OCTOBER 2015
Wise Choices for Moms & Families
MATHES RUL
BAYOU BAYOUREGION REGION
EDGE EDGE
Cover Sponsor, Page 28
STEM at Sylvan: Math Edge Robotics Coding l
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Wise Choices for You & Your Family
Children’s Clothing Girls : Pre -16 Boys : Pre-8
Boutique hair bows Skin & hair care • Gifts & toys Monogramming • Baptismal supplies
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
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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, Welcome to your handy, local, parenting resource guide. I hope you will find lots of helpful choices on products and services for you and your family, along with some informative articles, fun features, handy resources and things to do. If you like our magazine, then you’ll enjoy our website too, www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com. There you can read our digital magazine and use our ONLINE SHOPPING DIRECTORY. This virtual buying guide will provide you with a list of local, family-friendly businesses that we intend to grow into something more comprehensive in time. Plus with the ability for consumers to leave reviews on these businesses, it will help other parents make buying decisions. I invite you to go leave a few reviews to help us build this resource and share them with other parents like yourself.
AD DEADLINES
1st of the Month for the Next Month’s Issue
Tammy Usie
HOO KNOWS SPECIAL FEATURES Hoo’s crafty.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 22
Hoo hungry?.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 8
HOO’S healthy.. . . . . . . . . . . page 19, 26, 29
Hoo knew?.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 21
HOO’S helpful.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 9, 13
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:
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Win FREE
Martial Arts Training & Uniform! REGISTER TO WIN
1234 St. Charles St Houma, LA 985-851-7772 www.tkd-la.com
Click the CONTEST tab at www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com Random drawing on Nov. 1
One free class of choice for a month. One free uniform. Value $150. Reedmable within 6 months from award. Can not be combined with other offers. No cash value.
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Wise Choices for You & Your Family
SHOPPING guide Activities Alstarz Cheerleading Academy...........5 Bayou Country Children’s Museum....8 Bayou Dularge Cajun Fair.......................3 Bricks 4 Kids........................................... 30 Brushworks Art & Music..................... 24 Chauvin Culture & Heritage Fest.......10 Creative U..................................................12 Extreme Cheernastics.......................... 24 First Baptist Church Trunk R Treat.....3 1st United Methodist Church..............31 Greenwood Gator Farm & Tours........ 22 Guerrilla Jiu-Jitsu..................................21 James Academy of Gymnastics.........21 Martial Arts Studio................................ 27 Mix It Up..................................................... TELL THEM 9 Santa’s Stroll...............................................7 STAGE Performing Arts School..........10 Tiger Rock.................................................18
SENT YOU!
Childcare/ education Adventure Awaits.................................. 28 GDC Young Learners/ Merry Oaks.... 28 Messiah Montessori School............... 28 Sylvan Learning Center....................... 28
Food & beverage Chick-fil-A on MLK...................................5 Pinocchio’s Pizza Playhouse.............. 30
TELL THEM
healthcare Beehive Behavioral Health..................10 Ellender Orthodontics.......................... 24 Flynn Clinic of Chiropractic................15 Lafourche Urgent Care......................... 29 Pelican Medical Supply........................15 Premier OB/GYN Specialists...............12 Thieler Orthodontics............................ 27 Total Urgent Care....................................18
party Bayouland Inflatables............................12 La Tea Da Party Palace..........................10 Party Palooza............................................12
Shopping/ Retail Belle La Vie.............................................. 27 Cajun Nutrition....................................... 22 Faith Varnes, Ruby Ribbon..................15 Felger’s Foot Wear..................................21 Lil’ Sweet Pea’s Boutique........................2 Live 4 Sports.............................................15 Lynn’s Little Feet.................................... 30 Melinda Gilmore Photography.............7 Rudolph’s Route...................................... 26 Southland Mall....................................... 32 The iClinic...................................................5
SENT YOU!
www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com
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You are invited to shop the “Santa Stroll” And help give back to our community!
Travel around town to the following local shops for great holiday shopping, gift wrapping & sweet treats… The Bayou Country Children’s Museum’s Gift Shop Three Stitches Lynn’s Little Feet Shoe-Shi Sugar Boutique
10% of all sales from each store will go to the St. Francis Vegetable Garden …..A collaborative community garden to supply the Lafourche Parish food banks with fresh produce as well as educate the community on fresh, healthy eating.
providing imagery for maternity, newborn, family and beyond
melindagilmore.com
985-498-6570
Wise Choices for You & Your Family
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HOO’s HUNGRY happy halloween
Hot chocolate
our family had a blast with this halloween recipe last year! it was so cute to see the faces the kids came up with and it was the perfect way to wind down after a chilly night of walking around, trick-or-treating.
DIRECTIONS
Put in your white chocolate chips in a bowl and set aside. Then, over medium heat, warm up the milk until you just start seeing bubbles.. And pour the milk over your white chocolate. Mix until your chocolate is melted and the milk is smooth and not lumpy. Then, add your vanilla and your desired food coloring. Hand your kids the marshmallows and draw little ghost faces on them with an edible marker. Serve with whip cream, their cute marshmallow faces, and whatever toppings you like, sprinkles, candy eyes, etc.
Ingredients • 12 oz. white chocolate chips • 8 cups of milk • 1 tsp vanilla • food coloring (I prefer Americolor gels) • whipped cream • black food safe marker • candy eyes, marshmallows, sprinkles
www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com
Hoo’s helpful You have provided your tween with her first phone and installed parental control apps that let you monitor her messaging and texts. However, the acronyms and secret codes used by your tween make the messages difficult to understand. First, try asking your tween what the ‘web slang’ and secret codes she is using mean. Unless she is hiding something from you, she may be willing to share the meaning with you. If you feel further research is needed, there are websites that will help you decode the texts. Overall, many of the secret codes tweens come up with are not cause for concern, but there are some that every parent should be aware of. The good news is that if your tween is receiving texts of an inappropriate nature, the monitoring app should let you block the person from sending any more texts to your tween.
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Know YOUR TWEEN’S
Text codes
Here are a few of the common acronyms: ASL: 9 or CD9 or PIR: Parents are in the room Age/Sex/Location GNOC: 143: Get naked on camera I love you KPC: ADR: Keeping parents clueless Address
It can feel like a race to keep one step ahead of your tween when it comes to secret codes, but there is help online. For a more complete list, visit: http://coolmomtech.com/2014/07/texting-acronyms-and-phrases-parents-should-know/
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Wise Choices for You & Your Family
Mental, Behavioral, Relational Health Services
Nicole Bourgeois, PHD, LMFT l beehivebhavioral@att.net
801 Barrow St #313, Houma l 985-293-7401
Dining Deals
www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com
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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 Paso Mexican Grill. 602 N Canal Blvd Thibodaux. Kids10 and under. Free kid’s meal with adult entree. Face painting. IHOP. 1719 MLK Blvd. Houma. 4-9pm. Free kids meal with adult entree. La Casa Del Sol. 141 Westover Rd. Thibodaux. 5-8pm. Kid’s meals $2.99 for12 and under. Face painting.
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
La Palma Mexican Restaurant. 710 Saint Mary St. Thibodaux. Kids 8 and under. Free kid’s meal with adult entrée.
Dynasty Buffet. 6425 West Park Ave, Houma. Kids 3-6 eat free. Free balloon art and face painting. Moe’s Southwest Grill. 1826 MLK Blvd, Houma Kid’s Eat Free Thursdays - Kids eat free every Thursday from 4pm to close. Dine In only.
Santa Fe Cattle Company. 632 Canal Blvd. Thibodaux. Kids 12 and under. Free kid’s meal with adult entrée.
sunday
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. 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. Santa Fe Cattle Company. 632 Canal Blvd. Thibodaux. Kids 12 and under. Free kid’s meal with adult entrée.
Crabby Crab. 5726 LA 1, Lockport. Free ice cream for kids, live mermaid, baloon art and facepainting. from 6-8pm.
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. Specials are subject to change without notice. Please verify them directly before dining. “Family & Kids” and the restaurants listed accept no liability, so please call them first to verify. If you know of a kids special not listed here, contact Sales@FamilyAndKidsDigest.com.
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Wise Choices for You & Your Family
We Deliver with Care. Experienced Care You Can Trust Erin H. Pennison MD Channing K. Sanders MD Casey Pech FNP-C
www.spobgyn.com
985.223.8994 l 8120 Main St., Suite 202, Houma 985.446.8994 l 2100 Audubon Ave, Thibodaux
www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com
Hoo’s helpful Giving your tween a smartphone means that she can go online whenever she wants and, in addition, it can more difficult to monitor who she is talking to than it was when she was borrowing your phone. For both Android and iOS devices, there are apps that you can install that help you track and put boundaries on your child’s smartphone activity. Some apps are like spyware and can be installed without your tween knowing about it. However, experts advise to inform your tween she is being monitored when you first give her the phone. Let her know that to retain the privilege of using the phone, she must not try to remove the monitoring app.
TWEEN PHONE
SAFETY
Here are some common features of monitoring apps: • Ability to block access to certain apps and websites and the ability to prevent the purchasing of new apps. Some apps, such as Screen Time, allow you to make some apps available only at certain times of the day. For example, you could configure it to restrict access to gaming apps at bedtime. • Monitoring the phone numbers of who is calling your tween’s phone and the texts she is sending and receiving. Some apps allow you to block calls and texts from numbers you place on a ‘black list’. This is important for kids this age, since a tween won’t always tell you if someone is cyberbullying them with text messages. • A GPS feature that allows you to see where your child is located at all times. You may have to download several apps to get all the parental controls in place that you want, unless you purchase a more expensive premium app. If you have a tablet, see what parental controls are built in before spending money installing apps. To search for an app that meets the level of parental control you need to have over your family’s Android mobile devices, go to the Google play store and do a search on ‘Parental Control Apps for Cell Phones.’ There are some basic monitoring apps, like ‘Secure Teen’ and ‘Kids Place,’ that are free. If you have an iOS device, go to the Apple Support App Store on your device and search for ‘Parental Control Apps.’ You should be able to either find a free app, like ‘ParentKit,’ that has basic features or purchase an app has all the features you need to keep your tween safe.
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Wise Choices for You & Your Family
HOO’S at the Movies JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS Rated PG | Ok for kids 10+
This new movie is, of course, based on the beloved 1980s TV series. The movie follows a small-town girl (Aubrey Peeples) who catapults from an underground video sensation to global superstar. Jem and her three sisters take the world by storm when they learn that the key to creating your own destiny lies in finding your own voice. Directed by Jon Chu (“Step Up 3D”), this movie also stars Hayley Kiyoko, Stefanie Scott, Samantha Newark, Juliette Lewis, Molly Ringwald, and Ryan Guzman.
pan PG | Ok for kids 9+
Those classic childhood characters created by J.M. Barrie get a fresh take in this movie directed by Joe Wright. “Pan” follows the story of an orphan boy (Levi Miller) who is spirited away to the magical world of Neverland. There, he finds both fun and danger, and ultimately discovers his destiny -- to become the hero known as Peter Pan. Also stars Hugh Jackman as Blackbeard, Garrett Hedlund as Hook, Amanda Seyfried as Mary, Cara Delevingne as Mermaid, and Rooney Mara as Tiger Lily.
suffragette Rated PG-13 | Ok for kids 13+
This powerful drama centers on the women who were willing to lose everything in their fight for equality in early 20th Century Britain. Carey Mulligan plays Maud, a working wife and mother whose life is forever changed when she’s secretly recruited to join the U.K.’s growing suffragette movement. Galvanized by the outlaw fugitive Emmeline Pankhurst (Meryl Streep), Maud becomes an activist for the cause alongside women from all walks of life. Inspired by true events, this movie explores the passion and heartbreak of those who risked all they had for women’s right to vote – their jobs, their homes, their children, even their lives. Directed by Sarah Gavron, this movie also stars Helena Bonham Carter and Brendan Gleeson.
goosebumps PG | Ok for kids 10+
Based on the book series by R.L. Stine, this movie centers on teenager Zach Cooper (Dylan Minnette), who’s upset about moving to a small town, but finds a silver lining when he meets the beautiful Hannah (Odeya Rush) living next door. But Zach learns that Hannah’s mysterious dad is R. L. Stine (Jack Black), author of the bestselling Goosebumps series. And the monsters from his books are indeed real; Stine protects his readers by keeping them locked up in their books. When Zach unintentionally unleashes the monsters, they begin to terrorize the town, and it’s up to Stine, Zach, and Hannah to get them all back into the books where they belong. Directed by Rob Letterman, this movie also stars Amy Ryan and Ken Marino.
the martian PG-13 | Ok for kids 14+
During a mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney survives and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he draws on his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he’s indeed alive. Millions of miles away, NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring “the Martian” home, while his crewmates concurrently plot a daring, if not impossible, rescue mission. Based on the book by Andy Weir and directed by Ridley Scott, this movie also stars Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Kate Mara, Michael Pena, Jeff Daniels, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Donald Glover.
www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com
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Balancing the Spine and Pelvis by “ADJUSTMENTS”
Holisitc Health Medical Center 985-223-3811
567 Corporate Dr. Houma www.drmikeflynn.com
J.Michael Flynn, DC, FICC
Fellow of the International College of Chiropractors
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October
2 Kidz Night Out at Bricks 4 Kidz. Mi- 9 necraft Zombies and bats, real owl visit and photo. 6-9pm. Ages 5 and up. Pizza Included. $30. 488 Corporate Dr, Houma. www.bricks4kidz.com/houma
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Battle Bots at Bricks 4 Kidz. 10am2:30pm. Ages 10 and up. Pizza Included. $40. 488 Corporate Dr, Houma. www. bricks4kidz.com/houma
3 Lego Robotics at the Terrebonne Main
Library. 11am. 2nd-3rd Grades and 3pm for 4th-7th grade. RSVP 985-876-5861.
Challenge Island Monster Mash Morning at Bricks 4 Kidz.10am-12pm. Ages 5 and up. $35. Creepy Crawly Afternoon. 1:30-4:30pm. $25. Ages 5 and up for both sessions. 488 Corporate Dr, Houma. www.bricks4kidz.com/houma
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Louisiana Gumbo Festival. Chackbay/Choupic Fair Grounds. Cajun food and music, midway, parade, auction, race and more. lagumbofest.com
10 Star Wars Reads Day at Terrebonne Main Library. 3pm. Free activities.
3 Walk Like MADD 5K to support Moth- 12 Kids Craft at Thibodaux Library.
ers Against Drunk Driving. 7:30am registration. Downtown Marina Houma. www.walklikemadd.org/houma.
4-31 Pumpkin Patch at 1st United
Methodist Church of Houma. 10am-7pm Mon-Sat and 1-7pm Sun. Saturdays to feature arts and craft vendors. Across from Houma Civic Center.
6 Chick-fil-A Kids Night on MLK, Hou-
ma. 5-8pm. Crafts and free 4 count kids meal with adult meal purchase.
7 Lego Robotics at Thibodaux Library.
4pm. Ages 8-18. Work as young scientists, engineers, and mathematicians to build and program machines using the Lego Robotics WeDo Activity Pack. RSVP 985-447-4119.
8 K’Nex at Thibodaux Library. 3pm. Ages 8-12. Construct buildings and objects with K’NEX kits. RSVP 985-4474119.
8,9,12 Fall Break Cooking Camp
at Mix it Up. 985-868-3534; www.mixituphouma.com
4:30pm. Ages 12 and under. Popcorn tree. RSVP 985-447-4119.
16 Extreme Cheernastics Fall Clinic.
5:30-8:30pm. Ages 4 & up. $30. 6909 Alma St, Houma. 985-872-0339.
16-18
Bayou Dularge Cajun Fair. Food, rides, crafts, & music. KC Home 1331 Dr. Beatrous Rd, Theriot.
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Bayou Music Festival & Shrimp Cookoff. 11am-1am. Bands, food, auction, door prizes. Oak Ridge Park, Golden Meadow.
17 Lego Club at Terrebonne Main
Library. 11am for PreK-1st graders and 3pm for 2nd-6th graders.
17 Family Pumpkin Decorating at Thibodaux Library. Supplies provided. RSVP 985-447-4119.
17-18 Chauvin Culture and Heri-
tage Festival. Ward Seven Citizens Club in Chauvin. Music, jambalaya cook-off, games, art, crafts, 5k run and headliner Amanda Shaw. www.t-possibility.org.
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Basketball registration for TPR begins. Ages 7-12. Register at your local gym or 985-873-6584. www.tpcg.org.
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Lego Mania Craft at Thibodaux Library. 4pm. Ages 6 and up. Create a lego-themed craft, build constructions and watch Lego movie. RSVP 985-4474119.
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Chick-fil-A on MLK Cookie Fundraiser for Mary Bird Perkins. $1 donated for every cookie sold.
20 Storytime at Thibodaux Library for kids 12 and younger. 3:30pm.
22 Chick-fil-A on MLK Fall Festival
from 5-7pm. Petting zoo, crafts and the cow.
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K’Nex at Thibodaux Library. 3:30pm. Ages 8-12. Construct buildings and objects with K’NEX kits. RSVP 985447-4119.
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Mommy & Me Zumba at Thibodaux Main Library. Free. 11am
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7th Annual Night at the Boo-seum. 5-9pm. Games, activities, trick or treat. Thibodaux Firemen’s Fairgrounds.
23-25
French Food Festival. Larose Regional Park & Civic Center. Cajun food, music & dancing, midway, auction, art show, petting zoo, crafts and baby pageant. www.bayoucivicclub.org
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Parents Night Out: Monster’s University at Mix it Up Culinary Entertainment Experience. 985-868-3534; mixituphouma.com
r Events 24-25
Board Game night at the Thibodaux Library. 5pm. All ages. Prizes awarded. Snacks provided.
24 Mommy & Me Cooking Class at Mix
It Up. 9-10am. Ages 2.5-5. 985-868-3534
Yoga at Alstarz for kids at 4:30pm and 5:30pm for adults. 13347 W Main St, Larose. 985-693-7109.
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WEDNESDAY
Rougarou Fest. A family-friendly festival with a spooky flair in Downtown Houma. rougaroufest.com.
Lego Robotics at Thibodaux Library. 4pm. Ages 8-18. Work as young scientists, engineers, and mathematicians to build and program machines. RSVP 985-876-5861.
27 Carnival Knight at Terrebonne
Main Library. 6pm. Storytime, games, prizes and more.
30-31 Trick or Treat at Thibodaux
Library’s main desk. 3-5pm
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PreK Story Time at Terrebonne Main Library. 10am for 3-5 year olds. Storytime at the Lafourche Parish Main Library. 10:30am. All ages welcome. Ends with a craft.
THURSDAY
Laptime at the Lafourche Parish Main Library. 10:30am. Ages 2 and under. Interactive storytime.
Halloween Movie Madness with “Hocus Pocus” at the Thibodaux Library. 2pm.
Crafternoons at the Terrebonne Main Library. PreK-6th. RSVP 985-876-5861.
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Free Kids Yoga at Anelas. 6:30pm. 7720 Main St, Houma. anelaslounge.com
Trunk or Treat at 1st United Methodist Church of Houma. 5-7pm. Nonscary costume contest with prizes. Free popcorn, drinks, spacewalks, activities. Across from Houma Civic Center.
Weekly Events MONDAY
Toddler Time at the Terrebonne Parish Main Branch Library. 10am and 6pm for 19mon-3yrs.
TUESDAY
Storytime at the Terrebonne Parish Main Library. 10am for newborns-18mon, and at 6pm for 4-8 year olds and their families (except on 10/27).
FRIDAY
Toddler Fun Day at LA Sports Gym. 9am-12pm. $7 for interactive play with parent. 544 Hollywood Rd, Houma. 985580-9746. Gym Night at Alstarz. 6:30-9:30p on 4th and 25, 6-10pm on 11th & 18th. Ages 4-16. $10. Fun, games and tumbling. 13347 W Main St, Larose. 985693-7109. Friday Fun Night at LA Sports Gym. 6:30-9pm. $10. Snacks Additional. 544 Hollywood Rd, Houma. 985-580-9746.
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JAG Open Gym. 7-9pm. $7 for members, $10 for non members. Ages 5 and up. Adult must accompany. 308 Venture Blvd, Houma. 985-851-3001.
SATURDAY
Downtown Houma Market in the Courthouse Square. 8am-noon. Local produce and artisans. Lafourche Central Market with Farmers, fisherman, artisans and activities. 8a-noon. Thibodaux Main Street Market. 8am12:30pm next to Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve. Featuring home grown or produced items. Kid’s Club at Michael’s on MLK, Houma. 10am-12pm. $2 for craft. Adult must accompany. 985-872-3132. Build and Grow Clinic at Lowe’s on MLK, Houma. 10am. Free. Register at lowes. com/buildandgrow. 985-223-7575. Kid’s Workshop at Home Depot on MLK, Houma. 9am-12pm for ages 5-12 with parent. Free. Register at homedepot. com/workshops/kids-workshop or 985223-1485. JAG Open Gym. 7-9pm. $7 for members, $10 for non members. Ages 5 and up. Adult must accompany. 308 Venture Blvd, Houma. 985-851-3001. Please call ahead to confirm event dates, times and age appropriateness, in case changes were made after the info was obtained.
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Wise Choices for You & Your Family
We do flu shots.
WHAT A
RELIEF!
We’re sick of the flu. That’s why our experienced medical staff, great service, and trusted tradition are in place to keep your family healthy during flu season.
314 Hwy 3162 • Cut Off, LA 70345 (985) 632-1820 Mon-Fri 8AM-8PM • Sat & Sun 8AM-5PM MyTotalUrgentCare.com
www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com
HOO’s HEALTHY
doctors new sleep advice is eye opening Sleep -- who can get enough of it? More and more studies point to the need for a good night’s sleep. As a new parent, you’re sleep deprived, then when your children get older, they may sleep through the night but wake up at the crack of dawn. Once your kids reach their teens, their days and nights are totally upside down; they often want to stay up too late and sleep half the day away. Sleep is an important way to rest our brains and reset our bodies for another day. Circadian rhythm helps regulate our sleep/wake cycles. Yet trying to make sure that your children get enough sleep seems to be a never ending battle (at least in many homes). It’s also one of the most frequent concerns of many of my patient’s parents. A recent study undertaken by the National Sleep Foundation reviewed over 300 articles published in peer-reviewed journals between 2004 and 2014. Based upon this review, here are the updated sleep recommendations: Newborns (0-3 months): 14-17 hours Infants (4-11 months): 12-15 hour Toddlers (1-2 years): 11-14 hours Preschoolers (3-5): 10-13 hours School aged children (6-13): 9-11 hours Teens (14-17): 8-10 hours Young adults (18-25): 7-9 hours
The
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Kids
Doctor
Sue Hubbard, MD kidsdr.com
So, how do your children stack up against the recommendations? Parents with newborns often complain that their children sleep 15 hours, but not in the increments they’d like, while parents with kids over the age of 13 report that their children rarely get 8-10 hours of sleep. One mother recently expressed frustration that her 7-year-old daughter would go to bed at 7:30 pm., but woke up every day at 6 am. I explained to her that her child was getting enough sleep, but that unfortunately, her biological clock was set, and that short of making her stay in her room until 6:45 am. -- when Mom’s preferred she get up -- there was not much to do. The problem is, parents rarely can’t go to bed when their children do (think laundry, work emails and other chores). So while their children may be getting enough sleep, the parents are often sleep deprived! While a good night’s sleep is important for mood and focus, there’s a lot of data suggesting that children who get enough sleep are less obese, less likely to get into trouble and certainly more pleasant to be around. Establishing a good nighttime routine is helpful, beginning with a regular bedtime for your children. Commit to no electronics in kids’ bedrooms, and turn off any electronic devices at least an hour before bed. Furthermore, we parents need to do the same!
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Wise Choices for You & Your Family
NO STAGE FRIGHT HERE ! The theater is a perfect setting for children to craft stories, act out their ideas and gain confidence in the spotlight. As they become comfortable “performing” for family and friends, kids are also cultivating self-assurance for those future moments when all eyes will be on them. The following items offer fun and creative opportunities for children to assemble their own casts, become storytellers, and shine in a production that’s all their own!
Doorway Theater
( Haba)
From finger and hand puppets to marionettes and dolls, every child’s cast of characters can take the stage in style with the Doorway Theater from HABA. Creating the sense of a real show, the Doorway Theater is a theatrical drape that easily installs with telescoping tension rods in different sized doorways. The rods at the top and bottom create a taut front that can hide kids ‘backstage’ as they prep and perform their show. It includes a porthole for surprise appearances, a pocket window to display the name of the show or next act, and a curtain to tie-back when the show goes live! It’s true that “All the world’s a stage”…and now every doorway can be a theater!
My First Fun Felt Masks
(Creativity for Kids)
As one of the earliest dramatic elements in theatrical history, masks are instant trademarks of the stage. Now young children can imagine and create their own stage-worthy masks with ease. The felt mask kit from Creativity for Kids include 6 soft felt mask templates as well as stickers, rhinestone, yarn and self-stick adhesives that make crafting a mask easy and mess-free. The soft medium of felt also ensures comfortable wearing of the masks (which you don’t get with paper or plastic). In addition to building motor and sensory skills for the younger set, this mask-making activity debuts the craftier side of kids’ creative theater arts.
Make Your Own Monster Puppet (Melissa and Doug)
There’s no way puppet building can go wrong with Make Your Own Monster from Melissa and Doug! Drawing on a colorful collection of 30 plush elements including eyes, ears, horns and more, children can craft endless combinations to build their own vision of playful monster puppets. No scissors or glue needed, the soft monster parts easily attach and remove with Velcro. Sturdily crafted with materials that will last through years of theatrical building and performance, kids can assemble an ever-changing cast of expressive characters to perform their monster hit shows!
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HOO KNEW? Call for our 2015 Summer Specials!
Leadership * Focus * Skill
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Square M E A L
Sportsmanship * Discipline
Creating CHAMPIONS
985.226.8846
In the 18th Century, a British sailor’s limited diet of breakfast and lunch was not more than moldy bread and water. If lucky, the third meal included meat and was served on a square tin platter. They came to call it their ‘square’ meal, and it was the only substantial meal of the day. Three squares now means three good meals a day.
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HOO’s CRAFTY cheesecloth
floating ghosts Wouldn’t you love to have some of these floating around your house? Well, I’m going to show you just how easy these adorable, DIY apparitions are to make.
Directions Pour 2 cups of water in a glass bowl, add 1 cup of cornstarch and mix really well. Microwave your mixture in 30 second increments, stirring in between, until it gets thick. Mine took about 2 minutes to get the right consistency. Let the mix sit aside and get cool enough to handle (but not cold), and line your table with wax paper, and assemble your ghost stand. I used a styrofoamball sitting on a heavy cup, but you could use a balloon, bowls, 2 liter bottles, or whatever you have lying around that will give you a ghostly shape. Cut your cheesecloth to size, coat it well with the starch mixture, and drape it over your stand. Add a second layer, and shape it how you’d like. Let it dry overnight. Then, carefully remove your ghost and have fun decorating it with black felt eyes, hair bows, or anything else to make them booo-tifull!
supplies cheesecloth
(2 layers per ghost)
corn starch water black felt/bows wax paper a makeshift stand
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Wise Choices for You & Your Family
What's the First thing people notice about you?
Your smile!
851-1234
ellenderortho.com
Make sure it's a straight one.
A Page In A Book www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com
Recommending the Best Books
for Children and Teens By Paige Gardner Smith
Sharing, The Joy of Generosity
A pacifier, a bottle, toys, a security blanket; these are some of the first things that a child senses are uniquely their own. But as toddlers start to interact with their peers, learning to share can be the difference between frustrated tears and peace in the realm. The following titles explore the feelings children experience regarding their possessions with a focus on the good feelings that sharing can generate.
Llama Llama: Time To Share By Anna Dewdney (Viking / Penguin)
When Llama Llama meets Nelly Gnu for the first time, he’s not sure what they will both enjoy playing together. After a cautious start, the two slowly discover a shared interest in building blocks and it looks like the play date is going to be successful. But when Nelly starts to play with Llama Llama’s beloved Fuzzy Llama doll, all bets are off as tears (the wet kind) and tears (the ripping kind) erupt. With parents to help guide the way, Llama Llama and Nelly find a path toward sharing that mends the moment and paves the way toward smoother shared play in the future for these new friends.
Red Panda’s Candy Apples By Ruth Paul (Candlewick Press) Red Panda makes the best sticky and sweet candy apples. So he decides to make some to sell, looking forward to the reward of coins in his jar. But he soon discovers that it’s hard to let go of something that you’d like to keep (and eat) yourself. Red Panda’s brisk business quickly leaves him with only one apple left, and his last two customers fighting over it. When the struggle over the last apple turns to tears, Red Panda remembers a secret solution that will let everyone enjoy a candy apple. Exploring the mixed feelings that we get when we share the things we love, the real joy of giving comes to the fore in this sweet title.
Bernice Gets Carried Away By Hannah E. Harrison (Dial / Penguin) Bernice is having a lousy time at her friend’s party. She receives the only piece of cake without a frosting rose. The pinata is opened before she even has a chance to take a swing at it (and the only candy she finds from it is a stepped-on gumdrop). But when the balloons arrive, Bernice isn’t taking any chances. She grabs the all the balloons – which quickly lift her up and away from the party! As Bernice floats away, she passes others who are having equally bad days. Sharing her bounty of balloons becomes the key to boosting the moods of others as well as getting Bernice back down to the party. Touching on the real feelings that can spark possessive reactions, Harrison’s expressive illustrations relate the journey to generosity with uplifting humor.
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Wise Choices for You & Your Family
HOO’s HEALTHY
NSIADs reduce fertility
A recent research study has shown a direct link between daily usage of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and a reduction in fertility in women. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, are available over the counter and are commonly used to reduce pain and fever. The results of the study were presented by Dr. Sami Salman at the European League Against Rheumatism Congress 2015 in Rome, Italy in June. The study was conducted by Dr Salman and his colleagues at a rheumatology clinic and involved a group of 39 women of child-bearing age who were either given a placebo or an NSAID on a daily basis. The researchers found that when taken on a regular basis, NSAIDs reduce progesterone levels and interfere with ovulation. Progesterone is necessary for ovulation and is also essential for successful implantation of the fertilized egg. A significant number of the women in the study taking the NSAIDs did not ovulate at all during their monthly cycle. If you are planning a pregnancy and take NSAIDs often, it is important to discuss this possible side effect with your doctor, who may decide to modify your pain management plan. NSAIDs have other side effects, such as an upset stomach or even stomach bleeding, so anyone taking them on a long-term basis should do so under the supervision of a doctor. The good news is that for women of child-bearing age, the secondary infertility caused by NSAIDs is reversed and ovulation returns to normal once the NSAIDs are not longer taken.
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THieLER
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Nicole thieler, dds, msd
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Wise Choices for You & Your Family EDUCATION DIRECTORY
ENROLL NOW Toddlers, Pre-School, Kindergarten, Elementary, and beyond! 985.857.8808
www.mms-edu.com
EDGE
NEW from Sylvan: STEM COURSES
Introducing Math Edge! Sylvan’s new and affordable math program will make your child (and your wallet) very happy. Discover how we can inspire greater success with Math Edge. Our accelerated math program for grades 1–5 is kid-preferred! Here’s what to expect: A fun, kid-friendly format. Challenging math content. Engaging brain-boosting activities.
ENROLL IN MATH EDGE NOW $99 FOR THE FIRST MONTH
ROBOTICS (grades 2-6) Build Robots. Build Friendships. Build Confidence!
CODING (grades 3-8) Blast Into Bigger Fun With Game Design
SYLVAN OF HOUMA
(985) 223-3798 www.SylvanHouma.com
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HOO’s HEALTHY
How Soon for Baby?
Some say it’s easier to raise children as close in age as possible, and others would rather get one tot out of diapers before putting another one in. Of course some would rather stop with one altogether! At a minimum, experts recommend waiting at least 12 to 18 months before having another baby. Your body needs time to recover from the many changes it’s undergone during pregnancy, from fluctuating hormones to increased fluid levels. One study found that women who conceive less than six months after giving birth had a 40 percent increased risk of delivering their baby early and a 61 percent increased risk of delivering a baby with low birth weight. In addition, those who waited more than five years also had an increased risk of early delivery. Talk to your partner about what you think will work best for you and your soon-tobe-growing family.
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Saucony Dance/Gym Wear Dance Shoes Gifts, Bows, and lots more!
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