Chatt Valley March 2020

MARCH 2020

Wise Choices for Moms & Families

© Timeless Memories by Jessica

CHATTAHOOCHEE VALLEY

Cover Sponsor See Pg. 9

Summer DANCE at Performance! Frozen, Acro, Broadway Camps, & More!

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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 PICKS

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

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A Visit To

Turntime Farms

By Maria Phillips, Family and Kids

I expected the typical small-town farm, cows all over the place, strong manure stench, chickens crowding the dirt roads.

But when I got out of my hatchback at this Harris County farm, I could see some cows far in the distance, I couldn’t smell them. I saw rolling hills, no chickens, and I was greeted with a modest market, filled with fresh meats, eggs, handmade pottery and yogurts. There, I met farm manager and Columbus, GA firefighter, Daniel Hord, and began my introductory lesson in beyond organic farming.

Organic has become a buzzword in the 21st century. It’s often used to confuse consumers and make us think we’re purchasing a safer, better quality product; a term now known as “green washing.” Even though a product may be certified organic, it doesn’t assure the quality of the animals and their upbringing. “Our grass is organic in the sense that it’s just grass.

It’s given fertilizer from the animals’ manure and urine but it isn’t sprayed with any chemicals,” explains Hord. “You can buy a whole organic chicken from a supermarket and it may have never seen the light of day. It can be considered certified organic because it ate organic feed.”

Turntime uses a process called mob-grazing, meaning their cows change field locations every day. Their chickens, every

five days. This rotation helps to keep the ground fresh and the grass growing. By using these sustainable and regenerative practices, Turntime raises their herd completely antibiotic and hormone-free, with grass as their main source of nutrients.

Industrial farmed cows for supermarkets are mostly fed a corn-based diet. However, a cow’s stomach is unable to process grain and it will ferment in their gut and start to produce e-coli. “The feed creates much larger cows at a faster rate,” Hord shares, “but the beef is much lower in vitamins, omega 3s and the antioxidants are reduced.”

Turntime is passionate about their customers and helping to give them nutrient-dense, locally grown products in the area.

“We love to know our customers, know their names, their children’s names and know their habits." Hord elaborates, “We want them to know what we are about and know our belief system, that we have integrity.” Hord also notes, “I see the difference when people change their eating habits and have options for eating more nutrient-dense, well-raised animals.

It makes a difference in people’s health,” he continues, “It’s not easy, I’m not naive to the fact. Oh, everyone should just eat natural all the time. It’s hard to make those changes. If we can make any small change, it makes a difference.”

FUN FACT: Turntime offers white, brown and green eggs. Producing 35-40 dozen a day!

FUN FACT: Turntime raises and processes chicken on-site. The chickens arrive from the hatchery at two days old and in ten-to-twelve weeks are processed in an open-air processing facility. They process 250 chickens in one day!

FUN FACT: Turntime raises mostly Angus/South Poll cross cows. They found them to be most resilient to Georgia’s high temperatures.

• Turntime Farms is located at 150 Mayo Road, Ellerslie GA. Catch them at Market Days on Broadway in Columbus the 3rd Saturday of each month. Their on-farm market is open Wednesdays, 12pm-5pm and the first Saturday of each month from 10am-12pm or by appointment. The farm will be offering tours this spring.

Follow them on Facebook and Instagram @turntimefarms.

If your child rests well each night but still feels tired and sleep-deprived during the day, see your doctor to discuss potential sleep disorders such as:

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The Scoop!

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

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: 1ST OF MONTH FOR NEXT MONTH’S ISSUE SECTION RUNS THROUGH JULY ISSUE

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

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

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HOO’s HELPFUL

Fish on!

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BY STEPHANIE VATALARO, Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation

If your kids are anything like mine, keeping them entertained probably feels like Mission: Impossible, especially when it comes to finding new family activities. One of my favorite ways to put a new spin on family time is with a traditional pastime that’s making a comeback — fishing.

Growing up on the water, I’ve always loved to fish. Now that I’m a mom, I love sharing the sport with my daughter, Isla. But even if you’re a first-timer, fishing is an easy, kid-friendly activity that you can bond over as a family with just a few beginner steps.

Step 1

Going fishing doesn’t mean you have to pack up for a long drive far away from home. Places to fish are closer than you think. Lake Oliver, located about 20 minutes north of Columbus, is a popular destination for new and experienced anglers alike.

You can also find tons of places to fish throughout the Chattahoochee Valley with an interactive map at www.TakeMeFishing.org. When selecting a family-friendly fishing spot, look for amenities like play areas, easy parking and picnic facilities as well as safe water and boat access. .

Find a fishing spot !

Step 3

Rigs are the combination of hooks, sinkers, bobbers and other add-ons to your fishing line. To begin, tie a hook on the end of your line. A beginners' knot is the improved clinch knot. Next, pinch one or two small split shot sinkers to your main line six to 12 inches from the hook. Finally, clip a circle bobber to the rig three to four feet above the hook. Detailed instructions are available on www.TakeMeFishing.org.

When you’re ready to cast, unlock your line and hold it with your fingers. Then, swing your rod in an arc, letting go of the line at the peak. To reel in a catch, wait for the fish to stop tugging, then point your rod skyward. Begin reeling in your catch, slowly lowering your rod until it reaches a 45-degree angle. Repeat this process as needed.

Step 2

There are two primary types of bait: natural and artificial. It’s up to you which to use, although beginners often have better luck with natural bait because it tends to be a better fish attractant. Earthworms are a great choice because they’re easy to put on a hook and don’t require any sophisticated technique to lure a bite.

When it comes to gear, simple is best for newbies. To help limit line tangles, choose a kid-friendly starter rod-and-reel combo designed for smaller hands.

Some other essentials you’ll need include fishing line, hooks, bobbers, sinkers and bait. Pro tip: To keep kids engaged, bring snacks and games to pull out during downtime.

Gather bait & tackle. .

Before you start your family fishing adventure, remember to enjoy the water responsibly. In Georgia, any angler age 16 and older must have a fishing license, which remains valid for one year from the date of purchase. There is no closed season for fishing in Georgia, although there are some exceptions. And if you plan to keep your catches, make sure to know daily limits, which vary by species. Full regulations are available from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

Give it a shot, and you might just find you’re…hooked!

Rig your line & cast.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT FISHING AND GET YOUR LICENSE ANYTIME, VISIT WWW.TAKEMEFISHING.ORG/GEORGIA.

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

HOO’s HEALTHY Narcolepsy is a neurological sleep disorder that usually first appears between the ages of 10 and 30. It is a rare disorder, only affecting about 1 in 2,000 people. Someone with narcolepsy can suddenly feel uncontrollably sleepy during the day, a symptom referred to as excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). These episodes can happen multiple times a day and at any time, even while driving or talking.

Another symptom of narcolepsy is an abnormal sleep pattern. Someone with a normal sleep pattern transitions from non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep to rapid eye movement (REM) sleep in about 90 minutes after falling asleep. However, someone with narcolepsy transitions to REM sleep after being asleep for only about 15 minutes.

REM sleep is the stage of sleep when vivid dreaming may occur. The boundary between being awake and dreaming while asleep is so close in people with narcolepsy that they may experience sleep paralysis (an inability to move or speak) or dream-like hallucinations.

A person with narcolepsy may also experience episodes of cataplexy, which is a sudden loss of muscle tone. A severe case of cataplexy may cause someone to suddenly fall to

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W H A T IS : NARCOLEPSY the ground. Narcolepsy with cataplexy is referred to as type 1 narcolepsy, and narcolepsy without cataplexy is called type 2 narcolepsy.

Researchers have not yet found what exactly causes narcolepsy but have discovered that many people with type 1 narcolepsy have low hypocretin levels. Hypocretin is a neurotransmitter that keeps you awake. Someone with a low hypocretin level feels sleepy and has an abnormal pattern of REM sleep. Scientists are not sure what causes the loss of neurons in the brain that produce hypocretin but researchers have found evidence that this loss may be linked to certain genes.

Leaving narcolepsy untreated can be dangerous since the sleep episodes can happen during any activity, even walking or eating. Narcolepsy can also impact performance at work or school. There is no cure for narcolepsy but symptoms can be managed with medication and lifestyle changes.

HOO’s PICKS Summer will be here before you know it! Once school lets out, our kids have so much more free time. It can be hard to find that summer balance of keeping your kids occupied and fulfilling our work and life obligations. Thankfully, our Kids Camp & Summer Fun Fair brings together the top day camps, overnight camps, clubs, attractions, cultural activities and more to help you decide the best activities to entertain and enrich your children this summer and into fall.

The Fair is open from 12-4pm on March 15 at National Infantry Museum. With over 50 vendors on-site, there’s something for every child, ages 2-14. The museum’s galleries and battle simulator will be open, and concessions will be available for purchase in the lobby. Most vendors will be offer-

ing games, activities, special guests or giveaways to help keep your child engaged while you shop for summer plans. Special guests will be there to greet event attendees, such as book superstar “Skippy Jon Jones,” PBS Star “Princess Presto” and even “Spiderverse Spiderman.” In honor of the event’s tenth anniversary, the non-profit SparkArt will provide a free firework kids craft. Event goers can play “Passport to Summer Fun,” where they can compete to win several grand prizes such as trips, attraction passes and summer camp enrollments.

New to this year’s expo is on-stage entertainment!

The lineup features demonstrations, musicals, comedy, magic and juggling. See the full schedule in our adjacent event ad, along with more info.

For timely updates, find our regular Camp Fair Facebook page and corresponding 2020 Facebook event page @kidscampfair.

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

TO SHOWCASE YOUR ACTIVITY IN OUR PRINT AND DIGITAL GUIDE, CALL 253-212-7270 OR TAMMY@FAMILYANDKIDSGA.COM

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

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!

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

SCRUBS

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!

Hands-on Adventures in Healthcare

Rising 9th Graders - College Sophomore

Offering twice this year!

June 15-18, 9am - 4pm July 20-23, 9am - 4pm

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

Enjoy lab demonstrations, facility tours, surgical videos, hands-on activities, and a variety of career experts.

Housing available (separate charge) For registration & payment information: www.hughston.com/2020-summer-camp

Early Registration Deadline: April 15th - $200 Regular Registration Deadline: May 29th- $250

Albany, GA www.chehaw.org

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March Wise Choices for You & Your Family

1 Akeelah and the Bee. 2pm. $10-$18.

7 Puppy Tales. 10:30am. N. Columbus Li-

14 Puppy Tales. 2pm. Columbus Library;

1 River Dragons Hockey Game. $8-$25.

7 Uno, Dos, Tres Craft. 3pm. Mildred L. Ter-

14 Kids Can Code. 4pm. N. Columbus Li-

2 Dr. Seuss’ Birthday Celebration. 4pm.

7 Harris County Flea Market. 9am-4pm.

Springer Opera House; 706-327-3688 Columbus Civic Center; rdragons.com

Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

3 STEAM Punks: Stories & Science. 3:30pm.

S. Columbus Library; 706-683-8805

3 Kid’s Drawing Club: Pint-Sized Picassos &

Mini Monets. Ages 5-12. 4pm. N. Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

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

4-14 Just 4 Kidz Consignments Spring

Sale. Times vary. 1900 Auburn Ave, Columbus; 706-587-1819

5 VIP Night for Special Needs. 6pm.

brary; 706-748-2855

ry Library; 706-243-2782

$40 + $10/daughter. St Luke Ministry Center; 334-297-4962

CSO: Carnival of the Animals. 6:30pm Lobby activities; 7:30pm Concert. $20. RiverCenter; 706-256-3645

7 RCCAD Father-Daughter Dance. 5-9pm.

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Discovery Hub: 1980’s. 10:30am. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

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Blockheads LEGO™ Challenge.

3:30pm. S. Columbus Library; 706-6838805

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7 Artful Babies. 6-24mo. 10:30am. RSVP. Columbus Museum; 706-748-2562, x 2124

7 River Dragons Hockey Game. $8-$25.

Columbus Civic Center; rdragons.com

7 Creative Crawlers. 0-24mon. 10:30am.

Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

tion of Women’s History Month. 4:30pm.

Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

20 River Dragons Hockey Game. $8-$25.

RiverCenter; 706-256-3645

20 Parents Night Out. 6-10pm. Ages

12 UnCHAPERONed: Book Club for Care-

nament. 10:30am. $20, includes lunch.

Godwin Creek Golf Course; 706-324-0583

18 Women in Science: a STEAM Celebra-

Columbus Museum; 706-748-2562, x 2124

Wynnbrook Baptist; 706-323-4374

7 Fore Kids Columbus: Junior Golf Tour-

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St. Patrick’s Day Party. 3:30pm. S. Columbus Library; 706-683-8805

20 Glow Fun Run & 5K. 6pm. Clubview

12 U.S. Navy Band Concert. 7:30pm. $13.

Free. Ages 5-12. Columbus; 706-322-9240.

Phenix City; 334-297-2045

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PlayLab for Kids. Ages 8-12. 4:30pm.

Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

St. Peter UMC, Columbus; 706-561-9391

7 Home Depot Kids Workshop. 9am-Noon.

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Kids Camp & Summer Fun Fair. Noon4pm. National Infantry Museum; facebook.com/kcsff. See page 6 for event ad.

10 Artful Babies. 6-24mon. 10:30am. RSVP.

6 MOPS & MOMSnext. 9:15-11:30am.

brary; 706-748-2855

Harris Co High School, Hamilton; hcfleamarket@gmail.com

Launch Trampoline; Launchcolumbus.com

6 Parents Night Out. 6mon-12yr. 6-9pm.

706-243-2813

Elementary School; clubviewglowrun.com Columbus Civic Center; rdragons.com 5-12. $25. RSVP. Treadstone Gym;

20 MOPS and MOMSnext. 9:15-11:30am.

givers of Young Children. 5pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

Wynnbrook Baptist; 706-323-4374

lumbus Library; 706-748-2855

Open Door Classic Walk, 5K & Kids Fun Run. 8:30am. $15-$25. Woodruff Park, 1000 Bay Ave; runsignup.com

12 Books Before Bedtime. 6pm. N. Co13 Finger Paint Play. Ages 2-4. RSVP.

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10:15am. N. Columbus Library 706-748-2855

21ARTiculate (Sensory-friendly tours &

Silly Superstitions. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

21 Puppy Tales. 2pm. Columbus Library;

$25-$200. Columbus Convention & Trade Center; dddcolumbus.com

Creative Crawlers. 0-24mon. 10:30am.

Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

13 Unlucky Party: Friday the 13th & Other 14 Daddy Daughter Dance. 6:30-10pm.

activities). 9am. Ages K-12. Columbus Museum; 706-748-2563 ext 6540 706-243-2813

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Events www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

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PROVIDED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:

21 Click, Clack, Type! Ages 4-6. 10am. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782

21-22

RiverBlast Festival. National Civil War Naval Museum; 706-327-9798

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Slugs & Bugs LIVE! 4pm. $10. The Columbus Museum; 706-662-4470

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Market Days. Noon-4pm. $5-$10. Historic Westville Village; 706-940-0057

22 River Dragons Hockey Game. $8-$25.

Columbus Civic Center; rdragons.com

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Discovery Hub: 1990’s. 10:30am. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

24 Picture Book Club. 3:30pm. S. Colum-

bus Library; 706-683-8805

24 PlayLab for Kids. Ages 8-12. 4:30pm.

Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

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Family Fun Night. 6:30pm. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782

25 Mommy Meet-Up. 11am. N. Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

26 Yoga Storytime. Ages 3-5. 4pm. N. Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

27 Homeschool Friday! 1:30-3:30pm.

Treadstone Climbing Gym; 706-507-7625

27 Friday Family Flicks: “Pokemon Detective.” 3:30pm. S. Columbus Library; 706-683-8805

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Girl Power Program. 1pm. Mildred Terry Library; (706) 553-1276

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Young Eagles Day at Flightways Columbus. 8:30-11:30am. Ages 8-17. Columbus Airport; 706-323-6565

28 River Dragons Hockey Game. $8-$25.

Columbus Civic Center; rdragons.com

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Puppy Tales. 2pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

30 Kidz Flicks: Spring Break Edition: “The

TUESDAY

Angry Birds Movie 2”. 2pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

Mini Makers. Ages 3-5. 10:30am. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813 (not 3/10 or 3/24)

Games. All Ages. 2pm. N. Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

Afterschool Games in the Yancey Children’s Garden. 3pm. Columbus Library; 706-2432813 (not 3/10 or 3/24)

Spring Break Adventures. 10am & 1:30pm. $5. Oxbow Meadows; 706-507-8550

Chess: Unplug From the Computer For Chess’ Sake. 4:30pm. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782

30 “Break” Your Boredom with Board 30-April 3

30-April 3

Spring Break Camp.

7am-6pm. Highland Kids Academy; 706221-5947

WEDNESDAY

Family Storytime (Ages 0-5). 10:30am. Columbus Library. 706-243-2813 (not 3/25)

30-April 3 Activ8 Spring Break

THURSDAY

Camp. 8am-5pm. Ages 4-14. CSU Turner Center; 706-507-8070

Get Your Game On. 3:30pm. South Columbus Library; 706-683-8805

Kidz Flicks: Spring Break Edition: “Dora & the Lost City of Gold.” 2pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

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LEGOS™ in the Library. 4:30pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

Weekly Events MONDAY

Little Naturalists. 9:30am. $5. Ages 3-6.

RSVP. Oxbow Meadows; 706-507-8550 (Not 3/30) At Home in Nature. 1pm. $7. Ages 6-10.

RSVP. Oxbow Meadows; 706-507-8550 (Not 3/30) Family Storytime. 10:30am. South Columbus Library; 706-683-8805 ASL: Silent Chat. 4pm. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782

FRIDAY

Music ‘n Motion. 10am & 11am. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813 (not 3/20)

SATURDAY

Michael’s Kids Club Meeting. 10am-Noon.

Ages 3+. See store for details.

Toddler Time. 10am-Noon. Launch Trampoline Park; launchcolumbus.com Saturday Storytime. 11am. Barnes & Noble, 5555 Whittlesey Blvd; 706-653-7880 Please call ahead to confirm 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

Tuesdays Kids Eat Free!

From 5-9pm with each adult entrée

Over 10 Kids Meals under $4 each!! (includes drink)

FREE ICE CREAM Because everyone deserves dessert!

All-natural

jasonsdeli.com

706-494-8857 • 5555 Whittlesey Blvd, Columbus • Hours: 10am-10pm

ingredients Diet Restriction Friendly Online Ordering Catering

Sleepy Teens?

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

HOO’s Healthy

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How You Can Help Your Kids Sleep Better A November 2019 study in the journal ‘Sleep’ found that most teens do not get the amount of sleep recommended by the American Association of Pediatrics (AAP) on a regular basis. They recommend 8–10 hours of sleep each night for teenagers 13 to 18 years old. This is not too different from the 9 to 12 hours recommended for kids 6–12 years old. Sleep deprivation can have serious impacts on your child’s quality of life, physical health and mental health. However, the good news is that even though kids are more autonomous during adolescence, the study found that parents can influence their teens to make healthy improvements to their sleep habits.

Why the struggle for adolescent sleep?

During puberty, hormone changes affect your child’s internal sleep clock, often referred to as the circadian rhythm, that determines when your child feels sleepy and when he wakes up. This change moves the time when your child starts to feel sleepy to an hour or two later in the evening and shifts his wake-up time up to two hours later in the morning. This adjustment means that even if your child is in bed on time, he may not be able to fall asleep right away.

As kids enter middle school and high school, the time each evening taken up by homework and after school activities may make it hard to go to bed on time. Also, it can be challenging for teens to ‘disconnect’ themselves from social media and their computer in the evening, and the exposure to the light from screens can inhibit the production of the sleep hormones. Consuming caffeine and feeling stressed may also make it hard for your teen to fall asleep.

What you can do to help your child sleep better • Evaluate your child’s schedule to see if he is over-committed and needs to adjust his schedule or if he just needs some • • •

guidance on managing his time better.

Set your expectations for when bedtime should be and don’t let your child stay up hours past his bedtime on the weekend.

Create a healthy sleep environment by using black-out shades to reduce light and keeping your child’s room free of TVs, computers and phones. The hour before his bedtime should be screen-free. Encourage him to read a book instead.

Help your child settle in for the night by spending time each evening as a family. Give your child a chance to discuss any concerns with you before going to bed.

Sleep disorders can affect kids too If your child rests well each night but still feels tired and sleep-deprived during the day, see your doctor to discuss potential sleep disorders such as: INSOMNIA: Having trouble falling asleep on a long-term basis may be a symptom of an underlying condition or a side effect of medication.

OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA: This condition causes pauses in breathing during sleep and can make it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep. Symptoms include snoring and mouth breathing while sleeping.

RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME: This sleep disorder causes leg discomfort after going to bed.

NARCOLEPSY: This rare sleep disorder usually first appears during the teenage years or young adulthood. Someone with narcolepsy may have trouble staying awake during the day and experience interrupted sleep at night. (See WHAT IS: Narcolepsy on page 7 for more) Resources: www.familyandkidsga.com/help-teens-sleep

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

Healthy Snacks for Kids

Joanne Cogle MS, owner of CrossFit CSG, local military spouse, mom, triathlete

Good nutritional habits established early in development, combined with adequate physical activity, can reduce the risk of obesity, chronic diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle. That being said, mom-life typically means being on the go, all of the time! Dropping kids off at school, picking kids up after school, shuttling kids off to sporting events, and then buzzing home for dinner. Food on the fly is hard. Almost as hard as 5th grade math.

What kids are eating on a daily basis has some parents concerned. The school cafeteria often serves pizza, burgers, tacos and other ‘fast’ food options with limited fruits and vegetables. So, what do we do to make sure that our kids are eating a well-balanced diet? In a perfect world we would be able to make our families breakfast, pack their lunches, make healthy after school snacks and cook a well-rounded dinner. But that’s not reality in today’s fast-paced world.

HOO’s Healthy The silver lining of being the kings and queens of multi-tasking is that we are able to plan ahead. Planning healthy snack options for your kids, and ones that are parent-friendly too, is as easy as planning out what is for dinner this week.

Before you go open Pinterest and try to muddle your way through some crafty snacks that are bound to leave you questioning your sanity, there are many options out there that are easy, quick and packable. Everyone has a different palate, but some fan favorites include mini RX bars, mini Larabars, apple pieces with nut butter, cheese sticks wrapped in deli meat, fruit, low sugar yogurt cups, popcorn, pretzels, and the list goes on.

It’s important to note that snacks with a balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are going to keep your child satisfied longer. So, prepare a variety to ensure you don’t hear, “I’m Hungry!” any sooner than need be.

Still stuck? For more snack ideas and healthy recipes that change month-to-month you can check out www.crossfitcsg.com/recipes

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

HOO’s HUNGRY

LUCKY CHARM

LEPRECHAUN BARK Sweet, Easy and What luck!

DIRECTIONS:

Line a 10 x 15 baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Add the dark cocoa candy melts to a double boiler pan, under low/medium heat. Stir occasionally until melted and smooth. Pour the melted chocolate on to the parchment-lined baking pan and smooth out evenly with a rubber spatula. Lay the rainbow pieces randomly on top of the bark, going different directions.

Add the mini marshmallows and green M&M’s candies on top. Lastly, sprinkle the multi-colored confetti and gold balls all over the chocolate. You will have to sprinkle rather quickly as the bark begins to harden within 5 minutes. Chill for 1 hour to allow the bark to completely harden. Once chilled, break into pieces and serve.

hAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

INGREDIENTS • gold ball sprinkles • multi-colored confetti sprinkles • 1/2 cup mint M&M’s candies • 1/2 cup mini marshmallows • 5-6 Air Heads Xtreme rainbow sour strips • 12 oz bag Wilton dark cocoa candy melts Courtesy of: classymommy.com

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

swing into spring Fresh styles for less.

Cash for clothes.

706.507.3737 | onceuponachildcolumbusga.com |

/onceuponachildcolumbusga

Dining Deals

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

for Kids

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

MONDAY Barberitos

Free kid’s meal with adult entrée

Sapo’s

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

Zaxby’s

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

Tuesday

The Chicken Lady’s COOP 5-8pm: Kids 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 kids’ meal for 12 and under with adult entrée

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

Ruby Tuesday

Thursday MOE’s Southwest Grill 5-9pm: Free kid’s meal per $5 minimum adult entrée

Captain D’s Kids’ meals .99 cents all day

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

sunday The Simple Greek Kids 12 & under get 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)

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

Bruster’s Ice Cream

TGI Friday’s

Kids under 40” get free baby cone

3-10pm: Kids under 13 eat free with adult entrée

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

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

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

McAlister’s Kids’ meals are $1.99 with dine-in order

Newk’s 4pm-close: free kid’s meal with adult meal (M-W)

O’Charley’s

Your Pie

Free kid’s meal per adult entrée for kids 10 & under

Kid’s meal $1.99 (pizza, drink & gelato) w/ adult meal

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.

Red Robin Kid’s meal $1.99 w/ adult meal for kids 11 and under

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

CARNIVAL OF THE ANIMALS

A family-friendly show of dance and music based on your favorite storybook characters!

Tuesday, March 17 | 7:30 PM FREE Kids Lobby Activities | 6:30 PM Arts & Crafts, Instrument Petting Zoo, Photobooth, Conduct the Orchestra, and more!

General Admission Adult $20 | Student $10 | Child $5

CSOGA.ORG | (706) 256-3612

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

HelloSPRING!

SPOT THE 10 DIFFERENCES

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

EDUCATION DIRECTORY To feature your school option, call Tammy 253-212-7270.

For a list of private schools, preschools, tutors and home school resources, visit familyandkidsga.com/cat/education Preparing young men to excel.

An all-boys prep school for advanced learning in math and science.

Pre-K through 3rd grade | Fall 2020 Limited spots available 10107 Veterans Pkwy, Midland, GA 31820 info@emanuelprep.com emanuelprep.com Call to schedule a private tour 706.327.1978

WHY BROOKSTONE? IT ALL STA RT S

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WWW.BROOKSTONESCHOOL.ORG

AT

KSTONE. OO BR

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

HOO’s learning Start Reading at Birth

by Lani Kimbrough, Chattahooche Valley Libraries

The path to building a lifelong reader starts at birth. Reading with young babies plays an important part in their language development. Plus, snuggling up with a book can also be relaxing for both you and your baby. Having your baby hear your voice while being held closely reassures them that they are safe and secure. Reading with your baby is also a good excuse to take a break from some of the more stressful demands of your day. Here are a few great books for babies available at Chattahoochee Valley Libraries: https://www.cvlga.org/

Newborns (0-3 months) need high contrast books for their developing brain and eyesight.

LOOK LOOK! BY PETER LINETHAL: High-contrast black-andwhite art for babies who are beginning to look and learn.

WHITE ON BLACK BY TANA HOBAN: White illustrations against a black background depict such objects as a horse, baby bottle, and sailboat.

Infants (4-6 months) will enjoy tactile books that encourage them to touch and feel PEEK-A-WHO BY NINA LADEN: Look through die-cut pages for a visual clue to complete a game of peek-a-boo.

THAT’S NOT MY PIRATE BY FIONA WATTS: The bright pictures, with their patches of different textures, are designed to develop sensory and language awareness.

Rhyming Books help babies 6-12 months develop language, memory and pre-reading skills BABY CAKES! BY KARMA WILSON: Presents a children’s board book that features a bedtime nursery rhyme.

TICKLE, TICKLE BY HELEN OXENBURY: Large colorful illustrations and simple, rhyming text depict a group of babies at playtime, bath time and bedtime.

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family EDUCATION/CARE GUIDE HOO’s INSPIRED

Local Schools FOCUS on

Emotional Intelligence In 2014, Muscogee County School District received funding from Project AWARE. Project AWARE is a grant to help build systems for school-based mental health support services. With this funding, MCSD has implemented different positive behavioral interventions and supports services (PBIS) to increase social and emotional learning (SEL).

Social and emotional learning is a process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships and make responsible decisions. Each school is given the PBIS framework to create their own social and emotional learning program that fits the needs of their students.

HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF PROGRAMS LOCAL SCHOOLS HAVE IMPLEMENTED TO ENCOURAGE SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING:

Second Steps Curriculum MCSD offers a few different curriculums to teach SEL. One of these curriculums is Second Steps. At the beginning of each day during their morning meeting, students receive a lesson on social emotional learning. Each week, a different topic is chosen. For example, one lesson may be around conflict resolution. “So, the Monday meeting we might teach 3 steps to resolve a conflict peacefully. Then, the rest of the week, we will talk about those steps and how to use them; maybe play a game, have a conversation,” explains Kenya Gilmore, Director, Prevention and Intervention Support Services at Muscogee County School District.

Data Based Decision Making Each month, school administration looks at the referrals issued to students for negative behaviors. These referrals are grouped by grade, gender, actions, etc. If a trend is noticed, students are retaught a certain lesson in the social emotional curriculum. For example, if numerous 7th graders received consequences on bullying, the entire bullying lesson would be retaught to that grade.

Check in/Check out Another feature many schools have built into their PBIS framework is check in/check out. Students who struggle with attendance, multiple referrals, grade issues or are just in need of extra support are eligible for this program. They are assigned a mentor to meet with at the beginning of each day. Throughout the day they must have their sheet signed by their teacher to track certain goals and behaviors. At the end of each day, the student follows up with their mentor and receives positive reinforcement if the goals are met.

After some time, once an improvement is seen, students are phased out of this program. Some students, though, only thrive with the extra support.

Yoga

At St. Mary’s Magnet Academy, Vice Principal Zara Williams has introduced yoga to a small group of students as part of her PBIS framework. She uses yoga as a tool to help students self-regulate, become more in control of their mindset and effectively manage the obstacles faced in their lives.

As of this year, every school in MCSD is participating in PBIS at some capacity. Some schools are at a distinguished level while others are still in the early phases. Schools have noticed by establishing positive, safe, caring and interactive learning environments, their students are developing better relationships with staff. With the stronger relationship, students can trust and feel safe in their environment. Additionally, the support given to students’ emotional needs is improving their development of appropriate social skills and reducing referrals for inappropriate behavior.

FOR MORE INFO ON IMPLEMENTING SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD, VISIT: MCSD.CONNECTWITHKIDS.COM

TUTORING GUIDE www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

The Kumon Math and Reading Program helps your kids reach their potential!

Schedule an orientation to see how Kumon can benefit your kids and get FREE Registration!* Kumon Math and Reading Center of Columus - North kumon.com/columbus-north

Learning through physical activity & Sports

Math & Reading Tutoring & Enrichment

Ages

3-11 free academic assessment

706.257.6963 Bridging The Gap for Learning and Opportunity

* Enroll between 2/1/20 and 3/15/20. Most Kumon Centers are independently owned and operated. Additional fees may apply. See Center for applicable terms and conditions. © 2020 Kumon North America, Inc. All rights reserved.

Sign up Online btglearning.com (762) 208-5048

We Make Math Make Sense This Is Their Year.

Are They Ready?

Give them the Mathnasium advantage This school year, your child is taking on new subjects and exploring new ways to unlock their potential.

The Mathnasium Method™ gives them the solid math and critical thinking skills they need for their classes, test prep, graduation, and beyond. With over 1,000 learning centers worldwide, we’re the authority in math education. Our expert instructors help students develop good habits so they can succeed in high school and college, thrive in their careers, and take on the world!

Contact us today to schedule a risk-free assessment.

Mathnasium of Columbus Bradley Park www.mathnasium.com/columbusbradleypark (706) 322-4244• 6501 Whitesville Road #100, Columbus, GA 31904

Changing Lives Through Math.™

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

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COME & enjoy the Stories you'll hear

NOWHERE

else!

1002 VICTORY DRIVE • COLUMBUS, GA 31901 WWW.PORTCOLUMBUS.ORG

HOO’s CRAFTY

RA I N DRO P SUN CATCHER These make a great rainy day activity! Use this idea to build fine motor skills and to create!

DIRECTIONS Peel the blue crayons, then sharpen. I had my kids sharpen the crayons right on top of a large sheet of waxed paper. As we sharpened, we spread the shavings around to take up space on the waxed paper. We used a large sheet of waxed pa per for my kids to work on together, but you may want to use smaller, individual pieces for each child. After the shavings have been collected and spread evenly across the paper, cut another sheet of paper equal in size to lay on top of the shavings. Use an iron on the lowest setting to iron directly on top of the waxed paper and melt the crayon shavings. It only takes a quick swipe of the iron to do this. The wax immediately melts and cools rather quickly. Then draw raindrop shapes on the paper and cut them out. Use a hole puncher and embroidery floss to string them up in windows for display!

SUPPLIES BLUE CRAYONS PENCIL OR CRAYON SHARPENER WAX PAPER IRON SCISSORS

Courtesy of pre-kpages.com

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

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HOO’s CUTE

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

Yashvika, 3 years Columbus

Liam, 1 year Phenix City

Alexander, 1 year Columbus

PYTHON TEAM PLACEMENTS

ALLSTAR MAY 8 & 9 TH

TH

& TUMBLING

UNITEDCHEERLEADING.com

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

Ear, Nose, & Throat Specialists Schedule your appointment today!

(706) 507-2307

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

You’re invited to...

4 0 0 4 th S t r e e t • C o l u m b u s , G A 3 1 9 0 1

*Doors open at 9am

This is a FREE event!

cascadehills.com

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Today is full of possibilities.

For more than 70 years, St. Francis has been at the heart of care for Columbus. Today, we begin the next chapter of care for our community. Embracing new possibilities together. Our combined legacies of compassionate, quality care means we are positioned better than ever before to make our communities healthier. We are St. Francis – Emory Healthcare.

MyStFrancis.com