North Texas Kids December 2008 by North Texas Kids

North Texas Your Family Guide to Raising Happy, Healthy Kids

Kids

In this issue: The ABC’s of Children’s Books / Holiday’s on a Budget / What’s on Their Plate? Fun Games That Develop Language Skills / December Calendar of Events December 2008

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North Texas Kids • December 2008 • www.NorthTexasKids.com www.northtexaskids.com

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

All Aboard!!!

Start a New Family Tradition This Year American Clean Skies Foundation Presents

Come See The Trains at NorthPark -

The Largest Model Train Exhibit in Texas. All proceeds benefit

The Ronald McDonald House of Dallas. The Ronald McDonald House of Dallas is a home-away-from-home for families of seriously ill children who are hospitalized or receiving treatment in a Dallas-area hospital.

Dates... November 22, 2008 - January 4, 2009 Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, Open New Year’s Day

Hours of Operation... Monday - Saturday: 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. / Sunday: Noon - 6 p.m.

Early Closings... November 26, Thanksgiving Eve, 6 p.m. December 24, Christmas Eve, 4 p.m. December 31, New Year’s Eve, 6 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day January 1, New Year’s Day, 6 p.m.

Cost at Exhibit... $5 for adults, $3 for children (ages 2-12) and seniors (65 and older), free admission for children under 2

Discount Tickets... Available at all Tom Thumb Stores - $4 for adults and $2 for children (ages 2 -12) and seniors (65 and older)

Location... NorthPark Center, near the Boedeker Street entrance between Neiman Marcus and Barneys New York, Level Two

Pantone® Reflex Blue CMYK 100-82-0-2 RGB 0-51-153 Hex 003399

Pantone® 186 CMYK 0-91-76-6 RGB 228-23-32 Hex E41720

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For Information: Please visit us online at www.rmhdallas.com North Texas Kids • December 2008 • www.NorthTexasKids.com

Contents December 2008

Volume 6 No. 10

The ABC's of Children's Books

Simple Concepts, Outings & Adventures

Tips for Holidays on a Shoe String Budget

Get to Know... Barbara Beery

Craft: Note Holder & Pen Set

Spotlight on McKinney

Healthy KidCast

Holiday Word Scramble

What's on Their Plate?

Enrichment Directory: Classes & Activities

Coloring Contest

It's a Wrap!

Alexandria’s Book Review

Kids in the Kitchen: Holiday Treats

Fun Holiday Events to do as a Family

Family Resource Guide

New Year's Eve Bubble Wrap Stomp!

Arc of Dallas Helps Special Needs Children

Focus on our Advertisers

Fun Games That Develop Language Skills

Kid-Friendly Restaurant Review

Choosing the Right Fire Extinguisher

It's a Long Time Until August

December Calendar of Events

Sports & Fitness Programs

Index of Advertisers

Rock You Like a Hurricane

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

Holiday Word Search

Note from the Publisher

Minette Riordan, Ph.D.

Saying Thank You I have so many thank you's

to share this month that I am not sure where to start. First, I want

to say thank you to all of the staff, volunteers, vendors and sponsors

that supported the first annual North

Texas Kids Expo in November. It was a huge success and everyone had a

good time. To all of our readers that

attended, you were a big part of why it was so much fun. We hope you

had a great time and will come back next year, thanks for joining us.

I want to say an extra thank you

to my staff who always work hard to keep North Texas Kids running

smoothly. You can see all of us in the

Blank, Lisa Roders and Charles

ready for 2009.

staff of CITY House. We were so

so great for my waistline but I am

this event and for future events. I

will be seeing less of me in January!

Wolford, along with the rest of the delighted to partner with them on hope you all take a minute to visit

their website to find out all the ways that they support families in North Texas. If you or anyone you know

are ever in need of emergency crisis

money to support their programs. www.CITYHouse.org

Of course, Christmas and

take our staff photo and took photos

to say thank you to their parents,

Special thanks to Janelle

Twyford-Sylvis who also came

out to take photos at the expo and

brought along "Juggles the Clown". Thanks also to Zoe the clown who

entertained children and brightened so many little faces that day.

Perhaps the biggest thank

you goes out to my husband and

children who suffered through my absence, my crankiness and stress

and who stuck by my side from 6am to 6pm the day of the event. I would not be where I am today without their love and support.

Finally, I want to thank Kathy

year to model for your children ways

Brad Dobson bdobson@northtexaskids.com

CMO

Cindy Watts cindyw@northtexaskids.com

and ideas to keep forging ahead,

Office/Sales Manager Heidi Schlabs heidi@northtexaskids.com

and emailed me with your support even when my life gets crazy.

It's been a wonderful year for

forward to seeing all of you in 2009,

how you can offer your time and

Web/Media Designer

Editor of Sports Scoop Mike Kravik

to find out how you can get help or

call them. Visit CITY House online

Minette Riordan minette@northtexaskids.com

Thanks for those of you have called

North Texas Kids and we have a lot

Hanukah are always a great time of

at the expo.

holding steady and hope that you

counseling, all you have to do is to

picture below. Thanks also to Amy

Columbus who donated her time to

This last month has not been

Publisher/Editor

to be thankful for. We are looking our seventh year in print. Watch

Account Executives

Happy Holidays from all of us

to all of you!

Tari Jacobs Cindy Johnson Nancy Luttinger Michelle Simms Cindy Watts

Creative Dir. /Designer Brittany Allen

2nd Story Design brittany@2ndstorydesign.com

Printed by

Midway Press, Dallas Tx

for our birthday celebration in our February issue.

mike@northtexaskids.com

Mailing Address

Scissortail Publishing

700 E. Park Blvd. #110 Plano, Texas 75074

teachers, and their community. Take

Phone

972-516-9070

Fax

972-516-9048

like CITY House, a senior center

North Texas Kids is a Division of Scissortail Publishing

meals or gifts to a local organization or any other organization that you

LLC. North Texas Kids is published 10 times a year.

are passionate about. There are so

many ways to get involved and to

reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without

giving back.

encourages your submission of articles, children’s

teach our children the importance of

written permission prohibited. North Texas Kids

artwork, photographs and ideas. We reserve the

I love this time of year, I love

right to edit all submitted material. All submissions

the decorations and the festive

will be considered for publication. Recommended

atmosphere. I love the Christmas

article length is 500 to 800 words. Viewpoints of

carols and the Christmas cooking. Most of all, I love my family and look forward to the time we will spend together. I hope each and

every one of you gets to take a little time off to renew, refresh and get

the articles are not necessarily the viewpoints of North Texas Kids. Materials will not be returned.

Staff: Left to right Heidi Schlabs, Mike Kravik, Minette Riordan Tari Jacobs, Nancy Luttinger, Michelle Simms,

Advertising is accepted at the discretion of the

The photographer is Amy Columbus.

any and all claims and expenses arising therefrom.

Cindy Johnson and Cindy Watts

Publisher. Advertisers assume all liability for the content of their printed advertisements and agree to indemnify North Texas Kids and its publisher for

Cover Artist... Nicolaas Wooters

Your child will receive $50 when we use his/her artwork

Nicolaas Wooters, 6, lives in McKinney and attends Earl & Lottie Wolford Elementary in McKinney. He has been treated for asthma at Children's Medical Center Dallas, but is excited that "his" hospital is virtually in his backyard with the recent opening of Children's Medical Center Legacy. Nicolaas enjoys art and was even named "artist of the week" his very first week of kindergarten.

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 receives $50.00 along with their picture and story in the paper. 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. North Texas Kids • December 2008 • www.NorthTexasKids.com

The ABC’s of Children’s Books

(Part One)

By Katherine “Kat” Smith Parents often witness the funniest and most insightful things about their children. Many of those stories are shared with family and friends, teachers and neighbors. But what about the special one that speaks directly to you? “Write about me,” it nags. Well, before you start typing away, here are a few important facts to know about writing and publishing children’s books. First, you must understand the genre. Genre is a French word referring to a category. Fiction and nonfiction consist of many genres (fantasy, science fiction, biography, memoir, etc). Within the children’s book category, there are several types of books. Picture Books are divided by age groups and are frequently musical (rhythmic), succinct, and pictorial since you are using illustrations at this age to transmit part of the meaning in your story. You don’t necessarily have to use rhyme, especially if you are not good at writing verse. Nor do you have to limit the vocabulary. Write the story and allow children to inquire about the meaning of words to broaden their minds. Besides, the publisher/editor will request changes if they are deemed necessary. Here are the age groups: Toddler/preschool books (up to age 3) have stories that are basic, simple and short (up to 300 words with a 12 page average) containing brightly colored illustrations that are often about colors and shapes. These books generally have no plot and the illustrations are a key feature in telling the story. However, these particular aspects may vary with each publisher. Nursery School/Kindergarten books (3 to 5 years of age) also have many illustrations and include short text about familiar objects from their world. These stories have more rhyme and introduce simple plots about hopes and dreams or resolving problems. Beginning Readers (6 to 8 years of age) are drawn to picture books that show good character development and action. These books have interesting story lines with humor, and help the reader explore the world. Chapter Books become important at this age as children enjoy the stage where they are beginning to read by themselves. You can easily create small chapters including sentences that are short and words that are simple but are also in line with this learning level. These books average between 32-64 pages in length and contain up to 2000 words. As children grow and learn, so should their authors. Therefore, the stories become more complex and the plot thickens. Authors must learn to introduce new and interesting characters that they know inside and out, decide what message they want to share in the story, and learn to develop a plot. The goal of writing stories is to introduce the characters, explain the conflict and close with a resolution. The formula of 25/50/25 may be helpful to you at this point; 25 percent of the pages revolve around character development near the beginning of story, 50 percent of the pages involve the conflict and the final 25 percent illustrate the resolution. The next phase of children’s books may be more challenging to write: Transition books (7 to 9 years of age) or early chapter books bridge the gap between beginning readers and chapter book readers and are about 30 pages long, broken into 2-3 page chapters. Chapter books (7 to 10 years of age) are approximately 45-60 manuscript pages long. Chapters are now divided into 3 to 4 pages, with more complex sentences, short paragraphs and stories that are more substantial and still contain action. Middle Grade books (8 – 12 years of age) are geared towards a prime reading age for most children. Here you can introduce secondary characters and more complex stories with sub-plots and fast paced action. Humor is very popular at this age. They average 100-150 pages and begin to open the range in genres. Young Adult books are suitable for ages 12 and up and average 130 to 200 pages with complex plots involving several major characters although the main focus is usually on one character. There are fiction and nonfiction books in this category that deal with life and the reality of everyday struggles. Having broken down the types of books within the children’s book category, look for part two of this article that concentrates on the basics of getting the story from your head to your paper. Kat Smith is a former syndicated radio show host with ABC Radio Networks, Inc. and the local author of The Naked Author – Exposing the Myths of Publishing. www.amazon.com or www.tomkatproductions.com

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

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Top 10 Tips to Celebrate the

Holidays on a Shoe String Budget By Dr. Caron Goode For families who are facing tough times, the end of the year holidays may become a source of stress, guilt and worry. But getting creative during these tough times and coming up with alternative ways to celebrate to share time and give gifts (without breaking the bank) brings the joy of the holiday season back to the forefront. To celebrate the holidays on a shoestring budget, put these top ten tips to the test.

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

1. Start with comfort foods created with a dose of love. I remember the smell of buttery blueberry muffins on Christmas morning that our neighbor provided. She put her heart into cooking, and you can do the same with a few shortcuts for time. Gift muffins, breads or cookies. a. Cinnamon bread or buns: Buy frozen bread dough and follow instructions for thawing. Before letting the bread rise, use a rolling pin to flatten the dough in roughly a rectangle shape. Sprinkle generously with sugar or sugar substitute, and cinnamon. If you like slivered pecans or almonds, add them at this stage of preparation. Slowly and evenly roll the dough from longest side to the longest side and shape the edges closed. Put into a loaf pan for rising before baking. If you want cinnamon rolls, then roll the dough as suggested very long and stretch a little more. Cut two-inch slices and place on a cookie tray for rising before baking. b. Gluten-free - For those of you on special diets, try Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix or the Gluten Free Brownie Mix by Bob’s Red Mill. I fix them in my household and find them delicious. Here is the link: http://www.bobsredmill.com/product.php?productid=3746 2. Remember the reason for the season. Take time to reflect on what the holidays mean to you and to your family. This can help to get your focus off of the commercialization and materialism of the holidays and back to the meaning behind them. Doing this can often help you to regain perspective and to approach your family holidays from a different (and more affordable) angle. 3. Use pictures to evoke memories. Dig out your older family holiday pictures. Disply them on corkboard or large poster board. Pictures can evoke emotions and a sense of belonging. Or make a scrapbook of holidays past and present. Talk about what was happening before and after each photo was taken. Write captions. Make this a fun, family event where every age has a say and smile! 4. Encourage an attitude of gratitude in your children. Foster an attitude of gratitude in your children by encouraging them to express thanks for what they do have and by giving back to others who have substantially less. Use pictures to express appreciation. Pictures often inspire people to express what they appreciate or admire about others. A picture of dad dressed as Santa Claus might make children laugh. It might also make them realize they appreciate his sense of humor. Encourage your family to share these types of feelings as you work on your scrapbook. 5. Put the focus on the family. Some of the best family memories are made during the holidays, so take advantage of the time together by doing low cost activities as a family. Playing board games, attending holiday services, going for walks, and watching a classic Christmas movie at home are all no cost ways to celebrate one of the greatest gifts of all. 6. List positive assets in the family holiday scrapbook. You can do this by asking all family members to list five positive things they feel about the family member in a photo. Have them write these attributes on the page where the picture appears or next to the displayed pihotos. Also have them include their name and the date. Small tributes such as these can go a long

way towards building a positive family-image and appreciation for each other. 7. Get crafty and creative. Homemade gifts truly make wonderful gifts for family, friends and relatives. From simple ornaments made out of hardened sugar cookies, to packing the dry ingredients of your favorite cookie recipe in a glass gar, giving gifts that are expressions of yourself and your family are not only affordable but meaningful. 8. Give cost free gifts. For parents that usually purchase gifts for teachers, or adult family members and friends, giving no cost gifts can make a great (and often needed) alternative. Free nights of babysitting, a day of housework or gardening or a lesson in a hobby that you excel at can help to significantly slash your holiday budget. 9. Consider doing grabs. Consider suggesting a group grab or playing secret Santa with family to cut back on costs. Another variation of a gift sharing is that each woman contributes a gift for a woman, and the same for each man and child with a gift cap of ten or twenty dollars. The joy is to be creative, useful, indulgent and humorous. Then, each person picks a wrapped, secret gift within his or her grouping. 10. Consider adopting a charity. Some families skip gift giving all together and take on a charity each holiday season. Instead of purchasing gifts, consider donating money, gifts or time to charity in the names of friends and family. Remember the three Hs this holiday season and give them liberally: hugs, hot chocolate and humor. Dr. Caron B. Goode is the founder of the Academy for Coaching Parents International, a training and certification program for parent coaches. In addition to duties with the academy, Goode is the founding editor of the website InspiredParenting.net, and the author of eleven books, the most recent of which is Help Kids Cope with Stress & Trauma, which includes several chapters on he use of storytelling strategies. For more information on The Academy for Coaching Parents International or to sign up for academy announcements, visit www.acpi.biz.

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

Spotlight on McKinney fun events... Holidays at the Heard & Artisan's Market Artisans will present one-of-a-kind nature-themed arts and crafts including: jewelry, photos, crafted gourds, feather wall-hangings, books, gift cards, and natural honey! Take $5 photos with Father Christmas and Mother Nature. Kids can make a complimentary holiday craft to commemorate the season and their visit to the Heard. Live music in the new outdoor amphitheater throughout the event. Heard Museum, 1 Nature Place, McKinney, TX 75069 • December 6 • 11am-3pm Gingerbread for Humanity Join us to decorate your own gingerbread house to take home for the holidays! We'll provide the gingerbread, the icing, and LOTS of candy trimmings. All proceeds benefit Trinity's Habitat for Humanity build. Pricing for decorating one house is $35 at the door, or $30 if you pre-register using the registration form online. Additional houses are $20 each. Trinity Presbyterian Church, 5871 W. Virginia Pkwy., McKinney, TX 75071 Saturday, December 13 • 9am - 1pm Holiday Tour of Homes We've got a great selection of historic homes on the tour this year and McKinney's "new" historic downtown square is better than ever! The new Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites is the official hotel for the 2008 tour....your Holiday Home Tour ticket booklet will get you a special home tour rate for the weekend! Saturday and Sunday, December 6-7

quick facts... l Both the city and the county are named after Collin McKinney, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence. l McKinney was ranked as the third fastest growing city in the nation with a population over 100,000.

“Thanks to our McKinney Advertisers: Adventure Kids Playcare, Drama Kids and Maxim Healthcare Services.”

coming next month... Spotlight on Flower Mound

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

The Beac h Lagoon at Stoneb favorite p ridge Ra lace to h nch is ou ang out in love playi r the summ ng in the er. My kid sa nd; it's so commun s ity pools w different from othe here we h fun than r ave lived our pool and more at home. I love taki -Kathy G. ng picture s of my ki historic d ds on the owntown square in McKinne brick walls y. There a and neat re great vintage d unique ba o ors that m ckground ake fun, s! -Heidi S.

Birthday Parties for Kids Ladies Night every third Thursday WALK-INS WELCOME The Biggest & Best INDOOR Kids Amusement Park.

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

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

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cute, cute, cute...

note holder & pen set Here is the perfect teacher gift and stocking stuffer! They are super cute and easy for your kiddos to make.

Supplies needed: Three coordinating printed papers Matboard (purchase at local craft store) Sticky note pad large binder clip Pentel RSVP pen adhesive sand paper Glue Dots

Instructions: 1. Cut matboard into 4" square 2. Cut paper into 4" square. Adhere to top of matboard and sand edges 3. Remove backing from sticky note pad and adhere to covered matboard 4. Cut a strip of paper to cover binder clip. Adhere each end of the paper to the clip with a glue dot 5. Place clip over note pad and matboard 6. Cut strip of paper to insert into pen 7. Unscrew pen and wrap paper around ink barrel and reassemble pen *courtesy of Tisha Copeland with Stampin' Up! North Texas Kids • December 2008 • www.NorthTexasKids.com

holiday Simple Concepts

word Scramble

within

Outings & Adventures

hakknuha acdnles amfiyl ansta toh occao

With

the holidays upon us, I have chosen a different path to follow with the introduction of the simple concept of art; what

is art and how does a child define art. Our society has some very definite

sownnam

ideas about art and how it is to be displayed but children see this creative

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don’t miss a visit to a local art gallery, poster and framing shop or even a

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process through much different eyes. While introducing this simple concept, neighbor’s home. Come by the Farmstead where we will be exploring art as seen through children’s toys and games during the early 19th century. Remember, the purpose of these activities is to encourage the development of critical thinking skills, allow for exploration of the world close by, and

answers: hanukkah, candles, family, santa,hot cocoa, snowman, christmas, gifts

facilitate a strong bond between adult and child. Visit your local library and read a few books on this theme before and after your adventure. Bring with you a backpack filled with educational tools: color pencils, 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:

The simple concept of art

Where:

Explore neighborhood poster and frame shops, a private

collection, children’s puppet shows, and concerts.

For the 2 year-old: • Listen to a variety of musical instruments and identify bold sounds.

• Encourage a title and explanation of original works created by the child. • Allow lots of free expression for a variety of art experiences including finger-painting, paper/glue collages, and shoebox art.

For the 3 year-old:

• Visit a local art gallery or poster frame shop and focus on proper museum rules: use inside voices, no touching, walking slowly, etc.

• Offer 3-D art materials such as clay, Play Dough™, and Model Magic™, pasta, large beads, and fabric, etc. • Review primary and secondary colors. Create new colors. • Read a book and attend its story as a play or puppet show.

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

For the 4 year-old:

• Create textures in art using 2-D papers, glitter, pastels, soap shavings, etc.

• Talk about the subjects seen in one dimensional art works; what are they doing, where are they going, what is behind them, what could be in front of them, etc?

• Allow your child to create a space in the house for his art studio and encourage him to create art to express his feelings.

Ask: How do specific colors make you feel?

t a E Kids e! Fre

ids or K 31/08 f b Su 12/ Free /01/08 d 12 Vali

For the 5 year-old: • Identify the many forms art takes shape: paintings, sculpture, photography, clay, dance, music, theatre, etc.

• Introduce a few artists with distinctive styles: Picasso vs. Monet, Beethoven vs. Raffi, Frederick Remington vs. Claes Oldenburg • Identify two contrasting types of art: realism and abstract.

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Ask: What is your favorite type of art and why? Lynda Morley, former 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 or other programs at the Heritage Farmstead Museum, please contact Lora Forsyth at 972-881-0140 or lforsyth@heritagefarmstead.org. © 2008 Lynda Morley All Rights Reserved

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

What's on their plate? by Pamela Micks

I was in the girl scouts during my elementary school days. I can still remember very clearly one specific project we did in the winter of 1977. I was ten years old and it was almost Christmas. Our project for the day was making plates that we could give as presents. The instructions were to draw our own original design on a special paper with unique markers. After the design was complete, our leaders would mail the masterpiece away and it would magically return to us as a plate! After all of these years, that plate recently got me thinking. On the top left side of the circle sit three cookies and a cupcake. Next there is a hot dog followed by a glass of champagne. An order of french fries and a hamburger are next. What is so unusual about this child’s design? It dawned on me while serving my own ten year old that when I was her age, all of the foods portrayed on my plate were very special because I was either served them rarely on special occasions or never at all, as in the case of the champagne! In the 70’s, I seldom ate fast food and neither did my friends. The hamburger and french fries were drawn because they were such an uncommon treat that they belonged on my special plate. I had no thoughts of drawing the food that I ate on a routine basis; this plate was different. It portrayed rare treats! Today’s children growing up in 2008 would probably not consider a hamburger and french fries special, but only one typical meal of many in the junk food category. Kids today are not only served junk food by their own parents on a routine basis, but also by the school cafeteria. Today’s children are experiencing quite the opposite of what I did as a child. Mothers are rarely home to slow cook meals for them. Women today are not as able as my mother 16

was to shop for fresh foods and take time to plan nutritionally balanced meals for each day of the week. When my mother cooked our meals, she knew what was in them. She added the ingredients herself. When we purchase pre-made meals for our children or race through a drivethrough we have relinquished control of our children’s nutrition. Our own lack of authority over time and sparse concern for our own nutrition have created a young generation with no knowledge or memories of how things used to be or could be at mealtimes. This leads to another point- our own example. Children learn what their parents do and the biggest teaching tool a parent has is his or her own example. Adults today are eating faster, with less routine and less healthy choices than ever. Most adults and parents do not eat nearly enough vegetables, drink enough water and eat way too fast and too much. If we do not put the energy and effort into taking care of ourselves, how will our children learn how to eat for nourishment and to properly fuel their bodies? Due to our priorities as adults, our children are often exercising and moving very little while eating way too much overprocessed food, frozen food and junk food. We have begun feeding them killer fats from the time they start to eat solid food. This is setting them up for being overweight or even obese at an early age. Obesity in children is hard on them in many ways. First of all, as in adults, it is psychologically difficult. Studies have shown that children will choose friends with other handicaps more often than an obese child to be on their teams and friendship circles. Overweight children will many times endure cruel teasing that can permanently affect their self-esteem. Even more important, in my opinion, is our setting children up

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

for potentially shortened life spans. Obesity in children creates risk factors for the same diseases that overweight adults can develop. Unhealthy blockages to the heart and brain, higher blood pressure and Type II Diabetes are among the potential consequences. Once a child develops Type II Diabetes, the estimates are that it may deduct between 10-14 years off of their life. For the first time in history, our children’s generation may have a shorter life span than we do. Despite all of the advances in medical treatment and technology, the wonder drugs and quality care, we are spinning our wheels by not paying attention to the simplest of concepts: creating strong and healthy bodies in our children from the start. Our kids model our behavior and want to be like us. They want to please us. I am often told that it is simply not practical to eat healthy at family mealtimes because children will not eat food that is prepared in a healthy manner. At that point, I have challenged my clients to attempt the unthinkable – prepare

a healthy meal for the entire family where everyone eats the same food. Every time the response has been the same- euphoric shock. What has been reported back to me is that the children loved it! How many of us have simply not even tried to feed our children correctly? Sure, it is easier to go through a drivethrough or pour a box of something pre-prepared into a dish and pop it into the microwave but how is that nourishing our children? We need to take the time to value ourselves so that our children will realize that they should do the same for themselves and others. Part of this is respecting our bodies with how we fuel them and making sure it is finely tuned with exercise. If you were to give your child a magical plate to design, what do you think it would include? What would you put on your own plate. Think about it. Your child's life may depend on it. Pamela Micks is a certified personal trainer who specializes in in home training and kettlebell classes. She can be reached at pamela@realbodyfitness.com.

It’s a Wrap! Non-Wrapping Paper Ideas

The idea here is simple, less paper, less garbage, less damage to our planet! Look at all the paper that shows up in our mailboxes, doorsteps and in-boxes every day, these are some ways to re-use that paper rather than going out and buying more paper that’s just going to be thrown away anyway! • Leftover Work Paper - Whatever your business may be look around and see what paper you have that’s lying around and could be used to wrap presents. This would work with sheet music, real estate catalogues or section from the newspaper, maps, posters or…just about anything! • Ribbon Replacement - Use twine or jute string with sprigs of green holly leaves and berries • Kids Catalogue Paper - This time of year we all get so many kids catalogues with brightly colored photographs of toys and kids Christmas items that a few pages taped together make adorable and eye catching wrapping paper. • Daily News Paper – Black and white newspaper makes great wrapping paper and try matching up the story on the paper with the gift or the recipient, tied with a red ribbon and a sprig of holly and you have an eco-friendly, elegant and witty gift!

Ideas by HGTV expert Libby Langdon

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

Scissortail Publishing is expanding our sales team! If you are:

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Then we would like to talk to you... About a Sales Position that Offers: Generous Commissions / 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 Serious Inquiries Only Please.

Get to know... Barbara Beery, founder of Batter Up Kids by Minette Riordan, Ph. D.

Barbara Beery is passionate about getting kids into the kitchen. She is the founder of Batter Up Kids, a cooking school in Austin. Beery is also the author of 7 children's cookbooks ranging in theme from snacks to desserts to princess parties and mermaids. What I loved about meeting her was her excitement, enthusiasm and joy for teaching kids and parents to work together in the kitchen. Like many of us moms, Barbara Beery wanted to work and contribute to her family but she did not want her own children in daycare full-time, so she created her own opportunity to generate income. Beery has a degree in elementary education and 13 years teaching experience. She also raised three children while furthering her mission to encourage children to participate in the joys of cooking. We all the know the value of family dinners in bringing our families closer

together. Beery makes cooking fun and easy, two key ingredients that make it possible for us to fit cooking back into our crazy, busy lives. Beery offers some great tips to encourage moms to get their kids cooking. Kids are more apt to try new foods if they have a hand in preparing them. Even the most finicky eaters will feel good about the foods they make and will want to try each and every one of their masterpieces. Cooking at an early age establishes healthy eating habits, especially when your child cooks with nutritious ingredients. It's important to have these healthy items on hand: fresh fruits and vegetables, herbs and whole grains. Inviting your kids in the kitchen to help cook promotes working together, gets the dinner on the table faster, and, most importantly, creates family memories. Kids get a lesson in all of their subjects when cooking. Following a recipe helps kids become familiar with different units of measure.

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

Cooking helps kids learn new words and their meanings, such as dice, fold and cut in. Experimenting with different ingredients and discovering flavors that complement each other allow kids to practice their scientific skills. Watching the combination of yeast, sugar, and warm water…a miracle in itself! Family recipes have a history and origin. Sharing those traditional family recipes with your children will give each dish special meaning. Use tools and ingredients that are safe and easy for kids to work with. Borden’s new Perfect-Pour bottle is a great option as its shape makes it easy for little hands to pour. With its ergonomically designed handle and spout, the bottle is built for easy handling and storage. While you're cooking, give your child a task. Whether it's lightly stirring a few ingredients or helping decorate holiday cookies, your child will gain a little independence, which will increase his or her self-esteem…BIG! Barbara Beery is an inspiration to all moms who want to raise happy,

healthy kids. She is clear that she is blessed to be to doing what she loves every day and that her career has allowed her to combine her two passions: kids and cooking. Beery is an inspiration to moms that want to work and still fully participate in raising their children. She is very organized and says that while her children were growing up, she would dedicate one day each week to taking care of one child's needs at a time for school, home, etc. She would have one day a week that was an office day for phone calls, paperwork, etc. and another day for errands. She made sure she found the time to spend with her children, and obviously they spent a lot time in the kitchen with her and around the dinner table. Check out her Christmas morning breakfast ideas on page 23. Mrs. Beery has appeared on the Today show and in The New York times, to just mention a few of her accolades. She appeared with Alton Brown on Food Network's Good Eats, one of my kids' favorite shows to watch about cooking. She is also a spokesperson for Borden's milk and was here in Dallas for the State Fair doing a kid's cooking demonstration. To find our more about Batter Up Kids visit www.batterupkids. com or to order one of her cookbooks, visit www.kidscookingshop.com.

With Nurse Christie “we talk about everything from croup to poop”

The answer is easy: VACCINATE! I know it is hard to subject our kiddos to another “traumatic” injection but what is by far more traumatic is having our children catch the flu and suffer through the high fever, aches, fatigue and general misery associated with this illness. The flu is also associated with missed school days for kids, missed work days for parents, possible disruption of holiday plans and transmission to others including our elder relatives that are at particularly higher risk for complications. The recommended age range of children for annual influenza immunization has been expanded this season to include all children 6 months through 18 years of age. The previous recommended age group was 6 months to 5 years. Influenza vaccine has not been approved for children younger than 6 months. In addition to children 6 months through 18 years old, the CDC recommends the flu vaccines for pregnant women, anyone 50 or older, patients of any age with certain chronic medical conditions, residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities and those who live with or care for people at high risk for flu complications.

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This year’s flu vaccine formulation consists of three viral strains: Influenza A/Brisbane/59/2007 (H1N1), Influenza A/Brisbane/10-2007 (H3N2) and Influenza B/Florida/4/2006. It is estimated that all 3 strains in the 2008-2009 influenza vaccines are different from last year’s strains. The strains must be chosen eight months in advance to give manufacturers enough time to make an adequate supply and distribute the doses for the flu season. After shortages of flu vaccines in previous years, officials stressed that there will be an abundant supply this year. Officials expect up to 146 million doses to be made this year by six manufacturers, up from 113 million doses manufactured last year. Types of Influenza Vaccine: TIV and LAIV TIV is an inactivated vaccine that contains killed viruses and, therefore, cannot produce an active virus infection. TIV is administered intramuscularly to people who are 6 months of age and older, including those who are healthy and those with chronic medical conditions. The most common symptoms associated with TIV administration are soreness at the injection site and low grade fever within 24 hours of the injection. LAIV is a live-attenuated influenza vaccine that is administered intranasally and is licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for people 2 through 49 years of age. LAIV has the potential to produce mild signs or symptoms related to attenuated influenza virus infection, including fever. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention aims to vaccinate 261 million people this year. On average, 60 million Americans get the flu each year and 36,000 die from complications. Avoid the flu this season by getting yourself and your child vaccinated just as soon as possible. For more information about child health and safety, join us at www.HealthyKidCast.com. You can listen to our show directly from the website (for free, of course) or download it to your iPod and take us with you! Our topics include a wide range of information such as Breastfeeding, Boogers and Colds, Teens and Technology, Soothing a Cranky Baby….basically “everything from croup to poop!” Just remember the information given here or via our podcast is not meant to replace medical attention so if you have specific concerns about your child’s health, please see your healthcare provider.

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

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

fun holiday events to do as a family this season

walk through holiday pasts Dallas Heritage Village Presents: Candlelight Celebrate the holidays with Texas’ earliest residents and see how they did it “back then", during Candlelight at Dallas Heritage Village. Candlelight, a Dallas tradition for almost 40 years, offers something for everyone. Join the festivities as pioneer and Victorian Texas is brought to life by characters dressed in historical costumes and through 38 structures from 1840 to 1910, lovingly decorated for the holidays by local garden clubs and community groups. December 13 & 14 • 3 pm - 9 pm • 1515 South Harwood, Dallas 75215 • www.dallasheritagevillage.org

fair park holiday lights Presented by Friends of Fair Park, the two-day family-friendly festival will take place on the grounds of Fair Park (surrounding the Leonhardt Lagoon and Cotton Bowl Plaza). Thousands of LED lights will be shining throughout the park during the holiday season. Admission and parking are free for Fair Park Holiday Lights. For more information, call the Fair Park Information Line at 214-421-9600 or visit www.fairpark.org. Real snow may not be in the forecast for the mild winter, but on Sunday only, a snowy hill (located adjacent to Big Tex Circle) will be the “hot spot” for some Texan tubin’ – always a favorite for both kids and adults! December 13 & 14 • 3 pm - 8 pm • Grounds at Fair Park • www.fairpark.org.

holiday lights at frisco

ire safety town

The Holiday Lights at Frisco Fire Safety Town event will be two weekends in December. Bring the family and walk through our outdoor town to see each of the miniature buildings decorated for the holiday season. Kids can e-mail Santa then see him live in the mini-fire station. Enjoy crafts and other activities sure to delight kids of all ages! Performances by local vocal groups on select nights. December 12,13,14 & December 19, 20, 21, 22, & 23 • 6 pm - 9 pm • 8601 Gary Burns Drive, Frisco

ice !

at the ga y l or d texan The truly spectacular 14,000-square-foot "ICE!" exhibit will feature a variety of magical holiday scenes and sculptures hand carved by 40 visiting artisans from Harbin, China. Visitors will feel as though they have been transported to the North Pole as they bundle up in warm parkas and enter this winter wonderland created with TWO MILLION pounds of ice and kept at a wintry 9 degrees. Sun – Thurs: 10 am – 9 pm • Fri – Sat: 10 am – 10 pm • 1501 Gaylord Trail, Grapevine, Texas 76051

christmas lights & trails Nov. 27 - Dec. 31, 2008 • Grand Prairie - Prairie Lights Holiday Display • www.prairielights.org Nov. 27 - Dec. 31, 2008 • Highland Park - Highland Park Neighborhood Nov. 28 - Jan. 2, 2009 • Frisco - Christmas in the Square • www.friscosquare.com Nov. 28 - Dec. 31, 2008 • Plano - Deerfield Holiday Lighting • www.deerfieldplano.org Dec. 2 - 31, 2008 • Farmers Branch - Farmers Branch Tour of Lights • www.ci.farmers-branch.tx.us Dec. 6 - 31, 2008 • Dallas - Kessler Park Holiday Lights • www.kesslerpark.org/holidaylights.htm Dec. 12 - 31, 2008 • Arlington - Interlochen Lights Display • www.ci.arlington.tx.us/events/

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

Kids in the kitchen Holly Jolly Puff Pancakes: Makes 4 puff pancakes Ingredients: 4 teaspoons butter (not margarine) ½ cup Borden’s 2% organic milk 2 organic local eggs ½ teaspoon vanilla 1 tablespoon molasses ½ cup flour ½ teaspoon ground ginger ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon Pinch of ground nutmeg and cloves 1/4 teaspoon salt

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Let’s Start Baking! Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Spray 4 custard cups with nonstick cooking spray and put on a 9 x 13 inch baking pan. 1. Place 1 teaspoon butter in the bottom of each cup. Place cups on baking sheet in the oven for 5 minutes (to melt butter) to sizzling point while preparing pancake batter. 2. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, vanilla, and molasses. To that, add flour, spices, and salt whisking to blend into a smooth batter. 3. Remove baking pan with custard cups from oven. Ladle equal amounts of pancake batter into each of the 4 cups, returning to oven and bake 15 to 20 minutes. You will be amazed to see how these pancakes “magically” puff while baking! 4. Remove pan from oven and remove cups from pan. Be careful: these are hot. 5. Top pancakes with Rudolph’s Red Applesauce and a sprinkling of powdered sugar.

Rudolph’s Red Applesauce: Makes 4 servings Ingredients: 4 medium apples (any type or combination of types) ½ cup dried cranberries or dried cherries ¾ cup organic apple juice or apple cider 1 to 2 tablespoons local honey ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon vanilla Let’s Start Cooking! 1. Peel and core apples and cut into equal sized chunks. 2. Place apples, dried cranberries or cherries, apple juice or cider, and honey in saucepan. 3. Cover and cook over medium heat for 15 to 20 minutes. Mixture should simmer, but not boil. 4. Remove from heat and cool 5 minutes. Stir in ground cinnamon and vanilla. Crush with a potato masher or fork. 5. Serve immediately or store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

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Alexandria’s Book Review

Come Back, Amelia Bedelia A Review by Alexandria Battle

*This book is currently out of print but check your local library or used bookstore for a copy.

Amelia Bedelia books and lover

of reading, was born in Manning,

South Carolina and from there got her Bachelor of Arts degree. Soon

after, she went into teaching, both

in Kentucky and in the Oklahoma

more children wrote to ask when

the housekeeper has mistaken

her nephew Herman Parish took

by the Roberts. Now on her own,

the next adventure would be out, on the character and wrote four

new books, so that Amelia Bedelia would live on.

In light of the holidays,

Panhandle. Her first book came out

the adventures of the literal

and the Amelia Bedelia series was

attention and offered a good laugh

in 1961; her second, a year after;

created in 1963, with eleven more

following the first book. She wrote several other books, did teachertraining workshops, and even

wrote a few book review columns. When she passed on in 1988 and 26

housekeeper have caught my

while trying to find a warm spot

in the house. Amelia Bedelia has

enchanted many children over the years, and no one is a stranger to the many mishaps she gets into.

In Come Back, Amelia Bedelia,

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

possible workplace. If you like this adventure, there are several other

by Peggy Parish 64 pages • Ages 4-8 • Harper & Row (1971*)

Peggy Parish, author of the

to see the things she does at each

one request too many, and is fired Amelia Bedelia goes from beauty shop to clothes shop, office to

office, and everywhere is turned

away because of her unique way of following instructions. Just

as Amelia Bedelia is beginning

to despair of finding work, she

remembers a certain treat she forgot at “home” and hurries back to complete her last task…

You will have to read the

rest of Amelia’s story to see if

she finds a job—and especially

ones where Amelia is at her best— like Play Ball, Amelia Bedelia, the original Amelia Bedelia, Bravo,

Amelia Bedelia, and Amelia Bedelia

Goes Camping.

The Arc of Dallas Responds to Gaps in Services For Special Needs Children in Collin County

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By April Allen, Director of Children’s Services The Arc of Dallas

A new after-school club for children with special needs opened in McKinney this fall in a pilot venture between The McKinney Independent School District and The Arc of Dallas. It was one more step in The Arc’s journey to bring quality, affordable services to Collin County for families that have a child with an intellectual disability. Nationally, Texas ranks last among all states, even behind the District of Columbia, when it comes to providing services such as child care to citizens with intellectual disabilities. Within Texas, Collin County consistently hovers near the bottom for state funding. This translates into zero state services for most families and a waiting list that can extend for more than a decade! The Arc of Dallas, a leading advocate for people with disabilities since 1951, addresses these gaps by providing critical services to Collin County families now. As part of a plan to extend much-needed services to families in Collin County, The Arc pursues partnerships with schools, churches and community groups. Usually this involves providing a venue at little or no cost for a life skills class, evening childcare or an after-school club. The Arc welcomes volunteer aides also. “It really is a win-win proposition,” Sherry Wacasey, executive director of The Arc explained. “The parents get quality care for their child within their community and the child gets a fun and safe environment.” Another Arc program for parents of children with special needs began this year in north Dallas: Adventure Nights offers an “evening out” for Moms and Dads one Friday evening per month. The Arc provides three hours of safe, fun child and sibling care at Northhaven United Methodist Church which provides space for the program. The Arc is seeking a similar community partner in Plano and McKinney to extend Adventure Nights into Collin County once a month. Beyond its direct-care programs, The Arc also offers a number of activities for parents: including “brown bag” lunches on the education rights available to their child; and “Great Expectations,” a parent education series addressing social security assistance, behavior management and other topics.

Call The Arc of Dallas for details on any of its family services or for

information on ways to volunteer at 214.634.9810 or visit the website at www.arcdallas.org to sign up.

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

Looking for fun events where you can meet other moms in your area?

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Huge Thank You from North Texas Kids and CITY House to all of our sponsors, vendors and the families who participated in our first expo. It was a TREMENDOUS SUCCESS thanks to all of you!

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

Fun Games that Help Your Child Develop Language Skills

Meet Max & Joey Buddy Detectives! Great new book for young readers who love a good mystery! Written by local author Glo Jenkins Brown This is a fantasy mystery novel about Joey Taylor and his lovable rescue dog Max, who witnesses a hit-and-run accident.

Schedule an author visit today! glo@wordsrme.com

Buy it today on Amazon.com!

Some children may groan at the sight of a spelling or vocabulary list (or worse, a dictionary), finding the practice of memorizing words and their meanings to be more than just a little unpleasant. You can’t make your child’s spelling or language tests go away, but you can certainly teach him or her a number of fun and easy activities at home that will help your child develop and strengthen important language skills, and have a little fun in the process. On a rainy day -- or even a sunny one -- encourage your child to try out one of these fun word games.

Word “Go Fish” This game helps children develop word (and letter) recognition abilities and is perfect for those learning sight words. 1. Make a list of age-appropriate words for your child (or use your child’s vocabulary or spelling list from school). 2. Using note cards, write each word (use 24 words) on a note card twice: on the left side and the right side. 3. Cut the note cards in half, so that the word is on two separate cards. You should have 24 pairs of matching word cards (48 cards total). 4. Mix all the cards into a bowl or hat and have each player select 8 cards. 5. Play the game using the same rules as “Go Fish,” where each player holds his or her cards and attempts to match each card with its pair. 6. When a match is made, the player puts the matching cards face up in front of him. 7. Play continues until all cards are matched (and all cards in the pile are gone). The winner is the player with the most matches.

Word Scramblers Word scramblers help children visualize letters that make up words and fine tune their spelling abilities. Most grocery and book stores carry workbooks of word scramble games, and you can also find plenty of Internet sites to create scrambled words for you that you can print or write down for your child. Try www.superkids.com. Here, you can create your own printable scrambled word worksheets (as well as hidden word puzzles) by typing in your own list of words. If your child enjoys this type of game, there are many options for him or her to choose from, including anagrams, cryptograms, rebus puzzles, crossword puzzles and many others, also available in workbook format at grocery and book stores, or online.

Dictionary Bluff You can play the board game Balderdash or the homemade version of this game with paper, pens or pencils and a dictionary. This game may be most fun (and appropriate) for older children that are comfortable writing. 1. The first player (the “bluffer”) selects a word from the dictionary and writes down the definition of the word onto a scrap of paper. 2. All other players then write down a definition of their own, which may be either fictitious or an honest attempt at guessing the correct definition. 30

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

3. The players hand their definitions to the bluffer, who reads all definitions out loud. Players record the answer they believe is correct. 4. Once all players have recorded their guess at the correct definition, the bluffer reveals the true answer. Players that guess the correct definition receive two points. Players are awarded one point for each other player who chooses the fake definition they wrote. The bluffer is awarded three points if no one guesses the correct definition. 5. Play continues as long as all players wish. When you’re ready to quit, add up each player’s points. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.

Hangman This game is effective in teaching children to sharpen their word decoding and spelling skills. 1. Have one person choose a simple word or phrase. 2. Draw blanks at the bottom of the piece of paper for each letter of the word(s) chosen: for example, “Hello” would be “_ _ _ _ _.” 3. Draw an upside-down “L” on the page. 4. Have the guessing player(s) guess one letter at a time. The other player should draw a body part that hangs from the upside-down “L” each time the letter chosen is not part of the word. (First draw a head, then eyes, ears, nose, body, legs and arms.) 5. If the drawing of the person is finished before the guessing player guesses (or completely fills in) the word or phrase, the guessing player loses. Looking for more fun ideas? Talk with your child’s teacher. Many teachers utilize word games and puzzles regularly in the classroom and may be able to suggest a range of options that your child will enjoy. Of course, there are plenty of store-bought games that are perfect for “family game night” or for your children and their friends to enjoy. Consider one of these classic games:

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Scrabble SCRABBLE, the crossword board game, is a wonderful way for children to become better spellers and enhance their vocabularies. If young children are playing, parents may want to consider sitting in with a dictionary to assist.

Mad Libs Mad Libs is a word game where players prompt each other for a list of words (adjectives, nouns, verbs and other) to fill in blank spaces within a story. The result is a goofy tale that doesn’t make much sense, but is sure funny to read. Your child may never tire of this silly game.

More board games EducationalLearningGames.com sells thousands of educational games for children of all ages, including grammar, phonics, spelling and word games. Word and language games can be fun for many children, but if your child is frustrated in school and struggles with spelling, reading and writing, turn to Huntington for help. Our diagnostic assessment will measure your child’s current abilities, uncovering specific areas that may be hindering his or her learning. For more information about Huntington Learning Center of Plano please call Jim Clark at 972-312-9240, or visit www.huntingtonlearningcenter.com. Dr. Raymond J. Huntington and Eileen Huntington are co-founders of Huntington Learning

Center, which has helped children achieve success in school for 30 years. For more information about how Huntington can help your child, call 1-800 CAN LEARN.

Effective communication is the ultimate key to success in life and in business. Looking for a dynamic speaker for your next Mom’s Club, Play Group, Church event or Corporate Lunch-n-Learn? Minette’s passion to improve communication in all walks of life drives her presentations, whether speaking to a group of parents, a business organization or to a sales force. In her speeches, Minette focuses on skills that anyone can use to become a compassionate listener and a passionate speaker.

Sample Topics: 10 Steps to Improving Communication at Home or on the Job Heart-Centered Parenting: Connect to Your Child By Listening to Their Feelings Life is Too Short to Wear Diamond Studs: How to Live a Bolder, Brigther Life For descriptions of these topics, testimonials from groups she has spoken to, or to read Minette’s bio, please visit her website at www.MinetteRiordan.com. To schedule Dr. Riordan for your next event, please call her office at 972-516-9070 or email her directly at minette@minetteriordan.com. Speaker

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

Sports Scoop

It’s A Long Time Until August by Mike Kravik

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

The most fertile ground for football talent in America is found in Western Pennsylvania, Southern California and throughout the states of Florida and Texas. Within the state of Texas, Plano high schools have enjoyed astonishing success and played some of the more legendary games in history. The seeds for the success that Plano high schools enjoy are cultivated and nurtured by its twelve middle school football programs. The 8th Grade Schimelpfenig Panther team coached by Don Bassham went 5-1-1 during the regular season and won Division B. The Panthers are the rare middle school team that is predominantly a passing team. The Panthers scored 32 points per game while giving up only 9 points per game. In 2008, the 8th Grade Renner Mustang football team coached by Greg Coutermarsh went 7-0 in the regular season, won their division (Division A) and scored 37 points per game while giving up only 9 points per game. Both teams met earlier in September and foreshadowed how their seasons would play out. The Panthers jumped to a 20-8 halftime lead but the Mustangs came back to win the game 23-20. The lesson learned that night in September was that there was finally a team in the league that could play with the Mustangs. Form held and both teams won the right to play for the 8th Grade City Championship. Thursday, November 6 Schimelpfenig Middle School The Schimelpfenig Panthers football team and coaches embody the concept of “California Cool” on this beautiful 70 degree day as the late afternoon sun winds down. Instead of North Dallas Suburbia, I could have been on Mission Beach in San Diego watching a bunch of kids throw the football around with just the hint of organization. There is casual give and take between the players and coaches as the team goes through their passing drills. Left unharnessed or with the wrong group of kids this approach may not work. It’s a style

of coaching that works for Coach Bassham because his team still plays with discipline and they respect and trust what their coaches say. As the Panthers run various slants and outs more than a few passes are dropped by the receivers but the coaches say nothing. Suddenly the team hits their stride, every ball is caught and it’s a beautiful gridiron sight. The Panthers are led by their quarterback Richard Lagow and his precision and accuracy as a passer are amazing for an 8th grader. Bassham gushes “I think I have the best QB in the city and we couldn’t run this offense without him.” As practice ends, the boys gather in a circle and belt out “Beat Renner!!” Friday, November 7 Renner Middle School The Mustangs practice in the morning and a November cold front has passed through overnight. The temperature is in the 40’s and the wind is sneaking in from the north. The weather is different and so is the approach taken by Coach Coutermarsh. This is old school football coached by a no nonsense drill sergeant who loves his troops. Coutermarsh explains his approach “One of the hardest things for coaches to do is to get these wonderful, well-mannered young men to go from being Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde when they cross the lines.” While explaining the importance of blocking the defensive end during a particular play, Coutermarsh barks at his linemen “I want you to pancake that defensive end and then I want you to do it to somebody else. Find some work!” Coutermarsh’s directive does not sound optional. Coutermarsh says, “Our strength is running the football.” The Mustangs running game is led by Garrett VanDeVan. Imagine a running back that runs as tough as Larry Csonka with the gamebreaking ability of Eric Dickerson mixed in with the leadership qualities of Walter Payton. That’s Garrett VanDeVan. As practice ends Coutermarsh gathers his players in a circle and plainly details “If you look like

Sports Scoop

champions and act like champions, you WILL play like champions!” This is another directive from Coutermarsh that does not sound optional. The team responds, “One, two, three…champions!! Tuesday, November 11 Clark Stadium Major thunderstorms overnight have cleared and the setting and weather are now perfect. As both teams begin pre-game calisthenics the Renner coaches are revving up the engines of their team. Coutermarsh reminds them “Leave everything you have on the field tonight…” pauses and then reminds them “…It’s a long time until August.” The Mustangs win the toss and elect to receive. The Panthers are looking to strike first so they opt to onside kick. The first punch of the bout lands as Panthers recover the kick on the Mustang 40 yard line. A twenty-yard pass from Lagow to Dalton Reeves followed by a quick screen pass for a touchdown to Corbin Whitehair (who is sprung by a monster Brandon Aubrey block) results in a Panther touchdown. A two point kick by Aubrey makes the score 8-0. Two offensive plays and nineteen seconds into the game and the undefeated Mustangs are pawing at the ground looking for their mouthpieces. While the Panther offense evokes “California Cool” their defense has arrived in a ferocious mood and cause the Mustangs to go three and out. After an exchange of punts, the Mustangs take advantage of great field position as VanDeVan breaks loose up the middle for a 27 yard touchdown run. Ryan Gannon’s kick makes the score 8-8. All through the game, the Panthers march the ball up and down the field and dominate the important statistics of total yards, first downs and time of possession but they are having difficulty scoring against a Mustang defense that bends but refuses to break. The Panthers have proven they can play with the Mustangs but they haven’t cleared the psychological hurdle of proving they can beat the Mustangs. In the second half with the

score still tied 8-8, the Panthers miss another field goal. Self-doubt takes another step in the Panther psyche. That sense is punctuated when VanDeVan sprints 78 yards on the Mustangs first play of the second half. The Mustangs have a 14-8 lead and momentum. The Panthers, dominant all night long, are deflated. With five minutes left in the game and his team still trailing 14-8, Brandon Laures gives the Panthers life when he recovers a fumble on the Mustang 37 yard line. Michael Crawford bolts up the middle for twenty more yards but a sack and a couple of penalties have moved the Panthers back. Self-doubt takes another step. On 4th and 22 with 2:45 left to play, Lagow coolly finds Aubrey cutting across the middle for a first down at the Mustang 3 yard line. Brian Hanks scores on the next play to tie the score and bedlam ensues because the Panthers are about to take the lead. Houston Rockets coach Rudy Tomjonavich once said “Never underestimate the heart of a champion.” That tenet is one of the most important lessons the Mustang coaching staff have instilled in their team all season. With his team in trouble and the city championship in the balance, Mustang Elijah Angelleti blocks the extra point. The score is now tied at 14 with two minutes to play. The Panthers still haven’t figured out how to beat the Mustangs. Time is now an issue so the Mustangs take to the air. Mustang QB Nick Cristenson hits both Derek Meissner and Davis Roeschke for big gains. Another VanDeVan run moves the ball inside the Panther 15 with less than 10 seconds to play. The Mustangs elect to kick a field goal. Both teams have struggled all night long with snaps on the damp surface at Clark Stadium and it happens again. Gannon doesn’t get the chance to kick the game-winner and the game ends in a tie. This is middle school sports so there is no overtime. Both teams know there is money left on the table that will never be claimed. At the end of the game the teams exchange handshakes and the opposing coaches embrace. Two wonderfully talented teams and two very distinct approaches to coaching resulted in another legendary classic football game that nobody who saw it or played in it will ever forget.

GREATER LEWISVILLE AREA SOCCER ASSOCIATION

Spring 2009 Open Registration Servicing the Greater Lewisville Area (Flower Mound, Lewisville, Highland Village)

On Line Registration at www.glasasoccer.org Call 972-221-4623 or email ofﬁce@myglasasoccer.org Registration for U5 - U14 ends December 31st Registration for U15 - U19 ends February 16th

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Spring Soccer 2008 Registration closes January 15th Season: 2/7-4/25 Boys and Girls Ages 3 to 7th Grade PreK ages are Coed

Check our website for more information:

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Registration also currently open for: Lacrosse, and Martial Arts Spring Registration for all Sports Opens January 15

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

Sports & Fitness Programs Plan to spend your Winter at the RISE! Recreation & Competitive Leagues

Youth Soccer Register on MySAM by 12.1.08

YOUTH Winter Volleyball @ RISE Register on MySAM by 11.2.08 Register on MySAM by 12.7.08 Youth Basketball 3rdRegister Annual YOUTH Mistle Toe on MySAM by Tournament 11.7.08 @ RISE December 19, 20 & 21, 2008

Mention this ad & receive a $25 discount Good on any team fee or ﬁeld rental. Coupon code RISE/NTK001

CCA B_\[ 7j^b[j_Yi Winter Basketball Camps Girls & Boys: Ages 5-17

Dec. 22nd-24th & 26th December 29th-31st & Jan 2nd

Visit us online for times and age groups: www.mmklife.com or call (214) 383-2219

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

Play Ball! Plano Baseball Association

by Marissa Pittman

Spring Registration begins January 5, 2009 For players 3 - 18 years old The Frisco Youth Volleyball League (FYVL) began in September 2006 and over the course of four seasons has not only provided thousands of girls from the Frisco area a wonderful opportunity to play a sport they love but also do so without driving hundreds of miles. In this year of change, the FYVL is going where no other local volleyball league has dare ventured: a volleyball team made up of only boys. Arneva Martin presides as the League Director of the FYVL and said that she received multiple phone calls from different parents whose 5th and 6th grade sons had just finished watching the Winter Olympics and were very interested in playing volleyball. Martin is a person who goes through her life saying “Why not?” and the first boys volleyball team (nicknamed the Hurricanes) of the FYVL was immediately formed. Within the last 10 years, volleyball has quickly become one of the most popular sports for young women in North Texas. Martin says “We are so excited about the increase in visibility of volleyball in Frisco. Now that we are able to reach out to the boys and gain interest there, we’re expecting to reach an even bigger following.” When the new athletes started practicing it was kind of like watching Bambi take his first few steps on an ice pond and it wasn’t pretty. They had very little knowledge of the sport but quickly made up for it with their enthusiasm. The boys kept showing up for practice because they were hungry to get better. “Practices are fun but hard.” muses fifth grader Drew Davis while Connor Woods counters that “I want harder practices.” More and more the boys began to pick up on the nuances of the sport and started the ascent of rapid improvement.

The Hurricanes now face the prospect of taking what they have learned from their practices into games. This team will unquestionably have a target on it’s back and every other team will circle this game on the schedule because none of the other teams want to lose to them. Most of the girls they will be playing against have played volleyball for several seasons and are grizzled veterans in comparison. Overcoming adversity together and the inevitable intimidation of an experienced opponent is the next obstacle. No matter what happens, these boys have found a new sport to play. Not every kid is wired to play football or baseball or is tall enough to play basketball. Volleyball is another option for parents who want their kids to be involved in some kind of sport at an early age. Vollyball can help kids down the road by teaching them how to move their feet and also with their hand-eye coordination. Young Hurricane John Peterson says the most important aspect of volleyball to him is “teamwork, teamwork, teamwork.” The Hurricanes take pride in becoming role models and trend setters to other boys their age. They

want to send out the message to other boys and parents that it is okay to play volleyball. Says Hurricane Fani Chiposi, “volleyball is for everyone” while Zach Thomas has the very mature take that “kids need to try new sports.”

Hurricanes Volleyball Team Fall 2008

Season runs May to June. Early Start: March - June

Complete your online registration at: www.planobaseball.org For More Information call 972-517-5800

Choosing the

Right

Fire Extinguisher For Your Home By Ann Dunham, CPCU, CLU, LTCPState Farm® agent Based on your home size, and the number of potential fire hazards, you should consider having one or more working extinguishers. You should also choose the extinguisher type that best fits your needs. Generally, there are three common classes of home fire extinguishers:

Class A – These are for wood and paper fires. This class cools material

below its ignition temperature and soaks fibers to prevent re-ignition. Class B – These extinguishers suppress flammable-liquid and grease fires. They work by removing oxygen from the area sprayed and preventing vapors from reaching the ignition source. Chemical reactions that remove oxygen suffocate a fire. Class C – These models are for electrical fires. They use an extinguishing agent that is not capable of conducting electricity.

Multi-Class – These chemical extinguishers can be used on different

types of fires and are labeled with more than one letter — A-B, B-C or A-B-C. (Note: Most multi-class extinguishers contain a corrosive agent that should be cleaned up immediately after use to prevent damage to sprayed surfaces).

Extinguisher use – remember to P.A.S.S.: • • • •

Pull the pin at the extinguisher top. Aim at the base of the fire. Squeeze the handle/lever to discharge. (Stand back 6 to 8 feet from the flame.) Sweep the spray back and forth at the base or source of the fire.

Home fire extinguishers along with maintained smoke detectors are important components of your home’s fire defense system.Make certain all are working properly and maintained according to manufacturers’ instructions.

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

Focus on our Advertisers... Jump Zone Southlake Jump Zone Southlake is an indoor inflatable party and play center. We offer six massive themed inflatables, interactive games and a toddler corner. Our toddler corner has ride on toys, push toys, wall panel toys and a table to sit and color. Our center provides parents a great entertainment facility at a fair price without hassles. Once guests pay our low admission price of $7 for the children only, they can put away their wallet. Guests can play with everything in our facility. Jump Zone is your party headquarters! We provide a great facility for children ages 2-12 years old. We are an indoor facility offering moonwalks, obstacle courses, giant slides and bouncers. At Jump Zone guests have access to the entire jump arena for their entire party! No moving from room to room. Our private party rooms are beautifully painted and decorated and are yours for your entire party! Our guests tell us we are brighter and cleaner than our competitors and our level of service can not be matched! See what a few of our customers have to say: “The Staff treated us better than we’ve experienced! We were so comfortable and well taken care of. The kids had a great time and the facility was just the perfect size and offered a great selection of fun for all. Thanks for making Evan’s party fun and easy :)” The Lopez family ”I enjoyed the knowledge of the staff and how they expedited the party. It was well organized and clean. You can tell the staff was experienced in parties. I would definitely recommend Jump Zone to anyone planning a party!! The Riojas family. To find out more information on Jump Zone, visit www.jumpzoneparty. com and click on the Southlake location or call 817-778-8870.

Pee Wee Picasso There are many ways to create art, both conventional and unconventional. Through self-expression, children can learn to communicate, problem solve, and enrich their minds. All of this while building self-esteem. At Pee Wee Picasso, they provide a bright and creative environment for children to do just that. Courtney Milburn, Co-Founder and CEO, known to the children as Ms. Coco, knows how to encourage creativity and make children feel great about the art they produce in her studio. She and her staff show passion and enthusiasm for what they teach. They have developed a wide range of options for families to enjoy artistic exploration. The first thing you need to know is that Pee Wee Picasso is opened Tuesday – Saturday from 10 – 5. During that time anyone of any age can go to the studio to paint, sculpt, scrapbook, draw, or partake in any artistic endeavor they choose. Here is a brief list of the options available through PWP: Walk-In art, Birthday Parties, Classes for ages 2 – Grade 8, Playgroups, Seasonal Camps (not just summer!), Parents Night Out, Ladies Night, Scrapbook Night, School Projects, and the list could go on and on. If you have a child/group that is interested in art, then this is the place to explore. Please take the time to check out this wonderful studio during the holiday season. They have special projects for the holidays. It’s a fabulous place to create gifts to cherish for a lifetime. After all, gifts made from little hands are truly the most precious. 36

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

Kid Friendly Restaurant Review

I Heart Yogurt Now Serving at: 10720 Preston Rd Dallas, TX 75230 949-291-9195 by Rebeka Luttinger I could hardly wait for school to be over. My mom, sister Marcy and I were going to the new yogurt place in town. Upon arrival we were shocked how busy they were. There were kids and their moms from all the area schools. I saw two girls I went to Cooper Fitness camp with. I Heart Yogurt came to the Dallas area just recently. They are originally located in the Newport Beach, CA area. The Preston/ Royal location is the first to open. There are five more area locations opening soon. When you walk in you are in for a great surprise. You see the concept is different then any other yogurt place. This is a self serve yogurt bar. You choose what size container you want. Then you proceed to the yogurt selection. You can take as many flavors as you like. On the day we went they had green tea, Belgium dark chocolate, Tahitian vanilla, espresso, cookies and cream to name a few. After

you have selected your flavors you then move on to the topping bar. There are both dry and fruit toppings. We had gummy bears (my favorite), chocolate chips, oreo pieces, coconut, mini reeses pieces cups, and the old fashioned favorite sprinkles. The fruit toppings range from strawberries, raspberries and pineapple plus others to choose from. All of their fruit products are organic and the yogurt is healthy and natural. This place will be a hit for any family with or without kids There are tables to sit both inside and out. They are open seven days a week. So the next time you are out and about and are looking for a fun place, check out I Heart Yogurt. You will not be disappointed and will be looking forward to your next visit. Rebeka Luttinger is an eighth grader

at Parkill Junior High. She plays on the volleyball team and enjoys hanging out with her friends.

NEw YEar’s EvE Family Fun...

“ThE BubbLE Wrap Stomp” Looking for a way to ring in the New Year that will have the crowd on its feet? Look no further than a packaging supply store. For just a few dollars, says Elaine Snyder of Jupiter, Florida, you can pick up several yards of large Bubble Wrap (or recycle Bubble Wrap that comes with holiday gifts). Just before midnight, unroll it on a hard surface, such as a wooden floor or driveway, and when the countdown concludes, join the Snyders in “the Bubble Wrap Stomp.” “It sounds like firecrackers,” says Elaine, who has enjoyed the tradition for a decade with husband Karl and kids Karyn, 14, and Kasey, 10. “It actually came from something I saw on safe fireworks for the Fourth of July,” she says, “But I adapted it to New Year’s Eve because I liked having a deadline where they all jump on it at the same time.” “Kids of all ages love it,” Elaine says--and there are usually plenty of adults on the stomp floor, as well. Her only caveat? “Be sure to buy large bubbles, because the small ones just don’t have the same result.” This article excerpted from familyfun.go.com/parties/holiday/feature/famf128newyear/famf128newyear6.html

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.

December

Dallas Scrooge Puppet Theatre - Scrooge returns with his acerbic wit and humor in his unique NorthPark Center theatre. www.northparkcenter.com

1 Monday Plano Toy Drive - Simply schedule an appointment for December 1st - 15th, to bring in a toy donation. These toys will be given to The Giving Movement. Please schedule your appointments ahead of time by giving us a call at 214-862-5581. Dr. Amy Wood & Dr. Matt Wood located at the Wellness Solutions Chiropractic 2301 West Parker Rd. McKinney Dinosaurs Alive! Life-size Animatronic Dinosaurs at the Heard. www.heardmuseum.org Dallas LUXE Showhome benefiting Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children - Advanced tickets will be $15, and tickets at the door will be $18. Visit www.tsrhc.org or contact Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children at (214) 559-7656. The Creeks of Preston Hollow, 5020 Elm Hollow Drive, Dallas Dallas MADELINE’S CHRISTMAS - Dallas Children’s Theatre. Join us for a merry magic carpet ride! This production presented at Baker Theater/ Rosewood Center. www.dct.org Dallas The Trains at NorthPark - Benefiting Ronald McDonald House of Dallas. www.northparkcenter.com

Dallas Storytime with Santa Claus - Twice daily, Monday through Saturday, and once on Sunday, free of charge, children of all ages gather to hear Santa Claus’ tales about life at the North Pole with his elves and reindeer. www.northparkcenter.com Colleyville Manners and Social Skills for your Preschooler! The Queen of Royal Keys - On the last day of the class the Queen arrives in full costume and has tea with the children! Games, Activities and Prizes in EVERY class! www.royalkeys.com McKinney Festival of Trees - 10:00 AM: This year the Stonebridge Ranch Country Club will be transformed into a winter wonderland and usher in the holiday season. Santa will be on hand for pictures! Farmers Branch Holiday Tree Lighting - 7:00 PM: Fireworks Show, visit with Santa Clause, Snow Tubing Hill, Dallas, Puppet Theater, Tours of Historical Structures, Complimentary Cookies & Punch, Hot Chocolate. Event located at 2540 Farmers Branch Lane www.farmersbranch.info Grapevine Carol of Lights - 7:00 PM: At the Gazebo. Grapevine is the essence of holiday décor as the city becomes blanketed with millions of lights, enor-

Dance the Afternoon Away...

2 Tuesday Southlake Kids Night at Chick-fil-A Southlake. - Every Tuesday evening, Chick-fil-A Southlake offers free kids activities & loads of fun! 5:30-7:30pm, 2301 E. Southlake Blvd., 817-481-7152 www.cfarestaurant.com/southlake/home Farmers Branch Tour of Lights - 6:30 PM: Drive your vehicles through an amazing and joyful display of lights and figures with over 300,000 shimmering lights. Free Admission, donations accepted. for more information call 972-919-2620. www.farmersbranch.info

4 Thursday Grapevine Parade of Lights - 7:00 PM: On Main Street. Grapevine is the essence of holiday décor as the city becomes blanketed with millions of lights, enormous decorations, animated characters and a whole lot more! Join us in Historic Downtown Grapevine. www.grapevinetexasusa.com

5 Friday Plano Dallas Trampoline & Tumbling Cup 2008 - Friday -6pm to 9pm, Saturday -8am to 8pm. Level 1 - Elite competition in Trampoline, Double-mini Tramp and Power Tumbling. Admission is $4 child; $7 adult. www.EaglesWingsAthletics.com Plano Centre, 2000 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Spring Creek & Jupiter Roads Richardson “Nutcracker...in a Nutshell” - Our shortened production is perfect for younger children, yet still captures the magic and beauty of the full length Nutcracker. Countrywide Theatre. Tickets: $10-$25 Eisemann Center Ticket Office 972-744-4650 www.newworldballet.org

at the Music Together of Dallas

Winter Dance Party Sunday, January 18 from 3 to 5pm Pollman Hall at Temple Emanuel 8500 Hillcrest Rd. • Dallas, TX 75225

Carrollton Old-Fashioned Christmas - 6:00 PM: Free! A. W. Perry Homestead Museum, 1509 N. Perry Road 972-466-6380 Victorian Carolers stroll the grounds spreading holiday cheer. Bring your whole family to this popular celebration.

If you do one thing this winter – this should be it! Create great family memories and encourage your kids to get ﬁt!

Hosted by BB Good formerly with Radio Disney

Let’s shake down, boogie, and learn some fun dance moves from local celebrities. • Party bag for each family, packed with coupons and products to take home • Tickets must be purchased in advance. • $10 per person. • Buy tickets online at www.musictogetherdallas.com

McKinney Christmas Parade of Light - 6:30 PM: Free. 9th Annual Christmas Parade of Lights in downtown McKinney. The theme this year is “A Hollywood Christmas.” Downtown McKinney Square

6 Saturday Dallas “For the Birds” Garden Walk at Texas Discovery Gardens - Bring the kids and work on fun projects to feed birds and native wildlife during the big chill. Cost: free with regular garden admission - Adults $3, seniors (60+) $2, children (ages 3-11) $1.50. Members and children under 3 are admitted free. www.texasdiscoverygardens.org Carrollton Christmas on the Square - Cowboy howdies young and old! It’s Christmas on the Square! Our Boot Scootin’ Santa’s a right fine 5 K Run, And later in the mornin’, cookies with Santa will be fun! www.bootscootinchristmas.com

SPONSORED BY: CENTER STAGE DRAMA

CALL FOR DETAILS: 972-267-4452 flags.indd 2

mous decorations, animated characters and a whole lot more! Join us in Historic Downtown Grapevine www.grapevinetexasusa.com

10/4/07 4:19:52 PM

Grapevine Twinkle Lights Boat Parade - Lights, lights and more lights will sparkle during the Twinkle Light Parade on Lake Grapevine at dusk on Dec. 6. This lighted boat parade begins at Scott’s Landing and ends at Little Pete’s. www.grapevinetexasusa.com

Carrollton CHRISTMAS ON THE SQUARE - SNOW for a day in Texas? Come down to the Historic District and get into the spirit of the season. Play in the snow by tubing down a hill, sing holiday carols, let the children shop in their own Mall! Stay while we light the trees officially hailing the Holiday Season! Old Downtown Carrollton Association 972-242-4490 Lewisville Holiday at the Hall - 7:00 AM: Old Town Lewisville (Main Street between Kealy and Charles) Information: 972.219.EVENT or www.cityoflewisville.com Keller Breakfast with Santa - 8:00 AM: Children will get a chance to sit on Santa’s lap, give him their wish list, and have their picture taken with the jolly old man and his wife. Breakfast provided by McDonalds! Day/Time Sat, Dec 6, 8-9 AM, 9-10 AM, 10-11 AM or 11-12PM Fee $10 per participant. The Keller Pointe. www.cityofkeller.com/index.aspx?page=752 Allen Rudolph Run - 8:15 AM: 5K/1M Main Street, Downtown Allen, TX 214-509-4811 https:// secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information. php?event_id=1944 Richardson Richardson’s 37th Annual Christmas Parade 9:00 AM: The parade will begin at 9am and will travel north from Cherrywood Drive along Coit Road to Pearce High School www.cor.net Frisco Empower Academy Graduation Day - 9:30 AM: 9:30 am Little Shockers,10:10 am Beginner, 10:50am Storm Team. 2833 Eldorado Parkway, Suite 303 www.empoweracademy.net Dallas A Heart For Gabby Rose “Treasures From the Heart” Shopping Spree Benefit - 10:00 AM: Join us for a day of Holiday Shopping to benefit Gabby Iezzi! This benefit, with the help of The Childrens Organ transplant Association ( www. cota.org), is to raise funds for transplant related expenses. Highlands Christian Church 9949 McCree Rd, Dallas www.aheartforgabbyrose.com Southlake Santa’s Workshop - 10:00 AM: Join us for tons of holiday fun! Children will enjoy four hours of games, arts and crafts, and lots of surprises in a well supervised environment. Pre-registration is required. Durham Elementary/Intermediate School www.cityofsouthlake.com Dallas Santa Days at the Plaza at Preston Center 11:00 AM: This year Santa will be joined by his favorite miniature horse, Ferguson Rifle. Irving Family Funday, Card Workshop & Visit with Father Christmas - 2:00 PM: 3333 North MacArthur Blvd, Irving, TX 75062 FREE Box Office: (972)252.ARTS Take photos with Father Christmas (Santa) and create Celtic-themed holiday cards to share with friends and family. www.irvingartscenter.org Frisco Merry Main Open Gallery - 4:00 PM: The Artist in your Family Show and Reception. Frisco Arts Center 6827 Main St. in Historic Downtown. www.VAGF.org Dallas Camp Gingerbread - 5:00 PM: Celebrating the holiday season in sweet style, this event gives children ages 4 and up the opportunity to assemble and decorate their very own gingerbread

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

cookie. Entrance fee is $10.00 per child, with proceeds benefitting Shared Housing Center, Inc. of Dallas. Located near Macy’s on Level One. www.northparkcenter.com

The Colony Holiday in the Park - 5:30 PM: Free Admission. Perryman Park, 4930 South Colony www.thecolonychristmasspectacular.com Farmers Branch Holiday Exhibits - 6:30 PM: Take a stroll through the Historical Park and enjoy the holiday lights, displays, visit with Santa, Quilting bee & exhibits, refreshments, and more. Free. 972-406-0184. Farmers Branch Historical Park located at 2540 Farmers Branch Lane. www.farmersbranch.info Gainesville Frank Buck Zoo - Zoo Lights - 7:00 PM: Stroll through the lower half of the zoo and enjoy lighted displays while sipping hot chocolate, nibbling a cookie and listening to Christmas carols. Regular admission. $5 for photos with Santa. For more information contact (940)668-4533.

7 Sunday Grapevine 17th Annual Nutcracker Tea - 1:00 PM: Join us for festive and magical night to remember! While enjoying a fantastic mini version of the Nutcracker, a holiday tea and dinner will be provided! 1:00 & 3:00. Children $25 each, Adults ... $25 each www.letspretendteaparties.com

Plano

Very Special Hanukkah Party - 2:00 PM: At Adat Chavarim (NE corner of Spring Creek and Independence in Plano). This party is for young children (ages 3-5) with special needs and their parents. RSVP is to Sheryl Ambers talk2slp@hotmail.com.

Allen Christmas Parade - 2:00 PM: Begins at Cedar and St. Mary and proceeds southbound to Main Street, then right on Main Street; turns right on Allen Drive and ends at Allen Drive on St. Mary at the traffic circle. www.cityofallen.org

8 Monday Coppell / Valley Ranch Coppell / Valley Ranch Early Childhood PTA General Meeting - 9:30 AM: @ Coppell Family YMCA--This month is our Annual Holiday Brunch Mixer. Register online ( www.cvrecpta. org) by 5:00pm Thursday, December 4, . Contact Info: Deby 214-234-8290 Plano Every Child Ready to Read Workshop - 7:00 PM: Haggard Library, 2501 Coit Road, 7-8pm, 972.769.7250. Parents and caregivers can learn techniques to help children learn the six prereading skills the must know before they can learn to read. www.planolibrary.org

9 Tuesday Lewisville Storytime with Mrs. Claus - 10:00 AM: Holidays stories are a part of the magic of the season, and on Tuesday, December 9 from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., children are invited to Vista Ridge Mall to enjoy Storytime with Mrs. Claus. Visit www.vistaridgemall.com or call 972.315.3641.

10 Wednesday Carrollton Infant & Child CPR - 7:00 PM: This course is designed to teach parents about issues that affect child safety. Cost $25 per couple, $10 for each additional participant . For additional information or to register, call 1-800-945-7997. Trinity Medical Center, Room 202, 4343 N. Josey Ln. Carrollton, Tx 75010

11 Thursday Lewisville The Greater Lewisville Special Education PTSA will hold its December Program, a book discussion about See Sam Run, from 6:00 to 8:30 pm. Meet local Author Peggy Heinkel-Wolfe, who’s Details and a link to RSVP can be found at www. lisdseptsa.txpta.org or by calling 469-293-6343.

Arlington Texas Rangers Toys for Tots Finale at the Ballpark in Arlington, 5pm-7:30pm. The event will consist of crafts, Christmas carolers, food provided by SportService, Santa, autographs, games and more! Admission is free but we encourage you to bring a new, unwrapped toy. Throughout the night, we will be having current and alumni players signing autographs in hour time slots.

12 Friday Plano “A Holiday Wish” Ice Show - 5:00 PM: Featuring local figure skating talent. Free Admission. Dr Pepper StarCenter Plano 4020 West Plano Parkway iborzilleri@dallasstars.com Plano Mothers and Others Holiday Vendor Show - Fri Dec 12 Friday, December12th, from 9:00 am 1:00 pm and Saturday, December 13th, from 8:30 am - 12:30 pm. Come and browse over 30 quality vendors. Room 130 of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s Faith Formation Center, 3100 W. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano, 75023. Admission is free. Call Katy Brandeland at 214-926-8696 if you have any questions or visit www.setonmothersandothers.org for more information. Lewisville Dickens of a Christmas Carol - A classic retelling of the Christmas tale as told through the eyes of Dicken’s himself! Showing December 12-21 at 7:00 pm Friday & Saturday nights with matinees at 2:00 Saturdays & Sundays. Adults $10.00, students and seniors $8.00, kids under 10 are $7.00 and groups of 15 are $7.00. Crawford Center for the Arts at 1720 S. Edmonds in Lewisville, TX, 972-353-2720. www.getintotheact.org Carrollton Carrollton Early Childhood PTA Holiday Brunch - 9:30 AM: Join us as we celebrate the spirit of the holiday season with good food, new and old friends. Free to parents/caregivers of children birth-age 6 in the area. 9:30-11:30 a.m. Friday, Dec.

12 at Holy Covenant Church, 1901 E. Peters Colony in Carrollton. See www.cecpta.org for details.

Plano Journey To The Manger 18th Annual Presentation - 6:00 PM: St Paul Lutheran Church, 6565 Independence Parkway, Plano. This very special Christmas experience re-creates the market place in the Little Town of Bethlehem as it was in Biblical times. FREE December 12, 7-9pm December 13, 6-9pm Frisco Holiday Lights at Frisco Fire Safety Town - 6:00 PM: Tots to 5th graders, FREE. 8601 Gary Burns Dr. next to central fire station. www.ci.frisco.tx.us

13 Saturday Frisco “Santa’’s Skating Village” Ice Show - 2:15 PM: Featuring local figure skating talent. Free Admission. Dr Pepper StarCenter Frisco 2601 Avenue of the Stars. (214) 387-5602 sburnside@dallasstars.com Duncanville 13th “Holly Jolly Holiday Extravaganza” Ice Show -4:45 PM: Featuring local figure skating talent. Free Admission. Dr Pepper StarCenter Duncanville 1700 S Main Street (972) 283-9133. cmalacrea@dallasstars.com Southlake Breakfast with Santa - 8:00 AM: Ho, ho, ho! Calling all kids and parents to eat breakfast with Santa. Make holiday crafts while munching on tasty breakfast treats. Durham Elementary/Intermediate School www.cityofsouthlake.com McKinney Gingerbread for Humanity - 9:00 AM: Decorate your own gingerbread house to take home for the holidays. All proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity. Cost: $35 per house, but if you preregister it is $30 per house. Each additional house you buy is $20. Trinity Presbyterian Church 5871 W. Virginia Pkwy McKinney.

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Frisco Holidays In Old Town - 10:00 AM: 10am-4pm Art Sale and face painting, visual artists working on site. www.VAGF.org Frisco Arts Center 6827 Main St. in Historic Downtown. Flower Mound Flower Mound Christmas Parade - 10:00 AM: Morriss Road from Eaton to Dixon Lane. Please bring canned goods for the Christian Community Action (CCA) Food Drive. www.flower-mound.com Garland Snack with Santa - 10:00 AM: Start the holiday off right and experience a traditional Christmas party with Santa Claus and his friends. Age: 2 to 5 years old $8.00. Preregister by December 10. Audubon Recreation Center 342 West Oates Road Garland, TX 75043 (972-205-3991) Flower Mound Holiday Stroll - 12:00 PM: Parker Square, 1500 Cross Timbers Road, Flower Mound, TX. Step back in time and join the Town of Flower Mound and Parker Square, www.flower-mound.com Dallas WALK THROUGH HOLIDAY PASTS - Sat Dec 13 3:00 PM: Dallas Heritage Village Presents Candlelight. 1515 South Harwood.$10 for adults, $8 for seniors 65+ and $6 for children ages 4-12. Children under 4 and museum members are free. www.DallasHeritageVillage.org Dallas Fair Park Holiday Lights. Presented by Friends of Fair Park, the two-day family-friendly festival will take place Sat., Dec. 13, and Sun., Dec.14, from 3 – 8 p.m. on the grounds of Fair Park (surrounding the Leonhardt Lagoon and Cotton Bowl Plaza). Thousands of LED lights will be shining throughout the park during the holiday season. Admission and parking are free for Fair Park Holiday Lights. FREE admission and parking. For more information, call the Fair Park Information Line at 214-421-9600 or visit www.fairpark.org. Dallas/Farmers Branch LATIN AMERICAN CHRISTMAS CONCERT / NAVIDAD LATINOAMERICANA - a variety of Latino musical ensembles present the inspiring traditional Christmas rhythms. Tickets are $5 for adults and are available at the door. Children 10 and younger are FREE. Dec 13 at 7:30 pm at Holy Trinity Church: 3811 Oak Lawn Ave, Dallas, Dec 20 at 7:30 pm at Mary Immaculate Catholic Church: 2800 Valwood Parkway in Farmers Branch www.dfwinternational.org

14 Sunday Grapevine Breakfast with Mrs. Claus - 8:30 AM: Enjoy a festive breakfast with all the holiday trimmings even Mrs. Clause! Please come dressed in your Christmas best! Child: $14.95, Adult: $9.95 www.letspretendteaparties.com Plano The Shops at Willow Bend Hosts Santa Paws 7:00 PM: Oh what fun it is to have your pet photographed with Santa Claus! Photo packages begin at $17.00. www.shopwillowbend.com

15 Monday Southlake FREE North Texas Kids Family Fun Night @ Chick Fil A - Southlake, 2301 E. Southlake Blvd., 817-481-7152. 5:30 - 7:00 pm Frisco Empower Academy Buddy Day - All classes Bring a friend to class and your friend gets in FREE!! EMPOWER ACADEMY, 2833 Eldorado Parkway, Suite 303 www.empoweracademy.net Plano A Day of Love and Logic with Dr. Charles Fay - 8:30 AM: A fun and entertaining seminar for teachers and parents. Admission Charge: $99. For more information call 800-338-4065 or visit www.loveandlogic.com Plano Centre, 2000 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Spring Creek & Jupiter Plano Family Fun Night - 7:00 PM: (Required regis-

tration begins November 24) Haggard Library, 2501 Coit Road, 972.769.4250, 7 – 8:30pm Stories, crafts, games and fun for families with children ages four and up. Space is limited. www.planolibrary.org

16 Tuesday Richardson Sister’s Christmas Catechism - At the Eisemann Center’s Countrywide Theatre. For showtimes and tickets go to www.eisemanncenter.com or call the Eisemann Center Ticket Office at 972-744-4650. Coppell / Valley Ranch Coppell / Valley Ranch Early Childhood PTA Kid’s Outing - 10:00 AM: @ The Gaylord Texan in Grapevine-- We will be seeing the Holiday Light displays (FREE) and the ICE Exhibit ($). www. cvrecpta.org Contact Info: Deby 214-234-8290

18 Thursday Frisco North Texas Kids invites you to a Mom’s Night Out at Uncork, 5:30-7:00 pm. Drop your kids off at Adventure Kids Playcare for a fun Mommie Mixer. Lots of Door Prizes, Networking with other Mothers, and wine tasting. 2832 Eldorado Pkwy, Ste 212 Frisco, TX 75034. 972-668-6113

19 Friday Frisco Empower Academy Holiday Party / Gift Exchange - 6:00 PM: Bring a wrapped unisex gift ($5 value) to the party! Cost: $25, $15 for siblings & friends. EMPOWER ACADEMY 2833 Eldorado Parkway, Suite 303 www.empoweracademy.net Frisco Holiday Lights at Frisco Fire Safety Town - 6:00 PM: Tots to 5th graders, FREE. 8601 GARY BURNS DRIVE NEXT TO THE CENTRAL FIRE STATION www.ci.frisco.tx.us Frisco Santa Claus is coming to GattiTown! Friday, December 19th-Monday, December 22nd: 4:30pm7:00pm. Before sure and visit Santa at GattiTown before he heads back to the North Pole! Also, don’t forget your camera so you can snap a photo of your child with Santa!*All guests must purchase a buffet upon entry. www.gattispizza.com.

20 Saturday Euless Euless Ice Fest - 1:30 PM: Featuring local figure skating talent. 1:30-2:30 Public skate, 2:30-3:00 Skate with SANTA. 3:30-4:30 Ice Show, 5:00-7:00 Public skate. Free Admission to ALL events. Dr Pepper StarCenter Euless 1400 S Pipeline Rd Euless (817) 267-4233 dcain@dallasstars.com Richardson Tuzer Ballet Nutcracker - Tuzer Ballet presents their annual holiday masterpiece, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 20th and 2 p.m. on Dec. 21st. Tickets are available on-line at www.eisemanncenter. com or by calling the Eisemann Center Box Office at 972-744-4650. www.tuzerballet.com Frisco/Plano The Best of Home for the Holidays - Plano Symphony Orchestra’s The Best of Home for the Holidays. Saturday - Centennial High School - 4:00 pm, 6901 Coit Road, Frisco. Sunday - St. Andrew United Methodist Church - 4:00 & 7:30 pm, 5801 West Plano Parkway, Plano. Reserved Seating tickets: $10 - $35. Children’s tickets (ages 18 & under) $8. Add $2 at the door. Plano Symphony Orchestra Ticket Office at 972-473-7262, www.planosymphony.org

21 Sunday Carrollton Big Kids Club-2:45 PM: This 1.5 -hour class is designed for children ages 3 1⁄2 to 8 years old and gives them the opportunity to discuss their new roles as brothers or sisters after a new baby arrives. Cost $15 per child with a max of $30 per family. Call 1-800-945-7997. Trinity Medical Center, Room 202, 4343 N. Josey Ln. Carrollton, Tx 75010

22 Monday Allen/Mckinney Winter Basketball Skills Camp - 9:00 AM: Your child will learn shooting, passing, rebounding and defense playing skills. December 22, 23, 24, 26, Ages 6 -12 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Ages 13 -17 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. www.MMKLife.com Frisco Abrakadoodle Winter Art Camps at GattiTown! December 22 & 23rd: 9am-3pm. Are you looking for something fun & educational for the kids while they’re on winter break? GattiTown & Abrakadoodle have partnered together to bring you Winter Art Camps! Enjoy a day of art activities, games, and pizza. Come either day or enroll for both days and receive a discount. $75 for each class or $140 for both. Enroll Online at www.abrakadoodle.com/TX02.html.

29 Monday Allen/Mckinney Basketball Skills Camp at Lifetime Fitness - 9:00 AM: Your child will learn shooting, passing, rebounding and defense playing skills. December 29,30,31 and Jan 2 Ages 6 -12 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Ages 13 -17 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. www.MMKLife.com Frisco SAFE SITTER CLASSES - 9:00 AM: Centennial Medical Center will offer the Safe Sitter class on December 29th from 9 a.m. till 4 p.m. at a cost of $60.00 Registration can be completed online at, www.centennialmedcenter.com/CWS/FindAnEvent.aspx under Children’s tab, or by calling 800-330-3819. Plano Plano Public Libraries bring you Grand-Gaming A chance for grandparents and seniors to get their game on! Bring your grandchildren (or get help from one of our teen volunteers) and let them teach you all about cool new video games on Wii and Playstation. www.planolibrary.org Dates and times vary. Call your local branch or visit www.planolibrary.org.

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 Dallas Every Friday 6 - 10 Parents’ Night Out hosted by The Gymnastics Place. RSVP preferred, but walk-ins are welcome. Sibling discounts available. Check schedule for exact dates and times. www.thegymnasticsplace.com 972-248-2805 Dallas Outstanding family entertainment is abundant at Slappy’s Puppet Playhouse. Slappy’s Puppet Playhouse is on the third level of the Galleria Dallas next to Nordstrom’s and Children’s Play Place. www.slappysplayhouse.com Flower Mound Storytimes for babies through Grade 5 are offered at the Flower Mound Library. 3030 Broadmoor Ln, Flower Mound 75022. Visit the Town of Flower Mound Web Site for more information. Registration not required. 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. 972-874-9663 Flower Mound 972-874-8500 Highland Village for more information and reservations (Ages 3 - 11) 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). www.gattitownfrisco.com Frisco Wiggly Play Center weekdays - Daily Activities are at 11:00 am. Mondays - Arts & Crafts, Tues-

day - Hop with Henry, Wednesday - Story time, Thursday - Dancing with Dorothy, Friday - Wiggle with Wags. 4944 Preston Road, Suite 100 Frisco (469) 633-0676 www.wigglyplaycenter.com

Grapevine 1st Wednesday of each month 4:30 p.m. Rainforest Cafe is hosting the Grapevine Mills Mall Kids Club storytime. Bring your family and friends to enjoy some great stories and eat dinner at Rainforest Cafe for Family Night. Contact 972-539-5001 for more information. No reservation required. www.rainforestcafe.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 www.studiobtheater.info Irving JumpSTART Stories and Art. The Irving Arts Center and Irving Public Library now offer FREE family storytimes at the Arts Center on the first Thursday of every month (through December) at 10 a.m. Call (972) 252-7558 x221 for more info. Little Elm Storytimes, chess club, and family movie night are just some of the fun offered at Little Elm Library. Town Hall building at 100 W. Eldorado Pkwy 75068. Contact 214-975-0430 or visit www.littleelm.com for dates and times. McKinney Second Saturdays Downtown McKinney. ‘Second Saturdays’ is a celebration of the arts and the community with live entertainment, spirits, and food. Art Institute of McKinney is at 113 S Kentucky Street. 972-548-7830 7 PM - 10 PM www.artinstituteofmckinney.com Plano Story Times Plano Public Library System Schedules are available at any PPLS library or on our website www.planolibrary.org. Haggard Library, 2501 Coit Road. Princeton Groove Kids, Every Sun & Wed. Absolutely free to kids newborn thru 6th grade. 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) www.groovekids.com Richardson 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. Southlake Kids Night at Chick-fil-A Southlake. EveryTuesday evening, Chick-fil-A Southlake offers free kids activities & loads of fun! 5:30 - 7:30pm, 2301 E. Southlake Blvd., 817-481-7152 www.cfarestaurant.com/southlake/home Various Drama Kids International is designed to develop students speaking skills, presentation abilities, acting skills and confidence. We offer parent presentations, spring performances, spring break and summer camps and speech and drama trophies and awards. Visit our website www. dramakids.com or call 214.592.4066. Various Dallas / Fort Worth Cocker Spaniel Rescue Hosts special Meet & Greets scheduled in the area. All Saturday events at PETSMARTS ARE from 11 to 4 www.dfwcares.org Various REGISTER TODAY for Kids First Ice Hockey Program. A totally FREE, get-acquainted program that offers boys and girls, ages 4-8, the opportunity to ‘try’ the game of hockey at NO CHARGE. (214) GO SKATE www.drpepperstarcenter.com

North Texas Kids • December 2008 • www.NorthTexasKids.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! 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 www. baylorhealth.edu/

Support Groups

Allen MOMS CLUB OF SE ALLEN - Are you a SAHM? We offer Playgroups, MNO’s, Monthly meetings and load of activities for you and your child. www.allenmoms.com Allen MOMS club of Allen - West. Weekly playgroups and events. Contact Michelle Suastegui at 214-383-3517 or email 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 www.aecpta.com Allen We are the MOMS Offering Moms Support Northeast Allen MOMS Club - Christy Youens at 469-675-6652 email momscluballenne@yahoo.com Arlington MOMS Club of North Central Arlington Open House - Are you a SAHM living in Arlington between I-30 and Pioneer Pkwy? We offer activities for moms, kids, and families. E-mail: support.mom@hotmail.com or call Emily at (817)276-2589 www.momsclub.org 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.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: groups.yahoo.com/group/ascc2/join.Visit www.autism-ascc.org or call 214-925-2722 Collin County The Collin County Moms Meetup group is a fun, down-to-earth group of moms dedicated to friendship and support. moms.meetup.com/994/ Coppell/Valley Ranch The Coppell/Valley Ranch Early Childhood PTA (C/VR ECPTA) is a non-profit support organization for parents of infants and children age 5 and under. To find out more visit our website at www.cvrecpta.org. Contact Info: Deby 214-234-8290 www.cvrecpta.org 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

Denton The Denton Area Mothers of Multiples (DAMOM) is a support group located in North Texas for anyone who has, or is, expecting twins, triplets, quads or more! damoms.clubspaces. com/Default_css.aspx

McKinney MOMS (Moms Offering Moms Support) Club of McKinney East. For more info, e-mail momsmckinneyeast@yahoo.com and check out the International MOMS Club website at www.momsclub.org. momsmckinneyeast@yahoo.com

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

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. www.academicsplus.com

Farmers Branch My Place - We have early intervention play & communication group classes on Mondays Thursdays (please contact us for times). North Texas Therapy & Associates (972) 385-0006. 14580 E. Beltwood Parkway; Farmers Branch 75244 www.northdallasspeech.com

Murphy/Sachse MOMS Club of Murphy/Sachse if a non-profit support group for at home mothers living in the cities of Murphy/Sachse Texas. Contact us at murphy_sachse_moms@yahoo.com for additional information.

Frisco Frisco Cares Children’s Clinic is a low-cost health clinic for uninsured children, 18 and younger, living in or attending school in Frisco, Celina or Prosper. www.friscocares.org 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 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. www.earlychildhoodpta.com Lewisville Greater Lewisville Mothers & More is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of mothers through support, education, and advocacy. Visit www.mothersnmore.com or call 1-888-535-7118. Lewisville The Greater Lewisville Special Education PTSA is an organization for parents, loved ones, and educators of children of all ages with special needs in the Greater Lewisville Area. Visit us online at www.lisdseptsa.txpta.org or call (469) 293-6343 for more information. Little Elm Little Elm Epilepsy Support Group. The Little Elm Epilepsy Support Group meets on the 2nd Thursday of every month from 7:00-8:00pm at the Little Elm Public Library. Contact our facilitator, Tracy O’Mara at 972-987-4010. Little Elm 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. McKinney DivorceCare and DivorceCare 4 Kids are programs offered regularly at McKinney Fellowship Bible Church. The church website is www.mcfbc.org

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. info@momsclubofdallas.org

McKinney MOMS (Moms Offering Moms Support) Club of McKinney Central. Visit us at www.geocities. com/mckinneymoms.com or contact us at mckinneymoms@yahoo.com www.geocities.com/ mckinneymoms

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. www.fndecpta.txpta.org

McKinney La Leche League of McKinney. Meetings are held 3rd Thursdays at 5871 W Virginia Pkwy, 10:15am to 12pm. Dee Dee 972-838-9135, Holly 214-385-0063 or Ricki 214-684-3966. www.lllusa. org/web/McKinneyTX.html

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

North Coppell MOMs Club of Coppell - NORTH (boundaries are north of Sandy Lake to 121). Please call us at 866.841.9139 ext. 3555 or send us an email at momsclubofcoppell@onebox.com. Check out our Web site at www.momsclubofcoppell.org 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. www.mochamomsnorthdallas.com North Richland Hills Asperger’s Support Meeting. 1st Wednesday of each month from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. 817-849-1122 www.featnt.org 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. 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. For more contact Alinda Ford at: parent_connections@verizon.net www.spdnetwork.org/parentconnection/us.html

Legacy just west of Coit. For more information contact 214-473-4144. 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 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. 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. 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, www.lllusa.org/web/RichardsonTX.html Richardson Post Partum Depression Support Group. Nonprofit group Dallas Association for Parent Education will hold a free, monthly Post Partum Depression Support Group at their office in Richardson. For more info call the DAPE office at 972-699-0420, Mon. - Fri., 9am - 3pm. dallasparents@hotmail.com www.dallasparents.org Various RISE was organized “To help persons with physical challenges gain independence through a learning experience in adaptive outdoor adventures and sporting programs.” Visit www. riseadventures.org or contact Joel Hendrix at jhendrix@riseadventures.org 469-762-5075

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.

Wylie Moms & More: Be you a Mom, Dad, Aunt, Uncle, Grandparent or Nanny, we welcome all caregivers from Wylie and the surrounding communities. For more information and directions, please contact our Membership Chair, Grady at 972-941-8597 or visit our website www.wyliemomsandmore.org.

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. www.aauwplanocc.org

Submitting Events All events must be submitted online at www.northtexaskids.com. Click on the submissions button and follow instructions. Please keep entries short and to the point.

Plano CHILD & FAMILY Guidance Center. Contact our Plano Office at 4030 West Plano Parkway, Ste. 211. 972.612.5989 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 Plano 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. www.kiwanis.org/club/plano 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, 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

Here’s to many, many, fun activities in 2009!!

Index of Advertisers 911 Sitters

J’s Art Studio

Rainforest Cafe

A & J Hair Designs

Jersey Mike’s

Revelation Dance

A Child Safe Home 19

Jump Town

Rich Educational Consulting

A Therapy Connection

Jump Zone

Rockwall Indoor Sports Expo

2, 21

K12 – Texas Virtual Academy

Simply Pretend

19, 25

KidsCook.tv

Slappy’s Playhouse

Adventure Kids Playcare Aqua Fit Swim & Wellness

13 25, 43

Art A Rama

Learning RX

Smashing Times

11, 24

Babies R Us

Let’s Pretend

SoccerTots

Behavioral Innovations

Lil’ Trax Sports Academy (PSA)

Spanish Schoolhouse

Boomerangs

Lorie Burch, Attorney

Spectacular Cakes

Bright Women

Made of Sugar & Spice

Speech TX

C & R Medical

Maid Brigade

Spicar’s Martial Arts

Carvel Ice Cream

Mary Kay Cosmetics

SS Noah

Child Play Music

Matanas Gifts

State Farm Insurance-Ann Dunham

Children’s Home Healthcare

Matco Services

Children’s Medical Center

Maxim Healthcare Services

Strikz

Custom Sports Products

McDonald’s - O’Reillys

21, 43

Stroller Fit Dallas

Dallas Kids Expo

Minette Riordan, Ph.D

Susan Mehdizadeh

DigiKids

MMKLife.com

Sweet & Sassy

Dr Pepper StarCenter

Monkey Business

Teasserts

Drama Kids International

Museum of Nature & Science

The Artist Within

Eagle Gymnastics

Music Together

26, 37

The Gymnastics Place

Eagle Martial Arts

NexGym

The Ice at Stonebriar

Ellen’s Nanny Agency

Noah’s Ark Animal Workshop

The Painted Pottery

ER Centers of America

Paige’s Swim School

The Purple Cow

Evelyn’s Janitorial

Pee Wee Picasso

The Reading Ranch

For those About To Rock School

Peppermint Baby Boutique

The Trains at North Park

Frinj

Planet Pizza

The Wiggly Play Center

Frisco Athletic Network

Plano Baseball Association

Therapy 2000

State Farm Insurance-RD Kincannon 26

Greater Lewisville Area Soccer Assoc. 33

Planting Seeds Christian Counseling 28

T-shirt Tutus

Gotta Dance

Plano Sports Authority

Ultimate Body

Gray School of Music

Princess & Pirates Dress Up Parties

US Toy Company

Healthy Texan Pediatrics

Prosper Party Place

Velocity Sports

I Heart Yogurt

Pump It Up Jr.

Words R Me

It’s a Sensory World

Radio Disney

Work at Home United

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 • December 2008 • www.NorthTexasKids.com

Plano’s Favorite Place to Celebrate!

• Huge Slides • Obstacle Course • Gigantic Moonwalks • Sports Challenge • Inﬂatable Rock Wall • Private Party Rooms • Weekday Open Jump

Special Offer $25 Off

Town Party Package Reservation $50 non-refundable deposit required for all reservations.

Great Stocking Stuffer!

Jump Passes! TEEN NIGHT EVERY FRIDAY

Ages 11-15 / 8pm - 11pm Cost is $10, $5 extra for pizza / drink

Call us for daycare, church and fundraising specials. Park

★

15th St.

Seaseon’s Greetings!!

Plano Pkwy.

Custer

3045 W. 15th St. Plano, TX 75075

Coit

972-867-JUMP(5867)

Independence

www.thejumptown.com

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

Join the hottest dance classes in town!

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Try a class for free today!

+ tax

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for up to 10 children $6.10 for each additional child

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FWhjo _dYbkZ[i0 Happy Meal , Cake, Ice Cream, Decorations, ®

Party Favors, a Host or Hostess and a Gift for the Birthday Child.

Je cWa[ h[i[hlWj_edi0 Visit www.OreillyMCD.com or call our birthday party hotline at 972.985.9285.

Dem 7lW_bWXb[ - ZWoi W m[[a De Z[fei_j h[gk_h[Z$ Locally owned and operated by Chuck and Julie O’Reilly

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

972-596-1400 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

Clas s age es for a Ask About s fro ll m adu 5 to Our Sibling lt. Discount

25% Discount 1st month’s tuition

Limit one coupon per student

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

Take the 1st step in preparing for baby… Register with Babies”R”Us! From our trained team of Registry & Product Specialists to our huge selection of the best & most innovative brands, we’re 100% dedicated to you & your baby. You see, we’re all about getting you ready for your new arrival. So be sure to sign up for our Free Seminars, too… where you’ll learn about daily baby care, safety & more. With so much to offer… it’s no surprise that we’re the top choice of moms everywhere!

Visit any of our Dallas/Fort Worth locations: Addison (972) 247-4229 • Arlington (817) 784-2229 • Hulen (817) 423-8829 • Hurst (817) 595-2189 • Lewisville (972) 459-9333 Mesquite (972) 682-1450 • Plano (972) 735-1229 For the nearest location, visit us at Babiesrus.com or call 1-888-BABYRUS.