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April â&#x20AC;˘ May 2014

private schools learning on all levels

infertility

three moms tell their stories

for local moms ... by local momsÂŽ

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Each Primrose School is a privately owned and operated franchise. Primrose Schools and The Leader in Educational Child Care are trademarks of Primrose School Franchising Company. ©2014 Primrose School Franchising Company. All rights reserved.

We accept Medicaid Parents can accompany their child in treatment rooms

CREATING CONFIDENT SMILES! Together with their friendly, caring staff, they have created a fun and inviting atmosphere where your kids are encouraged to feel relaxed and have fun. Proper dental care is an integral part of your child’s overall healthcare, but that doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy the experience!

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features Start Young to Teach Your Kids How to Manage Money . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 By Renee Roberson New book by Dave Ramsey and his daughter Rachel Cruze helps both parents and children become fiscally responsible.

contents departments 10

Book Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 By Barbara Cantisano

Is Reading a Chore for Your Child? . . . .12

Ask the Therapist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

By Beth Smith Local children’s author shares tips for helping emerging readers.

By Leslie Petruk, MA, LPC, NCC, BCC Have questions about choosing the right school for your child? Consider these factors.

Paving the Way for Private School . . . . .14

Little Ones Loves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

A snapshot of some of the area’s best and brightest private schools.

A peek at must-have fashion and products.

The Making of Champions . . . . . . . . . . .20 By Holly Becker Local training facility helps children with special needs achieve their fitness goals.

A Walk to Remember . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Fit Fun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Check out this handy list of smart snacks for sports and a peek at races all over the city.

Carolina Cuties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 Starring local little ones, as themselves . . .

By Renee Roberson This year’s 2014 March for Babies Ambassador shares the story of her children’s premature births and her road to advocacy.

Take the Screen-Free Challenge . . . . . .28 By Sara Kendall Screen-Free Week enables parents to unplug, refocus, reconnect and live more creative lives.

Boost Your Brain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 By Erin Morris Find how physical activity really does affect how you learn.

Against All Odds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 By Renee Roberson Three families share their emotional journeys with infertility.

A Pedestrian Oasis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

Mom Jackie loves spending time with Skyler and Zoey, especially if it involves singing, riding bikes and time in the pool! They also enjoy taking long, leisurely Saturday drives with Dad . . . they never know where they'll end up and it suits them all perfectly fine.

By Annette Privette Keller See why Matthews earned recognition as one of “Top Ten Suburban Cities in America.”

Photo by Amanda James Photography

Earth Day Spotlight: Charlotte Works to Preserve its “City of Trees.” . . . . . . . . . . .38 By Renee Roberson Find out how TreesCharlotte plans to replenish the city’s natural tree canopy.

cover:

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Volume 9: Issue 42

renee & kerrie

Publisher

Sharon Simpson

Sales Executive Now that my children are a little older, I like to joke that the way they both came into the world perfectly matches their personalities. My daughter is very laid back, bubbly and very rarely rushes anywhere. She came into the world very slowly, two days after her due date and after a 24-hour labor that required surgery. I remember that she didn’t make a peep after delivery—she just sort of looked around and checked out her surroundings. My husband still claims to this day that she actually opened her tiny little mouth and said something that sounded like “hi,” but because I was pretty groggy at the time, I have no recollection of that happening. My son, on the other hand, has a hard time sitting still and never likes to be late to anything important. While he loves his sleep, he’s been known to awaken before dawn on days when he has a special event, like a basketball game or birthday party to attend. He’s also very persistent—once he gets his mind set on doing something he doesn’t let it go until he’s accomplished it. So looking back on his birth, it doesn’t surprise me that he decided he was ready to make his appearance two days before his scheduled c-section, and my labor progressed so quickly that I barely made it to the hospital before he was born. One of the things I’m most grateful for in my life is that I was able to conceive both my children very easily and carry them full-term with no life-threatening complications. For many families, this isn’t often the case. For this year’s March of Dimes Ambassador Sharon Thorsland (page 26), whose twin babies were born at 26 weeks after she had to have emergency reparative surgery on her ankle, nothing went as planned. She credits the amazing resources provided by the March of Dimes for guiding her and her husband through the most difficult time of their lives, and as she watches those twins thriving today, she’s happy to give back in any way she can. Other women struggle with conceiving their children and and ride the roller coaster of emotions that come with infertility. In honor of Mother’s Day, you won’t want to miss the stories of the families we interviewed on page 34 and their joyful outcomes. If you’re like many area parents, this is the time of year when planning for your child’s educational needs is probably in the forefront of your mind. We’ve put together a great issue packed with information on local private schools, kindergarten readiness, reading tips, teaching your kids about saving and spending money responsibly, how exercise affects learning, and much more. There’s truly something for everyone here. Happy Spring!

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Beth Packard

Sales Executive

April Rozzelle-Woolford

Sales Executive

Trisha Robinson

Sales Executive

Taylor Buckley

Social Media Director

Michele Chastain mac21268@yahoo.com Contributing Photographers

Photography by Chanda Amanda James Photography Contributing Writers Holly Becker Barbara Cantisano Annette Privette Keller Sara Kendall Erin Morris Leslie Petruk, MA, LPC, NCC, BCC Beth Smith Kiran Dodeja Smith Contact Us:

p: 704.677.9159 | f: 1.888.887.1431 P.O. Box 1676 Cornelius, NC 28031 www.littleonesmagazine.com info@littleonesmagazine.com Copyright 2013 by MediaAdventure, LLC Little Ones Magazine is published six times per year. Little Ones Magazine cannot assume responsibility of statements made by advertisers. In addition, though editorial pieces are heavily researched, Little Ones Magazine cannot guarantee their accuracy. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in whole or part without express written permission from the publisher.

TREATING PEOPLE WELL IS WHERE WE EXCEL

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book corner

getting ready for kindergarten By Barbara Cantisano, Early Literacy Coordinator

tarting Kindergarten is an exciting time in a family’s life! For many children it represents becoming a “big boy or girl,” riding the school bus, and getting a new backpack. For others, it can bring anxiety and fear. Children may not know what to expect on the first day or be ready for the transition. School readiness includes children knowing numbers, colors, the alphabet, and being able to write their names. However, there is a lot more that children are expected to be able to do by the time they are 5 years old. According to the report from the National School Readiness Indicators Initiative (http://www.gettingready.org/), school readiness encompasses five domains: language development and literacy, cognition and general knowledge, approaches towards learning, physical well-being and motor development, and social and emotional development. Each domain can serve as a guide for families. Language development & literacy refers to a child’s ability to communicate (both speak and listen), as well as components of emergent or early literacy, like vocabulary. Reading to children every day, pointing out the letters on street signs, and even asking children to put apples in a bag at the grocery store, will help develop vocabulary, print awareness, and narrative skills. By being excited about children learning and sharing their curiosity for life, parents are helping children develop positive approaches towards learning. Talking to children about everyday things, (such as discussing the shape of the clouds in the sky) will help them develop curiosity and enthusiasm. Playing is a great way to help children develop their cognition and general

knowledge, since play is a child’s work! When families play “store” or “restaurant,” parents are helping children discover ways to solve problems and use their imagination to develop abstract thoughts. These are all important parts of a child’s general knowledge. At a time when technology is everywhere, parents should remember that the best way to develop children’s physical and motor development is by riding tricycles, playing outdoors, and holding notebooks and pencils. Fine motor skills used to hold a pencil are still necessary today, so writing with triangular crayons or jumbo chalk is a great first-step to help establish prewriting skills. Practicing with zippers, buttons, and using scissors will make those first days in Kindergarten easier for students and teachers too! In the social and emotional department, parents can help develop children’s self-regulation and their own perceptions of themselves by encouraging them to spend time with other children. Participating in storytime at your local library and organizing playdates with friends, will help children understand other people’s feelings as well as their own. Finally, take advantage of all the resources that Charlotte Mecklenburg Library can offer, such as our GetSet4K web site http://www.cmlibrary.org/ kids/getset4k/ as well as the multiple books and CDs. Also, attend open houses and other activities available at the school. Different schools have different expectations so it is wise to find out what your school expects of children on the first day of class. Remember that getting children ready for Kindergarten is just the beginning. Children do better in school when their parents are involved in their education and communicate with teachers. Parents should participate in school

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activities and continue reading with their children well into the upper elementary grades. As your family is getting ready for Kindergarten, check out these books and resources online or at your nearest Charlotte Mecklenburg Library location. The staff is looking forward to assisting you with resources on your next visit. Ready, Set, Go! Making the Move to Kindergarten by Child Care Resources (DVD) Off to Kindergarten by Tony Johnston (2007) The Best Thing About Kindergarten by Jennifer Lloyd (2013)

The Twelve Days of Kindergarten : a counting book by Deborah Lee Rose (2003) Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten? by Audrey Vernick (2010) Mom, It’s My First Day of Kindergarten! by Hyewon Yum (2012)

North Carolina Foundations for Early Learning and Development http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/docs/ earlylearning/2013foundations.pdf PBS http://www.pbs.org/ wholechild/parents/

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book review

start young to teach your kids how to manage money By Renee Roberson

Smart Money Smart Kids teaches parents how to raise money-smart kids ne of the hardest things for me as a parent is teaching my kids the value of hard work and money management. I’ll admit I’ve never been consistent about keeping a regular schedule of household chores and an allowance schedule. We often fall into cycles where they’ll spend a week being extra helpful if they are saving money to buy something and then it all falls by the wayside once the item is purchased. Because of this, I was excited to receive an advance copy of the book Smart Money Smart Kids: Raising the Next Generation to win with Money by Dave Ramsey and his daughter Rachel Cruze.

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About the authors: Dave Ramsey is the New York Times bestselling author and nationally syndicated radio talk show host who has built a career out of helping people become debt-free through his Financial Peace University. Rachel Cruze uses the knowledge and experiences from growing up in the Ramsey household to educate America’s students and young adults the proper ways to handle money and stay out of debt. About the book: The book covers a variety of topics, including working, spending and saving, budgeting, teaching children about debt and saving for college. What I liked about the book is how both Ramsey and Cruze each shared their own perspectives and anecdotes from their personal experiences related to each chapter. For example, Cruze gives some background on what it was like growing up in the Ramsey house-

hold when her parents were still working to get themselves out of debt and her father was still struggling day and night to bring in enough money. She and her siblings wore hand-me-down clothes and mostly ate at “Sharon’s Kitchen,” which is what Ramsey affectionately called his wife’s cooking. But even as Ramsey’s business became more successful, he and his wife worked hard to teach their children responsibility, accountability, and the value of money. Smart Money Smart Kids is a good read for parents of young children all the way to the young adult years. You’ll find a list of good age-appropriate chores children can take ownership of and suggestions on the best ways to compensate for it. I personally like their idea of using envelopes with your children—each child gets an envelope labeled “spend,” “give,” and “save,” and all money the children receive must be divided between those larger envelopes. You’ll find suggestions on the best ways to introduce your children to service learning as well. Another idea I found interesting

was encouraging children in high school and older to save up their own $500 emergency fund, not for healthrelated emergencies, illnesses or other major accidents, but for the “smaller” emergencies that tend to pop up, especially in today’s society of tablets, phones, computers, etc. For example, a cracked phone might be an expense a family isn’t ready to cover, but if a child has an emergency fund to help offset the expense, it can encourage your child to become a more responsible and competent young adult. Smart Money Smart Kids also examines different family types and guides parents in blended families, adoptive families, single-parent families, etc. on how to work through the different financial scenarios involved. The book could also be considered inspirational as the Financial Peace University is based on biblical principles and many of those are mentioned throughout the book. The authors also include information on debt and budgeting geared specifically for adults, including advice on avoiding consumer credit debt, debt myths and mortgage mistakes.

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is reading a chore for your child? Try these confidence-building tips at home

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Ten Tips to Help Your Struggling Boy Reader at Home 1. Find appropriate books. The best way to learn to read is through reading! Search everywhere for easy and predictable books that your son will enjoy reading. Scour the Internet. Get suggestions from librarians and bookstore employees. Ask friends. Do everything you can to avoid books children will consider too “babyish.”

2. Use rich vocabulary in your book discussions. Because your child is an emergent reader, he isn’t getting the vocabulary enrichment that his peers are getting through their reading. That has to come from conversation, so be deliberate in your word choices.

3. Don’t discourage “pretend reading.” hen teacher Beth Smith’s son was struggling to read, she was frustrated at the lack of books on the shelves that he would be interested in reading, a situation many parents of boys often find themselves in. “Boys at the age of seven and eight who are struggling to read want to be able to read what their friends are reading: Captain Underpants, or Diary of A Wimpy Kid. But they don’t yet have the skills,” Smith says. Smith has since formed Zip Line Publishing to produce the types of books that boys want: gross humor and funny illustrations, but with words and patterns that will help them become better readers. She released her first book, Alien Dude and the Attack of Wormzilla in January of this year. Smith is also sharing this useful list for parents who want to help out at home and build their child’s confidence in his reading abilities.

This will provide your son with practice in retelling. It will also give him the opportunity to “read” successfully in front of you.

Explain what your son can and cannot do, so they won’t embarrass him by asking him to read out loud or write on the board. That could be devastating.

5. Assist your child with technology. Help them with mailing and texting family members back and forth. This is a great motivator for reading and writing.

6. Read aloud often. Literary language is different than speech. Your child needs the exposure that he isn’t getting from his independent reading. Find free readalouds online. Skype with grandparents who love to read.

7. Share the reading homework. Reading at the emergent and beginning levels can be exhausting. Try this instead: With a harder book, point to each word as you read while your son follows along. After every few words, stop reading, and point to the next word for your son to read. By doing this, he will follow along with his eyes, ears and mind, anticipating words as they appear. This is a great strategy for learning sight words.

8. Limit non-academic screen time. Set the computer to go off after an hour or two of use, then you don’t have to be the bad guy and pull him away.

9. Surround your child with words. Use books, magazines, comics, Pokemon cards, notes, calendars, greeting cards, lists, diagrams, and instructions. Go to the library often. Hang out in bookstores. Make your own books. Write lists together. Post chores on the refrigerator and review them often.

10. Boost your son’s confidence!

Book publisher, author, mom and fan of boy humor, Beth Smith

Make sure that he “overhears” you saying positive things about him to others.

4. Talk to scout leaders, Sunday school teachers, and other advisors.

For more information, visit www.zipintoreading.com.

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Cannon School

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Private School aking educational decisions for our children is one of the hardest things we have to face as parents. What might be right for one family might not necessarily be right for another. From early childhood to the teen years, there are many reasons parents choose to focus on the private school path. Private schools are diverse and offer a wealth of educational opportunities and styles for you to explore. For more advice on choosing the best private school for your family, see Leslie Petruk’s article “Public School vs. Private School” on page 22. Private school education continues to be a popular choice in the Greater Charlotte area. According to the North Carolina Division of NonPublic Education, approximately 22,134 students attended private schools in the Charlotte area in the 2012-2013 term. There are many things to consider when selecting a private school, including tuition, teacher to student ratios, extracurricular activities, afterschool care, school location and the ability to accommodate children who are both academically gifted or have special needs. We’ve gathered a snapshot of some of Charlotte’s best and brightest private schools on the following pages.

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Established in 1969, Cannon School is a junior kindergarten through grade 12 independent college preparatory school that attracts students from the greater Charlotte, Cabarrus County, Lake Norman, and Davidson areas. More than 900 students and 100 fulltime faculty members make up our learning community. At Cannon, you will hear our teachers, coaches, students, and parents talking about our educational philosophy—adaptive expertise. As a community, it is the way we teach and learn. Adaptive expertise combines habits of mind and habits of spirit to provide our students with a strategy to know themselves, seek truth, communicate, and relate with others. Just as adaptive expertise defines how we teach and learn, our core values of courage, teamwork, respect, integrity, passion, and kindness inform how we create a safe, supportive, and stimulating environment for students at every grade level. “Go Beyond,” our school motto, articulates our enduring pursuit of excellence and lifelong learning. The Cannon School community instills academic excellence and personal responsibility, inspires athletic and artistic accomplishment, and promotes a respect for diversity within a challenging and safe educational environment. The best way to learn more about Cannon is to visit our campus. Stop by any Wednesday between 9:00 a.m. and noon—no appointment needed. For more information, visit www.cannonschool.org or call 704.721.7199.

Charlotte Christian School Established in 1950, Charlotte Christian School is a Christ-centered, college preparatory, independent, nondenominational school serving students in grades JK-12. Our vision for students includes the integration of a Biblical worldview into our curriculum where character, values and essential life skills are emphasized and modeled by a professional and dedicated faculty. This Christian philosophy of education is at the core of all areas of study. A rigorous academic program is offered including strong co-curricular offerings with successful athletic and fine arts programs. As a Christ-centered school, students are taught how to integrate Biblical truth and learning into their daily lives to impact the culture for Christ. “At Charlotte Christian, we recognize that a parent’s decision for their child’s education is of paramount importance. Thus we earnestly seek to partner with parents to instill in our students the belief that ‘All truth is God’s truth’ which is foundational for a biblical worldview. Students at Charlotte Christian spend their academic, athletic, and fine arts time with committed, caring, and passionate faculty members and coaches. We offer a rigorous curriculum that integrates biblical truth and prepares students for institutions of higher learning and life beyond,” says Head of School Barry Giller. For more information, please visit www.charlottechristian.com or call the Charlotte Christian School admissions office at 704.366.5657, ext. 6510.

Charlotte United Christian Academy In 2009, two of Charlotte's oldest and most respected Christian schools (Resurrection Christian School and Garr Christian Academy) joined forces to become Charlotte United Christian Academy (C.U.C.A.) The result is an educational facility that provides an environment where children ages 3 months through 12th grade feel loved, valued and connected while expanding their horizons. The preschool, lower school, middle and high school all boast small ratios led by qualified teachers who provide a rich spiritual inheritance along with a strong college preparatory program. C.U.C.A. is also very well known in the community for its outstanding Exceptional Student Program. In our efforts to “truly leave no child behind,” we have observed a growing need in our community (and our world) to serve children with special needs, by providing differentiated instruction in the regular education classroom. This instruction is supervised by a special education teacher in conjunction with the regular classroom teacher, and is supplemented with extra paraprofessional staff. This program is designed to create an atmosphere suitable for a wide range of learning styles, from IEP programs to honors level classes that will meet each student at his/her educational level. To find out more about C.U.C.A. or their ESE program within, please visit www.cucawarriors.com or call 704.537.0331.

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COVENANT CLASSICAL SCHOOL

At Covenant Classical School, the mission is to provide an education of excellence, biblically based and classically taught, that will lead students to know and love God, develop strong minds and character, and arise as leaders and agents of cultural change. Founded in 1996, Covenant Classical School is an independent coeducational day school, dedicated to providing a Christian and classical liberal arts education to boys and girls in K4-12th grade. At CCS, the curriculum is based upon the classical “trivium” (or three paths). Simply stated, the means of grammar- to read well, the means of logic- to think well, and the means of rhetoric- to speak and write well, are the goals for students as they mature developmentally and cognitively. Covenant Classical School students score well above average in standardized achievement tests. Graduates are educated

SUMMER PLANS? SUMMER PROGRAMS! AGES 3 AND UP

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Open House Join Us! Confident Independent Thinking

◀ Speaking Spanish Compassionate Heart

◀

He is becoming a critical thinker and an enthusiastic problem solver

April 15, 2014 April 16, 2014

Age 2 to 6th Grade 7th to 12th Grade

9 a.m. 9 a.m.

and prepared for collegiate success, and are equipped to make a contribution to the world. For more information, visit www.covenantclassical.org.

Davidson Day School

Davidson Day School was founded in 1999 as an independent school of excellence for Lake Norman area families. Conveniently located at Exit 30 off I-77, the school serves students from preschool through grade 12. Guided by our Mission Statement, DDS cultivates academic excellence through collaboration, creativity, and character development, preparing students for success throughout their entire lives, not just in college. Due to our small class size, average class size is 14.7 students. Throughout the school students and teachers know one another well and develop positive, lifelong relationships. The world-class education also includes championship sports teams, outstanding arts programs, clubs, service learning opportunities and a Belize archaeology research campus. Our Early Childhood program, which starts at age 2, offers both traditional and Montessori classrooms. In addition, all Early Childhood students take French, Spanish, art, music, technology and physical education classes weekly. Schedule your personal admission tour by calling 702.237.5229 or emailing admissions@davidsonday.org.

Davidson Green School

Davidson Green School is the Charlotte area’s premier “green” school serving Kindergarten through 5th grade. Davidson Green School will prepare the next generation of leaders and citizens by developing 21st century skills in the context of environmental stewardship. The education program at DGS focuses on social equity, economics, culture and political structure, emphasizing core skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects. Beyond core academics, DGS fosters the skills to be an independent, creative, and responsible thinker, to care for the school, community and planet, to create and execute original plans, to lead with respect, to work collaboratively on a team, to problem solve with ingenuity and vision, and to promote a green future and economy. Through regular opportunities to execute creative thinking and original ideas, students learn selfefficacy, and increase their self-awareness and confidence. To learn more, visit www.davidsongreenschool.org or contact Jennifer Jakubecy, Head of School, at Jennifer@davidsongreenschool.org.

Gaston Christian School

Gaston Christian School was founded in 1979, by a group of parents who wanted to establish a nondenominational Christian school that offered a college-preparatory program taught from a Biblical perspective. The school opened its doors in 1980, in 16

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Private Christian

EXCITING NEW BUILDING PROJECT UNDER WAY

NOW ENROLLING TK-9TH GRADE

NOW ENROLLING BIRTH-5 YEARS.

GRADE ADDED EACH YEAR UNTIL THROUGH 12TH

5 STAR preschool distinction. Offering before and after school care.

5K RUN

Hands on lessons, proven curriculums and supportive educators

/ KID S’

TO REGISTER FOR THE 5K VISIT: www.queencitytiming.com - click “events”

MOUNTAIN ISLAND DAY SCHOOL

CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER

704.391.5516 www.midschool.org

704-392-5530 www.earlybeginningscdc.com

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Charlotte C Charlotte Catholic atholic High High School Schooll Christ Christ the King King C Catholic ath holic High High S School chool St. Gabriel Gabriel Catholic Catholic School School Holy Holy Trinity Trinity Catholic Catholic M Middle iddle School School St. St. Ann Ann C Catholic atholic School School St. St. St. Patrick Patrick Catholic Cath holic School School St. St. M Mark ark Catholic Catholic School School St. St. Matthew Matthew C Catholic atholic School Schoo ol Our Our Lady of the Assumption Assumption Catholic Catholic School Schoo ol www.littleonesmagazine.com | for local moms ... by local moms

The first day of school is

the start of their future. utur Our kindergarten is designed ned for educational success.. When your child is diagnosed with any type of ADHD or learning difference, e, we are the place to start. Our Foundational dational Kindergarten is a bridge between kindergarten and first grade, de, providing the time to develop fundamental skills for success in school, hool, in developmentally appropriate settings. Our focus on children with learning differences can open a world of opportunities beyond their imagination. nation.

ENROLLING NOW FOR KINDERGARTEN FOR MORE INFORMATION, RMATION, CONTACT: Portia Eley at 704-365-54 704-365-5490 90 or peley@johncroslandschool.org

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DISCOVER Gaston Christian School! Join us for our Open House Tuesday, April 29th at 7:00pm 3 yr. preschool - 12th grade RSVP to 704-824-4128

www.gastonchristian.org 18

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facilities provided by Parkwood Baptist Church, with 105 students in grades K-9. In 1991, Catawba Heights Baptist Church invited the school to open a satellite campus using their educational facilities. In 1994, the school entered into an agreement with the Sisters of Mercy to lease a portion of the old Sacred Heart College campus in Belmont to house the middle/ senior high schools. In August of 2006, the school's two elementary campuses moved to the new elementary building located on its current campus. Today, there are more than 850 students in the PK3 - grade 12 program on the school's 58-acre campus. For more information, www.gastonchristian.org.

The John Crosland School

The John Crosland School provides students in grades K-12, who have specific attention and learning differences, the individualized education to achieve their highest potential. The school creates an environment that nurtures and protects what we value most in our children: their curiosity, talents, character, humanity, and dreams. Our vision for Crosland is to strive to be innovators in the attention and learning disabilities fields. Crosland develops students to be creative and ethical self-advocates who add value to our community. In addition to a foundation of strong traditional academics, Crosland offers a unique program focusing on the needs of the whole child including the arts, music, technology, and athletics. An impressive student-teacher ratio of approximately 7:1, and maximum class size of 12 ensure that each student receives individualized attention. The John Crosland School offers a premier Foundational Kindergarten program that focuses on building emergent reading, early-literacy and early-mathematical competencies in an environment that fosters social development and communication skills based on NC Standard Course of Study and NAEYC Standards; through an intense college preparatory program that prepares students for life beyond graduation. Come take a look inside the special place called The John Crosland School by calling 704.365.5490 or emailing peley@johncroslandschool.org.

Mountain Island Day School Since opening as a private Christian preschool in 2005 (Early Beginnings CDC), Mountain Island Day has seen tremendous growth, adding students and grades each year to encompass birth through 9th grade for 2014-2015. A grade level will be added each year until it goes through 12th. Due to its talented staff and wonderful families, MID is now a candidate for SACS accreditation (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) and is entering a building project to provide renovations and new facilities to meet the needs of our growing community. MID’s goal is to aid families in bringing up their children in a way that nurtures them spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally all within a Christian atmosphere. Students at MID are not only learning in a class but living in a community—a community that includes the family as well as the child. The school is located in the heart of the Mountain Island area on a 14-acre site, and offers opportunities for soccer, basketball, tennis, gardening, choir and many extracurricular clubs. Find out more about Mountain Island Day School by visiting www.midschool.org or by calling 704.391.5516. (For preschool, www.earlybeginningscdc.com).

Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools

Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools (MACS) offer an environment of strong academics where 100 percent of the high school students graduate and 99 percent go on to higher education. In addition, our elementary and middle school students consistently score well above the national and local averages on standardized tests. These results are important, but what has made Catholic schools a viable alternative in Charlotte for more than 80 years is the moral and spiritual elements that are a part of every facet of the schools. Our schools focus on strong Catholic values and traditions, and make these values and traditions part of every school day from prayer life to behavioral expectations. Respect for ones self as well as others is an important aspect of a Catholic education and students experience the discipline necessary to develop respect for teachers and other

Inspired Learning ... Naturally

Serving TK through 5th Grade Upcoming April/May Information Sessions: Tues. April 8th 6:30 pm • Thurs. May 1st 6:30 pm Wed. May 28th 6:30 pm Preparing the next generation of leaders and citizens by developing 21st century skills in the context of environmental stewardship. 511 South Main Street • Davidson, NC 28036

704-892-0091 To learn more visit: www.davidsongreenschool.org www.littleonesmagazine.com | for local moms ... by local moms

students, as well as for themselves. MACS is comprised of six elementary schools, two that also have a middle school on its campus, as well as a middle school and two high schools. For admission information call 704.370.3273 or visit our web site at www.charlottediocese.org/macs.

Providence Day School Lower School

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The Lower School at Providence Day is a dynamic learning community comprised of Transitional Kindergarten through grade five. The Lower School experience is predicated on the belief that relationships serve as the foundation of every child’s life and learning experience. Student connections are fostered throughout the school. A sense of community establishes a caring learning environment. In a connected and caring community, the magic of learning begins. The Lower School philosophy for learning is predicated upon the importance of fostering social development and responsibility, creating awareness of personal strengths of others and ourselves, and recognizing and striving to meet the needs of others on a local, national, and international level. Our global curriculum is an exciting component woven throughout the Lower School learning experience. This program is enhanced by our innovative World Language studies program. Students are exposed to French, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese during their earliest years. Prior to entering second grade, one language of study is selected for the remaining three years of Lower School. Our ultimate goal is to develop great global citizens through exposure to diverse cultures, collaborative learning experience, and creative project work such as STEM through a differentiated instructional approach. For more information, visit www.providenceday.org.

Woodlawn School

At the heart of everything Woodlawn School has to offer is its mission statement: To produce independent lifelong learners who are responsible, contributing members of a diverse global society. Located one mile north of Davidson College, Woodlawn is an independent, non-profit school serving students in grades K-12. Woodlawn offers a unique, challenging, integrated academic experience. Students are engaged in a project-based curriculum where content from different subject areas is often linked around common themes. This type of learning environment better simulates our integrated world as students make connections among disciplines and gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter by using it in real world contexts. Students are encouraged to experiment, take intellectual risks, and explore topics and ideas in depth. After being engaged in this integrated style of learning, Woodlawn graduates emerge well prepared for some of the most selective colleges in the nation. Woodlawn alumni currently attend schools such as Princeton, Yale, Williams, Middlebury, Bowdoin, and Rice. Come explore our beautiful 60-acre campus and visit www.woodlawnschool.org for more information.

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By Holly Becker

Training classes help special needs children achieve fitness goals

reg O’Connor believes every child can be a champion regardless of ability. The owner of Champions Sports Performance and Training Facility in Cornelius, O’Connor launched the “Angels in Need” class at his fitness facility to help special needs children achieve their training goals. “I want to empower every kid and meet the needs of as many kids as possible on all ability levels,” says O’Connor. The free one-hour classes are offered Saturday mornings at 9 a.m. About four to 10 children, many falling under the high-functioning autism spectrum, participate every week. Currently participants range in age from 9 to 14 years, and parents are invited to join in the activities with their children. Like other youth classes, the “Angels in Need” class features a warm-up, running, jumping, drills in various disciplines of movement and a relay race at the end. “It doesn’t matter how you can run as long as you are moving,” says O’Connor. He says the classes are as much about building confidence as it is about building speed. “If they can run better, they will feel better about themselves. I want them to make progress,” says O’Connor. A few students have even graduated and moved on to the Parisi Speed School, which is a more advanced training class within Champion Sports Performance. Parents say the class benefits their specials needs children because they can work out at their own pace and have a chance to be part of a team. Jenny Waldeck’s son, Brannen, 9, was born with cerebral palsy, which affects the physical function of his legs. He began the “Angels in Need” program at age 7 and has become faster and more controlled at running. He’s also experienced a boost in his self-esteem. “Greg focused exercises on not only helping to strengthen the weak points of Brannen’s legs but also allowing him to strut his stuff with his already strong upper body. Brannen had compensated with his upper body for years and is unusually strong, but Greg seemed to intuitively know that allowing him to show what he could do would help him feel better about himself,” says Waldeck. O’Connor credits his father for instilling a love for training and raising him to “root for the underdog.” “When my dad was 15, he contracted polio in his legs, and his whole life he has trained. He never let his handicap stop him,” he says. For more information visit www.championssportsperformance.com. Holly Becker is a freelance writer in Cornelius and the busy mother of three children. www.littleonesmagazine.com | for local moms ... by local moms

ask the therapist

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By Leslie Petruk, MA, LPC, NCC, BCC

he great debate on public school versus private school is one in which most have very strong opinions and beliefs. It’s a topic of conversation on many preschool playgrounds and parents really do have a variety of options to choose from. Charter and magnet schools are becoming more prevalent in the public school system and there are a variety of private school options. Some specialty schools that focus on children with specific learning disabilities, language immersion schools, religious/parochial schools, Montessori (both public and private) – it’s a lot of information to disseminate. It can be overwhelming and a challenge to determine the best fit for your child.

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Teacher Requirements Most private schools require an application process, which includes testing and sometimes an interview with the parents and/or child. Some public charter schools require a child to meet certain criteria/test scores as well. An important distinction between private and public schools is the requirements for teachers. While public schools are typically required to hire teachers that are

Education is not a “one size fits all” and it is important to discern the needs of your child in conjunction with your personal values as it relates to education and learning.

The Cost Factor The obvious distinction between public and private education is the tuition of private schools, which could rule out private education as an option for many families. However, there are various scholarships, educational foundations and resources available (see Parents For Educational Freedom) that do provide options for those who are unable to afford the cost of tuition. Public schools are funded through taxpayers and also receive state and federal funds. Public schools also have state and federal standards and mandates they are obligated to meet and follow. More and more states are adopting “school choice” legislation that allows parents to choose public or private school where their tax dollars follow them or tax credits are given. (See the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice at www.edchoice.org). In North Carolina, a bill was passed in 2011 that gives parents of children with disabilities a tax credit of up to $6,000 a year for educational expenses including private school tuition, therapy, and tutoring. There are certain requirements to be eligible for the tax credit (see http://www.ncleg.net/ Sessions/2011/Bills/House/ PDF/H344v7.pdf for more 22

information). Various versions of school choice have been adopted by a number of other states and thus far have shown to improve the quality of education (test scores are improving) and decrease cost.

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certified or working towards certification, that is not the case in private schools. Certification means that there is a regulatory board that sets the standards and requires continuing education. This doesn’t necessarily change the quality in the teachers, but when considering a private school it is wise to ask about teacher qualifications. Class size tends to be smaller in private schools with the student/teacher ratio usually being lower as well. While this is not a hard and fast rule, for the most part private schools tend to have smaller class sizes. Many public schools and school districts are facing challenges of over crowding. Class size can have a significant impact on your child’s learning environment and while some children are not negatively impacted, others are. You may want to factor this in your decision when determining the best educational setting for your child.

Considerations for Children with Special Needs Federal law mandates that all children have access to a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). This means that children who have learning disabilities and/or special needs are required, by law to be identified and given equal educational opportunities. School districts are

required to have special education programs that meet the needs of all children. In contrast, private schools are not required to accept children with learning disabilities or special needs. However, there are a growing number of private schools that are designed for specific learning challenges and/or special needs. If your child is dyslexic, or has a learning disability, this might be a good option to look into. Choosing the right school for your child is a very personal and individualized decision. What is best for one child may not be appropriate for another. It is a decision that involves your family’s values and beliefs in combination with the needs and learning style of your child. There is research arguing both sides in regards to whether test scores are higher in private schools versus public. It is a debate that continues and will not likely be resolved. Standardized tests are biased no matter how you look at it. Test scores don’t always reflect an accurate picture and should not be the only factor in making your decision.

Tour the Schools Whether you are considering a public charter, magnet or private school, it is always a good idea to meet the principal/head master. The culture of any school starts from the administration and trickles down. Within a public school system one elementary school can be dramatically different then another depending on how the principal runs the school. Get a sense of the culture and attitudes of the principal, assistant principal and teachers. Ask a lot of questions and get a sense of the values the school holds. If the school’s values are not in line with yours that’s important information to consider in your decision making process. While test scores do provide information you may want to also explore the social policies and beliefs of the school. How do they handle bullying? Do they have written policies that they actually follow or are they just written in a rulebook and ignored? Do teachers pay attention to the social/emotional development of the students or do they see that as out of the bounds of the educational setting—how does

that match with your values and beliefs? These are all critical and important influences in your child’s educational experience. Counselors and psychologists can also assess your child and make recommendations in regards to what educational setting would best fit your child’s learning style and temperament. While some children perform at their best in a less structured and more hands on environment, others thrive in a traditional classroom. If you are overwhelmed or unsure what educational setting will best meet the needs of your child’s learning style and emotional needs, seeking professional guidance can help you make an educated decision on your child’s educational future. Education is not a “one size fits all” and it is important to discern the needs of your child in conjunction with your personal values as it relates to education and learning. Leslie Petruk, MA, LPC, NCC, BCC is the Director of The Stone Center for Counseling & Leadership which serves children, couples and families. You can get more information on her and her practice at www.thestonecenternc.com.

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little ones loves Forget chicadees for your Easter basket, how about a Squishable Phoenix! at Toys & Co.

This is the best time of year to show off your Sunday best! at Kerubins Bubble gum pink ready for warmer weather at Lindaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Childrens Shoppe

You will never lose sight of them at the park in these bright kicks! at Tootsies Too Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Shoes Monet would approve of this watercolor inspired dress that is perfect for spring. at pickles & ice cream

Smakable is the perfect picnic or get-together game for everyone 6 years old and up this spring! at Toys & Co.

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Who are we? We are two friends and two new moms who share a Spanish heritage and a love for children's fashion. When Dayana's daughter was born in Charlotte, she mentioned to Malu that she wished that there was a place where she could find delicate and fine clothes that her Spanish grandmother used to get her when she was little. One dinner later and Kerubins Baby Boutique was born. Malu takes care of maintaining a close relationship with our manufacturers in Spain, while Dayana provides excellent customer service to all the Kerubins mommies here in the US.

What do we do? We carefully handpick the latest children fashions in Spain and bring them to the US. Each season we work closely with our suppliers to create beautiful collections, full of clothes than range from special occasion outfits to everyday dresses. Our clothes are all made in Spain with the finest materials, and are full of handcrafted details. Even the most elegant and delicate outfits we carry are durable and appropriate for use after use. We specialize in little girls’ clothing from newborn to three years old, hoping to extend our collections to up to eight years old in the near future.

Where to find us? Our entire collection can be found at www.Kerubins.com and also at Amazon.com. We are also on Facebook!

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and keep up with area happenings, great giveaways and more! (search “little ones magazine”) ••••••••••••••••••••

Also, don’t forget to sign up for our monthly e-newsletter, which provides a listing of up-and-coming events for the month. You’ll never have to worry about what to do! Sign up on our Web site (www.littleonesmagazine.com)

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Photos are Courtesy of Sharon Thorsland

a walk to remember Meet Sharon Thorsland, the 2014 March for Babies Ambassador

ight years ago, WBT Radio sportscaster Sharon Thorsland was having a very normal, very healthy pregnancy with twins. In fact, she had just been to her OB for her 24-week check-up and was cleared and told to return in a month. But just a week later, she fell and shattered her ankle so badly that it required reparative surgery, which triggered labor and resulted in her twins being born at a mere 26 weeks gestation (both babies weighed less than three pounds). Thorsland and her husband Tony credit the March of Dimes with helping them survive their ordeal, and have been involved with the organization since their twins were toddlers. This year, she is honored to serve as the 2014 March for Babies Ambassador. We recently interviewed Thorsland about how her twins Sena and Gunnar are doing now (she also has a 3 1/2-year-old son named Thor), her passion for advocacy and what her responsibilities are as a March for Babies Ambassador. Little Ones: Your twins were born 8 years ago at just 26 weeks. Can you tell us a little about that experience? Sharon: I fell and broke my ankle severely. They found me to be in labor when I came out of surgery. They tried to hold things off by giving me magnesium sulfate but I had a bad reaction to that. I developed pulmonary heart failure. Nothing can prepare you for that. They took my husband through the NICU so he could see what he would be facing. The babies were in the NICU for 150 days. My son had multiple surgeries and issues that arose. Sena developed a tumor in her airway. We had quite a road. It’s a roller coaster in the NICU—one step forward and two steps back. I truly believe my kids would not be alive today if it weren’t for the March of Dimes. Little Ones: What are some of the ways your family has been involved with the March of Dimes over the years? Sharon: The first two years after the twins were born were such a blur, but when they were about 2 years old I researched getting 26

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involved in the March of Dimes. Then I reached out to our local division. They invited me to be a part of the board of directors— I’ve been on the board ever since. We also started walking that year and have been walking every year since. I’ve been doing lots of other things as part of my role as part of the board of directors. The current director invited us to become the ambassador family this year and we were thrilled.

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Little Ones: What are some of your duties in this role? Sharon: We make a lot of appearances at the kick-offs for the different companies around town. We went to the family team kickoff. They did a video about our story that will run on the website. We ask people to throw their support behind the March of Dimes. We’re going to be participating in some mini-walks. It’s really a lot of going out and showing people where these kids started and what the March of Dimes was able to do for them.

March of Dimes - Greater Piedmont Division 7506 E. Independence Blvd. Suite 114 Charlotte, NC 28227 (704) 377-2009 www.marchforbabies.org

Little Ones: What do your kids think about the family’s involvement in the March of Dimes? Sharon:They are very involved in it. They know that what they went through is not what most kids go through. We still go to therapy as a result of their prematurity. They want to make sure other babies don’t have to go through what they went through. And that’s what I want them to do.

On April 26, 2014, more than 100 corporate teams and 150 family teams will come together to raise $550,000 to help give every baby a healthy start to life!

Did you know? North Carolina is the only state in the nation that distributes vitamins to residents in the state that cannot afford them.

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babies march for babiesÂŽ

Juan Carlo Born 12 weeks early, surviving twin

Saturday, April 26, 2014 Uptown Charlotte â&#x20AC;˘ across from Romare Bearden Park Festivities begin at 9 am For information on participating contact: Lisa Hall at lchall@marchofdimes.com

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Unplug for a Week and Help Your Family Live a More Creative Life By Sara Kendall

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urn off your homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s digital devices and turn on the world around your family. Screen Free Week is an annual event to encourage families to take a break from televisions, computers, and digital devices. Join the challenge this year from May 5 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 11. Over 300 million people have already taken part in the turnoff and millions more will participate this year. Instead of relying on digital devices for entertainment, families spend quality time together. Here are five ways families can reconnect, learn some new skills, and have fun.

Family Art Night “Simply have materials on hand for your family to get creative,” says Meghan Nance, mom of two daughters and curriculum coordinator at Morrison Family YMCA’s Ballantyne Preschool of the Arts. “And don’t be afraid of the mess. Purchase cookie sheets from a dollar store, and let your kids finger paint, play with Play-Doh or have fun with glue and glitter on them.” Give everyone a blank white piece of paper with a pair of googly eyes or a red dot, suggests Nance. “It takes the pressure off by giving a starting point to create a drawing,” says Nance. Another idea is to make a mark on each piece of paper. Choose a theme like “Under the Sea” or a favorite food. Create a drawing incorporating the mark within a oneminute time limit. It’s a challenge to see how much everyone can create in a short amount of time. Share and be supportive about the work created.

Get Cooking Together Making a meal together is a great way to bond. While following recipes and measuring ingredients, kids won’t notice they are using their reading and math skills. Here a few suggestions to get the fun going. • Making your own pizza is always a hit–stretching out dough, spreading the sauce and adding your favorite toppings delights kids. • Try a Family Bake-off Challenge. Have plenty of ingredients on hand. Divide up in teams. Set a time limit. Get baking and decorating. When time is up, let the tasting begin and be positive about everyone’s creations.

Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt

Backyard Games Host your very own family field day. Tug of war, water balloon toss, or potato sack race are great classics to play. Or, you can come up with games of your own to get everyone moving and laughing together. Try a shoebox race. This is where racers place each foot in a shoebox and slide from Point A to Point B. Another twist on a race is to run around while balancing a ball on a tennis racket or a Ping-Pong paddle to see who keeps the ball on the paddle the longest. Create an obstacle course with stations incorporating different movements like throwing a ball, running backwards, crawling around buckets of water, or jumping over boxes.

Dirt Plus Water Equals Fun Plant a family garden together. Choose easy to grow plants and herbs. Lettuce is a reliable crop and a good way to nurture a child’s interest in eating salads. Cherry tomatoes are a quick-growing crop and kids can eat right off the vine. Do your research and be mindful of how much sun and water each plant needs to thrive. Make weekly checks on the growing garden with the kids. Pulling weeds and watering plants are garden chores to do with your kids. Reap nature’s rewards together by making meals with the vegetables and herbs grown in your garden.

A fun-loving dad of two children, Scott Hornor created a game that takes a walk around the neighborhood to a whole new level. He combines a neighborhood walk with a scavenger hunt. Before you leave home, someone writes down 10 to 15 things to look for during the neighborhood walk such as street signs, garden fixtures, different trees, birds, and animals. The first person to find all the things gets to choose the family dessert for the night. Skip digital entertainment and get back in touch with your family, but with new, modern twists. Hopefully, your family will keep being creative with family time beyond just one week in May. Sara Kendall is a freelance writer and mom of two daughters. www.littleonesmagazine.com | for local moms ... by local moms

fit fun

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ast fall, my 7-year-old joined the local soccer league–a very organized one at that. We’re still in the stage of figuring out where our kids’ talents lie, and for this season, it was soccer. One practice a week and one game on weekends…that I could handle. But the snack situation I could not. The first game rolled around, and each girl was instructed to bring a water bottle. Super, I thought. They absolutely need hydration. The coach had brought a big bag of oranges, cut and ready to be consumed, which the kids ate during the 45minute game. Awesome! I loved that they had a sweet, nourishing whole food snack and water to nosh on while taking a breather. But then when they finished the game and were given a bag of Cheez-Its and a Capri Sun, I was baffled. Um, really? But what was I going to do, be the mean mom who wouldn’t let my daughter take the snack? I’ll admit that I don’t have a degree in sports nutrition, so I reached out to an expert on the subject. Nancy Clark is a registered dietitian and best-selling author who is known for her book, Nancy Clark’s Sports Nutrition Guidebook. She concurred saying: “The determining factor is how hard the kids have played. If they have gone all out 30

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family-friendly races

'&(*) and done exhaustive exercise or if they will be playing again in 6-8 hours, they need to rapidly refuel. However if they just played a friendly game of soccer and are hungry afterwards, they can go have lunch. Kids bodies are very good at regulating; they know when they are hungry and know to eat when they are. If you put Cheetos in front of them, they will eat them just because…but they’d probably be fine heading home to have lunch.” I realize that I’m not going to change every sports association out there. Though I’m really, really hopeful (hint, hint) that some of you will read this and take action, I’m sure that snacks of some sort will continue. So I’ve included a list of better choices in case you have to sign up for snack duty for your child’s sports. And note that I realize many organizations probably won’t let you make your own goodies to bring, though how great would that be?

Whole Food Snacks • Carrot sticks (in baggies) • Apple slices (in baggies) • Mini apples • Whole-wheat pretzels • Lara Bars • Dried whole grain cereal (puffed brown rice or organic corn) • Bananas • Squeezable applesauce • Unsweetened applesauce cups • Dried dates (in baggies) • Strawberries (whole with tops cut off, in baggies) • Oranges • Raisins

Cookies for Kids’ Cancer 5K & Bake Sale All runners or walkers who are passionate about raising money to find a cure for pediatric cancer are welcome. And of course, even if you choose not to participate in the 5K, please come by and buy some baked goods and cheer on the participants. Location: Randolph Park, Charlotte When: April 5 5K Race: 9:30 a.m. 1 Mile Kids’ Fun Run: 9:45 a.m. Bake Sale: 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. www.cookiesforkidscancer.racesonline.com

Tuckfest The 2nd Annual Tuck Fest is a three-day festival that celebrates the outdoor lifestyle through competitions, exhibitions, demos and live music at the U.S. National Whitewater Center (USNWC). The festival features a variety of outdoor sport competitions that include trail running, kayaking, biking, climbing, stand-up paddleboarding, slacklining and adventure racing. Location: U.S. National Whitewater Center, Charlotte When: April 25-27 www.tuckfest.org

Charlotte Skyline Run 2014 Kaye McGarry 5K Run, 5K Walk for Health, the Charlotte Smarty Pants Baby Jogger 5K Championship, 1K Tot Trot, and a timed 1 Mile Run. Children will enjoy racing in the Family Fun Run as well as spending time in the Kids Zone. Location: CPCC downtown campus, Charlotte When: April 26 at 7:30 a.m. www.cpccfoundation.com/skyline

March for Babies - Charlotte 2014 You will enjoy a day of friendship, food and fun as you walk with companies, schools, and families from Mecklenburg, Union, Cabarrus, and Stanly counties. Date: April 26 at 10 a.m. Location: Uptown Charlotte www.marchofdimes.com/northcarolina

3-2-1 Dash for Down Syndrome 5K Race and .321 Mile Fun Run to help support the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Charlotte. When: April 26 from 8:30 a.m. to noon Where: 8811 Blakeney Professional Drive, Charlotte www.dashfordownsyndrome.racesonline.com

Run Wild 5K & Wild Child Fun Run The only TAME thing about this third-year race is the course! Presented by the African Children’s Project, this USATF Certified, out and back course begins and ends at the Birkdale Residence Club located in Huntersville. Location: Birkdale, Huntersville When: May 10 at 8 a.m. www.irunwild.org www.littleonesmagazine.com | for local moms ... by local moms

boost your brain

healthful hints 32

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learn more about the role exercise plays in learning By Erin Morris

et’s take a page from Richard Dawson’s “Family Feud” playbook. “Top five answers are on the board, here’s the question: Name something that’s improved by exercise.” Like most Americans, your top answers might be weight, blood pressure, sleep, stamina or mood. But what many people don’t realize is that one of the biggest benefits of exercise is what it does for our brains. John J. Ratey, author of Spark; The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain explains some of the many ways exercise makes our brain function at its best; by elevating our stress threshold to stave off anxiety, boosting motivation, lifting our mood and fostering neuroplasticity, which reverses some of the effects of aging in the brain.

Exercise strengthens brain skills. It’s no coincidence that studies from the California Department of Education have consistently demonstrated over the past five years that students with higher fitness

scores also have higher test scores. In his book, Ratey explains that going for a run “is like taking a little bit of Prozac and a little bit of Ritalin” because using your muscles produces proteins that play important roles in our highest thought processes. But don’t expect to master Spanish on audiotape on your treadmill. Blood is directed away from the prefrontal cortex during intense exercise, so you won’t learn much. But almost immediately after you’re finished, blood flows back into the prefrontal cortex, making it the perfect time for problemsolving tasks and analysis. And exercise doesn’t just help your cognitive skills during, or immediately after, your workout. As Ratey explains it, exercise strengthens the connections between neurons, and the more you “practice,” the more the circuit develops definition. He compares it to wearing down a path through a forest. In 2004, a panel of researchers reviewed 850 studies on physical activity in schools. They found that exercise had a positive influence on memory, concentration and classroom behavior. The bad news is that only six percent of U.S. high schools offer a daily P.E. class, and it’s not likely that most children or teens are getting a regular workout at home. American kids spend an average of 5.5 hours a day in front of a screen of some sort. The takeaway: Students should try to schedule their hardest class right after gym. Adults should take on their more cognitively challenging tasks— like balancing their checkbooks—after their workouts. Schools and parents need to find more ways to incorporate regular fitness into children’s lives.

For many depressed people, getting motivated to exercise is a challenge in itself. But the end result more than makes up for the need to push through the initial resistance. In 2000, researchers at Duke University found that exercise and Zoloft had about the same effect at treating clinical depression. But even more impressive were their results on the long-term impact: Exercise beat Zoloft at warding off the symptoms long after the depression lifted. Exercise also helps by reversing some of the damage caused by stress eroding the connections between neurons. Regular aerobic exercise primes the

What many people don’t realize is that one of the biggest benefits of exercise is what it does for our brains.

brain by activating genes that produce proteins to protect the cells against disease and damage. As Ratey explains it, exercise calms the body by relaxing the resting tension of muscle spindles, which in turn disrupts the stressfeedback loop to the brain. In essence, exercise stresses the brain just enough to prep our bodies for the big stressors in life. There have been numerous studies on corporate wellness programs and the effects of exercise on workers’ attendance and production. Almost all have shown that employees who exercise regularly have fewer sick days. This could be due to exercise’s effect on handling stress, fighting depression, increasing the immune system’s ability to fight off sickness, or the many trickle-down effects of being fit (fewer heart problems, less incidence of diabetes, lower blood pressure, etc.). The takeaway: Try boosting your mood with exercise before reaching for that sugary food, alcohol or pill. Erin Morris is the Director of LearningRx Charlotte North. To learn more about building cognitive reserve or strengthening brain skills, contact www.learningrx.com.

Exercise boosts mood. There are actually several ways exercise can improve your emotional state. It can increase serotonin, a lack of which is associated with depression. It can increase dopamine, which helps control the brain’s reward and pleasure center. It can increase norepinephrine, which—among many other tasks—can increase the brain’s oxygen supply and suppress inflammation in the central nervous system. Exercise also teaches your body that heavy breathing and an increased heart rate don’t necessarily mean you’re having a panic attack. For most people, the more you exercise, the lower your level of anxiety. www.littleonesmagazine.com | for local moms ... by local moms

against all odds three families share their emotional journeys with infertility

By Renee Roberson

ecoming a parent can be one of the most rewarding experiences a person can experience in his or her lifetime. But according to statistics provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for approximately 6.7 million people in the United States, conceiving children naturally is not in the cards due to infertility. Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after one year of unprotected intercourse (six months if the woman is over the age of 35) or the inability to carry a pregnancy to live birth. Infertility played a hand in the lives of three local families, for three very different reasons. In honor of Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day, they share their unique stories with us to illustrate that there is more than one way to bring a child (or children!) into the world.

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After giving birth to her son, Monroe mom Marvelis Swinney and her husband Michael didn’t wait long before trying for baby number two. After four years of disappointment though, they decided to make an appointment at Reproductive Endocrinology Associates of Charlotte (REACH). Exploratory surgery revealed that because of the position of her uterus, it was unlikely that Swinney would be able to conceive another child naturally. “The only option was IVF,” says Swinney. “But we didn’t have insurance that covered it so that was a big deal. Financially we had to come up with a way to do it, and then we would only be able to do it once.” She began taking the medication Clomid, which helps induce ovulation. “Getting the shots was uncomfortable but I was so focused on getting it done,” says Swinney. “While all this was going on I had a 5-year-old son at home. There were times when I would say, ‘what are we doing?’ You kind of have to make peace with the fact that you might only have one child.” But Swinney says once they decided to continue with invitro fertilization (a treatment where the sperm and the egg are combined in a laboratory dish for fertilization to occur, after which the embryo is then is then placed in the woman’s uterus to develop naturally), everything happened very quickly. Swinney and her husband decided to implant two of the fertilized eggs, and knew there was a possibility they could end up with twins, which is what happened to show up on Swinney’s first ultrasound. She admits that she was shocked at the news and had to mentally prepare herself with the news of the twins for the first few weeks. She had just

Photos By Photography By Chanda

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started to come to terms with what it meant when her next ultrasound revealed she was actually pregnant with triplets, and not twins. “I figured God was listening to us all those years,” she says. “I laughed and said, ‘Okay, God, I get it. I wanted one and now I'm getting three.’” Swinney was put on bed rest at 24 weeks due to pre-term labor, and at 28 weeks she started showing signs of preeclampsia and stayed in the hospital for three weeks so she and the babies could be monitored. After they sent her home, her water broke a week later and daughters, Alexandra, Isabelle and Rebecca were born at 31 weeks. Two of the girls weighed three pounds; eleven ounces and the other weighed three pounds, four ounces. Today the girls are thriving 8-year-olds and big brother Michael is 13. “I always say I’m one of the lucky ones,” says Swinney. “I always say it couldn’t have worked and I knew I had to be okay with it either way. If you’re not okay it can really break you. You have to have hope and be prepared for anything.” www.littleonesmagazine.com | for local moms ... by local moms

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Charlotte resident Melodie Biblis had no idea her daughter Stella’s birth five years ago would be considered a modernday miracle, or that she and husband Chris would eventually be blessed with two healthy children, all from sperm her husband had frozen twenty-plus years earlier. As a teenager, 16-year-old Chris Biblis was focused on battling leukemia and not much else, especially getting married one day and eventually wanting to start a family. However, his mother talked him into freezing some of his sperm as a “just in case” before undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Biblis says she knew her husband was a cancer survivor when they met and got married, and when they decided to start a family, they made an appointment at REACH to discuss their options. They both underwent tests and determined that Chris had indeed been rendered sterile from his cancer treatments. They decided to try IVF and retrieved the frozen sperm from the clinic in Atlanta where it had been stored for all those years. At age 32, Biblis was implanted with an embryo using her eggs and her husband’s frozen sperm and had a successful implantation on the first try. “Shortly after we had our daughter Stella I got a call from REACH’s public relations representative asking if we were okay sharing our story with the media,” says Biblis. “The next thing you know we’re getting this phone call from U.S.

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News and World Report. Within two hours there was a news team here and we’re on Good Morning America.” It turns out that the Biblis Family could actually hold a world record for the amount of time sperm has been frozen before being used to create a baby. Melodie and Chris had no idea their story would turn out to be so remarkable. “I know we don’t have the typical infertility story,” says Biblis. “We kind of skipped right away to the end and had IVF.” And it turns out Biblis and her husband were able to continue making history when they conceived their son Matt, now age 2, through IVF using the same frozen sperm, an event they count their blessings for daily. “We are just so grateful to be able to have our own kids,” says Biblis.

Pursley considered herself lucky to survive the surgery but mourned the loss of her son, whom she and her husband Jake had already named Robert William, and the fact that she would never be able to carry a child of her own. She channeled her loss into starting The Robert William Foundation (www.robertwilliamfoundation.org), an organization dedicated to helping families achieve their goal of becoming parents with the help of IVF. And because the surgeons were able to leave her ovaries intact, she began researching the idea of having a surrogate carry a baby for her using her own eggs and the sperm of her husband.

“I would tell any couple considering surrogacy to simply follow their hearts,” says Pursley. In July 2012, an embryo was successfully implanted into the womb of her second cousin, Kristen Broome, and on April 3, 2013, Liam Jamison Pursley was born at CMC-University Hospital weighing a healthy eight pounds and five ounces. “I would tell any couple considering surrogacy to simply follow their hearts,” says Pursley. “Between choosing a surrogate and learning about the IVF process, things can get very overwhelming. Consider your options of a hired surrogate versus a friend or family carrier; but in the end, the baby that results is yours regardless. Just enjoy your unique path to parenthood and embrace the experience.”

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In December of 2011, Mooresville resident Jamie Pursley was 16 weeks pregnant with her son when the unthinkable happened. She was rushed to the hospital when her uterus ruptured and her son became trapped outside the womb and did not survive. After several attempts to repair her uterus, surgeons had to make the decision to perform a hysterectomy.

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Planting photos courtesy of TreesCharlotte

earth day

spotlight

n recent years the city of Charlotte has become known for its flourishing canopy of trees, even earning it the nickname “The City of Trees.” But maintaining such a resource requires the time and efforts of community leaders volunteers, and thus, the initiative TreesCharlotte was born.

charlotte works to preserve its “city of trees” By Renee Roberson

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It will require full cooperation of the City of Charlotte’s residents to maintain this impressive arial view of Charlotte’s tree canopy.

our air, ease storm water run-off, reduce our energy usage, cool our streets, parks, and homes, and provide those who live here with an endless supply of natural beauty. In 2010, with the financial support and leadership of The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Foundation For The Carolinas, and the Blumenthal Foundation, TreesCharlotte officially began to put its plan into action. Through a combination of fulltime staff, volunteers, and partnerships with contractors and corporate partners, TreesCharlotte works to maintain and expand the natural tree canopy of Charlotte. Planting Hope for the Future Tree planting season in Charlotte lasts

Want to get the whole family involved? Check out these upcoming planting events: Walter G. Byers Elementary School April 5 at 8:30 a.m. Thomasboro Academy April 12 at 8:30 a.m.

TreesCharlotte Fun Facts

A World-Class Canopy “The whole initiative was born out of the City Council’s passing of a canopy goal of 50 percent by 2050,” says Dave Cable, Director of TreesCharlotte. “If you’re looking down from an airplane, 50 percent of the area is covered in trees. We were losing trees at an alarming rate. There are certain parts of the city that enjoy a world-class canopy; there are many parts that enjoy nothing at all. The City Council realized if we don’t educate people about taking better care of the canopy, we won’t have anything left.” TreesCharlotte was created as a public/private collaborative dedicated to planting 15,000 trees annually, primarily through volunteer efforts in the next few years (currently the numbers are around 10,000 trees planted annually). The collaborative also educates Charlotte’s residents on the importance of the canopy and ways to plant and preserve trees. Trees clean

from October 15 to April 15 of each year. For 2013-14, TreesCharlotte set a goal to plant more than 8,000 trees in sixteen locations across the city. This included thirteen NeighborWoods events, two to three community park plantings, five different events at Charlotte Housing Authority campuses; three subdivision plantings and three CMS school campus events. “At the end of this year (April) we’ll be at 11,000 to 12,000 trees that we’ve planted,” says Cable. The NeighborWoods projects typically involve residents planting their own trees and trees on neighbors’ properties. TreesCharlotte helps to organize the event, advise on the best types of trees to plant, provides trees, mulch, tools and a team of arborists or tree experts to assist with planting and maintenance. “The bottom line is we really want to take very good care of the trees we have,” says Cable. “We want to make

• Charlotte’s tree canopy is our most recognized natural treasure. • Trees clean our air, reduce storm water run-off, cool our streets, reduce energy use, increase property values, and give us beauty. Trees are essential to our health, both physically and mentally. • We lost 3% of the canopy between 2002-2008 and additional losses are projected from mortality and building. Our tree canopy is aging. • The community’s goal of 50% canopy by 2050 was adopted by City Council in 2011. • The goal requires broad civic engagement to plant and care for trees. • TreesCharlotte plants 7-15 gallon containerized trees which are 6 to 12 feet tall.

sure everyone in the city has the opportunity to enjoy a beautiful canopy. It’s much more about connecting people to the trees. We are using this as a tool to engage communities.” For more information on how you can get involved in preserving Charlotte’s tree canopy, visit www.TreesCharlotte.org.

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small town big city

a pedestrian oasis The Town of Matthews helps residents enjoy the great outdoors By Annette Privette Keller Photos courtesy of The Town of Matthews

Matthews, NC: One of the Top Ten Suburban Cities in America 40

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ecently named as “One of the Most Exciting Suburbs in the U.S.,” “One of Top Ten Suburbs in the U.S.,” a “Top Ten Place to Retire in N.C.” and one of the “Top Ten Suburban Cities in America,” Matthews Town Leaders are continuing their work to develop a pedestrian oasis in the midst of this bustling region. The goal is to offer the amenities of a big city while preserving the qualities of community that have attracted people to Matthews. The people of Matthews are special. There is a sense, that even though there is lots of hustle and bustle as people hurry to their destination, you are in a place where you can stop and be part of a community. Your first stop is the downtown core where you can get a cup of coffee and meander down the street to Renfrow’s Hardware where people have gathered for over a hundred years to tell jokes, hear the latest news and all while buying their tomato plants and baby chicks. Children walk and bike to school while moms gather to compare notes on what is happening after school.

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In the NorthEnd District you can walk out of your apartment or condo to your job or catch CATS to take the short ride downtown to any number of firms. With a population of 28,000, Matthews is home to an entrepreneurial spirit with hundreds of businesses who are realizing their dream of business ownership and creativity. During lunch or dinner there are a variety of local and chain restaurants and spots where you can enjoy a meal or drink and take time to talk with neighbors. The town Green, in front of the library and Town Hall, as well as Stumptown Park, are favorite gathering places, when the weather is nice for picnics, reading, playing music and more. Time well spent is on the Four Mile Greenway, viewing public art or an exhibit at the McDowell Arts Center or Matthews Heritage Museum or watching a performance at Fullwood Theater. The town is known for its variety of events and festivals held year round. The signature festival is Matthews Alive. For more than 20 years community volunteers have hosted a four day festival, held on Labor Day Weekend, to benefit area non-profits. All proceeds from the event, which features music, food, crafts, goes to more than 20 local non-profits such as the boy and Girl Scout troops. Thousands of people attend the event to help the community support each other. BeachFest held in the Spring, the Concert and Movie Series and Hometown Holidays are also very popular events hosted by the Town each year. The Matthews Community Farmers Market is favorite stop for hundreds of people each week. The market is the largest, most diverse producers-only farmers’ market in the greater Charlotte area. All food and other market products are grown, raised or made within 50 miles of Matthews. Chef demonstrations, live music and recipe book exchanges make this the place to be every Tuesday evening and Saturday morning.

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out & about '(!#

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Spelling 2-5-5â&#x20AC;?

What: Simonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mother is always paying more attention to his younger brother, Jake, who has autism. So when a televised spelling bee is announced, Simon sees this as his opportunity to shine, until he discovers that brother Jake is a great speller, tooâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;in his own, special way. Simon has to decide if he can share the spotlight with his brother and come to terms with what makes us all unique. Making its U.S. premiere, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Spelling 2-55â&#x20AC;? takes at poignant look at inclusion, compassion and sibling rivalry. This one-act play is appropriate for ages 8 and older. When: April 4 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 6 Where: Wells Fargo Playhouse, ImaginOn www.ctcharlotte.org

Earth Day 2014 What: Join Captain Conservation and other green heroes as they discover the super powers of the Earth. There will be astonishing vendors, amazing food, and fantastic games and activities for heroes of all ages. When: April 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Where: The Schiele Museum www.schielemuseum.org

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Reluctant Dragonâ&#x20AC;? What: Dragons are supposed to be scary and fire-breathing but not the star of this heart-warming comedy based on Kenneth Grahameâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s classic book. The villagers blame him for their dying crops and sour milk in this charming tale, but he is a peace-loving, poetryspouting dragon who would much prefer a cup of tea to a battle. When dragon-slayer Saint George arrives, the dragon and his young friend, Glaston,

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face quite a challenge, and the mismatched duo sets out to change the hearts and minds of the villagers. Appropriate for ages 5 and older. When: April 11 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; May 4 Where: McColl Family Theatre, ImaginOn www.ctcharlotte.org

Rural Hill Scottish Festival and Loch Norman Highland Games What: The Scottish Games in the United States have grown because many people of Scottish descent still feel the pull of their ancestral homeland and heritage. Bring the whole family for this fun event that offers something for everyone, Scottish or not! Enjoy pipe bands, a Kids Zone, musical acts, heavy athletics, historic dancing and more. When: April 12 & 13 Where: Historic Rural Hill www.ruralhill.net

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Sunday Fun Day: Cool & Contemporary What: For April, explore the ideas behind art created in the 21st century, share your own unique perspective through colorful and playful art experiences, and heat up and cool down at a Let's Move! fitness activity. When: April 13 from 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4 p.m. Where: Mint Museum Uptown www.mintmuseum.org

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Darkâ&#x20AC;? What: The perfect story for little ones AND grown-ups who still sleep with a light on! Owls arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t supposed to be afraid of the dark, but Plop canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seem to shake his worries, and the baby barn owl must venture out into the world and overcome his fears. A funny, gentle and reassuring tale, based on the classic book by Jill Tomlinson and Paul

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Howard, Owl is a real â&#x20AC;&#x153;hoot!â&#x20AC;? Appropriate for ages 3 and older. When: April 19 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 27 Where: Wells Fargo Playhouse, ImaginOn www.ctcharlotte.org

Earth Day Play Date What: Celebrate Earth Day at Charlotte Nature Museum by getting your kids outside to connect with nature in Fort Wild! Observe demonstrations on backyard gardening for kids, creating backyard wildlife habitats or just enjoy mucking in the mud in the mud cafĂŠ. When: April 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Where: Charlotte Nature Museum www.charlottenaturemuseum.org

BeachFest Matthews What: Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s that time of year again! Head out to Matthews and put your toes in the sand while also enjoying live music, carnival rides, arts and crafts, an inflatable village for kids and more. When: April 25 & 26 Where: Stumptown Park, Matthews www.beachfestmatthews.com

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Romare Fest

What: Bring the family for a day celebrating the arts with musical entertainment and dance. Family-friendly activities will be scheduled throughout the day. When: May 2 – 4 Where: Romare Bearden Park www.parkandrec.com

First Monday Family Nights What: Bring your entire family out to enjoy stories, songs and movement activities that support early literacy skill development and help foster a love of books and reading in your child. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to participate. When: May 5 at 6:30 p.m. Where: Hickory Grove Library www.cmlibrary.org

When: May 8 –10 Where: Wells Fargo Playhouse, ImaginOn www.ctcharlotte.org

Sesame Street Live: Can’t Stop Singing What: When Elmo casts a spell with Abby Cadabby's magic wand, there's something in the air —and Sesame Street becomes a nonstop, all-singing, all-dancing musical montage. When: May 9 –11 Where: Bojangles Coliseum www.bojanglescoliseum.com

“The Hundred Dresses” What: Performed by Children’s Theatre’s High School Conservatory students and based on the Newbery honor book by Eleanor Estes and Louis Slobodkin, this is a moving story about Wanda Petronski, a poor and friendless PolishAmerican girl whose classmates laugh at her funny last name and the faded blue dress she wears to school every day. Wanda proudly claims to own 100 dresses, all lined up in her closet at home. When their teacher holds a class contest, things suddenly begin to change. Are there really 100 dresses in Wanda’s closet? Appropriate for ages 8 and older.

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Fairy Festival What: Spring has sprung and something is aflutter! There's no better time to get close to the forest fairies. Don your fairy wings and join us for fairy and hobbit house building, dramatic story time and a live butterfly release in Butterfly Pavilion. When: May 17 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Where: Charlotte Nature Museum www.charlottenaturemuseum.org

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What: Ahoy! Come design and build your own miniature boat out of recycled materials, and then take your boat out to Dragonfly Pond to set sail. Which boat design will work best? When: May 17 from 10:30 a.m. to noon Where: Reedy Creek Nature Center www.parkandrec.com

Build It, Make It, Take It: Remote-Controlled Hovercrafts What: Join friends from Hackerspace Charlotte to build a remote-controlled hovercraft. Participants will build a working small-scale, high-powered hovercraft. The hovercraft will be remote-controlled. This project is recommended for ages 10 and older. When: May 24 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Where: Discovery Place www.discoveryplace.org

&' &% , ( *& ) ## %* , %*) Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Historic Rosedale Plantation What: Explore the enchanted gardens and wander through the ancient boxwood maze as you and your children hunt Easter eggs left by the Easter Bunny himself. There will be two sessions beginning at 11 a.m. Remember to bring your child’s Easter basket. Space is limited to 25 children per session and advance reservations are required. Cost is $10 per child; adults are free. No refunds. When: April 5 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Where: Historic Rosedale Plantation www.charlottecultureguide.com

also make a craft to take home and get a cool temporary tattoo. The annual Easter Egg Hunt takes place on April 19. See website for times. When: April 12, 13, 18, 19 Where: North Carolina Transportation Museum www.nctrans.org

Latta Easter Egg Hunt

What: Enjoy live music, Fairy Tail Trail, face painting, balloon magic and much more. Bring a bag or basket for the Easter Egg Dash. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Rain or Shine. When: April 12 from 1–5 p.m. Where: Cornelius Road Park, Mooresville ci.mooresville.nc.us

What: Children ages 1-10 can hunt for toy and candy filled eggs across the plantation grounds. Hunt times will be divided by age group. In between hunts, families can enjoy live children’s music by the carriage barn, get fresh squeezed lemonade from Anna's Sweet Treats, enjoy children's crafts, see the plantation house, visit the farm animals, and meet the Easter Bunny on the covered wagon. The cost is $6 per child (one free adult per child, extra adults pay regular site admission) and pre-registration is required. When: April 19 Where: Latta Plantation www.lattaplantation.org

Hop into Spring

Underwater Easter Egg Hunt

What: Bring the kids and their baskets for a visit from Peter Cottontail, activity stations and a hunt for toyfilled eggs. When: April 12 from 2–4 p.m. Where: Bailey Road Park, Cornelius www.cornelius.org

What: You don’t want to miss this underwater Easter celebration. Kids will jump in and explore the water to find as many Easter eggs as possible. Please bring a (waterproof) basket. Pictures will be available with the Easter Bunny, so remember to bring your camera. Children will be separated into different age groups (03, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12). When: April 11 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Where: Ray’s Splash Planet http://charmeck.org

Easter Egg-stravaganza

Easter Bunny Express What: Take a 25-minute train ride with the Easter Bunny as he hands out treats for the kids. Children can

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carolina

Ellen Grace Woodcock

Photo by Pranee Loffer

Annsley Black & Adalyn Black

Photo by Positively Posh Photography

Aydin Michael Soner

Photo by Kutina Williams

Isaac Kidd

Photo by Elizabeth Kidd Megan Grace

Photo by Michael Pierce Brooklyn & Lindsey Cooper

Photo by By Amber Bryant @ Amber Bryant Photography

Kiley & Giselle

Photo by Rosa Marzen Savannah Raxter Hannah Frank

Photo by Carrie Frank 46

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Photo by Ben Barnes

Do you have a cutie you’d like to submit? Send your digital photo to cuties@littleonesmagazine.com with the child’s name, guardian’s name, and photographer credit. Photo MUST be HIGH RESOLUTION or it will not be considered.

Aaliyah Gilmore

Photo by Juanita Gilmore

Cooper

Photo by Chrissy Winchester Photography Adelynn & Madison McCrary

Photo by Eileen McCrary

Jurnee Caul

Sofia & Viviana

Photo by Caul Photography

Photo by JLR PHOTOS Micah Daniel Kinley

Photo by Maria Danielle Lorezca

Molly Miller

Photo by Robin Miller Jalen, Alyssa, Bryce & London

Kaylee

Photo by N Harris Photography

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