ChattValley April 2019

APRIL 2019

Wise Choices for Moms & Families

© Timeless Memories by Jessica

CHATTAHOOCHEE VALLEY

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Cover Sponsor See Pg. 12

Cinderella on stage at the RiverCenter, May 18 & 19

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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.

HOO’s HEALTHY

Autism

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

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Myths

is a spectrum disorder, meaning the severity of the symptoms can vary. Some people with autism are actually quite talkative. If someone with autism is non-verbal, it does not mean they don’t have the ability to communicate.

With help from a therapist, an alternate means of communication is often found to help communicate with those around him. These range from methods, such as using a system of picture symbols, to high tech solutions like iPad apps.

Autism is a developmental disorder that affects communication and social interaction and is often characterized by repetitive or obsessive behaviors. It is also referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and the severity of the symptoms vary so greatly that it is hard to find two people affected by autism whose symptoms are exactly alike. Recently, through the efforts of advocates of those affected by autism, a greater public awareness and understanding has been developed. However, there are still a few myths about autism that should be put to rest.

People with autism do not feel any sort of emotion Those with autism may have difficulty deciphering subtle non-verbal cues, such as when another uses body language to convey how they feel. Someone with autism may struggle with communicating their own feelings, but they do experience the same types of emotions as those without autism. Social skills training can help people with autism improve their ability to interpret non-verbal cues but it is a long-term effort that requires plenty of practice. To share your feelings with someone with autism, it is best to speak in a direct manner and rely less on facial expressions and body language.

People with autism are non-verbal and can’t communicate Only a small percentage of people with autism are not able to communicate verbally. Autism

Childhood vaccines cause autism This myth was put to rest by a report published in 2011 by the Institute of Medicine & by a CDC study published in 2013 that showed no link between autism and childhood vaccines. Autism is caused by a difference in brain biology, and researchers have not yet pinpointed a definite cause. At the current time, research data suggests that a combination of genetic and environmental factors may create the risk for a child to develop autism, but no one cause has been identified. However, enough data exists to rule out childhood vaccines as the cause.

A child with autism will outgrow it The differences in brain biology associated with autism do not go away over time. However, an early diagnosis of autism helps children with autism receive the support and therapy needed to build the social skills and communication skills necessary to lead as normal a life as possible as adults. Many adults at the higher end of the spectrum who put in the hard work to improve social and communication skills are able to live independently and have successful careers.

Resources: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/concerns/ thimerosal/study-risk-autism.html http://nationalacademies.org/HMD/Reports/ 2011/Adverse-Effects-of-Vaccines-Evidence-andCausality.aspx www.autismspeaks.org

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The Scoop!

Easter Events Guide

Easter Bunny Sightings, Egg Hunts & More

FamilyAndKidsGA.com/Easter

Where to Find HOO? BULK LOCATIONS: Area Chick-fil-A Locations PLUS: Check your local kid-friendly doctors, dentists, attractions, retail shops & restaurants.

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

www.Familyandkidsga.com

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

HOO’s HUNGRY ONION & CHEESE

PEA SALAD Pea Salad is a quintessential recipe for spring and summer. Plus, it’s so easy.

DIRECTIONS

In a large mixing bowl combine peas, cooked bacon, onions, cheese, and mayonnaise and mix well. Season with salt and pepper and mix well. Refrigerate four hours or overnight. Mix well before serving.

Note: Chill for at least 4 hours and keep cold prior to serving.

INGREDIENTS 16 oz, frozen peas, thawed and drained l 6 strips bacon, cooked and cut into small pieces l 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese l 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese l 1/2 cup diced red onion l 1 cup real mayonnaise l salt and pepper l bacon bits optional l

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

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Richard Mansfield, D.O. FAAP Amy Cool, M.D. FAAP Veronica Manka, MD, FAAP Neha Potini, MD, FAAP Trina Williamson, FNP

PEDIATRICS at brookstone centre 706.571.9699

2001 Brookstone Centre Pky

pediatricsatbrookstonecentre.com

HOO’s HEALTHY www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

the

Measles

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where memory cells that protect the body against infectious diseases are partially wiped out. The ease with which measles can spread makes it almost impossible to prevent except through vaccination.

Pneumonia and encephalitis are two of the serious and sometimes fatal complications of measles. The CDC estimates that 1 out of 20 young children who get measles will get pneumonia, and 1 child out of 1,000 who get measles will suffer encephalitis (swelling of the brain), a condition that may cause seizures, deafness or permanent brain damage. According to the CDC, one or two of every 1,000 children who get measles will die due to complications. Before the the measles vaccine in 1963, of the reported cases of people with measles in the US each year, about 400– 500 died and about 48,000 were hospitalized.

Are there any risks to consider when deciding if my family should receive the MMR vaccine?

Measles is a viral disease that is highly contagious and sometimes deadly. Due to the success of vaccination programs, it was declared eliminated from the US in 2000. However, each year there are small outbreaks transmitted by unvaccinated travelers (Americans or foreign visitors).

What are the symptoms of measles and why are complications so serious?

Initial measles symptoms include a moderate fever, runny nose, sore throat, a cough that won’t go away and red eyes. A rash, with small red spots that are grouped in clusters, appears first on the face and then spreads to the rest of the body over a few days.

At this point, the fever can reach up to 104 degrees F. The measles virus is spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The measles virus can live on surfaces for up to 2 hours and someone may be exposed without being in close proximity to the infected person. It is very contagious as 90% of susceptible persons coming into contact with the virus become infected. Once infected with measles, symptoms do not appear for 7-14 days. Recent studies have shown measles compromise the immune system for up-to 3 years post infection. The damaged immune system is a result of “immune amnesia,”

The MMR (Measles Mumps and Rubella) vaccine is effective in preventing measles infections but like any medication, it can have side effects. Mild side effects include fever, mild rash, irritation at the injection site, & temporary joint pain. Very rare complications include febrile seizures, which have no lasting effects, and severe allergic reactions. The CDC considers the benefits of the MMR vaccine to highly outweigh the risks. Only about 1 in 3,000 children will have a febrile seizure after an MMR vaccination and about one in a million people who receive the MMR vaccine will have a severe allergic reaction.

The MMR vaccine is not recommended for some groups of people, such as those with a compromised immune system. Discuss the possible risks vs benefits with your child’s doctor to see if the MMR vaccine is appropriate for your child and to gather any further information about the MMR vaccine.

Resources:

https://www.cdc.gov/measles/vaccination.html https://www.autismspeaks.org/science-news/no-mmrautism-link-large-study-vaccinated-vs-unvaccinated-kids https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/childrenshealth/how-long-do-babies-carry-their-mothers-immunity https://news.emory.edu/stories/2015/05/measles_mina_ science/index.html

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

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HOO’s HUNGRY

CAJUN STYLE

DEVILED EGGS

Easter eggs everywhere! Use those eggs with a new spin on a classic favorite!

DIRECTIONS

Separate the yolks from the eggs, place yolks in a medium sized bowl. Stir in the mayo, relish, mustard, Cajun seasoning & hot sauce.

Whisk everything together until evenly combined and smooth. Cover, refrigerate until ready to use. In a separate bowl, add the bread crumbs, the gumbo file powder, and the salt & pepper. Toss together until evenly incorporated. Coat the egg whites in flour, shake off any excess. Dunk them in the beaten eggs. Then coat them in the breading mixture, packing the crumbs-as necessary- to coat. Fill a heavy bottomed pot with oil until it’s 2-3” high. Heat until it reaches 350 degrees. Add the egg whites, working in batches of 4, and fry for 2 minutes per side- or until golden brown and crispy. Remove them to a paper towel lined plate to drain any excess grease. Repeat until all are fried. Pipe the creamy yolk mixture into each fried egg. Sprinkle them with a bit of smoked paprika, and serve.

INGREDIENTS 12 hard boiled eggs, peeled & halved lengthwise l 2 tbsp mayonnaise l 1 1/2 tbsp dill pickle relish l 2 tsp yellow mustard l 1- 1 1/2 tsp Cajun seasoning l 2-3 dashes hot sauce l 1 1/2 cups flour l 2 large eggs, beaten l 2 cups Panko bread crumbs l 2 1/2 tsp gumbo file powder salt & pepper, to taste l

Courtesy of 4sonrus.com

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

HOO’s HEALTHY

eat This noT that

Processed foods are a convenient way to cook dinner quickly.

Minimally processed foods, such as vegetables that are harvested, cut, and flash frozen, are healthy food choices. However, at the other end of the spectrum are ultra-processed foods that have added sugar, sodium, fat, artificial flavors and preservatives. A diet high in sodium can lead to high blood pressure and processed food with added sugar and fat can lead to obesity.

Here are healthy alternatives to some processed foods.

Granola bars are often thought of as a healthy snack but they may be loaded with extra sugar and added saturated fat. Homemade granola bars are easy to make & allow you to limit the amount of sugar. Some recipes replace sugar with honey. Select a recipe that includes healthy fats.

Jarred pasta sauce makes it possible to put dinner on the

9 table in minutes, but some sauces contain added sugar and a high amount of sodium. Make a large batch of sauce using low sodium crushed tomatoes or fresh tomatoes and freeze the extra.

Fruit flavored yogurt adds calcium and protein to your diet, but often a lot of added sugar, high fructose corn syrup and may contain artificial colors. Create your own version by purchasing plain low-fat Greek yogurt & adding some fresh or frozen fruit and honey to sweeten.

Canned soups are high in sodium and may contain preservatives.

Experts have concerns about chemicals from the lining of the can leaching into the soup.

There are soup recipes that can be ready in 30 minutes which use low-sodium broth from a carton, low sodium beans and minimally processed fresh or frozen vegetables. Freeze an extra batch for another meal.

River City Soap Box Derby Saturday, June 8, 2019

8:00 am - 4:00 pm Lakebottom Park, Midtown, Columbus (Next to Columbus High School) Clinic Dates Saturday, April 13th & 27th D.A. Turner YMCA 2:00pm - 4:00pm Saturday, May 4th & 18th John P. Thayer YMCA 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Relay Games, Activities, Vendors & More!

FOR MORE INFORMATION: LETSGROWSTEAM.ORG OR CALL 800.332.7147

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Summer Camps & Activities Guide Wise Choices for You & Your Family

BROOKSTONE SUMMER 2019

BE THE ONE WHO EXPLORES WITH INSATIABLE CURIOSITY, the one who plays, discovers, creates.

Register Now! Visit us at brookstoneschool.org/summer

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

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Summer Camps & Activities Guide Wise Choices for You & Your Family

Summer Camps & Activities Guide t u o b a l l a It’s www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

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g, an award-winnin on t ou s is m ’t Don mp for your Christ-centered ca mmer! daughter this Su

• Riding - English, Western, and Jumping • Swimming • Heated Pool • Ropes Course • Climbing Tower • Outdoor Nature Skills • Sports • Soccer

Best of Parenting WINNER 9y

ear

s in a r o w !

On Top of Lookout Mountain in Historic Mentone, Alabama Susan & Larry Hooks, Owners & Directors Donna Bares, Assistant Director

800-882-0722 www.riverviewcamp.com

• Basketball • Beach Volleyball • Tennis • Canoeing • Golf • Archery • Gymnastics • Cheerleading • Dance • Chorus • Drama • Arts & Crafts • CIT Program

REGISTER ONLINE TODAY! Choose from 1- and 2-week Sessions and Mother-Daughter Weekends!

• Campfires every night • Optional trips & more!

“Mom & Dad, I am so there this summer!”

is what one of our campers told her parents when she received a recent card from Riverview Camp! We invite you to join us for all of the fun that we have planned! Columbus Area families have chosen Riverview for years!

JUST IMAGINE…WAKING UP EVERY MORNING TO ANOTHER DAY OF FRIENDS AND FUN…SURROUNDED

BY NATURE, SUNSHINE AND BY THOSE WHO REALLY ENJOY HAVING FUN WITH YOU!

That’s why each camper calls this magical place “my camp!” That’s why there are limited spaces!

THAT IS WHY NOW IS THE TIME TO SAVE YOUR PLACE! We’ll see you at Camp!

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Summer Camps & Activities Guide Wise Choices for You & Your Family

Climb a tree • Hike a trail Swim • Fish • Learn the Bible An exciting one-week overnight camping experience that’s FREE! (For boys and girls ages 7-11)

A ministry of Signup info: Valley Rescue Mission 2903 2nd Avenue (706) 322-8267 Columbus, GA www.valleyrescuemission.org/camp-joy

Summer Camps & Activities Guide www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

A Ministry of Calvary Baptist Church

Summer Camp

June 3rd to July 22nd (Open to rising K4-6th grade students)

Emphasis on STEM activities and lots of fun to include arts and crafts, structured PE classes, STEM games daily, and Specialty weeks!

Specialty weeks include: Mad Scientist, Summer in Space, Christmas in July, DRAMA, Kids JAM, Service Projects, Final Bash to include Talent Show, Contests, Special Days of the week filled with fun to get ready for back to school!

To register visit www.CalvaryKnights.com.

706.323.0467 7556 Old Moon Road Columbus, Georgia 31909

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Summer Camps & Activities Guide Wise Choices for You & Your Family

Summer Camps & Activities Guide www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

Our sleepaway summer camp offers the unique blend of traditional outdoor camp experiences and one of a kind animal encounters in our AZA accredited Zoo. Campers sleep in real teepees!

sessions are a full week or 4 days boys & girls ages 9 8-14 sessions begin at $250

Albany, GA www.chehaw.org

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Summer Camps & Activities Guide Wise Choices for You & Your Family

CAREER EXPLORATION CAMPS!

Chattahoochee Valley Community College Summer Camp 2019 Explore: Biology Art Applied Technology Health Science Computer Information Systems and much more......

ENROLL IN KUMON APRIL 16TH - MAY 15TH

SAVE $50!*

*Valid at Kumon Math & Reading Center of Columbus - North.

Offer good when you enroll April 16 - May 15, 2019.

GIVE YOUR CHILD AN

ACADEMIC ADVANTAGE IN SCHOOL AND BEYOND!

Start giving your kids all the advantages of Kumon.

Schedule a Free Placement Test today!

Kumon Math & Reading Center of

COLUMBUS - NORTH

1290 Double Churches Road, Suite K, Columbus, GA 31904

706.257.6963

kumon.com/columbus-north

Summer Camps & Activities Guide www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

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EWMartialArts.com

DING BUIL

t iden f n co ers leaRd TIAL ARTS MA THROUGH

706-326-0153 6440 W. Hamilton Park Dr. Ste 103B, Columbus

FOLLOW US

@FAMILY AND KIDSGA Win cool prizes, socialize & stay in the know!

Instagram

April E

2 Little Sprouts. 10:30am. $5/family. Columbus Botanical Garden; 706-327-8400

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Discovery Hub: Skilled Tradesperson.

10:30am. Columbus Library; 706-243-2679

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2 Mini Makers: Silly Scientists. 10:30am. Columbus Library; 706-243-2679

10 Little Naturalists. 2:30-5:30pm. $5/child.

Ages 3-6. Oxbow Meadows; 706.507.8559

16 A South Columbus Rumpus. 3:30pm.

South Columbus Library; 706-683-8805

2 STEAM Punks. 3:30pm. South Columbus Library; 706-683-8805

10 ASL: Family Sign Language. 4pm. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782

16 Trivia Night: Star Wars Trivia. 4:30pm. Co-

4 I Saw the Sign: ASL Storytime. 4pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

11 In The Kids’Kitchen: Slicing & Mixing. 4pm.

North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

16 Mini Makers: Light or Heavy. 10:30am.

Columbus Library; 706-243-2679

4 VIP Night for Kids with Special Needs. 6pm.

Launch Trampoline Park; 706-221-8680

11-14 Driving Miss Daisy. $17-$38. Spring-

17 ASL: Family Sign Language. 4pm. Mildred

4-6 Driving Miss Daisy. $17-$38. Springer Opera House; 706-327-3688

11-14 Disney on Ice: Dare to Dream. $15-50 Columbus Civic Center; 800-7453000

18 $mart Money for Kids. 4:30pm. Mildred L.

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lumbus Library; 706-243-2679

4-14 Spring Fling Carnival. Hours vary daily. Free. Columbus Civic Center; 706-653-4472

4-14 Driving Miss Daisy. $17-$38. Springer Opera House; 706-327-3688

5 MOPS

and MOMSnext meeting. 9:1511:30am. Wynnbrook Baptist, 500 River Knoll Way, Columbus; 706-323-4374

5 Sensory Friendly Storytime. 2pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2679

6 Home Depot Kids Workshop. 9am-Noon.

Free. Ages 5-12. Columbus store; 706-3229240. Phenix City store; 334-297-2045

6 Puppy Tales. 10:30am. North Columbus

Library; 706-748-2855

6 Board Book Club (BBC). 10:30am. Mildred L.

Terry Library; 706-243-2782

6 Puppy Tales. 2pm. Columbus Library; 706-

243-2679

er Opera House; 706-327-3688

La Leche League morning meeting.

10am. Columbus Library, 3000 Macon Rd; lllofga.org/columbus.html

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Kids’ Yoga Storytime. 11:30am. Columbus Library; 706-243-2679

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Easter Egg Hunt (for preschoolers).

11:30am. Columbus Library; 706-243-2679

lumbus Library; 706-243-2679

L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782 Terry Library; 706-243-2782

18 Easter Egg Hunt (for toddlers). 11am. Co18

A Story For You: Bilingual Storytime.

11:15am. N. Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

18 Easter Egg Hunt. 4pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

EmiSunshine Concert with Comedian Etta May. 7:30pm. $25-$75. RiverCenter for the Performing Arts; 706-256-3612

19 Sensory Friendly Storytime. 2pm. Colum-

13 Spring Fling/Roosevelt Days Fest. 10am5pm. Free. Warm Springs; 706-655-3322

19 Family Board Games. 4pm. North Colum-

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Fore Kids Junior Golf Tournament.

10:30am. $10-$20. Ages 8-15. Godwin Creek; 706-324-0583

19 MOPS and MOMSnext meeting. 9:15-

13 Family Fitness. 10:30am. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782

19 Columbus Lions Game. 7pm. Tickets $10-

13 CSO: Family Dress Rehearsal. 12:30pm.

RiverCenter; 706-256-3645

19-20 Children’s Letters to God. 7:30pm. $8-$13. Family Theatre; 706-431-3752

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19 Columbus Lions Game. 7pm. Tickets $10-

Astronomy Night. 8-10pm. Coca-Cola Space Science Center; 706-649-1470

bus Library; 706-243-2679 bus Library; 706-748-2855

11:30am. Wynnbrook Baptist, 500 River Knoll Way, Columbus; 706-323-4374 $50. Columbus Civic Center; 706-322-3336

$50. Columbus Civic Center; 706-322-3336

Events PROVIDED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:

20 Project Lifesaver’s Easter Egg Roll.

10am-2pm. Lakebottom Park, 18th St; 706225-3297

26 “Show Your Terrible Claws” Craft-A-Mon-

ASL: Family Sign Language. 4pm. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782

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26-27 Children’s Letters to God. 7:30pm.

THURSDAY

$8-$13. Family Theatre; 706-431-3752

27 Young Eagles Day at Flightways Colum-

FRIDAY

RiverKidz Easter Egg Hunt. 3pm.

Harris Co High School; 706-576-5883

20 Puppy Tales. 2pm. Columbus Library;

ster. 2pm. N. Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

706-243-2679

bus. 8:30-11:30am. Free. Ages 8-17. Columbus Airport; 706-323-6565

20 Book Tasting. 2pm. North Columbus Li-

27 Light It Up Blue Columbus 5K & Family

brary; 706-748-2855

22 Recycle This, Recycle That. 4:30pm. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782

23 Family Fun Night. 6:30pm. Mildred L.

Terry Library; 706-243-2782

23 Discovery Hub: Horticulturist. 10:30am.

Columbus Library; 706-243-2679

23 Picture Book Club. 3:30pm. South Columbus Library; 706-683-8805

23 DIY Days for Tweens: Name Embossed Notebooks. 4:30pm. Columbus Library; 706243-2679 23-24 The King and I. 7:30pm. $57-$62.

RiverCenter; 706-256-3612

24 Little Naturalists. 2:30-5:30pm. $5/child.

Ages 3-6. Oxbow Meadows; 706.507.8559 24 ASL: Family Sign Language. 4pm. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782

25 In The Kids’ Kitchen: Spreading, Pouring

& Measuring. 4pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

26 Kids’ Yoga Storytime. 11:30am. Columbus Library; 706-243-2679

Fun Walk. 8am-Noon. Cascade Hill Church; 706-604-6333

27 Family Fitness. 10:30am. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782

27 Reptile Fest. 11-2pm. $5. Oxbow Meadows; 706-507-8550

28 Children’s Letters to God. 2:30pm. $8$13. Family Theatre; 706-431-3752

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Mini Makers: Preschool Puppetry.

10:30am. Columbus Library; 706-243-2679

Weekly Events MONDAY

Family Storytime. 10:30am. South Columbus Library; 706-683-8805 Make Your Own Children’s Book. 4pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855 (not 4/1 or 4/29)

TUESDAY

Maurice Sendak Memorial Exhibition: Family Tours. 6:30-8pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2679

WEDNESDAY

Family Storytime. 10:30am. Columbus Library; 706-243-2679

Get Your Game ON! 3:30pm. South Columbus Library; 706-683-8805 Kids Night Out. $10. 6pm practice. 7pm competition. Ages 5-18. Bows not provided.

Archery Connection; 334-480-9997 Music ‘n Motion. 10:30am. Columbus Library; 706-243-2679

SATURDAY

Market Days on Broadway. 9am-Noon. 1100 Broadway, Columbus; 706-596-0111 Michael’s Kids Club Meeting. 10am-Noon.

Ages 3+. See store for details.

Toddler Time. 10am-Noon. Launch Trampoline Park; 706-221-8680 Saturday Storytimes. 11am. Barnes & Noble; 706-653-7880 Maurice Sendak Memorial Exhibition: Family Tours. 11am & 1pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2679 Nature Nuggets. 10:30-11:30am. $3. Ages 2-7. Oxbow Meadows; 706-507-8550 See Y’all There Saturdays. 2pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2782 Please call ahead to confirm event dates, times and age-appropriateness, in case changes were made after the info was obtained.

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

HOO’s PARENTING Talking to your kids about sexual abuse can be very uncomfortable and many parents avoid this topic, thinking it could never happen to their child. However, sadly enough, it is often older kids that abuse young children and this abuse can even happen at school, play dates or sleepovers.

HERE ARE SOME STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO DISCUSS SEXUAL ABUSE WITH YOUR KIDS TO HELP REDUCE THE RISK OF THEM BECOMING VICTIMS. • Teach your child the proper names for body parts and explain which body parts are private. Make sure your child knows that only mom and dad are supposed to see him without his clothes on. Explain that it is OK for the doctor to see the parts that are private because mom or dad is with him, but no one else should ever ask to see or to touch his private parts.

Make sure your child knows that it is not OK to be asked to look at or touch someone else’s private parts.

Talking SEX

ABUSE

• For older kids, make sure they know how to remove themselves from a situation that does not seem quite right. Let kids know it is OK to tell an adult ‘No’ if they are asked to do something wrong and that they should tell another adult what happened. Give your child a code word to use when he is away from home and needs to call you to let you know something is not right so you can come and get him. Kids also need to know that no one should ask them to keep a secret when it comes to body safety.

• Explain to older kids what sex trafficking is.

Make your child aware that often times traffickers will use other kids to try to lure them in. Review with your child the dangers of meeting up with someone you have only met online through social media.

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

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HOO’s CRAFTY

EASY DYED

EASTER EGGS Perfect for even the littlest of dyers.

Courtesy of astepinthejourney.com

DIRECTIONS Using a shallow, glass baking dish fill the bottom with Cool Whip. Then choose your colors and put in LOTS of drops. Swirl around and then place in your egg. At this point, it’s time to go to town. You want to make sure EVERY part of the egg is covered in dyed Cool Whip.

Once the egg is nice and covered, pick it up gently and place it on newspaper or cardboard. The longer you leave on the dyed cool whip, the more intense the colors will be.

Use a paper towel to wipe them clean & admire the most beautiful Easter eggs left behind.

SUPPLIES cool whip hard boiled eggs food coloring

24

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

Dining Deals

for Kids

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

MONDAY

thursday

Barberitos

MOE’s Southwest Grill

Free kid’s meal with adult entrée after 4pm

5-9pm: Free kid’s meal per $5 minimum adult entrée

Cafe La Rue

Captain D’s

5-9p: Free kid’s meal with adult entrée

Kids’ meals .99 cents all day

Chick-fil-A, Phenix City 5-7:30p: Free kid’s meal with regular priced combo

Chill Yogurt Cafe & Pizzeria

sunday

Kids 12 & under eat free (1 topping 8” pizza & drink) with adult entrée (11” pizza and a drink). Limit 1 per adult. Dine in only.

Pita Pit

Zaxby’s

Texas Roadhouse

Free kid’s pita, cookie & juice box with a purchase of regular size pita combo

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

Kids 12 & under get Jr. Kids Meal for $1.99 with adult entrée (certain holidays are excluded)

Tuesday

The Simple Greek

Denny’s 4-10pm: Up to two free kids’ entrées with adult entrée. For kids 10 and under

Ruby Tuesday 5-10pm: 2 kids under 13 eat free with adult entrée

TGI Friday’s 3-10pm: Kids under 13 eat free with adult entrée

wednesDAY Applebee’s Kids’ meals are half off with the purchase of an adult entrée. Limit: 4 kids per adult

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

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

Monday-Friday Steak & Shake Happy Hour, 1/2 price shakes or drinks from 2-5pm

every day Golden Corral Kids 3 & under eat free with adult meal purchase

All locations are Columbus, GA unless noted.

Specials are subject to change without notice, so please verify them directly before dining. If you know of a kid’s deal not listed here, email: Tammy@FamilyAndKidsGA.com.

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

HOO’s PARENTING

25

Did it Stick?

By Mark Merrill, All Pro Dad.com and iMom.com

Every parent wonders after their child grows up if what they taught them actually stuck with them in a meaningful way. So what are we responsible for as parents?

In parenting, we can and should sow good seeds into our children’s minds and hearts. And we should “water” and nurture them with great vigor and diligence. The sweat on our brow from our hard work in raising our kids should be significant. But, as they grow into teens and young adults, we cannot ultimately control whether those seeds will grow exactly as we expected and bear all the fruit we desire. We can significantly influence, but cannot control what they’ll believe, what they’ll value, or how they’ll behave.

Here are some ways to have a huge, positive influence on our children’s lives:

1.good memories or redeeming Making memories: Creating

bad memories has a lasting impact on kids. Looking back on their childhood someday, the fruit of those seeds will be found in the stories that they share. And those stories will also be how they describe and define your family for future generations.

2.your eyes open for “teachable Teaching life lessons: Keep

moments” to convey big life lessons.

For example, I remember doing some weeding in our yard with my children when they were young.

When I noticed them getting bored, I tossed out a question: “What would happen if we didn’t weed?”

“Well,” said my oldest, “all the good stuff would die.” I went on to

explain how that’s true in our lives as well and had them tell me some of the “weeds” we all need to watch for. They came up with things like calling people names, lying and being mean to other children. We talked about how weeds choke out our joys and hurt our relationships.

3.How you interact with the Relating well with others:

people around you sows seeds in your child’s heart about how they should interact with others. They watch what you do more than hear what you say. Their future choices will, in large part, reflect your values and relationship with them.

4.matter as much to your child Modeling virtues: It won’t

what character qualities you say are important. What will matter most

are those you show in everyday life…honesty, integrity, courage, duty, honor, commitment.

5. seeds of truth is critical to Training in Truth: Sowing

their future. They will have to sort through millions of conflicting truth claims in their lifetime. And they need you, now, to plant in them the absolute truths. They also need to hear the why behind the what of your convictions. The fruit of God’s truth in their minds and hearts will help them reject the lies of the world that will swirl around them.

6.to know, beyond any doubt,

Loving well: Your child needs

that you always have their best interests at heart and always love them no matter what.

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CAR SEAT

Confusion?

The car seat safety guidelines are constantly updating with more research and development for the safety of your little ones. In the state of Georgia, the car seat laws are limited, stating children under eight years of age must ride in an approved child restraint system appropriate of the child’s height and weight, and the seat must be approved by the U.S. government. It is critical parents understand while the law is important to avoid a ticket, the law doesn’t follow current guidelines for best practices of car seat safety, set in place by American Academy of Pediatrics. According to the AAP: than 13 has decreased 78 percent overall since 1975*. The declining rate is a direct result of improved car seat safety. You may have survived without a car seat, but those who didn’t aren’t Note: Infant bucket car seats usually don’t accommodate able to talk about it. If you could save your child children for the extent of time they are able to rear-face, from a traumatic injury or possible death by as they lack adjustable recline and head support. keeping them in a car seat longer, why wouldn’t • All children who have outgrown the rear- you? facing weight or height limit should use a To learn more about car seat safety, visit forward-facing car safety seat with a harness SafeKidsGeorgia.org. for as long as possible, up to the highest *Rate provided by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety weight or height allowed by the seat’s Did you know: Studies have shown that the manufacturer (Oftentimes at least 65 lbs, 49 majority of car seats are installed incorrectly. inches) Common mistakes include the car seat LATCH • All infants and toddlers should ride in a rearfacing car seat as long as possible, until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by the seat’s manufacturer (usually 40+ lbs)

• All children whose weight or height is above the forward-facing limit should use a beltpositioning booster seat until the vehicle lap and shoulder seat belt fits properly, typically when they have reached 4 feet 9 inches in height and are between 8 and 12 years old.

• All children younger than 13 years should be restrained in the rear seats of vehicles for optimal protection.

You may be questioning these guidelines or calling them harsh, you may even be thinking “I survived without a car seat.” Well, consider this: Car crashes are the leading cause of death of children in America. However, the rate of motor vehicle crash deaths per million children younger

or belt being too loose, the car seat being at the wrong angle, incorrect chest clip placement, incorrect harness slot placement, not using a tether anchor, twisted straps or incorrect child positioning. Car seats can be difficult to install and each has their own set of instructions and guidelines for use. Plus, you must consider your vehicle’s individual requirements for LATCH or belt usage. If you’re not sure if your car seat is installed correctly, call Safe Kids Columbus at 706-321-6265 or visit their website at www. safekidscolumbusga.org.

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family EDUCATION/CARE GUIDE

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HOO’s learning

Reading

If you have a young child who is learning to read, it is important to monitor how your young child’s reading skills are progressing. It can be very difficult to ‘catch up’ your child’s reading skills once your child progresses past the 2nd grade. We asked Cathy Russell, a teacher at Fox Elementary in Columbus, what steps parents should take when their child’s skills start to lag behind. She said, ‘Talk with the teacher. Work with the teacher on different techniques. Some kids are visual learners, others like art, some learn through music…the teacher may even ask you to help by trying out a new method at home.’ Once your child finds the learning technique that works for him, he may just need a little time to catch up.

However, if your child’s skills do not show progress, he may have a reading deficiency that requires specialized help. It is important to seek help as soon as possible. Reading deficits due to disorders such as dyslexia, ADHD, visual processing disorders or auditory processing disorders will not go away and there are strategies used to assist young readers with these issues.

Struggles

The first step is to identify where your child’s reading deficit lies. Some students struggle with only one of the steps (decoding, processing and reading comprehension) but it is common for struggling readers to have deficits in multiple areas. Your child’s teacher will collect data on your child’s performance to help pinpoint areas of weakness. Mrs. Russell says, ’If there is no improvement… then a special education referral can be made but only after a lot of data has been collected and a variety of methods have been tried.’

Mrs. Russell adds. ‘Find a favorite book and read it often. And let the child read it back to you. As a parent, this is the most important thing you can do.’

RESOURCES FOR PARENT

https://dyslexia.yale.edu/resources/parents/what-parents-can-do/tenthings-to-help-your-struggling-reader/ See this issue for local reading tutors: ANEW Tutoring and Kumon on pg.

18, and Sylvan Learning on pg. 16.

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family EDUCATION/CARE GUIDE

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What’s in Your

Basket?

It’s likely your child will receive tons of chocolate and candy from school, grandma, and community egg hunts. This Easter, ask the Easter Bunny to leave your child some of these fun alternatives for a sugarfree holiday!

Non-Food Goodies: 1. Bath Bombs 2. Matchbox Cars 3. Garden Tools 4. Bubbles 5. Books 6. DVDs 7. Socks 8. Bath Crayons 9. Bubble Bath 10. Bath Drops 11. Crayons 12. Markers 13. Movie Tickets 14. Chuck E. Cheese Gift Card 15. Reusable Water Bottle 16. Paints 17. Silly String 18. Nail Polish 19. Board Games 20. Card Games 21. Paints 22. Whiffle Ball/Bat 23. Kite 24. Small Craft Kits 25. Sand Toys 26. Character Masks 27. Character Capes 28. Nerf Guns 29. LEGO Creator Kits 30. Etch-a-Sketch 31. Doll Clothes 32. Water Toys

33. Butterfly Kit 34. Grow Toys 35. Fairy Garden Kit 36. Seeds 37. Garden Tools 38. Wall Climbers 39. Pinwheels 40. Puppets 41. Silly Straws 42. Silly Shoe Laces 43. Slippers 44. Jump Rope 45. Kinetic Sand 46. Fluffables 47. Chalk 48. Putty 49. Play-Doh 50. Sunglasses 51. Slime 52. Plates 53. Balls 54. Puzzles 55. Stickers 56. Toothbrushes 57. Hairbrushes 58. Coloring Book 59. Water WOW Books 60. Dollar Bills 61. Wind Up Toys

For Infants: 1. Teether Toys 2. Board Books 3. Lovies 4. Pacifiers 5. O-balls 6. Sippy Cups 7. Eating Utensils 8. Bibs 9. Onesies 10. Socks

Basket ideas: 1. Sand Trucks 2. Wagons 3. Sand Buckets 4. Hats 5. Umbrellas 6. Rain boots 7. Backpack 8. Sandbox 9. Beach Bag 10. Shopping Cart

For Tweens 1. Inexpensive gift cards 2. Headphones 3. Phone Pop Socket 4. Adult Coloring Books 5. Coloring Tools 6. Soduku Books 7. Nail Polish or Pens 8. Card Games 9. Silly Socks 10. Echo Dot 11. Madlibs 12. Journal 13. Reusable Water Bottle 14. Fidget Spinners 15. Kinect Sand 16. Body Spray 17. Sunglasses 18. Movie Tickets 19. Dollar Bills 20. Phone Camera Lens

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

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Help your baby to learn both English and Spanish and to be bilingual with Háblame Bebé. You are your baby’s first and best teacher! Háblame Bebé teaches you fun tips to add learning to your everyday activities.

kinder Kinder has created an app in which you can quickly flick through name suggestions either liking or dismissing them. Your likes are then matched to the likes of your partner and by both looking for names you’ll end up with a shortlist of names you both like.

Nighty night Watching all the animals go to sleep is a lovely way to set the mood for bedtime.

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Cutting the

Cord

By Maria Phillips, Family & Kids

Every day I hear of more families eliminating the cable TV bill from their budget. It’s in the news, tycoon television companies are losing subscribers by the hundreds of thousands. In my home, cable TV was simply background noise. I watch a few primetime shows regularly on ABC, NBC and FOX. My concern was finding those channels, and it was easier than expected. Here are some alternatives to cable TV: Antenna: (FREE) You may be surprised to learn, an antenna can pick up the major channels, including ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX and CW. Antennas don’t need to go on your roof, many are placed on the table, at your window or the back of your TV. The kind of antenna you need is dependent on your location. If you’re further away from the city, you need a stronger antenna. If you’re in the city, a simple antenna may suffice. To find out what channels are available in your area, visit www.fcc.gov/media/engineering/ dtvmaps.

Hulu: ($7.99 PER MONTH) Hulu provides primetime TV shows from big name TV networks the day after airing. Plus, classic favorites including Seinfield, The X-files, South Park and many award-winning, original shows including “The Handmaid’s Tale.“ Hulu Live: ($40 PER MONTH) Hulu Live offers regular Hulu service plus (live) channels including local news stations, Disney channels, TRUTv, Animal Planet and more.

Netflix: ($8-16 PER MONTH) Netflix has a buzzworthy lineup of series, documentaries and movies such as Birdbox, Grace & Frankie, Orange is The New Black, Tidying Up and so many more.

The list of content on Netflix is endless and always changing. Netflix is providing the large TV networks a run for their money with a compelling lineup of entertainment at a fraction of the cost.

SlingTv: ($25 PER MONTH) SlingTV offers live TV! It has different packages to meet your channel needs, plus add-ons like a $5 kid’s package to include the channels you can’t live without.

HBO Now, Starz or Showtime: ($15 PER MONTH) Don’t want to give up your premium channels? These networks offer a standalone stream service.

Amazon Prime Video: (INCLUDED IN AMAZON PRIME MEMBERSHIP) Amazon Prime Membership offers free 2-day shipping, cloud services, inside deals, Amazon music and prime video. Prime Video offers award-winning original amazon shows including The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Jack Ryan, and The Man in the High Castle. Plus kidfriendly content including classic books turned into video, movies and series.

If you’re wondering how you get these services to your TV, it’s simple. While many newer televisions are “Smart TVs” and come already equipped with the apps you need, regular TVs can stream these services with a plug-in streaming device, such as Amazon Firestick, Roku or Google Chromecast (each around $30). Installation of these devices is extremely easy.

You must have an internet service to stream these apps, and if your internet service has data caps, you may run into streaming issues. Personally we’ve subscribed to Netflix for $11, Hulu for $8 and free antenna services. We’ve been doing this for 3 years and never missed out on any big TV events. We still see the ball drop, watch any breaking news and the Super Bowl came in crystal clear with an antenna.

This reduced our cable bill from $60 a month to just $19! Over a year, that’s a savings of $492! Each of these services is available as a trial, so give them a shot and see what works best for you and your budget.

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