what would you say to the pre-mommy you?
balancing your child's activity load
10 How much is too much?
budgetfriendly home updates
spots
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
COPY EDITOR
Nicole Irving
Alison Walker
Leslie Vega
Allen Haynes
Mark Archer
Dana Kamp
Wendy Eckhardt, Chris Wilson, Helen Kornblum, Dana Kamp, Kelsey McNiel, Allen Haynes, Daniel Griffin, Brooke Newell, Dede Callahan, Julianna Spence, Taylor Dixon
Shandon Smith with Lifeprints Photography, Heidi Mitchell Photography
Sarah Faulkner, Taylor Dixon, Julianna Spence, Paul Flagg, Emily Reger
Darlene Edwards, Radley Ruland
Mission Statement
Giggle Magazine is a modern and refreshing magazine for the families and communities of Alachua County, Florida. With our sole purpose of keeping families and communities connected, Giggle Magazine will keep readers intrigued, informed and inspired, with up to date information and heartwarming stories.
Giggle Magazine would like to thank everyone who donated, walked and supported our 2012 March of DimesMarch for Babies team. Currently, we have raised $5297 to help babies and fund lifesaving research. We could not have done that without your support and love for the babies!
A special thank you to: Our family, friends, business partners and everyone who came out to our Casting Call for Cuties.
Thank you for supporting our efforts to raise money for the March of Dimes.
Irving Publications, LLC reserves the right to edit and/or reject any advertising. Irving Publications, LLC is not responsible for the validity of any claims made by its advertisers. Nothing that appears in Giggle Magazine may be reproduced in any way, without written permission. Opinions expressed by Giggle Magazine writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the publisher’s opinion. Giggle Magazine will consider all never before published outside editorial submissions. Irving Publications, LLC reserves the right to edit and/ or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates.
MAILING ADDRESS
5745 SW 75th Street
Unit 286
Gainesville, FL 32608
p.
PHYSICAL ADDRESS
101 SW 140 Terrace Suite C
Jonesville, FL 32669
gigglemag.com
advertise@irvingpublications.com
Giggle Magazine is registered trademark property of Irving Publications, LLC. All rights reserved. Giggle Magazine is published by Irving Publications, LLC. © 2012
Members of
My grandmother was one of the most talented woman I’ve known. She could sew quilts and make porcelain dolls, and when I walked down the aisle 10 years ago, it was in the dress she made.
Families are made up of all different people…parents, grandparents, sisters, brothers, cousins, aunts and uncles. They all play valuable roles in our lives…different roles. We need them all in our lives and each holds a special spot in our hearts.
I am so blessed to have all of the above in my life. My parents, although they live far away, are only a phone call away when I need them. A brother and sister whom I miss terribly each day, but are there for me during the good and bad, and a gorgeous set of aunts, uncles and cousins who embrace me with love each time I see them. I have also been honored to have four wonderful and loving grandparents in my life. Each one possessing stories and talents to pass on to the next generation. And above all… their unconditional love.
On March 2, 2012, I said my final goodbye to my grandmother, Norma Irene.
Favorite Movie | Kung Fu Panda
Favorite Food | Corn
Favorite Book | The Lion King
Favorite Sport | Baseball (or whatever sport he is currently playing!)
Fun Fact | Isaiah will become a big brother in a few weeks and he helped think of a name for his baby sister!
Photos by Heidi Mitchell Photography
She made countless baby blankets and sweaters for the boys and a set of orange and blue Gator scarves for all 5 of us. I still have the set of knitting needles she gave to me. Maybe one day I will try to make a scarf she would be proud of.
She even made my wedding dress!
She collected turtles, porcelain dolls and was an avid reader with a book collection that could put a small library to shame. She loved decaf tea, volunteering and nothing more than sitting and playing with my boys.
I miss my Grams…I will every day. But, I am a better person and mother because I had her in my life.
This issue is dedicated to her and her memory.
Congratulations to Christy and Niaz, one of our Keeping the Love Alive couples featured in our Feb/March 2012 issue, on the arrival of their new bundle of joy, Elias Naveed, born March 20, 2012. 5 lbs. 15 oz., 18.5 inches long.
Oops! We made a boo boo: In our Feb/March Issue, photos for the "Keeping the Love Alive" local couples feature were by Shandon of Lifeprints Photography.
Giggle Magazine!
The BIG Weight Loss Challenge II has almost reached the halfway point. A lot has occurred since you last read about our six awesome contestants. They have been challenged physically and mentally. They have been educated on proper exercise form, intensity and progression. They have changed the way they shop for, prepare and eat food. Most importantly, they have made health, longevity and well-being a priority in their lives, the lives of their families, and in the lives of those around them.
Some of the physical challenges our contestants have faced include: stadium workouts, outdoor boot camps, group circuit training and cardiovascular interval training. Recently, they competed in and completed a 5K – which is a big deal for most of them since they have never participated in a race. They have been pushed beyond their comfort zones and barriers are being broken.
Nutritionally, they approach eating and fueling their bodies from a totally new perspective. Eating is no longer about quickly shoveling down the most convenient and easy-to-find foods. Instead, it is about giving their bodies the nutrients they need to grow, repair, replenish and operate optimally. Menus are now being made in advance and meals are prepared the night before. Vegetables, fruits, lean meats, whole grains, water and healthy fats have replaced cereals, processed/fried foods, sodas and nutritionally void foods. They all feel great, have more energy and are sleeping better.
We asked a few of the ladies to give us their thoughts on the life changes they are making during the challenge…here is what they shared with us.
I often say if I did not lose another pound the friendships I have formed along this journey made it all worthwhile. Together we support and motivate each other. We see each other through our highs and lows. We truly are a team. But the challenge itself has shown me I am able to accomplish more than I thought was possible. A few weeks ago I would not have thought running one mile was possible, yet I participated in my first 5k run in March. I have changed my diet to clean eating and ridding my body of the toxic foods I was feeding it. I thought breaking my Diet Coke addiction was going to be one of the toughest aspects of the challenge. But once I began thinking like a healthy person, I just changed the Diet Coke to water. It’s amazing how much more energy I have! I contribute all this to Dan and his staff for giving us the tools and guidance we need to succeed.
-Stephanie J."...if I do not lose another pound, the friendships I have made are worthwhile. "Photo by Footstone Photography
The Big Weight Loss Challenge was a sign for me - THE sign that I had been waiting for. The experience has been fantastic. I am consistently dropping pounds, losing body fat and gaining muscle. I am eating healthier than I ever have. A year ago, I would have never thought I would be exercising daily and filling my shopping cart with primarily protein, veggies and fruit! My biggest challenge has been the motivation to exercise properly. A stroll around the block just isn’t enough if I want to see results. I am learning, and more surprisingly accepting, that this is a lifestyle change. I don’t want to go back to the women’s section of the clothing department. I don’t want to go back to the “cookies and milk at 9:00 p.m.” diet. I am excited about looking and feeling better than I have in years. My kids have never met this fit and healthy person. My family is my motivation. I want to make them proud. My gratitude is beyond words, as this experience is changing all of our lives!
We are half way through this program and I know I will never go back to the way I was. While nothing we have done in the past eight weeks is monumentally drastic, all of these small changes have already made a huge impact on my life. My body feels so much happier. I crave good foods. I itch to get my daily exercise in and I even trained for and ran a 10k race in March. I never would have believed that I could run six miles (at once) eight weeks ago! The hardest part is still just finding time to fit it all in, but now I know that my health is a priority too. No more saving all the good food for the kids or putting off my time to exercise. I can't thank Giggle Magazine and Sweat Life Fitness enough. I don't think I could have done this on my own!
"I don't want to go back to the cookies + milk at 9 p.m. diet!"
-Danielle M.
"I crave good foods. I itch to get my daily exercise! "
-Amanda B.
According to the National Confectioner’s Association, Easter is the second most popular candy consumption holiday, only behind Halloween. If you are among the 88 percent of adults who carry on the Easter tradition of creating Easter baskets for your children, candy is surely to be included. The Giggle Magazine staff shares some of their favorites and wishes you a Happy Easter!
Each year, 90 million chocolate Easter bunnies are made and 76 percent of people say they eat the ears on chocolate bunnies first
Holy Peeps!
5million marshmallow chicks and bunnies are made EACH DAY to prepare for Easter!
Nicole's Favorite!
Dana loves
Jelly Belly jellybeans!
Brooke’s favorite is a Reese’s Egg-peanut butter and chocolate is a winning combination!
giggle tip!
Robin Eggs are an Easter-time favorite and the seasonal pastel cousin oftheWhopper!
Mark’s son, Miles, LOVES peeps. He makes peeping noises as he eats them.
For parents worried that their children might eat too much candy around the Easter holiday, add non-edible items to Easter baskets such as crayons, markers, coloring books, movies, books, Play-Doh, bubbles, puzzles and outdoor balls.
Photos By Mark Archer, Headshots by Laurel Housden Photography
BY TAYLOR DIXON
PHOTOS BY HEIDI MITCHELL STYLING BY NICOLE IRVING
is located at the intersection of Tower Road and Southwest 41st Place. This beautiful 23-acre park is equipped for all ages with basketball courts, volleyball courts, baseball fields, soccer fields, playgrounds, batting cages and even a roller hockey rink. Activities include hiking, mountain biking, bird watching, nature viewing and picnicking.
Whether you’re looking for an intimate picnic or to host a birthday party, you can find what you need here. Feel free to lay out a blanket for two on the grass, set up lunch on a picnic table, or use a pavilion for a larger party.
Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Explore Gainesville's best picnic spots to make it a fun and easy day for both mommy and kids.
is located at 4009 NW 53rd Ave. and is open sunrise to sunset. It is best known for its newly constructed 18,000-square-foot skate park,complete with grind rails, mini ramps, a pool and obstacles for skaters and BMX riders of all skill levels. You can also find multi-purpose fields with soccer goals, a large playground and a dog park.
Possum Creek also has two short nature trails. Sinkhole Lake Trail is a .1-mile path that leads to a view of part of the creek and a sinkhole. The other Possum Creek Natural Trail is .2 miles and is located through a forested area, which includes a small bridge crossing the creek leading to an open area. This park is a great place to experience the outdoors in your own neighborhood.
Check out Ichetucknee Springs. Float down the river or grill out for a picnic.
Other great nearby parks for picnics include University of Florida’s Lake Alice and Lake Wauburg, Paynes Prairie, Dudley Farm, River Rise and O’Leno.
located at 1001 NW 34th St., is a top picnic spot for families offering a little bit of everything. Aside from its popular theme-park-style waterslide and pool, Westside also offers residents two playgrounds, sports fields and courts, plenty of shaded areas and trails, pavilions and a skate park. For those too young to enjoy the waterslide, there is a 2,000-square-foot splash park with bubble-up fountains and water sprayers to keep the little ones cool. Although the water activities might require a fee, admission to the rest of the park is free.
If you're looking for a water adventure
TIOGA TOWN CENTER
Keep it simple when it comes to picnic foods. PB & J sandwiches, ham and cheese roll-ups, fruit, granola bars and goldfish will keep the kids happy. Pack celery sticks, raisins, peanut butter and a plastic knife for spreading, and you have an easy snack the kids can make during the picnic! Don't forget to throw in a cold pack to keep your snacks fresh!
One of Florida’s beautiful state parks is right here in Gainesville. Devil’s Millhopper, located at 4732 Millhopper Road, is described as a miniature rain forest tucked away 120 feet deep under sandy terrain and pine forests. Complete with small streams trickling down slopes and lush vegetation, it is a National Natural Landmark. Don’t be surprised if you discover fossil shark teeth, marine shells and fossils of extinct animal remains.
Aside from adventure, you can also enjoy a pleasant picnic as well as wildlife viewing, hiking trails and nature tours.
HOURS
The park is open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday with admission just $4 per car.
352-955-2008
SAN FELASCO HAMMOCK PRESERVE STATE PARK is the perfect location for a birthday party or even a mountain-bike adventure. The 7,000-acre park is located in Alachua County, just northwest of Gainesville, complete with limestone outcrops and varying elevations. With some of the best landscapes nature has to offer, the park is full of sinkholes, steephead springs, ponds and small lakes, sandhills, upland pine and swamp areas.
located only 5 miles past I-75 on Newberry Road, has recently added a fenced-in playground, complete with swings, several play houses, large sand boxes and two slides. It also has several picnic tables and seating for an outdoor lunch or an afternoon snack. It offers a little something for children of all ages and is a perfect spot for your next playgroup gettogether! sugar cookies!
The park is open from 8 a.m. - sundown daily, and there is a fee of $4 per vehicle. 386-497-4690
When outdoors for a picnic with the family, make sure you are prepared. Aside from your coolers of food and beverages, here are a few things you should remember when walking out the door:
• Blanket or foldaway chairs/table
• Sunscreen
• Hand sanitizer/wipes
• Garbage bags
• Games/activities: Frisbee, soccer ball, etc.
• Insect repellent
• Paper towels
• Change of clothes, just in case
EXPLORING ALL THINGS GREEN AND ECO-FRIENDLY TO HELP YOU
20 the gripes + good news explore the dangers and benefits of going green
22 your efficient home the tips and tricks to maintaining an energy-efficient home
24 natural beauty some of the best natural beauty products out there
26 upcycling ideas making the most of what you already have
31 the 4 R's of fatherhood recycle, reuse, reduce, repair
It’s faster-paced than the green arrow symbols on the bottom of plastic containers and more complicated than the smooth but immediately recognizable shape of a Prius. The living, breathing, evolving sustainability movement is constantly overturning new triumphs of human invention – and new tricks. Here are several green gripes or good news nuggets for you to remember when trying to save the planet.
Plastics are not the safe, all-recyclable material manufacturers would like you to believe.
While it is beneficial to recycle plastic rather than throw it away, the increased reliability on plastic by consumers has also increased the amount used and purchased. And with only so much able to be recycled in curbside bins, the result has actually been more plastic dumped in landfills than before recycling was commonplace. In fact, of the 2.7 million tons of plastic PET bottles on U.S. shelves in 2006, four-fifths ended up in landfills.
Much of the plastic that does dodge landfills becomes secondary products that cannot be recycled, things like plastic lumber, parking lot bumpers and textiles. Much of that one-fifth is likely just deferred from landfills, rather than permanently prevented from being buried.
A study by The Ecology Center in Berkeley, Calif., found that most advertising supporting plastics recycling is purchased by virgin plastic manufacturers (those making brand new plastic). That’s because as long as the public views plastic as a safe, environmentally friendly, everrecyclable material, they’ll continue to purchase gads of plastic products made from the new stuff.
If all that bashing has you wondering how you can change your plastic-loving ways, consider a new “R” word to focus on: reuse. Instead of purchasing products made of materials that may not be recyclable, try to purchase reusable materials. Glass, for example, is a great alternative, as it can almost always be recycled and the process uses much less energy than plastic recycling. And try not to buy new, when possible. Instead of that 12-pack of bottled water you purchase at the store each week, invest in a glass (with a plastic cover) or aluminum water bottle for each member of the family. Another option is to buy in bulk, which reduces packaging waste.
That chasing arrow/green leaf/brown box is not necessarily good news. If you’ve ever stood in the detergent aisle for 20 minutes pondering which soap would be the most environmentally friendly, you may have been a victim of greenwashing. Greenwashing, a tactic of advertisers that has become more rampant in the last ten years, uses deceptive words or visual elements to make a product more appealing to an environmentally conscious consumer. It may be a brown box with green leaves, or words like “all natural,” and “certified green.” However, because the Federal Trade Commission has yet to update the 1998 guidelines about what companies can write about green products, these words mean
absolutely nothing. Even the chasing arrow symbol, which is located on the bottom of each plastic container produced, doesn’t indicate certain recyclability. It simply tells the general class of resin used to make the product.
The long list of things you thought you could recycle, but can’t.
Congratulations, residents of Gainesville! You have been recycling since 1988 and now recycle nearly 45 percent of all of your waste. And yet, there is still a long list of things you cannot toss in those blue or orange bins. They include:
• Plastic utensils (though utensils made from plants biodegrade in the landfill)
• Hard plastic bottle caps (including peanut butter jar lids and laundry detergent caps)
• Food contaminated containers
• Used napkins, tissue paper and paper towels
• Window panes, mirrors and light bulbs
• Juice boxes and other coated cardboard drink containers, including milk and orange juice cartons
• Pizza boxes
• Plastic bags and plastic wrap
• Styrofoam and clear clamshell food containers
Gainesville recycles almost everything from paperbacks to old printers. The list of nonrecyclables may seem long, but take solace in the fact that as a Gainesville resident you can recycle almost everything from school workbooks to Christmas trees. A pilot program for recycling electronics was implemented in August 2011. It prevents e-scrap from being landfilled and employs disabled citizens. Additionally, textiles can now be recycled at the Leveda Brown Environmental Park and Transfer Station. The Solid Waste Division will even accept holiday or party string lights at the Public Works Center, located at 405 NW 39 Ave.
The Federal Government green guidelines are nearly nonexistent. Hybrid cars, LEEDcertified buildings, t-shirts made from plastic bottles - a lot has changed since 1998, especially when it comes to the sustainability movement. But that was when the FTC’s guidelines about green advertising was most recently updated, giving modern day marketing tycoons the run of the show when it comes to setting precedents. While the use of the word “organic” is regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the use of many terms that might make or break a product still go unchecked. Descriptive words, such as, “natural,” “cruelty-free,” and “non-toxic,” among dozens of others, have no standard definition or any cut-off that prevents companies from using them.
On the upside, the U.S. now recycles more than a quarter of our waste.
It may be hard to imagine any good news about the state of waste in the U.S., but get this - we now recycle or compost 34 percent of it each year. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, this is the annual benefit of 36 million passenger vehicles being removed from the road! And while much of our plastic is making it to the landfill, disposal of general waste has decreased from 89 percent in 1980 to 54 percent in 2010.
A plastic-use-prevention that’s leading to lead in your produce. A study done by the Tampa Tribune in November 2010 found lead in the reusable bags consumers most frequently use to grocery shop. Bags from major grocery stores, which were produced in China, were found to have more lead than is allowed by the Federal Government in children’s toys. While the lead-ridden paint could flake off over time, there is little fear of the lead simply leaching into food, according to the Tribune.
Remember to wash all of your reusable grocery bags to prevent the growth of bacteria.
BY ALLEN HAYNES
Spring is in full swing with summer hot on its trail. Living in Florida means those inevitable rising temperatures correlate to higher utility bills. Here is a list of realistic changes you can make to improve your home’s energy efficiency.
Switching your lights from incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) is the first practical way to see a change in your electric bill. CFLs can save up to 75 percent of the energy your old incandescent bulbs used.
A new CFL bulb costs anywhere from $2-4 dollars, but it lasts around 10,000 hours while incandescent bulbs only last 1,000. CFLs also only take 27 watts to generate the same lighting as a 100-watt incandescent bulb.
So what does that mean in costs? According to www. energysavers.gov, a CFL will cost about $22 in electricity during its lifetime, making its total cost about $26.
A 100-watt incandescent bulb may only cost you 50 cents initially, but you will need five of them to match the lasting power of the 10,000 hours of light each CFL provides, making your initial cost now $5.
2,000
In the end, it will cost about $80 to run those five incandescent bulbs for 10,000 hours, according to the national average price on www.greenhomeguide.com, a website dedicated to providing energy-saving tips.
Spending that extra couple of bucks up front to replace all of your lamps and ceiling fan lights will save you hundreds of dollars in the long run.
Water heating accounts anywhere from 14-25 percent of your home’s energy consumption, according to www.energysavers. gov, so another quick and easy way to lower your bills is adjusting your water heater’s temperature.
Most water heaters are positioned to its hot setting or about 140 degrees. Lower that temperature to the warm setting, or about 120 degrees. According to the website, each 10 degrees of water temperature reduction saves approximately 3-5 percent in energy costs.
Next, insulate the water lines. This will prevent the water from cooling down as fast between uses.
If you recently bought or are planning on buying a fridge soon, avoid the temptation of using the old one as a backup for drinks and extra storage, which is commonplace in Florida.
Before moving that old fridge to the garage, consider whether it’s worth the extra $150 a year or so it’s going to cost running that extra storage space.
WHEN YOU TURN ON AN INCANDESCENT BULB, ONLY 10 PERCENT OF ITS ENERGY IS USED AS LIGHT, THE OTHER 90 PERCENT IS HEAT.
AUTOMATIC DISHWASHERS USE ABOUT SIX GALLONS LESS OF HOT WATER PER USE THAN WASHING DISHES BY HAND. THAT’S ABOUT 2,000 GALLONS A YEAR.
If you are about to purchase a new fridge, think about how much space you really need and consider an Energy Star model. It will cost more up front, but because of recent improvements in refrigeration efficiency, an Energy Star model will only cost about $30-60 per year to run. That means over the course of its lifetime, one large energy efficient fridge will cost less to run than two standard-sized models.
ALSO CONSIDER CONFIGURATION. A SIMILARLY SIZED FRIDGE WITH A TOPMOUNT FREEZER WILL USE 20-25 PERCENT LESS ENERGY THAN A SIDE-BY-SIDE MODEL, ACCORDING TO WWW.GREENHOMEGUIDE.COM.
Simple changes like these can put hundreds of dollars back in your pocket each year, which means more money for vacations, home improvements and date nights for Mommy and Daddy.
Opening a refrigerator allows up to 30 percent of its cold air to escape depending on how long it stays open.
When you turn on an incandescent bulb, only 10 percent of its energy is used as light, the other 90 percent is heat.
Automatic dishwashers use about six gallons less of hot water per use than washing dishes by hand. That’s about 2,000 gallons a year.
The typical American family home uses 69.3 gallons of water each day. This consumption can be brought down by 30% by installing low-flow faucets.
Check all of your vents and make sure there are no obstructions. This will ensure the most efficient airflow.
If recycling and reusing have become part of your everyday routine, you are definitely doing your part for the health of our beautiful planet. Yet what are you doing for yourself? The beauty products you apply to your skin and hair make a difference in the health of your body, inside and out. These featured products are formulated with natural ingredients and without many harmful chemicals.
1.EcoTools 6-Piece Eye Brush Set
Make an environmentally-smart choice when you purchase this Earthfriendly makeup brush set made of natural and recycled materials, including cruelty-free bristles, bamboo handles and a natural hemp travel case. (Target)
5.Yes to Blueberries
Age Refresh
Cleansing Facial
Towelettes—Cleanse and moisturize in one step with this delicious towelette. Made with sweet almond oil, organic blueberry extract, apple and lemon peel extract, as well as 100% natural fragrance, this time-saver is a lifesaver. (Target)
3.Gud from Burt’s Bees Natural Nourishing Shampoo in Orange Petalooza
Made with rice extract, organic hibiscus flower, organic peppermint, sage and thyme leaf extracts, this luscious shampoo contains no parabens, phthalates or petrochemicals. (Target)
4.Botanics Firming Body Gel—This refreshing gel replenishes lost moisture and helps tone skin on arms, thighs or bust with active plant extracts, including Echinacea to protect collagen. (Target)
2.Tarte Blush and Bronzer Onthe-Go—A gorgeous blush and perfect bronzer that are made with grape seed extract, vitamins A, C and E, mineral pigments and Amazonian clay and formulated without parabens, phthalates, sodium lauryl sulfate, mineral oil or synthetic fragrance. (Sephora) naturally beautiful when shopping for your beauty products, read the labels! Look for products that are free of parabens, phthalates and fragrance.
6.Sephora Instant Moisturizer
A long-lasting facial moisturizer for all skin types and free of parabens, sulfate, phthalate, GMOs, and triclosan, this light-reflecting moisturizer is a makeup bag must-have. (Sephora)
7.Korres Lip Butter in Wild Rose
This buttery lip balm has a shiny, tinted finish, is made from shea butter and rice wax for lasting hydration and softness, and is free of mineral oil, silicone and ethanolamine. (Sephora)
8.Josie Maran Organic Argan Oil
Moisturizer—This 100% organic multi-use moisturizer can be used on the face, split ends, cuticles, dry skin patches or as a bath oil. Made with antioxidants and vitamin E, it is “your answer to healthy, youthful, radiant skin and hair…naturally.” (Sephora)
100% organic
a makeup bag must-have
BY TAYLOR DIXON Photos by Mark Archer
DON’T JUST RECYCLE! IT’S TIME TO GET A LITTLE CREATIVE AND TRY YOUR HAND AT UPCYCLING! INSTEAD OF THROWING EGG CARTONS IN THE RECYCLE BIN OR GIVING AWAY OLD DISHES TO GOODWILL, CONSIDER USING THOSE ITEMS TO CREATE SOMETHING COMPLETELY NEW – AND COMPLETELY USEFUL. HERE ARE A FEW IDEAS TO GET YOU STARTED.
Do you have ugly plates or glasses you don’t dare take out of the cupboard? Bring them out and make something pretty. It’s simple. Glue mismatched plates and glasses (with stems) together, top to bottom. Spray paint in your color of choice and you have your very own cake stand. This also makes for a thoughtful birthday or housewarming gift.
If your rake is spending more time in the garage than being used in your yard, you may want to consider another use for it. You can turn this garden tool into a jewelry hanger where it would be a lot more practical. Just remove the handle and hang the end of the rake with a nail on your closet or bathroom wall with the teeth facing out. This is a great way to hang your chain necklaces and pearls, or your belts and ties. Plus it looks cute, too.
Do you have crayon stubs floating around the house? You know, the broken chunks of crayons that your children no longer use? Just peel off the papers, crush them into smaller pieces and fill your cupcake pan with them. You may consider using cooking spray to grease the pan first. Stick them in the oven at 200 degrees until they are melted. Take the pans out and let them cool until the mixture has hardened. Your children can now enjoy a new, fun crayon and you can save a trip to the store.
Mason jars, many people use them as drinking glasses or for storing coffee, tea, flour, sugar and other items. Another idea is the Mason memory jar. Just clean a Mason jar and keep it on the counter or table with a notepad and pen beside it. Throughout the year, encourage everyone to write down memories that make them smile. On New Year’s Eve or at the end of the time frame you choose, open it up and reminisce on all the good times you have shared. You can even throw in movie ticket stubs or photos.
Do you know a dad who can cook, shop and wrap gifts for his children’s friends, play dress-up, mediate sibling spats and change a diaper in the blink of eye?
Does he do dishes? Laundry? Carpool? Is he the best dad ever and last but not least…HOT?
If you know a dad who is the complete package and deserves to be spotlighted, nominateyourHOTTIEDADnow.Newthis year, HOTTIE DADS finalists are eligible to win fabulous prizes!
You can nominate a HOTTIE DAD by submitting up to three photos and a brief paragraph (200 words or less) about who he is and why he should be chosen to be one of Giggle Magazine’s HOTTIE DADS!
Please send nominations and contact information to giggle@irvingpublications.com.
Visit gigglemag.com for more details!
Participating Sponsors:
Recycling is a fact of life. Helping protect the environment is another one of those responsibilities on the list most dads carry. Recycling, reusing, reducing and repairing represent just the beginning of the “R” section of that list. Fatherhood goes hand-in-hand with conservation as a responsibility to children and future generations.
Getting the family involved in household chores is a sort of stewardship to the environment in which a father lives. The entire family can see how reusing some items can lead directly to helping somewhere else at home, whether that impact is felt in the family budget or by making use of something that otherwise would have been trash.
Over the winter, you found some shelving left out with a neighbor’s garbage by the side of the road. The shelves had been arranged in an unusual pattern, which you thought would make an interesting entertainment center for home.
You used the shelving as framework for the entertainment center, replaced damaged shelves and added more wood as support to the frame. You saved everything from scrap wood to sawdust for other uses.
One April day began with your young family eating a breakfast that included eggs, coffee and fruit. With the sun shining down, it was a great day for planting. Landscaping is a great way to reuse and recycle materials that otherwise would have been trash. And if the work is done well, you will be rewarded with a yard that has the whole neighborhood buzzing.
You can get everyone excited about picking out new plants for the yard. This is a great time to teach the kids about the advantages of finding native plant species. You can take the little ones with you for a fun and educational challenge of identifying species at the nursery.
Composting, which produces organic matter that enriches soil, is a great way to reuse yard waste, reduce household waste, such as the breakfast’s leftover coffee grounds, fruit
peels and egg shells, and reduce waste that winds up in landfills. Freshly mowed grass and dead leaves are both compost candidates. You can also put some workshop waste, like sawdust, to work in the compost bin.
That, of course, brings us right back to the sawdust and scrap wood you saved from your entertainment center salvage project to build the compost bin. You even used the smallest pieces of scrap wood as sanding blocks and saved other unusually shaped pieces for school projects.
Finally, you had to decide what to do with that old TV stand that was falling apart. Why throw something out that has a minimal amount of wood damage and some missing shelves? Repairing something that is broken is another way to recycle. That’s why you turned that TV stand into a table for your daughter’s tea parties.
*For more information about composting and native plants, visit the University of Florida’s IFAS Extension website at livinggreen. ifas.ufl.edu.
for dads. by dads.
The arrival of spring often creates the desire to update and refresh your surroundings. Something about the warm sunshine and blooming flowers stirs up that urge to make a fresh start somewhere in your life. A good spring cleaning is a great place to begin, but giving an update to the décor of your home brings a whole new kind of satisfaction. Luckily, it is possible to achieve a feeling of renewal without renovating your whole house and maxing out your credit card. These budget-friendly design ideas can be done in an afternoon and will give your home that fresh look you crave.
1. Replace the knobs/handles on a dresser or cabinet. This is an easy, inexpensive way to update your dresser, while also adding a personal touch to an ordinary piece of furniture. Coordinate the hardware with the style or theme of the room.
2. Paint a wall, a chair or a table. Painting a whole room takes a huge commitment, but choosing to accent just one wall gives a fun, unexpected pop of color to the room. A new coat of paint on a table or the legs of a chair can make an unbelievable difference.
3. Rearrange furniture. It’s free and there are endless possibilities! Separate sofas and loveseats that have always been a pair. Move an end table to another spot. Reposition your bed or desk for a new view. Play around and have fun “redesigning” your room!
4. Hang new curtains or blinds A window treatment can completely transform the look and feel of your room. It can promote the ambiance you want to convey, whether you choose dramatic
draperies, sheer linen curtains or a modern blinds system. A new curtain for your bath or shower can have the same effect in your bathroom.
5. Display your favorite vases or dishes. Finding new uses for beautiful pieces you already own is a great way to save money on your home makeover. A vase can be used to hold kitchen utensils or guest bathroom toiletries. A lovely bowl can catch spare change and keys by the front door.
6. Add some greenery. Literally “liven” up your home by bringing some of the outdoors inside. Research types of indoor plants that interest you and are safe for homes with children and pets.
7. Buy or sew new throw pillows or chair covers. One of the easiest ways to update a room is to add a new color or texture to the layout. Replacing accent pillows on a couch or bed can modernize and brighten the whole room. Choosing a gorgeous fabric to cover an aged chair is another simple tip that won’t require a huge purchase.
8. Replace lampshades. Instead of buying new lamps, just substitute modern shades for the old ones. Try a new shape, size and color for a remarkable change in the feel of the room.
9. Purchase new rugs or mats. A colorful area rug can create a beautiful new focal point and cover a carpet stain that just won’t come out. New rugs in the kids’ bedrooms, mats in the bathrooms or even a new welcome mat at the front door are easy home updates.
10. Change one wall or counter top display. Choose a clean space to display a beloved piece of artwork (by a favorite artist or your own children), an inspirational quote, beautiful sconces or candles, a photo gallery of family pictures or an elegant mirror. This new addition to your home may become your favorite because it has your personal touch.
Having a barbeque meal for lunch or dinner is an exciting way to kick off the summer. Here are a few of our favorite quick and easy recipes for you to try at your next barbeque!
Submitted by Daddy D Guenther
What you’ll need:
1 head broccoli
1 head cauliflower
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup raisins
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup sugar
8 slices cooked bacon (crumbled)
5 green onions, chopped
Here’s how to make it: Cut broccoli and cauliflower into bite-sized pieces. Add raisins and onions. Mix together mayonnaise, vinegar and sugar. Pour over salad, toss well and refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Bacon may be added just prior to serving to keep crispness. Yields: 6-8 servings.
Submitted by Daddy D Guenther
What you’ll need:
1 large graham cracker pie crust
1 16-ounce can blueberry pie filling
3/4 box confectioners’ sugar (1 pound box)
12 ounces Cool Whip topping
12 ounces cream cheese
Here’s how to make it: Place cream cheese in microwave dish and heat for 15 seconds to make it easy to mix. In a large mixing bowl, fold in sugar and Cool Whip. With mixer, blend on medium speed until all lumps are out of cream cheese. Immediately add ingredients into pie shell. Shape a slightly concave space in mixture and then add blueberry pie filling as needed to fill the shell. Use a little Cool Whip to decorate if desired.
Submitted by Anne Aulisio
What you’ll need:
1 5-6 lb. bone-in Boston butt
1 cup ginger ale
1 bottle of your favorite barbecue sauce
Buns for sandwiches
Here’s how to make it:
Trim visible fat off meat (I use kitchen shears). Place meat in slow cooker big enough so the meat is not touching sides. Pour ginger ale over meat. Cook on low for 10 hours. At this point you can take meat out and shred, then pour juices out, put meat back in pot and use your favorite barbecue sauce to pour over meat. Our family serves the pulled pork sandwiches with banana pepper rings on top. Enjoy!
If your little ones are not big fans of barbecue sauce mixed in with the meat, you can set aside a portion of the pulled pork for them before mixing in the barbecue sauce.
May is National Barbecue Month!
I am sure many of us have thought about how we can handle sitting at the soccer or baseball fields four nights a week. But how does this affect our children? What should we involve our kids in or not get them involved in? How much is too much?
HERE ARE SOME OF OUR READERS’ SUGGESTIONS AND THOUGHTS ON HOW THEY HANDLE THEIR CHILDREN'S ACTIVITY SCHEDULE:
bee cause we all need a little help from our friends!
• Check your schedule and make sure any activities scheduled are manageable. If conflicts arise, you should not add additional activities.
• Use a large family calendar to remind everyone of their responsibilities. Make sure everyone is able to meet their commitments without issues.
• Ask for help and delegate duties to others if you are unable to be where you are supposed to be.
• Do not feel guilty if you decide your child cannot do everything they want. Family time is the most important time.
• Do not put yourself in debt trying to have your child participate in every activity they are interested in. Spread out activities and costs so not to place unnecessary stress on your family financially.
There are lots of good things out there; only do the best! One sport at a time. Under plan because life happens and things come up. Family, church and school come first - then the other stuff. If everyone is grouchy about schoolwork, the house, etc., that is a sign we are doing too much and I plan to do less the next "season." Maturity is the ability to tell yourself or the kids, “no.” It's okay to say no. Although we enjoy the activities the boys have been in, we really cherish the time we have together. Having the time and energy left to call friends to come over for dinner or to join us somewhere is usually more fun than any planned activity. The freedom and time to enjoy each other is something I don't plan for but is something more valuable than activity for the sake of involvement. We usually reserve Friday night to be together without a commitment to anything else.
- Anita M.Since we homeschool, we are pretty grounded during the day to allow time for the kids to do all of their school work. At home, our kids have the down time they need. We do have both boys (ages 8 and 12) in baseball several evenings during the week and most weekends. My 6-year-old daughter is in gymnastics one afternoon a week. We are very involved with our children’s programs at church as well. I feel that because we focus on school and home chores at home during the day, this allows for our busy evenings in baseball and church activities without feeling overloaded as a family.
- Stephanie O.
I don't feel like we have activity overload, because we only schedule one thing or activity at a time. For instance my daughter is only taking guitar and my son only football. My husband and I work well together to make sure each of us can handle one child's activity schedule. I do feel some peer pressure at times because our children aren't scheduled for more activities, but I remind myself that an overwhelming schedule is no fun for anyone.
- Shellie M.The girls have to do their 20 minutes of reading before their afternoon activity and if not they miss it or go in late. We have been late once and they learned I was serious. We also quiz for math facts and spelling words in the car on the way to and from classes, which makes study time go faster.
Continued on page 39
The girls take hip-hop, gymnastics, martial arts, basketball and softball (seasonal) and are in Brownies. In addition, we have to find time to go to the library once a week. This year, they wanted to add piano. We had to say no unless they were willing to give something up. We are also blessed that I can still manipulate the schedule so they both do the same class at the same time. But they are developing different skills and interests, so I know next year we will likely have some changes. Our summers remain schedule-free and we practically live outside.
- Brandi G.
“The Organized Parent: 365 Simple Solutions to Managing Your Home, Your Time, and Your Family's Life” by Christina Baglivi Tinglof
“SOS: Stressed Out Students' Guide to Managing Your Time” by Lisa Medoff
“Mom's Trapped in the Minivan” by Cynthia W. Sumner
Do you have other solutions? Share them along with your other questions at Facebook.com/giggle magazine
IT’S PROM SEASON! ALTHOUGH THIS CAN COME WITH SOME HEADACHES FOR PARENTS, THIS IS A SPECIAL MILESTONE IN YOUR CHILD’S LIFE THAT SHOULD BE FUN, SAFE AND MEMORABLE. HERE ARE A FEW TIPS FOR EASING THE STRESS AND PLANNING AN UNFORGETTABLE PROM NIGHT FOR YOUR TEEN.
Prom night does not come cheap, but it shouldn’t break the bank either. It’s your child’s big night, and you will want to give them an experience they won’t forget.
Try setting a clear budget with your teen, and teach them the value of money. Whether you decide to have them contribute or not, make sure they know how to budget their costs. Take into consideration the ticket, the dress or tuxedo rental, dinner, transportation, photographs and any other luxuries that might arise.
Or tux. But, let’s face it-getting your daughter ready for prom night is much more stressful than getting your son ready. First, there’s the dress-the most important decision in a 17-year-old girl’s life.
Then, there are the shoes, the jewelry, the hair and the make-up. And for boys, well you pretty much just need to make sure they shower. It is Oscar season in the high school world, and your children are walking the red carpet. Be supportive, but don’t let materialistic desires stand in the way of their big night. The most important accessory they need to be wearing is confidence.
Don’t worry; you don’t need to swipe your credit card for everything. Instead of the “traditional” 15-minute limousine ride, you might want to drive the group yourself. Split it up with another parent and designate someone for drop-off and another for pick-up.
You can also save a bundle by hosting your own prep party. Hair, nails and makeup could cost you hundreds of dollars. Suggest a prep party and have the girls take turns doing each other’s hair and makeup. This can save a lot of money and can be so much fun!
Whether it’s a pre-prom dinner or post-prom sleepover, there are alternative ways to the lavish hotel room stay or pricey restaurant bill. Consider a home-cooked meal or potluck dinner before the dance. And, hosting a sleepover can be both safe and fun!
In the past, the factor that would make or break the night was whether you had a date. Today, students are welcoming the idea of riding solo or with a group. Assure your teen that having a date is not the “big issue,” and encourage them to attend with friends.
As parents, safety is your major concern for the night. There’s no way of controlling your teen’s action, but there is a way to inform them. Sit them down and have an open conversation about the issues. Underage drinking is an issue that we cannot avoid. A 2009 Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that 42 percent of high school students drank some amount of alcohol during the past 30 days. Warn them about the dangers of drinking, and inform them on how to handle peer pressure and other situations. This is an issue that you and your teen should conquer together.
Santa Fe High School April 13
P.K. Yonge Developmental April 14 Research School
Eastside High School April 20
Oak Hall School April 21
St. Francis Catholic High School April 27
Gainesville High School April 28
Hawthorne High School May 4
Loften High School May 12
Newberry High School May 19
Buchholz High School May 19 PLEASE
BY ASHLEY POSER WIPKE
I’m sure you can remember how special and excited you felt going shopping for your prom dress and finding just the perfect one to wear to your high school prom. Now try to imagine wanting to find that perfect dress but not being able to afford it. This is the reality of many girls in the Gainesville area during prom season. With a suffering economy and many families struggling financially, many young women are left to borrow a dress and hope they can find one they like and that fits.
This is where the Gainesville Prom closet (Gainesville’s chapter of Becca’s Closet) fills that void. Having just held their fifth annual prom dress giveaway event on March 17, 2012, at the NW Boys and Girls Club, this group gathers gently used dresses throughout the year to give to deserving young women during prom season. Over 100 young ladies were helped this year.
You can help! Please contact Ashley Poser Wipke at gvillepromcloset@gmail.com to donate dresses. They accept donations during the spring and fall seasons. Visit www.beccascloset.org for more information.
OnMay 8, 2011, a sea of emotion overwhelmed me and tears rolled down my cheeks as I sat listening to the pastor read the children’s book “Let Me Hold You Longer,” written by Karen Kingsbury. I was in Tampa, Florida, to celebrate Mother’s Day with my mother-in-law and her family. Little did I know that listening to the pastor read this book and talk about all the joys of being a mother would make me so emotional. I couldn’t figure out why, and while sitting in church I just blamed it on the fact that I was missing being with my mother on this special holiday. However, to my surprise, the next day would change my life forever.
My husband and I had been praying about having a child and in fact, we were currently trying – not on a tight, detailed schedule, but just trying. Once back in Gainesville I had the urge to take a pregnancy test, and our prayers were answered. Fast forward to January 24, 2012, our son Logan was born. I will never forget the way I felt as soon as they placed Logan in my arms. I had never seen such a tiny miracle in my entire life. Just seeing such a precious child without any imperfections lying on my chest brought an immense feeling of joy and appreciation for life throughout my entire body. It is something people tell you about, but until it happens, you have no idea what to expect. Since the birth of my son, the love and respect I have for my mom has grown and continues to grow each day. I could not be the mom I am today if it weren’t for her. Henry Beecher once said, “We never know the love of a parent until we become parents ourselves,” and this is evident now that I am a mother.
Moms, just remember you are doing a wonderful job parenting your child or children. You care for them, love them, and constantly make sacrifices for them. There will never be anyone in the word willing to do all the things you do day in and day out for your child. No matter what age your child is,
Mothers hold their children’s hands for a short while, but their hearts forever.” – Author Unknown.
With Mother’s Day quickly approaching, I am looking forward to the first holiday where I can celebrate as an actual mom. I’ve always tried to honor my mother and grandmother on this holiday by making them special gifts, sending cards, and by planning quality time together. I realized that it isn’t until you become a mom yourself that you appreciate more in depth what your mom and grandmother have done to influence your life and make you who you are today.
Needless to say, the perfect gift to me for Mother’s Day this year is one I already have - a healthy son that I can hold in my arms with my husband next to me. I would love for us to spend the day together at the beach making memories that will last a lifetime.
For those moms who do enjoy receiving special gifts of appreciation, I know your husbands and children will strive to make you happy. A mom would love the children’s book I mentioned earlier because it will remind her of all the wonderful times she has had with your child and those she will have for years to come. Several local jewelry stores offer great deals on charms that she will be able to add to a charm bracelet and remember the special day she received them and what each one means to her.
Mothers also deserve a break from constantly taking care of the children, working, and keeping the house in order. Surprise the wonderful mother of your children with a weekend getaway where she can pamper herself while you take care of the children. She deserves two stress-free days out of the year! Also, many cleaning services are offering specials right now that will help Mom get a break from the dailies!
Finally, the gift that would probably mean the most to her is just spending the day free of Xboxes, Wiis, cell phones, iPads and other distractions
It is so easy today to get distracted and not focus on family, so make an effort to show Mom how important she is on this special day! Many Gainesville moms stated that the “perfect” gift would be spending time alone with their family. It is a great time to come up with ideas that are friendly on the wallet, but still make Mom feel like a million dollars.
We asked local moms what advice they would give themselves if they could go back to the time right before they became a mom…here is what they shared.
If your child screams and cries in public-it’s okay. Most people are thinking, "Boy, I remember what that was like!" Or, if they are annoyed, who cares? You’ve never cared what people thought of you before, so don’t start now.
-Jenn G., mom of 2
"Don't listen to what everyone else says, go with your instincts...they take you further than any advice. And, read "The No Cry Sleep Solution" by Elizabeth Pantley. "
-Kelly M., mom of 2"Don’t worry about the messes!"Photos by Lifeprints Photography
Don’t worry about the messes because there are a lot of fun memories in making themknocking down the towers, stomping through muddy trails, and playing ping pong at the dining room table.
"SLEEP...get it all in while you can! Avoid comparing yourself to other moms. Just be the best mom you can be. It's ok to ask for help. Worrying never solves a thing. And, never forget your first love-your hubby. You were his first."
I would have cherished my free time with my husband a whole lot more than we did. You really don't realize the amount of quiet, free, lay-like-broccoli time you have until you don't have it anymore.
B., mom of 2
Don't be afraid to leave the house with the baby. Pack the diaper bag, stroller and sling in the car and go somewhere! If you can't get the stroller through a doorway, someone will help you. If you don't want people to touch the baby, wear him in the sling. If the baby screams, feed him. Everyone knows you're new to this-it's no big deal.
-Dana K., mom of 3I'm happy with the timing and wouldn't change much. I guess I'd tell myself to relax more, that I will be a good mom and not to stress over the small stuff too much!
-Lisa
H.,mom of 2 (pictured above)
have/will have children the same age as you, and have similar schedules as you (whether you are staying at home or working). Staying connected with friends is super important!
"I would tell younger, childless me to go to New York City at Christmas before having kids. Just do it, before you either have to bring them and ten layers of clothes for them or leave them behind. I would also tell younger, childless me to eat fewer cookies while I'm pregnant."
-Leslie V., mom of 2
-Kelly
-Amy M., mom of 3
-Lisa H., mom of 2
-Kelly B., mom of 2
-Kelly B., mom of 2
"Don't be so scared to leave the hospital-you are going to do just fine once you are at home with the baby!"-Jennifer R., mom of 1
-Julie M., mom of 2
-Kari Leigh W., mom of 3
"Sleep as much as possible."
-Mindy B., mom of 2
these might get your wish list started!
rubber & non-breakable!
A simple and cute treat, the eos lip balms are 95% organic and 100% natural and come in a variety of sweet scents. Perfect for days at the beach!
Participating Walgreens stores.
Apple & Bee Overnight Bag
A must for any mom on the go, the Apple & Bee overnight bag is made out of organic cotton and leather, roomy for all things necessary and comes in this wonderful Japanese silver glitter pattern. appleandbeeusa.com
For flowers, paint brushes or kitchen utensils, these Rubber Vases are a fun and bright addition to any room in the house! A perfect gift for the inner interior designing mom! aplusrstore.com
Perfect for the Workout Mom, The SLIMCOACH™ by MYTRAK is an asset to any fitness guru. As it tracks and analyzes your movements, it will give you an instant update on your fitness progress! biggestloser slimcoach.com
This elegant Gold Leaf Birds on Branches jewelry holder is the perfect gift for any jewelry lover. The simple and beautiful design holds multiple pieces of jewelry while being compact enough to sit on any counter or dresser for easy access to jewels. organize.com
store your jewelry beautifully
• Favorite meal: Satchel’s Pizza and Mom’s chicken
• Favorite date spot: BONEFISH!
• Movie in our DVD player right now: Curb Your Enthusiasm-Season 1
• Our family is most like: The Griswolds
• The kids’ favorite book: Guinness Book of World Records
• Mommy and Daddy’s favorite TV shows: Arrested Development, Modern Family, Bachelor (only Brooke!)
• Websites we love: ideeli, Pinterest and Steep and Cheap
• Pets: That is a failed experiment. But we do have a wild turkey in our yard!
• Favorite vacation: Crested Butte, Colorado and Anna Maria Island, Florida
• What makes my kids laugh: Daddy! Literally anything he does or says or wears!
• Why we love living in Gainesville: We loved it when we were 20 years old and we love it now! It is the definition of community for us! Chris being the Area Director for Young Life here has blessed our family beyond words. We have the privilege of being surrounded by hundreds of college leaders, an amazing adult community, as well as friends we know we will have for life.
We can usually find Lily reading all cuddled in bed!
• Something that we would want our children to have that we didn’t have growing up: The community that I described allows our kids to be influenced and loved on by the most amazing college students in the world! They are being taught to love and serve others without expectations of anything in return, work hard and do things honestly and with integrity!
• Favorite day trip: When I asked the kids this they said, "ORLANDO!”
• First word you think of when we say “family”: HOME!
• Favorite picnic spot: The swing set!
• Must have item: A bottle of water (Brooke), a toy horse (Lily), a creative snack or game she created (McKenzie), Spiderman (Jack), FOOD (Eva), and computer (Chris)
• Favorite family activity: Swimming, trampoline and water fights...in that order!
• Three words that describe our family:
Anything else you want us to know about your family? No matter how big the house is...all four kids are within two feet of us! And we love it!
"...surrounded by hundreds of college leaders, an amazing adult community, as well as friends we know we will have for life."
DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) is becoming a household name very quickly. It’s being added to foods such as infant formula, cereal and yogurt. You can find it on more and more labels and in commercials on a daily basis. In order to better understand why you are hearing so much about DHA, take a closer look at why your body, and your little ones’ bodies, could benefit from its consumption.
DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid that is naturally found in fish oils. It is a main structural component of the brain and eyes, but is not naturally made by the human body. It must be obtained by food or supplements. Fatty fish such as tuna, salmon and shellfish have a high amount of DHA. It can also be found in sardines, mackerel, algae, walnuts, pumpkin seeds and breast milk.
Several parts of the body rely on DHA to maintain healthy functioning. It helps form neural transmitters in the brain, it is converted into prostaglandins, which regulate cell activity in the cardiovascular system, and it preserves the health of the retinas. DHA also provides a cushion for tissues and organs and insulation to reduce heat loss. It is an essential nutrient for the healthy growth and development of the body.
Many people don’t include fish, or other foods that contain DHA, in their regular diets. In order to supply the body with the DHA it needs, one must look to supplements or DHA-fortified foods and beverages. DHA plays a huge role in the development of the brain and a child’s brain grows exponentially during the first few years of life. Because of this, many foods targeted toward infants and children have been fortified with DHA, including formula, cereal, juice and baby food.
Dr. Olga Mas, a pediatrician with Alliance Pediatrics, has noticed the surge of formula labels proclaiming that DHA has been added to their product.
Mas explained that blood levels of DHA are usually higher in strictly breastfed infants, and for that reason most infant formula manufacturers now add synthetic DHA to formulas.
Manufacturers have strived to replicate the makeup of breast milk so that formula-fed babies receive the same nutrition as those who are breastfed.
“Although results from studies addressing the addition of DHA to infant formulas are mixed, they appear to suggest that there are some benefits with neurological and visual development,” Mas stated.
Are there other advantages to attaining adequate DHA levels?
• Incorporating DHA into your diet can lower cholesterol and heart rate, as well as reduce the risk of heart disease and heart attacks.
• Many studies suggest consuming the recommended DHA can improve conditions such as depression, anxiety, ADHD and bipolarity.
• DHA’s powerful anti-inflammatory properties may help those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease and menstrual cramps.
• Studies are ongoing to confirm a relationship between low levels of DHA and the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
• Pregnant women can assist in proper development of the fetus’ brain, eyes and nervous system by maintaining 200 milligrams per day of DHA.
In January you resolved to get organized. How did that work out? If your life hasn’t changed much, perhaps it’s time to approach your organizing goals by answering this question: What would happen if you had less stuff in your house, in your life, in your mind? Go ahead, fill in the blank: If I had less stuff, I would be____________.
With a clear goal, you will be more motivated to spring into action and remove the pockets of clutter around you. Here are some tips for getting in sync with a new season.
includes toys that never get played with, clothing that never gets worn, books that have not been read, CDs that are never listened to and appliances that are rarely or never used. Identify the organizations that can benefit from your items and reflect your values.
Paper Clutter means unread piles of mail, neglected magazines, and schedules for events or activities that are no longer valid. Welcome the freshness of spring by sweeping out your office and desk of paper debris. Don’t forget the glove compartment and floor of your car when you do this exercise.
Virtual Clutter lurks in your email inbox, unneeded computer documents, backlog of voicemail messages, unwanted cell phone apps, and DVR programs that you don’t have time to watch. You have probably forgotten what you taped months ago. Save only what you truly need and start over.
Mental Clutter builds up in your nervous system because of all those moments when you said yes to a request that you didn’t really want to do. Stress, worry and anger take their toll on you. You seek calm but you have created chaos in your psyche and plans. Practice saying no.
By following the principles of green living-reducing, recycling, and reusing--you can revamp your space and your life no matter what the season. While Mother Nature revitalizes the landscape, you can refresh your life through conscious awareness of what you want in it.
• Schedule your sessions on your calendar.
• Identify the area for each organizing session.
• Make a list of tasks that need to be done.
• Gather supplies: boxes, trash bags, markers, paper.
• Prepare labels or mark boxes for Keep, Relocate, Donate, Sell, Store and Toss.
• Store like items together.
• Keep frequently used items accessible.
• Finish one area before moving on to another.
• Donate or sell items promptly.
• Enjoy the challenge of recreating your space!
The NCMEC estimates that “800,000 children are reported missing each yearmore than 2,000 children every day. An estimated one in five girls and one in ten boys will be sexually victimized before age 18. Yet, only one in three will tell anyone.”
In 1981, 6-year-old Adam Walsh disappeared from a Florida mall, and his parents quickly learned there was no way they were going to find their son due to the lack of coordination efforts among local, state and federal law enforcement.
It took two missing boys and the discovery of 29 bodies for the United States to recognize the seriousness of child abduction. In 1983, President Ronald Reagan marked May 25 as National Missing Children’s Day.
According to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, National Missing Children’s Day is a reminder to all parents and guardians of the need for high-quality photographs of their children for use in case of an emergency, and the importance of paying close attention to the posters and photographs of missing children.
Since 1981, law enforcement has improved its efforts in child abduction and exploitation. Now there are training opportunities for law enforcement officers, prosecutors and educators throughout the United States. These training sessions allow participants to engage with other professionals and discover resources that help aid in the investigation and prosecution of cases involving missing and exploited children. In addition to law enforcement training, programs that help cut down on missing and exploited children have been implemented. One such program is Code Adam, created in memory of Adam Walsh. It is a search tool for lost and possibly abducted children used in thousands of establishments across the nation. This child-safety program allows Code Adam-trained employees of the establishment to assist in the search of your child. Code Adam is free of charge for employers to implement in their workplace.
Since 1984, when Congress established NCMEC, it has assisted law enforcement with more than 148,160 missing child cases, resulting in the recovery of more than 132,300 children.
Because law enforcement uses pictures to identify missing or abducted children, one of the best tips the NCMEC can offer is to always have an updated, good-quality photo of your child.
Parents can help their children avoid potentially dangerous situations by teaching them confidence. The NCMEC says it’s better to teach your children how to react in a potentially dangerous situation, rather than teaching them to look out for a particular type of person, such as a “stranger.”
Continued on page 63
According to Nancy McBride, national safety director for NCMEC, parents and guardians should:
• speak to their children in a calm and reassuring way,
• speak openly about safety issues,
• teach their children that no one has the right to force, trick or pressure them into doing things they don’t want to do,
• practice safety skills by creating “what if” scenarios, and
• supervise their children and check out adults who have access to your children.
To learn more about teaching your child safety tips, please view NCMEC’s website at www.missingkids.com.
- In 2008, an estimated 320,400 children were victims of rape, other sexual assault and other sex offenses. (https://www.ncjrs. gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/214383.pdf)
- In 2002, an estimated 797,500 children were reported missing. Of the 797,500 reported missing, an estimated 12,100 were abducted by non-family members, while 56,500 were abducted by family members. (http://www.missingkids.com/ en_US/documents/nismart2_overview.pdf)
- According to The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse Advisory Board, approximately 61,000 missing person incidents were reported to local law enforcement agencies in Florida during the year of 2008. (http://www. fmcdf.org/foundation-history.htm)
ACCORDING TO THE GAINESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, FROM JANUARY 2012 TO PRESENT THERE HAVE BEEN
129 CASES OF MISSING PERSONS80 OF THESE WERE JUVENILES.
ice cream . pizza . milkshakes . pickles . cheeseburgers
One more instance of your body giving you the heads-up.
One of the strangest reactions may be your craving for a specific food or your aversion to an old favorite. But just because your mother craved strawberry ice cream, that doesn’t mean you will. Each person’s body reacts differently to pregnancy, and the same person can have very different cravings and aversions with each of her pregnancies.
Dr. Erin Connor-Werner, an ob-gyn with North Florida Women’s Physicians, confirmed that cravings are very common and, in fact, could be related to the hormone changes that are occurring in your body. Many times cravings are for “comfort foods” that sit well in your stomach and the aversions are for things that may upset it.
“Aversions to cigarettes and coffee are common. This could be your body's way of protecting the baby from these exposures,” explained Connor-Werner.
While longing for more of one type of food over another is normal during pregnancy, any strange cravings for ice, clay or cornstarch should be shared with your doctor because this could be a sign of iron deficiency anemia.
Many times, it’s hard to find justification for particular cravings or aversions. When Christa Germany found herself yearning for vinegar, she couldn’t explain why she wanted that over anything else.
“I was at a restaurant with my husband and realized I was pouring the vinegar in my hand and slurping it,” Germany stated. Her husband’s reaction: “Wow. You really are pregnant.”
Often pregnancy aversions are to foods we have eaten for years and now their texture or smell is anything but appealing. Many mommies experience this surprising, yet common occurrence when they become pregnant. Sarah Kelley couldn’t stand chicken with bones, yet boneless chicken did not have an effect on her. Raw vegetables made Monica Rohrbaugh sick and Ruth Davis shared that just the smell of ketchup or yogurt made her stomach churn.
Most aversions and cravings will subside after your baby is born, but there are some women whose palate is forever altered by their pregnancy. Alicia Mauldin couldn’t eat or smell seafood while pregnant with her first child and that didn’t change once her son was born.
“It ruined seafood for me...ten years later I still can't stand the smell of it!” said Mauldin.
Most often, you just have to listen to your body and try to create a healthy-as-possible pregnancy diet. If dark chocolate ice cream, chili cheese hotdogs and Cheetos are on your cravings list, you might want to limit yourself to only one of those each day. Excessive weight gain is not something that is good for you or the little one in your tummy.
“I encourage patients to eat a healthy diet first and use common sense with the cravings,” Connor-Werner said.
Something salty popcorn, pita chips, edamame or trail mix
Something sweet yogurt raisins, dried fruit, a mini bagel with peanut butter and a few chocolate chips on top, or a banana/ chocolate smoothie
Something sour green apples, raspberry sherbet or lemon juice on your veggies or in your water
Every pregnancy is unique. No one can tell you exactly what will happen or what you will experience, even if they’ve been pregnant several times. You may be told what is common in many pregnancies and what tends to happen in each trimester, which may indeed help you prepare your mind for the upcoming months. However, you can’t fully prepare for your body’s unique reaction to this little being growing inside of you.
Cause: Bacteria or viruses in the middle ear. Young children are at greater risk of developing middle ear infections since their eustachian tubes (tubes allowing mucus to drain out of middle ear) do not drain effectively. During a viral illness, mucus sits in the middle ear, creating an ideal environment for viruses and bacteria to grow.
Symptoms: Fever, ear pain, fussiness, poor sleep, decreased appetite or refusal to nurse/drink due to ear pain; often seen with or after cold symptoms.
How is it diagnosed? Your child’s primary care practitioner will examine the ear with an otoscope, checking for infection behind the tympanic membrane.
Treatment: Some infections will clear on their own while others will require prescription medication to resolve. Contact your health care provider to discuss treatment options. If symptoms do not improve within 3 days, a follow-up evaluation will be necessary to ensure the infection is not resistant to treatment. Chronic ear infections can sometimes lead to hearing problems, so be sure to get this follow-up evaluation.
Prevention: Breastfeeding has been shown to reduce the risk of ear infection. If using bottles, do not allow the baby to lie flat as milk can pool in the inner ear. Avoid smoke exposure, since research indicates it may increase risk of ear infections. Several current immunizations including HIB and Prevnar can help prevent bacteria that cause ear infections, and this may help reduce risks associated with exposure to illnesses at daycare/ nursery settings.
Myringotomy Tubes: Also known as ventilation tubes, these are very small tubes placed on the ear drum to help the fluid drain from the middle ear. This is usually recommended to children that suffer more than 5 otitis medias in one year or for persistent fluid in the middle ear for more than 6 months.
Cause: Inflammation and infection of the outer ear canal caused by fungal or bacterial organisms. This is often seen after frequent water exposure or trauma to the ear canal, which can break down the natural protective skin barrier and allow infection to develop.
Symptoms: Ear itching or pain, specifically when you move the ear. Ear discharge (this can also be seen with a perforated
ear drum due to acute otitis media or with draining tympanostomy tubes) and reduced hearing due to discharge.
How is it diagnosed? Your child’s primary care practitioner will examine the ear with an otoscope, checking for infection in front of the tympanic membrane.
Treatment: Most swimmer’s ear infections respond well to a combination of anti-inflammatory and antibiotic ear drops, since the infection is in front of the tympanic membrane. Keeping water out of the ears until the infection is clear is important. Occasionally, a severe infection will require a wick to allow medication past infection debris and deep into the ear canal.
Prevention: Using preventive drops in the ears after swimming can help reduce chances of developing swimmer’s ear. Some providers recommend using an acidic solution (i.e., half vinegar and half water or alcohol) to prevent infection. Never use Q-tips in the ear canal as this can cause irritation, trauma and may push wax further into the canal, making it more difficult for the ear to dry. A blow-dryer (cool setting) can also be used to thoroughly dry ears and prevent infection.
Small objects stuck in ears are a frequent reason for ER visits, especially in toddlers. The most common objects children put in their ears are beads, erasers, small toys, paper, cotton swabs and food. Unless the child is very uncomfortable removal could wait until the next day at their primary care provider office. IMPORTANT: Parents should not attempt to remove the object since it could be pushed deeper and potentially damage the canal or the ear drum.
The Academy of Pediatrics recommends waiting until the child is old enough so they do not pull the earrings off. This is something you can discuss with your health care provider. The child should have had at least the first set of immunizations. Ear piercing is a procedure that should be done at the health care provider’s office or by another trained professional to ensure it is done in a sterile and safe manner.
For parents, the bathtub can turn into a high hazard zone. From ferocious faucet heads to slippery surfaces, bathing babies can be a dangerous chore. While bath time may seem like a pit and pendulum scenario right now, we have the perfect escape methods to keep your little ones safe.
THE GOLDEN RULE OF BATH SAFETY: NEVER LEAVE YOUR CHILD UNATTENDED IN THE BATHTUB.
This cannot be stressed enough for parents. While this seems like common sense, it happens more often than it should. Don’t fall victim to everyday distractions like answering the phone or the door. Make sure nothing is on the stove and that you have everything you need before filling the bathtub, including your cell phone. If you must leave the bathroom for any reason, have a towel ready to scoop up your little one to take with you.
PREVENT BUMPS, SLIPS AND FALLS.
While you might nag your children to stay seated in the tub, they may not always comply. Place non-skid decals or a rubber mat inside the tub to prevent slipping. Remember to also dry the floor and your child’s feet to prevent post-bath slips. Consider buying a faucet cover to protect your child’s head from bumping into the spout. They come in many cute designs!
ADJUST YOUR HOT WATER HEATER.
It only takes a few seconds for a child to be severely burned by scalding water. Make sure the spout is covered, or teach your child never to touch it. Adjust your hot water heater so that the temperature is set below 120 degrees, or install an anti-scald valve to prevent bath water from becoming too hot. Retailers also sell devices like rubber ducks that warn you when bath water is too hot for your little one.
AVOID OTHER INJURIES.
Clear the bath area of dangerous items such as razors and mouth-size objects. Make sure no electrical appliances are plugged in near or in reach of children. This includes hairdryers, curling irons and radios. You should also consider removing your own bath and beauty products from the tub area such as shampoos, conditioners, soaps and shaving cream.
ENSURE BATH TOYS ARE BOTH CLEAN AND FUN. Every child loves playing in the tub, but the purpose of a bath is to be clean. Make sure these toys remain germfree. Avoid spongy, porous or wooden toys as they tend to retain moisture, creating a breeding ground for bacteria. Squeeze out all water, rinse thoroughly and air dry until all surfaces are dry. If you have a dishwasher, run the toys through once or twice a week.
For a deeper clean, consider cleaning toys with bleach about every two weeks. For each gallon of water, use one tablespoon of liquid bleach, and let toys soak for two minutes and air dry without rinsing with water. For squeezing and squirting toys, rinse thoroughly several times before air drying.
• helpful products•
Here are a few products we recommend for making bath time more than just a chore but a safe and special time to share with your children
• Protect little noggins! Use a Moby Bath Spout Cover in fun shapes and colors that can protect a baby's head from bumping the tub spout.
www.safebeginnings.com
• It's hot hot hot! A Safety Bath Ducky with a safety indicator on the bottom is useful to parents so only the Ducky needs to tell you when its bottom is too hot for the little bathers. safebeginnings.com
• Safety Deluxe Bathtime Easy Kneeler by Aquatopia
This easy kneeler protects both your knees and your child by providing comfortable floor padding and storage to keep shampoo and soap out of reach.
www.bedbathandbeyond.com
BY DEDE CALLAHAN
If given the opportunity to analyze the thoughts and musings of today’s young girls through their journal entries, essays and other creative writing, you might be surprised. While much of it is positive and inspiring, an equal amount expresses the stressors that surround them on a daily basis. Their words often vividly reflect the anxiety so many adolescent girls feel as a result of intense social pressures, emotional and physical changes, and increasingly complex relationships. All of these combined factors have a huge impact on their self-esteem.
Self-esteem is related to how we feel about ourselves; it’s not just about how smart, attractive or successful we think we are, but how we feel others see us. A teenage girl’s self-image is constantly barraged by exterior and interior pressures to look pretty, excel in academics and other competitive activities, fit socially accepted stereotypes, and confidently navigate the daily turbulence of adolescent life.
So what can parents do to combat negative influences and nurture healthy self-esteem in their daughters? Input from female middle school students, guidance counselors, and dozens of websites offer tips on how best to promote healthy self-esteem on a daily basis and support the young girl in your life!
• Be aware of the time and involvement your daughter spends texting and social networking. Websites like Facebook, Tumbler and Twitter are great communication tools and are meant to be a source of fostering new friendships and sharing information. However, many situations of cyber-bullying and hurtful postings can take a toll on participants’ self-esteem. Be aware of the time your daughter spends on these sites, who she’s communicating with and how those interactions may be affecting her.
• Encourage your daughter to embrace the special and distinctive qualities that make her unique, and celebrate those as often as you can!
Young girls are bombarded with outside opinions and advice on their appearance and personalities from their peers and media outlets on a daily basis. Help them understand the possible motivations behind those opinions (advertising, competiveness, jealousy) and offer activities that encourage your daughter to embrace her own beliefs, interests, and talents. Then give her constant positive feedback on her endeavors.
• Discuss the biases of pop culture’s depictions of women.
In all forms of media, women are often pressured to fit the mold of what society deems attractive. Talk with your daughter about the difference between reality and entertainment. Watch television shows and commercials together and discuss how the female actors are depicted. Media images often sexualize women of all ages, dressing them provocatively and insinuating that this is the way a woman must look in order to be successful or accepted.
A Task Force created in 2007 by the American Psychological Association (APA) reported findings that the sexualization of girls in media “is a broad and increasing problem and is harmful to girls’ self-image and healthy development.” The report goes on to state that in recent years, as more and newer forms of media are created and more easily accessed, these examples have multiplied.
• Carve out quality time together to ensure your daughter knows you’re there for her!
As young girls grow up and begin to spend less time with family and more with peers, their sphere of influence changes as well. Offer many opportunities for you and your daughter to openly discuss her opinions and concerns. Many families
Continued on page 75
"....69 percent of kids said chats with their parents boosted their confidence and were very helpful."
healthy self-esteem for girls
make a habit of sharing the “highs” and “lows” of their day in a round-table discussion at dinner. A recent study from the Tween Confidence Index reported that 69 percent of kids said chats with their parents boosted their confidence and were “very helpful.”
Other options could be having a mother/daughter or father/ daughter field trip to a venue that offers an artist or exhibit she’s especially interested in, or having a standing bi-weekly or monthly lunch date (at one of her favorite spots) for some one-on-one quality time.
• Encourage a young girl to express herself creatively and celebrate her individuality. Creativity can be expressed artistically through drawing, painting, acting or writing. Help her find activities outside of school where she can meet others with similar interests. If your daughter is on the shy side, journaling offers time for reflection and helps her gain a fresh perspective by getting her thoughts and feelings out on paper. Try surprising her with a journal or sketch book decorated with a favorite design, color scheme or hobby.
Well-informed parents can be the strongest allies in helping their daughters overcome negative influences and develop into self-assured young women!
Well-informed parents can be the strongest allies in helping their daughters overcome negative influences and develop into self-assured young women!
• Consult your daughter’s school to see if they offer extra-curricular clubs especially for girls.
• Check out Journal Buddies, a familyfriendly, award-winning self-esteem journal for girls. It’s filled with creative activities that can help your daughter recognize the positive characteristics you cherish in her! Find out more at www.journalbuddies. com.
• There are a multitude of websites with conversation starters, family involvement ideas, and helpful suggestions for enabling your daughter to be her best self! Here are just a few:
www.empoweredteensandparents.com www.selfesteemforgirls.com www.connectwithyourteens.net
It’s important to understand that you have to be delicate when approaching your teenager. You want to engage your child in conversation without putting them on the defense or causing them to withdraw.
While this can be challenging, the rewards of doing this are great. There are a few key strategies you can adopt to ensure that you foster strong communication and good ties with your teenagers.
Ask
a Conversation. If you ask your teenager a direct question you’ll probably end up with a one- or two-word response. Your goal should be encouraging them to talk about things from a broader perspective. To engage your child in a conversation about a particularly issue, consider asking them about something related but not directly tied to the subject you are getting at. You’ll help them ease into a discussion of what is on their mind.
Talk
Interests. Take an active interest in your
teens interests. If they are doing something you don’t know anything about, consider learning more about it so you can ask them interesting and exciting questions about their hobby or activity.
Listen to Your Teen and Avoid Lecturing. Most teens will shy away from conversation if their expectation from that lecture is simply a lecture. You want your teens to know that you are interested in what they have to say. Withhold judgment at first and allow them to speak their mind.
Language. Your teen can send you many messages about what is on their mind through their non-verbal communication. You can also engage them in communication by putting your arm around them or patting them on the back, encouraging them to open up to you.
Remember your goal should be sending the message to your teen that you are providing a safe and nurturing environment where they can share their deepest concerns, fears and interests without fear of immediate reprimand or judgment.
Always take the time to accept your teen’s feelings even if you don’t agree with them. You have to listen to your teen if you want them to open up. Avoid jumping in and offering suggestions immediately. Instead encourage your teen to look for answers in a positive way.
You can also encourage your teen to share more by sharing with them daily tidbits and insights into your life. Consider occasionally asking their advice or opinion on things.
You’d be surprised how much easier it is to get teens to open up once you adopt a few time-tested strategies. Provide your children with a nurturing and loving environment, and they will more easily welcome you into their life.
Reprinted with permission.
Copyright © 2001-Present ArticleCity.com
The teenage years are confusing for parents and teens alike. Kids that once seemed open and full of sharing suddenly withdraw. As a parent, your primary concern may be fostering communication with your teen. Most parents struggle to get something other than a one-word response from their teenager.
March 23-April 15
Thoroughly Modern Millie
Gainesville Community Playhouse
April 5-7
Antique Tractor and Engine Show
Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center
April 5-28
Wizard of Oz presented by the Fable Factory
Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 11 a.m./FREE
The Thomas Center
April 7
Easter Egg Hunt at Trinity UMC
9 a.m.
April 7
Easter Egg Hunt at Celebration
UMC
10 a.m.
April 8
April 8
Egg Hunt at Ginnie Springs
10 a.m.
April 12-15 and April 19-22
Buchholz Drama presents
Cinderella
Sundays at 2 p.m. /All other performances at 7 p.m.
Tickets $10
Buchholz High School
April 13
Gainesville Fashion Week
Gala for the Arts
www.gainesvillefashionweek.com
Sponsored by Giggle Magazine
April 14
VIVA! 2012 Carnival
5:30 p.m.
www.vivameanslife.org
April 14
Alachua Spring Festival
11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Downtown Alachua
April 14-15
Santa Fe Spring Arts Festival
Downtown Gainesville near the Thomas Center
April 14-15
Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo
Party for the Planet
9 a.m.-2 p.m.
April 21
Family Day at the Harn
1 p.m. -4 p.m./FREE
Harn Museum
April 21
Earth Day BioBlitz
10 a.m.-3 p.m./FREE
Florida Museum of Natural History
April 21
Gainesville Great Cloth Diaper
Change-World Record Attempt
Noon-3 p.m. Westside Park
April 21
University of Florida Child
Protection Team 1st Annual Walk a Mile, Protect a Child Walk/Run
7:30 a.m. Registration; 9 a.m. Start/$20 per participant
Benefiting research-based training to prevent child abuse
352-334-1300, www.ufcpt.org
April 22
Earth Day
April 26-28
Campus USA Credit Union
Great Tent Event
Campus USA Credit Union- Empower Park- Jonesville
April 28-29
Cedar Key Arts Festival
Cedar Key
April 28
Farm and Forest Festival
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Morningside Nature Center
April 28
Gator Fly-In
8 a.m.-3 p.m.
Gainesville Regional Airport
April 28-29
Pioneer Days High Springs
April 29
Gainesville Health and Fitness
Family Fitness Day
Noon-3 p.m.
Santa Fe College North Field
Over 1,000 listings for kids’ activities around Alachua County
