Mamatoga Spring 2014

MAMATOGA Saratoga’s First Parenting Magazine

Spring 2014

Meet the Cute Restaurant Danger Zone

Adopting A Pet: where, why & how to choose a rescue

Family Choice Award Winners 2014 www.Mamatoga.com

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Spring 2014

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Thank you for reading Mamatoga!

Be sure to find more exclusive content, updated daily on Mamatoga.com .

Including how to enter for spectacular giveaways, more stories and features on preschools, pediatricians, restaurants, summer camps, events and more.

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Letter from the Editor One word to describe this winter? Long. Even with bright spots like the Victorian Streetwalk and Chowderfest, I think we are all ready to welcome the warmer weather and get outside without eight layers and the risk of frostbite on tiny noses.

There are so many great options for family fun in our area once spring has sprung. The fish stocking at Geyser Creek at the Saratoga Spa State Park (usually happening in April) is always a rite of spring for our family, and with the thaw comes more and more options for getting out and exploring. Get outside and bike, hike and stomp around in the mud, check out the page on local hiking trails for ideas and inspiration.

This spring also marks a milestone for the magazine, and it has been a whole year since I started producing it independently.

Over the past year I have gotten to work with so many great local people, and I have learned so much. I can’t thank my sponsors enough for believing in me when I said I was going to go out on my own and I am beyond grateful for all of my readers, both the new ones and the ones that have been reading since day one. Every idea I put into the magazine comes from you guys, and each issue I try to make it something worthy of your time and attention, things I know can sometimes come in short supply when you’re a parent.

Jenny Witte

CEO & Founder

Jake Van Ness

Creative Director jake@graphicprecision.com

Mamatoga, LLC

Publisher publishing@mamatoga.com

I hope you all enjoy this issue, and hang in there, those spring flowers will start poking through the snow soon enough.

xoxo - Jenny On the cover:

Rachel and Tom Uccellini’s kitchen featured on the cover was built by Witt Construction, Inc., which designs, builds and renovates homes. The firm’s offices are located at 563 North Broadway in Saratoga Springs, NY. Telephone: (518) 587-4113. The kitchen is a winner of numerous local and national awards: 2013 Parade of Homes, Pinnacle Homes Winner – Best Kitchen and 2013 NKBA Tri-State Award, Best New Kitchen up to 300 Square Feet. www.Mamatoga.com

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*The minimum line of credit amount is $7,500 and the maximum is $100,000. The Home Equity Line for an 80% Loan to Value has an initial rate of 1.99% for 12 months, thereafter a variable rate with the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) calculated by adding 0% to the highest Prime Rate published by the Wall Street Journal. 24.99% rate cap. If the Bank’s attorneys require Title Insurance, the cost will be paid by the borrower. **Prime rate (3.25% as of 02/12/14). † If the line is canceled for any reason within three years from the closing date, the amount of the closing costs will be added to the payoff amount owed (estimated range between $445-$1,165 for lines up to $100,000). 1-4 Family Owner-Occupied Residences only, and 1 family second homes. Property insurance is required, which includes, if required, Flood Insurance. Rates as of 02/12/14 and subject to change without notice. Subject to credit approval. Offer good for new accounts only.

Other terms and conditions may apply. †† Interest may be tax deductible. Please consult your tax advisor regarding the deductibility of interest. ††† The conversion option from a home equity line of credit to a home equity loan is a loan modification. The fee to convert is $200 if you are within the first 3 years of your home equity line of credit opening. If the line of credit has been opened for three years or more there is no modification fee charged. ©2014 The Adirondack Trust Company Member FDIC.

FEATURES MAMATOGA Saratoga’s First Parenting Magazine

Spring 2014

Meet the Cute Restaurant Danger Zone

www.Mamatoga.com

Doing the Juggle 20 Family Choice Award Winners 26 A Dog’s Life 28

Family Choice Award Winners 2014

Adopting A Pet: where, how & why choose a rescue

Meet the Cute 14

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Restaurant Danger Zone 42

TABLE DIY DYE

37

Braided Egg Bread

38

Best Pancakes Ever

47

PLAY Adventure in Co-Parenting Little Reader Stuff I Love

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Spring Calendar Getaway

24

44

HEALTH PMS or PMDD?

32

Pregnancy to Schoolkid

STYLE Style Files

34

49

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T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S

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Julie Cox

Stephanie Messercola

Deanna Fox

You can often spot Julie Cox around town doing one or more of the following things: Â chasing one of her three boys, Jackson (12), Declan (4), and Beckett (1), educating teenagers about Shakespeare/aliens/grammar, driving her sweet minivan between various sports and activities, and chugging coffee in the midst of all the organized chaos. Â But most likely you will find her wandering the aisles of the grocery store where she spends the bulk of her time stockpiling food for the aforementioned three boys who are, for the most part, very very hungry.

Stephanie is a graduate of the University of Connecticut. She attended PA school at Albany Medical College in Albany, NY and completed her rotations in all areas of medicine throughout the Capital Region. In 2005 she became board certified by the National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants. She has practiced locally since 2005. Her areas of interest include pediatric obesity and adolescent medicine.

Stephanie is married to Dan and has two sons.

Deanna is an aspiring world bocce champion and daydreams of building a sailboat. When not working in or writing about the food industry, she can be found holding impromptu dance parties with her children on their farm in Upstate NY. More can be found at www.deannafox.org

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Spring 2014

Tracey Buyce

Katie Nemer

Jake Van Ness

Tracey Buyce is a top-ranked wedding and pet photographer in Saratoga Springs, NY. Her work has been published in numerous high profile publications and websites. She is an active member of the Wedding Photojournalist Association, Fearless Photographers and Professional Photographers of America. Tracey volunteers for several charities including: Hospice of Saratoga, CANDi International and Photographers without Borders.Tracey is married to Pete and has two rescue dogs, Roxy and Cassidy, one shelter kitty, Reece, and a horse named Moose.

Katie Nemer is a Toga mama to Jackson (12), Zoe (3), Preston (1) and Cocoa (the family lab). She and her husband, Josh, are huge fans of Saratoga and of Mamatoga magazine. Julie Cox is Jackson’s stepmom and Katie’s Co-author for their column, “Adventures in CoParenting”. Together they share their story about the many benefits, challenges, and humorous events that arise when sharing a child between two houses. Katie also took the fabulous cover shot for this issue.

Jake is a graphic designer and print specialist, with 14 years of experience, who grew up in Saratoga Springs. His business Graphic Precision (www.graphicprecision.com) is responsible for the Mamatoga brand design and keeping the Mamatoga.com website running smoothly. Jake is also the creative responsible for the award winning design and layout of Mamatoga magazine.

Receiving a GD USA American Graphic Design award for the Spring 2013 issue.

www.Mamatoga.com

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Adventures in Co-Parenting

“The Ultimate Test”

by Katie Nemer and Julie Cox

T

raditionally as we usher in the warmer temperatures of spring, there is a resurgence of romance in the air.

It’s a time many people fret over various first date-y things like what to wear, what to talk about, and whether or not a second date is merited. If all goes well, there will be the inevitable and slightly uncomfortable introductions of your newly-minted significant other to your friends, coworkers, and, gulp, parents. It’s indisputably stressful to make sure everyone deems this person an acceptable love interest. However, these aforementioned first date jitters and cringe-inducing introductions are nothing compared to those of us on either side of the single parent dating scene.

Both dating a single parent and dating as a single parent add a whole new element to the already complicated datingdance, because there’s usually a highly demanding yet rather short little critic to contend with that can arguably present the most trying, yet most important, test of all.

keep a bunny alive, how on earth could I ever take care of a child? Nonetheless, as the birth of the baby approached, I knew I had to accept that I didn’t have just myself to worry about anymore.

Katie: At the age of 19, I found out I was going to be a mom. This was very scary for two main reasons. One- I felt I was about to become a societal stereotype, the young single mom, and I was worried about how I would be perceived. Two- as evidenced by the untimely demise of my pet bunny, Thumper, I was terrified that if I couldn’t even

One evening, one of my regular customers came in to dinner with his very handsome son, Josh, whom he had mentioned more than a few times before. The man excitedly looked back and forth from Josh, to me, and back to Josh again, clearly thrilled to finally introduce us.

Jackson was about two years old when I started dating. It turned out my worries over being stereotyped were unfounded as I began to experience that a lot of guys not only weren’t spooked by my “single parent” status, but actually wanted to meet my little man.

Then, suddenly, I was the spooked one. I started to wear a fake CZ engagement ring to deter date invitations as I waited tables and went out with friends. I wasn’t ready for anyone to be around my baby boy. I rocked that fake ring for a while, until I realized that instead of deterring the wrong guy, I may accidentally deter the right guy.

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Katie and Josh

His hunch proved correct, and eventually Josh and I found ourselves on our first date. It was a night that ended up being chock-full of what would become our favorite memories. Josh picked me up in some kind of fancy car. I figured he was trying to impress me until I saw that he was wearing an old ripped t-shirt. Immediately I knew that this guy was different, amusing, and intriguing to me. Here’s my awesome car, and here’s my awesome t-shirt. I liked him. A lot. Especially when he laughed hysterically after I accidentally flung a shrimp off my skewer right into his chest. I had never been so comfortable with anyone so quickly.

Julie and JT

“ahh.” I explained to Josh that ‘tr’ and ‘ck’ were difficult sounds for a little guy as he was clearly trying to say the word, “truck.” But a few months later, when Jackson and Josh were really getting to know each other, Jackson would still look at him and say “ahh.” Then it hit us that “ahh” was in fact his attempt to say “Josh.” Jackson had clearly and unequivocally approved from day one, so much so that eventually Jackson came to name his favorite stuffed dog “ah.”

Not surprisingly, “ah” turned out to be a naturally perfect stepdad. He slipped Jackson right into the role, helping Jackson finish his too-difficult-for-mom Lego sets, bringing over special feel-better snacks when he was sick, and talking in After a few more perfect dates, it began to dawn on me that funny voices to make him laugh when he was sad.

I wanted to introduce him to Jackson. I knew that would be the ultimate test for all of us.

Julie: Back in my dating days, a description of my ideal guy would have gone something like this: funny, notThe day of the big meeting approached and Josh had dug weird-elbows, likes-to-read, cleans-up-nice. That’s about up an old favorite toy truck from his childhood to give it to it. Nowhere on that list did “good father to his kid” appear.

Jackson. Upon seeing the truck, Jackson looked up and said, Sure, I’d always liked kids; I am a teacher after all. But

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Spring 2014

dating a single dad wasn’t something I was actively seeking out. Then, suddenly, I found myself falling head over heels for the single dad I never knew I was looking for. Things moved quickly with JT. We went on lots of mid-week dates around Manhattan, since he spent every weekend upstate with Jackson. Eventually, he asked if I’d like to accompany him one weekend so I could get to know his favorite little guy. I accepted the invitation enthusiastically, but instantly my anxiety started to build.

Preparing to meet Jackson was one of the most terrifying experiences of my life. Meeting my new boyfriend’s parents, that I could handle. Meeting his friends, piece of cake. But meeting his five-year-old son? This was very new and very scary for me. I wasn’t naïve to the fact that the real gatekeeper in this relationship was Jackson. If he hated me then how could his dad possibly love me? Freaking out about how to approach this monumental audition and creepily googling things like what do five year olds do, I proceeded like any rational adult. I bought him a ton of presents. So many. My giant, overflowing Lightning McQueen gift bag coupled with the googled list of conversation topics and activities in my pocket screamed desperation.

Looking back on it, there were two best parts of that weekend, and neither of them involved the ridiculous amount of gifts I’d lugged along nor the pocketed list I never touched. The first was when Jackson asked me to help him with his juice pouch. Getting the straw in just the right position without poking through the back is tricky, and Jackson had asked me to help him. All of my worries about our meeting dissolved at that moment. The way it felt when he passed me that gleaming silver fruit-punchpouch was that he had made his decision that I was OK, or, at the very least, capable of handling a pointy straw. I felt like I had won an Oscar. I realize he was probably just thirsty, but to me this simple request from my awesome new buddy was deeply meaningful.

The second best part of that weekend was seeing JT as a dad.

The father-and-son duo let me in on their special routines like going to their spot in the library or teaching me how to make the perfect PBJ sandwich. Jackson, obviously, was the most important person in his life, and seeing my new boyfriend as a father was like meeting this sweet super-hero other side of him that I knew existed, but had never seen in action. It was the first time I could look to the future and really see our life together, as a family. I would have said yes if he’d asked me to marry him on the train home that weekend.

Conclusion: Today, many years after these stories took place, Jackson is almost a teenager and he travels happily between his two families. He has no problem pronouncing Josh loudly and clearly, especially when the iPad isn’t working. He easily opens his own juice pouches and readily helps his four little brothers and sisters with theirs. Our dating stories have happy endings, but the memories of that initial anxiety of the introductions are extremely vivid. The questions and the unknowns, both major and minor, were at the forefront of everyone’s minds. Is this the right person to bring into my child’s life? Is there a place for someone new in this family? What if his child hates me immediately?

What if he doesn’t like the truck or my ripped t-shirts?

Beginning a new relationship is an exciting time, and when children are involved there is certainly a lot more at stake and volumes more to consider. But at the end of the day, what we’ve found is if you know in your heart that you found the right person for you, then you have most likely found the right person for everyone – kids, parents, boyfriends and girlfriends included…just maybe not poor little Thumper.

Please don’t hesitate to visit Julie and Katie and www.AdventuresinCoparenting.com or follow them on Facebook! M

www.Mamatoga.com

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meet

the

Photography by Tracey Buyce

I

t was clear from birth that something was different about Esmé. It took a long time to understand quite how different she is and, in some ways, we are still identifying what makes her different. In the absence of answers about her condition, we started lovingly referring to her collection of symptoms as The Cute Syndrome, a term coined by our dear friend Dana. Eventually, I began to blog about life with Esmé under that title. And then last year, when we finally received a diagnosis of PCDH19 Female Limited Epilepsy (FLE), we established The Cute Syndrome Foundation to fund medical research.

But before I tell you about the challenges my daughter has faced, I want to explain something about her—something more essential than her medical condition: Esmé is magnetic. She is the kind of person who draws people to her wherever she goes, who manages to pull people into her orbit with a smile. As mothers we expect to see things in

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Cute

Written by Hillary Savoie

our children that others do not always understand, but with Esmé I often find myself feeling that her nature is clear to anyone who is willing to look. And in the last year, so many people have, as we are fond of saying, “caught the CUTE” and been inspired by her spirit of joy and determination.

At the same time, it is important to know, in many ways she is just like any other kid…she is goofy, she loves music (especially The Muppets Soundtrack), she enjoys hearing stories and reading books, she wants to have adventures and see new things.

Of course, there is another part of this story, which is that Esmé faces serious debilitating and life-threatening medical issues. At two she was diagnosed with PCDH19 FLE, a rare form of epilepsy that causes clustering drug-resistant seizures and a range of developmental delays in girls and women. She is now three. She cannot yet sit up consistently or stand or walk. And although we know that she has a

remarkable capacity to understand language and communicate in her own way, she is currently non-verbal. She has a ridiculous number of doctors both locally and at Boston Children’s Hospital and has had so many tests, procedures, and hospital stays that I have lost count.

Essentially, it all started with her being “floppy” at birth. Once we got her home it was clear that she had almost no interest in food. She never seemed to gain weight and was always pale and gray. She vomited almost every time we moved her and she made a purring sound when she would breathe. No one really understood what was happening until at 3 ½ months we almost lost her in the ER at Saratoga Hospital. She experienced cardiac and respiratory arrest resulting from double aspiration pneumonia because due to poor coordination her lungs had been slowing filling up with milk. She was hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit where she fought her way back to health with the help of an abdominal feeding tube and an anti-reflux surgery.

At 10 months Esmé—who was still unable to hold up her head, sit up, or roll over—started having seizures. And, with that, the true nature of her disorder and our understanding of the path we were on. At her worst Esmé would have a cluster of as many as 20 obvious seizures in a day, with

clusters occurring approximately every seven days. Being the mysterious person that Esmé is, however, identifying the seizures for what they were took almost an entire year because her EEG, the study of brain activity that is typically used to identify seizures, was surprisingly “normal.”

Fortunately we have gathered an amazing and devoted medical team around Esmé. And this team was unwilling to give up on finding answers even though the answers

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M

were not going to be easy to find. And it was through their determination that EsmĂŠ was finally diagnosed with PCDH19 FLE through a new genetic testing panel.

Currently she is one of approximately 200 girls and women worldwide who share this diagnosis. And while researchers believe that this gene will be the second most important gene in epilepsy, occurring in 1 in 10 women who experience a seizure before the age of five, the testing for this gene remains unavailable or cost-prohibitive to many people both in the US and abroad.

Finally having answers for EsmÊ’s condition was a relief in many ways. PCDH19 FLE is such a rare disorder that many of the hopes we had built up for a diagnosis leading us to a large community, well-funded research, and established organizations, were dashed. The community was small and under a lot of strain due to the health of their daughters.

There was a family group in Italy who had funded two years of important research and their ability to make thing

happen inspired my family to do the same. Last May we began the process of gathering our network of friends, family, and colleagues around this cause.

The outpouring of support was almost immediate and truly humbling.

Since starting the foundation in May 2013, we have raised over $63,000. Together with our partner organization in Italy, we are about to release our first PCDH19 medical research grant for 100,000 Euros over two years. This year we also plan to fund a post-doctoral fellowship to support a young researcher in PCDH19 research. We hope to be able to expand both of these programs in future years. We will also be helping to fund testing for families.

Equally as important, we have been working to raise awareness of the disorder, establishing the first annual PCDH19 Epilepsy Awareness Day with our partners. We also keep an active Facebook page and blog that helps to

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put a face to life with PCDH19. And we have organized several fundraisers and awareness campaigns locally.

Throughout this journey I have been constantly amazed not only by my daughter’s capacity for happiness and strength, but for what she is able to inspire in other people. It has been such a blessing to see her touch the lives of not only our friends and family, but total strangers who read about her or see her pictures on Facebook. I know that through her we have been able to spread an important that has helped people to appreciate the health of their children a little more, to be a bit more compassionate, and, most importantly, to smile as often as possible.

With The Cute Syndrome we have looked for a way to communicate the beauty and love that are a part of life with Esmé, while helping others understand the grave need for better and safer treatments for epilepsy in general and PCDH19 FLE specifically. Epilepsy research is dramatically underfunded and disorders like PCDH19 FLE are not well understood. We need to find safe, effective, and curative treatments for Esmé, and others like her, before her epilepsy robs her of more than it already has. M And I will not stop working until we do.

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little readers

by Jennifer Armstrong

E

very week at the Northshire Bookstore I have the great joy of introducing families to little treasures. Parents frequently reach for the beloved classics they remember from their own childhoods, so it’s our job in the children’s department to show them the new titles they might otherwise overlook. The following is a trio of sweet new books for mommies, daddies, babies and toddlers to share on a spring day.

Wake up with Yellow is My Color Star, a glorious, cheerful exploration of color

by Jean Horacek, who illustrated Mem Fox’s wonderful Where Is the Green Sheep? Bright primary and secondary colors set against plenty of white space give personality to emotions and moods and invite a conversation about color.

Gentle rhymes and an easy-going pace will set your morning on a sunny path.

Then spend a busy busy busy day with Go! Go! Go! Stop! by Cherise Mericle Harper. Green and red have a lot of fun bossing trucks and diggers around a construction site, creating chaos (too much stop! too much go!) until yellow shows up to smooth out the rough edges. This is a book that’s sure to produce giggles, and might even inspire an exciting game of Red Light! Green Light! in your living room. At the end of your day, slow down with Il Sung Na’s A Book of Babies, in which a duck introduces young readers to the variety of babies and families in the animal world – whether the family has nine babies (the fish) or just one (the monkey family) one thing they all share is that all babies (including the ducklings) need to sleep at the end of the day. The artwork is stylish, beautiful, and dreamy, just as it is in Il Sung Na’s earlier A Book of Sleep. Happy reading! Good night, littles!

Jennifer Armstrong, an independent fashion consultant, is also an author of over 100 books for children and teens and the 2004 winner of the New York State Library Association’s Knickerbocker Award in Juvenile Literature for her body of work. Her daughter, Dani, is in 8th grade. Jennifer works part-time in the children’s department at Northshire Bookstore in Saratoga Springs and invites you and your kids to visit her at the store on Saturdays!

doing the juggle What does multitasking mean to me? It’s something I do every day. I pack school lunches in between checking work emails and locating wayward snow boots. I have simultaneously nursed a baby while working on a magazine piece. More often than not with three kids and one on the way, my focus needs to be in more than one place at a time.

Most of the time, multitasking as a parent isn’t glamorous. It’s more of a “Let’s get this done” type of situation where you buckle down, grit your teeth and get through it. That’s the type of parent multitasking I want to celebrate. I also want to celebrate the kind of parent multitasking that makes the best out of any situation.

Take a look at these true multitasking parent warriors. Bravo to all of you for sending in these photos, they made me laugh, they made me commiserate, and they made me feel like I’m not the only one that has felt like my hands are too full once in a while. Hang in there.

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Imagine, Explore, Discover...

The Beagle School's Summer Camp!

Each week offers a different theme Camp operates on a T/Th or M/W/F schedule

Ages 2 1/2 - 4 (must be 3 by December 1st, 2014) Registration forms available on our website after 3/10 Please call 587-7507 for more details. www.beagleschool.com

▲ Here in this picture you can clearly see me trying to convince a toddler that riding in a wagon is more fun than walking and touching delicate wine grapes, so I can take her picture. Clearly dropping my camera, expletive leaving my mouth and of course I can’t set my wine down, its a vineyard and I am determined to relax and have some wine! www.Mamatoga.com

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STUFF I LOVE

1

1

Repurpose milk cartons with these ecofriendly, recycling craft stickers from Box Play. Kids can even customize them using crayons, pencils or markers! $7 www.boxplayforkids.com

2

Meri Meri cupcake kits. These adorable kids take simple cupcakes and make them the sweetest. Give the cartoon characters a rest and try some old fashioned fairies and pirates. $12.95 www.merimeri.com

3

Paddington Bear for Baby Gap rain parka. There are no words for this much cute. $49.95 www.gap.com

4

Toddler’s & Girl’s Colorblock Hunter Original Rain Boots. It’s spring, there will be mud. The main question though is…Um, do they come in my size too? $65 www.nordstrom.com

5

Revisiting my favorite books from childhood makes bedtime stories twice as much fun. Find classics like this one and tons more to explore at Northshire Bookstore. www.northshire.com

6

Get the kids all dressed up for Easter brunch with this tiny bow tie that stops just short of “cutesy”. $38 www.forage.bigcartel.com

7

Why are Kleen Kanteens so great? They are made of safe materials, they are practically indestructible, and now their sippy spout is new, improved and better than ever! Plus they come in a bunch of great colors. Get one at Healthy Living Market and Café. $16.95 www.healthylivingmarket.com/saratoga/

5 3

2 6

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Third Saturday each Month 1 - 3pm Don’t forget the Kids Club which meets the third Saturday of every month from 1-3PM in the food court at the Wilton Mall with the Children’s Museum at Saratoga and other various community partners. The entire program is free to kids and their families.

Saturday, April 26th 7pm Saratoga Mom Prom at the Saratoga Hilton, a women’s only event to raise money for the Saratoga County Children’s Committee. You don’t need to be a mom to attend this female only event! Call 518587-5392 for tickets.

Fri April 26th - Sat April 27th Saturday, March 15th Opera Saratoga, Opera to Go Presents: The Billy Goats Gruff at the Saratoga Springs Public Library at 11am. In a re-telling of this classic tale, Opera Saratoga’s Opera to Go presents the Billy Goats Gruff with themes of anti-bullying and friendship.

This performance, from the adaptation

by John Davies, references scenes from operas by W.A.Mozart, G.Rosinni, and G.Donizetti. For ages 4 and older.Free tickets available in the Children’s Room beginning March 1, 2014.

Saturday, March 22nd The Children’s Museum at Saratoga Birthday Bash “Treasure Island” at Saratoga National from 6:30-11pm. Call 518-584-5540 for tickets.

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The Katrina Trask Spring Consignment Sale at the American Legion, 34 West Ave., Saratoga Springs. Presale starts Friday, April 25th. Everything you need for children: furniture, toys, books, videos, baby gear, maternity and nursing clothes, and children’s clothes for infants to children’s size 10/12. Visit www. ktnurseryschool.org/sale/ for more information.

Sat April 27th - Sun April 28th The Capital Consignments Spring Sale at Saratoga Independent School. Admission is free for this sale for men, women and childrens clothing, shoes, accessories, small furniture, housewares, toys, games, electronics and more! This sale features over 10,000 items from more than 40 families. Call 518-406-8697 for more information.

spring Saratoga Springs Horse Show 2014 Show 1 The Show features Hunters, Jumpers, and Equitation classes held in three rings.

The show has a long history, operating continuously since 1960. Admission is $4.00 for adults (children under 12 are free). Show 2 is from May 7th to May 11th. Union Avenue in Saratoga Springs.

Visit www. saratogaspringshorseshow. com for more information.

Sunday, May 18th SPAC Rock & Run 2014 The Rock & Run is a high-energy, family friendly 5K through the Spa State Park with live music along the route! All proceeds benefit SPAC’s Vivienne Anderson Children’s Program.

SaratogaArtsFest 2014, June 11-15 This year will offer a broad variety of arts experiences, including music, dance, visual art, film, theatre, and literary art. The eighth annual festival is designed to appeal to a wide range of audiences, from the seasoned arts enthusiast to families with young children. Free admission to kids 12 and under; following are some of the fantastic activities scheduled for this year:

Kids Do Art!

“Kids Do Art!” provides hands-on activities and artists performances for children ages 3 to 12. “Kids Do Art!” will provide featured artists and special dance and music experiences during the SAF annual festival which runs from June 11 through 15, 2014. In addition to experiences in the performance arts, SAF is also bringing face painting and craft artists so that children can experiment, create, and explore the arts in its many forms.

Beekman Street Art Fair

Beekman Street Art Fair is a juried art and craft fair, with musical groups, street performers, and gourmet food trucks representing the “taste of Saratoga”. Traditionally held on Sunday during SaratogaArtsFest’s annual festival, Beekman Street Art Fair has been an incredibly successful component of ArtsFest’s annual festival programming. More than 40 artists are set up along Beekman Street, in the heart of Saratoga County’s art district, displaying fine art and craft, including demonstrations in papermaking, ceramics, and weaving. #SAF2014

Eighth annual citywide celebration ~ June 11–15, 2014

dance + music + visual + film + theatre + literary A GREAT EVENT FOR CHILDREN

of all ages...

Don’t miss Kids Do Art, Circus Arts Workshop, Puppet Play, activities at Saratoga Children’s Museum and so much more. designsmithstudio.com

Wed April 30th - Sun May 4th

Kids 12 and under free!

www.Mamatoga.com

| 25

Congratulations to the Winners!

Have kids. Have style. Have fun. www.mamatoga.com

2014

MAMATOGA Family Choice Awards Winner

Thanks for voting

Best Brunch

Best Pizza

Hattie’s

Caputo’s Pizzeria

Best Kids Event

Runner Up: Harvest and Hearth

Runner Up:

Sweet Mimi’s Cafe

The Nutcracker Tea at the Hall of Springs at SPAC

The Children’s Museum at Saratoga

Runner Up: The Children’s Room at Saratoga Springs Public Library

Runner Up: The Children’s Museum at Saratoga’s Big Truck Day

Best Kids Birthday Party Spot

Best Hair Salon

Saratoga Paint and Sip Studio

The Strand

Runner Up: North Country Horses

Runner Up: The Limelight Salon

Best Kid Friendly Restaurant Circus Cafe Runner Up: Iron Roost

Best Spot for a Mom Meet Up or Play Date

Best Date Night Restaurant The Wishing Well

Runner Up: Prime at Saratoga National

Best Mexican Restaurant

Mexican Connection Runner Up: Cantina

Best Preschool

Greenberg Child Care Center at Skidmore College

Best Women’s Clothing Shop Piper Boutique Runner Up: Alexis Aida

Runner Up: Saratoga Independent School

Best Pediatrician

Best Burger

Comfort Kitchen Runner Up: Henry Street Taproom

Best Saratoga Family Event Victorian Streetwalk

Runner Up: Family Night Series at SPAC

Pediatric Associates of Saratoga/ Glens Falls Pediatric Consultants Runner Up:

Community Care Pediatrics

By

a dog’s life

Photo: Tracey Buyce

save a life and add a family member Written by Jenny Witte

I

n March of this year we will celebrate a very special anniversary in our house, it will be a whole year that Luna has been part of our family. I still remember picking her up at the airport and not knowing what to expect. She slept on my lap the whole way home, and I just gently stroked her head hoping that our family would be a good fit for her.

Almost immediately we all bonded with Luna. She has a sweetness that you can see immediately in her eyes, part of the reason I knew I had to adopt her when I saw that first photo of her. She is the gentlest, sweetest little girl, and we are all better for having her be part of our lives.

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Spring 2014

She loves snoozing in patches of sunlight on the floor, playing with her dog brother Hunter, barking at dog passersby, going on walks and hikes with the family and snuggling on the couch during movie nights. Levy has really bonded with her, since she is the only other “girl in the family”, and since we don’t know Luna’s official birthday Levy has asked that she share her birthday in May. Some of my most favorite moments of the day are when the house is nice and quiet, the kids are asleep, and I get to pull Luna up onto my lap. She curls up into this little shape, and with her added healthy pounds and pretty blonde fur

Luna in Mexico...

M

...a year later Photo: Tracey Buyce, CANDi International

Sean and I joke that she’s my little croissant. Having this little doggie sit on my lap, safe, warm, full, cared for, makes me so grateful. I’m grateful to Tracey Buyce and CANDi International and all of their volunteers for helping save Luna and bring her to our family, and she reminds me to be grateful for all that I have. A warm house, enough to eat, a safe and calm environment, a loving family. There are so many dogs that don’t have this, and all they want to do is give love. Please, please consider adopting a shelter or rescue dog. You will save a life, you give this deserving animal, but what you give pales in comparison to what they give back to you.

If you are thinking it’s time to add a four legged furry family member to your family, adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue organization is one of the best options. With the overpopulation in shelters around the country and the high numbers of euthanization (4.5 million pets a year), adopting a dog is one of the best things you can do to help this problem.

You’ll also find that there is a wide variety of choices. We spoke with Courtney Gelish from Unleashed Canine Care who explained, “Many people think that shelters are only comprised of ‘mutts’ and mixed breeds. However, there are many rescue groups dedicated to re-homing specific breeds. For example, the New York State Weimaraner Rescue helps Weimaraners. There are rescue groups out there for Border Collies, Golden Retreivers, Greyhounds, and more. These groups are dedicated to knowing and understanding the breed, so they are a great resource not only for adopting but for education on your breed of choice.”

Also, don’t be afraid of an older dog. We all know puppies are cute, but if your family (kids included) aren’t unable to commit to a regimen of obedience training, potty training, and exercise, than perhaps a puppy is not the best choice.

If the effort of training a puppy is too much for you and your schedule, adopting a dog leaves you with the option to choose a dog that is already housebroken and potty trained.

www.Mamatoga.com

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One of the many benefits to a rescue dog is that the adoption cost from a shelter is significantly less than from a breeder, and the cost often includes vaccinations and spaying or neutering.

Eliane from Red Bandana Pet Services points out that adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue organization is a gift that keeps on giving. “When you do pay an adoption fee to adopt a dog at a local rescue or shelter, that money isn’t adding to a pet stores personal profits – it is going towards the care of the remaining animals at the shelter. When your friends ask where you got your amazing pet, you can tell them what organization you adopted your dog from. Your adoption may encourage others to do the same.”

It’s also very important to be realistic about what time commitment you and the family can give to a dog. Take a look at everyone’s schedules and activity levels and make sure you don’t choose a dog that has an energy level that is equal to or lower than your own. Make sure you evaluate the dog when he’s been out of the cage for some time and has had a walk. Take him out and see how he behaves. A dog

H.O.P.E. ANIMAL RESCUE Fundraiser

WHEN WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014 5:00PM -10:30PM WHERE

The Inn at Saratoga 231 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 518-583-1890

FEATURING ·Live Music by Tim Wechgelaer and Chris Carey from 7:30pm – 10:30pm

Help to save the lives of orphaned animals The Inn at Saratoga will be donating 25% of our total food and beverage Proceeds to H.O.P.E Animal Rescue.

Join us for dinner, drinks & live entertainmet.

Reservations suggested but not required.

in a cage is not going to give you the reality of their natural energy.

If you’re unsure of whether the new dog you’ve chosen is right for your family and lifestyle, consider fostering before making a commitment. Fostering is an incredibly important part of rescuing a dog. It’s also a responsible way to know whether you’re ready to bring a new dog into your family and properly care for it. Plus, fostering takes them out of the shelter and if you are armed with the proper information, you can help transition the dog from shelter life to home life. It’s a great way to see if the whole family (other pets included) will get along with the new addition.

Saratoga Dog Lovers is a great resource for our area for any dog owners or prospective dog parents. They have an extensive list of trusted pet adoption centers as well as animal rescue locations right here in our area. Visit their site at www.saratogadoglovers.com/guides/adoption/ for all the info to get started on your search. M Dog photo below: Eliane’s terrier mix, Jones

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Balance

craft

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My classroom is a forest. !

Pools, cabanas & water features ¡ Decks & screen rooms Stone patios & walls ¡ Outdoor kitchens & fireplaces Garden design & so much more

R E D B U D D E V E L O P M E N T. C O M

residential landscape design ¡ construction management

www.waldorfsaratoga.org/forest

!

Join  us  for Â

Girls Night Out Ladies...looking  for  a  fabulous    fun-­filled  Girls  Night  Out  in  support  of  a  great  cause?  Then  pull  out  those  old  prom  gowns,  bridesmaid  dresses  or  find  the  tackiest  dress  in  a  thrift  shop  and  join  us  for  a  night  of  dancing,  light  fare,  cash  bar,   raffle  baskets,  good  company  and   humorous  prom  traditions! Â

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mosaics drawing painting music pottery dance community

Saratoga  Mom  Prom  2014 Â

Odyssey Summer Art Classes

Saturday,  April  26,  2014  7  pm 11  pm  The  Saratoga  Hilton  534  Broadway  Saratoga  Springs,  NY  12866  $55  per  person Â

join  us! Â

To  RSVP   visit  our  website: Â

Greenfield’s Performing & Visual Arts Center 165 Wilton Rd. Greenfield Ctr NY

www.saratogamomprom.com  Or  send  a  check  to: Â

Committee  and  their  programs  which  support            Saratoga  County  EOC,  Early  Intervention,  Domestic  Violence  Services,  Saratoga  Mentoring,  Center  for  the  Family  as  well  as  the  Empty  Stocking  Project. Â

Saratoga  Mom  Prom  19  Evergreen  Drive  Gansevoort,  NY  12831 Â

Contact  SCCC  at  (518)  484-­1236                              for  more  information Â

For  more  information,  contact  Gail   at  518-­587-­5392  Â

Â

www.Mamatoga.com

| 31

PMS or PMDD? Understanding the Difference and Why It’s Important to Know

by Dympna Weil, MD

P

MDD, or Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, is the most severe form of PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome.)

It is believed to affect 3-8% of reproductive-aged women, and while its symptoms are identical to PMS, its impact on women’s lives is much greater.

PMDD is defined by the degree to which it interferes with social life, family and home life, and work and school. Women with PMDD find that their premenstrual symptoms are truly debilitating for anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of weeks before their period. We spoke with Dr. Dympna Weil from Myrtle Street Obstetrics and Gynecology about the differences between PMS and PMDD and why it’s important to know which you are experiencing.

Premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, defines a pattern of physical or mood changes that occur during the days before menstruation. These symptoms happen cyclically, month after month, and interfere with some aspects life.

The symptoms can be emotional (ex: depression, anxiety, fatigue, crying, irritability) or physical (breast tenderness, food cravings, bloating, gastrointestinal symptoms, pain, headaches).

About 75% of menstruating women will experience some form of PMS, though most cases are relatively mild. While most of these women will have one or more of these

32 | MAMATOGA

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symptoms in the day or two before their period, most will have little compromise in their daily life activities. To diagnose the syndrome, your physician may ask you to keep track of the dates of your periods and the days on which you feel symptoms for several months. Symptoms of PMS occur in the seven to ten days before menses and usually end within four days of the start of bleeding. Such a specific pattern of symptoms, when it is accompanied by a disruption in usual functioning, is PMS. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder, or PMDD, is a less common, but more severe type of PMS. The disorder is also defined by extreme mood changes, which can cause significant disruptions with work or personal relationships.

Along with some of the symptoms of PMS (listed above), in PMDD extremes of sadness, hopelessness, anxiety, anger, severe irritability, and internal tension are prominent findings.

PMS can be mild to moderate, with symptoms sometimes being relieved by changes in diet or lifestyle. When the mood changes are extreme and significantly affecting a woman’s quality of life and her interactions with others, then moderate PMS or severe PMDD may be the cause. The more severe the symptoms, the more likely treatment may help minimize or alleviate symptoms.

While PMS/PMDD likely has some genetic component or predisposition (this is under research), these menstrual mood disorders affect women from all socioeconomic backgrounds and varied cultural and ethnic backgrounds. It is unclear exactly why only some women develop the more extreme symptoms of PMDD, though it is likely that they are intrinsically more sensitive to the subtle hormone level shifts that occur with menses. Unfortunately, there are no hormonal tests or levels to check, in order to make the diagnosis nor to help in guiding treatment.

Patients with PMDD often benefit from medication. There are several different options depending on the woman and her medical history. Some of the drug options, known as SSRIs, are the same medications used to treat depression.

They are thought to help because a similar neurotransmitter (brain chemical) is involved in the development of PMDD and depression.

Whereas depression requires daily medication, PMDD can often be treated by medication use 2 weeks before menstruation. Other options may include oral contraceptives or anti-anxiety medications, among others, depending on individual circumstances.

If you think you are experiencing PMDD, the first step is talking about it. Having a symptom diary (a calendar of dates If you think you may have PMS/PMDD and it is affecting of menses and dates with details of symptoms) can be very your quality of life and interactions at work and home, then useful. Your physician will ask you about other symptoms to certainly make an appointment to speak with your physician help distinguish other underlying medical conditions (such about your symptoms. Help is available! M as depression, anxiety, thyroid disorders, perimenopause) from PMS/PMDD. If your symptoms are severe enough to affect your quality of life, Charles Lasky, MD then bringing your concern Amy Knoeller, MD to your doctor’s attention is Carolyn Slatch, MD the most important thing you Amos Cutler, MD can do to help find out what Katja Bock, MD is going on and to offer you Eliot Birnbaum, MD suggestions for treatment.

Dympna Weil, MD Kelly Goldenberg, CNM Mild to moderate PMS Terri Jones-Kingman, NP symptoms can often be Ruthann Aurentz, NP relieved by changes to diet and lifestyle. Aerobic exercise (walking, running, swimming, Obstetrics & Gynecology, P.C. biking), relaxation techniques (meditation, yoga, massage), and regular sleeping patterns Preconception & Infertility Counseling • High Risk Pregnancy Care can all lessen symptoms.

In-Office Ultrasound & Laboratory • In-Office Endometrial Ablation Simple diet changes such as Urodynamic Testing • Treatment for Incontinence • Cancer Screening Services adding complex carbohydrates and calcium-rich foods (leafy green veggies and yogurt, 2105 Ellsworth Blvd.

59 Myrtle St., Suite 100 for example) can be useful.

Malta, NY 12020 Saratoga Spr., NY 12866 Limiting your dietary intake of fat, salt, sugar, caffeine & alcohol can also relieve 518.587.2400 • www.myrtlestobgyn.com symptoms.

MYRTLE STREET

www.Mamatoga.com

| 33

Style Files deanna fox

How would you describe your style?

“Timeless” and “flexible” are the words I would associate with my style. My day-to-day takes me from stomping around in a muddy farm field or barnyard, to working in kitchens, to holding meetings in board rooms. I need a wardrobe that can keep pace. Usually this means a few basic pieces that are suited to the situation by changing out a barncoat for a blazer, adding a statement necklace, and swapping shoes. (I store more shoes in the back of my car than in my closet.)

What is the most worn item in your closet? (any season)

Probably a pair of superskinny indigo jeans from Land’s End Canvas. They need to be replaced, as they’ve been so well-loved they are threadbare on the rear and inner thighs!

How has becoming a mom changed your style?

I have always hated shopping for clothes, but now I have less time to do it. Since having children, I definitely shop with more intention and purchase items that I know will last a long time and will fit a variety of uses.

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Date night at a restaurant downtown, what is your go to outfit?

Opaque black stockings, well-fitting booties, a silk mini skirt, blouse or thin sweater, and a fun jacket or vintage fur stole.

What is one piece of fashion advice you would give to your daughter?

Whatever you have on, wear it with confidence. No matter how nice the item might be, it won’t look good on you if you don’t feel amazing wearing it. Don’t waste money on something you don’t love.

What are your can’t live without beauty products?

A swipe of mascara or a bold red lip stain are my two most-used products. But I don’t really like to wear make-up, and I think I’m prettier (most days) without it. I use coconut oil on my skin, lips, and hair daily, and steam my face once or twice weekly to remove ickiness from my pores.

Name one style rule you think all women should break?

Rules on stockings are so arbitrary. Just jive whatever jam makes you happy.

Do you have any fashion and style pet peeves?

I think it’s more a matter of attitude. It is totally fine to not be “into” fashion, but that doesn’t mean you should disrespect people who do or belittle a situation that requires sartorial protocol. Gentlemen, take note: If you are asked to wear a jacket at dinner, it doesn’t mean you should also wear jeans.

Name one shop in downtown Saratoga that you can’t resist?

Northshire Bookstore, because smart looks good on everyone.

Heels or flats?

Ooh, tough call. Since I clock in at over six feet with heels, it depends on if I want to be noticed or not that day.

Favorite restaurant to eat at with kids? Without?

With kids: Park Side Eatery. Without kids: Javier’s or The Local.

If you could have any TV or movie character’s wardrobe, whose would you chose and why?

One of my first memories of longing for a style was Meg Ryan’s black jumper and white collared shirt in “You’ve Got Mail.” I’ve tried to replicate that in many forms over my years. On the same note, I’d love the wardrobe of nearly any female protagonist from a Nancy Meyers or Nora Ephron movie.

You want the best cocktail in Saratoga, where are you going?

I mostly dislike buying cocktails when I’m out, because I’m usually disappointed and price-shocked. But I’ve never had a bad drink at 9 Maple.

Name one piece of jewelry you are absolutely attached to and why?

I’m rather utilitarian when it comes to jewelry, and like simple pieces (most of which have a sentimental attachment). But I think it’s an even split between my Dogeared ship wheel pendant and a ruby, diamond, and cameo ring that has been in my family for seven generations. M

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Barn jacket, Barbour

Vintage fur collar

Booties, Nordstrom

Necklace, Stella & Dot all natural beauty secret

Epi-pen, because I’m bee-allergic

Vintage hankies Vintage Dooney and Bourke, from Esty.com

Sunscreen from Collin Copius notebooks from Greenroom, some for recipe ideas, others for story notes for my freelance work

Lip balm from Burt’s Bees

Earbuds by Phillips because music gets me through my day

Assorted kids stuff

Sunglasses

by RayBan

in

my

bag

Skip the store bought and make your own safe and natural egg dyes Written by Deanna Fox

INGREDIENTS

METHOD

Bluish-Gray

Orange

Blue

Faint Red-Orange

One dozen eggs Water 2 teaspoons baking soda Distilled white vinegar Dying agents (see list below)

Mix 1 cup frozen blueberries with 1 cup water, bring to room temperature, and remove blueberries.

Cut 1/4 head of red cabbage into chunks and add to 4 cups boiling water. Stir in 2 Tbsp. vinegar. Let cool to room temperature and remove cabbage with a slotted spoon.

Jade Green

Peel the skin from 6 red onions and simmer in 2 cups water for 15 minutes; strain. Add 3 tsp. white vinegar.

To boil eggs, place them in a pot large enough so they do not overlap. Fill the pot with enough water to cover the eggs by one inch, then sprinkle the baking soda over the top (the baking soda coagulate the protein in the egg, helping it pull away from the shell and making it easier to peel). Place the pot over high heat and bring to a boil. Cover and turn off the heat. Let the eggs sit for 12 minutes. Rinse the eggs under cold water to stop the cooking, then store in the refrigerator until ready to use (eggs can be cooked up to 4 days in advance).

Take the skin of 6 yellow onions and simmer in 2 cups water for 15 minutes; strain. Add 3 tsp. white vinegar.

Stir 2 Tbsp. paprika into 1 cup boiling water; add 2 tsp. white vinegar.

Rich yellow

Simmer 4 oz. chopped carrot tops in 1-1/2 cups water for 15 minutes; strain.

Add 2 tsp. white vinegar.

Faint pink

Chop 4 oz. amaranth flowers and simmer in 2 cups water; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar. Simmer the skins from 6 avocados in 1-1/2 cup water for 20 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar. Mix 1 cup pickled beet juice and 1 tablespoon vinegar.

Dark pink

Cut 1 medium beet into chunks and add to 4 cups boiling water. Stir in 2 Tbsp. vinegar and let cool to room temperature; remove beets.

Lavender

Mix 1 cup grape juice and 1 tablespoon vinegar.

www.Mamatoga.com

| 37

braided egg bread

braided egg bread

Written and Photography by Deanna Fox

Now that you have created some earthy, luxuriously colored eggs, why not make a few more for a loaf of Easter egg bread.

With a little advanced planning, you can make this treat for any springtime gathering. The bread itself leans towards the sweet side, so intend to serve it as a breakfast or brunch offering with a little sweetened butter or jam on the side.

BREAD INGREDIENTS

2/3 cup milk 5 tablespoons sugar, divided, plus more for sprinkling on dough 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast 3 large eggs, room temperature 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting 1 teaspoon Kosher salt ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature and cut into one-inch pieces, plus ½ tablespoon melted butter 6-8 dyed hardboiled eggs

stick to the bowl and look very rubbery. Don’t worry! This is okay. Knead the dough on medium-high speed for about five minutes.

Brush a medium bowl with the melted butter. Place the dough in the bowl and brush the top of the dough with the remaining melted butter. Cover the bowl tight with plastic wrap. At this point, the dough can be chilled for a day if desired, to be baked the next day. Place the dough in a warm spot and allow it to rise until double in size (one to two hours if just kneaded, two to three hours if chilled first).

Scald the milk by heating it in a small saucepan until small bubbles start to form around the edge of the pan (to about 110-115 degrees Fahrenheit). Stir in one tablespoon of sugar. Sprinkle the yeast over the top of the milk and whisk to blend. Let the yeast proof and get foamy – this should take about five minutes. Add in two eggs and whisk until smooth.

Once dough has risen, remove the plastic wrap and punch the dough down to release the gases trapped inside. Sprinkle flour onto a clean surface and turn the dough out. Cut the dough into three even pieces and roll each piece to be about 18 inches long. Allow to rest for three to five minutes. Attach the three ropes of dough at one end, then braid together, attaching at the opposite end once braided. Carefully transfer the dough to a baking sheet (lightly greased or lined with parchment paper or a Sil-Pat). Gently tuck the dyed eggs into the braid. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and allow to rise for 45 minutes.

Combine the rest of the sugar, flour, and salt together in the bowl of a stand mixer. Add the milk mixture in then turn on the mixer using the dough hook attachment. Mix until the dough is mostly combined – it will look sandy at this point. Begin to add in butter one piece at a time, then mix on medium speed for one minute. The dough will start to

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Take the final egg and mix it with one tablespoon of water. Brush this egg wash over the top of the braid, being careful to avoid the eggs.

Sprinkle the braid with sugar, then bake for 25 minutes until golden. Cool the loaf on a wire rack, then serve immediately or store air-tight for up to 8 hours.

METHOD

40 | MAMATOGA

Spring 2014

McGregor Links Country Club Enjoy Golf, Tennis, Swimming and more at McGregor.

Our Golf Course

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Lessons

Membership

Dining and Events

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2014 Membership Structure

To learn more call 518-584-6270 or visit mcgregorlinks.com

McGregor Links | 359 Northern Pines Road, Saratoga Springs | 584-6270 |

www.mcgregorlinks.com

|

Restaurant

danger zone

By Jenny Witte

W

e have all been there. At first you are enjoying those first sweet months where your baby will sit, maybe even sleep, quietly through a meal at a restaurant. “This is so great!” you think. “What were people talking about when they said you’ll never go out to eat again?” you wonder, as you gaze lovingly at your little sleeping bundle of joy while you sip a glass of wine and peruse the appetizer section of the menu.

Other patrons may pass you on their way out, pausing for a second to gush over the baby, and maybe you’ll feel just a little smug and self satisfied that you are one of those parents, those who still can go out to eat even though you have a baby. You’re not chained to the house! Not you! That is, until you begin to enter the Restaurant Danger Zone.

It comes on slowly at first. They start getting more active, and more demanding of entertainment. So you throw a few more toys into the baby bag, no big deal! Maybe they start being a touch loud, still fine, still fine! You can still go out to eat, and at the same time you also perfect the “Apologetic Parent Face”. You know the one. The one that is sort of like a facial shrug, like “I’m really sorry, I know my child is being loud but I am a good parent and I will try to remedy this ASAP.” The one that cuts you some slack, especially from other parents. (This is also the facial expression you wear the entire time when traveling by plane with a baby, BTW.) But then, those blissful lunches and dinners your child happily sat through start to dissolve into an anxiety filled mess where you start eyeing the exits before you are even seated. Then you ask the waiter to bring your child’s food as soon as humanly possible because maybe that will buy you

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some time. Your child might trick you into thinking that you can, in fact, pull this off with your dignity intact, but then the restlessness starts. They have gone through every toy and distraction in your bag of tricks and every crayon is now on the floor and they want out of that highchair. You start to shovel food in your mouth like you’re in the pie eating scene from Stand By Me all the while frantically waving your waiter over to simultaneously ask for the check and a to-go box for the rest of your meal because your toddler is about to commence epic meltdown in t-minus two minutes.

Sometimes, you can make it outside before it starts. And sometimes not. Sometimes one of you (if you are lucky enough to have another baby holding adult with you) can take the child outside for a couple minutes, at which point a few blessed moments of relief will wash over you and you can actually finish your entree without the danger of choking on it as you inhale it. The adult outside will play a game, let the child run down the sidewalk, whatever they need to do to just get it done, and then you’ll switch. Oh no, you are not off scot-free, you must do your duty as the “walking around with the antsy toddler” parent too.

Sean and I have recently entered this phase, which is why I share it with you today. For almost two years now we were those eating at restaurant parents, and for the most part it went pretty smoothly. But lately, taking Jack to a restaurant is like playing a game of potentially seriously cranky toddler hot potato and I’m not sure if I spent more time trying to keep him entertained or actually eating my $19 salmon.

A few months, we wanted to try Amigo’s in Schuylerville.

Sure, we had been out already at the pumpkin patch and

the apple orchard, but we had a sippy cup for Jack, his Hedgie, a ton of crayons and toys and whatnot, and a nearly fully charged iPhone full of Toca Boca apps to bust out in absolute emergency situations.

We should have known. Take a toddler who hasn’t napped to dinner? In a restaurant with other people in it?! But no, we did it anyway. I really wanted Mexican food and a margarita, so we took the chance. It did not work out in our favor. You know it’s bad when they start to get cranky before you’ve even ordered and you sit there and wonder if you should just abandon ship right from the get go. But we felt bad, they had already brought chips and water and man I really wanted that margarita, so we forged ahead, blindly ignoring the pretty blatant warning signals Jack was sending out like the bat signal to get the heck out of there before he changed into a terrible toddler monster. The girl waiting on our table had some special waitress sixth sense and even warned me that I should just order my margarita immediately because “it would take a while” and I did, so we were locked in.

other diners too much, while Finn and Lev happily colored and ate their tacos. So now, I get it. He’s in the Restaurant Danger Zone. I didn’t want to admit it, because I really like going out to eat with the whole family, but I will cool it for a while with Jack. Partially because it is disruptive to everyone else, partially because I don’t feel like paying to go out to eat when it turns out to be a stressful, nerve wracking experience for all of us.

And, before I know it, we’ll be back in that sweet spot again, because that’s where we are with Finn and Lev. They know the drill, they are old enough to sit in their seats and use good manners and keep the noise level to at least a basic modicum of politeness. Until then, it’s either leaving the kids with a sitter or staying home. But don’t worry, if I see you out and you have a toddler ticking time bomb in a restaurant, I will give you that other face that parents develop. The “I’ve Been There” face. The one that is meant to convey silent support, to tell you to hang in there, that you aren’t judging them, and to go ahead and just order the margarita anyway. M

Long story short, I spent most of the time entertaining a child who clearly did not want to be there, Sean and I taking turns to walk him around outside so we didn’t disturb the

We can now perform a We can now perform a hysterectomy with virtually no hysterectomy with virtually no scar and quicker recovery. scar and quicker recovery.

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www.Mamatoga.com

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y a w a t e g s to

new way

t spot

rfec e p e h t find

T

here’s a new way to find a place to stay, and you’ll love the unique and different options you can find for everything from a weeklong getaway to a quick overnight mini break.

Last summer I was looking for a unique and romantic little spot for a quick weekend break for Sean and I, so I started browsing online at Airbnb. Airbnb has listings all over the world, and there are hundreds of listings to browse through all around our area as well, from unique yurts and treehouse style accommodations to barns and studio apartments.

Booking is easy and secure, you find the space that’s right for you by entering your destination, dates and number of guests on the Airbnb homepage and click the green ‘Book It’ button on a listing to send the host a formal reservation request. The host will then have 24 hours to respond. (If the host does not respond in that time, the booking expires.) If you see a listing labeled ‘Instant Book,’ that means there is no messaging or approval needed. In this case, clicking ‘Book It’ will confirm your reservation immediately. The best spots always have a ton of reviews from other travelers, so you can get a good idea of what to expect.

You can find a place fit for two or somewhere big enough for a family reunion. The best part is that the rental now becomes part of your trip experience. More than just a cookie cutter hotel room, booking a cool spot on Airbnb turns the entire thing into a new experience. It’s not just for your vacation either, next time you have family visiting but don’t have the space to put them up, browse the local options and find them a nice cozy spot to bunk.

Traveling as a family? Check out Kid & Coe, a new family-friendly vacation rental site that offers houses and apartments stocked with cribs, toys, books, high chairs, everything you might need when traveling with little ones.

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Burlington Mini Break Last summer, Sean and I had very limited time for a mini break but a very big need for one. We wanted to pick a spot that was close enough to home to not waste too much time on traveling but far enough away to feel like a real getaway.

Burlington, VT is just two and a half hours from Saratoga Springs (not to mention a very pretty scenic drive) and has a ton to offer from restaurants and shops to museums, hiking and outdoor activities and much more.

I hopped on Airbnb and fell in love with Alder Brook Cabin.

At just $68 a night it was a total bargain and was worth every single penny. Cozy and adorable from first sight, the cabin features a single room with attached screened porch, bunks for two, electric lights, a small fridge, coffee maker and even has wireless so you can feel like you’re roughing it but still do facetime with the kids at home or watch a movie on iTunes.

The outdoor shower was an extra special perk, with unlimited hot water I spent a relaxing half hour with my coffee balanced on the railing, looking out at the beautiful early morning view of the woods with the mist coming up over the trees.

Secluded and romantic, it was the perfect mini break and just enough time to recharge.

Here are some not to miss spots in Burlington: Shelburne Farms: They have 1,400 acres of pastures, woodlands, gardens, and historic buildings and it is dedicated to being a learning campus for sustainable agriculture, sustainable forestry, or “simply learning how we are connected to the world around us”, and it is quite the experience. We strolled around the grounds for a while, then headed down to the Farm Barn and checked out the activities for kids (can’t wait to bring the whole family back) and then went to the bakery there at the barn for some incredible pain au chocolate and danish. They have one of Vermont’s premier farm-to-table restaurants with menu items that are built around what’s being harvested in their Market Garden or from area farms on any given day or week. We checked out their brunch while taking in an incredible view of Lake Champlain.

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Sit back, relax and take in the sights on Church Street, a wide, four-block concourse that is the city’s social center and home to more than 100 shops and restaurants. We sat and had escargot and a beer at Leunig’s (115 Church St).

Burlington is like Saratoga Springs in that being active and outdoors is a way of life. Rent a bike at one of the many local shops and use the marked bike lanes to see the city and the views along the lake.

Book a lake cruise with Let’s Go Sailing, they offer romantic sunset cruises as well as beautiful day tours of the lake with views of the mountains and the rustic cityscape of Burlington are available. www.vermontsailing.com M

I come from a long line of talented pancake makers.

My Grandpa Witte made the most amazing pancakes, and my father makes pretty great pancakes himself as well. Although I also love to get crazy with the pancakes and make fun ones in shapes and rainbows, this tried

Ingredients:

2 eggs 1 1/2 cups allpurpose flour 2 tablespoons sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 1/4 cup milk (you can also use coconut milk, flax milk or any non-dairy alternative) 2 tablespoons butter, melted 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/2 cup miniature chocolate chips (they melt better and more evently than regular sized)

and true chocolate chip pancake recipe is hands down the best. This one is so easy that the kids love helping out too, and they always turn out delicious. Perfect for a lazy Sunday morning, enjoy!

Directions:

Heat pan to mediumhigh heat and put a pat of butter in to grease it In a large bowl, beat the eggs with a whisk until lightly beaten. Beat in the remaining ingredients except chocolate chips until smooth. Stir in chocolate chips.

For each pancake, pour about 1/4 cup of batter onto the hot griddle.

Cook on one side until bubbles start to form and flip. Cook on the other side until golden brown.

Serve with syrup and toppings of your choice, add a little “snow� (confectioners sugar) for an extra treat!

RAINBOW PANCAKE CONNECTION

Take your pancakes up a notch and add some color to your Sunday morning.

Here are the simple steps (minus the chocolate chips) using the pancake recipe from the previous page. Start by dividing the pancake batter into 6 small bowls.

Now to make the colored batters: Red: In bowl 1, drop in 4 drops of red food coloring and mix Yellow: In bowl 2, drop in 3 drops of yellow food coloring and mix Orange: In bowl 3, drop in 5 drops of red and 5 drops of yellow food coloring and mix Green: In bowl 4, drop in 4 drops of green food coloring and mix Blue: In bowl 5, drop in 4 drops of blue food coloring and mix Purple: In bowl 6, drop in 5 drops of blue and 5 drops of red food coloring and mix Now preheat the griddle to medium low. Spray cooking spray on the pan to prevent the pancakes from sticking. Keeping the heat medium-low prevents the pancakes from cooking too fast and keeps the color from turning brown.

Remember, you want rainbow pancakes, not brown. If you cook them nice and slow you will get perfectly colored pancakes that the kiddos will love.

Top them with whipped cream, berries, or just leave them plain, they’re pretty enough as is!

pregnancy to schoolkid

pages

50 pregnancy

post baby body surprises

51 baby

colic or just fussy?

52 toddler

vaccine fever: when to call the doc

53 schoolkid

changing sleep need & ear piercing saftey With Stephanie Messercola, PA-C

hair loss During pregnancy the hair cycle “arrests” in the growth phase, and a lot of pregnant women report having the thickest, fullest hair of their lives for this reason. After delivery when the hormones return to normal levels the hair falls out and returns to the normal cycle. The normal hair loss that was delayed during pregnancy may fall out all at once. The hair loss usually peaks 3-4 months after delivery as your hair follicles rejuvenate themselves. This hair loss is temporary and usually returns to normal within six to twelve months.

sweating When you’re pregnant, your body produces and retains more fluid, and after your baby’s born, that fluid needs somewhere to go.

That’s why, in the days and weeks after their babies are born, many women experience serious nightsweats, in addition to peeing a lot more frequently.

pregnancy post baby body changes that might surprise you

shoe size belly changes After you give birth, lots of women expect that their belly will return to its normal size almost immediately, but the truth is that it takes about 6-8 weeks before the uterus is back to its prepregnancy size. Don’t stress about it, just focus on healthy eating and exercise to get back to feeling in shape, under the direction of your obgyn, of course.

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Women may find that they have a permanently different shoe size after giving birth. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that average-sized women gain between 25-35 pounds during pregnancy. That extra weight puts your feet under pressure. The additional weight may flatten the arch of your foot and you might need an extra half in larger shoe size to be comfortable. The hormone relaxin also plays a part, which relaxes the muscle ligaments in your body to help prepare you for childbirth.

With loosened ligaments in your feet and an increase in body weight pushing down on your arch, your feet are primed to flatten and lengthen. On the bright side? It’s a great excuse to go shoe shopping.

baby colic or just fussy?

Colic in a baby is defined as episodes of

crying for more than three hours a day for more than three days a week for three weeks in an otherwise healthy child between the ages of two weeks to four months.

fussy

A child will be consoled more easily with diaper changes, feedings or rocking. A colic baby may display symptoms of pulling legs up to their stomach, a flushed face, clenched hands and a wrinkled brow, and their cry is often high pitched.

www.Mamatoga.com

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How common is it for my toddler to get a fever after vaccinations?

What does it mean and when should I call the doctor?

Only up to about 25% of kids will develop a fever after vaccines and the specific vaccine they received is the deciding factor. The DTAP vaccine (diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus) has the greatest chance of fever and the Polio, HPV and Meningococcal vaccine all have less than a 10% chance of developing fever.

A fever actually means that the vaccine is working, but if a fever gets over 102.5 or persists for more than two to three days then the parents should contact their pediatrician.

toddler vaccine fever: when to call the doc

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changing sleep needs

My first grader seems tired all the time, how much sleep should he be getting?

School aged children should get between 10 and 11 hours of sleep a night (in the 5 to 10 year old range). Try to avoid television, electronics and any stimulating activities in the time leading up to bed, this will help ensure your child gets better rest.

Also, having a set bed time and routine encourages healthy sleep patterns.

schoolkid My daughter wants to get her ears pierced, is it safe to get it done at a mall kiosk?

Mall kiosks are safe as long as standard procedures are followed. The employee should be asked to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer before they begin. The ear piercing kit should be pre-packaged, sterilized, and single use. The ear should be cleaned with alcohol prior to piercing. Make sure to follow the post piercing instructions to minimize any chance of infection.

ear piercing safety www.Mamatoga.com

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The Children’s Museum 5th Annual Birthday Bash

Treasure Island

Children’s Museum Membership Discount:

inspired by the classic novel

$75 per person, $140 per couple

M arch 22, 2014 6:30 pm - 11:00 pm Saratoga National Golf Club Open Bar from 6:30 – 7:30 pm Passed Hors d ’Oeuvres • Seated Dinner Silent Auction Live Music by Two Girls and a Grand and The Blockos Band

THANK YOU TO OUR MAJOR SPONSORS The Fort Miller Group, Inc.

Reservations: $85 per person or $150 per couple

Please RSV P by M arch 15, 2014 Call the Children’s Museum at 584-5540,or respond online at childrensmuseumatsaratoga.org

All proceeds from the evening will benefit The Children’s Museum at Saratoga, which is dedicated to creating an interactive community that inspires curiosity, sparks imagination and nurtures discovery.

Every child learns differently SmartEarly embraces this fact and teaches to each child's learning style.

Truly dedicated teachers Our teachers are truly committed to the care and education of young children.

Always clean center SmartEarly's high standards for cleanliness result in healthier and happier children.

Child Care & Preschool Imprinting minds for a lifetime of learning.

State-of-the-art security Controlled access, cameras recording 24/7 and software monitoring everyone's location at any given moment.

Secure supervision Watch your child learn and grow remotely via a web browser or smartphone.

518.406.2434 www.smartearly.com 39 Old Route 146 Clifton Park, NY 12065