MAY 2017 3
Contents Summer 2017
46
features
features 30
A Festive Mess
32
8 Fun Birthday Party Locations
34
Birthday Party Ideas
40
Disney Springs® Hotels
7
Camp Fair Thank You
12
20 Great Book Series
14
Toy Ideas To Help With Summer Brain Drain
16
11 Things Every Child Should Do This Summer
18
7 Easy, Cheap, Summer Water Activities
20
Patriotic Crafts & Activities
22
Weather Woes
24
The Players Championship
every issue
26
Father’s Day: 11 Do-It-Yourself Ideas
35
Fashion: Surf’s Up!
28
Kids in the Kitchen
41
Summer Reading Events
departments health
10 39
On the Cover
Brayden Photo by
Healthy Start: New Baby for Father’s Day? Healthy Start: Keeping Young Children Safe in the Summer Months
Next Issue: August Back to School Edition Plus: Back to School Shopping, Immunizations Special Directories: After School Sports & Activities
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www.StJohnsParent.com (386) 437-0300
Reader Services Calendar Submissions: We publish information about family events within and surrounding our county. We would love to hear from you! If you have a family event, fundraiser or childrens activity/program please send your information to editor@bradymediainc.com Deadline for submitting information is approximately one month prior to the month in which the event will occur. Subscriptions We now have subscription service direct to your home. We are offering these services for only $10 per year for 11 issues of Flagler Parent Magazine. You can also subscribe for FREE to our digital edition for your iPad, iPhone, NOOK, Kindle Fire, or Android Device. Visit our website www.bradymediainc.com and click SUBSCRIBE. Feedback: We Welcome Your Feedback & Thoughts. In our continuous effort to improve our publications, we look forward to your thoughts, questions and feedback on how we can better tailor information to your families needs. Please feel free to send me an email at Charlie@bradymediainc.com.
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with
What’s New in Print & Online
St. Johns Parent
Florida Baby - Fall 2017 A special section that caters to pregnancy, birth, babies, and toddlers, showcasing products, services and ideas for young families. Publishing September 2017 Advertising Deadline: August 1st
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Thank you to all of our Sponsors & Exhibitors for making the Camp Fair & Summer Vacation Expo Events a great success! Please support our advertisers by checking out what they have to offer this summer for your children.. Blue Jay Academy 960 Rooster Road South Daytona FL 32119 386-868-1979 Camp Weed 11057 Camp Weed Place Live Oak, FL 32060 386-364-5250 Camp Winona 898 Camp Winona DeLeon Springs, Florida 32130 www.campwinona.org Daytona Tortugas 105 East Orange Ave Daytona Beach FL 32114 386-257-3172 Flagler Beach Junior Lifeguards 105 S Second Street Flagler Beach FL 32136 386-517-2000 www.cityofflaglerbeach.com Flagler Board Shack 211 South 3rd Street Flagler Beach FL 32136 386-439-0055 www.flaglerboardshack.com Flagler School of Dance (Marvins Gardens) 4601 E Moody Blvd, Ste I6 Bunnell, FL 32110 386-437-2067 Gerling Travel 301 S Central Avenue Flagler Beach, FL 32136 386-439-6900 www.gerlingtravel.com Halifax Humane Society 2364 LPGA Blvd Daytona Beach FL 32124 386-274-4703
Kumon Learning Center 160 Cypress Point Parkway Suite A-206 Palm Coast, Florida 32137 386-597-2855
Stetson University STEAM Society 421 N Woodland Blvd. DeLand FL 32723 260-433-0833 www.steamsociety.com
Marineland Dolphin Adventure 9600 North Ocean Shore Blvd. St Augustine, Florida 32080 904-471-1111 www.marineland.net
3 N Motion Dance Studio 515 Palm Coast Parkway SW Palm Coast Florida 32137 386-597-6300
Montgomery Presbyterian Camp 88 SE 75th Street Starke, Florida 322091 352-473-4516 www.montgomerycenter.org Paks Karate 2323 N State Road Bunnell, Florida 32110 386-868-6490 Palm Harbor Academy 95 Old Kings Road Palm Coast Florida 32137 386-447-9692 pc4 Palm Coast Community Child Center 1 Pine Lakes Pkwy N Palm Coast FL 32137 386-246-9181 www.mypc3.com Roma Court Academy 515 Palm Coast Parkway SW Palm Coast FL 32137 386-445-0834 www.romacourtacademy.com Skyzone Trampoline Park 1300 W International Speedway Blvd #105 Daytona Beach FL 32114 386-682-2020
Villaris Martial Arts 515 Palm Coast Parkway SW Palm Coast Florida 32137 386-672-4545 Vincents Clubhouse Palm Coast FL 32164 386-585-0926 www.vincentsclubhouse.org Volusia Flagler YMCA 761 E International Speedway Deland FL 32724 386- 738-9622 www.vfymca.org Zoom Air / Central FL Zoo 3755 US 17 Sanford FL 32771 407-330-0767 Non Camp Exhibitors: Bathfitters 1161 15th Street Holly Hill, Florida 32169 386-255-2525 www.bathfitter.com Daytona Beach News Journal Circulation 901 6th Street Daytona Beach, FL 32117 www.news-journalonline.com Lularoe Fashion Christal Casanova 954-892-0488
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Parent to Parent Publisher / Editor
Charlene Michaux charlie@bradymediainc.com 386-547-0161
Associate Editor
Deb Wind 386-299-6684 debwind@bradymediainc.com
Graphic Artist Charlene Michaux Publisher/Editor charlie@bradymediainc.com Hello Parents! Yay! It’s Summer Vacation Time! My childhood memories of family vacations are great! Most of our mini-vacations were spent traveling through the great state of Texas, where I spent the majority of my childhood, for parades and motorcycle drill competitions. We lived in Dallas but traveled as far as ElPaso with other trips including San Antonio, Austin, Houston, New Branfals and Naca(nowhere). My dad wasn’t the typical biker you would see at Bike Week in Daytona, he belonged to a competitive Drill Team called the Hella Cavaliers. The Hella Cavaliers is a Shriner’s motorcycle unit from Garland Texas. As Shriners, they support the Shrine Hospitals throughout the United States. I thought this would be an appropriate time to mention this since their Imperial Session is coming to Daytona Beach this July 9-17th. Be sure and check out their schedule on facebook, the big parade is July 11th! It’s a great family fun event. I’ve alwasys be proud that my dad was a part of such a worthy cause. I hope some of you made it out to our two annual camp expos this Spring. We had a wonderful turn out in Flagler Beach, where parents visited with several camp vendors, and not only got to catch the movie RV but were also able to tour RV’s onsite from Great Recreation World. Then the next Sunday, another round of camp vendors joined us for the 8th Annual Camp Fair & Summer Planning Expo inside of SkyZone Trampoline Park, where the kids had a great time “flying” through the sky! We’d like to thank all of our vendors, sponsors and attendees for making these events the great success they were. We had a great time, and hope that you did too. Please continue to support our vendors, we have a complete list in this months issue with their contact information. If some of you last minute parents are looking for your summer vacations, we have a few suggestions for family resorts this month if you’re heading to Disney and beyond. We’ve also included 99 Ideas for Summer Fun on page 12. We’d like to say, “Happy Father’s Day!” to all our dad readers out there! We invite you to share you photos with us on social media! As always, thank you for your readership and support. Please support our advertisers, be sure to mention you saw their ad in Parent Magazine!
Charlie 8 SUMMER 2017
Stephen Savidge
Photography
Marina Pierre 386-283-8005 marina@marinas-photography.com
Advertising Consultant
Megan Rizzo 3860931-6684 megan@bradymediainc.com Flagler Parent, Volusia Parent, and St. Johns Parent Magazines are published by Brady Media, Inc. and are copyrighted 2008. Brady Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission from Brady Media, Inc. is prohibited. Flagler Parent and Volusia Parent reserve the right to reject advertisements or listings that are not in keeping with the publication’s satndard. Submissions are welcome, but the publisher assumes no responsibility for the return of unsolicited materials. Flagler Parent and Volusia Parent do not endorse or assume responsibility for information, products, services or statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. The Flagler County or Volusia County School Boards are not affiliated with these publications in any manner, nor do they endorse ro assume any responsibility for any of the information or advertisements contained in therein.
Brady Media, Inc. 800 Belle Terre Parkway Ste. 200-207 Palm Coast, FL 32164 (386) 437-0300 Office (386) 246-2950 Fax www.BradyMediaInc.com Proud Member of
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H
aving a new baby changes everything! There are so many things to think about with a new child and so many new considerations and responsibilities. It can be an exciting time for the entire family. It can also be a time of added stress and worry and in some cases, men can experience depression. Studies have shown that depression scores among new fathers increased significantly during the first five years of their children’s lives. As a matter of fact, according to Will Courtenay, PhD, LCSW, “one in four fathers in the United States become depressed” – which amounts to 3,000 dads who become depressed each day. It’s normal for dads to need help as they enter fatherhood.
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So Why Does It Happen and What Are the Symptoms? Many people do not know that men’s hormones change during and after pregnancy like a woman’s do. Testosterone levels decrease and estrogen levels increase, which, coupled with the lack of sleep that having a new baby can cause, neurochemical changes occur. Other factors such as family history of depression, relationship stress, new financial demands, and other life stressors can be very hard on new dads. Men are expected to be involved in parenting their children like never before, but most dads report feeling unprepared. They may not know what to expect or how to help their partner. Uncertainty can lead to anxiety and eventually depression.
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20 Great Book Series
to Keep Kids Reading All Summer Long Five Titles in Four Age Groups Summer reading conjures up images of kids relaxing while leisurely turning the pages of a book. And there is good reason for parents to encourage them to read, as research has shown that children who read four or more books over the summer do better on reading comprehension tests when they go back to school in the fall. But what can you do if your child is reluctant to pick up a book? The answer may be to put the first book in a series into their hands. A beloved series is likely to encourage kids to keep reading because they want to know what happens next to the characters in the story. Sarah Mlynowski, author of the popular series Whatever After, remembers that feeling from her own childhood, when she would rush to buy the latest installment of her favorites, The Baby-Sitters Cluband Sweet Valley High. She thought of the characters in those stories as friends she wanted to spend time with. Teachers
Picture Books and Beginners - Ages 3 to 7 Arthur Adventures by Marc Brown
are on board with promoting series reading too, as those types of books encourage kids to gain a deeper understanding of characters and themes by tracing them across multiple titles, a skill that comes in handy in the classroom. Plus, when you find a good fit with a series for your child, it may just lead to another. Kathleen Marsh, who manages the children’s collection at Anderson’s Bookshop in Downers Grove, Illinois, says she’s had success transitioning reluctant readers from fact-based almanacs like Ripley’s Believe It or Not For Kids and National Geographic Kids Weird but Truebooks to Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales graphic novels. Even better, many great series for kids are widely available at libraries and bookstores, making it easy to encourage binge reading. Check out this list for ideas on where to start. Each series listed has a least four titles, except books for teens, which feature three or more titles.
Early Readers - Ages 6 to 8 Who Am I by various authors
Henry and Mudge by Cynthia Rylant
Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osborne and Natalie Pope Boyce
The Berenstain Bears by Stan Berenstain and Jan Berenstain
Ivy + Bean by Annie Barrows
If You Give a Mouse by Laura Numeroff
Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey
Pete the Cat by Eric Litwin and James Dean
The Spiderwick Chronicles by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi
Middle Grade Readers - Ages 9 to 13
Whatever After by Sarah Mlynowski Redwall by Brian Jacques Middle School by James Patterson Bone by Jeff Smith
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Young Adult Readers - Ages 14 + Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld Divergent by Veronica Roth Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor The Unknown Assassin by Allen Zadoff Stoker and Holmes novels by Colleen Gleeson
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Toy Ideas to help with
summer brain drain
Summer vacation is almost here, and with the sun and rest comes the inevitable “brain drain.” Help your little ones maintain the skills they worked so hard to learn this year with these fun and educational toys and games. Their teacher next year will thank you! Hot Dots Jr.
With the Hot Dots Jr. Succeeding in School with Highlights Set from Educational Insights, children can practice the skills they need to succeed in kindergarten and first grade! This interactive and multi-subject set reinforces the fundamentals and prepare kids for success. Set includes skill specific lessons, a parent guide, and Ollie—the Talking, Teaching Owl™ pen that provides silly sounds, lights, and encouraging feedback little ones love. For ages 5-6 years. MSRP: $39.99. Available online at www.Amazon.com
ABC Magnetic Game With the new Magnetic Game Box ABC Expedition and Magnetic Game Box 1,2 Numbers and You from HABA USA, children are introduced to the worlds of letters and writing or numbers and mathematics through these cheerful arranging games. Plus, the handy cardboard carrying case and magnetic pieces make these sets ideal for learning on the go! For ages 3 years+. MSRP: $19.99/ each. COMING SOON to www.HABAusa.com
Alphabet Acorns Learning letters is as easy as A,B,C with the NEW Alphabet Acorns Activity Set from Learning Resources. This fun and challenging matching game gives children multiple ways to learn and play. Colors correspond to letters, and little learners can even practice making words, learning their ABCs, beginning sounds, and more! For ages 3 years+. MSRP: $29.99. Available online at www.Amazon.com
Playfoam Shape & Alphabet Set Little ones can practice making letters and more with this all-NEW Playfoam® Shape & Learn Alphabet Set from Educational Insights, featuring 8 colored Playfoam bricks and 13 double-sided cards for learning letters. Kiddos can place their squishy, squashy Playfoam on top of the letter card to practice molding the letter shapes for alphabet mastery. Make learning last with no-mess, non-stick Playfoam that never dries out! For ages 3 years+. MSRP: $12.99. Available online at www.Amazon.com
All Ready for Kindergarten Set Preparing for school doesn’t have to be a chore with the All Ready for Kindergarten set from Learning Resources. This kit includes kindergarten essentials conveniently bundled in a sturdy carrying case for learning at home or on the go. The Parent Guide is easy-to-follow to help parents ease children into grade-appropriate subjects through engaging activities and games that progressively get more difficult. For ages 4 years+. MSRP: $29.99.
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11 Things Every Child Should Do This Summer
by Christa Melnyk Hines
The lure of slowing down over summer sounded idyllic in the whir of hectic school schedules, but what do you do if your child is already singing the summertime boredom blues? Try filling his dance card with this head-spinning assortment of creative, educational and exhilarating activities. Not only will you fight off boredom, you’ll create plenty of new memories while relaxing, playing and learning together as a family!
1 Tend a Garden Together with your child cultivate containers of herbs, tomatoes or peppers. Take a digital photo each day to track the progress of the plant’s growth. Have your child put the photos in order in a journal and write down any observations. Together, prepare a meal using your child’s homegrown produce.
2 Sleep Outdoors Chris Starnes, a mom of three, says her family loves to camp. They look forward to hiking, biking and swimming and a break from electronics. Want to take your family? Starnes suggests downloading a camping checklist from the internet and reserving a site at a state park. “State parks are cleaner and well-patrolled and there are usually activities for the kids at some point during the day or weekend,” she says. “Go where there is a playground. And, don’t camp too far from restrooms - think evening or middle of the night trips!”
3 Stare at the Stars On a clear night, direct your family’s gaze toward the heavens. Try identifying a few of the 88 different constellations, many of which are named after mythological men, women and animals. Is your child interested in learning more about the characters dotting the celestial night sky? Read D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths by Ingri and Edgar Parin D’Aulaire. 16 SUMMER 2017
4 Build and Fly a Kite “The experience never fails to fill adults and kids with wonder every time they fly a kite,” says Sean Beaver, a kite enthusiast and father of two. Kite flying is an inexpensive and relaxing activity. Check out the American Kite Association website, aka.kite.org, which provides educational resources, including the history of kites and the science and math behind kite flying.
5 Pick Berries Bring summer home in a bucket of berries. Check out pickyourown.org to find a farm near you. Celebrate the fruits of your labor by baking muffins or enjoying berries over homemade ice cream!
6 Go Local Area farmer’s markets offer an assortment of colorful, seasonal produce. There’s no better time to taste locally grown foods and experiment with new wholesome recipes in the kitchen with your child.
7 Cook Up a Story Recipes help kids practice math and reading skills, but also try giving cooking a literary twist that will delight even preschoolers. Read a book like If You Give a Pig a Pancake by Laura Joffe Numeroff and make pancakes together. An older childwho likes The Little House on the Prairie series, might enjoy The Little House Cookbook: Frontier Foods from Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Classic Stories by Barbara M. Walker. Got a Star Wars fan? Check out the Star Wars
Cookbook: Wookie Cookies and Other Galactic Recipes by Robin Davis.
8 Tour a Working Farm Show your child how foods make it to grocery store shelves by touring a local farm or dairy. Many places offer tours by appointment and schedule themed events.
9 Chase Fireflies Fireflies like grassy, humid areas near ponds and lakes, as well as treed areas and fields, away from urban lights. To attract fireflies to your garden or yard try turning off your home’s exterior lights. If you capture any fireflies, put them in a ventilated jar with a wet paper towel to keep the jar humid and allow the fireflies to breathe. Due to light pollution and insecticides, firefly populations have decreased. Be sure and let them go after you’re done admiring their flashing lights.
10 Birdwatch Learning about birds local to the area helps children appreciate and build interest in their natural surroundings. Purchase or make a bird feeder to attract birds to your backyard. Use a local bird guide and listen for different bird song to try and identify the birds visiting your yard.
11 Plan Hometown Field Trips New experiences help kids learn, grow and feel a connection to their community. Check out the multitude of museums on topics that might interest your child and explore historical landmarks.
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7 Easy, Cheap, Summer Water Activities for Kids In the dog days of summer, kids love to cool off by playing in water, but they get tired of the same old sprinkler or kiddie pool. Here are eight easy and inexpensive DIY outdoor activities to keep kids of all ages both occupied and cool! Soda Bottle Sprinkler: Turn a two-liter soda bottle into a sprinkler! Take a clean, two-liter plastic bottle and drill holes all over the sides of the bottle using a handheld drill. You can use a smaller bit and drill lots of tiny holes, or use a larger bit and drill fewer holes. Next, attach a hose connector to the end of a garden hose. Attach the bottle to the hose by screwing it into the connector. Turn on the hose and let the kids play! This sprinkler is fun just laying on the grass, or toss the hose with the attached sprinkler over the swingset or a tree branch to make a “shower.”
Liquid Chalk Paint: For outdoor art that is a step above sidewalk chalk, try making your own liquid chalk paint. First, purchase jumbo-sized washable chalk from your local dollar store. Now you will need to break up the chalk into a powder. This can be accom18 SUMMER 2017
plished by either putting the chalk into a sealed plastic bag and pulverizing the chalk with a hammer, or “grate” the chalk using the smallest holes of a cheese grater. Add the powdered chalk to a food storage container, and mix in water. About
one-half cup of water per jumbo size piece of chalk makes a nice consistency. You will have a few chunks, but the mixture should be mostly liquified. Repeat the process with different colored chalk until you have several different colors of chalk paint, each in it’s own container. Give the kids paint brushes and let them paint the fence, concrete porch, or sidewalk, then turn the hose on their creation to wash it away and begin again.
Colored Ice Cubes:
Squirt Gun Target Practice: When the kids get tired of squirting each other, set up targets for them to aim at! One way is to simply draw targets with washable sidewalk chalk onto a fence. Draw several circles, starting with a small “bullseye” in the center, then add three or four more circles around the bullseye, each one bigger than the last. Assign each circle a point value and let the kids compete to see who can hit the most points! Plastic disposable drinking cups also make great targets. Line up plastic cups side-by-side onto a deck railing or stack upside down into a pyramid shape and shoot away!
This is a great one for toddlers. Take an ice cube tray and add several drops of food coloring to the bottom of each section of the tray, and then fill the entire ice cube tray with water. Once the cubes are frozen, dump the colored ice out into a baby pool or plastic bowl filled with water. Toddlers will enjoy playing with the colored ice, and watching it melt and turn the water pretty colors. Since the water is tinted with food coloring, ice cubes will be safe to nibble on. Of course, parents should always closely supervise children when near any water!
Water Pinata: Let the kids release some pent-up energy and cool off with a pinata filled with water! Take a plastic grocery sack and fill about halfway with water. Using the handles of the bag, tie the water- filled bag over a tree branch. The bag doesn’t need to be sealed. Let the kids hit the water bag with tennis rackets, plastic bats or a cardboard wrapping paper tube. What a great way to recycle those plastic grocery bags! These water pinatas won’t last long, but getting wet is the point of this activity, so who cares?
Ice Excavation: Freeze plastic toys into a blocks of ice for kids to excavate! To prepare this activity, fill plastic cups or small food storage containers about two-thirds full with water, and then drop one or two small toys into each container. Freeze each filled container until the water is a solid block of ice, then remove the ice block and place outside in a large plastic bowl or metal baking dish. Now, let the kids figure out how to get the toys out of the ice. Offer options such as squirt guns filled with warm water, salt, or cups of warm water. Older kids can chip away at the ice with metal forks or butter knives. For a fun twist, try tinting the water blue with food color and using ocean-themed toys, or pair green water with tiny dinosaur toys.
Water Race Track or Lazy River: Kids love to watch stuff float down a stream! Here are two ways to create a mini river or water race track. For a race track, purchase a short length of a gutter (the kind on roofs) from your local home improvement store. Set the gutter up against the seat of a lawn chair in the backyard so that the gutter slopes down to the ground. Place a garden hose at the top of the gutter and turn on the water. Kids can float leaves, dandelions, bathtub toys down the waterway. You can even set up two “tracks” side-by-side and hold a race! Or, make a lazier river by shaping aluminum foil into a gutter shape and put directly on the grass in a place where the ground slopes gently. You can use the hose to create the waterway, or let the kids pour water down your river with a cup or bucket. SUMMER 2017 19
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here is to get the child to pair or associate weather sounds with frequently occurring activities that are not anxiety provoking,” Christophersen says. Download free weather sounds to your laptop or smartphone, like “Sleepmaker Rain.” (For additional ideas, see the sidebar.)
Teach Weather 101
Weather Woes:
Managing a Child’s Fear of Storms Christa Melnyk Hines
With tornado sirens howling, thunder crashing and lightening forking out of dark clouds, most anyone might feel a mixture of unease and awe with nature’s dramatic display. Many families, however, would prefer to skip the show given the emotional havoc that storms wreak on their kids. DeTonya Childress says her daughter Alexia, 9, becomes frantic during severe weather. Alexia’s fear manifests as tears and quickly progresses to pleas for an immediate retreat to the basement. “Tornadoes and thunderstorms are the worst,” Childress says. “When Alexia was 3-years-old, she decided to sleep in her own bed during a storm. The first crack of thunder led her back to my bedroom, crying all the way. (Now) once in my room, she begins to pray.” If volatile weather sparks a crushing wave of panic in your child, calm storm preparation, soothing relaxation techniques and a dash of Weather 101 may help ease her fears.
Build calm before the storm “The most important thing that parents can do is prepare their children for severe weather way before it happens,” says Dr. Edward Christophersen, a pediatric psychologist. “Parents need to be cognizant that their behavior directly influences their child’s behavior. So, parents should very calmly practice their threatening weather procedures.” Create a severe weather plan with your family. Designate a safe area in your home, preferably a basement, or a bathroom or closet in the middle of the house on the lowest level. Store a storm safety kit in your safe area that includes a battery-powered weather radio, flashlight, blankets, a pair of leather 22 SUMMER 2017
gloves and safety whistles. With storm season imminent, take a few minutes several times a week to conduct family storm drills. Set up a small table in your basement for you and your family to engage in a familiar and relaxing activity like a board or card game. When threatening weather happens, calmly follow the plan you and your family practiced.
Practice relaxation techniques Play weather sounds for your child while you’re relaxing together, playing a game, eating dinner or while she’s doing homework. Begin with very gentle sounds like a light rain and slowly progress to more serious rain and thunderstorms. “The rationale
Throughout the year, meteorologist Gary Lezak facilitates weather presentations at schools with his canine partner Stormy the Weather Dog. It’s not unusual for Lezak to encounter children who fear thunderstorms and tornadoes. He finds that explaining the sporadic nature of tornadoes and how storms work can ease some of their worries. Lezak teaches students to track the movement of a storm. He explains that after lightening flashes they can count “one-one-thousand, twoone-thousand” and so on until they hear thunder. “Every five seconds is one mile because sound travels much slower than light,” he says. He encourages the kids to stay inside and play the game during a thunderstorm to see if the storm is moving closer or farther away.
When to seek help Children commonly experience specific fears or phobias, but typically phobias wane as kids grow older. If your child’s phobia lasts more than six months and impairs her ability to participate in daily activities, find an experienced anxiety disorder therapist with supervised clinical experience in treating phobia. Christophersen says a reputable therapist will likely conduct a standardized anxiety screening. Avoid therapists who want to start therapy by giving your child an IQ test.
Free Weather Sounds Sleep Maker Rain (iTunes) Relax Rain (Android) ThunderStorm & Weather Sounds (Android) Rain, Rain Sleep Sounds (iTunes and Android) “Rain and thunder storm - an hour of relaxing noise for your ears” YouTube.com
Tips to Prevent Weather Anxiety During a gentle, non-electrical rain, grab an umbrella and head outside with your youn-gster. Discuss how the rain helps give the grass a drink. If you have an infant, stand under your garage or porch and put her hand out into the rain to feel the rain drops. Avoid anxiety-provoking behaviors like nervous pacing or anxious hovering around the weather radio or TV. Seek professional help if you are unable to cope during a storm.
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THE PLAYERS Championship: A Family-Friendly Event by Kara Pound
When my seven-year-old daughter and I were invited to THE PLAYERS Championship, it seemed like an overwhelming adventure. But I figured that since we survived 12 straight hours at Disney World together, this would be manageable. Not only did we have a great time, I was floored at how family-friendly and kid-centric the event was. Held each spring since 1974, THE PLAYERS Championship (known simply as TPC) is held at the TPC at Sawgrass Stadium Course in Ponte Vedra Beach. It’s considered the unofficial “fifth major” on the PGA Tour due to its prestige and brings an annual average of 200,000 spectators. Seeing as this was our first time going to TPC, I started preparing days ahead of time. I downloaded the official app, checked the weather and memorized the list of prohibited and acceptable items to bring. This was our first golf tournament and I wanted to have my act together. 24 SUMMER 2017
Saturday, May 13th called for rain. Most parents would have been bummed, but my daughter, Honora, has albinism (she’s albino). Sunny conditions mean that she constantly needs sunscreen applied and reapplied and her eyes are incredibly sensitive to bright light. We packed raincoats, put on sneakers and considered ourselves lucky. A friend suggested that we get to the tournament in the morning to avoid traffic jams. We arrived around 9:30 a.m. via A1A to CR 210 and with the help of our Preferred Parking pass, parked just a few minutes from the Nicklaus Gate. Saturday’s Charity of the Day was St. Vincent’s HealthCare Foundation, which meant that volunteers stood at the entrance and handed out mini personal fans with their logo emblazoned on them. This made Honora very happy. The day was off to a good start. Most people hear “golf tournament”
and think that admission is going to cost an arm and a leg. Sure, there are VIP options where you can spend upwards of thousands of dollars, but a standard Stadium Pass ranges from $25 to $70 and youth 18 and younger are admitted free when accompanied by a ticketed adult. If you consider that the cost of going to see a movie for two adults and two children is around $40, going to TPC is not much more. Once we got through the gate, we were immediately greeted by the Kid Zone featuring face painting, arts and crafts, a miniature golf course and the Holy Grail, a large air-conditioned building sponsored by Nickelodeon. We went right in. Honora was given a card with six different activities such as a virtual slime video monitor, inflatable slide, various putt putt courses and a SpongeBob golf cart that we got to sit in together while a friend snapped some photos of us. Upon completion, Honora was given a neon yellow golf ball as a souvenir. Since we spent most of the morning exploring the Kids Zone and walking around to the different food vendors and concessions, Honora was more than happy to let me spend part of the afternoon watching the golfers play the 17th hole. I’ve never been a huge fan of golf, but spending the day with my daughter and sharing these new experiences together has cemented a special place in my heart for THE PLAYERS Championship. Who knows, maybe we’ll even go back again next year.
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Father’s Day: 11 Do-It-Yourself Ideas for a Fun & Free ‘Best Dad Ever’ Day By Meagan Ruffing
Father’s Day is the perfect time to tell your husband just how much he means to you. It’s the one day out of the year that is just for dad and with the right kind of planning – can be a day filled with memories to last a lifetime. If money is an issue – no worries. These 11 simple tips won’t cost you a penny and the best part about them? They’re 100% homegrown and super easy. Here’s to a stress-free, money-free and child-friendly Father’s Day. 1. Breakfast in Bed – Raid your fridge and whip up your sweetie something good to eat on his special day. Bonus: have your kids deliver it to him. 2. Handprint Cards – Grab the finger paints and watch your kids’ faces light up. Lay out a piece of construction paper and have them go to town on a card for dad. Fold the card in half and write a sweet note on the inside once the paint has dried.
9. Clean the Car – If dad is on the go as much everyone else on the planet, he probably has a car that could use a little TLC. Grab the kids and make it a family affair. Let your son vacuum the car mats and let your daughter wipe down the windows. If you have a child that is too young to really ‘help,’ let her sit in the front seat (with the keys out) and let her pretend to ‘drive the wheel.’ Your kids will get a kick out of doing big kid things and your husband will enjoy his clean ride.
3. Paperweight – Have your child collect pebbles the next time you’re out for a walk. Make this simple dough (see sidebar) and position pebbles to spell out ‘Dad Rocks’. 4. Sleep In – What’s better than sleeping in? Let your sweetie sleep in while you take care of things around the house. Take the kids outside to use their imagination while your hubby sleeps in peace and quiet. 5. Text a Picture – Does dad have to work on his special day? No problem. Take a photo of your kids holding a sign that has their artwork on it. Send it to him in a text to let him know that you’re thinking of him. 6. Things I love About You – Make a list or better yet, write a love note to your husband that tells him exactly why you love him. Is it the way he tucks your son in at night? Or is it because he and your daughter look just alike? Sometimes the littlest reminders can mean the most to your partner in crime. 7. Love Notes – Grab the post-its and write a bunch of sweet things to stick on surfaces around the house where you know your husband will be. Does he shave every morning? Stick one to the bathroom mirror that says, “You’re the best father ever.” Does he always put the same pair of slippers on? Stick a note inside that says, “I couldn’t imagine my life without you.” 8. Poem – What says ‘I love you’ more than a hand written poem? Make it funny or serious…it’s up to you. Whichever the way, your hubby will be sure to take it all in. 26 SUMMER 2017
10. Jam Out – Have your kids gather all of their instruments from around the house and work on a little jam session. Once you’ve got a beat down (or something close to it) call dad in the room and tell him you have a special song that you and the kids would like to play for him. This one is sure to get some good laughs! 11. Scavenger Hunt – Kids LOVE to do scavenger hunts. Write out little notes about where to find this or that and have your kids help you hide them. Finding them with dad will be almost as much fun as seeing his face when he finds a surprise at the last clue; a coupon for his favorite homemade dinner. Don’t forget to enjoy the most important part of Father’s Day; dad! Sometimes, the simplest gestures and most thoughtful gifts are actually the ones that cost nothing at all. Keep this list for this Father’s Day and the ones to come. Tailor it to your life and add ideas throughout the year.
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Kids In The Kitchen Tips for How to Help Children with Neurobehavioral Disorders Develop Cooking Skills Studies show that eating the right diet can reduce the symptoms of neurobehavioral disorders such as ADHD. However, getting an ADHD or Asperger’s child to eat properly can be a challenge. Teaching children to cook is a good way to teach them about healthy foods and open up their palates to new experiences. Parents can use these tips to turn cooking with kids into a sensory building activity that their children can enjoy.
Start Simple
Kids with ADHD often find it difficult to focus on preparing a complex meal, while children with Asperger’s can feel overwhelmed by complicated recipes. Parents can introduce their special needs children to cooking by preparing a simple meal, such as baked fish with steamed vegetables and brown rice. This meal provides protein, complex carbohydrates and omega 3 fatty acids, all of which are important for controlling the symptoms of ADHD.
Use Spices to Engage a Child
Turning cooking into a sensory building activity is a good way to engage a child with ADHD or Asperger’s syndrome. Parents can use spices to create strong smells while they are cooking to pique the interest of the child. For example, try cooking up a simple stir-fry with ginger, Chinese five spice powder, and the juice of a fresh lime or lemon. This is a good way to fill the kitchen with an interesting sensory blend. It’s also a meal that can be prepared in a single large pan, 28 SUMMER 2017
which reduces the complexity of the cooking process.
Textures and Tastes
Parents can encourage their children to engage with foods by selecting ingredients that have interesting tastes and textures. For example, a child might be fascinated by the contrast between the bumpy skin of an avocado and its smooth interior. One fun game parents can play with their children is to place ingredients in a box and ask the child to pick out the right one based on texture alone. Children can also be encouraged to sample foods to find out how they feel on the tongue, along with how the texture contrasts with the taste.
Sensations in Cooking
Cooking with kids can be a great experience for both adults and children alike. Turning the process into a sensory experience is a good way to engage children and encourage them to try new foods. With evidence showing that good nutrition is especially important for kids.
Overall Nutrition
ADHD diets haven’t been researched a lot. Data is limited and results are mixed. Many health experts, though, think that what you eat and drink may play a role in helping symptoms. One expert, Richard Sogn, MD, says that whatever is good for the brainis likely to be good for ADHD. You may want to eat: • A high-protein diet. Beans, cheese, eggs, meat, and nuts can be good sources of protein. Eat these kinds of foods in the morning and for after-school snacks. It may help improve concentration and possibly make ADHD medications work for longer. • Fewer simple carbohydrates. Cut down on how many of these you eat: candy, corn syrup, honey, sugar, products made from white flour, white rice, and potatoes without the skins. • More complex carbohydrates. These are the good guys. Load up on vegetables and some fruits, including oranges, tangerines, pears, grapefruit, apples, and kiwi. Eat this type of food in the evening and it may help you sleep. • More omega-3 fatty acids. You can find these in tuna, salmon, and other cold-water white fish. Walnuts, Brazil nuts, and olive and canola oil are other foods with these in them. You could also take an omega-3 fatty acid supplement. VIEW MORE ARTICLES Credit: brainbalancecenters.com, webmd.com
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A Festive Mess:
17 Creative Birthday Activities For An Unforgettable Party By Christina Katz
I don’t mean to brag, but my husband and I have thrown quite a few awesome birthday parties over the years. However, when reflecting back over all the parties we’ve thrown, it’s clear to me that the most memorable parties were not the most elaborate or even the most expensive. They were simply the messiest. Messy and birthday parties go together better than you might imagine. After all, what could be more festive than a little bit of parent-approved pandemonium? The key to milking the most fun out of any birthday party is including more messy fun. And if you really want to throw the party to top all parties, go for a totally messy party from beginning to end. If a little bit of mess is memorable, than a lot of mess just might be unforgettable. In that spirit, here is a list of seventeen indoor and outdoor ideas that won’t break the bank.
1. Take aim, color
Mark off a square play arena outdoors with five-foot tall Bamboo garden stakes and blue painters masking tape. Fill squirt guns or squirt bottles with non-toxic watercolor paints, don a pair of clear swim goggles, and let the kids decorate each other dressed in white t-shirts and leggings or sweats. The only rule is no one leaves the field until the paint is all spent.
2. Take a whack at it
Fill a store-bought piñata 2/3 of the way full with cooked, well-drained spaghetti. Then add small plastic toys, foil-wrapped granola bars, and plastic wrapped candies. To extend the fun, hang the piñata on a pull cord threaded through an eye30 SUMMER 2017
hook so you can pull it up and down as kids swing at it with a bat or broom handle. Secure a tarp underneath with Duck tape (indoors) or camping stakes (outdoors) for easy cleanup.
3. Eggcentric art
Break the tops off real eggs and pour the yolks and whites into Tupperware to make quiche or a soufflé later. Keeping empty shells in the carton, fill each with acrylic paints of various colors. Outside or in the garage or basement, hang a large canvas against a sturdy wall or fence and let the kids take aim and fire until they make a masterpiece. Use plastic drop cloths to catch the splatters as needed.
4. Franken-beauty
Make natural facial masks out of banana, avocado or cocoa. Sit guests around a large table in pairs to take turns applying masks to each other’s faces. Be sure to have some hand mirrors handy so everyone can see what all the squeals are about.
5. Construction junction
Supply lots of sheets, blankets and pillows for fort construction. If you can mount a few Hula Hoops strategically around the room, they come in handy. You might also supply bandanas and bungee chords. Be sure to inspect the results for hazards. Keep food and drinks strictly separate.
6. Reach for the foam.
Play messy Twister in the yard by mixing foam shaving cream and food coloring. Wear clothing that can get stained. If no one wants to worry about clothing stains, simply use white shaving cream for the same effect.
7. Pudding slide.
Make about a gallon of chocolate pudding. Drop large spoonfuls of pudding onto a Slip & Slide. Have guests take a running start down a low-grade slope. To make slide more slippery, have guests sprinkle it with water from a sprinkler can or set the hose sprayer to mist. Add more pudding or water, as needed.
8. Slime ball.
Find an online recipe to make nontoxic slime and let guests prepare it. Then play a game of hide the bouncy ball in the slime. Use a blindfold and a timer to see who can find their party favors the fastest. Enjoy the groans.
9. Picasso footsie.
Roll out a long sheet of paper and pour puddles of acrylic paint at one end. Have each guest step in one color per foot and walk across the paper. Switch to the other side of the paper to balance out the look. Hang art on a fence or wall to dry.
10. Musical silly string.
Put half the group in the middle on a plastic tarp. Encircle guests with the other half of the group. Turn on the music. Have the inside group move in one direction and the outside group move in the other direction, while spraying the inside group with silly string. When the music is turned off, switch groups.
11. Pasta fling.
Cook one box of spaghetti per party guest. Get some five-gallon buckets and fill them 2/3 of the way with water. Add enough flour to thicken the water, then add spaghetti. The only rules are: use your own spaghetti, no bucket-dumping, and no touching-just throwing. Put them in the square play arena and get the heck out of the way.
12. Mud puddle fun.
On a sturdy table at playing height, fill a small kiddie pool with dirt and just enough water to make mud. Add digging and pouring toys for an hour of industry for young guests.
13. Duck-Duck-Dump.
Have kids sit in circle for a game of Duck-Duck-Goose. But first, hand them a cup of water and a half-cup of flour to pour over each goose’s head.
14. The opposite of tiny bubbles. Make bubble mix with ten cups of regular Dawn Dish soap and five gallons of water. Let it sit overnight. Do not agitate the solution as you pour it into a small wading pool slightly larger than a Hula Hoop in diameter. Have guest don a pair of clear goggles and stand in the middle of the pool without splashing. Let two party guests lower a Hula Hoop over the guest and then pull it straight up into a giant bubble. 15. Three-legged color run. Set up a start and finish line for a short jaunt. Tie the legs of two guests together and have them wear clear swim goggles and white play clothing. Have other guests stand on the sidelines and throw color from bags of nontoxic Holi colors (the type used for Color Runs, available online). The winners take on the next pair of challengers until everyone has run. The most colorful pair wins. 16. Sloppy volley.
Divide guests into two groups. Put a line across the center or your play arena like a tennis court. Everyone has to stay on their own team and wear swim googles. Place a table of supplies within reach of the backcourt. On the table, supply large bowls of chilled mashed potatoes, Jello, pudding, and cooked oatmeal. Tint food with food coloring if clothing can be stained. On your mark, get set, food fight!
17. Trashion runway.
For a couple of months before the party, don’t discard your reusable recyclables. Spread them out evenly in tarps with plenty of clear tape, masking tape, painter’s tape, and Duck tape. Pair guests up into design teams. Give a time limit like one hour. The assignment is to design a runway-worthy fashion for each team out of only the trash that’s been supplied. Have a runway show afterwards to display the results. SUMMER 2017 31
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Fun Birthday Party Locations Daytona Lagoon Daytona Beach, FL Family-friendly water park with go-karts, mini-golf, an arcade, laser tag & a climbing wall. Birthday party packages include: • 1 hour room rental
Orlando Science Center
• Host or hostess • Balloon bouquet (5 balloons)
Orlando, FL
• All Paper goods
At Orlando Science Center, we have birthdays down to a science! We have the perfectly balanced equation with all of the necessary elements for your child to have FUN! Orlando Science Center’s all-inclusive party packages are designed to take the hassle out of planning your child’s party so you may relax and celebrate with them! With our allnew birthday party packages, planning your child’s party is easier than ever! Remember, Orlando Science Center Members receive 10% off! Become a Member today.
• 2 slices of cheese pizzas and soda per child • Party invitations (available for download via Daytonalagoon.com only) • Birthday bags
Central Florida Zoo Chuck E Cheese Port Orange, FL & Orange Park, FL Kid-friendly chain known for its arcade games, pizza parties, play zones & mouse mascot. Chuck E. Cheese offers fun and exciting birthday party options for children of all ages and parties of all sizes. Choose the location for your birthday party and start planning today! 32 SUMMER 2017
Sanford, FL Celebrate your birthday at the wildest place in town! Each birthday is an opportunity to enjoy a celebration with family & friends – make it EASY for you and FUN for everyone by booking a ZOOper Birthday Party at the Central Florida Zoo! Parties for children ages 1 & up. For information and reservations*, please call 407.323.4450 ext. 114, email bdayparties@centralfloridazoo.org, or register online.
Pump It Up
Adventure Landing
Jacksonville, FL Our inflatable indoor playgrounds? Giant! Our huge selection of games? Winning! Our inflatable birthday throne? Fit for royalty. And that’s just the beginning. Your day, your way. At Pump It Up, we’re the inflatable party place where you always get your own bounce house arenas and private party room. We’ll help you pick out a party package that’s exactly what your group wants and needs - from the food and drink right down to the goody bags. Our super fun birthday parties start with our quick, simple reservation system. Our party pros pick it up from there, helping with just about every part of your celebration.
Jacksonville, FL Adventure Landing is a leader in the regional theme park industry. Adventure Landing maintains corporate offices in Jacksonville Beach, FL. Our Flagship Park, Adventure Landing and Shipwreck Island Water Park in Jacksonville Beach, is the largest Family Entertainment Center in northeast Florida. Offering individual & family fun for all ages, Adventure Landing can accommodate private and semi-private group events hosting thousands of guests. With over 5,000,000 visitors since opening, the Jacksonville Beach Park can proudly claim that Adventure Landing is the “Place to Play” for Florida families and visitors.
Speed Park Daytona Beach, FL Racecourse with outdoor go-kart tracks for different skill levels plus an expansive arcade. Do you have kids? Or perhaps a big kid at home with a birthday coming up? Plan ahead for a larger than life racing experience by contacting sales to get the process started today. ALL Packages Receive: • 1 Hour Area Rental • Party Host or Hostess for 1 hour • All Paper Goods • Balloon Bouquet • 2 Slices of Cheese Pizza for each child and a canned drink • Party Invitations (Available via website ONLY) • You must provide your own cake. (No other outside food or drink permitted; no exceptions)
Ormond Lanes Ormond Beach, FL Ormond Lanes is a 40 lane bowling center dedicated to entertaining all generations. Our staff is here to assist you from the moment you walk through our doors. Bowling parties are a fun way to celebrate your special occation. No matter what the weather may be, your party can go off without complications at Ormond Lanes. All party packages include: • Two hours of party time. • Autograph bowling pin for birthday honoree • $25.00 Arcade card for birthday honoree • $5.00 Arcade card for each party guest • 1 Spin on the prize wheel for the birthday honoree • Party Host, Balloons, Party Plates, Cups & Napkins • Free game coupon for each guest • One slice of cheese pizza & soft drink SUMMER 2017 33
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Keeping Young Children Safe in the
Summer Months
W
e all look forward to summer, especially as Floridians who leave close to the coast. Young children often sense the more relaxed energy in the family and community as school days give way to summer camp, days at the beach, vacation planning, and even less traffic in the morning. As parents, we want to take advantage of these less stressful months and enjoy the changes that summer brings. At the same time, we want to make sure that our children are safe – with us and with caregivers as new unfamiliar situations present themselves. Summer months can be times when the heat and change in schedule can leave young children susceptible to being left in a hot car or having access to water, which can look so refreshing as the outside temperatures climb. So here’s some safety tips for summer!
Water and Sun Safety
Car Safety
• Never leave your child unattended, even for a second, in or near a pool or other water.
• Check the back seat every time you leave your car to make sure your child is not there.
• If you have a pool, a four-foot high pool fence should completely surround the pool and have a self-latching gate.
• Place your purse, wallet, and/or cell phone in the back seat as a reminder to look before you lock your car.
• Do not leave even small amounts of liquid in buckets or containers. Young children can drown in as little as one inch of water. • Use sun screen every time your child is going to be exposed to prevent burns.
• Never leave your child alone in a car for ANY amount of time. Temperatures rapidly increase inside and cause heatstroke in children. • Make sure you use a car seat that has not passed the expiration date or has been in a car accident. Learn proper installation for all car seats before placing your child in them.
For more information contact Healthy Start st 386-252-4277 or visit the Safe Kids Coalition at https://www.safekids.org/coalition/safe-kids-volusiaflagler-counties
Make it the BEST SUMMER EVER!!!!!
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Disney Springs® Hotels: An Ideal Way to Enjoy Disney’s All-New Pandora Whether you are a frequent visitor to the Walt Disney World® Resort, or have not been in a while, now is a great time to visit, as there are so many new offerings to enjoy. Among these is the incredible all-new Disney’s Pandora – The World of Avatar®, which just opened in May at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park. Inspired by James Cameron’s blockbuster film “Avatar,” the immersive, awe-inspiring land features truly stunning floating mountains, cascading waterfalls, and a lush rainforest complete with glowing fauna and flora. Impressively, this new land makes you feel as if you are transferred light-years away to Pandora. The adventurous should definitely experience Avatar Flight of Passage, an exhilarating 3D ride that takes you on an expedition on the back of a powerful winged mountain banshee to see the beauty and grandeur of Pandora. It is not to be missed! Another terrific highlight is the family-friendly Na’vi River Journey, a serene boat ride down a mysterious river, through caves, and lighted by a bioluminescent forest. Other new offerings at the Walt Disney World® Resort include Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Fireworks and The Music of Pixar LIVE! A Symphony of Characters at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®; Frozen Ever After at Epcot®; the nighttime spectacular Rivers of Light at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park; and Happily Ever After, the largest projection and fireworks show in Magic Kingdom® Park history. Plus, visiting enables you to experience the dramatically transformed and significantly expanded Disney Springs® area, offering an impressive variety of 150 shops and dining establishments across its four neighborhoods. Also, upcoming events include: the Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival, from August 31-November 13, 2017; and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom® Park, from August 25-November 1, 2017. Looking for a great place to stay? Check out the seven Disney Springs® Resort Area Hotels, located on-property inside the Walt Disney World® Resort. In addition to having an ideal location with an easy walk to Disney Springs®, the seven hotels provide shuttle transportation every 30 minutes to all four Walt Disney World® Theme Parks, two water parks, and at night to the Disney Springs® area. Plus, guests at these hotels receive the 2017 “Disney Springs® Passport” booklet that features exclusive discounts and specials from Disney Springs® merchants on entertainment, shopping and dining. 40 SUMMER 2017
The Disney Springs® Resort Area Hotels includes: • Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista -- Disney Springs® Resort Area (pictured) – located directly across the street from Disney Springs®, the hotel features a Disney Character Breakfast 3 days a week, spacious guest rooms (with a mini refrigerator), six dining options, and the Oasis Aquatic Pool Playground with interactive water features. • B Resort & Spa -- opened in June 2014, the resort offers the B Indulged® AVEDA Spa and American Kitchen Bar & Grill • Best Western Lake Buena Vista – overlooking scenic Lake Buena Vista, the 18-story hotel offers two restaurants and a lounge • DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando – offering spacious suites, it is the only all-suite resort hotel in the Disney Springs® Resort Area • Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace – the newly renovated hotel features four pools, seven restaurants and lounges, and a spa • Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista -- offers two pools, seven restaurants and lounges, and a 24-hour fitness center • Holiday Inn Orlando – Disney Springs® Area -- features modern Florida décor and complimentary Wi-Fi. For information, and special offers, visit DisneySpringsHotels.com.
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