Not Vaild Saturday or Sunday or with any other special. One coupon per person per visit. Expires 09-31-08

Hours: Monday - Saturday 10am - 9pm; Sunday 12pm - 7pm

Join the hottest dance classes in town! “Reveal Your Greatness”

Now Enrolling for Summer & Fall Classes )JQ )PQ t +B[[ t #SFBLEBODJOH t #BMMFU -ZSJDBM t ,JDLCPYJOH t $BSEJP )JQ )PQ t 1JMBUFT :PHB t "JLJEP t ,JDLCPYJOH "FSPCJDT p F Troo

Revelation Dance Studio is home of the remarkable “F Troop,” our competitive Hip Hop dance team under the leadership of choreographer Fenton Fulgham. Auditions are tentatively scheduled for August 22 & 23. F Troop has achieved many awards gaining both recognition and honor in the dance industry. Call for more information.

Check out our schedule online to ﬁnd the perfect class for you and your friends.

www.RevelationDanceStudio.net 2001 Coit Rd. Suite 210 (NW corner of Park/Coit) Plano, Texas 75075

Page 20

• Does your child have good self-help skills related to dressing, saying they do not feel well, eating snacks and treats without assistance, and independently demonstrating bathroom skills? • Is your child easily understood when speaking? • Does your child have good communication skills to be able to express desires and needs? • Does your child have good personal boundaries? • Does your child enjoy group activities? Taking turns and waiting is hard to do, but it is a necessary skill. • Does your child relate well to other adults? Other children?

Clas s age es for a s fro ll m adu 5 to lt.

972-596-1400

• Does your child separate easily from you?

Ask About Our Sibling Discount Buy 1 Get 1 FREE Monthly Tuition

Limit one coupon per student

As important as cognitive readiness, knowing letters, colors and shapes, is the knowledge and experience of being a positive participant in the classroom. Children come from a variety of backgrounds. Some have attended Mother’s Day Out, some Day Care, some preschool and some have stayed at home. These environments impact the preparation process. Does your child have the right tools for success for beginning their next school year? The instructors at MY PLACE know the importance of deliberate practice to build the opportunity for successful participation in your child’s next school environment. The result is a school program structured specifically to reach that important goal. We at MY PLACE are offering a special weeklong session for school preparation. The classes will be held Monday through Thursday the week of August 4th from 10:30A-12:00PM. The classroom will be taught by a master teacher and a speech-language pathologist. It will be a social, language, and experience rich environment. The curriculum is prepared to address classroom structure, learning activities and social interaction. Following a schedule with a variety of activities is one important factor in school readiness. Routine gives children security. The MY PLACE routine is as follows: • Hello time for starting our day with a smile, establishing eye contact and making everyone feel welcome. North Texas Kids • www.NorthTexasKids.com • Summer 2008

• • •

•

Music time for participating and leading the activity. Learning time for concept and language building. This time is based upon a “Who, What, Why, Where, When” format. Gym time for locomotive gross motor activities such as swinging, building, relay races, movement activities for balance and strength, listening while moving, and establishing physical boundaries. Manipulative time for fine motor development. Activities include arm and hand strengthening activities, playing games, puzzles, cutting, and using a variety ofwriting utensils with a teacher and with friends. Show and Tell time provides opportunities to talk about something from home that is topic related. It is a time to develop leadership skills and encourages expressive language.

Rules and good listening ears help us to succeed. Understanding that rules are necessary helps children decide when a choice is a good one or a bad one. This choice process begins the important element of establishing self-discipline.

Call us to schedule a FREE demo class.

Children need to “listen and do” to show what they know. Listening is a key element to school success. Good listening skills help us maximize our learning potential. After children listen, they show what they heard by doing what was requested.

Children need to practice making friends. They need to interact in appropriate ways to express their needs and desires. Sharing and taking turns is a key element to social and emotional growth. We practice sharing with a “not yet” verbal approach which leads to reduced frustration to avoid resulting behaviors such as hitting, yelling or kicking.

972–267-4452

For more information about this program call 972.385.0006. Enrollment for this program is limited as the class size is 6 children with 2 teachers. In addition, MY PLACE offers classes during the school year. These classes are specifically programmed for children with social, emotional and language challenges in the classroom. There are both morning and afternoon classes available. One and two day per week classes have been formed. The class selection is based upon an initial parent interview and assessment of your child. MY PLACE: a place for children to succeed 14580 Beltwood Parkway East, Suite 109

Watch this space for info about upcoming baby dance parties!

www.musictogetherdallas.com

Protection for your family, peace of mind for you. Wills Living Wills

Trusts • Guardianships • Powers of Attorney • Probate

•

“If You Don’t Have a Will, the State of Texas Has One for You!” - Lorie Burch

Lorie L. Burch

Attorney & Counselor At Law 7920 Belt Line Road, Suite 750 • Dallas, TX 75254 972.385.0558 • lorie@burch-law.com • www.burch-law.com

Farmers Branch, TX 75244 972.385-0006 www.northtexastherapy.com MY PLACE is located at the office of North Texas Therapy & Associates. Other professionals are on-site to assist you in parenting your child. Robin Collins is a Speech-Language Pathologist who provides formal assessments and therapy. Katherine Lunde is an educational consultant who assists families in making good school choices for their child, in addition to assessing a child’s learning strengths and weaknesses. Renae Martin is an Occupational Therapist who conducts evaluations and also provides therapy for fine and gross motor challenges. Thad Arms is a Cranial Sacral Therapist who evaluates body regulation. Page 21

North Texas Kids • www.NorthTexasKids.com • Summer 2008

TWO LOCATIONS!

Kids in the Kitchen

3 Blueberry Beverages...Yummm!!! Read It! Read your recipe all the way through before you begin! Place It! Get everything out and ready to cook!

Equipment

PRESCHOOL

Phonics & Reading cla sses available to the public

A Private Preschool offering half-day academic classes • 2,3, & 5 day AM or PM classes available • Ages 2 thru 5 years • Student/teacher ratio — 8 to 1 or less • 7797 Stonebrook Pkwy. Frisco

972-334-0005

802 S. Alma Dr. Allen/Plano

972-396-0099

www.applecreekpreschool.com

Measuring cups and spoons Colander Blender Ingredients Blueberry Blast: 1 cup nonfat milk 1 cup nonfat plain yogurt 1 cup unsweetened frozen blueberries 1 tsp. honey

Create It! Time to Cook Blueberry Blast: 1. Measure 1 cup of milk and 1 cup of yogurt and pour into a blender. 2. Add 1 cup of frozen blueberries to the blender. 3. Add 1 tsp. of honey for sweetness. 4. Blend mixture on high until smooth. 5. Makes 2, 8 oz. servings.

Blue Lagoon: 1 cup fresh blueberries 4 scoops vanilla frozen yogurt ½ to 1 cup milk

Blue Lagoon 1. Wash blueberries in a colander and let drain. 2. Combine the blueberries, frozen yogurt, and milk in a blender. 3. Blend until smooth, adding more milk if necessary. Makes 2, 6 oz. servings.

Berry Blitz: 1 pt. blueberries ½ cup vanilla yogurt 1 cup ice cubes 1 tsp. lemon zest

Berry Blitz 1. Wash blueberries. 2. Place ingredients in blender. Blend until smooth, about 30 seconds. 3. Serve immediately, as the natural pectin in blueberries will thicken the drink the longer it sits). Makes 2, 8 oz. servings

Frisco Sports Authority Fall Registration Basketball Grades K-12 Volleyball Grades 1-8 Dance Team Grades 2-5 Martial Arts All Ages Check our website for Registration Dates and Information www.fsafrisco.org

Frisco Sports Authority 8200 Stonebrook Pkwy Suite 200 Frisco, Tx 75034 469.362.6405

Page 22

North Texas Kids • www.NorthTexasKids.com • Summer 2008

2008 Summer Camp Guide

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10 Different Baseball & Softball Clinics Clinics for ages 3 and up - from beginners to advanced. Find all the details at www.extrainnings-plano.com Register online today! 2 for 2 Clinic Special: Bring in this ad and register for 2 clinics for only $250 (regular price $300)

Because you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be in two places at once! Pre-arranged, Door to Door Child Shuttle Service for Busy Families Serving Richardson/Addison/N. Dallas Family Owned, Fully Licensed and Insured Summer and School Year Service s '03 .EXTEL #OMMUNICATIONS ON 3HUTTLE 6ANS s 4EXT -ESSAGE TO 0ARENTS WHEN #HILD IS DELIVERED s 6ANS %MPLOYEES )DENTIlED W +ID %XPRESS ,OGO

www.kid-express.com 972-705-XPRS (9777)

Hours of Operation: Mon - Fri 11AM - 10PM; Sat 9AM - 9PM; Sun 10AM - 7PM

Girls In Motion 10-12 year old girls paired with college women mentors for fitness games, crafts and conversation about nutrition, exercise, positive body image and healthy snack making!

Kid-Express Shuttle Service

Extra Innings Extra Innings offers indoor comprehensive clinics in June, July and August for players ages 3-17. These clinics emphasize fundamental improvement for young players and advance training for older players. All clinics are designed to enhance their skills and to gain a competitive advantage. Participation is limited to assure quality instruction.

Daily/Weekly/Monthly rates available. Multiple Child and Referral Discounts! Reserve now for Summer and School Year. Visit www.kid-express.com for more information.

Soar into the new year with new skills Ask any 5-year-old, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Can you sing? Play the guitar? Fly?â&#x20AC;? No doubt, you get a toothy, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yes!â&#x20AC;? Yet somewhere between counting and calculus, Dr. Seuss and Shakespeare, the magic fades. Use this summer to recapture the magic!

June 11-3, 18-20, 25-27 July 9-11, 16-18, 23-25, 30-Aug 1 August 6-8, 13-15, 20-22

â&#x20AC;&#x153;LearningRx gave Jacob the tools to be more successful in his classes as seen by his progress reports. His confidence grew and he was more engaged in class because his ability to understand verbal instruction improved. His attitude toward striving for higher achievement also improved.â&#x20AC;? - Karen A., Frisco, TX, (mother of a 12 year old boy)

972.267.8900 www.learningrx.com

Studio 3 Dance Summer programs begin June 9 - Classes, Camps & Workshops! Great opportunity for ages 3 & up to try something new, improve skills or sign up for a fun-filled week of dance, drama and crafts. Register early for discount! Fall classes begin Page Aug 18.23

LearningRx Summer Learning Learning difficulties may be a fact of life. Failure need not be! We believe that any child can learn faster and easier. Call and talk to LearningRx. Together we can make the connections that will unleash the superhero you know is inside your child. Call today to find out how we can help transform your childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life from ordinary to extraordinary! Programs available for ages 4 through adult. 972.267.8900

D.A.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Spring Creek Golf Kevin Johnson is our Director of Junior Instruction. Kevinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s excellence and commitment to serving young golfers earned him a position among the Top 50 Junior Instructors in America. www.dasspringcreekgolf.com

North Texas Kids â&#x20AC;˘ www.NorthTexasKids.com â&#x20AC;˘ Summer 2008 Page 23

2008 Summer Camp Guide r Summer! Now Enrolling fo

Your child will create and perform in their own original musical production! Art-A-Rama, Plano This camp is so much fun your kids won’t even know they’re learning. Camps for ages 6 and up run 5 days per week from 9 - 3pm. For younger artists (3-6) we have 1.5 hour sessions that meet 3 times per week. Each week older artists will create six to nine projects. Every camp includes a potter’s clay project that is fired and glazed as well as some fun with Tie-Dying. Call now to reserve your spot. 972-423-4554

Center Stage Drama Your child’s self confidence will soar while enjoying script writing, dance classes, drama games and more. Camp culminates with an original recital. Professional drama, art and dance instructors, only 12 spots per camp. Camps are for ages 3 – 18. Check the website for more details: www.centerstagedrama.com

CAN YOUR CHILD AFFORD THREE MONTHS OFF? One-On-One, In-Home Tutoring Certified Teachers & Degreed Professionals Certiﬁed Teachers & Degreed Professionals All Subjects, PreK Adult All Subjects, PreK - Adult Summer The Best To Improve Summer, is The Time ToTime Improve Reading, Reading, Writing &Writing Math Skills In One of Our Proven Summer Programs! & Math Skills In One of Our Proven Summer Programs! Call Today!

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Plano...................972-424-6321

Mckinney...............469-952-3663

Southlake & Grapevine..817-741-4475 R

www.clubztutoring.com Club Z!

Keep your head cool through summer enrichment with Club Z! Club Z! offers a “Catch Up and Get Ahead” Program for students of all ages. We also offer SAT/ACT/TAKS Prep and foreign languages. One of our most requested programs is our writing course as well as our Study Skills program for both Middle and High School students. Writing course offered through Southlake / Grapevine area only. Page 24

Elevate Your Game Charles H. Williams is a 15-year veteran professional basketball player and coach whose career has taken him around the world. His teaching philosophy is that “everyone can be a success because success directly relates to the effort put into discovering and attaining your personal potential.”

North Texas Kids • www.NorthTexasKids.com • Summer 2008

2008 Summer Camp Guide Introduce your preschooler to the imaginative world of books. Using great stories, we’ll take them on a magical tour of children’s literature this summer, and help them develop a life-long love of reading. They’ll move, dance, sing, make a craft, and experience the story with theme-based activities designed for greater enjoyment and understanding.

Ages 5 to 18

972-548-8940

• Unique summer workshops • PreK – College • Reading/Writing/Vocabulary with award-winning books

McKinney, TX

www.frozenropestx.com tx.com

PLANO 972 985 3276

Frozen Ropes Frozen Ropes offers baseball and softball camps every week in the summer for ages 5-18. We also continue our professional private instruction. Answers to all of your questions at www.frozenropestx.com or call 972-548-8940.

Camp Canyons Indoor Rock Climbing Two fun and educational Summer Camps for ages 5-14. Weekly camps from June 9 thru August 22

Beginner: Climbers will focus on basic climbing techniques. Advanced: Climbers must attend 1 week of Beginner camp first or be tested to enter the Advanced camp. Siblings receive a 15% discount Canyons Indoor Rock Climbing 7164 Technology Drive #202 Frisco, TX 75034 214-387-0906

ALLEN 972 359 0222

www.tutoring101.com

Gotta Dance

Tutoring 101 Tutoring 101 offers a unique selection of summer workshops. A large staff of creative teachers have developed curriculum designed to both enrich and develop a student’s skills. Engaging lessons integrate knowledge, reading, and writing thus allowing high achievers to excel and all students to expand their understanding of specific subjects. The secret to our success is simple: great tutors! Our tutors are all degreed teachers or professors. www.tutoring101.com

SummerFest SportsCamps 6500 Preston Meadow Plano, Tx 75024 www.psaplano.org

FlexiPass

-1, 5, 10, 20 Day Pass -9am-4pm -Extended Day Options Available -Lunch and Snack Included -All Day Multi Sports Activities

Gotta Dance would like to welcome you to the wonderful world of dance as it comes to life in our classes for children of all ages.

Skill Building Camps Basketball Volleyball Indoor Soccer Golf Martial Arts Indoor Lacrosse Scuba Dance Class

-All Day Fun!

www.canyonsclimbing.com

Canyons Climbing Gym Your kids will have a blast and get a great workout at our week-long summer camps. Camps are from 9am-1pm or 1pm-5pm depending on dates and availability. All campers will enjoy a pizza party on Friday. Call 214-387-0906 to reserve your space today! Page 25

SportsCamps at PSA!

Skill Building Camps with experienced instructors. The FlexiPass allows campers to sample different sports and fun activities including basketball, volleyball, indoor soccer, ice skating, PE games, movies and arts and crafts. Call for more information 972-208-5437 or visit our website www.psaplano.org

Paint Yer Pottery Camp Art Attack is a fun way to spend the hot days of summer in the COOL! Campers complete 10-12 projects in ceramics, mosaics, tye-dye, candle-making, polymer clay & glass fusing. Ages 5-15, weekly sessions June 9 to August 15.

Page 25 North Texas Kids • www.NorthTexasKids.com • Summer 2008

2008 Summer Camp Guide Educational with a Fun Twist! Camps for 3 - 6 yr olds Science & Technology (Imagine Tomorrow, Robotics & Weird Science Fun) Camps for 7 & Up TechnoKids TechnoHTML & Web Design Clay Animation Video Game Design g

Frisco

469-252-4521

www.einsteinkidz.com

Einstein Kidz

Revelation Dance Studio Join us for full day (9am-3pm) or half day (9am-12:30pm) camp. Camp will include dance classes and craft projects each day. Early drop off at 8am or late pick up at 4pm is available for an additional $5. Camps are offered July 7-11, July 14-18 and July 21-25.

Are you looking for something fun, but educational? Einstein Kidz offers camps to kids ages 3 – 6 and 7 – 13 that involve science and technology. We offer one or two week camps. Programs consist of preschool computer skills, weird science, robotics, video game design, clay animation and web design.

Summer Camps are Win Free Tickets to See McKinney’s Newest Team and Meet Thunder Dog! Register online at www.NorthTexasKids.com The Blue Thunder will have lots of fun, familyoriented activites. What a great way to introduce your kids to professional baseball. Visit them online to meet the players and see their schedule for the 2008 season. www.bluethunderprobaseball.com

Page 26

Building Image Studios Students develop inner strength and personal power as they discuss: introductions, dining etiquette and more. Teens can participate in “The 7 habits of highly effective teens” workshop. See www.building-images.com for more information.

! ! UN

North Texas Kids • www.NorthTexasKids.com • Summer 2008

Family Resource Guide Simply Pretend www.julieslp.com Providing individualized speech and language therapy. For more information, please contact Julie at 214-336-9342 julie_slp@yahoo.com

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White Dove

Montessori School Plano, TX

Plano/Frisco Area Music Lessons for K-12 & adults

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Near Independence & Hedgcoxe For Ages 2 - 6 years White Dove Montessori program combines the self- paced, developmentally appropriate learning environment of the Montessori method in the surroundings of a natural home setting. Our goal is to nurture in your child a lifelong joy for learning. Director is AMI certified with 15 years of Montessori experience. www.whitedovemontessori.com

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North Texas Kids is committed to bringing you the resources you need to simplify your life and raise happy, healthy kids!

Page 27

North Texas Kids â&#x20AC;˘ www.NorthTexasKids.com â&#x20AC;˘ Summer 2008

Goats... Rather than Tractors In just a few days, a few hundred goats cleared several acres of thick brush and grass at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge in California. Refuge managers typcially remove brush and small limbs using manpower and heavy equipment. Goats, however, are less expensive, they don’t burn fossil fuels and reduce the carbon footprint.

S YA O M I T

2008 Olympics Word Scramble gibiejn

gpni pgno

gvidin

llbavlloye

gimsiwmn

bxonig

answers: Beijing, diving, swimming, ping pong, volleyball, boxing

Page 28

The Rio Vista Unit of Sacramento River Refuge is bordered by private homes and local parks. Refuge land and fire managers examined several options to reduce the buildup of vegetation and thereby reduce the risk of wildfire. Everyone agreed it was worth giving the goats a try. Refuge manager Kelly Moroney said neighboring landowners and local government officials were pleased with the results.

Goats first grazed on the refuge in June 2007, clearing about 35 acres. This year, the goats will browse through 50-60 acres. They will be followed by student work crews who will cut the higher limbs. “Ultimately,” says Moroney, “we want a closed canopy on top that shades out low, understory growth. This will make a natural fire break, requiring less maintenance over time.” Moroney also says goats are now being considered for other refuges and additional acreage at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex and throughout the region. Contact Sacramento Refuge Manager Kelly Moroney, Kelly_ Moroney@fws.gov; Sacramento Refuge assistant fire management officer Kipp Morrill, Kipp_ Morrill@fws.gov, 530-934-2801.

North Texas Kids • www.NorthTexasKids.com • Summer 2008

Create your own Summer Partyware Summer Camp Kids love to decorate anything and everything, even things we’d rather they not paint or color on. This summer, give your kids permission to decorate their plates, bowls, cups and more! This is a great pool party idea or just rainy day fun to bring a little sunshine inside. The cups would make great party favors for a summer birthday party or 4th of July Bash!

Supplies needed: plastic bowls, cups, plates, etc. (available at Walmart) paint pens or Sharpies (permanent markers) glitter glue (optional) stencils (optional) gemstones (optional)

Instructions: Make it fun! Let your child be as creative as the want to be. There are no rules!

Kindercooks@yahoo.com

One note: the paint pens may wash off easily and we recommend hand washing if you want them to last.

Make this summer a creative one!

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North Texas Kids • www.NorthTexasKids.com • Summer 2008

Emma’s Kid-Friendly Restaurant Review

Scissortail Publishing is expanding our sales team!

Dave and Buster’s (D&B!)

If you are:

2 Locations in Dallas and 1 in Frisco

• Passionate about kids, family & community • Motivated

www.daveandbusters.com

by Emma Bonin

• Organized • A people person • A great communicator • Computer savvy

Then we would like to talk to you...

About a Sales Position that Offers: • Generous Commissions • A Part-time or Full-time Opportunity • Flexible Hours • Work From Home • Sales Experience Recommended but not Required Please Fax A Cover Letter and Resumé to: 972-516-9048 or Email it to: info@northtexaskids.com

We are looking for reps in the following areas: Dallas, Southlake and Rockwall. Serious Inquiries Only Please.

“Childbloom is a great program and I wouldn’t dream of having my daughter learn

Dave & Buster’s is so much fun! Most people probably think of it for the arcade games. My brother and I have a great time pooling our tickets that we get playing the games so that we can trade them in for bigger prizes. But we also really like the food! My brother is on a quest for the best hamburger in DFW. So far, he says the winner is Dave & Buster’s burger. I like the pasta with marinara sauce. It is also right up there among my favorite pasta dishes. My mom loves the salmon salad and my dad really likes the parmesan encrusted chicken with pasta. He says the chicken is very tender and has a great flavor. The pasta is a curly noodle with marinara sauce, and I helped myself to a few bites as well. The menu is very large so you have a lot of options to choose from. They have many appetizers including cheesesticks, fried mushrooms, buffalo wings, potato skins and nachos, just to name a few. For an entrée you can choose from salads, sandwiches, pastas, steaks, chicken and seafood. They have a special menu with options that include a $10 game card. This

is called the Eat and Play Combo. So, if you are going to eat and play the games, this is the way to go. The dessert menu has several choices including key lime pie, banana fosters pie and New York cheesecake. The most interesting is the Belgian Chocolate Fondue that has fruit and sweet dessert bites for dipping in the melted chocolate – great for sharing! We always have a great time at Dave & Buster’s. The atmosphere is fun, music is playing, and you’re surrounded by fun games and good food! Our favorite location is at the Stonebriar mall, but you can also find a Dave & Buster’s in Dallas at Walnut Hill and Central Expressway and another at Composite Drive and Stemmons Freeway. Emma Bonin is a third-grader at Hughston Elementary. She lives in Plano with her mom, dad, and brother, Jack.

She is

excited about the opportunity to review area restaurants and share her thoughts with the readers of North Texas Kids. Emma is an avid soccer player and enjoys swimming, computer games, baking, and getting together with friends.

another way.” -G. Matthias For additional information, including student MP3’s and parent testimonials, please see our website at: www.childbloom.com

Specializing In Music Instruction For Young People. Located in Plano, Carrollton & Richardson / 214-733-1866 s childbloom@gmail.com

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North Texas Kids • www.NorthTexasKids.com • Summer 2008

onventional wisdom tells us that children are quite often a product of their environment. Teresa Federspiel worked many late nights at the Plano Sports Authority (PSA) and often had her daughter Emily in tow. PSA is one of the premier sporting associations in the country and offers kids from North Texas the chance to play a wide variety of different sports both indoors and outdoors. Indoor sports at the PSA StarCenter include basketball, volleyball, martial arts, ice hockey and roller hockey. By the time she was ten years old Emily Federspiel had played volleyball, softball and basketball but the more she hung out with her mother at PSA, the more she became intrigued with the roller hockey games. Emily says, “As soon as I saw roller hockey, I knew I wanted to play so I asked my mom if she would let me.” There were no girl’s teams available so Emily was faced with the daunting task of having to learn how to play the sport on a team full of boys. Emily did not shy away from the challenge and was quickly accepted by her teammates mainly because she could play. After excelling at roller hockey in her first season, Emily was anxious to make the transition to ice hockey. “I’ve loved playing the sport from the moment I first started playing. Today hockey is my life and really all I care about.” Now sixteen years old and about to be a junior at Plano East, Emily Federspiel is continuing her passionate affair with hockey. She plays for a girls select travel team called Dallas Stars College Prep. This summer she is working out and playing games with the Plano East Boys Varsity team along with lifting weights and doing cardio workouts on a treadmill. Emily is also a diabetic but swears it does not affect her ability to play hockey and refuses to use that as an excuse for failure. She says, “I have to test my blood sugar before and after each game. I eat a protein bar if

Page 31

Sports Scoop

EmilyFederspiel... needed. I just deal with it and try not to make it an issue.” Emily would like to play for the boy’s team at Plano East when school starts but the coach from her select travel team won’t let her because he is concerned that she will get hurt. It’s a legitimate concern because Emily is a puck carrying defenseman (think Sergio Zubov) and very susceptible to injury. Emily has suffered two concussions, a broken thumb, sprained shoulder, sprained neck and multiple bruises all while playing hockey. Dealing with bumps and bruises and knowing the difference between pain and injury is a fabric woven into the sport that every player understands. There are not many girls select travel teams in North Texas so Emily’s team has to go north to find good competitive tournaments. Emily has played in various venues all over Minnesota and throughout Canada. The annual Polar Bear Tournament is the most prestigious event Emily plays and it is held over Christmas Break in Hartford, Connecticut. Emily would like to earn a

scholarship to a Division 1 college, go to med school and eventually become a pediatric doctor. To earn that scholarship Emily knows her game needs to improve. “I have a good shot and I skate well but those are things that can always get better. I feel like I need to be more assertive on the ice when I communicate with my teammates.” Emily said that guys have different reactions when they play against her. She said, “Sometimes they’re jerks and sometimes they’re nice. I feel that I’m targeted mainly because I’m a girl and because I can keep up with them on the ice.” When asked if the guys clean up their act verbally around her Federspiel says while smiling, “Not at all but then again the girls I play against aren’t that dainty either.” North Texas Kids • www.NorthTexasKids.com • Summer 2008

Sports Scoop

(SVAA) Spring Valley Athletic Association Enriching the lives of kids for 32 years by Mike Kravik

The 1970’s were a weird, wonderful and goofy decade. The country was reeling from the revolutionary 1960’s while still trying to get past the hangover of Vietnam, Woodstock and Watergate. Marriages were breaking up like never before and Dallas, Texas was quickly becoming known as the divorce capital. People were starting to become alienated from their own spiritual roots and questioning everything they thought to be true. It was a decade of fads and awful fashion trends. We had lava lamps, silk shirts, bellbottoms, leisure suits, hot pants, earth shoes, pet rocks, and mood rings all of which should explain how a song like “Disco Duck” hit number one on the charts. While the decade is in many ways the bridge to the modern era, it was also easy for a kid to lose his identity in this cul-

Park

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Custer

Plano Pkwy.

Independence

Coit

★ 15th St.

ture and get caught up with the wrong crowd. It was during this time that eight businessmen from North Dallas, Lake Highlands and Richardson looked at what was happening around them and came together with a plan to give kids in their areas something else to do so they would stay out of trouble. 1976 was the year that a young British rocker named Peter Frampton released one of the greatest selling albums in his-

tory called “Frampton Comes Alive” and it was also the same year that the

Spring Valley Athletic Association (SVAA) was founded. SVAA was a novel concept for the time because their founding principles were to offer kids a chance to play sports with a true recreational mentality. Playing time was guaranteed and there were no tryouts. SVAA, not the coaches, determined who would play on each team. Kids played with other kids in the same grade that they knew from their own elementary and junior high schools. SVAA filled an immediate void and was completely embraced by the community. Baseball and basketball were the first sports offered. Soon softball, football (tackle and flag) and volleyball were offered as well. Early on SVAA thrived and through the years always remained a steady option for kids who just wanted to play sports. The epicenter of SVAA’s target market has been ten miles in any direction from the crossroads of the High 5 (North Central Expressway and LBJ). Perhaps it was a reflection of the communities SVAA was serving or maybe kids were seeking more competitive leagues but participa-

North Texas Kids • www.NorthTexasKids.com • Summer 2008

Page 33

the baseball pool and learn how to play “real baseball,” they will become better ballplayers at an earlier age is valid. What SVAA does is provide a good option for all kids, regardless of ability, the chance to play. Basketball has always been the second most popular sport offered by SVAA. Critical to the success of their basketball leagues was the ability to provide coaches access to various junior high gyms in the area so they could hold full court practices that lasted up to two hours. Basketball has become so popular that is now a sport that is offered year round by SVAA. The fast rising star at SVAA is flag football which is offered to kids entering the 3rd grade. Asked to explain this popularity, Baert says “My only guess would be because we’re in Texas and football is king in this state.” There are so many good things to say about SVAA not only because of what they have provided for their community through the years but also because they have stayed loyal to their own core values and stated mission to “to enrich the lives of kids and their families by providing youth sports environments that are appropriate, organized and enjoyable.” The best music in the world is music that is timeless. Peter

Frampton’s popularity waned after the 1970’s but his song “Show Me the Way” sounds just as good and relevant now as it did in 1976. The SVAA has survived as well and has become as timeless and relevant as it was when it began in 1976.

Sports Scoop

tion in SVAA began to wane through the late 1990’s. SVAA wasn’t dying but it was also not seeing sustained growth. A couple of recent events have injected new life into SVAA. A recent bond issue passed by the city of Richardson mandated renovations to the current baseball fields at Breckinridge Park and Huffhines. These baseball fields are going to be spiced up and will now feature grass infields, fences and concession stands which will make SVAA a more attractive alternative. When the Richardson Sports Incorporated (RSI) recently closed shop they bequeathed their assets to SVAA. The Treasurer of SVAA, Jeff Baert said “These are very exciting times for SVAA because we now have incredible opportunities for growth. We are looking to retain our own kids but also fill in the gaps left by the departure of RSI. What RSI did (giving SVAA their assets) was a true benefit to this community.” Baseball has always been the most popular sport offered by SVAA, especially in the first through sixth grades. Determining the best way a kid should learn how to play baseball is an inexact science. SVAA spoon feeds their kids and brings them along at a slower pace. Before the fourth grade, kids who play baseball in SVAA hit off a pitching machine. The games are crisp, usually played in a little more than an hour and very few kids strike out. It is an excellent way for kids to learn how to play baseball because the action is constant. In fourth grade kids begin to pitch. In fifth grade stealing bases is allowed and by sixth grade all rules apply and kids are on 75 foot bases. Nobody really knows the best way to teach kids how to play baseball. The argument that the sooner kids are thrown into the deep end of

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NTK

North Texas Kids • www.NorthTexasKids.com • Summer 2008

Sports & Fitness Programs

Hey Batta Batta... Advertise your Sports & Fitness program here! “Parents want to know when your registration deadline is. Let us get the word out for you.”

Call us for details! 972-516-9070 www.NorthTexasKids.com

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North Texas Kids • www.NorthTexasKids.com • Summer 2008

Have you? Signed up for our Newsletter?

Read our blog?

Checked out our great website?

Better get busy! www.northtexaskids.com - to do it all!

Page 35

North Texas Kids • www.NorthTexasKids.com • Summer 2008

All about...

BB Good of North Dallas had been the National midday host on Radio Disney for 10 years, but if you have a “tween” or “pre-tween” you already know that! Good was born and raised in Quincy, BB Good and American Idol Winner Jordin Sparks at Massachusetts and grew up listening to top 40 ra- the Radio Disney Studio in Dallas. May 2008. dio. She says she knew at a very early age that a job as a DJ would suit her. With the maiden name of Goodman, a nickname or stage name of BB Good seemed very appropriate. Good says “ My grandma’s name was Beatrice and everybody called her Bea, I liked that name and wanted to honor her memory; so I made up the name BB Good when I was starting out at the college radio station and it stuck!” Good graduated from Syracuse University’s prestigious Newhouse School of Public Communication in 1993 and has been doing Radio since 1990. When the opportunity to work at Radio Disney happened in March of 1998 she jumped at the chance to be a part of this exciting new medium. She moved from the Northeast here to Dallas and was subsequently moved again in 1999 to her own studio in Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Five years in the vacation capital of the world flew by in a minute. “At WDW I was so lucky to be the ambassador to kids and their families from all over the US and really the entire world”. Good interviewed celebrities for her daily midday show all the time - Julie Andrews, N’sync, Gary Sinese, The Wiggles, and the Superbowl MVP Tom Brady to name a few. “Some of the most memorable moments happened outside my studio every afternoon with the families that would take time to visit; I would have the pleasure to get to meet our Radio Disney listeners face to face and I am sure I am in lots of vacation scrapbooks.” After 5 years broadcasting in Walt Disney World the Radio Disney studio was closed. The Disney company invited Good and her growing family back to Dallas to the ABC Radio Networks offices/studios. Good says she never thought she would be back in Dallas after the first go round. “I just thought at the time that Dallas was a quick stop for me. Lucky for us that was not the case!”

Save the Date... for the 1st Annual

Saturday, November 15 2008 at the Plano Centre Benefitting the programs of CITY www.cityhouse.org

House

Sponsors & vendors wanted! Call for more details: 972-516-9070

Now this busy mother of 4 is looking forward to a real summer break with her family! “I have felt like a juggler for the past few years trying to balance the needs of our family, running our home, the work schedule, our community and life. I am so grateful for this little break to really figure out my/our next steps.” Good is involved with Make a Wish and continues to maintain relationships with some of the kids who have visited her over the years. “I was so lucky to know the staff and volunteers of Give Kids The World in Orlando (a non-profit resort in Central Florida that creates magical memories for children with lifethreatening illnesses and their families. GKTW provides accommodations at its whimsical resort, donated attractions tickets, meals and more for a week-long, cost-free fantasy vacation. With the help of many generous individuals, corporations and partnering wish-granting organizations, Give Kids The World has welcomed more than 85,000 families from all 50 states and over 60 countries). I plan to bring my own children back there for a little visit when we are in Orlando this summer. So what’s next... for now BB is enjoying her family! Later this summer Good is joining Music Together of Dallas to host the Summer Music Dance Party! Happening on Sunday July 13th from 3 - 5 PM at the JCC 7900 Northaven Road, this event promises to be the don’t-miss party of Summer 2008. “I wanted to help out with this event for so many reasons... my kids, my husband and I all love music and of course having FUN together; we look for opportunities to make happy memories for our kids and this is a great way to get the whole family moving!” Local celebrities will help the festivities by sharing their favorite dance moves and trained instructors will share their tips to beat the heat and keep our kids moving! “Just wait until you see my 3 year old dance. He is so funny. He thinks he is one of the Doodlebops or maybe a Wiggle!” BB Good lives in the North Dallas community with her wonderful husband Charles and their 4 sweet kids who LOVE to dance and have FUN!

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North Texas Kids • www.NorthTexasKids.com • Summer 2008

Lil’ Trax

Free “Parent” Academy Presented by

and Why should your kids have all the fun? While your kids check out one the classes at LIl’ Trax Sports Academy at Plano Sports Authority, you can listen to a great speaker and join in some adult conversation. Cake and coffee will be served! Tues. Sept. 2 through Fri. Sept. 5 9:30am - 10:15am or 10:30am - 11:15am Themes: Fall Fashion, Nutrition/Cooking, Sideline Etiquette and why every parent needs a will today!

Getting ready for the 2008 Summer Olympics

Email info@northtexaskids.com for a schedule of speakers or more details.

Lil’ Trax

Sports Academy FREE Trial Classes! Introduce your preschooler to basketball, soccer, t-ball, martial arts, yoga, cheerleading or dance! Visit us online at www.psaplano.org for more information. See our fall schedule on pg. 32 ?? in this issue of NTK Page 37

All of these sports will be played at the Summer Olympics in Beijing, along with 21 additional sports. Can you name the 7 sports below? In this sport I might be doing the breaststroke, butterfly or backstroke. For this I use a long pole with a paddle on the end of it. I have two of these. One in each hand. They are called oars. What am I doing now? For my next sport I need a racket, some balls and a net. What am I playing? This is one of the most popular sports in the world. This sport’s main event is the World Cup, which is held every four years. This sport is played by either men or women and can be referred to as fast-pitch or slow-pitch? What sport uses a big round orange ball that they use to dribble up and down the court? What sport uses a big white ball that you can set or spike?

North Texas Kids • www.NorthTexasKids.com • Summer 2008

t’s a precious time when family gathers around to relive generations of family memories, moments and monumental occasions of times past. Even elementary school-aged children marvel at photographs that captured their first smile and steps and at photographs of grandparents holding their own newborns- the child’s parent. Every child has the desire to know who they are and where they came from. Photo journaling, or scrapbooking, provides a wonderful way for children to connect to their family history. Using film to record the life of a child gives him a tangible glimpse into his own personal history and upbringing. Photographs validate a child’s sense of self worth, accomplishment and connection to family. Coaching parents to record their child’s upbringing teaches them to invest in tangibly capturing the life of their child. And luckily for today’s busy parents, technology provides many options that allow parents to record their family history with minimal effort. From disposable cameras, to digital and video cameras, it’s never been so easy to “capture the moment.” There are even camera key chains and cell phone cameras that give parents quick and easy access to digital recording devices that make toting around a camera hassle free. And organizing and storing photographs has never been so convenient. With websites like Shutterfly.com or Snapfish.com, parents can upload digital images from their cameras and create photo albums, save images to a DVD, or print photos with literally the click of a button. And given that you only print the photos that you want, recording memories has never been more affordable. But for those parents who prefer working with traditional film, companies like Creative Memories, have made storing and organizing prints easy and affordable too. A trip to your local craft store can provide with everything you need to compile an archival quality album to preserve your photos in. And if these options seem overwhelming, consider taking your printed photos and storing them chronologically in a shoe box. You’ll have the record of memories available, and if you’re looking for a rainy day project to embark on you’ll have one ready and waiting. And even if they never end up in fancy albums with journal boxes detailing each moment, your child will still have a record of memories to look back on in years to come. Coaching parents to take photos of their family at regularly scheduled intervals, in addition to special occasions, can help make memory recording feel less overwhelming. Coaching parents to set a goal of taking a roll of film, or a digital photo shoot once each month or season can help parents to keep their recordings manageable and current. Coaching parents to take time to revisit captured moments with their Page 38

children is a valuable tool that can be used to help deepen and strengthen the family bond. It can also help to solidify family traditions. Each September, I drag out the family album and remind the children that it’s almost time for our fall adventure. I flip back through the pages and find the sections that capture our annual apple picking trip. They love seeing themselves first in their stroller, than as toddlers reaching up high trying to reach the lowest apples, than as preteens taller than the dwarf trees themselves! And there isn’t a teen that at one point or another, doesn’t wonder about their family roots and heritage, especially one that’s enrolled in a social studies or US history class. Coaching parents to embark on a family project with their teen of collecting photographs from extended family members is a wonderful way for parents to strengthen their relationship with their older child. Children love to look at life as their parents and grandparents lived it and love to see photos of their parents growing up. Many teens would love the opportunity to compile a family heritage album that someday they’ll be able to share with their own children. Coaching parents to reminisce empowers parents and children to make a connection into their past. Photo journaling provides an opportunity for children to see some of the activities they enjoyed, the friends that they shared and the moments of childhood that were treasured. Looking back allows for a child to see his value through the eyes of his family. How powerful is it when you have tangible evidence to combat the “We never did that” or “I don’t remember that” of childhood? I remember how my 7 year old insisted he never liked his brown bear that he was ready to toss to the curb. How wonderful it was to be able to show him photo after photo of him clutching his most prized possession throughout his first 5 years of life. Reminiscing about this showed my son how well I truly knew him, and how I noticed his likes and dislikes. It helped to build his level of trust and worth and deepened our personal connection. So who would have thought something so simple as recording, revisiting and reminiscing about family history and childhood would be so powerful? Coach parents to regularly take, store, and organize family photos and to utilize photo journaling as a tool to deepen and strengthen the family bond.

Top 10 Tips for Photo Journaling 1.

Keep a camera handy! There is never a bad shot in photo journaling!

Include your camera in your packing list for vacations, special outings and family gatherings

Appoint a family member or friend as “official photographer” at family events

Make it a point to take a set of photos of your children each season

Develop or upload your photos soon after you take them

Go digital!

Utilize a one stop website that allows you to store, print and create albums with your digital images

Create a family heritage album to record your family history

Make a set of photos for each child and store them in a simple album

10.

Make memory keeping a family tradition! Encourage family participation in taking photographs, setting up “scenery” and creating family albums.

Caron Goode’s (EdD) insights are drawn from her fifteen years in private psychotherapy practice and thirty years of experience in the fields of education, personal empowerment, and health and wellness. She is the author of ten books (www.inspiredparenting.net) and the founder of the Academy for Coaching Parents,(www.acpi.biz) a training program for parents & professionals who wish to mentor other parents.. Reach her at carongoode@mac.com.

North Texas Kids • www.NorthTexasKids.com • Summer 2008

NTK Calendar of Events

Looking for Something to Do in Your Own Backyard or Around the Metroplex? You Will Find it Here! Find these events and more online at www.northtexaskids.com.

July 1 Tuesday Carrollton

Cool Tuesday Movies - Tue Jul 1 1:00 PM: Beat the Heat with Cool Tuesday Movies Popular and fun children’s films will be shown Tuesday afternoons in June and July. Please arrive on time. Carrollton Public Library at Josey Ranch Lake, www.cityofcarrollton.com Dallas

Leonardo’s Workshop - Tue Jul 1 2:00 PM: Each Tuesday and Thursday afternoon from 2-4 pm a museum educator will be on hand to assist you in the Children’s Museum galleries. You can explore your creativeness or build science readiness through fun innovative activities. www.natureandscience.org

2 Wednesday Dallas

AMC Summer MovieCamp - Wed Jul 2 10:00 AM: Wednesday Mornings through August 6. For only $1 guests will be able to see some of the top-rated G- and PG-rated films of 2007. All admission proceeds excluding taxes will go to charity. The two benefiting charities are: Variety - The Children’s Charity and the Will Rogers Institute. Valley View Center, www. shopvalleyviewcenter.com Dallas

Hand in Hand - Wed Jul 2 10:00 AM: Hand in Hand. A children’s program that takes place each Wednesday morning from 10-11:30 am during the school year. Preschoolers and their adult companions can explore, imagine and discover together - hear a story, get your wiggles out to music, create theme-related crafts and enjoy fun activities. www.natureandscience.org Dallas

Dallas Public Library Children’s Activity Series - Wed Jul 2 10:30 AM: This fun, hands-on activity program for pre-schoolers takes place in NorthCourt between Nordstrom and Macy’s at 10:30 am. www. northparkcenter.com Grapevine

Rainforest Cafe Family Nights - Wed Jul 2 5:00 PM: Rainforest Cafe is hosting Family Nights every Wednesday night. Enjoy a WILD night of family fun in the jungle! Family Night includes activities like face painting and balloon animals. Receive discounts on Kid’s meals and hand out with Cha! Cha!, our very own red-eyes tree frog. It’s an adventure for the whole family! www.rainforestcafe.com 972-539-5001

3 Thursday Wylie

Moms & More Monthly Meeting - Thu Jul 3 10:00 AM: Moms & More offers support and activities for parents and kids in Wylie and the surrounding communities. Please call for more info: 469-361-6468. URL: www.wyliemomsandmore.org

Irving

JumpstART - Stories & ART - Thu Jul 3 10:00 AM: 3333 North MacArthur Blvd, Irving, TX 75062, FREE, Box Office: (972)252.ARTS. FREE family story time with a hands-on art activity to follow. Explore new themes, books and fun projects each month. JumpstART family story time takes place at 10 a.m. on the first Thursday of each month through April at the Irving Arts Center. JumpstART will break for the summer and start again in August. Open to children of all ages. Groups of 15 or more must pre-register - contact Jennifer to preregister at (972) 252-7558 x1226.Thursday, February 7: Chinese New Year Southlake

Stars and Stripes - Thu Jul 3 5:00 PM: Southlake Town Square. Fireworks begin at 9:30. Entertainment for the whole family. www.cityofsouthlake.com Dallas

Dallas Arboretum Cool Thursdays - Thu Jul 3 7:00 PM: Perfect for family, friends, or a date. We encourage picnics and coolers so guests can enjoy the show on White Rock Lake. www.dallasarboretum.org Plano

Plano Community Band - Thu Jul 3 7:15 PM: Each year thousands enjoy the wondrous musical renderings of the Plano Community Band, and this year’s Summer Concert Series promises an exciting lineup! All of the concerts are FREE, so bring your picnic baskets, blankets and the whole family for an evening of nature and music. Haggard Park, 15th Street, historic downtown Plano info@planoband.com www. planoband.com

4 Friday Carrollton

Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration - Fri Jul 4 All day event: You’re invited to an Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration. A family event featuring: live music, kids’ games, and concession stands. Family Fun... McKinney

Fireworks 5K - Fri Jul 4 8:00 AM: Stonebridge Beach Club, 6203 Virginia Pkwy, McKinney, TX 214-726-9886 www. stonebridgeracers.com/ The Colony

Liberty 5K/1M - Fri Jul 4 8:00 AM: Stewart Creek Park, 3700 Sparks Rd, The Colony. 972-625-1106 www.ci.the-colony.tx.us/ lbl/5krun.htm Plano

Ronald Macdonald Visit - Fri Jul 4 9:00 AM: July 4th4th of July Parade Independence Parkway Plano 9-11am Lewisville

Vista Ridge Mall celebrates the Fourth of July - Fri Jul 4 10:00 AM: Children and parents are invited to decorate tricycles, strollers and wagons in America’s colors and come join Uncle Sam in a festive procession through the shopping center. Shoppers and

North Texas Kids • www.NorthTexasKids.com • Summer 2008

visitors will line the route, waving and clapping and adding to the excitement. Parade starts at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 4; Kids’ Club activities immediately after. www.vistaridgemall.com Flower Mound

Independence Day Children’s Parade - Fri Jul 4 11:00 AM: Timber Creek Elementary - 1900. Line up begins at 10:30 a.m. at the corner of Eaton and Timber Creek Road. Decorated bikes, trikes, wagons, and strollers will parade a short route to the LISD School Administration Building, where free hot dogs, drinks, children’s activities, and live entertainment await. Frisco

Frisco Freedom Fest - Fri Jul 4 4:00 PM: Frisco Freedom Fest marks its seventh year as the city’s premier, signature event! Just like the community, Frisco’s July 4th celebration continues to grow! www.friscofreedomfest.org

- 3411 Peters Colony. Fireworks begin at approximately 9:25 p.m. Gates will open at 7 p.m. The fireworks show and parking at Flower Mound High School are free. No glass, alcohol, or tobacco products may be brought to the high school. Concessions and children’s activities will be available. The rainout date for this event is Saturday, July 5. For more information, call 972.874.6276. Southlake

Movies in the Park - Fri Jul 4 8:30 PM: Fridays during the summer. Bring the entire family to Bob Jones Park for Movies in the Park! Participants are welcome to bring chairs and blankets. Bob Jones Park. www.cityofsouthlake.com Lewisville

‘Red White & Lewisville’ - Fri Jul 4 9:00 PM: ‘Red White & Lewisville’ fireworks, 9:40 p.m. Information: 972.219.EVENT or www.cityoflewisville.com

Dallas

Plano

FAIR PARK FOURTH - Fri Jul 4 5:00 PM: Get excited for the ultimate Fourth of July celebration in North Texas at the Dr Pepper Snapple Group FAIR PARK FOURTH on Friday, July 4, , from 5 - 10 p.m. The familyfriendly event will feature a state-of-the-art national-class fireworks show that will be the largest in North Texas and will rank as one of America’s top 20 Fourth of July fireworks shows! Also planned is a patriotic program featuring the Dallas Wind Symphony, free admission to all the museums, musical performances and plenty of Fourth of July food favorites! The event is free and open to the public. www.fairpark. org.

All-America Fourth FIREWORKS Fri Jul 4 9:30 PM: Bring the whole family out to enjoy and evening of spectacular FIREWORKS celebrating Independence Day! Limited concessions will be available on site. Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve, 2801 Spring Creek Parkway

Flower Mound & Highland Village

Excite! Friday & Saturday Nights Out Fri Jul 4 6:00 PM: Open gym play, inflatables, trampoline, foam pit, games, and pizza dinner. Ages 3 - 11.Fridays at Excite! Flower Mound 972.874.9663 for reservations. Saturdays at Excite! Highland Village 972.874.8500 for reservations. $18 Excite! members / $20 non-member. www.excitegymandcheer.com Princeton

Freedom Fest - Fri Jul 4 6:00 PM: Enjoy a family friendly 4th of July event full of free games and inflatables, music, and concessions, followed by a spectacular fireworks display at 9:30pm. This event will take place at the Princeton Community Park & Softball Fields located at Royal and Long Neck Rd, 7 miles east of McKinney. Parking is available at Family Worship Center Princeton with free shuttle service to and from the park. Make the evening complete and bring a picnic lunch or enjoy concessions available for purchase at the park. Don’t forget a blanket or lawn chairs to fully enjoy the beauty of the fireworks. princeton-info@groovekids.com Flower Mound

Independence Day Fireworks Show - Fri Jul 4 7:00 PM: Flower Mound High School

5 Saturday Plano

Douglass Community Center Outreach Event - Sat Jul 5 10:00 AM: Catholic Charities of Dallas, Inc. Enrollment Solutions Program provides application assistance and information about Medicaid, CHIP, Food Stamps, and TANFthe first Saturday of each month-Douglass Community Center, 1111 H Ave., Plano, 75074, 10 am-12 noon. lisa@mrs.catholiccharitiesdallas.org Frisco

Centennial Medical hosts First Saturday Q&A - Sat Jul 5 12:00 PM: The first Saturday of every month, professionals from Centennial Medical Center will present a free question and answer session at Stonebriar Centre. A Centennial doctor will be at the shopping center each month to answer questions about hospital- and health-related issues specific to his/her field of expertise. Sessions are held from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. on the first Saturday of every month. All Q&As are at no charge and will be held on the lower level in the Dillard’s wing, near the Healthy Hometown Play Area, which is sponsored in the shopping center by Centennial Medical Center. www.centennialmedicalcenter.com Dallas

SPCA Grief Counseling Group - Sat Jul 5 1:00 PM: The SPCA of Texas’ Pet Grief recovery program is designed to help those who are grieving the loss of a beloved companion animal. Free and open to the public. SPCA of Texas, 2400 Lone Star Drive, Dallas, conference room. www.spca.org (214) 742-SPCA

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Dallas

Dallas Public Library Children’s Activity Series - Sat Jul 5 2:00 PM: This fun, handson activity program for elementary school age children takes place in NorthCourt between Nordstrom and Macy’s at 2:00 pm. www.northparkcenter.com Southlake

Masterworks Music Series - Sat Jul 5 7:30 PM: Saturday evenings during the summer. Bring your own blankets and lawn chairs for a relaxing evening with your family. FREE. Rustin Pavillion at Southlake Town Square. www.cityofsouthlake.com

6 Sunday Princeton

Summer Family Camp - Sun Jul 6 6:00 PM: Looking for something free and fun for the entire family? Groove FX presents Summer Family Camp - all the excitement and thrills of camp without leaving town! Food fights, water wars, and who can resist a human sundae that takes the whole family to make? Every Sunday night in July 6pm8pm at Family Worship Center at Hwy 380 & Tickey Drive, for children entering grades K-5 and their families. To register your family to participate in an on-stage game, email princeton-info@groovekids. com. Need more info? 469.450.7437 or princeton-info@groovekids.com

8 Tuesday Plano

Newcomer Friends of Greater Plano - Tue Jul 8 9:30 AM: Join us at one of our regular program meetings on the second Tuesday of each month. There’s always an interest-

ing speaker, and you’ll meet a lot of fun women! Please join us at SMU-in-Legacy, 5228 Tennyson Parkway, Plano. Look for our signs! (West of Preston Road on the SE Corner of Tennyson & Democracy) www. newcomerfriends.org

and 12. Directed by Cindy Baker and Lory Stewart (GISD Teachers). Tickets: $10 at the door. For more information visit www. thedramaqueens.com

9 Wednesday

Plano

Prosper

Food Allergy Fundraiser - Wed Jul 9 11:00 AM: The Prosper Party Place, 101 Dylan Drive in Prosper will host an Indoor Bounce Party fundraiser for the upcoming FAAN Walk for Food Allergy. Please come join us from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on July 9th for tons of fun all for a great cause. Admission is $7 per child, and all admission fees will be donated to the FAAN Walk for Food Allergy which will take place on November 8th at Bob Woodruff Park in Plano. www. foodallergywalk.org

10 Thursday Plano

A Beka Book Home School - Thu Jul 10 11:00 AM: A home school curriculum and text book sale. Admission is Free. For more information contact Mickey Pierce at 800-613-3222 Ext. 67. Plano Centre, 2000 E. Spring Creek Parkway. Spring Creek & Jupiter Roads. www.planocentre.com

11 Friday Garland

DISNEY’S JUNGLE BOOK KIDS! - Fri Jul 11 7:30 PM: Plaza Theatre. Actors Anonymous Theatre Company presents the summer campers ages 8-18 in DISNEY’S JUNGLE BOOK KIDS! at the Plaza Theatre July 11

12 Saturday North American Solar Challenge - Sat Jul 12 All day event: Solar Challenge (NASC ) is a competition to design, build and drive solar-powered cars in a cross-country time/distance rally event. Teams compete in a 2400 mile drive from Plano, Texas to Calgary, Alberta Admission is Free. For more information email nasc@mchsi.com or visit www.americansolarchallenge. org Plano Centre, 2000 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Spring Creek & Jupiter Roads www.planocentre.com Dallas

Art Thinker’s Day - Sat Jul 12 12:00 AM: Art Thinker’s Day is Saturday, July 12 from 11am- 1pm and free of charge. The special event encourages kids of all ages to use their eyes, hands, and imagination to enter the world of contemporary art. Visitors increase their artistic knowledge by participating in hands-on activities throughout the galleries that draw inspiration from the artspace’s current exhibition: Click Chicks+ mostly women photographers, Hallworks, and Mix! Series. Dallas Contemporary 2801 Swiss Avenue, Dallas, TX 75204. www.thecontemporary.net Plano

Safe Sitter Baby-Sitting Class - Sat Jul 12 8:30 AM: When you accept a babysitting job, you accept the responsibility for a child’s life. Prepare yourself to be a more

responsible babysitter. For boys and girls ages 11 to 13. The cost is $55 and includes instruction in infant and child CPR. For reservations, please call 972.519.1209. 2nd Floor Classrooms at Medical Center of Plano (3901 West 15th Street) www.medicalcenterofplano.com Plano

D.A.D.’s Days (Daddy Adventure Days) - Sat Jul 12 11:00 AM: Join Medical Center of Plano and Outings and Adventures Everywhere! author, Lynda Morley, on special field trips designed to create strong family relationships between new dads and their babies. For information on upcoming dates and locations, call 972.519.1209. www.medicalcenterofplano.com Flower Mound

Otaku Kyokai No Flower Mound (Teen Anime Club) - Sat Jul 12 1:00 PM: (Monthly at 1pm on the second Saturday). Flower Mound Public Library Plano

Downtown @ Sundown - Sat Jul 12 5:30 PM: All of North Texas is invited to come see what downtown Plano is all about during this exciting evening of food, entertainment and shopping! The Downtown @ Sundown Series is a fun-filled mixture of live music, an Art Walk, a vendor marketplace, and many shops and restaurants...which will all be open late to accommodate shoppers and diners. Historic Downtown Plano, 15th Street, between K Avenue and J Place. For more information call 972-941-5260 or check out www.visitdowntownplano.com McKinney

Second Saturdays - Sat Jul 12 7:00 PM: “Second Saturdays” is a celebration of the

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North Texas Kids • www.NorthTexasKids.com • Summer 2008

arts and the community with live entertainment, spirits, and food where featured artists debut their latest creations. Once you experience the energy of these evenings, we are certain “Second Saturdays” will become a regular event on your social calendar. From Hwy 75, exit 40A, head east on Louisiana Street for 1.5 miles. For further information call 972.547.2660 or visit www. downtownmckinney.com

13 Sunday Plano

Grandparent Adventures: Northhaven Nursery - Sun Jul 13 2:00 PM: Grandparent Adventures is a series designed for grandparents who want to spend some quality time with their grandchildren. All tours are led by Linda Morley, author of Outings and Adventures Everywhere. Call 972.519.1209 to confirm meeting time, location and cost. (Sponsored by Medical Center of Plano) www.medicalcenterofplano.com

14 Monday Plano

Week of Summer Fun at The Shops at Willow Bend - Mon Jul 14 2:00 PM: Are you looking for a chance to keep your little ones entertained for FREE this summer? Join The Shops at Willow Bend for the Third Annual Week of Summer Fun for Kids July 14 - 18 in the Willow Bend Grand Court. All activities will begin promptly at 2:00pm. Visit www.shopwillowbend.com for details. Plano

Plano Community Band - Mon Jul 14 7:15 PM: Each year thousands enjoy the wondrous musical renderings of the Plano Community Band, and this year’s Summer Concert Series promises an exciting lineup! All of the concerts are FREE, so bring your picnic baskets, blankets and the whole family for an evening of nature and music. Haggard Park, 15th Street, historic downtown Plano info@planoband.com www. planoband.com

17 Thursday Plano

Grandparenting 101: Caring for Kids Today - Thu Jul 17 7:00 PM: At Medical Center of Plano, we realize that today’s children aren’t exposed to the same things you or your children were in years past. That’s why we offer this free class to help bring grandparents up-to-date on changes in baby care and baby products. Learn the latest safety techniques and ways to develop a special relationship with your grandchildren. Not only will you learn a few new things, you won’t be surprised to know some things never change - like how much you love your grandchildren. For reservations, please call 972.519.1209. 2nd Floor Classrooms at Medical Center of Plano (3901 West 15th Street) www.medicalcenterofplano.com

18 Friday Carrollton

Adult “Basic Cooking” Class - Fri Jul 18 6:30 PM: Adult “Basic Cooking” Class held at Young Chefs Academy in Carrollton. Bring your friends and have an Adults Night Out while learning how to cook while using the basics. Call us today to register: 972-395-9900 www.youngchefsacademy.com

19 Saturday Dallas

Safety Fun Day at NorthPark Center - Sat Jul 19 11:00 AM: Children’s Medical Center will offer useful information for children and parents about summer safety, healthy living and the many services offered at Children’s Medical Center of Dallas. Free activities for children will include storytelling, Energy Kids, Teddy Bear Clinics, Band-Aid Art, face painters and photographers to create a fun atmosphere for learning about health and safety. www.northparkcenter.com

23 Wednesday Plano

Heritage Farmstead Museum Event - Wed Jul 23 1:00 PM: Lynda Morley, Director of Education and local author of ‘Outings and Adventures Everywhere’ will host a special discussion group for parents and their preschoolers. The discussion will focus on the importance of reading to and with your child. This program is free of charge and will be held at the Heritage Farmstead Museum located at 1900 west 15thStreet on Wednesday July 23rd. The discussion will begin at 1:00pm in the historic Young House which is located on the museum grounds. To register e-mail, lmorley@heritagefarmstead.org Plano

Boot Camp for New Dads - Wed Jul 23 7:00 PM: In this free seminar designed for first-time fathers, Medical Center of Plano staff physicians share their knowledge and expertise to illustrate the magic and challenges of fatherhood. Lynda Morley, anthropologist and author of Outings and Adventures for Children Ages 1 to 6, also presents. Topics include our own fathers as role models; care of new moms and babies; returning to intimacy; forming a family; “Dad the Protector” and dad and baby on the go. For reservations, please call 972.519.1209. 2nd Floor Classrooms at Medical Center of Plano (3901 West 15th Street) www.medicalcenterofplano.com

25 Friday Irving

The Lion’s Whiskers (marionettes) - Fri Jul 25 10:00 AM: Based on an Ethiopian folktale. This Catskill Puppet Theater production features masks and puppets of all sizes and is highlighted with shadow puppets and original songs and features a charming cast of African animals as well as human characters. Carpenter Performance Hall 3333 North MacArthur Blvd, Irving. www. irvingartscenter.org Carrollton

“Summer Treats to Beat the Heat” Kids Night Out! - Fri Jul 25 6:00 PM: Young Chefs Academy is hosting a great evening of cooking and eating fun. Cook Totally Tubular Sandwiches, Fluffy Peanut Butter Dip with Fruit, Homemade Fudgesicles, and Orange “Julie-Us”. Call us today to register: 972-395-9900 www.youngchefsacademy.com

26 Saturday Fort Worth

The 3rd Annual Everything Babyfest - Sat Jul 26 All day event: Will Rogers Memorial Center, 3401 W. Lancaster, Ft. Worth. Sat

North Texas Kids • www.NorthTexasKids.com • Summer 2008

Page 41

10-6, Sun 11-5. Benefitting Autism Speaks. DFW’s only expo style baby fair. www. everythingbabyfest.com Plano

New Baby Day Camp for Big Brothers and Sisters - Sat Jul 26 9:00 AM: This fun, interactive “day at camp” helps expectant siblings age 4+ to prepare for the arrival of a new baby. For reservations, please call 972.519.1209. 2nd Floor Classrooms at Medical Center of Plano (3901 West 15th Street) www.medicalcenterofplano.com Frisco

THE SCENE - A Back to School Shopping Event! - Sat Jul 26 1:00 PM: THE SCENE will feature trends, exhibitions and exciting interactive opportunities for participating shoppers as well as discounts from mall retailers, prizes and more! Stonebriar Mall, Frisco. www.shopstonebriar.com

27 Sunday Carrollton

“Patriotic” Kids Night Out - Sun Jul 27 6:00 PM: “Patriotic” Kids Night Out held at Young Chefs Academy in Carrollton. Bring your friends and have a great time cooking and eating the Lattice Apple Pie, Pronto Pups with Corn Dog Dips, Crunchy Baked Fries, and Homemade Lemonade. Call us today to register: 972-395-9900 www. youngchefsacademy.com

28 Monday Plano

Plano Community Band - Mon Jul 28 7:15 PM: Each year thousands enjoy the wondrous musical renderings of the Plano

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Community Band, and this year’s Summer Concert Series promises an exciting lineup! All of the concerts are FREE, so bring your picnic baskets, blankets and the whole family for an evening of nature and music. Haggard Park, 15th Street, historic downtown Plano info@planoband.com www. planoband.com

30 Wednesday- 10 Sunday Dallas

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® presents BellobrationSM, a high-energy circus extravaganza featuring the mischievous, yet endearing, comic daredevil Bello, whose iconic tall orange hair, hilarious antics and fearless approach to daredevilry have prompted his meteoric rise in popularity. Bello performs alongside exotic animals including majestic and agile Asian elephants, Royal Bengal and white tigers, as well as an international cast of gravitydefying acrobats, all in an electrifying story line guaranteed to captivate Children Of All Ages. Dallas’ American Airlines Center. www.ringling.com or www.ticketmaster. com

31 Thursday Plano

Friends of the Plano Public Library 25th Annual Book Sale - Thu Jul 31 All day event: Over 75,000 new and gently used books. Hardback books, DVDs and CDs: $2. Paperback books: $1. Videocassettes, audiocassettes and records: 2 for $1. No sales tax! All proceeds go to the Plano Public Library System to fund collections, special projects and programs. For more information, call

972-208-8002. Plano Centre, 2000 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Spring Creek & Jupiter Roads www.planocentre.com

August 1 Friday Dallas

Dallas CASA Presents “Orix Parade of Playhouses” - Fri Aug 1 All day event: NorthPark Center will host Dallas CASA’s Parade of Playhouses once again, showcasing a selection of custom-made, walk-in children’s playhouses between Dillard’s and NorthCourt. Last year ’s event at NorthPark Center raised $110,000 for Dallas CASA, a non-profit organization of trained advocates with a mission to help abused and neglected children in protective care and to help them find safe, permanent homes. www.northparkcenter.com Grapevine

Simon dTOUR Live! - Fri Aug 1 3:00 PM: Grapevine Mills will be the place for teens on Friday, August 1, from 3 to 9pm when it hosts Simon dTour Live! presented by ABC Family, a teen lifestyle event that focuses on music, fashion, technology and pop culture. The event includes a live concert that connects teens with some of their favorite pop stars, as well as a top consumer and retail brands. www.simon.com

2 Saturday Grand Prairie

Pop Go The Wiggles! - Sat Aug 2 1:30 PM: Celebrating their 16th Year in 2007, The

Wiggles have created a catalogue of music, television, video and film that have proven to be modern classics. The Wiggles have always been a touring band, which in part explains the success they have enjoyed. They have kept in constant contact with their public and the public has responded to the music and characters they have created. The Wiggles is an Australian success story that cuts across all demographics, and has now to spread across the world stage. Nokia Theatre, www.nokialivedfw.com

4 Monday Allen

Fill the Bus school supply drive - Mon Aug 4 All day event: The Fill the Bus school supply drive, a joint effort between the Allen Chamber of Commerce, the AISD and the Allen Community Outreach will be from August 4 through August 15, . There are about 2300 students in the Allen and Lovejoy ISD that are on Free and Reduced lunch and these children will be the benefactors of the Fill the Bus program. In 2007 we delivered over 48,000 supplies. Volunteers also play a vital role in the Fill the Bus campaign. www.acocares.org

6 Wednesday Plano

Boot Camp for New Dads - Wed Aug 6 7:00 PM: In this free seminar designed for first-time fathers, Medical Center of Plano staff physicians share their knowledge and expertise to illustrate the magic and challenges of fatherhood. Lynda Morley, anthropologist and author of Outings and Adventures for Children Ages 1 to 6,

North Texas Kids • www.NorthTexasKids.com • Summer 2008

also presents. For reservations, please call 972.519.1209. (3901 West 15th Street)

9 Saturday Plano

Teddy Bear Camp - Sat Aug 9 10:00 AM: Designed for expectant siblings ages 2 and 3, toddlers bring their teddy bear and listen to a story, learn what new babies can do, and learn to hold them with parents’ assistance. They’ll also explore the labor and delivery area. For reservations, please call 972.519.1209. (3901 West 15th Street) www. medicalcenterofplano.com Plano

D.A.D.’s Days (Daddy Adventure Days) Sat Aug 9 11:00 AM: Join Medical Center of Plano and Outings and Adventures Everywhere! author, Lynda Morley, on special field trips designed to create strong family relationships between new dads and their babies. For information on upcoming dates and locations, call 972.519.1209. www.medicalcenterofplano.com

16 Saturday Dallas

24 Sunday Plano

New Moms’ Tea - Sun Aug 24 2:00 AM: Join pediatrician Sara Gondol, MD, to celebrate motherhood with tea! Get together with other new moms for discussions and advice on breast-feeding, fitness, baby food, baby massage, sex, hormones, and other topics. For reservations, please call 972.519.1209. 2nd Floor Classrooms at Medical Center of Plano (3901 West 15th Street). www.medicalcenterofplano.com

Ongoing Fun Classes & Activities Carrollton.

AW Perry Homestead Museum 1509 N. Perry Rd 972-466-6380. Free Admission and Tours, Mon - Sat 10 - 12 & 1 - 5 www.cityofcarrollton.com

Life Without Limits for People With Disabilities (formerly the Elvis Run) - Sat Aug 16 8:00 AM: 5K run/ 1M walk & roll. Reverchon Park, Dallas, TX. 214-247-4504 www.lifewithoutlimitsrwr.com/index.htm

Dallas.

Plano

Dallas.

Women’s Baby & Me Expo - Sat Aug 16 10:00 AM: Whether you’re planning a family, expecting a baby, or already enjoying the challenges of parenting, Baby & Me Expo is just for you! Don’t miss this unique event that’s all about babies and toddlers, and the families who love them! The Shops at Willow Bend, Grand Court (Food Court Entrance).. 6121 W. Park Blvd. at North Dallas Tollway, Plano www.medicalcenterofplano.com Dallas

Kids Train Festival - Sat Aug 16 11:00 AM: Enjoy a weekend of family fun at the Museum of the American Railroad. Activities include live steam whistle demonstrations, music from our vintage 1914 steam-powered calliope, drawings for prizes, balloons and much more! This event is a treat for “Jr. Engineers” of all ages! Questions, call (214) 428-0101 or visit our website at www.dallasrailwaymuseum.com All Aboard! Dallas

Rock the Runway Fashion Show - Sat Aug 16 1:00 PM: Join us for the 1st Annual Rock the Runway Fashion Show benefiting alley’s house. The afternoon will be filled with fun, music, and an amazing fashion for kids. The event will be held on August 16, from 1pm-4pm at the Dallas Childrens Theater (5938 Skillman - Dallas Tx). To purchase tickets or for more information please call (214) 915-9945. www.alleyshouse.org

22 Friday Plano

Summer Homeschool Conference and Bookfair - Fri Aug 22 9:00 AM: You have a chance to attend educational seminars, shop at more than 145 exhibitor booths, network with other homeschool parents, and explore the latest educational tools, products, and services available. 214-495-9600 www.NTHEN.org Plano Center, 2000 East Spring Creek Parkway

Lakeshore has FREE crafts for kids on Saturdays. Located just north of the Galleria on Dallas Pkwy (13846 Dallas Pkwy ) 972-934-8866 for more information. Dallas Arboretum. Mommy & Me Mondays - 10am - 2pm. 10am - 2pm: Tiny Tots Tuesdays presented by Children’s Medical Center. www.dallasarboretum.org Flower Mound/Highland Village.

Friday - Flower Mound 6 - 10 pm Saturday - Highland Village 6 - 10 pm Excite! holds parents night out so that your children can enjoy their evening with friends and activities. It’s the best deal for a sitter in town! Open Gym, foam pit, games, music and Pizza dinner. Visit www.excitegymandcheer.com or call 972-874-9663 Flower Mound 972-874-8500 Highland Village for more information and reservations (Ages 3 - 11) http://www.excitegymandcheer.com Frisco.

Moms Eat Free & Jersey Night. GattiTown. Mondays are Moms Eat Free (with the purchase of a kid’s buffet). Tuesday Nights are Jersey Nights (3pm-close). Kids, wear your practice or game jersey and receive a FREE $5.00 game card and a $5.00 gift certificate to Dick’s Sporting Goods (with the purchase of a buffet). http://www.gattitownfrisco.com Frisco.

Wiggly Play Center weekdays 3:00pm 5:00pm. Arts & Crafts Mondays, Storybook Tuesdays, Monster Mash Wednesdays, Dancing with Dorothy Thursdays, Wiggle with Wags Fridays. 4944 Preston Road, Suite 100 Frisco (469) 633-0676 http:// www.wigglyplaycenter.com Highland Village.

Acting Classes for Kids. Studio B is offering a wide range of acting classes for ages 3 and up. 1 Nelson Parkway at 2400 FM 407 in Highland Village. 972-966-2787 http:// www.studiobtheater.info Irving.

JumpSTART Stories and Art. The Irving Arts Center and Irving Public Library now offer FREE family storytimes at the Arts

North Texas Kids • www.NorthTexasKids.com • Summer 2008

Center on the first Thursday of every month (through December) at 10 a.m. Stories are followed by a fun craft. ‘Seafaring Tales’ is the July theme. Call (972) 252-7558 x221 for more info. Little Elm.

Wednesdays 10:15 - 10:45 & 11 - 11:30 am Toddler time (ages 1 - 3) & Storytime (ages 4 - 6) Bring your family for a special reading time in the Little Elm Library. Located in the Town Hall building at 100 W. Eldorado Pkwy 75068. Contact 214-975-0430 or visit www.littleelm.com to verify changes. http://www.littleelm.com Little Elm.

2nd & 4th Thursdays 5:30 - 7:30 pm Chess Club for ages 7 to adult Do you enjoy playing chess and want to learn to play with a variety of people. Join us at the Little Elm Library and bring your friends. Located in the Town Hall building at 100 W. Eldorado Pkwy 75068. Contact 214-975-0430 or visit www.littleelm.com to verify changes. http://www.littleelm.com

Bounce Night held each week at Bounce U. Bounce U 972-422-3344 2532 Summit Ave., Suite #501, Plano http://www.bounceu. com Princeton.

Groove Kids, Every Sun & Wed. Absolutely free to kids newborn thru 6th grade - Groove Kids is the place to be to have fun, hang out with Christian friends, enjoy Bible stories, cool music, and more! Every Sunday 10:45-12:00 and Wednesday 7-8 at Family Worship Center in Princeton, TX on Highway 380 @ Tickety Drive. (Call for directions 469.450.7437) http://www. groovekids.com Richardson

Saturdays 10:30-11 am Family Story Time for all ages Bring your family for a special reading time in the Little Elm Library. Located in the Town Hall building at 100 W. Eldorado Pkwy 75068. Contact 214-975-0430 or visit www.littleelm.com to verify changes. http://www.littleelm.com

Peppermint Baby Boutique holds regular classes. Babywearing Class: Every Tuesday at 10 a.m. and Wednesday at 3 p.m. Elimination Communication/Infant Potty Training Workshop: Every first Thursday of the month at 5:30 p.m. Baby Sign Language 2-Hour Workshop: Every third Saturday of the month. 3 - 5 p.m. Cloth Diapering Workshop: Every 2nd Saturday of the month. 10 a.m. Prenatal Yoga Saturdays at 9 a.m. Postnatal Yoga Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. Peppermint Baby Boutique 1778 N. Plano Rd., Suite 100 in Richardson. Registration information can be found at www.peppermint.com or by calling 214-623-5080. http://www.peppermint.com

Little Elm.

Various.

Little Elm.

Saturdays 11-12 Chidren’s Film Festival Bring your family for a special time together at the Little Elm Library. Call the library for film titles each week. Located in the Town Hall building at 100 W. Eldorado Pkwy 75068. Contact 214-975-0430 or visit www.littleelm.com to verify changes. http://www.littleelm.com Little Elm.

Saturdays 1 - 3 pm Saturday Movie Matinee Bring your family for a special time together at the Little Elm Library. Call the library for Movie titles each week. Located in the Town Hall building at 100 W. Eldorado Pkwy 75068. Contact 214-975-0430 or visit www.littleelm.com to verify changes. http://www.littleelm.com McKinney.

Second Saturdays Downtown McKinney. ‘Second Saturdays’ is a celebration of the arts and the community with live entertainment, spirits, and food. From Hwy 75, exit 40A, head east on Louisiana Street for 1.5 miles. Galleria d’Arte is on the corner of Kentucky and Louisiana at 100 E Louisiana St. Art Institute of McKinney is at 113 S Kentucky Street. 972-548-7830 7 PM - 10 PM http://www.artinstituteofmckinney.com McKinney.

McKinney Farmers’ Market, Every Saturday 8AM - 1PM. Downtown McKinney at the southeast corner of Church Street & Louisiana Street. Locally grown produce, flowers, herbs, local honey, farm fresh eggs, chicken, turkey, beef and pork from grassfed animals, a natural soap and lotion-maker and chair massages. For information on becoming a vendor call 214-850-0886 Plano.

Every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, Bounce U is hosting playdates for Preschoolers from 10am - 12pm, and 1pm3pm Open Bounce Summer Sessions are being held at your local Bounce U. And Wednesdays from 5 - 7 pm is Family

REGISTER TODAY for Kids First Ice Hockey Program. A totally FREE, getacquainted program that offers boys and girls, ages 4-8, the opportunity to ‘try’ the game of hockey at NO CHARGE. The first week each player is given a full set of hockey equipment to use during the program. Kids will skate (4) 45 minute on ice sessions designed to introduce kids to the excitement of the sport. (214) GO SKATE http:// www.drpepperstarcenter.com Various.

Meetup Group for the Entire FAMILY. This is a fun and exciting meetup group for couples and families to fullfill all of their social needs! We have family nights, couple only nights, playdates for kids of all ages, mom’s night/day out, and of course daddy days! If your looking for the perfect meetup group to make new friends for yourself or for your family this is the place to be! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ familiesonthego Various.

Baylor Medical Centers provide ongoing classes in Irving, Frisco, Dallas, and Fort Worth. Classes include Baby Care Basics/ Infant Safety and CPR, Prepared Childbirth Class, Infant/Child CPR, Car Seat Safety and SIDS Class, Breastfeeding Class, Sibling Class, Baby Care Basics, Cesarean Birth Class. 1-800-4-BAYLOR http://www.baylorhealth.edu/

Support Groups Allen.

MOMS CLUB OF SE ALLEN - Are you a SAHM? Need some support, come join this welcoming group and get acquainted with great MOMS! We offer Playgroups, MNO’s, Monthly meetings and load of activities

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for you and your child. http://www.allenmoms.com Allen.

MOMS Club of Allen-West. Monthly meeting at 10 am on the last Friday of the month. Call 972-396-7406 or email mailto:momsclub_allenwest@yahoo.com. Allen.

Allen Early Childhood PTA. Meet the second Friday of every month from 9:30am to 11am during the school year at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, 821 S. Greenville Ave. information@aecpta.com http://www. aecpta.com Allen.

La Leche League of Allen. Meetings are held on the 2nd Monday of each month at 10:00 a.m. at the Allen Public Library, 300 N. Allen Drive. Contact Deena at 972-727-4213 or Jennifer at LLLofAllen@ gmail.com http://www.lllusa.org/web/ AllenTX.html. Allen.

We are the MOMS Offering Moms Support - Northeast Allen MOMS Club - Christy Youens at 469-675-6652 email mailto:momscluballenne@yahoo.com Carrollton.

The Carrollton Early Childhood PTA is an organization dedicated to providing activities, support, friendships and education for parents of children age newborn through preschool. Possibly the biggest reason for becoming involved is to meet, socialize and network with other parents in the Carrollton area. For more information about the Carrollton Early Childhood PTA please visit our website http://www. cecpta.org. Collin County

The Autism society of Collin County is an organization dedicated to providing support and resources to those families affected by Autism. Sign up for ASCC’s Group E-mail list: http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/ascc2/join Visit www.autism-ascc. org or call 214-925-2722 for more information and meeting locations. http://groups. yahoo.com/group/ascc2/join Collin County.

The Collin County Moms Meetup group is a fun, down-to-earth group of moms dedicated to friendship and support. As the most active moms group in North Texas, we offer daily playdates, field trips, supper get-togethers, Mom’s Nights Out and family events too! Whether you work outside the home or stay at home with your kids, there’s something for you. http://moms. meetup.com/994/ Dallas.

Dallas Dyslexia Information Group (DDIG) provides information on Dyslexia, Learning Differences, and related topics. This group meets at The Winston School, 5707 Royal Lane in Dallas, 75229 from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. on the second Monday of the month except for December. For information regarding the monthly speaker, call Bob 214-351-1985 or visit . Dallas.

Moms Club of Dallas: North Central Chapter boundaries are I-30 to the south, I-635 to the north (exception: Addison), Marsh Lane to the east, and Garland Road to the west. mailto:info@momsclubofdallas.org

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Dallas/Plano/Frisco.

Far North Dallas Early Childhood PTA (FNDECPTA) is dedicated to facilitating an educational and supportive network of parents of infants, toddlers and pre-school aged children. We are the only early childhood PTA (for families with children under age 6) in Plano ISD. The organization is open to new members year-round and sponsors organized playgroups, mom’s night out, children’s activities, Bunko, holiday parties, special guest speakers and more. We meet in Room 133 at St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 1401 Mira Vista Blvd. at Plano Parkway, and offer free childcare. http://www.fndecpta.txpta.org Farmers Branch.

My Place - Tuesdays & Fridays. It’s an early intervention play & communication group. North Texas Therapy & Associates (972) 385-0006. 14580 E. Beltwood Parkway; Farmers Branch 75244 Frisco.

Frisco Early Childhood PTA. Meet at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 8000 Eldorado Parkway, Frisco, 2nd friday of the month @ 10am. membership@friscoecpta. org http://www.friscoecpta.org Frisco.

The Early Childhood Intervention of LifePath Systems Inc. at 2611 Internet Pkwy, suite 107, Frisco. Texas Interagency Council on Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) is a statewide program for families with children, birth to 3, with disabilities and developmental delays. Call 972-377-7289. Garland.

Garland Area Early Childhood PTA. Meetings are held on the first Friday of each month, September through May, from 9:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at NorthLake Baptist Church, 1501 N. Country Club, Garland. 972-412-8540. http://www.earlychildhoodpta.com Lewisville.

Greater Lewisville Mothers & More is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of mothers through support, education, and advocacy. We’re basically a fun group of moms wanting to connect and form lasting friendships. Our chapter welcomes ALL Stay-At-Home & Working MOMS living in Lewisville, Flower Mound, Highland Village, Corinth, & many of the DFW surrounding areas. We offer Monthly meetings with Guest Speakers, Playgroups(which include Weekdays & Saturdays), Field Trip Fridays, MOMS Night Out, Recipe-Foodies Club, Coffee Catch-Up Club, Book Club, Mommy Message boards, and MUCH MORE! For meeting locations, membership info or a current schedule of events please visit www.mothersnmore.com or call 1-888-535-7118. http://www.mothersnmore.com

Virginia Pkwy, 10:15am to 12pm. Dee Dee 972-838-9135, Holly 214-385-0063 or Ricki 214-684-3966. http://www.lllusa.org/web/ McKinneyTX.html McKinney.

MOMS Club of McKinney East. Contact Becky Garrett, 972-548-8236 mailto:bogarrett@tx.rr.com McKinney.

Grandparents Raising Grandkids Support Group. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday every month from 7-8 pm at Academics Plus, 1831 W. Louisiana, McKinney, Tx. Contact us at 972-548-8788 for more information. http://www.academicsplus.com North Dallas.

Mocha Moms of North Dallas meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at the Douglass Community Center on Ave. H in Plano. http://www.mochamomsnorthdallas.com Plano.

The Scoliosis Center of Excellence at Medical Center of Plano is offering free diagnostic scoliosis screenings the first Wednesday of each month by appointment for children and adolescents up to 18 years of age. www.medicalcenterofplano.com or 1-877-24-SCOLI. http://www.medicalcenterofplano.com Plano.

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) Parent Support Group. Meets every first Monday at Schimelpfenig Library 504 Custer Rd. in Plano. Meeting time: 6:30-7:30. No children allowed at the meeting. There will not be a September meeting due to the holiday. For more contact Alinda Ford at: parent_connections@verizon.net http://www.spdnetwork.org/parentconnection/us.html Plano.

Mothers and Others. Meet the second Tuesday of the month at 9:30 in the room 230 of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church Activity Building. Call Trish Scogin 214-504-0640. Plano.

The Plano/Collin County branch of the AAUW. Monthly meetings at the Davis Library, 7501 Independence Parkway, Plano the 2nd Monday of each month. Contact Carol at 972 862 3460 for more info. http:// www.aauwplanocc.org Plano.

CHILD & FAMILY Guidance Center. Contact our Plano Office at 4030 West Plano Parkway, Suite 211. 972.612.5989 http:// www.childrenandfamilies.org Plano.

Collin County Early Childhood PTA. Monthly meetings on the 2nd Monday of the month, 9:45 a.m., at Parkway Hills Baptist Church, located at 2700 Dallas Parkway, in Plano. Call Karen Maddox at 972-491-0260

Little Elm.

Plano.

Writer’s Support Group 3rd Thursday of each month 6 - 8 pm Join us at the Little Elm Library and bring your friends. Located in the Town Hall building at 100 W. Eldorado Pkwy 75068. Contact 214-975-0430 or visit www.littleelm.com to verify changes http://www.littleelm.com

Plano Kiwanis Club meets each Wednesday for breakfast at 7:00 AM (always over by 8:00 AM) at La Madeleine Cafe, 5000 West Park Blvd at Preston Road. http://www. kiwanis.org/club/plano

McKinney.

La Leche League of McKinney. Meetings are held 3rd Thursdays at 5871 W

Plano.

La Leche League of Plano meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 10:30 to 11:45 am at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 3601 West 15th Street, Room 105. Call Beth

972-747-1297, Cleo 972-208-0158, or Emilie 469-366-7205, http://www.lllusa.org/web/ PlanoTX.html Plano.

MOMS Club of Plano North Central chapter. Meeting the first Thursday of every month, at 9:30 AM, at the Atonement Lutheran Church on Legacy just west of Coit. For more information contact 214-473-4144 mailto:momsclubnc@yahoo. com Plano.

MOMS Club of Plano-North. Monthly Social Meeting is the first Wednesday of every month, at 10:00am, at the Baha’i Faith Plano Center at 4200 Hedgcoxe (just West of Coit Rd). For more information contact membership@momsclubplanonorth or 972-464-1958 http://www.momslubplanonorth.com Plano.

MOMS (Moms Offering Moms Support) Club of Plano Central Are you a stay at home mom living south of Spring Creek? Please join us for weekly playdates and monthly Mom’s night out! We are small but growing and would love to have you. Contact Amy at 972 491-6893 mailto:momsclubplano_central@yahoo.com Plano.

Own my own mentoring program is a mentoring program for children with incarcerated parents sponsored by Dedicated Women of Christ. Contact Latahra Smith, 972-3778254 Plano.

Collin County Homeschool Playgroup. http://geocities.com/collincountyhomeschoolplaygroup/ Richardson.

La Leche League Of Richardson meets every 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month at 7pm. Call Jayne 972-758-7236, Tiffany 972-234-5853 or Mary 972-907-9079, http:// www.lllusa.org/web/RichardsonTX.html Richardson.

Post Partum Depression Support Group. Non-profit group Dallas Association for Parent Education will hold a free, monthly Post Partum Depression Support Group at their office in Richardson. This also offers network support for moms and families. To sign up or for more info call the DAPE office at 972-699-0420, Mon. - Fri., 9am 3pm. dallasparents@hotmail.com http:// www.dallasparents.org Wylie.

Moms & More: Be you a Mom, Dad, Aunt, Uncle, Grandparent or Nanny, we welcome all caregivers from Wylie and the surrounding communities. Our Monthly Convergence is held on the first Thursday of each month. Children are always welcome to all our activities. Drinks and snacks will be provided. For more information and directions, please contact our Membership Chair, Grady at 972-941-8597 or visit our website http://www.wyliemomsandmore.org Submitting Events We welcome your submissions of familyoriented events. Events/support groups should be submitted online at www.northtexaskids.com. Click on the submissions button. Please keep listings brief and in a similar format to what you see in our calendar. No more than two listings per organization will be accepted. Thank you for your participation in our community calendar.

North Texas Kids • www.NorthTexasKids.com • Summer 2008

Index of Advertisers A & J Hair Designs

Frisco Sports Authority

Plano Sports Authority

Academy of Parent Coaching

Frozen Ropes

PowerKids

Pump It Up Jr.

Adventure Kids Playcare-FM

Fun Times Party Rental

25, 31, 33

Amazing Jake’s

Frisco Volleyball

Rainforest Cafe

Apple Creek Preschool

Girls In Motion

Revelation Dance

Aria Music Productions

Gotta Dance

Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus 6

Gymboree

Rockwall Indoor Sports Expo (RISE)

Healthy Texas Pediatrics

Simply Pretend

Art A Rama

24. 46

Babies R Us

9 20, 26

Bank of America

i9 Sports

SoccerTots

Blue Thunder Baseball

Jump Town

Spectacular Cakes

Bright Women

K12 – Texas Virtual Academy

Speech Texas

Building Image Studios

KidsCare Therapy

Spring Valley Athletic Association

C & R Medical

Kid-Express Shuttle Service

Sprouts

Call in the Coach

Kindermusik

SS Noah

Canyons of Frisco

Knowledge Points

St. James Episcopal

Center Stage Drama

Lakewood Orthodontics

State Farm Insurance

Strikz

Chamberlain School of Performing Arts 28

Learning RX

Child Care Source

Lil’ Trax Parents Academy

Stroller Fit Dallas

Childbloom

Lil’ Trax Sports Academy (PSA)

Studio 3 Dance

Children’s Home Healthcare

Lorie Burch, Attorney

Studio Movie Grill

Circus Movie Mania

Maid Brigade

Summer Dance Party

Club Z Tutoring

Maxim Healthcare Services

Crunchy Bunch

Meadows Museum

Texas Star Pharmacy

DA’s Spring Creek Golf

Medical Center of Plano

The Artist Within

Dallas Summer Musicals

Music Together

The Wiggly Play Center

Dr Pepper StarCenter

Neuro Health Center

Therapy 2000

Eagle Gymnastics

Noah’s Ark Animal Workshop

Ticket Give Away

Einstein Kidz

North Star Learning Center

Trend Your Tot

Elevate Your Game

O’Reillys McDonald’s

Tutoring 101

Paint Yer Pottery

US Toy Company

PeeWee Picasso

White Dove Montessori

Wiggles in Concert

ER Centers of America Evelyn’s Janitorial Extra Innings

23,32

Peppermint Baby Boutique

15, 23

Sweet and Sassy

7 7, 47

Farmers Insurance

Planet Pizza

Work at Home United

Freedom United Team

Plano Baseball Association

Young Chefs – Carrollton

Please tell our advertisers you saw them in North Texas Kids! Find links to all of these businesses on our website at www.northtexaskids.com North Texas Kids • www.NorthTexasKids.com • Summer 2008

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North Texas Kids • www.NorthTexasKids.com • Summer 2008

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North Texas Kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; â&#x20AC;˘â&#x20AC;&#x201A; www.NorthTexasKids.com â&#x20AC;˘ Summer 2008

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North Texas Kids • www.NorthTexasKids.com • Summer 2008