Publisher’s Note In this issue, read about wonderful ideas to ensure less household stress by following resolutions that can actually be kept. Also, read about how to use dinner time as a subtle way to communicate with your children and increase their chances of steering clear of trouble. And finally, take advantage of some really cool family getaways without having to plan and save for a big vacation. Welcome to the premier issue of Allen
Local museums, ice rinks and the
Family Magazine, Allen’s first and only
library provide great opportunities
publication that completely celebrates
for a fun-filled weekend, especially
today’s modern family. Because the families
during the winter months when
of 2008 are busier and more progressive
outdoor activity is limited.
than we’ve ever been, AFM is committed to providing valuable, exciting and inspiring
The upcoming issues of AFM will
information to ensure the success of all
provide local and general information
Allen families.
about significant topics, events and organizations that are sure to benefit
AFM is a product of North Texas Magazines,
every member of your family.
Inc. that also publishes McKinney Kids Magazine and McKinney Woman Magazine
Thank you for joining us in the pre-
and there’s no doubt that we are very excit-
mier issue of AFM and help us to
ed to now be a part of the Allen community.
continue celebrating the success of
Please help us highlight your community
Allen families by submitting your
better by submitting your story ideas and
ideas and nominations.
nominating notable community members
Visit www.northtexasmagazines.com.
for recognition in our magazine. Nominees can be of any age and successful in any area. Your recommendations can be sent to publisher@northtexasmagazines.com.
Allen Family Magazine
January/February 2008
Sincerely,
Vanessa Ximenez
www.allenfamilymagazine.com
The Williams Family
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Table of Contents
January/February 2008 - Premier Issue
Feature 6 New Year, New Strategies Ideas to ensure less household
stress in 2008
8 The Dinner Discussion A perfect opportunity to
communicate with your kids
10 Myspace
Help your kids connect with their rooms
14 Chocolate Indulgences That are sure to please the palette 20 Indoor Entertainment Fun for the entire family all winter long
6
New Year, New Strategies
22 Backbone and Bounce: Building Resilience Publisher: Vanessa Ximenez publisher@northtexasmagazines.com
10
Editor: Lucy Parker Watkins editor@northtexasmagazines.com
myspace
Art Director: Marlina Rahman graphics@northtexasmagazines.com
Contributing Writers: Jacqueline Bodnar Ann Douglas Lorie Fangio Elizabeth Lyons Amy Pawlak Haley Shapley Patty Wipfler
Indoor Entertainment
20
Cover Photo: Wendolin Mercado Photography www.wendolin.com
North Texas Magazines, Inc. 808 S. College Street, Suite 111 McKinney, TX 75069 972.547.6261 www.northtexasmagazines.com
Allen Family Magazine is a product of North Texas Magazines, Inc. Copyright 2007, exclusive of proprietary ads and artwork designs. All rights reserved. No portion may be reproduced in whole or in part by any means without prior written permission from the publisher. Placement of advertising is not a personal endorsement by the publisher or its representatives, and no liability arising therefrom is assumed.
Everything I Needed to Know About Raising Babies... I just had to figure out! By Ann Douglas
You can wear out your mouse-pad surfing all the top ranked baby websites, fill your shopping cart to overflowing with the must-read baby magazines, manuals, and memoirs, but in the end, I learned it on my own. Here are several all-important lessons about motherhood that I’ve learned.
Only supermodels shed their baby weight by the six-week checkup. Okay supermodel mommies and their biological equivalents. You’ll meet the odd non-supermodel who manages to get skinny fast, but she’s the exception rather than the rule. The rest of us take months (or longer) to lose our baby bellies. So don’t measure yourself against the super-crazy supermodel mommy weight loss standards unless you want to start speed-dialing the therapists of the rich and famous.
Your partner is not “the enemy.” It just feels that way at 3 a.m. It’s easy to start staring daggers at your sleeping partner, particularly if you’re convinced he’s ignoring your baby’s middle-of-the-night cries, just so he can snatch a few more minutes of uninterrupted sleep. Before you pack your bags and hop the next train to Splitsville, take it from other moms who’ve been there. He’s not a selfish swine: he’s just a sound sleeper. Scientists have discovered that dads simply don’t hear babies’ night time cries as well as moms. Of course, you can help him to hear better by giving him a gentle poke or prod if you need some middle-of-the-night support. There’s no scientific research to show that Dads can’t be roused to provide hands-on help to moms.
Germs have been getting a bad rap. Studies have shown that taking things to extremes on the housecleaning front can increase children’s likelihood of developing allergies. In other words, a few germs can be good things as far as kids are concerned. So relax a little and consider giving your inner Martha Stewart the day off every now and again. www.allenfamilymagazine.com
Every mom needs time off for good behavior. Whether you take your time off across town, around the corner, or in your bathtub with the door locked is up to you. (Not every new mom wants to venture too far away from her baby, after all.) But taking some sort of break from baby will give you the chance to recharge your maternal batteries and get reacquainted with your pre-baby self. (Remember her?)
Time doesn’t move at a predictable speed once you’ve become a mother. Some days—the not-so-great days—tick by painfully slowly. Then entire months flip by in roughly the same amount of time in takes to flip a page on your calendar. S-l-o-w d-o-w-n, speedup, s-l-o-w d-o-w-n, speedup: it reminds you of the way your Slinky used to flip-flop down the stairs when you were a child, gathering up speed and taking on a life of its own.
Relax You’ve recently experienced many changes in your life and it may take some time to process them all. Sit back and remember these days truly are short and will soon be a cherished memory. Ann Douglas is the author of numerous books about pregnancy and parenting, including—most recently—Sleep Solutions for Your Baby, Toddler, and Preschooler and Mealtime Solutions for Your Baby, Toddler, and Preschooler. Visit her on the web at www.motherofallblogs.com. January/February 2008
Allen Family Magazine
New Year, I New Strategies
t’s a new year, a time for new perspectives, attitudes and -- if you’re under the age of five in my house -- behav-
iors. Never mind the standard resolutions to eat better, lose a few pounds, or clean more frequently. Let’s be honest, we make them every year and we barely stick with them past February. This year, let’s make
Ideas to ensure less household stress in 2008 By Elizabeth Lyons
a few realistic changes that will ensure a more stress-free lifestyle.
Out With the Old & In With the New! It’s time for a cleansing. Don’t worry; I am not referring to your house... yet. I’m asking you to cleanse your frazzled mind. Leave all the frustrations, challenges and tantrums of last year behind. Said Norman Cousins, author, poet and writer, “Life is an adventure in forgiveness.” Take some time to forgive your children for the things they damaged or destroyed last year. Forgive your husband for not realizing or acknowledging with enough frequency how much you accomplish each day. Forgive yourself for reacting less than calmly in your more frustrating moments. Wipe the slate clean. Remember that this year, your children will likely lose their interest in the breakables of yesteryear. Your husband has another 365 days to work toward the moment when you can no longer ask in desperation, “Honey, when are you going to get it?” And by all means, hit the mall this weekend and buy one cute skirt.
Ensure You Have a New Calendar We moms are nothing without our calendars. Instead of buying a simple, bland calendar that only reminds you of how busy your life has become, find a humorous one that will guarantee you start each day with a laugh.
Plan Your Weekly Escape Plan to have a scheduled time each week you do something for yourself. Sign up for a yoga class or a cooking class. Join a small group at church, or find a special place to volunteer. Choose something that you will enjoy, that will make you feel satisfied, and
Allen Family Magazine
January/February 2008
www.allenfamilymagazine.com
that you will look forward to each week. If you are emotionally
Arrange the items in your linen closet. Sort out your pantry. This
invested in the activity, you will be more committed long-term.
need not be an all-day affair. Dedicate yourself to a location-a-day plan. You’ll be amazed by how much more relaxing it is to open
Keep Cabin Fever to a Minimum
a well-organized linen closet than one filled with contents from
If you have children who are not yet regularly attending school,
which you have to cower when opening.
vow to have an activity at least once a week that gets you all out of the house. How about a weekly trip to the library to pick out a few
Make Your Personal Medical Appointments… This Week!
new books or movies? Or a weekly play date with friends? A gym
It’s easy to procrastinate when making non-critical medical
class to drain a bit of the kids’ energy? Winter can seem endless,
appointments. After all, who has time to sit on hold for long
but if you have a plan to make it through a week at a time, you’ll be
periods of time, waiting to find out how many months will pass
swinging on the swings at the park before you know it.
before she can be seen? Dedicate a week this month to making your annual appointments for a physical, well-woman exam, dental
Eliminate One Source of Stress in Your Life
cleaning and any other annual appointments you require. Make
Acknowledge one thing that stressed you out the most and plan
the appointments for your husband as well. His health is just as
to eliminate it in the year to come. What one item or activity dis-
important, yet he is likely to go 10 years without seeing a doctor
tressed you the most? Was it your lack of control over household
if allowed.
finances? The infrequency with which you and your husband got out together? The constant clutter in your home? Once identified,
Begin Reading One Spiritual Guide
find a way to ensure that issue doesn’t bug you through the next
Invest in a book that guides you day-by-day toward a greater un-
year as well. Sit down and obtain a more accurate picture of the
derstanding of your purpose, reminds you there is a greater power
situation and make a plan for the remainder of the year.
at work in your life, and gives you the strength and the perspective to conquer the numerous inconveniences -- not to mention routine
Choose One Book to Finish by End of Year
daily activities -- that transpire.
How many books are sitting by your bedside table? If you’re like me, about eight; however, they likely include a parenting guide, a
Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1850-1919), an American writer and poet,
strategy for keeping your marriage alive, a Bible, a self-help book
noted “There is no chance, no destiny, no fate that can circumvent
on dealing with stress and The Queen of Clean’s Cleaning Guide.
or hinder or control the firm resolve of a determined soul.” New
Is there even one book sitting in that stack that is purely enjoyable?
Year’s Resolutions are your own. They are meant to enhance your life, not add to the chaos that already exists within it. If you com-
Choose a book you’ve wanted to read for some time and vow to
mit to shifting the practices in your life that cause you to count the
complete it within the next six months to a year. We should all com-
minutes until bedtime from the minute you open your eyes each
plete at least one book each year that is read for pure enjoyment.
morning, you will surely be on your way toward a fulfilling year.
Get Organized!
Elizabeth Lyons, a parenting and twins expert, is the author of “Ready or
A cluttered home creates a cluttered brain. Moms can’t afford any
Not… Here We Come! The REAL Experts’ Cannot-Live-Without Guide to
more clutter than already exists. Organize overstuffed drawers.
the First Year with Twins.” Visit her website at www.elizabethlyons.com.
www.allenfamilymagazine.com
January/February 2008
Allen Family Magazine
The Dinner Discussion A perfect opportunity to communicate with your kids By Jacqueline Bodnar
Looking for a great way to bring your family closer together,
A similar report was issued last year by The National Center on
teach your children table manners and help keep them away
Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University which
from destructive behaviors all at the same time? Regularly eat-
stated that families that frequently eat dinners together have
ing family dinners together may just be what you are looking for.
children who are less likely to smoke, drink or use illegal drugs.
• The Research A recent study conducted by Roper Public Affairs & Media found that there are great benefits to a family regularly eating together.
If that’s not enough to convince you then maybe the fact that the studies found other benefits such as bringing families closer together and teaching children healthy eating habits will.
The study found families that eat together are less likely to have
• The Benefits
children who engage in destructive behaviors such as drinking
Coming together around dinner provides a kind of family focal
alcohol or taking drugs. The report also showed that children in
point for the day. “It’s important because this is a way to stay
families who don’t eat together are more likely to feel discon-
connected,” says Becki A. Hein, MS, LPC of Allen. “Sometimes
nected from their family.
when everyone in the family is busy, dinner might be the only time to find out how family members are experiencing life.”
Allen Family Magazine
January/February 2008
www.allenfamilymagazine.com
Eating together provides a great place for communication and
parents do what they can to organize each family member’s
for families to share good and bad news. It acts as a consistent
schedule to make it possible for them to have dinner together.
place where kids feel they belong and know they can always re-
“Even if it’s one or two dinners a week, with the TV off, that’s bet-
turn to for help and support.
ter than none at all.” Hein adds that listing these evenings on the calendar so everyone in the family knows and expects they
• The Obstacles
will be home for dinner can help make dining together a regular
With all the known benefits of families eating dinner together,
event in even the busiest of homes.
still 80 percent of Americans feel that it is hard to find the time to eat together regularly. By the looks of things we have become
There are other ways for families to spend quality time together
such a fast paced society that many have rushed themselves
besides eating meals together, but dinner time is a great
right out of important family dinners. Hein points out that some
opportunity that occurs daily. If you can’t do dinner each day
factors keeping families from making time for dinners together
then make sure to get together each day for family bonding.
include involvement in extracurricular activities, involvement with electronic devices such as games and computers, or just being
According to Hein, a good strategy to get the dinner conversa-
so busy with household business that it seems nearly impossible
tion going is by starting with, “Tell me about the best part of
to get the entire family in one place before bedtime. Addition-
your day.” By starting the conversation this way, it is led in a
ally, as children venture into the teen years, they may not be as
positive direction. Parents can continue the conversation by
willing to share their experiences with their parents. “This is the
following up with questions such as “Why was that the favorite
most important time for parents to engage their children,
part of your day?” Good follow-up, open-ended questions will
because it is important for parents to be accessible to their teens
lead to more personal, revealing statements and help make the
when the kids are ready to open up again.”
family connection grow.
• Prioritizing
Jacqueline Bodnar is a freelance writer that lives in Port Orange, Fla.
If you would like to get your family to sit down together regular-
with her husband and two children.
ly for family meals you have to make it a priority. Hein suggests
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www.allenfamilymagazine.com
January/February 2008
Allen Family Magazine
myspace
By Jacqueline Bodnar
help your kids connect with their rooms One thing we can all agree on is that providing for a child is expensive. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that, on average, over $250,000 will be spent on raising a child. And there’s no doubt some of it will be spent on bedrooms. Just think of all the different ways that room is changed, from birth on up to the teenage years. With a little planning and expert advice, you should be able to keep some of that money in your pocket, while providing a cool and functional atmosphere.
Finding Furniture “To add to the fun of decorating your child’s room, ask your daughter or son for their help and then listen carefully to their ideas,” explains interior designer Laurie Nissen-Miller. “If you have to modify their ideas, explain why, and you will have a happy participant.”
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Allen Family Magazine January/February 2008
When it comes to the furniture and decorations, it’s a good idea to have your child choose the type of items he would like displayed. A good way to go about displaying items is to have a few shelves and cork tack strips for pinning up art or posters, or to paint one wall with magnetic or chalk paint that will create a large usable canvas. Nissen-Miller points out that another fun thing to add to the room is a big shaggy rug on the floor, is a new fad to youngsters which adds a coziness that they will enjoy. “When choosing bedding, think ahead and ask yourself if the style is mature enough to last for several years,” says Nissen-Miller. “And ask yourself if the furniture is durable and if your child can grow up with it. If you choose to purchase youth furniture, plan on purchasing new furniture when your child is a preteen; otherwise choose furniture that is full-size and durable.”
www.allenfamilymagazine.com
Kathy Gordon from Imagine That Furniture suggests that bunk beds are great features for kids, even if they have their own rooms. Not only can pieces like desks and book cases be added to maximize space, but they can be rearranged as the kids grow and their tastes change. “Bunk beds are great for sleepovers and kids really enjoy the adventure sleeping of a bunk,” says Gordon. “Solid wood furniture easily transitions into teenage and college years, it’s very easy to repaint and change decorative images as the child’s interest’s change.”
Uncluttered Closets When created with care, closets can be a great place to store things that would otherwise drape over furniture and clutter the floor. This is one area of the room that you don’t want to ignore; it’s loaded with potential. “Most kids won’t fold their clothing without a little coaxing,” shares Ronald Wilhite, Jr., owner of Closets by Design. “By making everything hang, you won’t have to fight as hard to get them to put their clothes away.” He suggests creating closets that incorporate as many hanging rods as possible. While many people are familiar with adding one extra rod for a double hang, the shortness of children’s clothing means that you can triple- or quadruple-hang. Other organizers that can be used in the closet to help with storage include shoe racks, hampers, baskets, drawers and bins. “Our designers actually draw up the closet and label it, so that the children can look at the diagram and know where the items are supposed to go,” says Wilhite. “Get the children involved in the design and it will be easier to get them to use it correctly.”
Calling all Colors One of the most cost-effective and dramatic ways you can change a child’s room over the years is to simply give it a new splash of color. It’s easy and inexpensive to buy neutralcolored furniture and change the look by painting the walls or adding colored pillows and window coverings. “Color influences us in many hidden ways,” says interior designer Zara Stender. “Research has shown that the correct use of colors in the home and workplace can greatly contribute to a successful, healthy and happy life.” She suggests that babies prefer bright primary colors, but that by the age of six a child’s choices are influenced by emotional associations. By the time they are teens, it’s influenced by www.allenfamilymagazine.com
fashion. Colors that you may want to steer clear of include red and orange, which can stimulate hyperactivity, and yellow for a baby’s room, because it seems to make them cry more.
Family Rooms The one other area of the home where children spend a lot of their time is the family room. To create a truly family-friendly environment, it’s important to keep it comfortable. Stender suggests that shades of orange in a family room are ideal because they have the psychological effect of making us feel more social. It’s important to keep the room child-proof and friendly. Large ottomans work great as a safe and soft coffee table substitute. “Keep it simple and decorate with coasters on the end tables,” adds Nissen-Miller. “For adult décor, add art on the walls, as well as plants, photos and candles up high. Remember, children aren’t small for long, and the day will come when you can put fragile items out on your tables again.” Jacqueline Bodnar is a freelance writer that lives in Port Orange, Fla. with her husband and two children.
January/February 2008
Allen Family Magazine
11
Honoring the Spirit of Birth Collin County’s only birth center serving families throughout the Metroplex
Located in the historic Bacus-Brown house, Allen Birthing Center (ABC) offers safe, sensitive care for families. The warm, homelike setting supports this focus. Serenity and privacy are Allen Birthing Center’s hallmarks. In her suite, a woman can make herself comfortable, wear her own clothing, eat and even soak in a tub. The center welcomes guests so the woman decides who will be with her. ABC is more than a place, however. It is also people, a program of care and a professional philosophy within the health care system which creates a community of parents and professionals working together to create family-centered care. This partnership is ideal for healthy women seeking more personal service—and wanting involvement. The center’s program instills confidence. Professionals provide time to listen, answer questions, and stay with a woman through her active labor and birth. They balance the art, science and spirit of health. Pure babies born to healthy mothers are the ultimate goal at Allen Birthing Center. Allen Birthing Center is a member of the American Association of Birth Centers (AABC)--the accrediting body for birth centers. According to the AABC, a birth center practices a wellness and holistic approach that focuses on health promotion and individual responsibility. The philosophy is that childbearing is normal and a woman and her family should create the birth experience. It is a collaborative, integrated approach that honors and respects the wisdom and dignity of all women.
Allen Birthing Center is part of the health care system. Licensed by the Texas Department of Health Services, the facility is subject to stringent reviews. Laboratory services and specialty referrals are available. Major health insurance companies include plans for coverage of birth center services. Certified nurse-midwives (CNM) staff the birth center. Modern midwives are a far cry from those of yesteryear. Today’s CNM is educated in both nursing and midwifery and certified according to the requirements of the American College of Nurse-Midwives. Her practice encompasses common primary care issues, family planning and gynecological needs of women, childbirth, the postpartum period and the care of the newborn. The CNM practices within a health care system that provides for consultation, collaborative management or referrals as indicated by the health status of the client. In Texas, CNMs are licensed as advanced practice nurses by the Board of Nurse Examiners. Allen Birthing Center’s three CNMs: Rebecca Burpo, Amy Giles and Elizabeth Hoffman possess bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing. Each completed her post-graduate midwifery education at Parkland School of Nurse-Midwifery/UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. Each has practiced in hospitals and birth centers. With over 60 years of experience and thousands of births, they are one of the most highly skilled groups in the metroplex. ABC offers free consultations. The center limits its enrollments, to ensure that each woman will receive personalized care. Call (214) 495-9911 to schedule a tour or visit. www.allenbirthingcenter.com.
214-495-9911 • www.allenbirthingcenter.com 406 W. Main Street • Allen, TX 75013
Harmony Family Health Daniel J. Chartrand, MD
The new office of Daniel J. Chartrand, MD recently opened in downtown Allen. His charming one-room office is located inside the picturesque Victorian Bacus-Brown house and has the feel of an old-fashioned medical practice. At Harmony Family Health, Dr. Chartrand hopes to offer an alternative to a fast-paced and impersonal medical system. He wants Harmony Family Health to be reminiscent of a small town medical practice with personal care and attention offered to each patient. Dr. Chartrand trained in family practice and spent the past several years working in emergency medicine. Along with this solid background in western medicine, Dr. Chartrand has an interest in eastern philosophies as well. He is currently studying acupuncture at Harvard’s School of Medicine in a course designed specifically for physicians. Harmony Family Health was created with the idea of integrating Dr. Chartrand’s medical training with his philosophy on health and healing. This includes using pharmaceuticals and diagnostic testing when necessary as well as support measures to enhance the body’s natural healing ability. Dr. Chartrand believes in the body’s natural ability to create and sustain health. He uses a holistic approach to patient care and looks at the whole person rather than a set of isolated symptoms. Dr. Chartrand seeks to support patients with care that complements their values and life goals. At Harmony Family Health each patient plays an active role in her personal health. One of the most striking examples of this is his policy on childhood vaccinations.
Dr. Chartrand provides information and advice to his patients, but is happy to support parents in their decision to vaccinate or not. Belying the old-fashioned appearance of his cozy office, Dr. Chartrand is able to cast broken bones and stitch lacerations right in the office. He also offers complete physicals, including EKG and blood work. Visitors may be surprised to learn that Dr. Chartrand has even made house calls as a service to his patients. Despite the many services and the personal care offered at Harmony Family Health, an office visit is only $65. Dr. Chartrand spent his childhood in Saint Louis, Missouri, where he attended medical school and met and married his high school sweetheart, Lori. Shortly after he and Lori married, they moved to Texas where Dr. Chartrand trained at Parkland Hospital, Saint Paul University Hospital and Children’s Medical Center of Dallas. He also worked in several hospitals in rural Texas, including Graham Regional Medical Center. Besides opening their new family practice clinic, he and Lori have been busy with their growing family since the home birth of their second daughter this November. Dr. Chartrand is excited to bring this integrated approach to primary care to Allen. You can find out more about Dr. Chartrand and Harmony Family Health online at www.harmonyfamilyhealth.com. You can also call and speak with Dr. Chartrand personally at 972-977-7496. Dr. Chartrand is looking forward to serving the residents of Allen and its surrounding communities.
972-977-7496 • www.harmonyfamilyhealth.com 406 W. Main Street • Allen, TX 75013
Chocolate Indulgences
That are sure to please the palette By Lorie Fangio
W
hether it’s Valentines Day or any other day of the week, chocolate is everywhere. In February, shoppers will find it around every corner tied up in pretty packages and heart-shaped boxes as the more common place chocolates still beckon to passersby from grocery check out stands. Adults and children alike are drawn to this sweet concoction whether it’s a beautiful chocolate truffle rolled in almonds or a candy bar marked with the logo of the famous Pennsylvania chocolate company. Birthdays, weddings, family get-togethers, visits to grandma’s house are all punctuated with chocolate served in a variety of ways. There is something so enjoyable about the rich, dark, creamy texture, the way it melts on your tongue with an explosion of unmistakable flavor. The indulgence reminds many adults of days-gone-by making it easier for mom and dad to understand why their kids clamor for the sweet taste. Children devour it with a fervor that often leaves bits of evidence on their faces. The recent revelation that chocolate has health benefits is music to the ears of chocolate lovers everywhere. Dark chocolate is packed with flavonoids, the anti-oxidant pigments that promote cardiovascular health. This guilty pleasure is actually good for you! Did you really need an excuse to indulge in this decadent delicacy? Not only is chocolate a pleasure to eat, it’s also a joy for families to cook with as long as you know a few tricks of the trade. Chocolate and water don’t mix; even the tiniest drop will trigger melting chocolate to seize. For this reason, melting chocolate in the microwave is preferred to the double boiler. Heat chocolate in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, using the least amount of heat
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Allen Family Magazine January/February 2008
as possible to get the job done. If chocolate gets too hot the cocoa butter and cocoa solids will separate, compromising its texture. If you are making a confection that will be held or served at room temperature, such as dipped berries, you will want to temper the chocolate to insure a beautiful sheen and a nice snap to the finished product. Simple tempering is done by slowly melting ¾ of the product. Remove it from the heat source and add the remaining ¼ into the bowl and stir until all of the chocolate is melted. With a few helpful hints up your sleeve, preparing luscious treats for the ones you love will be a breeze. Start with a satisfying cup of hot cocoa, its indulgent taste will warm your loved ones from the inside out. Make it an ultra luxurious treat by adding whipped cream and chocolate shavings. Get your kids in on the action and let them make sweet Valentine Rocky Road. Your little chefs will beam with pride as they serve up this colorful candy to all their friends. For a little more grown up flavor, Orange Infused Dark Chocolate Truffles are pure chocolate bliss. And for the ultimate fix, Chocolate Fondue will satisfy even the toughest craving. Delicious tidbits really are easy to prepare, so wow your family with neat treats made of chocolate. Your spirit will sing from the sheer delight of chocolate at its best.
Decadent Homemade Hot Cocoa • 1 cup heavy cream • 3 cups whole milk • 1 teaspoon vanilla • ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips • ½ cup milk chocolate chips www.allenfamilymagazine.com
Valentine Rocky Road • 1 package milk chocolate chips • 1 cup creamy peanut butter • 1 cup salted, roasted peanuts • 1 cup marshmallows • ¾ cup red and pink M&M candies
Heat milk and cream together in a heavy sauce pan until milk begins to steam. Add vanilla, chocolate and remove from heat. Let pan stand for 1-2 minutes and whisk until chocolate is incorporated. Serve with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
Orange Infused Dark Chocolate Truffles • 1 cup heavy cream • 3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter • 2 teaspoons orange zest • 1 teaspoon almond extract • 1 tablespoon corn syrup • 1 ½ cups additional 60 % cocoa chocolate chips for dipping truffles
Heat cream and orange zest in a heavy sauce pan until mixture begins to steam. Strain cream to remove all zest and return to sauce pan. Add butter, almond extract and corn syrup, mix well. Add chocolate and stir until smooth. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Using a melon scoop and your hands, roll chocolate mixture into balls, place on cookie sheet and refrigerate until firm. Melt 60% cocoa chocolate in the microwave in 30 second intervals. Dip each truffle into melted chocolate forming an outer shell. Garnish with almond or drizzle with melted white chocolate, if desired. www.allenfamilymagazine.com
Melt chocolate in a microwave safe bowl in 30-second intervals. Add peanut butter and stir until smooth. Add peanuts, marshmallows, M&M’s and mix well. Pour candy into an 8 ½ inch square baking dish. Refrigerate until hardened and cut into 1 ½ inch squares.
Chocolate Fondue • 1 cup whole milk • 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips • 1 tablespoon Grand Marnier (optional) • 1 teaspoon vanilla • 1 package large marshmallows • Assorted fruit
Heat milk and Grand Marnier in a heavy sauce pan until milk begins to steam. Remove pan from heat, add chocolate and stir until smooth. Pour chocolate into a fondue pot and serve with fruit, marshmallows and wooden skewers. Listen for Lorie on Home Hints with Lorie Fangio on 97.5 KLAK!
January/February 2008
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t a e r G
Family Getaways By Haley Shapley
W
inter vacation is over, and spring break is still on the horizon, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go on a getaway. There are plenty of places in the DFW Metroplex to spend a fun weekend with your family. So if you’re feeling the winter blahs, pack up the car and plan a trip to one of these locations.
The Heard Natural Science Museum and Sanctuary 1 Nature Place, McKinney. Open Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. $8 for adults, $5 for seniors and children ages 3-12, free for members and children 3 and under. www.heardmuseum.org There are always many things to do, see and experience at the Heard Museum. The sanctuary, nature trails, native plant garden, education department, exhibits and collections, nature store and rental facilities provide visitors with an array of services and activities. There are six different nature trails that meander throughout the various ecosystems. Each trail is also unique in terrain, length and spectacle.
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In-Sync Exotics Wildlife Rescue and Education Center 3430 Skyview Drive, Wylie. Open weekends from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. $10 for adults, $7 for children, free for 3 and under. www.insyncexotics.com Take the 20-minute drive to Wylie, and you’re in for a lion’s share of fun. At In-Sync Exotics, you can see rescued cats, including lions, tigers, leopards, cougars and lynx. Owner Vicki Keahey started out with an affinity for dogs, even showing them for more than 25 years. But while working as a veterinary technician at a clinic in 1991, Keahey adopted an abandoned cougar, Tahoe, and over time developed her expertise as a caretaker for exotic cats. Kids will love seeing the 30-plus cats Keahey watches over in a safe and exciting environment.
Other options for animal lovers: Fossil Rim Wildlife Center (Glen Rose); the Dallas World Aquarium (Dallas)
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The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza 411 Elm Street, Suite 120, Dallas. Open weekends from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. $13.50 for adults, $12.50 for ages 6 to 18, free for 5 and under. www.jfk.org Once kids hit elementary school and start learning about times other than the present, they become fascinated with the past. A great way to help them learn about the country’s history is by taking them to the Sixth Floor Museum which documents, through films, photographs, artifacts and interpretive displays, John F. Kennedy’s assassination and the impact it had on an entire nation.
Other options for history buffs: Heritage Farmstead Museum (Plano); Medieval Times (Dallas)
The Ice at Stonebriar Centre
Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
2601 Preston Road, Suite 1235, Frisco. Public skate open on Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., Sundays from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. $7 for adults, $6 for ages 6 to 9, $5 for ages 4 and 5, $3 for 3 and under, plus $3 for skate rentals. www.stonebriarice.com
601 Palace Parkway, Grand Prairie. Open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. $17 for adults, $9 for children ages 4 to 12, free for 3 and under. www.palaceofwax.com
The family that falls on the ice together stays together. Bundle up in a warm coat, put on your hat and mittens, lace up your skates and hit the ice at this NHL-regulation arena. Go during public skate sessions and glide around at your own leisure or sign up for lessons. Just don’t forget to reward yourself afterward with a cup of hot cocoa.
Other options for sports fans: Legends of the Game Baseball Museum (Arlington); Dallas Stars hockey games (Dallas)
In Robert Ripley’s travels around the world, he collected things that are fascinating, strange and downright bizarre. Load the kids into the car and take the 45-minute trip to Grand Prairie, where Ripley’s Believe It or Not! resides (as a bonus, Louis Tussaud’s Palace of Wax and Ripley’s Enchanted Mirror Maze are housed in the same building). Experience being in the center of a 200-mph Texas Twister, explore the ocean floor, see the Lord’s Prayer written on a single grain of rice and view plenty of unique artifacts.
Other options for offbeat fun: Cowtown Cattlepen Maze (Fort Worth); Museum of Nature & Science (Dallas)
National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame 1720 Gendy Street, Fort Worth. Open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. $8 for adults, $7 for children 3 to 12, free for 2 and under. www.cowgirl.net
Allen Public Library
Venture to Fort Worth and be sure to take your little girls to discover the only museum dedicated exclusively to the women of the American West. Highlights include interactive galleries
Sometimes the best thing to do on a cold wintry day is to snuggle up in a cozy blanket with a good book in hand. To find some great ones, head to Allen Public Library where kids get a special room that includes activities like story time, movies, crafts, puppet shows and guest performers. Check the calendar or call ahead to see what’s upcoming.
that feature artifacts and photographs, a traveling exhibit gallery, three theaters and a research library. Kids will especially love taking a simulated ride on a bucking bronco which is mixed with footage of an old-time rodeo and then turned into a movie you can see on-screen.
300 North Allen Drive, Allen. Open Saturdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sundays 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Free. www.cityofallen.org/library
Haley Shapley is a freelance writer and editor living in North Texas.
Other options for Wild West reminiscers: Grapevine Vintage Railroad (Grapevine); the Fort Worth Herd (Fort Worth) www.allenfamilymagazine.com
January/February 2008
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First Baptist Church Allen The First with Garden Area for Baptisms and Weddings
R
ich in history and tradition, First Baptist Church Allen has a custom of blazing new trails in Allen. Begun in 1876
when the Faulkner Prairie and Wilson Creek Baptist Churches agreed to unite at a new location on the Sayles Coffee farm, the group invited Allen to cooperate. The next meeting was then held at the school house near the Allen station and the church then changed its name to the Allen Church. The future was bright then and is still shining for the centrally located church now called First Baptist Allen located at 201 East McDermott. What’s next for this trail blazing church? A baptismal garden and wedding pavilion definitely fit the bill. Construction began for the garden area in October, 2007, as part of the church’s “Bridge
is also being added to enhance the appearance of the entire
to the Future” plan.
campus. Intimate music festivals and similar celebrations are just some of the events being considered for the new outdoor area.
The garden area is positioned in the middle of the ever-growing campus and is the first of its kind in Allen. An emergent trend
“We enjoy an amazing history here in Allen, but we want to
with churches today, the outside baptistry focuses on bring-
continue to look toward the future. We’re very excited about
ing baptisms back to a simpler time. The closer, more informal
this latest project,” says Pastor Chad Selph. “Our membership
gathering “at the creek” of yesteryears allows churches to get
grows right along with Allen and being an integral part of the
that time-honored feel of a community celebration. Without a
community has always been one of our objectives.”
doubt, this latest addition to First Baptist Church will be one of its most unique features.
“Outdoor baptisms will add a new dimension to celebrating believers’ baptisms and encourage faith commitments to Christ
And unique it is. It has already dramatically changed the look of
by bringing baptism close and personal,” says Pastor Selph.
central campus. New landscaping, which will include 16 mature trees (65-gallon Chinese Pistachios and 100-gallon Live Oaks),
The second phase of the “Bridge to the Future” plan is the construction of 150 additional parking spaces. “The new parking spaces bring better balance to the locations of our church parking and provide additional parking for our senior adults,” says Pastor Selph. “During Vacation Bible School in June we have more than 1,000 children in attendance. In December, Christmas Celebration brings approximately 3,000 people to our campus. Every parking space helps.” While the baptismal garden and wedding pavilion are already very near completion, the parking spaces will begin soon. “A project like this is very exciting for our church membership, as well as the community,” says John DeLeon, Business Administrator for the church. “Now we can offer a beautiful outdoor wedding venue for people in the Allen community.
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“And, the additional parking is a plus for everyone as well. Our next major event is Easter Sunday, March 23, 2008, when an anticipated 2,500-3,000 people will visit the campus. Parking will be critical to accommodate this large volume of people.” Additional parking helps ease the church’s growing pains and also helps the community. The church is located in the middle of the Central Business District of Allen, and provides parking for some major community events including the Allen Community Outreach Fun Run, the Rudolph Run in conjunction with the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast, and the Allen Christmas Parade. “Using the typical church parking formula of three people per vehicle, an additional 150 parking spaces would make it possible to provide for another 450 individuals each Sunday,” said Pastor Selph. Many church members presently have to park on the grass along Cedar Street. The new parking spaces will allow people to park more conveniently and safely while expanding the church’s ability to host more people for worship and Bible study each Sunday. First Baptist Church Allen is located at 201 East McDermott. For more information, please call (972) 727-8241 or visit www.fbcallen.org.
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January/February 2008
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Indoor Entertainment Fun for the entire family all winter long By Amy Pawlak It’s finally cold outside and the winter months mean spending more time inside where it’s warm and cozy. But, the usual indoor activities such as movies and video games can multiply boredom levels very quickly when that is all there is to do. To help heat things up a little while the family is stuck inside, try some of these fun activities. Your family will be surprised at how fun and stimulating playing inside can be!
on separate pieces of paper. Fold the pieces of paper and put them in a bowl. Then, a family member draws from the bowl and tapes the piece of paper to the player’s forehead (facing the other family members) without the player seeing what animal is written on the paper. Now, the player must ask questions, like “What color am I,” “Am I furry,” “Where do I live,” and so on, until they are able to guess correctly.
Get Your Game On
Obstacle Course
Games are always fun activities families can do together. But if your family is not the board game type, try more interactive games that require more physical interaction.
If you’re looking for a way to burn energy indoors, an indoor obstacle course is a great game for the family to play. Just use your creativity to set up fun obstacles around the house and set the rules for completing the course. Pick really small, narrow places for parents to climb through to evoke laughter from the kids and pick funny, goofier obstacles for the little kids. These could be putting a pile of clothes in the floor and making them put every piece on before going to the next obstacle. There are lots of possibilities in your home for a fun obstacle course.
Forehead Fun This version of “20 questions” is a neat game that can be adaptable to many age groups. Pick a theme, such as animals, cartoon characters, or TV shows for example, and write down items relating to the theme on separate pieces of paper. For instance, if “Animals” is the theme, write down different types of animals
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Match Game Modified
Fun with Textures
This is a great game for the older children in the house. Have them cut out current event photos and the accompanying captions from newspapers and magazines. Then cut the photos apart from their captions. Now mix everything up and match different photos with different captions and see what funny creations your kids come up with.
Kids learn a lot from experiencing different textures. One fun way to play with textures is to create a Feely Box. All you need to do is get a shoe box out of the closet and let the kids decorate it however they want. Then, tell them to hide their eyes while you put an object into the box. After the item is in the box, kids will reach in – with their eyes still closed – to feel around and guess what object is in the box. Repeat with different textured objects and you’ll have a fun and educational game on your hands in no time.
Project Fun! For families with younger children, arts and crafts as well as physical play can help keep kids and parents alike entertained for hours.
Stock the Craft Bin Collect materials in plastic bin that can turn into art projects at a moment’s notice. Inexpensive craft materials, such as finger paint, construction paper, glue sticks, feathers, pasta, stickers, popsicle sticks, paper plates and dried beans make lots of fun crafts. Or, collect things from nature, like sticks, small pieces of wood, rocks, leaves, or anything else that could transform into an artistic masterpiece. Kids -and parents- can use these items to decorate pieces of wood, make pasta jewelry, create musical instruments and so forth. Then play with your projects together by forming a family band with the instruments you made, put on puppet shows with the puppets you made, or really use your imagination to bring the rock animals you made to life.
Puppet Pals Tired of trying to find mates to those single socks that keep coming out of the laundry? Don’t fret anymore. Have your kids use them to make their own puppets. Puppets can also be made from old magazine clippings or family photos that are cut out and pasted onto popsicle sticks. Or, kids can make their own finger puppets by drawing a picture of an animal, person or whatever they choose on a piece of paper. Before cutting it out, draw rectangle, large enough to fold around the child’s finger, at the bottom of the picture. Cut out the picture and tape the sides of the rectangle together so that it fits securely around the child’s finger. When they’re done creating their puppet pals, pull the couch away from the wall or cover up a table so they can stand behind it and put on a puppet show. For more fun ideas on fun indoor activities, go to www.familyfun.go.com and www.fun.familyeducation.com.
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January/February 2008
Allen Family Magazine
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Backbone and Bounce: Building Resilience by Patty Wipfler What can parents do to help their children bounce back under adversity, with a basic sense of confidence in themselves in spite of difficult circumstances? And when a parent has a child that collapses when things are difficult, what can be done to foster resilience? In a sense, these are perhaps the key questions of parenting! During any 10 year period, I would venture to guess that in the lives of most families, at least one genuine crisis will develop, or ongoing difficulties will grind toward the unworkable stage. And though we work hard to prevent it, our children will be hurt by these crises, and will need a reservoir of inner confidence in themselves to come through well. So how do we build resilience? Studies have shown that if just one person in a child’s life is consistently supportive, a child is much more likely to overcome difficult circumstances. Just one person who is enthusiastic about the child. Just one person who lights up when the child walks into the room. Feeling close to one dependable adult is at the heart of resilience for children. We parents love our children deeply, but sometimes our communication with them gets muddled. Disapproval, impatience, or indifference clouds our interactions with our children when we’re overloaded. We have to play many roles with them -- sleep monitor, cleanliness checker, homework prodder, educational guide, the list goes on! And as we juggle those roles, our ability to feel our hearts lift when they walk in the door can wilt.
Dedicate Time and Enthusiasm Special Time is a simple way to remind our children that we love them. It works especially
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well when there are persistent irritants in our relationship with them, because it disciplines us, the parents, to be pleased with them for a specific period of time. I call Special Time a “listening tool” because it’s a reliable tool for putting us parents in the “listening,” accepting, and enthusiastic role, so that our children can tell that we’re behind them. To do Special Time, you set aside a period of time, short or long, whatever you can carve from your day or week. You say, “Hey, tomorrow I’m going to have 1/2 hour after dinner, and we can do whatever you want to do! Think about it, and we’ll make it a date!” (If you have older children, you need to set conditions around whether or not you have transportation to go somewhere, and whether or not you will spend money, and how much.) Then, you enthusiastically go with whatever activity your child chooses. Jumping on beds, building a fort in the living room, making pancakes, going outside and playing catch... whatever they’ve chosen, you love them, make lots of eye contact, touch them affectionately, and energetically throw yourself into the play. Set a timer, and don’t let anything short of an earthquake interrupt your focus on your child. When the timer goes off, let your child know you loved being with him, and let him know when the next Special Time will be. What your child chooses will help you see what he loves and what he wants, which are very important communications for you to receive. Special Time helps children feel close to their parents, and that closeness is the heart of resilience. When a child’s parents aren’t able to play a good role, any other caring adult willing to be “crazy about” the child, and to give Special Time in some form, can build resilience in that child.
lonely times. Staylistening gives a child a sense that although you don’t have the same feelings as they do, you can love them just the same, and stay with them until the feelings change for the better. With listening, the feelings do lift. With listening, problem solving will follow a good, cleansing emotional storm. And your child, if not resilient already, will become so as you Staylisten through necessary upsets that help him clear the feelings he trips over every day as he tries to learn, love, and bounce back from adversity.
Listen to the Feelings That Emerge Often, Special Time reveals feelings our children carry that they hope we will hear. And this brings us to the second factor I think is crucial in building resilience in children. When children have someone willing to listen to their feelings all the way through, they can bounce back from disappointment. They don’t have to carry festering upsets year after year. They express them, cry or tantrum their way through them, and see their world as shinier and more hopeful afterward. I like to call this Staylistening, because the parent has to make a conscious decision to stay with a child so he can clear away his upset feelings. Children build resilience when someone cares enough to listen to their upsets all the way through, without arguing, trying to be logical, or condemning them for how they feel. The feelings are like a storm passing through -- if the lightning can strike and the thunder can roll, the energy of the storm dissipates. If no one listens, the bleak thoughts and bad feelings get stored up, hard to manage and ready to pop at every little excuse. With regular chances to be heard, respected, and loved through an emotional storm, children come to depend on themselves and their ability to get through tough times, unfair times, frustrating times, and www.allenfamilymagazine.com
We Parents Need to Build Support Of course, to make these kinds of generous initiatives toward your child, you need to build your resilience as a parent! Parenting is an emotional ultra marathon — there’s so much to learn and so little help with the work. Setting up a Listening Partnership, so you can take turns being listened to and returning the favor for another parent who’s trying hard, is an excellent way to build your own resilience. You need some good hearted person, who’ll keep their advice and judgments on a short leash, while you talk about how parenting is going for you. Special Time and Staylistening are much easier to do when you’ve had permission to tell someone your hopes, and where they’ve been dashed or put on hold. These Listening Partnerships make a surprising difference in the feel of life as a parent! And they give us a fighting chance to have fun with our children, an important part of building their bounce and their backbone. Patty Wipfler is founder of Hand in Hand, a non-profit organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. For more information, please visit HandinHandParenting.org
January/February 2008
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