Chatt Valley March 2021

MARCH 2021

Wise Choices for Moms & Families

© Tom Scott Photography

CHATTAHOOCHEE VALLEY

Learn to FLY! New Aerial Arts Program, plus dance classes, acro & more!

Cover Sponsor See Pg. 6

22

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

NOW OFFERING IMPLANTS!

Dr. Cathy Cook

Gentle Dentistry for the Entire Family!

ACCEPTING ALL MAJOR INSURANCES, CARE CREDIT AND OFFERING FINANCIAL OPTIONS

Valid at the following locations only:

3722 S. Railroad St. • Phenix City 3908 U.S. Hwy. 80 W. Phenix City

FREE

Zax Kidz Meal ®

with any adult meal purchase.

7626 Schomburg Rd. Columbus 1915 Auburn Ave. • Columbus 6190 Bradley Park Dr. Columbus 7033 Ruffie Way • Columbus

Participating locations only.

Mondays

5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.

Offer only valid Monday 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Kids 10 and under only. Limit one Zax Kidz Meal per adult meal purchase. Adult meals include any Zalad®, Sandwich Meal or Most Popular Meal. Dine-in only. Not valid at any other locations. © 2018 Zaxby’s Franchising LLC “Zaxby’s,” “Zax Kidz” and “Zalad” are registered trademarks of Zaxby’s Franchising LLC. Each Zaxby’s restaurant is independently owned and operated under a license agreement with Zaxby’s Franchising LLC.

Toddler Talk:

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

What are they really trying to say?

The toddler stage of development is filled with exciting milestones. Your child is learning to speak and is starting to use words to try to tell you what she is thinking.

However, toddlers do not yet have the verbal skills to express complex thoughts and still heavily rely upon body language to communicate.

Many toddler behaviors that seem odd are an effort to communicate thoughts and emotions.

My toddler likes to run around naked If your toddler starts undressing and running around without clothes on, she may be expressing that she is excited about mastering the skill of undressing herself. She also may be using undressing herself as a way to assert her independence. After all, she now has control over her clothing. Unfortunately, she probably does not yet understand that it is not appropriate to undress in public. It may help to give her a choice between two outfits in the morning. This gives her a sense of control over her clothing and may decrease the need for her to assert her independence by taking her clothes off.

If your child is taking her clothes and diaper off immediately after filling her diaper, she may be trying to tell you that she is ready to start wearing underwear and begin potty training.

My Toddler toddler hides in the corner to dirty her diaper If your toddler hides when she is about to poop in her diaper, she may be trying to tell you she is ready to begin potty training. She recognizes what it feels like to need to poop and prefers to have privacy. However, if you have already tried to start potty training your toddler and she goes and hides to poop, she may be avoiding using the potty. Maybe she is afraid of ‘falling in’ the potty or perhaps she is feeling overwhelmed by pressure from her family to potty train. In this case, your toddler may be sending you a message that she needs to take a step back from potty training for now.

my My toddler sometimes, suddenly hits or bites When your toddler seems to be doing fine but then suddenly hits or bites, evaluate your toddler’s environment and try to determine what may have triggered a strong emotion. Since she does not have the verbal skills to express her strong emotions, your toddler is using hitting or biting to express that she is stressed or tired. She is asking you to help her calm down.

Do not react strongly to your toddler’s outburst. Instead, calmly restrain your child to keep her from hitting again and remove her from the situation. In a quiet voice, remind her that even though she is upset, she should not hit because it hurts. If you were able to identify the trigger for the strong emotion, use that information to help you avoid similar situations in the future. For example, allow extra time for the transition the next time you leave your toddler at the babysitter’s house.

my My toddler covers her ears with her hands When your toddler covers her ears with her hands, she is not necessarily trying to defy you. Instead, she could be trying to tell she is frightened or is overstimulated. A toddler’s hearing is more sensitive than that of adults.

There is also a chance that she may have an issue with her ears, such as an ear infection. Talk to your toddler’s pediatrician if you have concerns about your toddler’s ears or an extreme sensitivity to sound.

3

44

The Scoop!

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

One Lucky Kid will win a Local

?

from

Spring Fling!

• FREE $100 Entertainment Pass for bowling & pizza package for 6 at Stars & Strikes

• FREE $50 Gift Card to Kilwins columbus • FREE $50 Gift Card to Launch Trampoline • FREE $30 Gift Card to Bare Ware Pottery REGISTER AT FAMILYANDKIDSGA.COM/GIVEAWAYS

Valued at $23 0!!

2021

Feature your summer camp, VBS, activity or attraction in our GUIDE to over 15,000 moms per month who will turn to us to shop and compare options for their kids!

AD DEADLINE:

TO BOOK: CALL 253-212-7270 OR TAMMY@FAMILYANDKIDSGA.COM

5TH OF MONTH FOR NEXT MONTH’S ISSUE SECTION RUNS THROUGH JULY ISSUE

Where to Find HOO? Check your local kid-friendly doctors, dentists, attractions, retail shops & restaurants; or see our interactive distro map at: familyandkidsga.com/get-a-copy

TO SUBMIT AD OR EVENT: Tammy Usie, Publisher tammy@familyandkidsga.com 253-212-7270 FamilyAndKidsGA

www.Familyandkidsga.com

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

55

66

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

Let’s Help

TURN AROUND COLUMBUS In January 2021, Turn Around Columbus, a local community development organization, broke ground on its new project, the Victory Garden and Farm.

The garden and farm is being developed on 10 vacant acres on Martin Luther King Boulevard in Columbus.

This project is part of the organization’s mission to provide work-based education programs that help youth gain self-confidence and teach them important life skills they can use to help revitalize their community.

As part of the first phase, Turn Around Columbus is offering a Saturday Gardening Program at the Victory Garden and Farm. This program is free and runs Saturdays from 10am to 2pm. During the garden program, students participate in math and science lessons while doing hands-on work in the garden, practice literacy skills and create arts and crafts projects. Currently, the program is only available to students of J.D. Davis Elementary School. However, Turn Around Columbus has formed a partnership with the Muscogee County School District and plans on making the garden program available to all elementary schools in the Muscogee School District in the future.

As the development of the Victory Garden and Farm progresses, Turn Around Columbus plans on growing affordable food for the East Columbus community and providing agricultural education opportunities for high school students. The students will learn how to grow food and will be taught the entrepreneurial skills needed to run a small business. Once later phases of

the project are complete, the organization plans to start hosting community events such as music concerts, parenting classes and community dinners at the Victory Garden and Farm.

Turn Around Columbus is currently raising funds to support construction projects involved in Phase I of the development of Victory Garden and Farm. Phase I of the project includes vital infrastructure, such as the development of the garden beds and the learning center. The organization is completely run by volunteers and is seeking volunteers to help at the Victory Garden and Farm. Volunteer opportunities include mentoring youth, helping with programs and participating in workdays at the Victory Garden and Farm. Donations of construction materials and of quality, lightly used garden tools are also being accepted.

When asked about the goal of the Victory Garden and Farm project, Roznell Buckner, President of Turn Around Columbus, said, “We are trying to build back the community and support families. We will teach kids where good food comes from and how it manages to get on store shelves, then we will bring in parents and let the kids teach parents what they know and what they have learned, which will bring the family unit back together.”

If you are interested in volunteering or would like to donate, please visit the organization’s website at turnaroundcolumbus.com

7

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

88

HOO’s HUNGRY

HAM AND CHEESE

PINWHEELS Looking for a fun and fresh way to serve your family’s favorite ham and cheese sandwiches?

These pinwheels are the perfect solution.

DIRECTIONS

Heat oven to 375°F. Spray large cookie sheet with cooking spray, or line with cooking parchment paper. Unroll dough and press into 12x8-inch rectangles, pressing seams together. Top with cheese and ham slices, leaving 1/2-inch border on each of the short ends. Starting on short edge of rectangle, roll up tightly and pinch seam together. With serrated knife, cut into 8 slices, about 1 inch wide. Arrange on cookie sheet. Brush tops and sides of roll-ups with melted butter. Bake 17 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Drizzle with honey; serve warm.

INGREDIENTS • 1 can of Pillsbury Crescent Rolls • 8 thin slices of swiss cheese • Quarter pound sliced deli ham • 1 tablespoon butter, melted • 1 teaspoon of honey Courtesy of pillsbury.com

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

HOO’s Fun Junior Park Ranger

FDR State Park in Pine Mountain, the Little White House Historic Site in Warms Springs and Chattahoochee Bend State Park in Newnan are some of the locations convenient to the Chattahoochee Valley where families can enjoy participating in the Junior Ranger Program.

The Junior Ranger program at Georgia State Parks offers families an opportunity to combine fun outdoors with learning. The program features activities specific to the 59 state parks and historic sites in Georgia. The program is written at a third-grade level but everyone in the family is welcome to participate and become Junior Rangers.

FDR State Park, located in Pine Mountain, has 40 miles of hiking trails, including the 23-mile Pine Mountain trail.

Other activities available include camping, fishing, boat rentals and horseback riding.

Now Hiring:

To get started, stop by a Georgia state park or historical site and ask for that site’s Junior Range book. Each activity book contains fun missions for your family to complete while enjoying the outdoors and learning about Georgia history. Program participants earn a collectible badge after completing each book. To be awarded a badge for a completed site-specific book and be sworn in as an official Junior Ranger, program participants can take their completed book to the site’s office. Junior Rangers also can earn up to five embroidered stickers for activities such as fishing, camping, biking and volunteering.

• • •

Chattahoochee Bend State Park, located in northwest Coweta County, offers camping, fishing, hiking and kayak and canoe rental. Some of the campsites are “paddle in.”

The Little White House Historic Site, located in Warm Springs, is a National Historic Landmark. The Little White House was built by Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1932. Visitors to the historic site can tour FDR’s home, which has been preserved and is very close to the condition he left it in when he passed away in 1945.

For more info on the Junior Ranger program: gastateparks.org/EducationalResources

For more info on Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites, including how to make reservations: gastateparks.org

99

10

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

STRONG SWIMMERS CONFIDENT KIDS LESSONS NOW OPEN! At the Y, we believe swimming is a life skill. We have certified, caring staff trained to handle swimmers of all ages and abilities.

NEXT MONTH

AGES

3 - Adult

COST

Members: $60.00 Non-Members: $70.00

REGISTRATION

Parents may register online or by visiting the Front Desk at any of our branches.

Registration is currently open for lessons through the month of April.

DAY, WEEK OR SESSION CAMPS | SLEEPAWAY CAMPS SPORTS CAMPS | ART & DRAMA CAMPS | DANCE CAMPS ACTIVITES | ATTRACTIONS | MORE

VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO REGISTER TODAY!

https://www.columbusymca.com/swim-lessons Scholarships available for income-eligible families or individuals

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

Dining Deals for Kids

11 11

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

MONDAY

Thursday

Barberitos

MOE’s Southwest Grill

Sapo’s

Captain D’s

Zaxby’s

Saturday

Tuesday

Denny’s

Free kid’s meal with adult entrée

5-8pm: Free kid’s meal with adult entrée 5-8pm: Free kid’s meal with adult entrée

Chicken Salad Chick

Free Little Chick Meal with purchase of adult meal

The Chicken Lady’s COOP

5-8pm: Kid’s chicken plate for $3.25

Denny’s

4-10pm: Up to two free kids entrées with adult entrée for kids 10 and under

Hudson’s

Free kid’s meal for 12 and under with adult entrée

Jason’s Deli

5-9pm: Free kid’s meal per $5 minimum adult entrée Kids meals are .99 cents all day

4-10pm: Up to two free kids entrées with adult entrée for kids 10 and under

sunday The Simple Greek

Kids 12 & under get free kids bowl with purchase of regular bowl or pita

Every day 219 On The Lake

5-9pm: Kids eat for $2.19 on kids menu (M-TH)

5-9pm: Free kid’s meal for kids 12 and under with each adult entrée; dine-in only

Bruster’s Ice Cream

Ruby Tuesday

McAlister’s

5-10pm: Kids 12 and under eat free with adult entrée

Kids under 40” get free baby cone Kid’s meals are $1.99 with dine-in order

Wednesday

Newk’s

Applebee’s

O’Charley’s

Half off kid’s meal per adult entrée. Limit: 4 kids to adult

4pm-close: free kid’s meal with adult meal (M-W) Free kid’s meal per adult entrée for kids 10 & under

Pita Street Food

4-9pm: Kids eat free, per $8 min. adult buy; dine-in

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

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.com.

12

March

2 & 4 *Simple Steps Storytime.

10am. Ages 0-5. FB page: @chatlibraries; 706-243-2669 2 *Craft-O-Mania: Who likes green eggs and ham?” 11am. Ages 12 and under. FB page: @chatlibraries; 706243-2669

3-13 Just 4 Kidz Consignment Spring Sale. Times vary. 3201 Macon Rd, Columbus; 706-587-1819 5 MOPS and MOMSnext meeting.

9:30am. Wynnbrook Baptist; 706323-4374 5 *National Day of Unplugging.

11am. Families. FB page: @chatlibraries; 706-243-2669 9 MOPS of Midland/Columbus.

9:30am. Church on the Trail, Columbus; 720-602-1440 9 *Craft-O-Mania: DIY Gummy Bears. 11am. Ages 12 and under. FB page: @chatlibraries; 706-243-2669 11 *Level Up! Middle Grade to YA. 3pm. Tweens/Teens. FB page: @chatlibraries; 706-243-2669 12 *DIY Friday: Smushed Artwork.

4pm. Families. FB page: @ chatlibraries; 706243-2669

12 Homeschool Friday. 1:30pm. $10. Treadstone Climbing; 706-5077625 13 Plains Express Excursion Train.

9:30am-5pm. SAM Shortline Train Station, 105 E 9th Ave, Cordele; 877427-2457 13 *Open Door Classic Virtual 5K Walk and Run to End Poverty. All day. $15-$25; runsignup.com 13 *CSO presents Breathtaking Baroque. 7:30pm. $30-$50. In-person & Digital. RiverCenter; 706-256-3612 16 *Discovery Hub: St. Patrick’s Day Slime. 11am. Ages 12 and under. FB page: @chatlibraries; 706-243-2669 18-21 Singin in the Rain. Times vary. $22-$47. Springer Outdoor Theatre Festival; 706-327-3688 19 MOPS and MOMSnext meeting.

9:30am. Wynnbrook Baptist; 706323-4374 20 Cookies with the Easter Bunny.

10am-12pm. Columbus Trade Center. $10/child. cookieswiththeeasterbunny.eventbrite.com.

Events

13

PROVIDED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:

20 Easter Bunny Pet Photos.

1-2pm. Columbus Trade Center. Tickets at door to benefit Paws Humane.

23 MOPS of Midland/Columbus.

9:30am. Church on the Trail, Columbus; 720-602-1440 23 Sumpter Explorer Train.

9:30am-5:30pm. SAM Shortline, 105 E 9th Ave, Cordele; 877-427-2457 23 *Discovery Hub: April Fool’s Day Prank. 11am. Ages 12 and under. FB page: @chatlibraries; 706-243-2669 26 Sumpter Explorer Train. 9:30am5:30pm. SAM Shortline, 105 E 9th Ave, Cordele; 877-427-2457 26 *DIY Friday: Coloring Books.

4pm. Families. FB page: @chatlibraries; 706-243-2669 26 Homeschool Friday. 1:30pm. $10. Treadstone Climbing; 706-5077625 26-28 Singin in the Rain. Times vary. $22-$47. Springer Outdoor Theatre Festival; 706-327-3688

27 Young Eagles Day at Flightways Columbus. 8:30-11:30am. (Ages 8-17).

Columbus Airport; 706-323-6565 27 Plains Excursion Train. 9:30am5:30pm. SAM Shortline, 105 E 9th Ave, Cordele; 877-427-2457 27 *CSO presents Henry Kramer and Beethoven. 7:30pm. $30-$50.

In-person & Digital. RiverCenter; 706256-3612

Weekly

MONDAY & WEDNESDAY

*Simple Steps Storytime. 10am. Ages 0-5. FB page: @chatlibraries; 706243-2669 (Not 3/1 or 3/29)

SATURDAY

Toddler Time. 10am-Noon. $10. Ages 5 and under. Launch Trampoline; 706-221-8680 *B&N Virtual Saturday Storytime. 11am. YouTube.com/ BarnesandNoble

Tree Cookie Craft. 10am. $5 parking. FD Roosevelt State Park; 706-663-4858 Please call ahead to confirm event dates, times and age appropriateness, in case changes were made after the info was obtained. [ Denotes Virtual Event]

*

14

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

Hoo’s Tips Starting a family

GAME NIGHT

By Ryan Gutowski of “One Board Family” and Columbus Dad Over the past 10 months, our family has become a lot less busy. While this is a result of a global pandemic, this change in pace for our family has been a welcomed one. Our weeks aren’t filled with activities every night, running around from place to place. Starting a family game night may sound like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are 3 simple ways you can create a family game night that can bring the whole family around the table.

Pick a Night of the Week Our family has found that if we don’t put something on the calendar (digital or physical), it probably isn’t that important. Take a look at your week and schedule a single night where the family can play together.

If we add it to our calendar, it’s far more promising that we’ll follow through on the plan.

Pick a Game Every week will present new challenges. It’s important to pick a game that makes sense for the type of week your family is having. If it’s been a while since the whole family got around the table, pick a game that is less strategic so you can talk about how your day is going. If work and school has been draining, choose a quick card game or dexterity game that will get everyone laughing.

Be Intentional Family game nights are never really about the games.

They’re about the connections around the table and making memories. Let the kids know that this time is important. Lead the way by turning off your phone and shutting off the TV. Your kids are going to see that something’s different.

A weekly game night can offer that important time together that can benefit the whole family. You can find board game suggestions and features focused on family gaming at www.oneboardfamily.com.

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

I Am - positive affirmations APP

How many negative thoughts have been endlessly repeating in your mind? Daily affirmations help rewire our brains, build self-esteem and change negative thought patterns. Empower yourself by verbally affirming your dreams and ambitions. Choose from many daily intentions and set reminders to be delivered throughout the day. Positive affirmations not only help make major shifts in your mindset but they also serve as prompts and daily reminders on what you are truly capable of, making sure you have an amazing day, every day.

creative pep talk Creative Pep Talk helps you build a thriving creative practice! Each week, host Andy J. Pizza serves up monologues and interviews with creative powerhouses like Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Abbi Jacobson and Morgan Harper Nichols that are chocked to the brim with creative performance hacks and fresh marketing tactics.

Time to fill up your tank with a generous helping of PEP! Open up your ears and get that breakthrough perspective you need, the second you need it!

Trending Happily

Happily date night in a box is a monthly subscription, dedicated to helping couples rediscover date night, because your relationship matters. Each month, Happily creates a fun & unique date and delivers it right to your door step. Date night, made simple.

the vanishing half The Vignes twin sisters will always be identical. But after growing up together in a small, southern black community and running away at age sixteen, it’s not just the shape of their daily lives that is different as adults, it’s everything: their families, their communities, their racial identities. Many years later, one sister lives with her black daughter in the same southern town she once tried to escape. The other secretly passes for white, and her white husband knows nothing of her past. Still, even separated by so many miles and just as many lies, the fates of the twins remain intertwined. What will happen to the next generation, when their own daughters’ storylines intersect?

15

16

Wise Choices for You & Your Family EDUCATION/CARE GUIDE

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.comGUIDE EDUCATION/CARE

Math. Reading.

Confidence.

Kumon Math & Reading of Columbus - North 1290 Double Churches Rd., Ste. K Columbus, GA 31904

706.257.6963 kumon.com/columbus-north

©2014 Kumon North America *HIRING CENTER ASSISTANTS*

HOO’s learning Adjusting to virtual learning can be a challenging experience for some students and their parents. Here are some common issues experienced by students with some tips on how to overcome them.

tips for virtual learning

struggling with time management

Many students enrolled in virtual schooling struggle with time management. They may find it hard to stay focused on the online lessons and homework, making it necessary for parents to constantly monitor their students to ensure work is being completed. To overcome this challenge, create a daily routine and structure for your child. Establish a schoolwork area that is separate from your child’s play area and minimize distractions. Include breaks for exercise and schedule time away from the computer screen to complete any assigned hands-on activities. Teach your child to mark assignments and due dates on a calendar.

Feeling isolated

Younger students need social interaction to develop social skills.

Middle school and high school students may feel anxious about maintaining their close network of friends and miss the daily support of their peer network. Encourage your student to participate in any online small study groups his teacher has set up for students. Help younger kids attend any weekly video conferencing appointments with their teachers. Ensure older kids mark video

conferencing meetings with teachers on their calendars so they do not forget to attend. Outside of school hours, help your virtual student stay connected to friends by setting up socially-distanced playdates outdoors and signing him up for extracurricular activities.

struggling with online platforms

Adjusting to a virtual learning environment can be difficult, especially for kids with special needs. If your child struggles with the online learning platform being used, contact his teacher for help right away.

Your child’s teacher can help you set up any assistive technology, such as voice to text, on your child’s laptop and provide suggestions for overcoming any learning barriers your student encounters. If your child has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), ask to meet with the IEP team to update his plan with any accommodations necessary for virtual schooling.

17

18

Wise Choices for You & Your Family EDUCATION/CARE GUIDE

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.comGUIDE EDUCATION/CARE

HOO’s Fun

Hidden Pictures

19

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

20

HOO’s CUTE

CONTEST VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO ENTER YOUR CUTIE: www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

Benjamin, 2 years Columbus

Elizabeth, 2.5 years Columbus

Zyler, 4 years Phenix City

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

21

HOO’s CRAFTY

MAGIC MILK

EXPERIMENT It’s a mind-blowing trick that will excite your kids and get them interested in learning more about magic, science and art. Courtesy of livinglifeandlearning.com.

DIRECTIONS Pour about one tablespoon of dish soap into a small container. Pour milk onto a plate. (It’s ok if you see bubbles.) Drip a few drops of food coloring of choice in the center of the milk. You can get creative with where you drop the drops and space them out how you wish. (Note: Food coloring may spread out slightly as pictured.) Dip a cotton swab into the dish soap. Place the cotton swab in the middle of the colors and watch what happens! You can repeat this step a few times. TIP: Kids can take their cotton swab and “draw” or “swirl” in the colors. Eventually the colors will mix together until the milk becomes one color. If you allow the milk to sit a while before all colors are mixed completely together, you can see the milk change in neat ways as pictured here. Watch over time how different things look! When complete, dispose of milk in the sink

SUPPLIES 1 1/2 cups of milk Liquid food coloring Dish soap Cotton swabs Dinner plate or shallow dish Small container

22

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

a place to belong

saturdays 4pm | 6pm sundays 9am | 11am www.cascadehills.com

23

Delivering joy to ColumbUS. Welcoming a new baby is one of life’s most joyous events.

We know that compassionate quality care for you and your baby is one of the most important parts of your family’s journey.

We’re here for your first step and all the possibilities after.

To learn more about our childbirth services or to schedule a tour call us at 706-320-8001 or visit online at MyStFrancis.com