Family & Kids Bayou Region January 2015

JANUARY 2015

Wise Choices for Moms & Families

BAYOU REGION

NEW

FEATURES INSIDE

ver Sponsor Co

Petit Nouveau

e Nment & boutiqu children’s consig See Ad Page 22

© Petites Bijoux Photography

Specializing in all things good for mom & baby

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

Children’s Clothing Girls: Pre-16 Boys: Pre-4

Sweet Offerings

Boutique hair bows Skin & hair care for babies and mom Gifts & toys Custom monogramming Baptismal supplies VISIT OUR NEW LOCATION IN HOUMA!

Locations

CUTOFF LOCATION 17020 West Main St. Cut Off, LA 70345 985-325-7327 M-F 10-6 Sat. 10-3

NEW! HOUMA LOCATION 1795B MLK Blvd, Suite B Houma, La 70360 986-868-5280 M-F 10-6 Sat. 10-3

www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com

Hoo’s Tips

correcting

baby

A

round the age of nine months, babies put belongs in before reacting. Some ‘exploring their newly perfected crawling skills to use the world’ behaviors like dropping food and become avid explorers. No longer are from the high chair may go away after the the favorite toys on his play blanket enough experiment loses its novelty. If it does not, to keep your baby in one place. When your it is time to set boundaries using a calm baby reaches this milestone, it is time to voice. Say ‘No, we don’t throw food’, and gently but firmly begin the process of set- try redirecting the behavior to something ting boundaries for your child. less messy, like dropping a foam ball from Children this age don’t have a very long the high chair. attention span and cannot understand If you do sense your baby is ‘testing the complex concepts of right and wrong. The waters’, don’t react too harshly. Reaffirm concepts behind some discipline strategies that you love him, let him know that the like time-outs are beyond your baby’s grasp behavior is not acceptable, and provide and need to wait until he is older. However, him with an appropriate alternative. For at this stage you can lay the foundation for example, ‘I love you but no pulling kitty’s a discipline strategy that will grow with tail. Let’s pet him gently instead.’ your child. Here are some tips on how to Don’t forget to praise your baby for good discipline your newly mobile baby. behavior. Babies this age may not underIf you find yourself saying ‘no’ constantly, stand everything you say, but your baby you need to re-check your baby proofing. can tell when you are happy or not by your Each baby has a unique personality, and tone of voice. If your baby receives positive some babies are driven to defeat baby reinforcement for good behavior, he is less proofing measures and see what is so inter- likely to have to resort to unwanted behavesting about that off-limit area. Babies iors to get the attention he desires. He this age can start to take cues from words would rather make you happy, but underlike ‘No’ and from the tone of your voice. stands that negative attention is better However, restricting access to safety haz- than nothing. ards will allow you to reserve ‘No’ for the Your baby cannot yet remember a very long most important situations, such as a hot list of what is acceptable and what is not, stove or protecting the cat from having its so choose carefully what you will focus on. tail pulled again.

At this age, most of the boundaries you Remember that certain behaviors may be set will have to do with your baby’s safety your baby testing his boundaries while and the safety of those around him. Be others may be an innocent exploration consistent and enforce the boundaries you the world him.

Takenoted. a moment Allof locations are around Columbus unless Specials do choose to set. Your baby will feel secure, subject to change notice. verify confident and loved. to discern whichwithout category the Please behavior them with the restaruant in advance. Submit your deal: Office@HooKnowsTheValley.com

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

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Tammy Usie Publisher

sDigest.com

Sales@FamilyandKid

253-212-7270 Cell

Dear Parents of Terrebonne & Lafourche Parishes, I am pleased to bring you a NEW and IMPROVED “Family & Kids” magazine. It is now more than just a shopping guide! You will still find lots of helpful choices on products and services for you and your family, but now you can also enjoy the informative articles, handy resources and fun features too!

Our private school, preschool and daycare parents will begin getting it home with their kids through school. And others can pick them up around town at grocery stores, restaurants, and doctor’s offices. PLUS you can now read it online through our new website at www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com. Soon the website will feature an interactive shopping directory by categories that you can compare and even write reviews. It will also include a local events calender. I am excited about all these improvements and hope you are too!

AD DEADLINES

Feb Issue: Jan 9 and March Issue: Feb 2

Tammy Usie

HOO KNOWS SPECIAL SECTIONS Hoo’s crafty.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 9

HOO’S Hungry.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 8

HOO’S Fit.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 15

Hoo’s Learning.. . . . . . . . . . . . page 29 & 30

HOO’S Fun.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 13 & 20

Hoo’s Parenting.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 7

HOO’S Healthy.. . . . . . . . . . . . . page 14 & 23

Hoo’s Tips.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 24 & 3

HOO KNOWS® Community Digest does not assume responsibility for products and services listed in this magazine. Ads may not be reproduced, in any way, without written consent. HOO KNOWS® is a trademark of Cinah Media Group LLC. For information on operating your own digest, contact us at 1-888-HOO-5609.

Where to Find HOO? Check your local kid-friendly doctors, dentists, attractions, retail shops and restaurants. Plus grocery stores, coffee shops, and many more places of business in Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes.

Plus read out digital edition at:

www.familyandkidsdigest.com Find us on Facebook

Family & Kids Bayou Region

www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com

NEW YEAR

NEW LOOK

NEW WEBSITE www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com

Starting in January, we have a new publisher, a new format and a new mission... ...to make this magazine a more useful local parenting resource.

It will become your GO-TO GUIDE for the area’s kid-friendly products, services, and things to do; along with with helpful tips and fun parenting content. Don’t take our word for it, check out all the new features in this issue! We will also have seasonal sections on schools, summer camps, back to school and more.

PLUS our new website features a digital edition of the magazine and soon, an online shopping guide where you can read and write reviews on local kid-friendly businesses and an events calendar.

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

SHOPPING guide Activities Brushworks Art & Music......................14 Alstarz Cheerleading Academy........ 22 Bayou Country Children’s Museum....7 Bricks 4 Kids............................................13 Evolution Training..................................21 Extreme Cheernastics.......................... 27 Greenwood Gator Farm & Tours.......... 9 Insta-Gator Ranch & Hatchery........... 27 James Academy of Gymnastics.........10 LA Sports Gym...........................................8 La Tea Da Party Palace......................... 22 Martial Arts Studio.................................14 STAGE Performing Arts School..........21

TELL THEM

Beauty/ Spa

SENT YOU! 27 Plexis Slim...............................................

Childcare/ education GDC Young Learners/ Merry Oaks.....31 Messiah Montessori School............... 28 St. Bernadette Catholic ....................... 28 St. Francis De Sales Catholic ............ 28 St. Genevieve Catholic.......................... 30 St. Matthew’s Episcopal....................... 29 Sylvan of Houma.....................................31

TELL THEM

Food & Beverage Pepper’s Pizzeria.................................... 27

healthcare Audubon Pediatrics............................... 22 Flynn Clinic of Chiropractic................. 9 Pelican Medical Supply....................... 24

party Bayouland Inflatables............................10 Bounce N Around Inflatables..............12 Magical Entertainment.........................15

Shopping/ Retail Belle La Vie...............................................21 Felger’s Foot Wear................................. 22 Lynn’s Little Feet.....................................21 Petit Nouveau Consignment.............. 22 Southland Mall....................................... 32 Lil’ Sweet Pea’s Boutique........................2

SENT YOU!

www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com

HOO’s PARENTING Toddler Temper Tantrums

Toddlers often have a strong desire to explore and to exert their independence, but may not have the communication skills needed to effectively express their feelings. This can lead to them feeling so frustrated that he uses a meltdown to express his emotions. However, there are some techniques that you can use to help to ease angry feelings before they lead to a major display of negative emotions.

First, if possible, don’t push the limits when you toddler is getting tired or hungry. Trying to fit in just one more errand before nap or stopping for a snack is setting the stage for a meltdown. Also, tune in to your toddler’s emotions so you can sense when he is becoming upset.

Say things like ‘Oh, looks like you are feeling upset.

You want to stay and play more’. Not only does this acknowledge his feelings, but it also helps him learn to put his feelings into words. Avoid launching into a lecture on why he can’t have what he wants, since reasoning and logic are not something your toddler will understand.

After validating your toddler’s feelings, there are several different ways you can diffuse his anger and frustration. Try redirecting his attention to a new activity or break up the bad feelings by making silly faces and singing silly songs. Teaching your toddler to calm down by taking deeps breaths may also help steer him clear of a meltdown. If your toddler still seems to be on course for a spectacular meltdown, try putting him in time-out for a cool down period.

If your toddler does have a meltdown, the best thing you can do is ignore it.

Hide where he can’t see you but you can still see him, so you can make sure he is safe without giving him an audience. Trying to talk with him and giving him attention at this point will only make future meltdowns more likely.

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

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HAVE YOUR BIRTHDAY PARTY WITH US! Bounce houses, rock wall, karaoke, trampoline and more...

GymOpen Frid Nig a for ys 6 hts age :30s 9p 10 4-13 m

$

this g in eive n i r B rec ad & popcorn free or all ! f ts gues paid

544 S Hollywood Rd, Houma

•

985-580-9746

HOO’s HUNGRY OVEN-BAKED ZUCCHINI

fRIES Directions

Preheat oven to 475 degrees F. Coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray. Combine flours, cornmeal, salt and pepper in a large sealable plastic bag. Dip zucchini in egg white, shake in the bag to coat, and arrange, not touching, on the baking sheet. Coat all exposed sides with cooking spray. Bake on the center rack for 7 minutes. Turn the zucchini and coat any floury spots with cooking spray. Continue to bake until golden and just tender, about 5 minutes more. Serve hot.

Ingredients

SERVES: 4 PREP TIME: 30 MIN • Canola oil cooking spray • 1/2 cup(s) whole-wheat flour • 1/2 cup(s) all-purpose flour • 2 tablespoon(s) cornmeal • 1 teaspoon(s) salt • 1/2 teaspoon(s) freshly ground pepper • 1 1/2 pound(s) zucchini, (about 3 medium), cut into 1/2-by-3-inch sticks • 2 egg whites, lightly beaten

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HOO’s CRAFTY

Salt Dough

Keepsake

Do one every year with their name, year, footprint or handprints and it would create a memorable garden path or a great gift for loved ones.

Directions Dump all ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Should be similar consitency as play dough.Then create the shape of your preference. You can use a straw to punch a hole for hanging if applicable. Put dough directly on pan with parchment paper and make desired impressions. Bake at 200F for 3 hours and continue if still soft. Once cool, paint and then spray with craft sealer if putting outdoors.

supplies 1 cup salt 1 cup flour 1/2 cup water 1 can sealer

HEADACHES & BACK PAIN?

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

starting in march Issue

Camp & Activities Guide 20 1 5 advertising deadline

FEb. 2

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Dining Deals

With deals this good, save the mess and dine out!

MONDAY Cajun Critters. 1029 W Tunnel Blvd, Houma. Kids eat free from kid’s menu. Balloon art and face painting.

El Cajuns La Mex. 4560 Hwy 1 Raceland. 5-9pm.

Kids 12 and under eat for $0.99.

El Paso Mexican Grill. 602 N Canal Blvd Thibodaux.

Kids10 and under. Free kid’s meal with adult entree.

Face painting.

La Casa Del Sol. 141 Westover Rd. Thibodaux.

5-8pm. Kid’s meals $2.99 for12 and under. Face painting.

La Palma Mexican Restaurant. 710 Saint Mary St. Thibodaux. Kids 8 and under. Free kid’s meal with adult entrée.

Santa Fe Cattle Company. 632 Canal Blvd. Thibodaux. Kids 12 and under. Free kid’s meal with adult entrée.

Tuesday AppleBees.1039 W Tunnel Blvd, Houma. Kids eat free from kids menu from 3-9pm (1 kid per adult).

Chick-fil-A. 1741 MLK Blvd, Houma. Free 4 count kid’s meal with any meal purchase from 5-8pm. First Tuesday of each month is Kid’s Craft Night also from 5-8pm.

Santa Fe Cattle Company. 632 Canal Blvd. Thibodaux. Kids 12 and under. Free kid’s meal with adult entrée.

Golden Corral 1724 MLK Blvd, Houma. Free balloon art and face painting

wednesday Big Mikes BBQ. 3034 Barrow St. From 4pm to close.

Kid’s meals $.99.

El Paso Mexican Grill. 4560 Louisiana 1, Raceland.

6-8pm. Free balloon art and face painting.

thursday Dynasty Buffet. 6425 West Park Ave, Houma. Kids 3-6 eat free. Free balloon art and face painting.

everyday Bare Essentials Café. 6224 W Park Ave, Houma.

Kids 12 and under. Free kid’s mini wrap or Ryley special (a small plate of healthy items such as vegetables, fruits and eggs) per adult entree.

Dave’s Cajun Kitchen 6240 West Main, Houma. Kids 10 get kid’s meal for $.99 with a purchase of a drink.

Dinner only.

El Cajuns La Mex. 4560 Hwy 1 Raceland, LA 70394.

5-9pm. Kids 12 and under eat for $0.99.

La Casa Del Sol. 4647 Louisiana 1 Raceland. Every other Tuesday night, kids 11 and under eat for $2.99.

Face painting.

Pepper’s Pizza. 600 W 3rd St. Thibodaux. Kids 12 and under get $1.99 pizza and free ice cream.

Specials are subject to change without notice. Please verify them directly before dining.

“Family & Kids” accepts no liability. If you know of a kids special not listed here, contact Sales@ FamilyAndKidsDigest.com with the details.

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

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HOO’s Fun

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New Year’s Family-Friendly Resolutions By: Ernest “Waffle” Ellender, PhD Clinical Psychologist /Owner of Evolution Training

New Year’s resolutions need not be the same tiresome duo of exercise more and eat less. The following are some simple resolutions aimed at making 2015 a memorable year for your family: • Make more art - Artwork is a means of furthering children’s education and creativity without them knowing that they are ‘learning’. Family art projects are easy to find on the internet or at local art schools.

• Read together - Reading to children can help calm them down before bedtime. Additionally, when kids are given a chance to read aloud to parents, they can learn and gain confidence while spending quality time with you.

• Family dinners - At least twice a week, sit down to a healthy home cooked meal (or even take-out in a pinch). Follow the old fashioned rules and it will pay off for the cohesion of your family: No phone calls or electronics while eating. Just sit down with your family, talk about your week, and listen to one another. With modern work schedules, it can be unrealistic to do 5 or 6 such meals a week, but twice a week will give your family the proven benefits of such a family ritual.

• Plan ahead - Take some time to see how much of 2015 you can plan out right now. Be sure to include: Mom & Dad’s Date Night (at least every 4 weeks), kids’ activities (sports, classes, birthday parties, etc.), family vacations, dinners at home, holiday plans, school events, etc. Planning your family’s week and month activities in advance can have you playing more and saving money while doing more!

• Save money - Look over your 2014 expenditures for areas you can save money without feeling the loss.

For example, planning at home dinners a few weeks in advance can cut down on going to restaurants spur of the moment. Also, many restaurants offer specials for kids, so a little planning ahead can save $100’s monthly!

Choosing a few of these resolutions can have your family playing more together, learning together, getting closer, and improving family finances throughout 2015!

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

HOO’s HEALTHY

Dairy During FlU

There are many myths out there concerning how to prevent and treat the cold and the flu.

One common myth is that if you should not drink or eat dairy products while you have a cold because consuming them will increase the amount of mucus your body produces, making congestion worse. Drinking milk may make the mucus somewhat thicker, but

it won’t increate the production. Pudding, ice cream, or milk may help soothe your sore throat and provide calories you may not be getting while you have a cold and don’t feel much like eating. Unless you are allergic to dairy products, consider this old wives’ tale debunked and enjoy a bowl of ice cream the next time you have a cold or the flu.

NEW YEARS SPECIAL! KIDS MARTIAL ARTS

Parents are shocked by the improved grades, behavior, and focus our program gives kids.

If you thought martial arts was only about kicking and punching, get ready to be blown away. Self-defense is only the beginning of what our program offers.

NEW YEARS SPECIAL!

6 WEEKS JUST $69 INCLUDES A FREE UNIFORM ($49 VALUE)

MartialArtStudio.net

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HOO’s CUTE

CONTEST Visit our website to enter:

w w w. F a m i l y A n d K i d s D i g e s t . c o m

? ? ?

Jolie’ Blonde Cutoff

HOO’s FIT

Clothie’ Thibodaux Thibodaux

Sha Bebe Houma

TOO MUCH SALT

According to a study recently published by CDC researchers, about nine out of ten kids ages 6 to 18 consume more than the recommended 2300 mg of sodium a day.

Taking in too much salt can raise blood pressure in kids, possibly setting the stage for high blood pressure and heart problems in adulthood.

Nutritionists recommend reading food labels to see how much sodium food contains before buying it and serving more fresh fruits and vegetables in an effort to reduce how much sodium your family takes in.

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January

8 Seconds to Glory Championship Bull Riding with Tuff Hedeman.

Houma Civic Center. 8pm. Tickets $10-27 through Ticketmaster. Fees may apply.

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Lego Robotics at the Terrebonne Parish Main Library. 11am. 2nd-3rd Grades and 3pm for 4th-7th grade.

Registration required.

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Crafternoons at the Terrebonne Parish Main Library. 4:30pm. PreK-K. Polar Bear Craft. Registration Required.

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Winter Luau at Lafourche Parish Main Library. 3:30pm. Forget the cold with some island fun like limbo, hula hoop contests and more.

Categories for all ages. Registration encouraged, but all welcomed.

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Southern Louisiana Boat, Sport & RV Show. Houma Civic Center.

Fri. 12-9pm, Sat. 10am-8pm, Sun 11am-5pm. Admission $8, kids 15 & under free. Friday is family day, all kids 12 and under get 1 free cast in the Rainbow Trout Pond. www. southernlouisianaboatrvshow.com

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Free Art Class for Kids. Downtown Arts Gallery 630. 630 Belanger St, Houma. Registration required. Call 985-851-2198.

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Family Movie Matinee: The Lego Movie at the Terrebonne Parish Main Library. 3pm. Drinks and snacks provided.

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Tween/ Teen Craft at Lafourche Parish Main Library. 12pm. Ages 9-18.

Craft is personalized mugs.

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Librar y activities For complete list of activites at all branches, visit:

Terrebonne Parish

http://mytpl.evanced.info/ signup/EventCalendar.aspx

Lafourche Parish

http://lafourche.evanced. info/msignup/#

Teen/Tween Movie Madness at Lafourche Parish Main Branch. 1pm.

Ages 9-18. Popcorn and hot chocholate provided. Movie is “Maleficent.”

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Auditions for STAGE’s spring musical, The Secret Code, at 2pm. For ages 6-18. For more, 985-870-4672. www.stageperformingarts.com

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Tween/ Teen Craft at Lafourche Parish Main Library. 5pm. Ages 9-18.

Craft is duct tape koozies.

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Crafternoons at the Terrebonne Parish Main Library. 4:30pm. 1st-3rd grade. Snowman pointillism painting. Registration Required.

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Children’s craft at Lafourche Parish Main Library. 4:30pm. Snow globe craft.

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Lego Club at the Terrebonne Parish Main Library. 11am for PreK-1st grade and 3pm for 2nd-6th grade.

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Free Art Class for Kids. Downtown Arts Gallery 630. 630 Belanger St, Houma. Registration required. Call 985-851-2198.

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Marvel Universe Live! At Smoothie King Center in NOLA. Tickets through ticketmaster.

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Movie Madness at Lafourche Parish Main Library. 2pm. Free popcorn and drink. Movie is “Mr. Peabody & Sherman.”

y Events 20

Lego Mania at Lafourche Parish Main Library. 4pm. Ages 4-13. Lego builds, lego craft and movie.

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Crafternoons at the Terrebonne Parish Main Library. 4:30pm. 4th6th grade. Olaf sock snowman.

Registration required.

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Free Art Class for Kids. Downtown Arts Gallery 630. 630 Belanger St, Houma. Registration required. Call 985-851-2198.

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Toy Camp The Musical at STAGE. 229 S Hollywood Rd. Admission $10. Fri and Sat 7pm & Sun 2pm.

985-870-4672. www.stageperformingarts.com

30-Feb 1

Cinderella’s True Story at STAGE. 229 S Hollywood Rd. Admission $10. Fri and Sat 7pm, Sun 2pm.

7pm. 985-870-4672; www.stageperformingarts.com

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Monster Jam at Smoothie King Center in NOLA. Tickets through Ticketmaster.

MONDAY

Toddler Time at the Terrebonne Parish Main Branch Library.

10am and 6pm for 19mon-3yrs.

T UESDAY

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Baby Garden at the Terrebonne Parish Main Library. 10am for newborns-18mon, and family storytime at 6pm for 4-8yrs.

Build and Grow Clinic at Lowe’s on MLK, Houma. 10am. Free. Register online at lowes.com/buildandgrow. 985-223-7575.

Board Game night at the Lafourche Parish Main Library. 5pm.

Kid’s Workshop at Home Depot on MLK, Houma. 9am-12pm for ages 5-12 with parent. Free. Register at homedepot.com/workshops/ kids-workshops. 985-223-1485.

WEDNESDAY

Storytime at the Lafourche Parish Main Library. 10:30am. Ages 3-10.

Ends with a craft.

T HURSDAY

JAG Open Gym. 7-9pm. $7 for members, $10 for non members. Ages 5 and up. Adult must accompany.

308 Venture Blvd, Houma. 985851-3001.

F RIDAY

Please call ahead to confirm event dates, times and age appropriateness, in case changes were made after the info was obtained. “Family & Kids” is not liable.

Laptime at the Lafourche Parish Main Library. 10:30am. Ages 2 and under. Interactive storytime.

Toddler Fun Day at LA Sports Gym. 9am-12pm. $7 for interactive play with parent. 544 Hollywood Rd, Houma. 985-580-9746.

Friday Fun Night at LA Sports Gym. 6:30-9pm. $10. Snacks Additional.

544 Hollywood Rd, Houma. 985580-9746.

JAG Open Gym. 7-9pm. $7 for members, $10 for non members. Ages 5 and up. Adult must accompany.

308 Venture Blvd, Houma. 985851-3001.

SAT URDAY

Kid’s Club at Michael’s on MLK, Houma. 10am-12pm. $2 for craft. Adult must accompany. 985-872-3132.

fe a tu r e yoUR Kid-Friendly E v ent Submit your information for consideration by the 1st of the month for the next month’s issue to sales@familyandkidsdigest.com.

Provide description, name, date, time, place, fees, and contact info.

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

You’re Home for The

Morning Ride with

Charles Sagona Monday Thru Friday 6am to 10am

www.HooKnowsTheValley.com www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com

A Page In A Book Recommending the Best Books

for Children and Teens By Paige Gardner Smith

Journey: There and Back Again

Every day is a journey for children. The travel to and from school, questing around the neighborhood, and journeys of the spirit and imagination are all opportunities for children to pursue adventure beyond the normal confines of home and hearth. The following titles all embody the spirit of adventurous journeys, while carrying along the fondness for home that’s never far away.

Following Papa’s Song

By Gianna Marino (Viking/Penguin)

In the seemingly endless ocean, Little Blue, a young blue whale, is preparing for his first migration. But he’s worried about being separated from his father on the journey. Traveling thousands of miles through the deep sea, a blue whale’s home is vast and moveable. Home is where his family is. When Little Blue is distracted on the journey and becomes lost in the deep, he will need all his listening skill to hear the song of home. The story is a moving and beautiful reminder of the call of home that resonates through every journey.

Journey

By Aaron Becker (Candlewick)

Faced with a distracted family and a yearning for adventure, a young girl plucks up a red crayon and draws a door into another world. As she travels through the neutral and pastel colors of the alternate landscape, her vibrant red crayon creates the things she needs to venture forth. But when her red crayon draws her into trouble, her means to return home is lost. But a flash of rich purple emerges and may solve her problems both at home and abroad.

A brilliantly executed work of art and storytelling, “Journey” is a steampunk-styled flight of wordless fancy that children will revisit again and again.

Three Bears in a Boat

By David Soman (Dial/Penguin)

When three bears (playing where they shouldn’t) break their mother’s favorite blue seashell, they immediately run to the beach to hide. And as they huddle in the shadow of their boat, the brothers decide undertake a quest; to sail away to find a blue shell. They query other seafaring bears for clues as their journey carries them far afield, but their search yields no blue shell. As their odyssey lengthens, their tempers grow shorter and home seems farther away than ever. It takes the stirring of a great storm to reveal the welcome calms and turn their voyage homeward.

Complete with a cheeky nod to ‘Moby Dick’, this title is a reassuring testament to treasures and safe welcome found at home.

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HOO’s Fun

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

Hidden Pictures:

Winter on The Farm

Find the 15 items hidden in the picture from the legend below. Then color.

www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com

21

We have Stride Rite!

Gifts for every Occasion!

311 North Canal Blvd Thibodaux (Behind Cane’s)

Saucony Dance/Gym Wear Dance Shoes Gifts, Bows, and lots more!

Like Us!

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

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HOO’s HEALTHY

Saying

something In my practice I see many parents who are setting a wonderful example of parenting. They understand that their children require love and guidance. Sometimes they need “tough love.”

They watch carefully their children’s diet and they monitor their time in front of the television. More importantly they take the time to let them know why. Why breakfast is the most important meal of the day; why sugary drinks do not replace water; why fruits and vegetables are so valuable to health; why an education is found in reading and not “watching”; why exercise, rest and a positive attitude can make you stronger for the road ahead. Thank you parents for telling them why.

Recently, I walked out of a local mall and encountered a young lady, obviously in her third trimester, smoking a cigarette. As nice as I could, I said “young lady that cigarette is not good for your baby.” Without hesitation she saluted me with the “middle finger.” I did not want to offend her and I have not walked in her moccasins, but I felt it was my responsibility to say something and risk the reaction. I wished she would have asked me “why”, but she probably already knew.

Another example of “saying something” is recent research from UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. The rate of U.S. children affected by attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is skyrocketing along with obesity and diabetes.

Recent studies show as many as 11% of children in the U.S., ages 4-17, were diagnosed with ADHD. Especially dramatic were the incidence of one in five boys in high school diagnosed with ADHD. Two thirds of the children diagnosed were treated with stimulant medication that can improve attention but also comes with side effects.

By: Dr. Michael J Flynn, DC, Flynn Clinic of Chiropractic, Houma

It has been reported that Louisiana has the nation’s highest rate of prescriptions written for girls between 12 and 18 and women between 19 and 25 diagnosed with ADHD. These numbers are double the national rate. Louisiana is second highest for ADHD prescriptions written to boys between 12 and 18.

The UCLA research examined the data of more than 64,000 women and their children in the National Danish Birth Cohort study. They followed the babies until age 11.

It was discovered that moms who regularly took the pain medicine acetaminophen during pregnancy had nearly a 40 percent higher risk of having a child with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder compared to women who did not take any. The longer the pregnant women took the pain reliever, the higher the risk. In the study, researchers determined that acetaminophen may act as an endocrine disruptor, meaning it affects estrogen activity in the body which may affect the development of the fetus’s brain.

In the spring of 1955, Tylenol Elixir for children was introduced with the single ingredient acetaminophen.

Pregnant mothers need to be especially cautious of their diet and medication use. We should all be cautious about the chemicals we are putting into our bodies. Many health experts are recommending non pharmacological ways to deal with common complaints of neck/back pain and headaches during pregnancy. That is saying something.

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

HOO’S PLUGGED IN WWW.familyandkidsdigest.COM

Hoo’s Tips Taking some simple steps to conserve energy reduces the percentage of your monthly household budget spent on utility bills. Your family will also be helping protect the environment by conserving energy resources. Here are some suggestions on how to make your home more energy efficient.

• If you already own a gas furnace, consider installing a programmable thermostat.

Keeping the furnace or heat pump well maintained ensures that it runs efficiently. Change your filters every three months, or as soon as they look black and dirty. This keeps the air flowing well through your heating system and your furnace running efficiently.

• Check for possible leaks around windows, doors, and pipes.

Caulk gaps that are allowing the cold air to rush in around windows and pipes, and install new weather stripping if there are gaps around your exterior doors.

• It’s best to unplug appliances and electronics when you are not using them.

Electronics and computers are especially large consumers of energy when plugged in and in ‘stand by’ mode.

• If you have older appliances, consider replacing them with some new Energy Star Certified appliances.

This is especially important for high-usage appliances, for example; refrigerators, washers, and dryers. Maximize the energy savings by running your washer, dryer, and dishwasher only when you have a full load.

www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

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Ready for Launch!

Finding delight in both the launch (and the landing) of their toys, children are quick to pick up the physics of force and momentum as they propel their possessions up into the air. And while it’s no fun reclaiming kid-propelled items that occasionally make their way onto the roof of the house, fostering their enthusiasm for launching toys is worth the air time. There are hidden physics lessons as they learn about force, trajectory and mass along the way! The sky’s the limit!

Robotic UFO Helicopter

When Pigs Fly

Benefiting from lighter materials, easier controls and new technology the Robotic UFO Helicopter raises the bar for RC flight success. This vehicle launches smoothly and follows a trajectory and altitude directed from a simple-to-use remote control. The spherical frame protecting the propeller gives the moving parts a good measure of ‘bounce-back’ protection as rookie pilots drift into occasional obstacles while their RC skills evolve. Best enjoyed by kids eight and up.

A hilarious twist on an old expression, ‘When Pigs Fly’ brings home the bacon for energetic game play! Players have their own collection of pigs in their pen that they must get rid of to win. Using the game’s cannons, pigs (attired with their own stylish scarves) are propelled upward in hopes that their scarf will stick in the cloud cone. Players feverishly launch their porcine pieces on their mission to get rid of their pigs. It’s fast, fun and definitely hogs the action in the board game closet!

Ultra Stomp Rocket

Hot Wheels Mega Jump

(Happy Cow)

(D-L Company)

The Stomp Rocket Ultra takes the high ground with a smart, durable design that sends lightweight rockets soaring upward with ease.

Including 4 foamtipped rockets, the batteries-free set uses the force of a child’s stomp on an air pad to launch the rockets skyward.

The rockets’ foam design ensures that landings are harmless and damagefree to surroundings. Exposing young minds to trajectory, projection, force and motion – this intro to rocketry is one giant step toward stellar playtime!

(Poof Slinky)

(Mattel)

As kids seek reputable roadway for their cars to journey farther (and higher) the Mega Jump is an ideal addition to every Hot Wheels enthusiast’s tool kit! With clamps that mount on the child’s chosen obstacle, the challenge is to propel their auto with just enough force to launch and land after a huge jump. Best with additional Hot Wheels track to maximize the run up to launch, unleash your kid’s inner ‘Dukes of Hazard’ with the Hot Wheels Mega Jump track accessory!

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MATH Pizza Fractions - Beginning With Simple Fractions

Pizza Fractions offers a simple, visually-based introduction to fractions for elementary school kids.

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Zoom around the interactive brain structures and discover its functions, disorders, brain damage, case studies, and links to modern research.

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Stunning images, videos, mission information, news, and TV.

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Children learn about animals by seeing and hearing the sounds it makes with easy interface and fun sound effects.

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

Make Math Fun!

HOO’s learning

Is this a familiar scene? You’re sitting at table, helping your child with homework, and struggling to help him memorize math facts and formulas. Learning feels like a chore.

While 80 percent of traditional mathematics teachings rely on drilling and memorization, parents can help make math fun and approachable by linking it to real-world examples.

Encourage your child to learn the value of math by using fun games and activities to help them apply what they’ve learned.

• Play popular board games that require basic math skills. Chutes and Ladders® and RackO® develop number sense. Yahtzee® helps computation speed and accuracy. Problem solving skills are developed through games like Connect Four®.

• A deck of cards can be a valuable math tool. Card games begin to teach the lesson of probability. Using a deck of cards is also a great way to reinforce addition and subtraction for children learning basic math.

• Relate math to your child’s favorite sport. Ask her to calculate the number of points needed for her favorite team to win.

• Use driving time as a math game time. Invite children to figure out how long it will take to get to your destination or estimate how gasoline costs.

• Dominoes are a great game for children of all ages.

Smaller children can use them to organize similar quantities, while older children can explore the concepts of probability.

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