Family & Kids of the Chattahoochee Valley December 2018

DECEMBER 2018

Wise Choices for Moms & Families

© Forever Photography

CHATTAHOOCHEE VALLEY

Cover Sponsor See Page 5

Breakfast with Santa - Dec 1 - Columbus Trade Center

Fundraiser benefitting the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

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Hoo’s Tips

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

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Southern

Christmas ROAD TRIP The holiday season is a hectic time, no doubt, but it’s also a magical one. Our children get so few Christmases to enjoy the beauty and sensation through their innocent eyes. Make the most of each year by planning trips to some Christmas cheer destinations. You may not realize it but there’s a lot of wonder and dazzle happening in the South!

Here’s a list of our favorite Christmas road trips, some near and some far, to help you create some lasting, magical memories for your child.

The Polar Express is a long-standing Christmas classic story book, but what if you could bring that story to life, and we don’t mean the Warner Brothers film.

Nestled in the Great Smokey Mountains, The Polar Express takes your child on the ride of their dreams, complete with singing, snacks and reading the Polar Express classic. Once arriving at the North Pole, each child receives a gift from Santa!

The Polar Express:

North Pole Limited: Take a ride on the Tennessee Valley Railroad to the North Pole.

While riding, snack on cookies and cocoa, visit with Santa and admire beautiful Christmas lights. Plus, book a night at the Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel and be tucked in by story-time elves! It’s really a magical experience.

Rock City Gardens: Also in the Chattanooga area, Rock City Gardens offers “Yule Town,” a magical Christmas city painted in lights for your child’s enjoyment. Sign up for dinner with Santa, sit for story-time with Mrs. Claus or decorate gingerbread houses!

Winter Wonderland: Fernbank Museum of Natural History is decorated with two floors of beautifully decorated trees showcasing holiday celebrations around the world. Use this Christmas destination as an educational trip!

The Santa Express: In the Village of Blue Ridge Georgia, your child can hop aboard the Santa Express for Christmas carols, a visit with

Santa and friends and a reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.

Garden Lights and Holiday Nights: Experience beauty in holiday lights

at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens with music, model trains, the Ice Goddess and a tunnel of light. It’s a beautiful sight for an evening stroll.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: Does your child love Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer? Then a trip to Museum of Puppetry Arts to see their live show is a must. This isn’t just your typical behind-the-wall puppet show: it snows, scenes change, and puppets react and respond! It’s magic for the whole family to enjoy.

Stone mountain Christmas:

Meet Rudolph and friends, experience snow, watch a skylight spectacular and board the sing-along Christmas train. Stone Mountain is a year-round destination, with extra magic at Christmas.

Christmas at the Rock Ranch: Only an hour outside of Columbus,

the Rock Ranch offers a tractor wagon ride through a Christmas light display, Breakfast with Santa, a Christmas cookie decoration station, story time with an elf, letter to Santa station, face painting and keepsake ornament station.

Fantasy in Lights: Also just outside of Columbus, Callaway Gardens was named one of the “Top 10 places to see Christmas lights” by National Geographic. This massive Christmas light display isn’t the only attraction at Callaway; you can also visit with Santa, shop the Christmas village and listen to story-time with Mrs. Claus.

The winter break is long, for more details on these magical Christmas road trip ideas, plus local holiday events, visit our website: FamilyandKidsGA.com/ Christmas-roadtrips.

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The Scoop!

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Win a $300 VIP ticket package to see them January 18 at 7pm Columbus Civic Center

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4 VIP Tickets 4 Magic Passes Access to 30 minute pre-show on the court with the Globetrotters for shooting, trying out ball tricks, and getting autographs & photos!

Entry Form at FamilyAndKidsGA.com/Giveaways. Drawing Jan. 1st

Where’s Santa?

For a directory of local appearances, visit familyandkidsga.com/santa

Follow us @FamilyAndKidsGA

Win cool prizes, socialize & stay in the know!

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

All proceeds from this event benefit The Children's Miracle Network Hospitals

Breakfast with

Santa

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Saturday, December 1st, 2018 • 8:00 - 10:30 AM Columbus GA Convention & Trade Center

To reserve your spot: Call: (706) 327-4522 tradecenterbreakfastwithsanta.eventbrite.com

Pancake Breakfast Professional Pictures Time with Santa For more family fun, visit the Bi-City Christmas Parade beginning at 10:00 AM

Thank you to our presenting sponsor Amerigroup!

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

Spot 10 Differences

Solution at www.familyandkidsga.com/solutions

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com 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

You could reach over 15,000 moms in this space for only $70.

Call 253-212-7270

Hoo’s Tips

Gift of an }Experience Give the

Too often our kids are given Christmas gifts that get thrown to the side after a few minutes of play. Your child can receive thirty new toys for Christmas. What is a child to do with so many new items?

Throw them in a pile and move on! This holiday season, give the gift of an experience! Here are some reasons why:

Provides long-lasting enjoyment: Although

a gift certificate, itinerary or brochure may not seem like a “wow!” gift for your child, the joy will last longer. A child will have the event or trip to look forward to after the holidays.

Memories to Last: Although your child may seem to want that $50 Paw Patrol fire truck, the novelty is short-lived. Years from now, your child won’t remember who got that fire truck, or the way it made him or her feel. A trip to the zoo; however, will remain fresh in your child’s mind for years to come.

It’s a bonding moment: Not only are you giving your child a memory to last, you’re creating a bond through the shared experience. Yes, one can have vivid memories of baking with mom or fishing with dad, but unique experiences

provide one-of-a-kind memories from a new environment. It gives you an opportunity to play with your child outside of the usual day-to-day parenting tasks.

It doesn’t need to be expensive: Your child will love having an experience saved for a day of boredom. Consider a $20 credit to Chuck E. Cheese or a gift card to a movie theatre. These kinds of experiences give your child some control of a “day out” and you don’t have to break the bank.

Experiences can be wrapped: If you’re concerned your child won’t have a physical gift to open when you gift an experience, wrap a “clue” or an accessory. For example, if you gift your child with jet-skiing at the beach, wrap a new bathing suit or suntan lotion with the certificate.

For a full list of suggestions of local experiences or for a comprehensive gift guide for all ages, visit our website, FamilyandKidsGA.com/Gift-Guide.

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

WHAT IS: E GLYCOGEN STORA)G DISORDER (GSD

Glucose is a simple sugar that is the main energy source for our body and we get it from many of the foods we eat.

Normally, our bodies use proteins called enzymes to turn glucose to glycogen. The glycogen is then stored in the liver and muscles for the body to use as energy later. When the energy is needed later by the body, other enzymes will convert the glycogen back into glucose. Glycogen Storage Disease (GSD) is a group of inherited metabolic disorders caused by a defect in the genes that govern the production of these enzymes. The result is an abnormal build-up of glycogen in the liver and muscles.

GSD is usually diagnosed in childhood. The symptoms of GSD will vary between different types of GSD but most types have these symptoms in common: enlarged liver, slow growth, muscle cramps & low blood sugar.

HOO’s Healthy Some types of GSD cannot be treated and some very severe cases may lead to liver, heart and respiratory failure. However, when a child has a form of treatable GSD, the treatment plan may help reverse the symptoms of GSD and allow him to live a normal life.

For patients that are diagnosed with a type of GSD that affects the liver, the main goal of the treatment plan is to keep the blood sugar at a normal level. Infants under the age of two are sometimes fed glucose through a feeding tube to keep the blood sugar stable. Patients over the age of two are fed small portions of carbohydrates during the day to keep the blood sugar at a normal level. Some patients with a type of the disease referred to as Type IV experience liver failure and benefit from a liver transplant.

Patients diagnosed with the types of GSD that affects the muscles are put on a treatment plan designed to help avoid the muscle cramps and fatigue brought on by exercise. This is done with a combination of a carefully planned diet and a carefully regulated exercise plan.

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

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NOrad Santa tracker Each Christmas Eve I’ve waited for the weatherman to report updates on Santa’s current location. With the NORAD Santa tracker, you can provide real-time updates at any time. The app also provides a countdown to Christmas.

Shopkick Shopkick is the shopping app that rewards you with FREE gift cards for the shopping you already do! Join the millions of Shopkickers who have earned over $63.8 million in free gift cards to Walmart, Target, Amazon and more.

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family HOO’s PARENTING

When Kids Cry

by Renee Jain of GoZen.com

It’s no secret that hearing our kids cry makes us uncomfortable. Just think about how anxious you feel when your little one tears up without an obvious reason. We know that a newborn’s main way to communicate is to cry, yet we still look at it as something to be “fixed.” Once that infant becomes a walking, talking toddler, we sometimes expect them to process emotion the way we do, rather than the way they have always done: through crying.

In fact, studies have found that our brains are hardwired to have an instant reaction to a crying child, making us more attentive and ready to help — and fast! A crying infant triggers our fight or flight response, increasing our heart rate and pushing us into action… even if that child is not our own.

It seems we have to react to a crying child, but how?

Your Crying Toddler is Not Necessarily Sad

For many toddlers, crying is not a reflection of sadness — it’s a way to process any emotion. They may cry out of anger, frustration, fear, excitement, confusion, anxiety or even happiness. The trouble is, they may also lack the verbal ability and selfawareness to explain how they’re feeling. This means asking them, “What’s wrong?” will rarely yield a productive response.

Saying “Don’ t Cry!” Makes Life Harder For You

You may think that making the crying stop will also stop your child (and your heart!) from hurting, but when you tell your toddler, “Stop crying!” or “Don’t cry!” they’ll immediately think that you don’t understand how they’re feeling. Their message is likely to become louder and more persistent.

By asking or telling them to “stop,” you’re also telling your child that their emotions are invalid and

unimportant.

Regardless of how trivial the reason may seem to you, your failure to acknowledge how they are feeling in that moment deprives both of you of the opportunity to learn how to process that emotion in a more positive way.

Our goal as parents, no matter how tricky, is to support our little one’s development of emotional self-regulation — something we can only do when we treat them with empathy and understanding.

As Tempting As It is, Don’ t Distract

Many of us view distraction as the ultimate tool in our emotional arsenal. Figuring that if we can distract our crying toddler from whatever it is they are crying about, we can stop the crying altogether.

We’ve all dangled a favorite toy in front of tearstreaked faces or sung a song through clenched teeth in high-pitched desperation! Sadly, distraction misses an opportunity to connect with your child and teach them how to deal with their emotions.

Yes, if he’s fighting over a toy with another child, distracting your boy with a second toy is completely appropriate. But if your child is crying because you helped them put their shoes on instead of letting them do it by themselves, distraction is likely to only make them respond louder and more fervently in order to be heard.

It’s true that sometimes distraction can work, but it’s often just a band-aid. It doesn’t help your child to learn how to cope with a similar situation or emotion in a more positive way in the future.

So, what should you say when faced with a crying toddler? See our list of 10 alternatives to ‘stop crying’ at familyandkidsga.com/you-can-say or tune in to next month’s issue.

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family Dance Directory

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

25CHRISTMAS!

Books before

By Jeannine Scott, N. Columbus Library, Chattahoochee Valley Libraries

Have you heard of 25 Books before Christmas? Wrap 25 books and place them under the tree. Let your child unwrap one each evening and enjoy a special bedtime story together! Here are our recommendations for holiday titles that are entertaining for you and your little one. Books make perfect gifts!

1. A Unicorn Named Sparkle’s First Christmas by Amy Young 2. Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas by Jane O’Connor 3. Santa Comes to Little House by Laura Ingalls Wilder 4. Click, Clack, Ho! Ho! Ho! By Doreen Cronin 5. Santa Bruce by Ryan Higgins 6. If You Take a Mouse to the Movies by Laura Numeroff 7. Pick a Pine Tree by Patricia Toht 8. The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Christmas 123 by Eric Carle 9. Dinosaur’s Night Before Christmas by Jim Harris 10. Santa’s Favorite Story by Hisako Aoki 11. The Three Bears’ Christmas by Kathy Duvall 12. The Great Pirate Christmas Battle by Michael G. Lewis 13. Here Comes Santa Cat by Deborah Underwood

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Santa Duck by David Milgrim Elfis: A Christmas Tale by Alan Katz and Pete Fornatale Santa Rex by Molly Idle Santasaurus by Niamh Sharkey Santa’s Secrets Revealed by James Solheim Santa Paws by Rachael McKenna Pete the Cat Saves Christmas by Eric Litwin Ninja Claus! By Arree Chung Fa La La by Leslie Patricelli Christmas Parade by Sandra Boynton Santa’s Kwanzaa by Garen Thomas This is Christmas by Tom Booth

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

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Odell Vining, Ph.D.

Child & Adolescent Psychologist

Psychological testing and behavioral therapy for children/teens Ages 3-19 years

• • • • • •

ADHD Anxiety Depression Self-injury Autism Bipolar diso disorder

• Adjustment problems • Anger management • Oppositional defiant disorder • Learning disability

233 12th St. Suite 334 I Columbus, GA I 706-225-0322 I thepsychologyclinic.net

HOO’s CRAFTY

WOOD SLICE

ORNAMENTS

This foolproof method of photo transferring creates beautiful, rustic ornaments!

Courtesy of gina-michele.com

DIRECTIONS Resize your images so they’ll fit on the wood slices. Print them out on the water transfer paper. Place your wood slice over the image and trace around using a pen. Place the image on top of the wood slice and trim it more, if necessary.

Submerge your images in a 1” deep pan of water. After 1 minute the image will separate from the paper backing. The water transfer paper needs adhesive on porous surfaces (like wood). Brush some glue on the wood slices and place the images on top. Let dry.

The images are transparent when they are wet, but they dry opaque.

Drill a hole in the top. String the woven ribbon through and tie a knot.

Note: Read the directions on your water transfer paper. It may require different steps

SUPPLIES Wood slices Woven ribbon Water transfer paper Ink jet printer and printed out image Craft glue paint brush

Decembe

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PROVIDED IN PARTNERSHIP WIT

Madeline’s Christmas. 7:30pm.

2 7-8 Family Theatre, 2100 Hamilton Rd, Colum-

Christmas in the Garden. 2-7pm. Free.

Music, refreshments and Santa; Columbus Botanical Garden. Columbusbotanicalgarden.com

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Breakfast with Santa. 8am-10am. $10-$15. Columbus Convention & Trade Center; 706-327-4522

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Home Depot Kids Workshop. 9am-Noon.

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

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Country’s Reindeer Run. 9am. 8th grade and under. Proceeds benefit Children’s Miracle Network. Country’s on Broadway; runsignup.com

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Bi-City Christmas Parade. 10am. Begins Colin Powell Pkwy in Phenix City; 334-2914719

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7-9 Elf the Musical. Fri & Sat 7:30pm. bus; familytheatre.org

Sunday 2:30pm. $20-$47. Springeroperahouse.com

Board Book Club (BBC). 10:30am. Mil3 Little Sprouts. 10:30am. 8 dred L. Terry Library. 706-243-2782. $5/family. Columbus Botanical Garden; columbusbotanicalgarden.org 8 Fore Kids Junior Golf Tournament. 10am.

Ages 8-15. Godwin Creek; forekid3 Hanukkah Celebration. 4:30pm. Mildred $10-$20. scolumbus.com L. Terry Library. 706-243-2782.

4 STEAM Punks. 3:30pm. South Columbus 8-9 The Columbus Ballet presents

4 Late Nights at the Library: Ready. Set. Library. 706-683-8805.

The Nutcracker. Saturday 7:30pm. Sunday 2:30pm. $20-$40. RiverCenter, 900 Broadway, Columbus; rivercenter.org

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4 Harry Potter Night. 6:30pm. Mildred L. Terry Library. 706-243-2782.

Madeline’s Christmas. 2:30pm. Family Theatre, 2100 Hamilton Rd, Columbus; familytheatre.org

ment. 4pm. North Columbus Library. 706748-2855.

Wonderland. 5pm. Columbus Library. 706243-2679.

Race. 5pm. Columbus Library. 706-243-2679.

Mini Makers: Toy Sculptures. 10:30am.

6 Get Your Game ON! 3:30pm. South Co- 11 Columbus Library. 706-243-2679. lumbus Library. 706-683-8805.

6 Make Your Own Christmas Tree Orna- 11 Late Nights at the Library: Winter

Cirque Italia. 1:30pm, 4:30pm & 7:30pm. $10-$50. Peachtree Mall; cirqueitalia.com/tickets

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Blockheads Lego Challenge. 3:30pm.

6 VIP Night for Kids with Special Needs. 11 South Columbus Library. 706-683-8805.

6pm. Launch Trampoline Park. Launchcolumbus.com 12 A Visit From Santa. 10:30am. Mildred 6 Santa Visits Riverside. 5:30-8:30pm. L. Terry Library. 706-243-2782.

Music, tree lighting and Santa. Fort Benning; 12 A Visit From Santa. 4pm. Columbus benningmwr.com Library. 706-243-2679.

7 Music ‘n Motion. 10:30am. Columbus 12 I Saw the Sign: ASL Storytime.

Library. 706-243-2679.

4:00pm. N. Columbus Library. 706-748-2855.

7 The Polar Express Pajama Storytime.

12 La Leche League. 10:30am. Columbus 7pm. Free. Barnes & Noble, 5555 Whittlesey Blvd, Columbus; 706-653-7880

Library; lllofga.org/columbus.html

Junie B. Jones: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells! 2pm. $5-$10. Riverside Theatre. 706507-8444

11:30am. Wynnbrook Baptist, 500 River Knoll Way, Columbus; 706-323-4374

Columbus Library. 706-748-2855.

Junie B. Jones: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells! 10am & 7:30pm. $5-$10. Riverside Theatre. 706-507-8444

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Madeline’s Christmas. 7:30pm. Family Theatre, 2100 Hamilton Rd, Columbus; familytheatre.org

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Academy Dance Center presents “The Polar Express.” Sat 7:30pm. Sun 2:30pm.

Academydancecenter.com

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7 MOPS and MOMSnext meeting. 9:15- 13 Bilingual Storytime. 11:15am. North

er Events

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13 Chess at the Library. 3:30pm. South 20 Christmas 13 Ask A Librarian. 6pm. Columbus LiColumbus Library. 706-683-8805.

13-16 Elf the Musical. Thurs-Sat. brary. 706-243-2679.

7:30pm. Sunday 2:30pm. $20-$47. Springeroperahouse.com

Celebration. 4:30pm.

Mildred L. Terry Library.

706-243-2782

20-23

Elf the Musical. Thurs-Sat. 7:30pm.

Sunday 2:30pm. $20-$47. Springeroperahouse.com

14 Music‘n Motion. 10:30am. Columbus 21 MOPS and MOMSnext meeting.

FRIDAY

Make & Take. 4pm.

Free. Phenix City-Russell County Library; phenixcitylibrary.com Ice Skating. 4-7pm. $5-$7 admission and $3 skate rental. Columbus Ice Rink; columbusicerink.org

14 Kids’ Yoga Storytime. 11:30am. Co-

9:15-11:30am. Wynnbrook Baptist, 500 River Knoll Way, Columbus; 706-323-4374 bus Library. 706-243-2679

Click, Clack, Type! 10am. Mildred L. Terry Library. 706-243-2782.

14-15Madeline’s

Music ‘n Motion. 10:30am. Columbus Library. 706-243-2679.

Uno, Dos, Tres Craft. 3:00pm. Mildred L. Terry Library. 706-243-2782 (not 12/8 or 22)

Ages 5-11. National Infantry Museum; 706653-9234

11:30am. Mildred L. Terry Library. 706-2432782.

Library. 706-243-2679.

14 Gingerbread Storytime. 4:30pm. lumbus Library. 706-243-2679.

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

Christmas.

7:30pm. Family Theatre, 2100 Hamilton Rd, Columbus; familytheatre.org

21 Sensory Storytime. 11:30am. Colum-

21 27 Kwanzaa Celebration. 2pm. Mildred

15 Holiday Mini-Camp. 1pm-5pm. $10. 28 Happy Noon Year Celebration.

L. Terry Library. 706-243-2782

15 The Mic Drop: Kids’ Open Mic. 29 Young Eagles Day at Flightways Co4:30pm. Columbus Library. 706-243-2679 lumbus. 8:30-11:30am. Free. Ages 8-17. Columbus Airport; 706-323-6565 or youngea17 Manheim Steamroller Christmas gles.com/flightplan/flight.asp Concert. 7:30pm. RiverCenter for the Performing Arts; rivercenter.org 29 Storytime With Free Marco’s Pizza.

11am-1pm. Ages 2-8. Wall of Books, 4508 18 Frosty’s Frosting Party. 4:30pm. Armour Rd; 706-993-2400 South Columbus Library. 706-683-8805.

18 Late Nights at the Library: Snow Big Weekly Events Deal: Faux-Ball Fight. 5pm. Columbus Library. 706-243-2679.

19 Blockheads Lego Challenge. 3:30pm.

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South Columbus Library. 706-683-8805

Books and Cookies with Santa. 4pm.

North Columbus Library. 706-748-2855.

SATURDAY

Michael’s Kids Club Classes. 10am-Noon. $2.

Ages 3+. See store for details.

Toddler Time. 10am-Noon. $10. Launch Trampoline Park; launchcolumbus.com Saturday Storytimes at Barnes & Noble.

11am. 5555 Whittlesey Blvd. 706-653-7880 Preschool Story Hour. 11am. Phenix City-Russell County Library; phenixcitylibrary.com Puppy Tales. 2pm. Columbus Library. 706243-2679 (not 12/15 or 29)

EVERY DAY

Ludy’s Christmas Light Spectacular. 5784 Ironstone Drive, Columbus; ludychristmas. com

MONDAY

Fantasy in Lights. Drive-Thru 6:30-8:30pm.

Trolley 6-8pm. Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain; callawaygardens.com

WEDNESDAY

Please call ahead to confirm event dates, times and age appropriateness, in case changes were made after the info was obtained. For more events, visit our website at: muscogeemoms.com

Read & Play Storytime. 10:30am. S. Columbus Library. 706-683-8805. (not 12/24 or 31) Family Storytime. 10:30am. Columbus Library. 706-243-2679. (not 12/26)

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

Join us for...

We would like to invite you to join us at Cascade Hills Church for our special Christmas services. Bring the entire family for a great service together!

F R I DAY DECEMBER 21 7:00PM S AT U R DAY DECEMBER 22 4:30PM | 6:00PM S U N DAY DECEMBER 23 9:30AM | 11:00AM

cascadehills.com

HOO’s PARENTINGwww.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

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Holiday Creating Traditions As a parent I’ve come to appreciate some of the traditions I thought were a little monotonous in my younger years. I’ve carried on toting my kid dressed in his holiday PJs for a long drive in search of Christmas lights. We’ve continued to take off of work and decorate outdoors every Black Friday, without fail. When we decorate, I put out an old snowman blow mold and take a photo of my son standing with it. I carried this old snowman from Pennsylvania with me, and even though he’s a little out of his element in Georgia, I will continue to place him on the front porch every year. It’s important to me to keep these traditions alive for a few reasons.

After my Grandmother died, these traditions assigned a bit of holiday responsibility to my Mom. She knew my Grandmother would want us to celebrate, despite mourning her death. These traditions helped to push us through a hard time for our family. The traditions keep her memory alive throughout the decades.

Traditions also leave something to look forward to, like the ugly, light-up sweater my Aunt Debbie wears every year. One year, we will miss the laughs from that raggedy old sweater. Traditions don’t need to be elaborate or expensive. Small traditions, like always wearing new PJs on Christmas, provide comfort with expectation and regularity.

If you don’t have any traditions for your holidays, it’s pretty easy to start one! Just think of something your family would naturally enjoy doing, and repeat it every year. Since creating my own family, I’ve started new traditions, too. As a couple, we put our son to bed early to get ready for Santa. We watch Christmas movies, sip holiday drinks and curse each other for buying a toy with so many pieces. I’ve also started inviting my niece and nephew over each year to decorate Gingerbread houses and sugar cookies.

My hopes are these traditions will build a stronger family foundation for my son and give him vivid memories to carry on with his own family.

by Maria Phillips of Family & Kids Magazine and local mom to 3-year-old Ben

WE ASKED OUR READERS FOR SOME OF THEIR FAVORITE HOLIDAY TRADITIONS. HERE ARE SOME OF THE TRADITIONS THEY ENJOY DOING EVERY HOLIDAY SEASON: “Each Thanksgiving morning we watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade while eating a Jolly Jingle Breakfast, complete with pancakes decorated as Santa Claus. This is the same day we decorate our tree and our elves return!” –Linley, Phenix City, AL “We have a holiday picture ornament made every year after Christmas to have for the next year.

We also purchase an ornament that reflects our children’s interests for the year. I look forward to seeing our decorated “timeline” trees when my kids are adults.” –Beki, Kennesaw, GA “Even though my kids are still young, participating in the March of Dimes Night Walk at Fantasy in Lights is our tradition. Last year I was five months pregnant and pushing my then 1.5 year old in a stroller for the 7 mile trek. I look forward to taking them to play in the faux snow and snack on funnel cakes again this year!” –Brette, Columbus, GA “We started using Portable North Polar several years ago to get personalized phone calls or video messages sent to our kids. Since we move a lot with the Army, it has been wonderful to have this tradition follow us anywhere, no matter if Dad is deployed, TDY or home!” -Diana, Fort Benning GA

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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. Kid’s 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 kid’s 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 kids’ deal not listed here, email: Tammy@FamilyAndKidsGA.com.

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

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HOO’s HUNGRY

RED VELVET

COOKIES

These festive-colored and easy-to-make cookies will receive rave reviews at your cookie exchange!

DIRECTIONS Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Mix everything except the powdered sugar into a bowl.The batter will be thick.

Spoon into balls and roll in the powdered sugar.

Place on cookie sheets leaving about 2 inches between cookies.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until cookies brown SLIGHTLY on the edges.

INGREDIENTS

1 box Red Velvet Cake Mix cookies 2 eggs

1/3 cup vegetable oil

Powdered sugar for the topping Courtesy of eatingonadime.com

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

HOO’s CUTE

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

Elle, 17 months Columbus

Samuel, 10 months Columbus

Mack, 4 years Phenix City

Your Holiday Shopping just got easier.

Start checking off that list with savings on our toys, clothing and equipment.

2521 Airport Thruway Columbus, GA 31904 706-507-3737 www.OnceUponAChildColumbusGA.com

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24

Wise Choices for You & Your Family EDUCATION/CARE GUIDE

For a list of private schools, preschools, tutors and home school resources, visit familyandkidsga.com/cat/education To feature your school option, call Tammy 253-212-7270.

HOO knew?

This Month In

History DECEMBER

1st England was connected to Europe for the first time since the Ice Age when engineers broke through the last rock layer of a tunnel under the English Channel. (1990) 5th Haiti was discovered by Christopher Columbus. (1492)

6th The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Con-

stitution was ratified to abolish slavery.

(1865)

8th A day after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States and Britain declared war on Japan. (1941) 10th The Treaty of Paris was signed between American and Spanish representatives following Spain’s defeat in the Spanish-American War. (1898) 14 th Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen became the first person to reach the South Pole. (1911)

Become a Knight!

FEBRUARY 2019!

K3-12th grade * Biblical Instruction * Weekly Chapel * Challenging Academics AP & Honor Classes * Dual Enrollment * Fine Arts * Full Athletic Program Extra-Curricular Activities * Before & After School Care OPEN HOUSE: Thursdays, 9A to 1P Guided tours at 9:30A and 11A or contact our Admissions Director at saraketcham@calvaryknights.com

A Ministry of Calvary Baptist Church

Calvary Christian School CalvaryKnights.com / 706.323.0467, ext. 204

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com EDUCATION/CARE GUIDE

OPEN HOUSES: Thursday, December 6, 2018 Thursday, January 17, 2019

All Open Houses will start in the Turner Center Gallery.

Drop in anytime from 11:30 am-1:00 pm.

Light lunch refreshments will be available.

BE THE ONE

IT ALL STARTS AT BROOKSTONE.

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family EDUCATION/CARE GUIDE

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com EDUCATION/CARE GUIDE

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

STORY

TIME 11-1p/Last Saturday/Ages 2-8

4508 Armour Rd, Columbus/706-993-2400

STRENGTH SPEED AGILITY POWER CONFIDENCE The Only After School Program for Athletes Ages 7- Adult Go to www.ImpactPerformanceRX.com and schedule a FREE class today!

Gif ts

HOO’s CRAFTY www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

29

Kids Can Make & Give

(That Won’t Break Their Piggy Banks) As holidays and birthdays approach, are your kids scrounging to buy gifts they can hardly afford?

Offer them these fun ideas for gifts from the heart. It gives them an activity to keep busy and create, plus a memory for the receiver to cherish.

and glue them to an 11” x 17” sheet of paper. Overlap the pictures to create a collage or spread them apart and share details about each. When you’re done, laminate the design with self-adhesive laminating sheets, or have it laminated at an office supply store.

Service coupons. Offer a free evening of babysitting, a week of taking out the trash, making your sister’s bed, pet sitting, lawn mowing, weed pulling, ironing, or another task you can do.

Give magnetic photos. Cut a piece of cardboard from a cereal box to match the size of your photo, and then glue it to the back of your photo for support. Last, glue a small magnet to the cardboard, and now you have a photo magnet.

Handprint ring dish. Purchase air dry clay.

Roll out clay and place hand on top. Cut clay to outline of hand. Smooth edges of clay with a little water. Place handprint curled over on a small ball, let sit ‘til firm. Paint as you wish.

Shaped bird feeders. Prepare 2 gelatin packets per instructions, mix with bird seed until firm enough to form. Pack mixture into a candy mold or cookie cutter with a string to hang placed in middle of mold. Refrigerate until firm.

Decorative shape soaps. Grate bars of inexpensive white soap. Then mix approximately ½ cup of warm water with a cup of shredded soap.

Add food coloring to the water to create colored soap. Knead the mixture and add additional warm water as necessary until it forms like dough. Next, fill cookie cutters with the mixture, or flatten it on a sheet of waxed paper, and trim into shapes. Let the soap dry slightly, then press with small leaves or other designs. Allow the decorative soaps to dry for 24 hours, flipping them occasionally.

Make a placemat. Choose a subject of interest to your gift recipient, such as model cars or Barbie dolls. Clip pictures from magazines and catalogues,

Fashion a holiday pin. Buy a package of large safety pins and a small package of multicolored beads. Open one safety pin and dangle several safety pins onto it through the eye at the bottom of those pins. Close the open pin and then thread colored beads onto the dangling safety pins.

You can design a Christmas tree, heart, flag, or whatever your imagination desires.

Compose a memory book. Buy a composition book from the office supply store, cover it with construction paper, then design and decorate the cover. Inside, write your memories of special times you’ve had with the person to whom you’ll present it. Memories might include a trip to the zoo, a favorite holiday celebration, a special gift, something funny, and lots of other experiences you’ve had together.

Produce glittery pens. Buy a package of pens and different colors of glitter. Pour glue onto a sheet of waxed paper. Roll one side of the pen lightly in the glue leaving one inch from the tip without glue. Coat the pen with glitter, and then let it dry.

When the glue dries, repeat these steps on the other side of the pen.

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

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