Bayouregionoct17web

OCTOBER 2017

Wise Choices for Moms & Families

BAYOU REGION

See Page 5

Join us for Night at the BOOseum - October 20!

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

2

------------

------------

Children’s Clothing

Locations

-----------

Girls : Pre -16 Boys : Pre-8

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

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

Bows • Skin & Hair Care • Gifts & Toys • Monogramming • Baptismal Supplies • Registries

www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com

Hoo’s Tips

Kid-trepreneurs!

Business skills learned through lessons in entrepreneurship can help your child successfully navigate a tough job market and competitive business world once she reaches adulthood.

HERE ARE STEPS TO TAKE TO HELP BUILD AN ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT IN YOUR CHILD:

TEACH GOAL SETTING: Entrepreneurs are driven by the vision of their idea becoming a reality. However, it takes planning and goal setting to execute this transformation from an idea into a successful business.

Ask your child to choose a goal that is important to her and would help her improve her life or that of someone else. Next, ask her to put in writing the steps necessary to reach her goal and to assign expected completion dates to the tasks.

TEACH BASIC FINANCING: Help your child understand how the flow of money and investing works in a business. One good way to introduce the basics of finance is to open a bank account for your child where she can put money she earns doing chores and any money she makes with her business. Teach her how to form a budget, track expenses, and decide how to invest any profits.

ENCOURAGE CREATIVITY: If your child notices a problem that no one has yet solved, ask her what a solution might be instead of entertaining any complaining about it. Try to help your child understand that a difficulty is often a business opportunity. Share stories of successful businesses that were started up because someone saw the opportunity to solve a problem. Have your child practice ‘thinking outside the box’ to prepare her to spot potential business opportunities when she becomes an adult. Even if your child’s ideas sound outlandish, don’t discourage her from giving them a try.

ALLOW EXPERIENCE: Enable your child to give it a try. Kids (and adults) learn through experience, so take your child’s plan to reach her business goal and enable her to try it out in the real word. Set up a booth for her outside of your home to market to passersby. Contact local events and see if they will allow her to set up a table there, or maybe gather a group of other child entrepreneurs and host your own event and use social media to promote it. Discuss with her the benefits of donating a portion to charity for a bigger impact.

TEACH RESILIENCY: One trait of entrepreneurs is the ability to learn from failures and apply that knowledge to future business ventures. Even if you can foresee that your child’s plan for her business may not work well, let her try it instead of stepping in and then coach her to learn from her mistakes.

3

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

4

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 5

Hoo’s Hungry.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 15 & 24

HOO’S healthy.. . . . . . . page 23, 29 & 30

HOO’S parenting.. . . . . . . . . . . . . page 9 & 11

Hoo’s Helpful.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

HOO’S Picks.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 31

Hoo Knew.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 19

HOO’S Tips.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 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 our digital edition at:

www.familyandkidsdigest.com Find us on Facebook

Family & Kids Bayou Region

www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com

5

HOO’s CRAFTY SPOOKY LITTLE

GHOSTS IN A JAR Ghosts in a Jar!! Aren’t they so cute? It’s like you caught a ghost and you are keeping it in a jar like you would a bug.

Great decorations!

DIRECTIONS Hot glue one of the spools to the center of the underside of the jar lid.

Cut wood dowel to the height you’d like your ghost to be. Hot glue it into center hole of the spool, and glue a wooden ball onto the top of dowel. Glue more wood dowel pieces to form arms, if desired.

Layer four pieces of cheesecloth over your forms and cut the shape you’d like. Leave extra length, as the next step will shrink the cheesecloth a little.

Pour liquid starch in a bowl and immerse the cheesecloth for one ghost until saturated. Remove and squeeze out any excess starch. Flatten out the cloth and then drape over your form. Now shape it and allow to dry completely.

Lastly, give your ghosts some dots for eyes and put the lids back on!

SUPPLIES glass jars cheesecloth liquid starch 1 1/4” wood balls 3/4″x 5/8″ spools 1/8″ wood dowel Hot glue gun & glue black sharpie

6

SHOPPING GUIDE Activities Alstarz Cheerleading Academy........ 25 Bayou Country Children’s Museum....5 Bayou Dularge Cajun Fair...................... 9 Bricks 4 Kidz............................................21 Brushworks Art & Music Academy...10 First UMC Pumpkin Patch...................13 Greenwood Gator Farm & Tours........ 27 Gymnastics Development Center..... 24 Houma Pumpkin Patch...........................2 Houma’s #1 After School Program.....15 James Academy of Gymnastics........ 30 Mix It Up Cooking Classes.....................7 Southdown Marketplace......................10 Voice & Piano Lessons..........................21 TELL THEM

Childcare/ education SENT YOU! Sylvan Learning of Houma................. 24

HOO’S PLUGGED IN WWW.familyandkidsdigest.COM

healthcare Bayou Behavioral Services................. 28 Coastal Urgent Care.............................. 22 Dr. Jake E. Bordelon, Chiropractor..... 6 Ellender Orthodontics.......................... 27 Thieler Orthodontics............................ 28 Total Urgent Care......................................8

Shopping/ Retail Clearwater Pools & Spas...................... 27 Felger’s Foot Wear..................................21 Healthe Cafe.............................................21 Lagniappe 103.7FM.................................31 Lil’ Sweet Pea’s Boutique........................2 Randi, Beauty Artist...............................18 Southland Mall....................................... 32 Synergy Bank.......................................... 28 Tammy Usie, Marketing Agency........19

www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com

Register to Win with

$100 IN CLASS

CREDITS

“Cook On!” Package!

Win $100 in credits to book cooking classes for your child this fall such as:

Nerdy Nummies, Farm to Table, Cooks & Books, I Love Chocolate, Black Friday Pancake Party and Gingerbread Houses.

For more info or full list of classes, visit MixitUpCooks.com.

No cash value. Can’t be applied to parties.

Expires Dec. 31, 2017.

Click the CONTEST TAB at www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com. Drawing November 1.

7

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

8

Halloween Hunt Find these objects in the Halloween scene below. Then, color it in!

Bone

Toad

Skull

Bat

Candle

Spider Web

Spider

Candy

www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com

HOO’s PARENTING

BENEFITS OF PLAYING WITH LEGOS When kids discover they have similar hobbies, parents know they’re likely to “disappear” for hours at a time sharing their common ground. That’s when a lot of social skill learning takes place: taking turns, division of labor, collaborating, nonverbal communication, cue-reading. Playing with LEGO blocks are no exception. In fact, studies show that LEGO play improves their child’s social skills.

In “Social Behavior and Personality 1012,” researchers reported that LEGO block play increased social skills and trust in others. An interesting side note, it didn’t increase trust in themselves which requires more introspection.

Communication: Being able to join in a conversation and express feelings are important social skills. LEGO play improves these skills by reducing nervousness and anxiety. In the study, although participants had not previously met each other, they communicated easily when using the blocks as a common medium.

In a study using LEGO blocks as therapy for autistic kids, the participants improved in their ability to start and continue social connections, while decreasing their aloofness and rigidity. They showed little interest in drills and exercises, but cooperated fully

with skill building strategies when using LEGO blocks.

Trust of Others and Positive Feelings: Who isn’t in a good mood after positive social interactions? Kids are no exception.

When they play together with LEGO blocks, they’re creating positive feelings toward others as a result of conversing and collaborating together. Positive feelings towards another creates trust.

LEGO play seems to benefit every age. As soon as children develop the coordination to put blocks together, they begin to benefit from playing with other builders.

9

10

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com

HOO’s PARENTING

How to deal with

cyber bullying The cyber world provides school bullies with a way to harass their victims constantly through hostile emails, texts, blog posts, and social media posts.

This is often referred to as cyber bullying, and it has become a serious problem. When your child is bullied in person, he can simply walk away to escape the bullying and then report the bully to school officials. In contrast, cyber bullies can work around the clock and can bully anonymously by hiding behind a false online identity. In a few high profile cases, cyber bullying has even had tragic consequences. Here are a few tips to help you prevent cyber bullying and how to stop it when it does occur.

If you spot a pattern of hurtful or harassing messages being directed at your child, act quickly to shut the cyber bully down. Try to identify who is sending the hurtful messages and save electronic copies of the hurtful emails, posts, and texts to use as proof. Block the cyber bully so that he can’t send more messages to your child. Remind your child to never sink to the cyber bully’s level and respond back. The cyber bullies are trying to provoke a response and will just escalate the attack if they get one. Cyber bullying is against the law in many states and most schools have strict rules against it. Report any incidents to the offending child’s school.

First, make sure your child limits how much personal information she shares online. Kids need to understand that any information or picture they post or text is out there in cyber space for good.

There is no way to control who the information will be sent to next or what it will be used for. Your child should never include information like her address or phone number, which could be used by bullies to contact her or steal her identity, or her online profile. Also, help your child set the privacy settings on accounts so that only friends can contact her or see her posts.

In some cases, such as when a page on social media or a website is being used to harass your child, you can contact the provider to have the page or website taken down. In other cases, the victim’s online accounts are hacked and used to make hurtful and embarrassing comments. If this happens to your child, help her shut down the cyber bully by deleting her old accounts and creating new ones.

Talk to your child about being cautious about how she words comments she makes in texts and online. A comment or joke taken the wrong way could spark a cyber bullying incident if the recipient decides to ‘get back’ at her by responding with hurtful comments online.

Kids often don’t want to tell their parents about cyber bullying incidents. Monitoring your child’s online activity will help you spot any incidents before they get out of hand. Let your child know that the privilege of using electronic devices includes being checked upon by you or another trusted adult. Set up the smartphone your child uses to send texts so that you can review them and use software to track where your child goes online. If your child uses social media, ‘friend’ them or ‘follow’ them to keep tabs on what is being posted.

Sometimes, cyber bullying can cross the line and become a criminal offense. Notify law enforcement if sexually explicit material, threats of violence, or identity theft is used to harass your child.

11

12

HOO’s Fun Wise Choices for You & Your Family

Spook and Find!

www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com

13

14

Dining Deals

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

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

MONDAY

wednesday

Cajun Critters. 6240 W Main St, Houma. Kids eat free from kids’ menu. 5-9:30pm. Balloon art face painting.

Big Mike’s BBQ. 3034 Barrow St, Houma. From 4pm to close. Kids’ meals $.99.

IHOP. 1719 MLK Blvd, Houma. 4-9pm. Free kid’s meal with adult entrée.

Buffalo Wild Wings. 1783 MLK, Houma. Up to two kid’s meals for $1.99, per adult meal, all day.

La Casa Del Sol. 141 Westover Rd. Thib. 5-8pm. Kids’ meals $2.99 for12 and under. Face painting.

El Paso Mexican Grill. 4560 Louisiana 1, Raceland.

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

Santa Fe Cattle Company. 632 Canal Blvd, Thib.

Kids 12 and under. Free kid’s meal with adult entrée.

thursday

Tuesday

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

Applebee’s.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.

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

La Casa Del Sol. 4647 Louisiana 1, Raceland and 169 Monarch Dr, Houma. 5-8pm. Kids’ meals $2.99 for12 and under.

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

Santa Fe Cattle Company. 632 Canal Blvd, Thib.

Kids 12 and under. Free kid’s meal with adult entrée.

Sicily’s Buffet. 1539 MLK Blvd, Houma. Up to 2 free kids’ buffets for kids 12 and under with paid adult.

sunday Crabby Crab. 5726 LA 1, Lockport. Free ice cream for kids, balloon art & facepainting from 6-8pm Ground Pati. 101 Bayou Gardens, Houma. Up to 2 kids eat free per adult, required drinks not included.

Dine in only.

Hooters. 1619 MLK, Houma. Free kid’s meal with each paid adult, all day. Drinks not included.

everyday Foundry on The Bayou. 15 West 1st St, Thib.

From10:30am-2pm, free ice cream & face painting.

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 kid’s special not listed here, contact Sales@FamilyAndKidsDigest.com.

www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com

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 whites, 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 whole-wheat flour • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour • 2 tablespoons cornmeal • 1 teaspoon salt • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper • 1 1/2 pounds zucchini, (about 3 medium), cut into 1/2-by-3-inch sticks • 2 egg whites, lightly beaten

15

October

16

Legend: TM - Terrebonne Main Library TD - Thibodaux

1 6-8 “La Fete Des View Temps” Cajun 14 Shrimp Boulette Festival. Leeville. 26-29 French Food Fest. 307 E Festival. 4484 Hwy1, Raceland.

6-9

Fall Break Camp. Mix it Up Houma. Mixitupcooks.com.

7 Community garage sale at Bayou-

land YMCA. 7am-noon. 985-873-9622 to reserve a booth. RSVP 447-4119.

7

Son Rise Christian Music Festival.

Houma Civic Center. 10am-8pm. Sonrisemusicfest.net.

7

Bayou Music Festival. Oak Ridge Park, Golden Meadow.

7

Paint your own Day of the Dead Sugar Skull. Ages 11+. TD. 1:30pm.

RSVP 447-4119.

9

STEAM Cool Circuits. Ages 11+. TD. RSVP 447-4119.

10 Craft night at Chick-fil-A on MLK,

Houma. 5-8pm.

13 Girls Spa Night. Mix it Up Houma.

Mixitupcooks.com.

13-15

LA Gumbo Festival. Chackbay Fairgrounds. Food, carnival and music.

13-15

Voice of the Wetlands Festival. 6:30pm. Voiceofthewetlands.org.

13-15 “Cache de Bayou” Geocachers Scavengerhunt. Houma CVB. Geohouma. com.

Cajun food, music, crafts and cooking competitions.

5th St, Larose. Cajun food, dancing, demos and more.

15

28 Just Kids at Art. St. Matthew’s,

Laurel Valley Plantation Festival.

595 Hwy 308, Thibodaux. Crafts, demos, farm animals and food.

16 TPR basketball registration be-

Houma. 9-3pm.

28 Acadia Music Festival. Acadia

gins. Ages 7-12. 985-873-6584.

Plantation Town Center, Thibodaux.

Music, art and food.

19

28 “Pastalaya on the Bayou” Fundrais-

Family Halloween Sewing Craft.

4pm. TD. RSVP 447-4119.

20

ing Cook Off. Houma Courthouse Square. childrenswatersafety.org/events

Night at the Booseum. 5:308:30pm. Fireman’s Fairgrounds. Thibodaux. Bccm.info.

Toddler Movie Madness: Yo Gabba Halloween. TD. 1pm.

20

28-29 Chauvin Fest. 5006 Hwy

20 Halloween Kids Night. Mix it Up

Trunk or Treat. 1st Baptist Church of Houma. 4-7pm. Fbchouma.com.

20-22 Bayou Dularge Cajun Fair.

Trunks of Treats. 6-7:30pm. 1st UMC of Houma.

21-22

Trick or Treating at the Library. TD. All day.

Bricks 4 Kidz Halloween Bash with Fitness Frenzy. 6-9pm. Ages 5 and up. RSVP 985-872-2772.

Houma. Mixitupcooks.com.

Dularge KC Home. See page 9 for more.

Rougarou Fest. Houma Courthouse Square. Rougaroufest.org.

21

Calvary Baptist Church Festival.

3-5pm. Free. Activities, games, prizes, food and more. 1002 Talbot Ave, Thibodaux.

24

Carnival Night. 6pm. TM. Storytime, games, prizes and more.

26

Bitty Booseum. 10:30-2pm.

BCCM. Halloween spooktacular for toddlers. Bccm.info.

28

56, Chauvin. T-possibility.org.

29 31 31

Weekly Events MONDAY

Toddler Time. TM. 10am and 6pm.

19mon-3yrs.

Events

17

Branch Library BCCM - Bayou Country Children’s Museum

TUESDAY

Storytime. TM. 10am for newborns-18mon, and 6pm for 4-8 year olds & families. (not on 10/24) Family storytime. TM. 6pm. 4-8yr olds

WEDNESDAY

Pre-K storytime. TM. 10am.

Storytime with craft. 10:30am. TD. Storytime. TD. Ages 3-10pm. 6-8pm.

Pokémon Gym. TM. 4pm.

THURSDAY

Tales for Tots. BCCM. 10:30am. Ages 2-5. bccm.info Interactive Storytime for infants and toddlers. TD. 10:30am.

Toddler Storytime. TM. 2pm. 19 mon-3 years.

Crafternoons for PreK-6th. 4pm. TM. Craft varies. RSVP 876-5861.

FRIDAY

Open Gym. JAG. 7-9pm. $7. $10 non mem. Adult required for ages 5 and under. 308 Venture Blvd, Houma. 985851-3001.

Open Gym. Alstarz Cheer Thibodaux.

6-9pm. $10. 605 St. Mary St, Thibodaux. 693-7109.

Open Gym (Only Sept. 8 & 29). Alstarz Cheer Larose. 6-9pm. $10. 13347 W. Main St, Larose. 693-7109.

Pokémon Gym. TM. 4pm. Open play to build decks, trade and battle.

SATURDAY

Open Gym. JAG. 7-9pm. $7. $10 non mem. Adult required for ages 5 and under. 308 Venture Blvd, Houma. 985851-3001.

STEMulating Saturday. Sylvan of Houma. 12-1pm. Classes in robotics, coding and engineering. 985-223-3798.

Downtown Houma Market. Courthouse Square. 8am-noon. Local produce and artisans.

Lafourche Central Market. Farmers, fishermen, artisans and activities.

8a-noon.

Thibodaux Main Street Market. 8am1pm, next to Jean Lafitte Park. Buy fresh, buy local.

Kids’ Club. Michael’s, Houma. 10am12pm. $2. Adult required. 985-8723132.

PUMPKIN PATCHES & FALL FUN 1st UMC of Houma Pumpkin Patch. Oct 1-31. 10-6:30pm, 1-6:30pm Sundays. 985-8687793. See page 13 for more.

FUMC of Thibodaux Pumpkin Patch & Country Store.

1255 Canal Blvd.

Oct. 14-21, 10am-3pm. fumcthibodaux.weebly.com Houma Pumpkin Patch. 1619 Hwy 311, Houma. Oct 15-31, 10am-6pm.

See page 2 for more.

Please call ahead to confirm event dates, times and age appropriateness, in case changes were made after the info was obtained.

Build and Grow Clinic. Lowe’s, Houma.

10am. Free. RSVP lowes.com/buildandgrow. 985-223-7575.

Kids’ Workshop. Home Depot, Houma.

9am-12pm. Ages 5-12. Adult required.

Free. RSVP homedepot.com/workshops/kids-workshops. 985-223-1485.

LIBRAR Y ACTIVITIES Terrebonne Parish

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

Lafourche Parish

www.lafourche.org Click on Locations & Contacts

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

18 18

I’m Bored!”

“

HOO’s HELPFUL If your child is feeling bored, it may be a signal that he needs to reconnect with you. Even if you are very busy working, don’t react to the whining by turning the TV back on. Instead, put aside your work for a few minutes and focus on your child. Help him reconnect with you by talking to him or playing his favorite game for five or ten minutes. If you sense he needs more time with you, postpone your work or help get him involved in it.

One common phrase parents may hear, after the ‘screen time’ limit is reached and the electronics are shut off for the day is, “I am bored!”

There is nothing to do!’ While your kids might not think so, feeling bored is actually good When your child feels his need to for them. Here are some reconnect with you is fulfilled for reasons why. the moment, he may start asking

your child’s entertainment director, you allow him the opportunity to look inward and explore his own interests, while at the same time looking around at the external surroundings for possible activities to fill his free play time.

It is in free play time that creative, innovative ideas are constructed.

Most kids, after a few minutes of boredom, will find something interesting to do, like building a fort out of sticks or playing with bubbles in the yard. However, some kids who are used to a day filled again for something to do. At this with structured activities and screen point, don’t provide him with a time, may at first need a little help list of possible activities. Instead, finding activities. Sit down with your encourage him to come up with ideas child and help him brainstorm ideas. on his own. The ability to be self- Write the ideas down and put them directed and to self-entertain is an in a ‘boredom jar’ he can draw from important life skill. By refusing to be whenever boredom strikes.

www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com

Tammy Usie creative boutique & brokerage

MARKETING l DESIGN l SALES l EVENTS 253.212.7270 TammyUsie@gmail.com

HOO knew?

Working Woodpeckers Woodpeckers are best known for tapping on tree trunks to find insects, but did you know some species drum on trees as a way of communicating with other woodpeckers or as part of their courtship behavior?

Like any other “woodworkers,” woodpeckers use a crowbar and chisel. They use their beak to pry (crowbar) and chip (chisel) away the bark that covers insect burrows. Then they insert their very long tongue - up to four inches – into the burrow. The insects stick to the barbs and bits of glue-like substance found on their tongue.

Usually bird feet have three toes forward and only one toe facing back, but woodpeckers have two forward and two back. This toe pattern, along with extra stiff tail feathers, gives them the grip and leverage they need to hammer against the bark.

Sawdust is always a problem for woodworkers, so they wear masks to protect their lungs. Woodpeckers have their own masks in the form of bristly feathers that cover their nostrils and protect them from inhaling wood particles.

Eyes are another thing that needs protection. Woodpeckers have “goggles,” or an extra eyelid that is see-through.

Without getting a headache or concussion, woodpeckers can pound on wood at 15 miles per hour, up to 12,000 times a day. Like a helmet, spongy bone surrounds their brain and is more plentiful around the forehead and back of the skull, where it acts as a shock absorber.

19 19

20

NEW IDEAS FOR FRESH AIR FUN!

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

With sedentary entertainment like video games and other electronic outlets, finding ways to lure kids outdoors and into the sunlight is a growing challenge. Providing children with activities and toys that offer enough fun to counter the indoor lazies can be the catalyst that gets kids off the couch and outside to play. Fight the siren call of the sofa with these awesome resources that beckon kids toward better recreation in the great outdoors.

Rainbow Kite for Kids

(A Great Life)

Drawing on a nostalgic past-time that many of today’s kids have yet to experience, kite flying offers fun for youth as they test the wind and use it to guide their kite. Ideal for when the wind picks up, the Rainbow Kite is an easy to assemble and navigate toy that helps kids become sensitive to air currents as they launch and direct the loft of this kite. Improved coordination, predictive thinking and patience are all benefits that can evolve from a child’s kite flying experience.

This kite’s bright rainbow graphics are reflective of similar sky bound delight that draws our eyes upward with wonder and awe. For one of the best outdoor experiences when the breeze blows in, go fly a kite!

Naturally Playful Sand Table

(Step2)

The tactile delight of sand play has called to kids for ages. The Step2 Sand Table elevates this experience with a versatile design that offers a venue for sandbox high-jinks, water play and more. The lock-down lid that keeps sand or water protected from elements and debris also features formed roadways for cars and toys to explore when the box is covered. The table vs. ground box design subtly supports movement and exercise as kids stand and move around as they play. With the play area raised, sandy bottoms and tracked-in debris from seated sand boxes is minimized. Perfect for patios, porches and driveways, the Step2 Sand Table lifts sand play to a new level.

Super Duper Spinner

(Super Spinner)

There’s an exhilaration that comes with swinging that calls to humans young and old. The pendulum takes swings in a whole new direction with the super-sized Super Duper Spinner that moves in every direction and spins . Easily installed with the included hardware and hung from a sturdy limb or secure supports, this mildew-resistant swing boasts a weight limit of 650 pounds. The expanded seat size of the Super Duper Spinner features room for riders to spread out or add a passenger for the swing experience. Made in the USA, the Super Duper Spinner is a strong entry in the swing market with more room for friends and family to share the ride.

www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com

21

22

www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com

The

HOO’s HEALTHY

a study on delayed cord clamping Could waiting just three minutes before clamping the umbilical cord after childbirth make a difference in your child’s motor and social skills? According to a new Swedish study, children of mothers that delay cord clamping, reap the benefits later in life – especially for boys it seems.

Delaying cord clamping is already known to benefit babies by increasing iron levels in their blood for the first few months of life, researchers write in the most recent edition of JAMA Pediatrics. “There is quite a lot of brain development just after birth,” said lead author Dr. Ola Andersson of Uppsala University in Sweden. “Iron is needed for that process.”

For the study, researchers followed up on 263 Swedish children born at full term to healthy mothers about four years earlier. As newborns, the children had been part of a larger study in which a total of 382 babies were randomly assigned to either early cord clamping (within 10 seconds) or late cord clamping (at least three minutes after birth).

Four years later, the children were similarly intelligent regardless of when their cords had been clamped, but there were some notable differences.

“When you just meet a child, you wouldn’t see or notice any differences,” Andersson told Reuters Health. “But we could see the differences in fine motor function.” The children were tested for IQ, motor skills and behavior. Parents also reported on their children’s communication, problem-solving and social skills.

Results of the study showed that overall brain development and behavior scores were similar for both groups, and there was no significant difference in IQ scores. However, more children in the delayed cord clamping group had a mature pencil grip on the fine motor skills test and better skills on some social aspects compared to those whose cords were clamped early.

23

Kids

Doctor

Sue Hubbard, MD kidsdr.com

Researchers found that boys benefitted much more than girls. Iron deficiency is much more common among male infants than among females. Delaying cord clamping by three minutes allows an extra 3.5 ounces of blood to transfuse to the baby, which is equivalent to a half gallon of blood for an adult, Andersson said. “There’s a lot of iron in that volume,” he said. “Even three minutes can have quite a lot of effect on the iron in the blood in the body for a long time after birth.”

The new study provides evidence of benefit for full-term babies in a developed country where nutritional deficiency is extremely rare, Andersson said. “When a baby transitions from inside the womb to outside the womb, if you think about what nature does, it is not to clamp the cord immediately,” said Dr. Heike Rabe of the Brighton and Sussex Medical School and University Hospitals in the UK. Why do doctors traditionally clamp the cord quickly?

About 60 years ago, doctors began clamping the cord almost immediately because it was thought that it would reduce the risk of hemorrhage for the mother. Doctors now know that is not the case. Even though the scientific understanding behind cord clamping has changed, it’s still difficult for some doctors to change how they’ve always done things.

Today, parents can have more say in how their baby is born and whom they choose to deliver their child.

Parents-to-be should discuss their wishes with their OB/GYN or family doctor ahead of time and weigh the pros and cons of delaying cord clamping for their particular birthing process.

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

24

HOO’s HUNGRY

TRADER JOE'S COPYCAT

PUMPKIN BUTTER

This quick and easy, all-season pumpkin butter is so good you will want to put it on everything from toast, to ice cream, or to dip things in!

DIRECTIONS In a large glass heatproof and microwavable safe bowl, combine all ingredients with the exception of the lemon juice. Cover with a loose covering that is microwavable safe such as a sheet of wax paper or paper towel.

Cook on high power for 6 minutes; stir. Cook an additional 6 minutes; stir. Cook for an additional 3 minutes; stir.

Carefully remove hot bowl from microwave using oven mitts for protection. Carefully remove loose cover and stir in lemon juice.

Cool completely. Cover airtight and store in refrigerator.

INGREDIENTS • 29-ounce can pumpkin purée • ½ cup granulated sugar • ½ cup packed light brown sugar • 1 cup 100% apple juice or cider • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon • 1 teaspoon ground ginger • ¾ teaspoon fresh grated nutmeg • ½ teaspoon ground cloves • 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com

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

Lyric, 11 months Lockport

Asher, 2 years Houma

Aubrey, 9 months Houma

25

26

A Page In A Book Wise Choices for You & Your Family

Recommending the Best Books for Children and Teens By Gerry P. Smith

Books with Room to Grow Having big goals is an important part of every child’s imaginative vista.

While children have natural age-related boundaries, with patience and creativity there are ways that kids can explore their current territory while preparing to grow. Inspiration found in every day moments can help kids build their confidence as they grow into their element and closer to their goals. The following titles each celebrate positive thinking and the small steps that help move children upward and outward as their boundaries expand.

Bloom

By Deborah Diesen, Illustrated by Mary Lunquist (Farrar Straus Giroux)

A mother and daughter gently plant bulbs in the earth and patiently pass time waiting for them to bloom. Over the following months they enjoy celebrations, daily adventures, trips and even moments of sadness.

But throughout the days, their bulbs are silently growing slender stems towards the sun, dreaming of the day they will break the surface and bloom. With opening end papers that feature delicately illustrated tulip, hyacinth and daffodil bulbs and closing pages that show the fully bloomed flowers, this story offers a beautiful analogy of how the smallest seed of inspiration can eventually grow into fully bloomed reality.

Happy Dreamer

By Peter H. Reynolds (Orchard / Scholastic)

Unhindered by the whatever setting he’s in, a young boy takes flight as he navigates the various paths daydreams can follow. Even though the world sometimes tells him to sit still or be quiet, his ability to imagine lets him exceed every day confinements. From sounds and light to other sensory explorations, the boy’s daydreams take him through a vibrant landscape of his own making. Touching on the power of imagination to exceed our physical limits, this title is an uplifting paean to daydreams and their ability to transport us. From the creator of ‘Ish’ and ‘The Dot’, Reynolds’ newest entry brings the lively benefits expanded thinking to every child’s bookshelf.

I Can Be Anything

By Jerry Spinelli, Illustrated by Jimmy Liao (Little Brown / Hachette)

With the unbounded exuberance that defines a child’s perspective of grown-up life, ‘I Can Be Anything’ follows a lively little boy as he muses about all the things that he can be when he is older. He could be a ‘dandelion blower’ or ‘puppy-dog holder.’

The important jobs of ‘gift unwrapper’ and ‘snowball smoother’ are also tempting to this young man as he looks at his future.

The beauty of this career search is that all the fabulous jobs the boy ponders are occupations that are ideally suited for a child.

Colorful edge-to-edge illustrations paint a lively picture of a future where anything is possible for the forward-thinking child.

www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com

27

28

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

DEDICATED TO OUR

COMMUNITY Your Bank. Our Community.

Stronger Together.

985.851.2217 banksynergy.com

www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com

HOO’s HEALTHY Study finds risks of driving while drowsy are similar to driving under the influence of alcohol.

SLEEP

DUI

Driving under the influence of sleep deprivation has a crash risk rate similar to that of driving with a blood alcohol concentration at or above legal limits, says AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

States get less than 7 hours of sleep, while 12% get less than 5 hours. Workers in occupations requiring alternative shiftwork, such as production, health care, and transportation, are more likely to be sleep deprived.

The new study connects increased hours of sleep loss with increased risks of car crashes.

Lack of sleep slows reaction time. One study compared performance results on a computerized hand-eye coordination test. Performance after 17 hours without sleep was similar to the subject’s results with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05. After 24 hours continuously awake, subject’s performance was similar to a BAC of 0.10.

FOR EXAMPLE: 1-2 hours less sleep than usual equated to a 1.3 times higher crash rate 2-3 hours less sleep than usual equated to a 3.0 times higher crash rate 3-4 hours less sleep than usual equated to a 2.1 times higher crash rate 4 or more hours less than usual equated to a 10.2 times higher crash rate This study is important for moms with children living at home, a group that comprises a significant portion of sleep deprived drivers. A study at Georgia Southern University’s College of Public Health found that only 48% of women with children reported getting at least seven hours of sleep. That means 52% are getting less than seven hours, an amount of sleep shown by AAA’s study to significantly elevate crash risk.

Tired moms of preschoolers aren’t the only ones driving with sleep deprivation. We share the roads with a lot of drowsy drivers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that 35% of adults in the United

Getting by with less than 7 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period can seem normal to parents of young children.

However, experts agree that 7-9 hours of sleep daily is not just the goal, but essential for health. Lack of sleep has been associated with cardiovascular disease, obesity, and depression, as well as safety while driving, says a study from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Signs of sleep deprivation include feeling drowsy during the day, falling to sleep within 5 minutes of lying down, and experiencing “microsleeps” or mini episodes of falling asleep while awake.

Parents with children living at home can catch extra hours of sleep by napping when their kids sleep, saying ‘yes’ to help with infant care, and saying ‘no’ to added responsibilities outside of the household. Be intentional about scheduling sleep for yourself, since only you are aware of how much or little sleep you are getting. It’s not a luxury, it’s critical for your family’s safety.

29

30

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

HOO’s HEALTHY Choriocarcinoma is a rare cancer that develops in

a woman’s uterus and can spread to other organs in the body, including the lungs, liver, kidneys, and brain. The abnormal cells originate in the uterine tissue that would normally form the placenta. The cells of the placenta are called trophoblast cells. Choriocarcinoma most often develops after a molar pregnancy, but it can also occur after the delivery of a baby or after a miscarriage. A molar pregnancy occurs when, due to a genetic error, a mass of trophoblast cells, (often called a tumor or mole) is formed instead of a viable embryo.

Molar pregnancies and choriocarcinoma are forms of gestational trophoblastic disease. A molar pregnancy is treated with surgery but if not all the placental tissue is removed, the cells in the tissue may become a malignant tumor and lead to choriocarcinoma. The abnormal trophoblast cells in the tumor make beta HcG, which will produce a positive pregnancy test even though the patient is not pregnant with a viable fetus.

WHAT IS: CHORIOCARCINOMA

Symptoms of choriocarcinoma include abnormal vaginal bleeding after a recent molar pregnancy or normal pregnancy, pain, and difficulty breathing. Choriocarcinoma is diagnosed using blood tests and ultrasounds to look for a tumor in the uterus.

The treatment for choriocarcinoma is most often chemotherapy. Radiation treatments are only rarely needed. The prognosis is very good when choriocarcinmoa is discovered early and is almost always curable. The outlook is not as positive when there is a delay in diagnosis and the cancer, which can be quite aggressive, has started to spread to other parts of the body. This is why it is important for women who have recently had a molar pregnancy, normal pregnancy or miscarriage to attend all follow up care and monitoring appointments and to report any possible symptoms without delay.

www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com

HOO’s PICKS

APPS to LOVE DragonBox Algebra 12+

DragonBox Algebra 12+ is an innovative and engaging game that helps kids learn algebra concepts in a very unique way. Kids will enjoy playing and seeing their dragon “grow.” There’s also a more traditional practice mode to solve equations.

Relationshapes

RelationShapes is a visual-spacial reasoning puzzle app that allows for a lot of creativity in problem-solving and beyond. Kids can match the shapes on both sides of the screen however they wish, and devices with multitouch allow kids to work cooperatively with a parent or friend.

Dr. Panda's Toy Cars

Dr. Panda’s Toy Cars puts kids in control of a whole city of vehicles -- cars, trucks, and emergency vehicles. They’ll drive around the city taking care of things like putting out fires, loading boxes for work, and helping people, in a cute toddler/preschooler way.

Yuggler

Yuggler is all about kid’s activities and having family fun. Find activities and events for children of all ages, including infants and toddlers, while browsing thousands of things to do for kids in your local neighborhood or at your travel destination.

Your Local Home For Weekdays 6 to 9am & Today’s Best New Music Mix!

31