by Kimberly Blaker, Family &
Zzzzzs! Tips to get More
Getting too little sleep is so common that it’s become almost a badge of honor to get through each day with sleep deprivation. Even if you feel like you can function on little sleep, it’s actually debilitating, if not dangerous, to a person’s health and mental faculties. Not getting enough sleep increases the risk of obesity, memory impairment, illness, and even hallucinations or death. Falling asleep is a common problem. But sleep quality is also crucial for optimum brain function and recovery. Fortunately, there are many ways to train your body and mind to fall asleep more quickly and improve your sleep quality.
Create a relaxing nighttime ritual to create an association between nighttime habits and sleep. Try drinking a soothing tea like chamomile or use aromatherapy with scents such as lavender that promote relaxation.
Go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day. This gets your body into a regular sleep-wake pattern, which regulates your circadian rhythm and makes falling and staying asleep easier.
Avoid alcohol at night. Though it may help you fall asleep, drinking alcohol before bed significantly reduces your sleep quality. Track your sleep. Different technologies are available to track your sleeping patterns, including restlessness, awake and sleep times, and even how long you’re in each part of the sleep cycle. This can help you find how many hours you need for optimal function.
Practice meditation and mindfulness. Regularly practicing these can help calm your mind and body. Progressive relaxation is one technique. Through it, you slowly focus on each part of your body, moving from head to feet, while releasing tension and consciously relaxing your muscles.
Avoid screens an hour before bed. Looking at the bright light is stimulating, as is overhead white lights. Glasses are available to filter out the blue light and you can switch your night lamps to amber bulbs.
Use breathing techniques. One popular method to fall asleep is known as 4-7-8. First, breathe in through your nose for a count of four. Then hold your breath for 7 and exhale out your mouth for 8.
Read a book or listen to soothing white noise, music, or podcasts. Many of these audio productions are designed to help put you to sleep.
Stop drinking caffeine after midday. Caffeine is a stimulant, which can affect your mind and body hours after consumption.
Make sure your room is dark for sleep and that you get natural light during the day. This regulates your circadian rhythm and provides external cues for your body.
Exercise in the morning. Being physically active, especially early in the day, is associated with better sleep.
Journal or keep paper by your bed. Writing down your thoughts can help to keep them from swirling incessantly through your brain so you can relax.
Use your bed and bedroom for sleep only. This creates a specific association, so your body and mind know it’s time to rest. Also, keep electronics out of the bedroom.
Try natural supplements. Melatonin, Magnesium, GABA, Tryptophan and CBD are some of the options touted as supporting relaxation and sleep. Be sure to check with your doctor before taking any supplements to ensure you do so safely.
If behavioral changes aren’t working, get an evaluation for a sleeping disorder or underlying medical condition that could be affecting your sleep hormones and rhythms.
PROTEIN BALLSBirthday Cake
These protein balls are packed with energy and a whole lot of happiness. Their subtle fruity sweetness comes from applesauce which makes them moist and soft!
INSTRUCTIONS
Mix applesauce, protein powder, coconut flour, sugar, and confetti sprinkles in a bowl. Add the almond milk at the very end, half tablespoon at a time (if needed) to adjust the dough to desired thickness. You can also add more coconut flour if the dough is too soft. Roll the dough into tablespoon-sized balls, and refrigerate 15 minutes to help set. Slice and serve! Store these protein balls covered in the fridge for up to 3-5 days. Make this even healthier by adding a handful of nuts, seeds and old-fashioned oats to add texture and nutrition. Even better, add a tablespoon of ground flaxseed, hemp seeds, or chia seeds. Coconut flour and protein powders are all very different depending on brands, so if you find that the dough is too soft, add more coconut flour; if the dough is too thick, add a teaspoon or more of water, honey or liquid sweetener of choice
INGREDIENTS
• 1 Tbsp unsweetened applesauce
• ¼ cup vanilla protein powder
• 2 Tbsp coconut flour
• 1 Tbsp granulated sugar of choice
• 1 Tbsp confetti sprinkles
• 1-2 Tbsp unsweetened almond milk , if needed
Courtesy of allpurposeveggies.com
Work from Home with kids
by Kimberly Blaker, Family & Kids
Are you self-employed or have a remote job? If so, you may be trying to juggle that responsibility with caring for little ones at home or your school-age kids during the school breaks. This work/family dynamic may make it seem impossible to get anything done. But the following tips can help you develop a routine and environment that works for you and your family.
Create and Follow Routines
Kids thrive on consistent routines like those they have at school. So make a list of what your family needs to accomplish throughout the day, such as work calls, completing tasks, school work, meals, chores, and anything else. Be sure to include some time for fun as well!
Now, start filling in a schedule with the activities that occur at set times and work in other responsibilities and activities to create a family schedule. Include your kids in the planning so they feel involved and more willing to follow the routine. Then post the agenda where the whole family can see it. Also, be sure to adjust the design of the schedule for the age of your kids. Younger children benefit from straightforward visuals using bright colors, precise times, and pictures to make the plan clear.
Set Clear Expectations
Agree on a set of rules and clear expectations for the day regarding your work time and their school time. With older kids, sit down and make a written contract. If you have younger kids, work together to create a poster with visuals. To make it clear, talk about what different parts of your schedule, especially your work time, look and sound like, and what everyone should and shouldn’t be doing.
Set up a visual reminder to let your kids know when you cannot be disturbed except for emergencies, such as
a sign outside your workspace that clearly states your work hours. This can help kids to be more patient. For younger kids, use a countdown clock so they can anticipate the end time.
Ask for Help
This isn’t the time to try to do everything yourself. If you have a partner at home, take turns spending time with the kids so you can each have uninterrupted time to focus on work or time to yourself to recharge. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or are struggling to get something done for work, talk to your boss or team about the situation before things become too difficult. If you’re struggling to balance work and being home with the kids, try talking to them at their level with an open conversation. Kids are more aware and understanding than we often realize.
It may also be necessary to hire a babysitter to come to your home or where you can send your kids, at least for part of the day, to improve productivity.
Be Flexible
Unexpected things will come up in your work, with your kids, or other aspects of your life. So, try to build in some wiggle room because you’ll likely need to make changes as you go. For example, if the day is going really smoothly, perhaps work a little longer to accomplish a bit more in case things don’t go smoothly on another day.
Stay Positive
Focus on the positive aspects of being home with your kids. Try to balance work and quality time with your family while you’re working from home. The effort you make to do so can help your family bond and turn a challenging period into one filled with good memories.
SCHOOL/CHILDCARE GUIDE
HOO’s PICKS
Highlight On
The Sara Spano PTA Clothing Bank is a project of the Muscogee County PTA and has been in existence since the 1950s. The project is designed to provide adequate clothing, footwear and accessories for disadvantaged school children of Muscogee County.
Children who are current Muscogee County School District students and need assistance are referred to the Sara Spano PTA Clothing Bank by Muscogee County School District personnel. The request is verified by authorized Muscogee County School District personnel before the student receives assistance. Students who are approved for assistance from the Sara Spano PTA Clothing Bank are eligible to receive assistance twice during the school year.
The volunteers at the Sara Spano PTA Clothing bank are dedicated to the mission of providing an adequate supply of clothing (approximately a one-week supply) for these children. The volunteers believe that when children have an adequate supply of clothing, it improves their well-being, health and self-esteem, enabling them to be ready to learn at school. When an eligible request is received, clothing items are selected for the student by Clothing Bank volunteers and delivered to the student’s school.
SARA SPANO PTA CLOTHING BANK
Volunteers sort, clean and prepare the clothing for selection and delivery. The Clothing Bank receives all its donations from the community. Gently used children’s clothing items (including uniforms, jackets and shoes) and funds to purchase such items are always appreciated. Any adults interested in volunteering for or donating to this project are encouraged to seek more information on the Sara Spano PTA Clothing Bank Facebook page.
A drop-off time and date may be scheduled for donations by sending an email to spanoclothingbank@gmail.com. Monetary donations may be sent to P O Box 12474, Columbus, GA 31917.
Items that are especially needed at this time include: children’s belts, children’s long sleeve shirts and khaki pants and jeans in larger girls sizes (14 and up, especially Husky sizes). The following hygiene items are also needed at this time: toothbrushes, toothpaste, gender-specific deodorant and 3-in-1 bodywash.
For more info, search for Sara Spano PTA Clothing Bank on Facebook.
RESOURCES: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6659987/
SCHOOL/CHILDCARE GUIDE
HOO’s NEWS
TOYS How many does your child need?
By Linda Ligon, Family & Kids
When organizing a child’s toy collection after the holiday season, one question that may come to mind is, ‘How many toys does a child need?’
Research studies show that when toddlers are in an environment with fewer toys, they are less distracted and thus can focus and engage in quality creative play. Based on these results, experts encourage parents to focus their efforts on providing better quality toys over a higher quantity. As your child grows, note which toys she enjoys and which developmental milestones she is working towards. Use this information when decluttering her play area and deciding which toys should remain.
Here are additional tips on selecting toys for your child’s play area.
• Babies only need a few high-quality toys that help stimulate the senses. Look for teething toys, rattles, and soft plush toys.
• Toddlers need only about 10-15 toys in the play environment at once. When selecting toys for your toddler’s play area, choose toys that help your toddler work towards milestones. For example, if your toddler is learning to walk, a push toy would be a good addition to his toy collection. One-year-olds will appreciate simple toys such as ring stackers, shape sorters and other toys that help develop both fine and gross motor skills. A two-year-old will enjoy more involved toys, such as age-appropriate construction sets and toys that encourage pretend play.
• Preschoolers enjoy open-ended toys that encourage imaginative play and role-playing. Dress-up clothes, outdoor play sets, toys that encourage problem-solving and age-appropriate arts and crafts sets are good choices for this age group. Preschooler-size sports equipment that encourages active play is a good selection also. Select 10-15 toys at a time for your preschooler’s play area.
• Before shopping for older kids for birthdays or the holidays, ask them which toys they want and then pick one or two from that list.
• If your child has a large collection of toys, declutter her environment by rotating toys in and out of the play area.
• Sometimes it is fun to look for alternatives to toys. Household items, such as a box to create a fort, can provide hours of fun play.
Gr O win G A T O ddler’s
OBy Linda Ligon, Family & Kids
vocabulary
ne of the most exciting milestones of early toddlerhood is your child’s first words. If your child has started using words to communicate, you may be wondering what the best way is to help him expand and grow his vocabulary.
A recent statement by the American Association of Pediatrics (AAP), as well as a new study published by researchers at the University of Ohio, supports reading to one and two-year-olds to help build their vocabulary. The study found that children this age whose parents read to them frequently had larger vocabularies than their peers. The study also found a correlation between an increase in the amount of screen time and a decrease in vocabulary in 2-year-olds. This may suggest that the verbal interaction between parents and toddlers helps toddlers build their vocabulary, more than exposure through screen time.
u Work ‘story time’ into your toddler’s daily routine and choose a variety of reading topics to help increase the number of new words your child is exposed to.
u When you talk to your toddler, start a conversation with him and name the objects in his surroundings. Speak to your child conversationally to help your child learn new words and how to use them to describe his feelings and the world around him.
u Venture out to a variety of interesting locations, such as the park or children’s museum, where you can describe the new and interesting surroundings to your child. Use descriptive phrases, such as ‘Look at the pretty white geese that like to swim in the lake.’
u Songs and rhymes are a fun way to introduce your child to new words and build phonemic awareness (the families of different word sounds). Play spelling games with your child and catch her attention by creating fun rhymes that contain the ‘word of the day’ you are trying to teach.
u Create a ‘reading nook’ for your toddler that has a variety of toddler-friendly reading materials for him to explore, such as picture books with simple text.
HOO’s HEALTHY
By Linda Ligon, Family & Kids
Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) is a condition that causes inflammation in the small blood vessels and damages them. This damage then leads to blood clots forming and these blood clots may cause organ damage.
Although anyone can get it, HUS is most common in young children who have been infected with certain types of Escherichia coli (E. Coli) bacteria. People who have cancer, autoimmune disease, some types of infections and women who are pregnant are also at increased risk of developing HUS.
The initial symptoms of HUS include diarrhea, which is often bloody; pain, cramping or bloating; fever and vomiting.
The damage to blood vessels caused by HUS leads to red blood cells breaking down and to blood clots forming. Symptoms such as anemia, easy bruising and fatigue then follow. The blood clots can damage the kidneys and can also cause a stroke. Additional symptoms include edema (swelling), difficulty urinating, high blood pressure and loss of color in the skin.
What is:
HEMOLYTIC UREMIC SYNDROME
HUS is a serious disorder that can have life-threatening complications, such as kidney failure, but most people can make a full recovery if it is treated in time.
Seek immediate medical care for your child if he experiences bloody diarrhea or has diarrhea for several days then experiences unusual bleeding, easy bruising, swelling or difficulty urinating. Emergency care should be sought if a child does not urinate for 12 hours or more.
HUS is diagnosed through lab tests that look for damage to red blood cells and signs such as protein and blood in the urine. A stool sample may be taken to test for E. coli. HUS is treated in the hospital with re-hydration to replace the fluids lost by vomiting and diarrhea, transfusions of red blood cells and platelets to treat anemia and help with bleeding and bruising and medications to lower blood pressure and limit kidney damage.
If severe kidney damage occurs, kidney dialysis and a kidney transplant may be necessary.
Hidden Pictures
1
First of the Year Hike: Ranger-led Overlook Loop (3.4 miles). 1-3pm. $5 parking. F.D. Roosevelt State Park; 706663-4858
1-4 Fantasy in Lights. 6-9:30pm. Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain; 855-9237299
2 LEGOS®. Families. 3pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
3 Happy Birthday Columbus Library! Families. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706243-2813
4 Artful Babies. 10:30am. Ages 6-24mo. Columbus Museum; 706-748-2562 ext 6520
6 Family Fun Night: New Year Collage Journal. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706243-2813
6-Feb 14 MWR's Spring Sports registration. First practice in March. Parent Central (#104), Youth Sports (#1056) or online via WebTrac.mwr.army.mil.
7 Artful Babies. 10:30am. Ages 6-24mo. Columbus Museum; 706-748-2562 ext 6520
7 Pony Bead Party. Ages 5-12. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
9 Simple Steps: Play. Ages 2-5. 10am. South Columbus Library; 706-683-8805
9 LEGOS®. Families. 3pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
9 Anime Club. Teen. 6pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855
10 Culture Quest: Festival of Dance. Families. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706243-2813
10-11
River Dragons Hockey Game. Fri 7:30pm, Sat 7:05pm. Columbus Civic Center; 706-653-4460
11 Mini Makers. 10:30am. Ages 2-4. Columbus Museum; 706-748-2562 ext 6520
11 Mindfulness Art for Kids. Ages 6-12. 11am. North Columbus Library; 706748-2855
11 Teen Sculpting Workshop. 2-3:30pm. Ages 14-18. Columbus Museum; 706748-2562 ext 6520
11 Cirque Kalabante: Afrique en Cirque. 7:30pm. $44-$49. RiverCenter; 706256-3612
13 Postpartum Group Circle. 11am. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
13 Creative Kids Theatre. Ages 5-12. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
14Mini Makers. 10:30am. Ages 2-4. Columbus Museum; 706-748-2562 ext 6520
14 After School Art Break. 2:30-4:30pm. Ages 5-10. Columbus Museum; 706748-2562 ext 6520
14 Pony Bead Party. Ages 5-11. 3pm. South Columbus Library; 706-683-8805
14 Pony Bead Party. Ages 5-12. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
14 Tabletop Tuesday. Teen. 4pm. South Columbus Library; 706-683-8805
14 Teen Takeover: 20th Century Trivia. 4:30pm. Columbus Library; 706-2432811
16 Simple Steps Storytime: Family. Ages 0-5. 10am. South Columbus Library; 706-683-8805
16 LEGOS®. Families. 3pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
16 Third Thursday. 5:30-8pm. Columbus Museum; 706-748-2562 ext 6520
17 Self-Care After Hours. Teen. RSVP. 6pm. North Columbus Library; 706-7482855
18 Family Saturday at the Museum. 10am-Noon. Columbus Museum; 706748-2562 ext 6520
18 CSO Open Rehearsal. 12:30pm. Free. All ages. RiverCenter; 706-323-5059
18 Uno, Dos, Tres Craft! Ages 4-8. 3pm. RSVP. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-2432782
18 CSO: Total Tchaikovsky. 7:30pm. $10$45. RiverCenter; 706-323-5059
21 Pony Bead Party. Ages 5-12. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
22 What’s Funnier Than 24? Teen. 4pm. South Columbus Library; 706-6838805
23 Simple Steps Storytime: Family. Ages 0-5. 10am. South Columbus Library; 706-683-8805
Events
PROVIDED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:
23 LEGOS®. Families. 3pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
23 Grannycore for Teens: String Art. 6pm. North Columbus Library; 706748-2855
23 Chanticleer. 7:30pm. $45. RiverCenter; 706-256-3612
24-25 River Dragons Hockey Game. Fri 7:30pm, Sat 7:05pm. Columbus Civic Center; 706-653-4460
25 Mardi Gras Pop Up Market. 10am3pm. Columbus Trade Center; eventbright.com
25 Celebrate the WAVE Silent Film: Sunrise. 7:30pm. $10. RiverCenter; 706256-3612
28 Brain Twister Trivia. Ages 7-11. 3pm. South Columbus Library; 706683-8805
28 Pony Bead Party. Ages 5-12. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
28 Teen Takeover: Paper Bag Scrapbooks. 4:30pm. Columbus Library; 706243-2811
29 Teen Takeover. 4pm. South Columbus Library; 706-683-8805
30 Simple Steps Storytime: Family. Ages 0-5. 10am. South Columbus Library; 706-683-8805
30 LEGOS®. Families. 3pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
31 Stitch by Stitch: Yarn, Needles, and Hooks Crafting Circle. All ages. RSVP. 3pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
EventsWeekly
MONDAY
Simple Steps Storytime: Babies & Toddlers. Ages 0-36mo. 10am. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813 (Not 1/20)
TUESDAY
Simple Steps Storytime. Babies & Toddlers. Ages 0-24 mo. 10am; Preschoolers. Ages 3-5. 11am. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855
Get On Board With Board Games: Chess & More. Families. 4:30pm. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782
WEDNESDAY
Simple Steps Storytime. Ages 0-5. 11am. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782 (Not 1/1)
Discovery Hub. Ages 3-5. 11am. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813 (Not 1/1)
Kids’ Corner. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706243-2813 (Not 1/1)
THURSDAY
Simple Steps Storytime: Family. Ages 0-5. 10am. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
Sight Word Support. K-3. 3:30-5:30pm.
Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782
Toddler Tales at Barnes & Noble. 11am. 5555 Whittlesey Blvd; 706-653-7880
FRIDAY
Simple Steps Storytime: Rhythm & Rhyme. Ages 0-5. 10am. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
Fun Fridays. Ages 5-12. 2pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855 (Not 1/3 or 1/10)
SATURDAY
Toddler Time. 10am-Noon. $12. Ages 0-5. Launch Trampoline Park; 706-221-8680
Please call ahead to confirm event dates, times and age-appropriateness, in case changes were made
Chores Chores Building Character with
By Linda Ligon Family & Kids
Assigning kids chores not only keeps the house clean and orderly but, according to an ongoing, multi-general Harvard Research study, chores can also help children become successful once they become adults. According to the study, here’s why chores are much more than just busy work.
CHORES BUILD SELF-COMPETENCE.
The long-term study shows that when children are assigned chores starting at a young age, they are more likely to become happy, successful adults who have strong self-competence and good self-esteem. Self-competence is the belief that one has the skills and ability to successfully undertake professional and personal challenges. Someone with strong self-competence can set goals, manage their time in a way that balances work and life and decide what new skills and behaviors need to be learned to reach their goals.
CHORES TEACH THE VALUE OF TEAMWORK.
Participating in chores and becoming part of a ‘team’ that helps keep the household running provides children with a sense of belonging and teaches empathy. When you start assigning your child chores, your child gets a look behind the scenes at what goes into keeping the household ‘ecosystem’ operating efficiently and the benefit of teamwork. He sees that the world does not revolve around him. This new perspective can help him identify when someone needs help and develop a willingness to lend a hand. When your child completes a task, he feels a sense of accomplishment and knows he contributed to the team effort.
LEARNING TO PERFORM CHORES TEACHES SELF-EFFICACY.
When your child is assigned an age-appropriate chore, such as folding the towels, and he learns the skill required to perform it, he feels a sense of accomplishment. The self-efficacy (the belief that you have the skill to do something) that your child gains from performing chores successfully carries over into other parts of his life, such as socializing and academics. He will approach the challenges he encounters with confidence, knowing he can master a new skill if he puts in the effort.
CHORES TEACH WORK ETHIC AND RESPONSIBILITY.
Finishing a checklist of assigned chores and feeling a sense of accomplishment teaches the value of a good work ethic. When your child does not put his full effort into performing the chore and the results are not acceptable, your child learns that doing the work right the first time is better than having to do it over again. Also, your child sees firsthand what happens when he does not perform the chore that he is responsible for and a part of the household ‘ecosystem’ breaks down. For example, if your child’s job is to load and start the dishwasher, if he does not perform his chore, he will not have any clean dishes to set the table with later in the day and will have to rush to hand-wash them before dinner.
Introducing your young child to chores does not have to involve arguments. Instead, at the beginning of the week when you are about to implement a new system of chores, hold a family meeting to discuss the chores. Have a list of a variety of age-appropriate chores that you are going to assign and discuss assignments. It is a good idea to rotate chores each week to give your child an opportunity to learn different skills. Discuss with your kids the importance of their chores and your expectations for performing them. For very young kids, it is a good idea to assign chores that you can do together, such as cleaning up and organizing toys.
Dining Deals for Kids
With deals this good, save the mess and
MONDAY
Barberitos
Free kid’s meal with adult entrée after 4pm
Sapo’s
5-8pm: Free kid’s meal with adult entrée
The Office
4-9pm: Kids 12 and under get a free kid’s meal with each adult entrée. Dine in only.
Tuesday
Chicken Salad Chick
Free Little Chick Meal with purchase of adult meal
Denny’s
4-10pm: Up to two free kids entrées with adult entrée for kids 10 and under
Ruby Tuesday
5-10pm: Kids 12 and under eat free with adult entrée
wednesDAY
Your Pie
Kid’s meal $1.99 (pizza, drink & gelato) w/ adult meal
Red Robin
Kid’s meal $1.99 w/ adult meal for kids 11 and under
thursDAY
Tuesday's Street Tacos & Burritos
Free kids meal with adult purchase; dine-in only
friday
Denny’s
4-10pm: Up to two free kids entrées with adult entrée for kids 10 and under
sunday
The Simple Greek
Kids 12 & under get half-off kids bowl with purchase of regular size bowl. Not to be combined
multiple days
219 On The Lake
5-9pm: Kids eat for $2.19 on kids menu (M-TH)
Bruster’s Ice Cream
Kids under 40” get free baby cone
McAlister’s
Kid’s meals are $2.79 with dine-in order
The Food Mill
Kids receive half off a breakfast egg and cheese biscuit with the purchase of one full price breakfast item (M-F, 9-11am)
All locations are Columbus, GA unless noted. Specials are subject to change without notice, so please verify them directly before dining. Send kids deals to Tammy@FamilyAndKidsGA.
Monday/Wednesdays 9:30-11:30am
AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
AFTER-SCHOOL
AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES GUIDE
Media for Kids Ted Talks
Parents, we can use our kids' love for today’s technology to engage their minds, to empower them to explore their curiosities and to allow them to discover the world around them. A great way to do that is by letting them watch these Ted Talks.
In the Internet Age, Dance Evolves
An astonishing troupe of dancers and musicians show off their superpowers.
Science is for everyone
What do science and play have in common? Neuroscientist Beau Lotto thinks all people (kids included) should participate in science and, through the process of discovery, will change their perceptions.
Hands-on science with squishy circuits
Shows play dough can be used to demonstrate electrical properties.
Underwater Astonishments
This short talk celebrates pioneering work of ocean exploreres with jaw-dropping footage.
The astounding athletic power of quadcopters
The talk showcases robots that think like athletes, solving physical problems with algorithms that help them learn. Watch drones that play catch, balance and make decisions together -- and watch out for an I-want-thisnow demo of Kinect-controlled quads.
Event and Everyday Florals
Well-child & School Exams
Hearing & Vision Exams
Infant, Child & Adolescent Care
Dental Screening & Treatment
Physicals
Transportation
www.valleyhealthcolumbus.com
HOO’s CRAFTY
sinus relief SHOWER MELTS
If you are stuffed up and wanting to clear your sinuses, try these homemade DIY lavender decongestant shower melts! Turn on a steamy hot shower and drop one of these melts by the drain.
DIRECTIONS
In a mixing bowl, combine the cornstarch and baking soda. Add 4 tablespoons of Vick’s Vapor Rub to the mixing bowl, and stir until it is combined well. This will be hard at first, but it will eventually blend with the dry ingredients. The consistency at this time will be loose and crumbly. Pour in 10 drops of lavender essential oil and stir. Slowly add in water 1 tablespoon at a time, stirring thoroughly before adding more. You want the mixture to form a paste that clumps together, but you do not want it to be runny. If you add too much water, you can add in a tiny bit of baking soda and stir again. If you would like to color your mixture, add a few drops of food coloring at this time, and mix well. Press a tablespoon or more of your mixture into a mini muffin tin or a small ice cube tray. This mix will make 8 mini shower melts. Place the tray in the freezer for at least an hour to harden. Slip out your melts and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. When ready to use, place one shower melt near the drain while showering. Use caution, as the shower melts can cause the floor to be slippery. Some place it in a dish or bowl as it melts.
SUPPLIES
4 Tbsp. Vick’s Vapor Rub
• 10 drops of Lavender essential oil
• ½ c. Cornstarch
• ½ c. Baking soda
• 3-4 Tbsp. Water
• Food coloring (optional)
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