Vacation Bible Sc hool July
25-29 th
Independence Day 2016
Celebrating our Freedom! Expressing thanks and appreciation for the freedoms we enjoy in our land, but pointing to true freedom in Christ. As we celebrate our nation’s freedom and prosperity we give thanks to the Triune God from whom every good and perfect gift comes (James 1:17). We also celebrate an even greater freedom—freedom from sin and its effects, including death. Jesus said, “If you abide in my word. . . you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32).
Fall enrollment for 2016-2017 at Immanuel Lutheran School is now open.
Vacation Bible School July 25-29th
8:30-11:45 a.m. • Information/Registration Immanuelmankato.org
C
s t n e t n o
6
Peeps
7
Say What
8
Gardening to Change the World
Cover kid
Chris Willaert What is your favorite thing to do outside?
14 Lacrosse
Sport on the Rise
16 Money
Save Early, Save Often
18 Be Healthy
Keeping your kids safe this summer.
20 How Do You Do It?
Tessa Downs
22 Historical Feature
Invitation to a Special Birthday Party 1890’s Style
24 Fancy Pants
Summer fashions
30 hOMie
Cobbler’s, 3 Legged Down Dog, Crescent Moon Poses
32 Flicks
Inventions/Inventors
33 Nosh
Fab Fruit Pizza
34 The Children’s Museum
40 Powder’s Pages 2 • Kid-oh! | July/August 2016
Sebi, 5 Photo by Cliff Coy
Hey Kids!! Do you like telling stories? Do you want to be a part of Kid-Oh? Do you want to be a Kid-Oh writer? We are looking for some kid writers. If you’re interested in writing for Kid-Oh, please let us know! Please send us a writing sample- tell us a story! Have a parent email it to us at jgreer@mankatofreepress.com. Thank you thank you! We can’t wait to hear your stories!
SMILE Smile with us…we care!
Mankato 507-387-4078
New Ulm 507-354-8943
Specialized Care For Your Child
www.kidswillsmile.com
July/August 2016 VOLUME 2, ISSUE 3
Hello!
W
ell it’s finally here, SUMMER! It is the most looked forward to but also dreaded time of the year. We all love being outside, playing sports, going to the lake or the park, ice cream and swimming pools but as parents we also need to find ways to keep our Kid-Ohs entertained, active and creative. As a Working Mom (yup, I capitalized it, as it should be!) I know the frustration of trying to keep the kids off of their phones and get them outside when you aren’t home to monitor them. Modern parenting isn’t like it was when we were kids, my mom literally booted us outside and locked the doors after breakfast. All of the neighborhood moms did too. Lunch was served at a different house every day and then you showed up at your own house sometime around dinner. Now when you try and bribe and cajole them outside they just roll their eyes and take a picture of you to send to all of their friends on Snap Chat. Well, at least that’s what mine do. I hope that this issue gives you and your kids some things to do and some ideas that might help beat the summer doldrums. You can learn about a local family making a mark on our community with their gardens and get some good info on a new local sport-lacrosse. And if you figure out all of the rules, let me know because my daughter just started playing and I am still a little clueless! We are trying to get our magazine straight into the hands of everyone that wants it and make sure no one gets left out, so if you would like to continue to receive your free copy of Kid-oh! every other month, if you don’t get it in the mail and would like to or if you know of someone who should get it-please make sure you are on the mailing by finding us on Facebook to sign up, stopping into The Free Press or by calling us at 507-625-4451, ext 7. Thank you for being so supportive of Kid-oh! We hope you enjoy the issue! Jordan Greer
PUBLISHER John Elchert EDITOR/Artistic Director Jordan Greer CONTRIBUTORS Mayo Clinic Health Systems Mankato Clinic, Children’s Health Center The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota Once Upon A Child Gena Heminover Blue Earth County Historical Society Tessa Downs Christina Vega MN Valley Federal Credit Union Hy-Vee PHOTOGRAPHER Inspired Portrait Photography PAGE DESIGNER Christina Sankey Advertising Manager Phil Siebel ADVERTISING Sales Jordan Greer Marianne Carlson Josh Zimmerman Theresa Haefner Thomas Frank ADVERTISING ASSISTANT Barb Wass ADVERTISING DESIGNERS Christina Sankey Sue Hammar CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Denise Zernechel
Kid-Oh! Magazine is published by The Free Press Media bi-monthly at 418 South Second St., Mankato MN 56001. For editorial and advertising inquiries, call Jordan Greer 507-344-6337, jgreer@mankatofreepress.com To be included in future Kid-Oh! mailings, call 507-625-4451, ext. 7
4 • Kid-oh! | July/August 2016
July/August 2016 | Kid-oh! • 5
Chris Willaert Occupation?
Sports Commission Director, Mankato Sports Commission /Visit Mankato
How long have you lived in Mankato? 30 of my 43 years on Earth.
What is your favorite part of your job? Every day I get to talk about sports and I get paid for that!
What is your favorite thing to do in Mankato for fun? I love Mankato MoonDogs games!
What did you want to be when you grew up? Fireman or Major League Baseball Player.
The Mankato Sports Commission is a part of Visit Mankato and my job and is to get people to travel to our community for sporting events. Our mission is to drive the visitor economy in Greater Mankato by providing leadership, guidance and expertise that enables the attraction, support and/or administration of sporting events and tournaments to the area. To put it simply, my job is to get people to travel here for sporting events and sleep in our hotels, eat at our restaurants and shop at our stores. 6 • Kid-oh! | July/August 2016
It’s Summer! We asked some Kid-Oh’s... What is your favorite thing to do outside? Macey
Flora
Age: 10 Swimming and playing catch with my mom. Actually, I like batting the best!
Age: 10 Gymnastics and swimming.
Breckyn Age: 5 Playing T-Ball.
Kylie
Age: 5 I like to play in the lake and float on the tube!
Amelia
Age: 5 Swimming and waterparks.
Emmett
Arty
Age: 4 To play outside and go 4 wheeling.
Age: 12 Swimming.
Hayden Age: 5 Swimming and playing in the backyard.
Adam
Kieryn
Age: 5 Playing in the forest.
Anna
Age: 9 Swim and play kickball.
Age: 7 I like to paddle board!
Jaxson Age: 8 Playing sports outside.
July/August 2016 | Kid-oh! • 7
Gardening to change
the world Story & Photos by Cliff Coy
Erica and Kai Idso-Weisz water one of the vegetables in their garden plot at the Heart & Soil Community Gardens in Mankato.
Erica, Ryan and Kai Idso-Weisz pose by the Heart & Soil Community Garden sign in Mankato. Erica and Ryan co-founded the garden plot and hope to have 20 Heart & Soil certified plots in the Mankato area by 2020.
I
f you think back to when you were a child, you may just remember yourself digging in the dirt and working with your hands. Helping grandma and grandpa plant seeds, pull weeds, water plants and harvest a small bounty from their garden. Once an art that was a basic essential for life, growing food has fallen more and more into obscurity with each passing year. We have become almost entirely reliant on grabbing a quick bite to eat at a passing fast food restaurant and going to the grocery store to pick up what we need, not paying attention or really caring where the food has come from or what nutritional value it holds, if any. “Our grandparents and great-grandparents had gardens and sustained their families that way,” said Erica IdsoWeisz, co-founder of Heart & Soil Community Gardens. “We have really moved away from that because food is just readily available. But we want people to have access to good food. Ryan always says “If you grow your own food and you are exercising and you are eating well you will just be well over all. That is a movement in itself.” Those are the practices that the founders of Heart & Soil Community Gardens, Erica & Ryan Idso-Weisz, planned to bring the community back to when they went in front of the Mankato City Council two years ago and pitched the idea of adding 20 Heart & Soil certified community gardens to the city by 2020. “A huge part in what sustains us is that we are supported
by a two year State Health Improvement Program grant that is through Blue Earth County, said Erica. “As well as the city of Mankato and the Center for Earth Spiritually and Rural Ministry up at the school Sisters of Notre Dame. They have been big entities in assisting us and being able to keep this project going and so we hope to continue to have, especially this garden and expansion gardens, going for ongoing years.” “Ryan and I have always been interested in getting people access to healthy food and also a way to engage in the community,” said Erica. “Gardening, exercise, bringing community together. So we started having this conversation and we are really involved in what is called Transition Mankato.” Mankato has become the 149th Transition City in the United States, a concept that started over in the United Kingdom, that is interested in moving away from a fossil fuel dependency, bringing communities together and focusing on resiliency and cutting down on your carbon footprint. Some means of doing that might be a community garden, sustainable food systems, encouraging more biking and walking and other good environmental practices. “As a part of Transition we had a community gathering and community members were invited and community gardens were a part of the things that floated to the top along with chickens and more bike paths,” said Erica. July/August 2016 | Kid-oh! • 9
“That was really exciting for us so we started going forward after the sustainability expo that was hosted at MSU two years ago.” Heart & Soil Community Garden is based on two tenants which you can find in the name itself, or what they call the Seeds of Significance. The first of which is the “heart” piece that really brings people together and focuses on community and being well. “The heart piece is that the heart of the community is its people and so we want people to come together and build relationships,” said Erica. “Once upon a time people would go next door and ask for a cup of sugar, we don’t really do that anymore. We sort of joke that it’s not a cup of sugar now, we want people to go next door and ask for a cup of kale. We want to eat healthy and so encouraging people to have that kind of mindset when they are thinking about gardening.” “I live about a block and a half up and I love our neighborhood. I have brought my 11 year old daughter down here for years, we would ice skate and wander in the woods,” said Patti Ruskey, a gardener at Heart & Soil Community Gardens. “Then I saw that this was happening. I love organic gardening and I love the idea of trying to grow whatever food we can and having kids involved and learning how to plant and grow it.” Between a 40+ hour work week and juggling all the other activities that we have in our lives, we don’t always get the opportunity to go out into their neighborhoods and really get to know one another. “Often households are working hard and long hours and it’s not as traditional, therefore I think people are often exhausted when they come home and sometimes don’t get outside to find that community or larger circle,” said Patti. “Sometimes it’s not like people don’t want to know their neighbors or don’t want to be friendly or to participate in things, it’s just that they are so tired. This is really low key so you can walk down and look at your plants and maybe water them and talk to a few people.” The second piece of the Seeds of Significance is the “soil” part. “One thing that we talked about regarding the soil piece is to make sure that they are pesticide and chemical free,” said Erica. “There are organic pesticides that you can use but we want to really encourage that people aren’t ingesting lots of chemicals in their bodies. So no spraying around as
10 • Kid-oh! | July/August 2016
well as on the gardens. Also that the food is organically grown.” “There’s a gap in between there and nobody knows what happens in that gap,” said Ryan Idso-Weisz, co-founder of Heart & Soil Community Gardens. “The apple that I am eating that I just bought at the grocery store, where did it come from? It’s not from a mile down the road from a good friend of mine. It’s from another state and we don’t know where it’s come from to keep it fresh. That’s one thing that we like to think about when we are eating our food. When we are down here we know exactly where that food is coming from and we know exactly the type of stuff that went into that food and how much work and pride was put into that food. You can taste that when everything is said and done.” The garden, now in its second year of operation, has brought an assortment of people from the Mankato area to it that have decided to garden for one reason or another. “It’s a variety of folks, we have some gardeners from Smiles Center for Independent Living, we have a daycare, girl scouts, a family, some refugee and immigrant families as well,” said Erica. “So that’s what we really want to encourage, not only the connection with the plants but with each other as well.”
Discover Your Story Blue Earth County History Center 424 Warren St., Mankato
History Center Hours Tues.-Fri., 9 am-5 pm Sat., 10 am-4 pm The History Center includes a Gift Shop, Marian Anderson Art Gallery, Research Center and Museum. The Museum features hands-on history fun in the Discovery Lab, diorama of 1880s Mankato, treasures from local author Maud Hart Lovelace and interactive Pioneer Cabin and Barn. Admission charged.
Historic Hubbard House Experience Early 1900s Mankato
606 S. Broad St., Mankato
Hubbard House Hours Open Weekends May-September Explore the 16-room mansion of local flour mill giant R.D. Hubbard and his family, completed in 1905. Guided one-hour tours; admission charged. EVENTS
About the Photos: Top left: Ryan Idso-Weisz plants potatos in a garden plot Heart & Soil Community Gardens in Mankato while his little one year old son, Kai Idso-Weisz, watches. Middle left: Natalia Gomez waters her beets and other vegetables that her family planted together a few days before. Bottom Left: Eric, Sebi and Natalia Gomez install wire fence around their garden in order to keep animals from eating their vegetables. Top right: Radishes grow in one of the 4x14 foot garden plots at Heart & Soil Community Gardens in Mankato. Middle right: Eleanor Ruskey applies sunscreen to Kai Idso-Weisz while they are out helping their parents garden. Bottom right: Kale grows in one of the 4x14 foot garden plots.
Story Time Fridays 10:30 am June - August 26 Gaslight Series 3rd Wednesday, 7 pm
For more information, visit www.BlueEarthCountyHistory.com 507-345-5566 July/August 2016 | Kid-oh! • 11
Sport On The
Rise Story & Photos by Cliff Coy
Jayde Whelan defends the ball from an opposing team member while running towards Northfield’s goal. 12 • Kid-oh! | July/August 2016
Left: Josie Marben and Maddie Distad fight to retrieve the ball from the opposing players during a game versus Northfield. Right: Claire Johnson throws the ball into the net during a game versus Northfield.
C
ompetition in the Minnesota State High School League has a new face in the form of Mankato’s Varsity Girls Lacrosse team. Comprised of girls from the East, West and Loyola schools and coached by Sean Sletten, this is the first year that Mankato has had a varsity level girl’s lacrosse team. In previous years anyone that wanted to play lacrosse was put on the club team and they would have to travel to places like Duluth and Bemidji just to find someone they could play. “The average varsity Minnesota State High School League Team isn’t going to schedule games against a club team because they already have a full schedule and there is not much that they are going to get out of it,” said Coach Sean Sletten, the Mankato Girls’ Varsity Lacrosse coach. If you are not entirely familiar with the sport of lacrosse, you may not be the only one. The sport has mostly been popular on the East Coast where it originated from the roots of a cultural tradition of the Iroquois people. It has remained mostly an East Coast sport up until recent years where it has begun rapidly expanding into the Midwest. According to the National Federation of State High School Associations website, in the 2002/2003 season there were only 476 girls playing lacrosse statewide. Compare that to last year’s numbers of 3,598 and you can see that lacrosse is one of the fastest growing sports today. Lacrosse is a contact team sport played between two teams using a small rubber ball and a long-handled stick. The head of the lacrosse stick is strung with loose mesh designed to catch and hold the ball. Using the lacrosse stick to catch, cradle, and pass the ball one team must move the ball to the other team’s side of the field and shoot it into the opponent’s goal past the goalie.
Positions: Attack Midfield Defense Goalie
Girl’s lacrosse differs slightly from men’s lacrosse by eliminating most of the contact from the sport and adding additional players. The road to get here has been a struggle for Mankato not only because initial interest in the sport was low but also because of the many hoops that they had to jump through to make it possible. “The biggest stumbling block that we had to clear was to get a stable youth program for both boys and girls just so that the district could see that number one we had sufficient interest for it to be sustainable,” said Coach Sean Sletten. “Number two was that we had to have a good feeder program where we could continue getting athletes to the High School level.” Interest for the sport in the past years has mostly come from word of mouth and has been made attractive to people looking for a new team building sport that can build off of other sports. “I think that the word of mouth is getting out there from girls that play,” said Hannah Mothershead, the Girls’ Junior Varsity Lacrosse coach. July/August 2016 | Kid-oh! • 13
Attack:
A good attackman demonstrates excellent stick work with both hands and has quick feet to maneuver around the goal.
Midfield:
A good midfielder demonstrates good stick work including throwing, catching and scooping. Speed and stamina are essential.
Defense:
A good defenseman should be able to react quickly in game situations. Agility and aggressiveness are necessary.
Goal:
A good goalie should have excellent hand/eye coordination and a strong voice. Quickness, agility, confidence and the ability to concentrate. 14 • Kid-oh! | July/August 2016
Top: Coach Sean Sletten discusses tactics with the girls varsity team before the upcoming game against Northfield. 2nd row left: Coach Hannah Mothershead blows her whistle to signal the end of a drill during a practice match at the Dakota Meadows Middle School soccer field. 2nd row right: Coach Sean Sletten gives a pre-game speech to the girls varsity team before their game with Northfield. 3rd row: Hannah Helms shoots the ball at goalie Jordan Romnes during practice at the Dakota Meadows Middle School soccer field. Bottom: Claire Johnson tosses the ball to Taylor Person during practice at the Dakota Meadows Middle School soccer field.
Both Junior Varsity and Varsity Girls Lacrosse team pose for a team photo right after practice at the Dakota Meadows Middle School soccer field. “We have a lot of people coming from soccer in the fall and them not having another spring sport helps. I hope it continues to grow that way.” “I heard about it through a friend and I just kind of joined to try it out and I just stuck with it,” said Taylor Pearson, a junior on the varsity team. “It’s a good way to connect with people on and off the season and you tend to bond as a family.” Having a varsity team is just a part of it though, in order to keep the program going for years to come the school has to have a good youth feeder program to get kids interested in the sport and work with them so they can move up to the high school level and continue working on their skills. This is where the Mankato Area Lacrosse Association comes into play. The Association allows kids ages 6 – 15 to join and currently there are 190 kids in the youth program. “Our goal this year was to grow the girls program so we
The Junior Varsity girls psyche themselves up during a huddle right before a game versus Northfield. started more individual girls program and the 7th and 8th grade girls are all new players and they are doing really well,” said Shay Gruber, the President of the Mankato Area Lacrosse Association. “I think it’s going to continue to grow. Once they play they love it and the kids are addicted.” “Our youth association is booming,” said Coach Sletten. “Last year there were only three or four young girls that signed up, this year we are over thirty. So that is really exciting.” “It’s rewarding for me to be able to see girls brand new to the sport just falling in love with it and just seeing them continuing to grow,” said Coach Sletten. “I coach it because I love the sport but also because I love working with kids. So seeing the sport really taking off in Mankato, which I see a lot of potential in, is just incredibly exciting.”
Summer Reading Program 2016 On your mark,
Express Care Now Open Mayo Clinic Health System Express Care is now open inside the Hilltop Hy-Vee store. This convenient walk-in clinic treats minor medical conditions seven days a week with no appointment necessary. Services include: • Allergies • Bladder infections • Cold sores • Ear and eye infections
• • • •
Insect bites Minor burns Sore throats Vaccines
Don’t miss programs and prizes this summer!! Sign Up Ends
Mayo Clinic Health System Express Care 2010 Adams Street, Mankato (inside Hy-Vee grocery store)
July 31
Last Prize Day August 31
Get set...
READ! JULY PROGRAMS
• Airplane Rides • Hasse Family Petting Zoo • Teddy Bear Band • Global Games • Hy-Vee Fitness Obstacle Course • Minnesota Zoomobile • Magician Bob Kann • Randy Christensen
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–8:30 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. BLUE EARTH COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM
100 E. Main St., Mankato, MN 507-304-4020
www.beclibrary.org
Friends of the Deep Valley Libraries
July/August 2016 | Kid-oh! • 15 4.95”x4.95”
Kid Oh June 2016
Save Early, Save Often M
Submitted by Minnesota Valley Federal Credit Union
any people struggle to teach their children the importance of saving money early, however it doesn’t have to be difficult. This can be taught in a number of ways including leading by example, showing them how to use a piggy bank or even a youth savings account at a financial institution. Saving money starts by teaching your children the difference between the things they want, and the things they need. Wants aren’t necessarily bad, but should not be purchased at the expense of needs or sacrificing long term savings goals. Starting your savings plan early is a great way to prepare for your child’s large future purchases like expensive electronics, a vehicle or even a college fund. Teaching your children to save, and having them pay for at least a portion of a large expense, helps teach them the value of money. The following are some of the basic ways to get children involved in saving their own money.
16 • Kid-oh! | July/August 2016
n Open a basic savings account for them or with them. As they age, and earn more money, you may want to introduce them to other investment vehicles, such as money market accounts, certificates of deposit, and even mutual funds. n Encourage your child to pay for a portion of their wants. n Create a matching program with your children, much like a 401(k) program. For example, every time they put $20 into a savings account, you will match that with $10 or $20, and so forth. This will encourage them to save and to understand how certain investment accounts work as they consider options later in life. n Set up an education fund with them or for them.
Once your children have a general understanding of how to save money, and why it is important to do so, it is then time to talk with them about how to earn money through accumulating interest. Discuss how interest works and why it is important to start saving when they are young. As your children age, a great way to help them understand the value of saving money while they are young is to explain the concept of “compounding” interest. In simple terms, compounding interest is when interest is calculated not only on the initial principal amount in the account, but also on the accumulated interest of prior periods. Let’s take a look at an example of how this might work when $1,000 is compounded over time:
Years 10 20 30
4% 6% 8% 10% $1,481 $1,791 $2,159 $2,594 $2,191 $3,207 $4,661 $6,728 $3,243 $5,743 $10,063 $17,449
just give them what they want; help them continue to understand how to earn their goals and provide ways for them to do so. Review their financial statements with them each month, and help them to understand how to read them, showing them how much money they have earned on a monthly basis. Most important, however, you must practice what you preach. Children typically learn from observation and imitation more than any other method. Aside from leading by example you can begin talking to them about fiscal responsibility as a way to strengthen their skills and understanding at any time. Continue to save and allow them to see how you are working through your finances. Let them look at your monthly budget and how you utilize funds and save money each month. Remember, their best and most important teacher is you.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor
Once you have discussed these topics with your children, check with them and stay involved in the process. Most children look to their parents as the primary source of income, so the more you help them in their learning process, the better. Don’t give in and
JUST PUSH PLAY.
TAKE THE
5 WEEK
CHALLENGE
FIT
MEET
DAIRA, YOUR ONLINE FITCOACH
VIDEOS HY-VEEKIDSFIT.COM
2010 ADAMS ST., MANKATO, MN • 507-625-9070 | 410 S. RIVERFRONT DR., MANKATO, MN • 507-625-1107 July/August 2016 | Kid-oh! • 17
Keeping your kids safe this summer T he longer days of summer mean pools, lakes, playgrounds, parks, camps, trips, heat and bugs — all of which mean parents need to step up their safety game. “There is something about summer that makes kids more adventurous,” says Channing Sorensen, pediatric nurse practitioner at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato. “Kids seem to play harder, run faster and stay up later, which means keeping kids safe takes extra attention.” Sorensen says that while most safety tips are common sense, they are worth repeating. “Even if hearing a tip just one more time prompts a change in your family, it could help protect your child. I share the same goal as parents — keeping kids healthy, happy and safe.”
Sorensen’s top 10 reminders for a healthy and safe summer
1. Because… summer! As temperatures climb, never leave kids in the car, even for a short period of time. And, when participating in outdoor activities, apply sunscreen frequently, drink plenty of fluids and have your kids wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing.
2. Traveling? Double-check your insurance plans to
make sure you’re covered at your destination, and make sure you have enough medications for any trips in case the need arises.
3. Use sunblock properly. Sunscreen with sun
protection factor (SPF) 30 or higher must be applied liberally, repeatedly and to all sun-exposed parts of the skin to provide effective protection. Sunscreen should be applied 15 to 30 minutes before sun exposure to allow the formation of a protective film on the skin and then reapplied every two hours. Parents should avoid exposing children less than six months of age to direct sunlight.
18 • Kid-oh! | July/August 2016
4. Use insect repellent properly, too. Bug spray
with DEET should be used carefully. It can be used safely by pregnant women and applied once daily to children older than two months of age. Spray it on the clothes of children — not directly on skin, and always have kids take a bath or shower after using. Large local reactions to mosquito bites will occur within the first few years of life. They may swell, but giving an overthe-counter allergy medication at onset can prevent a significant reaction.
5. Time for a tick check. Whenever you’re with kids
in a highly-wooded area, always look for ticks after coming inside. If you do find a tick, be sure to remove the entire tick. If you’re unable to remove the tick, your child should be seen by a health care professional. Symptoms of tick-related illnesses may include fatigue, fever/chills, headache, rash and/or swollen lymph nodes.
6. Avoid fireworks. If you choose to give kids
fireworks, remember to supervise them closely — fireworks can cause serious burns and are a leading cause of blindness. If possible, avoid fireworks at home all together and leave the lighting to professionals at community displays.
7. Helmets! It should go without
saying, but whenever kids are participating in a wheeled sport, make sure they are wearing a properly-fitted helmet. Store helmets with the bikes as a reminder to wear them, always ride with traffic, teach your kids to use appropriate hand signals and always supervise. All grown-ups: set a good example by wearing a helmet as well.
We pay cash on the spot for kids’ clothing, shoes , toys and baby gear. Bring us the items your kids no longer wear or play with and turn it into cash. Plus, shop our great selection of gently used items to replace the stuff your kids no longer use with the things they want now!
8. Swimming. Unfortunately,
drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental death in children. Some common sense reminders: kids should wear a life jacket at all times, adults should always be present when kids are swimming, kids should swim with a buddy and swim only in areas that have a lifeguard.
9. Plan now for back-toschool activities. Make
appointments now for sports physicals and well-child visits. These appointments book fast, and many activities will begin soon. And remember, if you’re looking for a provider for your child, be open to new staff, including physician assistants and nurse practitioners — they are often eager to meet new families and learn about your child’s unique needs.
10. Know where to go.
Although some situations are clearly an emergency, take some time to get to know the options for care in your community — just in case. For example, the new Mayo Clinic Express Care in the Hilltop Hy-Vee is a great resource for common illnesses.
Have a great summer!
Channing Sorensen is a pediatric nurse practitioner with Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato and is accepting new patients. For more information, visit mayoclinichealthsystem.org.
Located conveniently across from Cub Foods 464 Raintree Road • Mankato • 507-344-8799 Mon.-Sat. 10-8, Sun. 12-5 www.onceuponachildmankato.com
It Pays to Bank Where You're Part Owner! ®
YES. YOU. CAN.
Mortgage Auto Savings Checking Small Business 2 Mankato Locations Over 5,000 Locations Nationwide www.mnvalleyfcu.coop 507-387-3055
July/August 2016 | Kid-oh! • 19
How Do you do it ? By Tessa Downs
P
arenting sucks at times. It is the single hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in my life; giving up my natural and innate tendencies to live selfishly, for myself, and to put another being’s needs ahead of my own. I don’t eat until you eat. I don’t pee until you pee. I don’t sleep until you sleep. When you’ve been taken care of, I take care of myself. And I don’t know if you are completely grasping the significance of this: but I don’t wait for ANYONE to eat before I eat. I once made my husband drive-through Wendy’s on the way to the restaurant we were having dinner at. I needed food on our way to go get food. That’s the extent of my selfishness you guys. We are all here at this time as a result of thousands and thousands of years of natural selection. You’d think we’d be perfect beings by now, angels walking on earth, and that we’d have this whole parenting thing down to a science! But we are human, and as such, we are prone to human error. As an example, I remember when my son Henry was an infant, and I layed him on the couch so I could run to the bathroom. A minute later I heard shrieks and cries, and returned to find him face down on the carpeting below the couch, not yet having the mobility to roll himself over. I had left my child unsupervised and he had fallen off the couch, and I was lucky he had not hurt himself more severely. Oh how the other mothers would scoff at my naivete. I was so embarrassed and insecure about it, I didn’t tell anyone about it- not even my husband!- for a couple weeks, after the sting of being so recent had passed. I’d like to say that it was the first time I felt that I didn’t know what I was doing, but it wasn’t the first time. I was doubting my competence on a regular basis, and only brought myself reassurance by repeating “Every single human being that exists, had a mother. If everyone else can do it, I can too.” It was the only consolation I had. Now, 5 ½ years later, I am feeling a little more confident. Our family has recently grown in an unexpected way. In addition to our 5 year old son, my husband and I have taken in a 16 year old. We love him, and we are so happy to have him in our lives. I am enjoying the new opportunities and challenges we are presented with. Now, 5 ½ years later, I am an art teacher. Being an art teacher is very much what I want to do with my time. I
20 • Kid-oh! | July/August 2016
find it rewarding and fulfilling. I am a working mom. I’m very dedicated to my job. And I don’t have any guilt about it. Working doesn’t mean I love my boys any less. My kids will grow up knowing, understanding, and valuing a healthy work ethic. I’m happy to model work ethic and commitment to them, in addition to the fulfillment I receive from my job. How do I do this parenting thing, despite my doubts, despite my mistakes, despite my dedication to my job? I don’t do it alone. I have help. So much help. My kids will develop very close relationships with their dad, with their grandma and grandpa, their nani and papa, and their caregivers, as I depend on them heavily. And I think it’s great! The more love my kids can receive, understand, and return, the better. They have a strong network of love and support surrounding them. And I can’t downplay the role my husband plays in their livesI love that my kids see my husband and I sharing cooking, cleaning and household responsibilities. They see both my husband and I committed to our careers and fulfilled by them. They will grow up not feeling bound by traditional gender roles, because they’ve not been modeled to them. Now, 5 ½ years later, I am so grateful to see these beings, made up of the same stuff I am, walking around making decisions for themselves. When I see my kids exercising kindness and respect, when I see my kids demonstrating thoughtfulness and consideration, when I see my kids showing self control, I know that I’m doing ok, even though Henry rolled off the couch that one time, not to mention the myriad of other mistakes I’ve made as a parent. I’m doing ok. So in the end, it goes back to pursuing my own goals, finding my selfish motives again, the same ones I had before becoming a parent. It comes down to relying on the support of others- I depend heavily on family, on daycare, on school. It comes down to recognizing successes- I revel in watching them become human themselves, and being prone to their own errors, owning them, growing from them. Their accomplishments feel like my own. That’s how I do it.
By Dr. Lisa Davidson
How to help your child get healthy sleep
W
e know that as adults, we may have sleep problems that arise during our lifetime, but did you know that it’s just as common for kids to have trouble falling, and staying asleep, too? For children, healthy sleep requires uninterrupted (and good quality) sleep, a sleep schedule that’s in tune with a kid’s natural biological rhythm, the right amount of age-appropriate naps and a sufficient amount of sleep. As it is for you as a parent, it’s just as important for children to get a healthy night’s sleep. Bedtime can be a battle, but it doesn’t have to be. Following these tips may help your child get the sleep their body needs. In return, you’ll sleep better, too! Children ages 3-6 should typically go to bed between 7-9 p.m., and wake up around 6-8 a.m., just as they did when they were younger. As children get older, naps gradually become shorter. Children ages 7-12 should sleep 10-11 hours per day, as social, school and family activities inhabit their lives more and more. By the time your child is 12, try and have them go to bed by 9 p.m. The average sleep for your child at this age should be around 9 hours. It may seem nice to allow your child to wake up later on the weekends and holidays, but try to stick to the same bedtime routine they have throughout the rest of the week. This will cause their bodies to become accustomed to a sleep schedule. If they wake up later than normal a few times a week, they can become groggy and jet-leg like, making it hard for their bodies to feel tired at its normal bedtime.
Each night, have the same bedtime routine in place for your child. Doing specific activities before bed – like taking a bath, brushing their teeth and reading – sets the perfect atmosphere, and will have your child’s body automatically start to become sleepy at the beginning of the routine.
Turn off the electronics and television at least two hours before bedtime. Artificial light from a TV or iPad can interfere with our body’s production of melatonin, a hormone that is an important piece of sleepwake cycles. Turning off the artificial lights before bedtime will help melatonin levels stay at their highest, when people are most sleepy and ready for bed.
If your child has bedtime fears, do your best to help reassure them that they will be safe in their bed. Buying a can of “Monster Spray” (air freshener with a creative label) or making up a rhyme to help calm their nerves, will help your child sleep more at ease.
Monster
Spray
July/August 2016 | Kid-oh! • 21
The 1890’s
Invitation to a Special Birthday Party
South Front Street
Who was the party for? These two! Here is an artist pastel drawing of Katherine Dean and Mary Esther Hubbard c.1890.
22 • Kid-oh! | July/August 2016
Most clothes were made by hand.
The wealthy would have bought stationery from Stewart and Holmes or C.W. Warwick shops. Did you shop here?
You were invited! You may have received an invitation that looked like this. Many technological advances occurred in the printing industry in the later part of the century. Mass produced stationary was popular.
Answer to the card above: Dear Kate and Esther, Thank you for inviting me to your birthday party. I had a pleasant time at your party. Most truly, Eva
When one girl turned six in August of 1891, a very special Birthday Party was planned. Would you be invited? Who else would come? If you were invited what would you wear? What kind of fun would you have at this birthday party? In the mid-1800’s Birthday parties were not common. Many children celebrated quietly at home with their families and many did not celebrate their birthdays at all! In 1891 Kate Hubbard was an exception. Her parents held a party for her sixth birthday and invited 75 children to the Hubbard home! The Mankato Free Press wrote they were going to have a “wild time”. The Hubbard’s hired servants would have been very hot cooking on a wood stove in August -they may have made 75 cakes! Just imagine what that party on the lawn must have been like with What to wear? so many children! Pretend Girls and boys wore you were there and short dresses and pants until they were older. keep reading!
Hold this card backwards in the mirror to decipher the message.
Do you think you played this game?
Don’t Touch!
By Blue Earth County Historical Society
The Game Chutes and Ladders evolved from Snakes and Ladders, a popular children’s game with its origins in India and its roots in morality lessons.
This Bisque (a kind of clay,) doll was made in Germany. In the 1890’s, expensive dolls were often purchased to decorate adult drawing rooms, rather than as playthings for children.
Is this where you live?
Who would have taken you to the party? Your father may have worked for Mr. Hubbard at the R. D. Hubbard Milling Company. The mill is still working on North Front Street! Your father would have
worked six days a week. Your mother may have worked at home as a seamstress or wash woman, so your mother would have taken you!
Color your 1890’s house. Cut it out along outer edges. Fold on black lines. Fold the tabs under and glue on black dots. Ta Da!
Many generations of family may have lived together in a large home, each helping with all of the work which had to be done. Kitchens had wood stoves, and water was hand pumped. Most people had no indoor plumbing.
July/August 2016 | Kid-oh! • 23
,5 n l o c Lin 24 • Kid-oh! | July/August 2016
6 , s e l Mi
2 1 , ra
Ma
9 , e i l y K
9 , y Ror
Kroubetz Lakeside Campers
NAME
Minnesota’s Friendliest Camper Dealership
AGE Like Us & Vote on
Kroubetz Lakeside Campers
Kid-OH!
Coloring Contest
Mail or drop off your child’s coloring page at our dealership in Lake Crystal. Please include the child’s name and age. 1st Place: Youth Camping Chair and $20 2nd Place: Kroubetz Camping T-shirt and $10 3rd Place: 2 Marshmallow Roasters and $5 People’s Choice Award: $25 Go to our Facebook page and vote for your favorite coloring page by August 15th! It Only Takes One CLICK! The People’s Choice Award goes to the artist that receives the most “Likes” on Facebook
HAIL OF A SALE!!! 2016 Forest River Salem Hemisphere 214RL Stock#1562
2016 Forest River Nitro 34DQL5
2016 Forest River Vibe 312BHS
Stock#1612
Stock#1484
Sleeps 4, Gas/electric DSI hot water heater, 4.2 cu. ft. 3-Way refrigerator, two burner range top and 20,000 BTU furnace.
Laminated Floor w/In-Floor Heat, 16 gal. per hour Gas/Electric Quick Recovery DSI Water Heater, Stainless Steel Microwave w/Carousel, and 32? HDTV and CD/DVD/AM/FM w/ MP3 Hookup and Surround Sound.
Upgraded Furniture, Stainless Steel Appliances, 2nd A/C in Bedroom, Electric Bed and VIP Party Deck.
Stainless Appliances Standard, 32” Flatscreen TV, DVD/CD/MP3/FM w/ Surround Sound, Outside Kitchen, Skylight over Tub/Shower, Power Awnings with LED Light Strip.
MSRP: $21,190 Sale Price:
MSRP: $42,831 Sale Price:
MSRP: $66,540 Sale Price:
MSRP: $40,062 Sale Price:
2016 Forest River R-Pod RP179 Stock#1605
$14,995
$24,995
$47,527
$26,989
Over 100 Units Affected By Recent Storms!! Get Slight Hail Damaged Campers ~ Many Under Dealer Cost!! HOURS:
Mon-Fri 8 am–5:30 pm Saturday 9 am–3 pm • Closed Sunday 351 Hwy. 60 East PO Box 389 Lake Crystal, MN 56055
www.kroubetz.com 507-726-6454
14 15 60
60
★
MANKATO
14
OWATONNA
13 15
FAIRMONT
169
BLUE EARTH
35
30 22
ALBERT LEA
28 • Kid-oh! | July/August 2016
Photography by Inspired Portrait Photography Fashions by Once Upon A Child
July/August 2016 | Kid-oh! • 29
Cobbler’s (Butterfly) Pose
Begin sitting on the floor and bend the knees up with the feet on the floor. Slowly allow the knees to drop out to the sides, opening up the hips with the soles of the feet together. Finally bring the feet in as close as comfortable.
Benefits of Cobbler’s Pose: • Stimulates abdominal organs, bladder, and kidneys • Stimulates the heart and improves general circulation • Stretches the inner thighs, groins, and knees • Helps relieve mild depression, anxiety, and fatigue • Soothes sciatica • Therapeutic for flat feet, high blood pressure, and asthma
Fun Tip: Have them “flap their wings” by moving the knees up and down.
Tips for Kids:
If they are old enough have them help you count to 10 while holding the pose.
Kids naturally have a short attention span so keep each pose under 30 seconds.
Allow your child to play around with their body positioning in each pose. They don’t have to be perfect!!
3 Legged Down Dog Pose Start on your hands and knees. Tuck your toes under, spread your finders wide and pull your belly in. Lift your knees off the floor and reach your hips up toward the ceiling. Bring your body into the shape of an “A.” Relax the back of the head, looking at your knees. Then lastly lift one leg into the air, then the other. Benefits of 3 Legged Dog Pose: • Elongates and releases tension from your spine • Stretches your hamstrings, calves, arches • Strengthens your hands, arms, shoulders, and back • Improves mobility of your digestive system • Relieves back pain, headaches, insomnia and fatigue • Downward-Facing Dog is a mild inversion that calms the nervous system and helps relieve stress • This is a resting and a strengthen pose ALL-IN-ONE
Fun Tip: Let them pretend they are a dog with “wagging their tail” and barking. **Clothing pictured is courtesy of Scheels.
Gena Heminover: Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher and mother of two girls, Elea age 4 (pictured) and Ava age 1. Teaching yoga at the Mankato Family YMCA and various places of business in Mankato. Specializing in Kids Yoga, Power Yoga, Vinyasa and Yoga for Athletes. Find me on Facebook at ‘Gena Heminover Yoga’ https://www.facebook.com/AthletesYoga Or email: heminoveryoga@yahoo.com 30 • Kid-oh! | July/August 2016
Crescent Moon (Reed) Pose
keeps me healthy so I can play and learn 507.388.2120 • www.myopendoor.info
Choosing the right school is an important step in instilling a life-long love of learning in your child.
Consider what Loyola Catholic School offers its families:
Preschool /K indergar ten Social Come and ch eck us out! Ice cream, bo unce house and fun! Wednesday, Ju ly 20, 6-8pm Rain or shin e, all are wel come!
• Small class sizes • Nurturing, inclusive environment • K-12 Spanish, Art Specialists, Music Program • Resource teachers to offer help • 96% of graduates attend a four-year college and challenge when needed • Average amount of awarded scholarship • 90% of 7-12 grade students dollars per 2016 graduate: $23,106 participate in activities LOYOLA • 75% of students take AP CATHOLIC (advanced placement) courses PreK-12 • All faiths welcome SCHOOL tuition assistance is available
145 Good Counsel Drive, Mankato • 507-388-0600 • loyolacatholicschool.org
Begin standing straight up with the feet together or as close as comfortable (wider for more stability with little ones). Reach arms up over head and bring the palms of the hands together. Then slowly tip from side to side (left and right). Benefits of Crescent Moon Pose: • Stretches and opens the sides of the body • Improves circulation, balance and concentration • Strengthens core, ankles and knees • Energizes the entire body
Fun Tip: Let them pretend it’s a windy day and they are a reed blowing in the wind by bending side to side faster.
Calling All Kids!
FREE GOLF!
FREE GOLF FOR KIDS EVERY SATURDAY WITH PAID ADULT AFTER 3 PM!
Good Now Thru August 2016
• Kids 15 and under • Par 3 Course
Only 2 Miles South of Mankato on Hwy. 22
For more information call 507-625-7665 Highway 22 South, Mankato
July/August 2016 | Kid-oh! • 31
Inventions/Inventors Explorers (1985)
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
A boy obsessed with 50s sci-fi movies about aliens has a recurring dream about a blueprint of some kind, which he draws for his inventor friend. With the help of a third kid, they follow it and build themselves a spaceship. Now what?
(1968)
A down-on-his-luck inventor turns a broken-down Grand Prix car into a fancy vehicle for his children, and then they go off on a magical fantasy adventure to save their grandfather in a far-off land.
Meet the Robinsons (2007)
The Nutty Professor
Lewis is a brilliant inventor who meets mysterious stranger named Wilbur Robinson, whisking Lewis away in a time machine and together they team up to track down Bowler Hat Guy in a showdown that ends with an unexpected twist of fate.
(1963)
To improve his social life, a nerdish professor drinks a potion that temporarily turns him into the handsome, but obnoxious, Buddy Love.
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
The Absent Minded Professor
(1989)
The scientist father of a teenage girl and boy accidentally shrinks his and two other neighborhood teens to the size of insects. Now the teens must fight diminutive dangers as the father searches for them.
(1961)
A college professor invents an anti-gravity substance which a corrupt businessman wants for himself.
Back to the Future
Flubber
(1985)
(1997)
A young man is accidentally sent thirty years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his friend, Dr. Emmett Brown, and must make sure his highschool-age parents unite in order to save his own existence.
Robots (2005)
In a robot world, a young idealistic inventor travels to the big city to join his inspiration’s company, only to find himself opposing its sinister new management.
An absent-minded professor discovers “flubber,” a rubber-like super-bouncy substance.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954)
A ship sent to investigate a wave of mysterious sinkings encounters the advanced submarine, the Nautilus, commanded by Captain Nemo. Courtesy of IMBD.com
32 • Kid-oh! | July/August 2016
July/August 2016 | Kid-oh! • 33
36 • Kid-oh! | July/August 2016
38 • Kid-oh! | July/August 2016
Paper Dolls Carefully Cut-Out Paper Dolls
Be Your Own
Designer
42 • Kid-oh! | July/August 2016
To make your paper dolls more durable: First look in the recycle for an old cereal box and glue the page of paper dolls on the cereal box. Next, when the glue is dry, carefully cut out dolls and outfits. Now you should be ready to play!
Be Your Own
Designer
July/August 2016 | Kid-oh! • 43
Jokes
What did
Q: the ocean
say to the sailboat? A. Nothing it just waved.
Q: Where do sharks go on summer vacation? A. Finland!
When do you go at red and stop at green?
Q:
What does a frog eat in the summer?
Q: What’s the
best day to go to the beach?
Q: What’s brown, hairy and wears sunglasses? A. A coconut on vacation!
A. Sunglasses.
Q:
Q:
A. SUNDAY!
What does the sun drink out of?
A. When you’re eating a watermelon.
A. Hopsicles
Q:
Qthe pig
id What d n a hot say o day? r summe
A. Because they peel.
:
Q: Why don’t mummies go on summer vacation?
A. I’m ba
con!
A. They’re afraid to relax and unwind!
44 • Kid-oh! | July/August 2016
Q: Where did the sheep go on vacation? A. The Baa-hamas!
Why do bananas use sunscreen?
What does a bee do when it is hot? A. He takes off his yellow jacket.
Q:
Art by Kylie - 5
The mermaid is one of the most popular gures in world folklore. In Old English, “mer” means “sea,” and “maid” simply meant woman. Mermaids are therefore “women of the sea.” July/August 2016 | Kid-oh! • 45
46 • Kid-oh! | July/August 2016
Art by Kieryn - 7
There are around 200 different owl species. Owls are active at night (nocturnal). A group of owls is called a parliament. July/August 2016 | Kid-oh! • 47
48 • Kid-oh! | July/August 2016
One of these pictures is a little different than the others. Can you find the oddball?
10
$
Large
Find the Oddball
Bacon Cheeseburger or NEW Mushroom Swiss
Limited delivery area. Charges may apply. Carryout or delivery. Expires 6-30-16
order online at: www.papajohns.com
387-2345
Better Ingredients. Better Pizza.
826 South Front St, Mankato (Next to Family Dollar)
Lake Maze
Help the Yak find his way to the lake for a summer swim.
Start
Finish See Solution on Page 52 See See Solution Solution on on Page Page 52 52 July/August 2016 | Kid-oh! • 49
The word “mandala” is from the classical Indian language of Sanskrit, loosely translated to mean “circle,” representing the universe.
Let’s try making a
mandala! 50 • Kid-oh! | July/August 2016
Art by Christina Vega
July/August 2016 | Kid-oh! • 51
52 • Kid-oh! | July/August 2016
World-class & local:
EXPERIENCE MARRIOTT’S TOP SPAS WITHOUT LEAVING ALABAMA From relaxing massages to invigorating facials and body treatments,
Montgomery and the Spa at Ross Bridge are in the Top 7, followed closely
Marriott is known globally for having great spas. In North America, five of
by the Battle House in Mobile. All five of these spas are part of the RTJ
the top Marriott and Renaissance spas are found in Alabama. For guest
Resort Collection and feature innovative treatments inspired by Southern
satisfaction, the Spa at the Marriott Shoals in Florence remains the top
Hospitality. Clearly great golf and spas work well together in Alabama.
ranked Marriott spa in North America. The Spa at the Grand Hotel in Pt.
Come experience them for yourself.*Renaissance and Marriott spa guest
Clear also is in Marriott’s Top 10. For Renaissance Hotels, both the Spa at
satisfaction rankings in North America, as of Oct. 1, 2014.
FLORENCE · HOOVER · MONTGOMERY · MOBILE · POINT CLEAR The
Resort Collection on Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail · rtjresorts.com/spacard
Making a difference... one child at a time. Please join us as we celebrate our 25th Anniversary! PEDIATRIC THERAPY SERVICES has been making a difference in the lives of children for the past 25 years. We continue to provide physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech/language therapy for the children in a kid friendly environment. As we have grown, our mission remains unchanged: Making a difference…one child at a time.
Who:
All are welcome to celebrate with us!
What:
A CELEBRATION in honor of the kids and families that have been a part of PTS over the years.
Where: Our main location at 150 St. Andrews Court, Suite 310, Mankato When:
Friday, August 26th 4 pm to 7 pm
Why:
Because we have made a difference in the lives of countless kids over the years, so let’s celebrate!
Let us treat you to some summer food, refreshments, and fun games – all in a kid-friendly setting of course!
Making a difference…one child at a time
Satellite Clinic Pediatric Therapy Services Children’s Health Center 1421 Premier Drive Mankato, MN 56001 Therapy sessions at Satellite office are by appointment only. www.kidtherapy.com ptskids@kidtherapy.com
Main Clinic 150 St. Andrews Ct, Suite 310 Mankato, MN 56001 Phone: 507-388-KIDS (5437) Fax: (507) 388-2108 General E-Mail: ptskids@kidtherapy.com