MetroFamily Magazine February 2016

Rea 10 o to as n t t e Kids nd s on F ebr Fest uar y2 pag e 48

YOUNG YOGIS yoga studios offering classes for kids

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VALENTINE’S DAY FUN Sweet treats, craft classes, dances & more!

JUST FOR MOM & DAD Hit the road on an adult-only romantic adventure

See our calendar for 139 reasons to love February!

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go

guide...

The ultimate OKC family fun

Volume 19, Number 2

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2016

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EDITORIAL

Sarah Taylor–Publisher Hannah Schmitt–Managing Editor Lindsay Cuomo–Calendar Editor Heather Davis, Nasreen Iqbal, Paige Willett Lough and Angela Botzer–Contributing Writers Mark Doescher, Emily Hart & Julie Burden–Contributing Photographers

Discover the benefits of yoga for kids & find OKC studios offering youth classes.

HAVE A STORY OR BIG EVENT? We are all about family activities and fun in the OKC metro. If you have a story to share, let us know!

CONTACT THE TEAM AT 405-818-5025 or email sarah@metrofamilymagazine.com.

DESIGN & SALES Stacy Noakes–Art Director Callie Collins–Marketing Director Athena Delce, Dana Price & Jessica Misun–Sales Kathy Alberty–Office/Distribution Shelly Sanderson–Business Development Circulation - 35,000 Also available as a digital edition at www.metrofamilymagazine.com Articles and advertisements in MetroFamily do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the magazine or Inprint Publishing, Inc.We do not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors.The acceptance of advertising by MetroFamily does not constitute an endorsement of the products, services, or information.We do not knowingly present any product or service which is fraudulent or misleading in nature.

MetroFamily Magazine is a monthly magazine published by Inprint Publishing, Inc. New Address: 318 NW 13th St Ste 101 OKC OK 73103 Phone: 405-818-5025 Fax: 405-445-7509 info@metrofamilymagazine.com ©Inprint Publishing, Inc. 2016, All Rights Reserved.

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2016 COVER KIDS Get to know the local kids who will appear on our covers this year!

PLUS...

DON’T MISS ALL THIS

38

AT HOME WITH EMILY Get inspired with a peek inside the home of photographer Emily Hart.

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50

ROMANTIC GETAWAYS Plan a Valentine’s Day escape to one of Oklahoma’s loveliest destinations.

Family-iD Event Coming to OKC Editor’s Picks: Top Spots for Valentine’s Day Treats

16 Foster Care Communities 22 Mom Humor: How Sweet It Is 42 All About Kids Fest

Welcome FROM OUR EDITOR

This month, we reveal what makes yoga the ideal winter activity for kids, romantic escapes just for parents and lots of Valentine’s Day fun.

F

ebruary is hands-down the most exciting month for MetroFamily.

Kids Fest, our annual reader celebration, will be hosted Feb. 20. I adore this event because it allows me to see our readers face-to-face and reward them with incredible family activities.

The event offers an opportunity for parents to get to know local family-friendly vendors while kids enjoy face painting, roaming characters, bounce houses, a petting zoo, live music and so much more.

Last year, I had the opportunity to see thousands of our readers and their children at this event.

After working year-round to fill our magazine and our website with resources that make life better for Oklahoma City metro families, getting to chat with those families face-to-face once a year and see them enjoy an event our hardworking staff put together in their honor is a blast.

A crowd favorite at Kids Fest is an on-site stage with live performances from local talent.

Highlights this year include Upstage Theatre presenting “Beauty & the Beast,” a special performance from Oklahoma Youth Orchestra that includes an invitation for audience involvement and magic tricks from local magician Joe Coover.

I personally invite you to come jump in the bounce houses, get a photo with Elsa and Anna and learn about the best familyfriendly businesses in the metro at this year’s Kids Fest. It’s happening from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 20 at Cox Convention Center. Admission is $5 for adults (find a coupon for $1 off admission on page 42) and children under 18 get in free.

Can’t wait to see you there!

Hannah Schmitt Editor

LY I M A F FIND ITH W E V LO F

SO D E R D TS HUN N E V E ARY on page 24 FEBRU s ar start Calend

r Enter ou contestsig! to win b

THIS MONTH, WE’RE GEARING UP TO GIVE DOZENS OF PRIZES AWAY AT KIDS FEST 2016!

• Mark your calendar for Kids Fest 2016!

MetroFamily’s Kids Fest event is always a popular hit with parents and their children. This year’s event will be hosted from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Feb. 20 at Cox Convention Center. Prizes will be given away including the opportunity to attend a free camp from YMCA’s Camp Classen valued at $699 and a AAA membership valued at $128.

The stage will be full of musical entertainers and more than 60 businesses will be there to provide hands-on activities and fun for all! Find more at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/kids-fest.

• Nominate an Awesome Mom: Our Awesome Mom Contest kicks off Feb. 1. Whether it’s your mom or just a mom you know and admire, tell us about what makes her awesome and she could appear in our magazine! The winner and her nominator will receive accommodations and spa treatments at the Chickasaw Retreat and Conference Center in picturesque Sulphur.

Enter by Feb. 29.

Find more and enter at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/contests.

!

W WO

family buzz

We’re buzzing about Family-iD

BY HANNAH SCHMITT MANAGING EDITOR

I

f you call Greg Gunn on a Wednesday, he won’t pick up. His voicemail message kindly informs callers Wednesday is his family day and he won’t return any calls until Thursday. It’s one of several things he decided to do years ago when he started intentionally planning for his family. That planning he started in his family decades ago has grown into a full-blown business providing workshops and resources to thousands of families across the country.

Gunn is the founder of Family-iD, an organization that provides tools to enrich parents and families. MetroFamily is partnering with New Covenant United Methodist Church to present Gunn’s FamilyiD workshop to local families next month.

Gunn was inspired to start Family-ID after some successful family goal-setting of his own. In 1996, Gunn was a business owner and a married father of three who had never considered setting family goals. He heard a friend talk of his annual family goal-setting weekend, a time he and his wife escaped to spend three days writing goals for each other, their marriage and their children.

“I was very convinced of the importance of written goals because of the fact I was a business owner,” Gunn said. “I’d been to so many self-improvement courses and one thing they all had in common was the importance of having written goals. I was a fanatical goal-setter. But the thought of doing

GREG GUNN AND HIS FAMILY

it for my family wasn’t a thousand miles within my head.”

So Gunn asked his friend to walk him through the process of setting goals for his family and creating a vision and a mission statement to guide them. Gunn then took his wife on their own goal-setting weekend and his life changed forever.

“I was very short-sighted in my thinking as a father and a husband,” Gunn said of his life before he started setting family goals 20 years ago. “We had three children at the time, our youngest was 6 months old. It has just been absolutely mind-boggling how all that changed. We couldn’t go back to just being unintentional about the way we thought about our family and our future. We were ruined in a good way.”

He came back from the weekend with a family mission statement. He had practical goals for himself and his wife like losing weight and spending more time together.

For his kids, goals ranged from spiritual and character goals to simple tasks like brushing his or her teeth without being asked.

As his employees and friends began to see how his family life had improved, they began to ask him to share his goal-setting agenda.

That grew into invitations to more formal speaking engagements, which grew into Gunn founding Family-iD. Since then, about 4,000 families in North America and 5,000 in India have gone

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FEBRUARY 2016

through the Family-iD workshop. The workshop follows four simple steps to help families set goals and live with intention:

Stir It Up

Gunn aims to stir up the vision that’s already in families. People who attend the workshop will discover what’s important to them as a family unit.

Write It Down

Audience members will have the time and resources to get that unique vision on paper so they can start living with intention.

Live It Out

Through Family-iD’s ongoing resources, people who attend the workshop will have encouragement as they leave the event and begin to live out their values.

Pass It On

Family-iD presents a multi-generational plan to set the foundation so people who attend the workshop can watch successive generations live out important values.

Two identical workshop sessions will be available: 9 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. on March 5 at New Covenant United Methodist Church (2700 S. Boulevard, Edmond). The cost of the workshop is $25 per family and child care is available (for those kids who are not readers) for an additional $10 per family.

Find details and purchase tickets at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/family-id.

Camp Classen Celebrates 75 Years

Remember your first summer camp experience? DJ Morgan does. He was 8 years old, it was 1986 and he got signed up to go to YMCA’s Camp Classen for a week. The camp, located about 75 miles south of Oklahoma City in Davis, is celebrating its 75th anniversary. Morgan is one of thousands of campers celebrating this milestone by looking back on his summer camp experience.

“It’s a very special place,” Morgan said of Camp Classen. “It’s probably one of the best pieces of land in the state of Oklahoma, so that’s a big part of it. All the people you meet as a camper and counselor, you build bonds within a residential camping environment that’s hard to recreate in other ways.”

Morgan spent 18 straight summers at Camp Classen, first as a camper then as a counselor and later as the full-time camp director.

Although he’s now a banker and lives in Oklahoma City, he remains involved with the camp as the chairman of the board. His 11-year-old son and 8-year-old daughter attend the camp every year and his 3-yearold son is counting down the years until he can attend.

Camp Classen has changed a little since he spent time there. There’s now air conditioning in the cabins and several capital projects have been executed in the past 30 years that have the grounds looking better than ever, he said. But the activities and even camp songs have remained the same throughout the years.

“As the songs and traditions have survived the generations,” Morgan said, “it’s been so nice to see my children get to participate in those things.”

The greatest thing he took away from his camp experience, he said, is confidence. As a child, he remembers feeling pressure from family and friends throughout the school year that all faded away when he went to camp.

“It was the first place I could go and be myself without any other influences,” he said. “It allows you to step out of your shell.

You see people at camp all the time who might have been shy or different at school, but the person they are at camp is a different person, a truer person. And that’s something I keep with me.”

Learn more about Camp Classen at www.ymca.org/camp.

CAMPERS AT CAMP CLASSEN. PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED BY YMCA.

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Editor’s Picks: Top Spots for Valentine’s Day Treats Whether you’re planning for a school party, have a hot date or just want to share some sugar-coated love with your family and friends this month, February is definitely a great time for a sweet treat. Sure, you can pick up some treats at the supermarket. But Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity to show Oklahoma City’s locallyowned stores some love. Here are five local joints providing seriously sweet temptations for Valentine’s Day.

Sweets on the Side 50 Penn Place (by appointment only) www.sweetsonthesideokc.com

Why We Love It: The Edmond mom and self-taught baker behind this business puts a personal touch on every cookie she makes. Your Valentine will swoon over the custom cookies that are each individually hand-piped and painted. The last day to make custom orders for Valentine’s Day is Feb. 10, but pre-made cookies will be available from 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 13 at Williams-Sonoma in Penn Square Mall (1901 N.W. Expy). Order online or call 607-0969.

UPTOWN CANDY

The Candy Basket 2001 W. Main St., Norman www.candybasketok.com

Why We Love It: This Norman

candy shop has been satisfying Valentine’s sweethearts for 26 years. The store stays stocked throughout February with classic favorites like Petite Sour Hearts and unique treats like locally-made popcorn and specialty chocolate boxes from Oklahoma’a own Bedré Fine Chocolate.

Woody Candy Company 922 N.W. 70th St. www.woodycandy.com

Why We Love It: Turtles and toffees and pralines, oh my! Woody Candy Company is an Oklahoma City staple cranking out all the nostalgic sweets from your childhood.

Everything at this charming shop has been made from scratch since 1927. Top picks include the assortment of brittles and fudge.

La Baguette Bistro & Bakery 7408 N. May Ave. www.labaguettebistro.com

Why We Love It: Step up to the bakery case at La Baguette and you’ll immediately realize you’re in for a special treat. Yearround, the bakery produces classic treats like cheesecake and tiramisu. Around Valentine’s Day, they outdo themselves with decadent chocolate-covered everything and special treats decorated perfectly for the occasion.

Uptown Candy 5840 N. Classen uptownkidsstyle.com/uptowncandy

Why We Love It: If it’s a Wonkalike candy experience you crave, find it at Uptown Candy. The Classen Curve shop is packed floor-to-ceiling with plenty of options to celebrate Valentine’s Day. From classics like lollipops to upscale picks like decadent truffles and macarons, the shop is going all out for the month of love.

Pinkitzel 150 N. E.K. Gaylord Blvd. in Bricktown 1539 E. 15th St. in Edmond www.pinkitzel.com

Why We Love It: If cupcakes are more your thing, step into Pinkitzel and take your pick from about a dozen of the daily cake offerings. From traditional chocolate to funky flavors like pink lemonade, the cake stands stay packed with plenty of variety to please your sweetheart. With half the store dedicated solely to candy, you’re sure to find something for everyone here.

SWEETS ON THE SIDE METROFAMILY MAGAZINE

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Put Your Family’s Purpose on Paper and just see the positive change it makes, for this generation—and the ones to follow!

At this lively three-hour workshop, attendees will be led by Family-iD founder Greg Gunn to create the “intentional direction” of their family. Each family will develop their own mission and vision statements, leaving the event with a clear road map to the future!

The impact of this project and the use of these principles to parent and lead your family more intentionally is POWERFUL and will positively impact your family life!

Saturday, March 5 New Covenant United Methodist Church 2700 S. Boulevard, Edmond Attend just one of these sessions: Morning: 9am-noon or Afternoon: 1:30-4:30pm Cost is only $25 (plus fees) per family and includes the instruction, snacks and loads of fun for you and your kids (those who are reading). Babysitting will be available for young children for just $10 per family.

Details and registration: www.metrofamilymagazine.com/family-id THANK YOU to our generous sponsors!

Corporate Health

local family fun

Helping Kids Relax With

Yoga

With increasing stress on kids’ lives, stretching, breathing and even giggling on yoga mats brings relaxation.

BY ANGELA BOTZER

PHOTOS OF YOGA BLISS STUDIO BY MARK DOESCHER. PHOTOS OF YMCA CONTRIBUTED.

W

e all know the stress children are under is higher now than ever before. A recent study published in the American Journal of Family Therapy noted children are assigned more homework, sometimes upwards of three times the amount recommended by education leaders.

Combine that with after-school activities and dizzying social calendars and some children start begging for a way to let off some steam.

“I know yoga relieves stress in children because I witness the transition firsthand in my 30-to-45-minute class sessions,” said Darci Janzen, founder of Yoga Bliss Studio in Edmond. “With a blend of yoga postures, breath work, relaxation and craftwork, each child’s mind and body are reset chemically, emotionally, physically and mentally.”

Once kids learn basic asanas or yoga postures, they are able to practice yoga anytime, not just in the yoga studio. And by using this relaxation coping strategy, a child could keep this practice in their back pocket to carry throughout their lives.

Local mom and yoga studio owner Betina Wills agrees yoga can pack big benefits for children. Her Oklahoma City studio, This Land Yoga, offers classes just for kids.

“I believe yoga relieves stress in children by helping them connect with their bodies and their breath,” she said. “It also creates a safe environment for play and exploration without any competition.”

Here, the young participants began the class sitting in a circle and using their feet to pass a ball to each other. Then, with everyone sitting cross-legged and with eyes closed, Wills began: “Think about the very best thing that happened to you today or this week… something that happened and how it made you feel. Start to think of someone you know and something you can do for that person.

Keep thinking about the good thing you are going to do for that person, then count to 30.

When you are ready, open your eyes.”

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YMCA

Since 1925

Next was a fun activity, similar to Statues in the Garden (also known as Red Light, Green Light,) called Yogis in the Garden.

The children freeze in an asana (yoga pose) of their choice. In the corner of the studio, one child was in an amazing downward dog, another displayed a mighty warrior pose, others were in plank or cow.

Besides the benefit of de-stressing, yoga offers other merits like increased strength, increased flexibility, better athletic performance, increased muscle tone, improved cardiovascular and circulatory health and is even beneficial to the lymphatic system.

Welcomes Allergist Dr. Bret R. Haymore to the Team and a New Location in Midwest City!

“I would recommend yoga to a child who is experiencing anxiety, for them to use as a coping mechanism, to help ground them and keep them more focused,” said Heartsong Turnbull, a licensed professional counselor at the University of Oklahoma Child Studies Center. “A lot of times, with anxiety and other disorders, kids’ thoughts are taking over, they worry about something that happened in the past or will happen in the future. If they are doing something with their body such as yoga, it grounds them and brings them into the present moment.”

Wills agreed she sees kids in her classes slow down, breathe deeply and visualize positive things. Janzen emphasized yoga students need not be perfect; it’s not about perfection.

“Remember to be forgiving and have a sense of humor, keep a smile on your face,” Janzen said. “When you practice yoga, you will have good days and bad days, and just give it the best that you can give.”

at the Oklahoma Health Center

750 N.E. 13th Meridian Medical Tower

Janzen believes it’s important to bring humor and light-heartedness to the classes she provides for kids.

“We are windy trees, just like the trees in Oklahoma,” she said in class as her kids

YOGA BLISS

took tree pose, mimicking windy trees before settling into the tree asana, standing on one leg.

Perhaps the most kid-friendly method of all when Janzen’s teaching is the colorful set of fairy wings she wears. She puts them on to become ‘The Kidz Yoga Fairy.’

“In my Children’s Yoga Teacher Training School, I got coined the Yoga Fairy because my demonstration for graduation included a fairy wand and cut-out stars for the kids to use as there drishti (focal point). And years later, here I am!”

She dons the wings every weekday in the classes for ages 3 to 7 and Saturdays for ages 3 to 12.

As with any physical activity, safety is important in yoga. Yoga teachers often include “body/pose checks” to see if the body is in alignment while doing a yoga pose.

“Remember, we want to do poses on both sides so our bodies are balanced,” Janzen reminded her class. There is humor too.

(Across from Mercy Hospital)

13321 N. Meridian, Suite 100 Edmond at Fisher Hall 3560 S. Boulevard, Suite 150 Norman Physician’s Building (Across from Norman Reg. Hospital)

950 N. Porter, Suite 102 (New Building coming in 2016)

405/996-3298 oklahomaallergy.com

YOGA BLISS METROFAMILY MAGAZINE

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FEBRUARY 2016

“Do you feel that muscle pull in this yoga pose? Is it in your ‘hamburgers?’” she said instead of “hamstrings.” Giggles rippled throughout the class.

In addition to classes just for kids, Janzen offers family yoga where moms and dads are invited to practice yoga with their children.

Local mom Ann Canton takes the class with her daughter.

“I like that we can all work out as a family,” Canton said. “Darci speaks about living a yoga lifestyle, which is important.”

Two girls in Janzen’s class explained what they enjoy about yoga, further solidifying the work Wills and Janzen do is making a difference in the lives of kids.

“Yoga makes me happy and I like how I sit, move and play here,” said 5-year-old Juliana C. after one of Janzen’s classes.

YOGA BLISS

Yoga classes end with the shavasana, the final relaxation pose at the end of any yoga practice.

Sydney N., an 11-year-old student, agreed.

“I have a bottle of ‘Magic Mist,’ filtered water and lavender essential oil, that I sprinkle on the children during shavasana,” Janzen said. “They love it!”

“I like that you can be open and connect with yourself,” Sydney explained. “It kind of relaxes me. If I am stressed out about something, I will go into my room and do some simple yoga poses.”

Finally the class closes with saying the familiar “namaste,” often translated from Sanskrit as “the light within me bows to the light within you.” Janzen reminds the students of the meaning, saying, “We are all equal.”

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YMCA

for Call Trial E FRE lass C

Lil Kickers Winter Session continues through March 12!

Here is a sampling of yoga classes for kids in the metro area.

Scheduling can vary, so please consult businesses directly.

Mind, Body, Spirit Integris

YMCA

This Land Yoga

Yoga Bliss (Kidz Yoga Fairy)

Eight-session series available for ages 7-12 Integrisok.com/mbs 405-713-9950 Kids yoga classes for ages 4-12 ThisLandYoga.com 405-529-6428

Open enrollment

Call TODAY!

Birthday Party Packages Indoor Soccer Leagues Rent fields for many different sports/activities

soccercityokcity.com 4520 Old Farm Road, OKC

(west of Meridian, south of 122nd)

405-748-3888

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Family yoga classes for ages 8-15 ymcaokc.org 405-297-7700 Kids yoga and family yoga classes for age 3 and up Yogablissok.com 405-216-5133

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Foster Communities: Non-traditional foster care improving the lives of local kids

In many foster care situations, the transition from biological family to foster home is somewhat seamless. While it’s never a good situation for a child to be pulled away from his or her biological family, a foster family often offers the temporary relief needed that ultimately leads to reunification with the biological family. But sometimes, the foster situation doesn’t stick and children cycle in and out of different foster homes unsuccessfully.

That’s where non-traditional foster care intercedes. Two local foster communities—White Fields in Piedmont and Peppers Ranch in Guthrie— offer resources to provide stability for foster children and support for foster parents. The children who end up in nontraditional foster care have often been through more than a dozen foster placements before landing at White Fields of Peppers Ranch.

According to OKDHS Communications Manager Katelynn Burns, the children who have a difficult time remaining in the foster care system typically have behavioral issues relating to the trauma they experienced while in the care of their biological parents. Others may not have behavioral problems but have costly or time-consuming medical issues that can be too overwhelming for some foster parents.

BY NASREEN IQBAL

ILLUSTRATIONS BY BRITTANY VIKLUND WWW.BRITTANYVIKLUND.COM

W

hen David and Bethany Bond decided to foster two teenage boys two years ago, they knew they had their work cut out for them.

“There have been many nights when after we told the boys goodnight we would look at each other and wonder, ‘Can we do this?

With just a few short years until our boys are adults themselves and can leave anytime, how can we possibly make a difference in their lives?’” David said.

But they’ve been able to foster them successfully from their home at White Fields, a 14-acre campus in Piedmont that surrounds local foster boys with a community of therapies, healthcare professionals and enrichment activities.

“The day we met our oldest, I remember telling him that we would take care of him and be there for him.

Immediately after I told him that I remember wondering how many others had said the same things to him. His life was a series of broken promises.”

LILYFIELD

Christian Adoption and Foster Care

Our Mission

A Christ-centered ministry devoted to providing safe and stable families for at-risk children and youth.

David Bond, White Fields foster parent The boys who come to White Fields are between the ages of 8 and 12 and have usually been through 18 to 30 foster care placements unsuccessfully. They’re often described as hopeless, neglected or abused. White Fields is their last hope, said Executive Director Frank Alberson.

Of this same demographic of boys in foster care, only three to seven percent will not spend the rest of their lives in the systems of either prison, OKDHS custody or mental health care.

These statistics were known to David and Bethany when they decided to foster two boys, ages 15 and 17. So the Bonds decided to provide their boys with a safe home, food and friendship along with academic and medical resources that could help them reach their full potential. What the boys decided to do with the support was up to them.

“We decided to do our part,” said David, who is a youth pastor at Bethany First Church of the Nazarene. “We left the rest up to them and to God.” But all the while the couple hoped and prayed the boys would welcome their new foster parents into their hearts.

David Bond, White Fields foster parent

17

At Lilyfield we serve children, youth, birth, adoptive and foster families by sharing God’s love in our community.

We are committed to excellence in service and the foundation of our faith in Christ Jesus as we: • Promote safety and stability for children • Equip, prepare and counsel birth, adoptive and foster families • Guide children, youth and families on a path to healing and permanency Our programs include: adoption, services for birthparents, foster care, care connect post placement counseling and independent living (for girls who have aged out of foster care so they can continue their education).

“We decided to do our part. We left the rest up to them and up to God.”

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE

Vision

Lilyfield.org

501 E. 15th, Ste. 400A, Edmond FEBRUARY 2016

405.216.5240

“Can we do this? With just a few short years until our boys are adults themselves and can leave anytime, how can we possibly make a difference in their lives?”

David Bond, White Fields foster parent The foster boys were reserved and distrusting when the Bonds first met them.

“I couldn’t blame them,” David said. “The day we met our oldest, I remember telling him that we would take care of him and be there for him. Immediately after I told him that I remember wondering how many others had said the same things to him. His life was a series of broken promises.”

David chose to lay the foundation of the boys' road to recovery with honesty.

“Our mission is to break the cycle of abuse and neglect. The ranch is a safe place where these children can heal from their pasts.”

Tonya Ratcliff, Peppers Ranch executive director “Sometimes they will ask me questions and if I don’t know the answers, I’ll tell them I don’t know,” David said. “I’ll say ‘I honestly don’t know. But let me try to figure it out.’ I think they’ve responded well to that. They don’t see me as a know-it-all. I’m learning along with them.”

The Bond’s oldest foster child, now 19, works and goes to high school. Bond is proud to say for the last school semester the boy made almost all As and one B. He hopes to attend the University of Central Oklahoma.

This Christmas, he told the Bonds he would like to be an official member of their family and together the family is in the process of adopting him.

Just north of Edmond and west of Guthrie lies a community similar to White Fields.

Peppers Ranch was founded in 1999 on 160 acres of land destined to become a safe haven for foster care children. Since then, the ranch has expanded to cover 300 acres with homes where 13 families with foster children reside.

Parents at the ranch started fostering before relocating to the ranch where resources provide invaluable support.

“We are a real community,” Executive Director Tonya Ratcliff said. “Foster parents at the ranch are not employed by the ranch; they have their own jobs and lives outside of the ranch but choose to live here and pay rent here because of the support our community offers one another.”

That support comes in the form of fishing, gardening, cooking and horseback riding classes for foster children along with learning programs, therapy and academic tutoring for the children and support groups for the foster parents.

“Our mission is to break the cycle of abuse and neglect,” Ratcliff said. “The ranch is a

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FEBRUARY 2016

“The increase of children in the DHS system is not a government problem, it’s a family problem. I think the sooner Oklahomans see it as that, the sooner they will be willing to help.”

Tonya Ratcliff, Peppers Ranch executive director safe place where these children can heal from their pasts.”

Unlike White Fields, the children who come to Peppers Ranch with their foster parents are typically foster care children who are of any age and either gender. In both communities, special services and therapies are available to families free of charge.

Since its inception, the ranch has been home to more than 600 foster children. Ratcliff,

who is also a foster parent on the ranch, echoed Burns’ sentiment over the need for more foster parents.

“The increase of children in the DHS system is not a government problem, it’s a family problem,” Ratcliff said. ”I think the sooner Oklahomans see it as that, the sooner they will be willing to help. These kids are an investment into our future; they are our future caregivers. We can either invest in them now as children or we can do so later in life when they would be dependent upon the system.”

Ratcliff said the idea of fostering children is understandably overwhelming to those unfamiliar with the process.

“The whole thing can seem daunting,” Ratcliff said. “But for every cost, the gain is multiplied.

Fostering is more rewarding than anyone can imagine.”

Peppers Ranch and White Fields are helping to ease that burden on foster families and make fostering more rewarding than ever.

“The whole thing can seem daunting. But for every cost the gain is multiplied.

Fostering is more rewarding than anyone can imagine.”

The Laura Dester children’s shelter in Tulsa is the only remaining statefunded shelter in the state and they stopped admitting children to their shelter in the fall. Katelynn Burns, the communications manager for the

March 15-18

Tonya Ratcliff, Peppers Ranch executive director [Editor’s Note: To learn more about becoming a foster parent in Oklahoma, visit www.metrofamilymagazine.com/foster.]

Immediate Need for More Foster Families There are approximately 10,000 children in the custody of Oklahoma’s Department of Human Services on any given day. That’s an increase of more than 40 percent of children being placed in foster care over the past three years.

In addition, Oklahoma’s state-funded shelters for foster children between homes are closing as part of the Pinnacle Plan, a plan set in motion in 2012 to minimize neglect by getting children into homes with stable families as soon as possible after removal from their biological families.

Spring Break Art Camps

Oklahoma Department of Human Services, said neither DHS nor shelter officials have a closing date set but that the shelter will close when all children who are there now—less than 20—have been placed in foster homes.

Between the rising demand of foster families and the closure of state-funded children’s shelters, Oklahoma families are expected to step up more than ever.

“There is a major need for more foster parents statewide,” Burns said.

Next month, we will break down simple steps to becoming a foster parent. If you want to learn more about how to open your home to foster children in need, visit www.metrofamilymagazine.com/ foster-care-guide to get connected with a local agency.

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AGES 6-8 Color and Abstraction Spectacular Spring Scenery

AGES 9-12 Photographing Downtown 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tuesday through Friday.

Before and after care available.

Register today at okcmoa.com!

Oklahoma City’s Redbud Classic Benefiting

Peppers Ranch

If you believe in the mission of Peppers Ranch and want to help support them, the 34th annual Redbud Classic is a prime opportunity.

The Redbud Classic is the oldest race in Oklahoma City and all proceeds from the 2016 event benefit Peppers Ranch. The foster care community currently features 13 homes but the staff plans to add another 12 homes over the next four years. The Redbud Classic has raised more than $500,000 for local nonprofits over the years.

The two-day family-friendly event includes much more than a run. Events include 10, 33 and 50-mile bike tours and a one-mile children’s run on Saturday, April 9. On

Sunday, April 10, events include timed 5K and 10K runs, a 5K wheelchair race, a twomile walk and a baby stroller derby.

If you prefer not to race at all, attend the Redbud Bash at 1 p.m. Sunday, April 9 at the finish line at Nichols Hills Plaza. There will be food trucks, live entertainment and family-friendly games and activities.

Register online at redbud.org or at the registration office on the north side of Nichols Hills Plaza from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

April 4-9. Participants who register online or by mail can pick up race packets at the registration office during these hours. Until April 4, early-bird registration fees are $30 for the run/walk events and $35 for the cycling tours, or $55 for both events.

REDBUD CLASSIC

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Meet Our 2016 Cover Kids.

LEVI, MAXIMILIAN, JACOB AND ALEXANDRA B.

Levi, Maximilian, Jacob and Alexandra are the 1-year-old quadruplets of Amanda and Bryan B. All four of the kids love peek-a-boo and playing in the bathtub (or the dog’s water before their parents can pick it up). Levi is the most serious of the four and loves to watch

people. Max’s nickname is “Tank” because he’s a big boy who loves to make noise and tackle his siblings. Jacob is the extrovert of the group and is the most vocal. Alex is described as the diva and she loves chasing her brothers around to take their toys away.

These kids are the 12 winners of our annual Cover Kids Search.

Landen is the 4-year-old son of Jennifer M. and Janna P. He loves Oklahoma City Thunder’s mascot, Rumble. His other interests include firemen and firetrucks and he’s constantly using his trucks at home to “rescue” things.

Maddie is the 13-year-old daughter of Stacy and Shannon B. The 8th grader loves reading, University of Oklahoma sports, "The Hunger Games" and acting.

She’s acted in several productions at Sooner Theatre including “Aladdin” and “The Wizard of

Oz” and she wants to work with animals when she grows up.

Layla is the 11-year-old daughter of Brook and Dianne M. Her interests include riding her hoverboard, cheering on the Oklahoma City Thunder, babysitting, archery and soccer. She’s run the Memorial Kids Marathon three times and wants to be a pediatrician when she grows up.

Randy is the 7-year-old son of Ashley and Guillermo M. He’s a film actor who loves to use tools to build things. Some of his favorite activities include playing with Legos, drawing, painting and archery.

The winners will appear on our magazine covers throughout the year.

LANDEN P., MADDIE B., RANDY M. AND LAYLA M.

Nora is the 4-year-old daughter of Matt and Carol L. She’s fascinated by all things mechanical and wants to be a pilot when she grows up. In addition to figuring out how to make the family car fly, her interests include singing, dancing and science.

Duncan, Matthew and Aidan are the children of Amy and Mark P. All three siblings were adopted. Duncan, 11, is determined and tenacious. His interests include soccer,

basketball, playing outside and taking care of the family’s chickens. Matthew, 8, loves sports like his big brother. His other interests include playing the drums, hunting for treasure with his metal detector, cooking and making candy. Aidan, 7, adores school and is especially fond of math. Even though she’s the youngest of the three, she loves bossing her older brothers around and they like to mind her.

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DUNCAN, MATTHEW AND AIDAN P., AND NORA L.

mom gets the last laugh

How Sweet It Is

ND, WWW.BRIT TANY VIKLU ILLUSTRATION BY BRITTANY VIKLU

M

y husband has never been a conventional gift giver. The very first gift he ever gave me he won in a random drawing and pawned it off as his own gift. That’s right, the first gift was a re-gift. It was a tennis bracelet, so I’m not complaining but it was a re-gift just the same.

For our first anniversary, he gave me a blank scrapbook because the first anniversary gift is paper. When our daughter was born, he got me a bear figurine that he bought from one of the nurses. I’m not sure if she was selling it or she felt sorry for the new dad offering her money for a ceramic momma bear holding her new cub in a rocking chair, but he saw it, thought of me and delivered.

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE

ND.COM

One year for Christmas, he gave me some humane mousetraps. We lived with a huge, gorgeous wheat field behind us and the mice were taking over. So, it was needed, but it was thoughtful because of the single word “humane.” I have no idea what happened to the little mice once their bellies were full of peanut butter and cheese. All I know is that he drove them miles into the country and dumped them out, wishing them well. But that’s not really the point.

What is the point exactly? The point is that he’s never been a conventional gift giver but he’s always been thoughtful.

One Christmas when our daughters were just toddlers and hadn’t quite developed a good palate yet, I broke my pizza cutter on dinner that night: a once-frozen pizza. I didn’t just break it; I shattered it with the wheel flying the ten yards from the stove to the dining room table.

And it wasn’t just any pizza cutter, it was one that I had accidentally

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taken in a to-go box of pizza from my first pizza outing in college, some 15 years before.

That Valentine’s Day, my sweet guy bought me a stainless, promised-to-always-besuper-sharp-and-super-smooth pizza cutter.

He cleared out the knife drawer and lined it with red and white drawer liner. His friends thought I’d never be happy with a pizza cutter, regardless of how awesomely amazing it was, but I was thrilled. In fact, I was so thrilled that I baked that man a frozen pizza that very night and threw on some shredded Colby Jack because nothing is too good for my hunny.

His friends argued that I’d prefer flowers; my husband countered that I didn’t like when things died (including mice) and potted or cut when he delivered them to me, they would be dead within 10 days.

His friends suggested he buy me lingerie but he said a smart man lets a woman buy her own clothes.

It was even hinted that I would like chocolate.

He agreed that chocolate was my favorite (aside from frozen pizza), but he bought me

that just for fun on an everyday basis. Well, I bought it for myself and told him about it— same thing, basically.

But, the best gift, by far, has to be last year’s Valentine’s Day gift. The girls were so proud of him because he didn’t ask for their help— not even in wrapping it.

That evening, he handed me a shoeboxshaped package and encouraged me to open it up in private, after our girls had gone to bed. I couldn’t wait. I rushed the girls to bed, quickly got on my own pajamas and then sat in bed as I opened the package. It was a pair of shoes. Not just any pair of shoes, but a pair of the foot doctor’s smooth walkers in a size 10 wide. Not only did he think I needed to wear grandma shoes, he thought I had Yettisized feet.

I thought I had made it clear to him that our daughters and I were now wearing the same size, which meant that I could start wearing their super-cute teenager shoes and here he was buying me Granny walkers. Next thing you know, he’d want to take me to the allyou-can-eat buffet tomorrow at 3:45!

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I sat with the box in front of me, not knowing exactly how to react. After 17 Valentine’s Days together, after 17 Christmases, after 17 anniversaries … this was so out of character for him. I wasn’t sure what to say.

But, my momma raised me right and I said “Thank you?” I said it in such a way that he knew—he knew indeed—that I wasn’t exactly, ummm… thrilled with my gift.

“Open it,” he said.

I sighed and lifted the shoebox lid. And discovered 17 … chocolate bars.

I keep the box in the closet right under our daughters’ noses.

My hubby gives good gifts.

Heather Davis is an Oklahoma momma, a writer, and the wife of a very sweet gift-giver.

Her books are available on Amazon, the most recent being “Life With Extra Cheese,” chronicling her journey into the sandwich generation. Her website is www.HeatherDavis.net.

calendar

events this

february

OUR CALENDAR MAKES IT EASY TO FIND FAMILY FUN IN OKC. FIND IT AT WWW.METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM/CALENDAR PARENT & CHILD DANCES THROUGHOUT THE OKC METRO February is the month of love and Oklahoma City is full of opportunities for parents to show love to their kids this month! Organizations across the metro have been hard at work planning special evenings of festive family fun for parents and their kids.

FEB. 4 & 5 Oklahoma City’s Daddy Daughter Dance at Civic Center Music Hall (201 N. Walker) features an elegant dance in the historic Meinders Hall of Mirrors. Tickets can be purchased at local recreation centers or over the phone. $12.50. Thursday or Friday, 7-9 p.m. 297-3882. www.okc.gov/parks

FEB. 6 Norman’s Daddy Daughter Dance at Embassy Suites (2501 Conference Dr., Norman) features a fun evening of dancing, music and refreshments for girls ages 4 – 14 and their fathers or father figures. There are three dances to choose from: 2:30-4, 5-6:30 & 7:30-9 p.m. $15. 366-5472, www.normanfun.com Daddy Daughter Dance at Orr Family Farm (14400 S. Western Ave.) features an evening of dancing and music provided by a professional DJ plus snacks & drinks. Church-appropriate attire is requested and ages 4 – 14 are welcome. $15. 4:30 & 7 p.m. 799-3276, www.orrfamilyfarm.com

FEB. 20 Edmond’s Daddy Daughter Dance at the MAC at Mitch Park (2733 Marilyn Williams Dr., Edmond) features a Frozen-themed dance for girls ages 3 – 12 and their dads. The evening includes refreshments and a professional photographer and Elsa & Anna will make an appearance. $30 per couple; $10 for each additional girl. 4-5:30, 6-7:30 & 8-9:30 p.m. 359-4630, www.edmondparks.com Mother & Son Soiree at Orr Family Farm (14400 S. Western Ave.) features a western-themed evening with dancing, a professional DJ, food, drinks and fun. Church-appropriate clothing with a western flair is encouraged. Wear your boots, hats and pearls! $15. 6:30 p.m. 799-3276, www.orrfamilyfarm.com

FEB. 27 Midwest City’s Daddy Daughter Dance at the Sheraton Midwest City Hotel at the Reed Conference Center (5750 Will Rogers Rd., Midwest City) features a live DJ and refreshments. Carriage rides and professional photography will be on-site for additional fees. $10. 4-5:30 p.m., 6-7:30 p.m. & 8-9:30 p.m. 739-1293, www.cityofmidwestcity.org Photo courtesy of Edmond Parks & Recreation

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calendar SATURDAYS FOR KIDS—FEB 6 FREE Saturdays for Kids at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum (1700 N.E. 63rd St.) offers kids ages 4 to 12 years old a free, monthly hands-on experience to learn more about the American West and important historical figures that helped shape our nation’s unique history. This February, kids will go on an adventure throughout the museum! As kids explore the museum, they will find various educational stations that celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of African Americans in the American West. Each gallery will highlight important figures and kids can collect trading cards of these influential people as they go. Please pre-register by noon on Friday, Feb. 5. Kids and accompanying adults receive FREE admission to the museum. Activities begin at 10 a.m. and continue until noon.

MORE INFORMATION: WWW.NATIONALCOWBOYMUSEUM.ORG Photo courtesy of National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

“GO, DOG. GO!”—FEB. 12-26 The Oklahoma Children’s Theatre (2501 N. Blackwelder) presents “Go, Dog. Go!,” a fantastically fun stage production of the classic children’s book by P.D. Eastman. Audience members of all ages will follow along as the big and small dogs delve into life with gusto. They will snorkel, howl at the moon, ride a ferris wheel, sing, dance, climb trees and more in this exciting exploration of movement, color and space. To further enhance your child’s experience, download the study guide, available on the theatre's website. The guide is full of fun, educational and interactive activities for before, during and after you attend the performance.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for kids ages 2-12. See website for a complete list of show times.

MORE INFORMATION: WWW.OKLAHOMACHILDRENSTHEATRE.ORG Photo courtesy of Oklahoma Children’s Theatre

KIDS FEST—FEB. 20 Kids Fest 2016 at the Cox Convention Center (1 Myriad Gardens) is MetroFamily Magazine’s annual reader celebration with dozens of booths featuring fun and educational activities for kids. Enjoy face painting, roaming characters, door prizes, inflatables, live music and more. Adults have plenty of reasons to love Kids Fest, too. Several door prizes will be given away during the event including summer camp admission and a AAA membership.

Adults are $5 and kids are admitted FREE. Get $1 off admission with our coupon found on page 42. Doors open at 11 a.m. and the fun continues until 4 p.m.

MORE INFORMATION: WWW.METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM/KIDS-FEST

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CRAYON AY ON CRAYON

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CRA YO N

events this

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FEBRUARY 3-7

POWERED BY STEAM. FUELED BY FUN! The Goddard School’s Summer Camp offers a broad range of programs and mini camps crafted to pique the interest and curiosity of every child; there is something for everybody!

Call today to enroll!

SNEAK PEEK OPEN HOUSE Monday, February 22 Friday, February 26 9 AM - 5 PM

Disney’s The Lion King Jr. at Sooner Theatre (101 E Main St, Norman) features an unforgettable cast of characters from the film and an inspiring coming-of-age tale starring 3rd-7th grader students of the Junior Production class. $10. Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, 7:30pm; Saturday, 2 & 7:30pm; Sunday, 2pm. 321-9600, www.soonertheatre.org

FEBRUARY 3-21 Mann and Wife at Lyric at the Plaza (1727 NW 16th St) features the world premiere of the musical by Douglas J. Cohen and Dan Elish where lovable romantic Henry Mann searches for the perfect date to his ex-fiancee’s wedding. $30-$55. See website for show times.

524-9312, www.lyrictheatreokc.com

FEBRUARY 4 • THURSDAY Chocolate Decadence at Hudson-Essex Loft Offices (825 N Broadway Ave) features delicious chocolate-inspired cuisine, jazz, wine, champagne and a Valentine’s auction, in benefit of community projects in Automobile Alley. 21+. Business or cocktail attire is requested. $65. 6-8:30pm. 706-7484, www.chocolatedecadenceokc.com Mariachi Los Camperos at Armstrong Auditorium (14400-B S Bryant Rd, Edmond) explores the works of Mexico’s many internationally-renowned songwriters in a lively program highlighted by the exquisite voices of the Grammy award-winning ensemble. $23-$48. 7:30 p.m. 285-1010, www.armstrongauditorium.org

NOW ENROLLING! EDMOND 405-348-4442 EDMOND (NORTHEAST) 405-348-4442 GoddardSchool.com

The Goddard Schools are operated by independent franchisees under a license agreement with Goddard Systems, Inc. Programs and ages may vary. Goddard Systems, Inc. program is AdvancED accredited. © Goddard Systems, Inc. 2016

Valentine’s Day T-shirt Craft at the MAC at Mitch Park (2733 Marilyn Williams Dr, Edmond) features a dot painting technique to reveal the word “love” on your very own shirt. Best suited for ages 2-5.

Parent must attend. $11. 10-11am. 359-4630, www.edmondok.com Valentine’s Embroidery Hoop Art Class at the MAC at Mitch Park (2733 Marilyn Williams Dr, Edmond). Kids ages 6-12 will use Perler beads to create pixilated

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Minecraft pendants. $12. 4-5:30pm. 3594630, www.edmondok.com FREE Oklahoma City Public School Board District 3 Candidate Forum at OSU-OKC Student Center (900 N Portland Ave). Meet with candidates Carrie Coppernoll Jacobs & Adam Zodrow. 5:307pm. 360-1200, www.edchoicematters.org

FEBRUARY 5 • FRIDAY Mystery Dinner at the Mustang Community Center (1201 N Mustang Rd, Mustang) features a performance by the Whodunit Theatre, OKC’s longest-running mystery show as well as dinner catered by McAlister’s Deli. $15. Dinner, 6:15pm; show, 7pm. 376-3411, www.cityofmustang.org FREE Story Time with a Twist at Velocity Dance Center (11122 N Rockwell Ave) features a special story time for kids. 7218807, www.oklahomacitydancestudio.com

FEBRUARY 4 & 5 Oklahoma City Daddy-Daughter Dance at Civic Center Music Hall (201 N Walker) is an elegant daddy-daughter dance at the historic Meinders Hall of Mirrors. Tickets can be purchased at local recreation centers or over the phone.

Thursday or Friday, 7-9pm. $12.50.

297-3882, www.okc.gov/parks

FEBRUARY 4-13 The Giver at Oklahoma Children’s Theatre Burg Theatre (2501 N Blackwelder) features the story of a 12-year boy named Jonas as he learns the truth about life. Recommended for ages 10 and up. See website for a list of show times. Adults, $12; kids (2-12), $10. 951-0011, www.oklahomachildrenstheatre.org

FEBRUARY 5 • FRIDAY FREE First Friday Gallery Walk in the Paseo Arts District (NW 30th & 27th Streets, Walker & Hudson Ave) features guest artists, art exhibits, refreshments, live music and food trucks on the first Friday of each month. 6-10pm. 525-2688, www.thepaseo.com

Jason Aldean: We Were Here Tour at Chesapeake Energy Arena (100 W Reno) with special guests Thomas Rhett & A Thousand Horses. $31.25-$61.25. 7:30pm.

602-8700, www.chesapeakearena.com

including crafts, coloring and educational trunks. February’s focus is Black History Month, Presidents’ Day and Valentine’s Day. Free with admission. 1-4pm. 522-0793, www.okhistory.org

FEBRUARY 5-7

Norman’s Daddy Daughter Dance at Embassy Suites (2501 Conference Dr, Norman) features a fun evening of dancing, music and refreshments for girls ages 4 – 14 and their fathers or father figures. There are three dances to choose from. $15.

2:30-4, 5-6:30 & 7:30-9 p.m. 366-5472, www.normanfun.com

An Affair of the Heart at State Fair Park (3001 General Pershing Blvd) is a three-day shopping event featuring art, clothing, antiques, collectibles and gourmet food. Three-day pass, $8. Friday & Saturday, 9am-6pm; Sunday, 11am-5pm. www.anaffairoftheheart.com/okc/

FEBRUARY 6 • SATURDAY Yukon Chocolate Festival at the Dale Robertson Center (1200 Lakeshore Dr, Yukon) features a variety of chocolate treats served by local businesses and groups as well as a silent auction consisting of an array of chocolate & Valentine items.

Proceeds benefit Yukon Friends of the Park and Ladies Library Club. Eight tastes, $10.

1-3pm. 350-8937, www.cityofyukonok.gov Harlem Globetrotters 90th Anniversary World Tour at Chesapeake Energy Arena (100 W Reno) features a star-studded roster and the ball-handling wizardry the Globetrotters are known for. $19 & up. 2 & 7pm. 602-8700, www.chesapeakearena.com

Daddy Daughter Dance at Orr Family Farm (14400 S Western Ave) is an evening of dancing with music provided by a professional DJ, plus snacks and drinks.

Ages 4-14 are welcome, church appropriate attire requested. $15. 4:30-8:30pm. 799-3276, www.orrfamilyfarm.com FREE Mardi Gras Parade in Downtown Norman (Main & Peters, Norman) will march for the 22nd time, rain or shine. This year’s theme is the Mardi Gras Mambo. Several downtown businesses will offer extended hours and parade specials. Don’t forget, this parade makes a circle twice! 7-8:30pm. www.normanmardigrasparade.com

FREE Fishing Days at Oklahoma City Parks (various locations) features free fishing on the first Saturday of each month.

No city permit is required; however a state license is required for anyone 16 and older. 297-1426, www.okc.gov/lakes

Mardi Gras Ball at SixTwelve (612 NW 29th St) features food provided by Picasso’s, art, live Zydeco music by Nathan & the Zydeco Cha-Chas and lots of dancing. The adults-only, white-tie event benefits the programs of SixTwelve. Masks and beads are encouraged! $75 & up. 8-11pm. 208-8291, www.sixtwelve.org/612-mardi-gras-ball/

FREE Life Long Mates at Martin Park Nature Center (5000 W Memorial Rd).

During the Month of Love, learn about what animals in the wild are in it for the long run.

Preregister. Best suited for ages 12 and up.

3pm. 297-1429, www.okc.gov/active

For the Love of Books Book Sale at Norman Central Public Library (225 N Webster Ave, Norman) features an assortment of gently-used books from many genres. Book prices vary. 9am-5pm.

701-2620, www.pioneerlibrarysystem.org

FREE Saturdays for Kids: Celebrate African American History at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum (1700 NE 63rd St) features fun activities focused on the accomplishments and contributions of African Americans in the American West. The program is designed for children ages 4-12 and is free for children and accompanying adults.

Preregister. 10am-noon. 478-2250, www.nationalcowboymuseum.org

Valentine Cards & Boxes Craft at the MAC at Mitch Park (2733 Marilyn Williams Dr, Edmond). Create handmade Valentine cards and boxes using a variety of material.

Best suited for ages 6-12. $12. 1:30-3:30pm.

359-4630, www.edmondok.com

First Saturday at the Oklahoma History Center (800 Nazih Zuhdi Dr) features a variety of activities throughout the museum

FREE Valentine Pop-Up Party at Belle Isle Library (5501 N Villa Ave) features a come & go party with a pop-up card demonstration and craft making as well as music, light refreshments and more. 2-4pm.

843-9601, www.metrolibrary.org

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events this

february

Symphonie Fantastique! at Civic Center Music Hall (201 N Walker) is part of the OKC Philharmonic’s Classic Series featuring Robert Moody as guest conductor and violinist, Andrea Segar. $19 & up. 8pm.

842-5387, www.okcphilharmonic.org

FEBRUARY 9 • TUESDAY FREE Middle School Open House at Heritage Hall (1800 NW 122nd St).

Parents and prospective students can learn about the school and its programs.

Preregister. Free to attend. 9-10am.

749-3001, www.heritagehall.com FREE Wellness Fair at Mustang Town Center (1201 N Mustang Rd, Mustang) features vendors and food demonstrations with samples and recipes as well as inflatables, a dance-a-thon and more.

8:30am-noon & 5-8pm. See website for full schedule. 376-3411, www.cityofmustang.org FREE Valentine Make & Take at the Midwest City Library (8143 E Reno). Make a Valentine for your favorite person. All supplies included. Best suited for ages 5 & up. 4-5pm. 732-4828, www.metrolibrary.org

FEBRUARY 9 & 11 FREE Valentine Story Time at the Bethany Library (3510 N Mueller Ave, Bethany) features stories, music, rhymes, and crafts all with a Valentine theme. Best suited for ages 3-5. Preregister. Tuesday, 6:30-7pm. Thursday, 10-10:45am. 789-8363, www.metrolibrary.org

FEBRUARY 9 & 11-13 Valentine Cabaret Show at Oklahoma Christian University’s Adams Recital Hall (2501 E Memorial Rd, Edmond) features an evening of songs from Broadway shows including Guys and Dolls, Jersey Boys and Wicked. $12. 7pm. 425-5530, www.oc.edu/ valentinecabaret

FEBRUARY 9-14 Kinky Boots at Civic Center Music Hall (201 N Walker) follows a struggling shoe factory owner and a fabulous entertainer named Lola. $20 & up. Tuesday-Thursday, METROFAMILY MAGAZINE

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7:30pm; Friday, 8pm; Saturday, 2 & 8pm; Sunday, 2 & 7pm. 800-869-1451, www.celebrityattractions.com

FEBRUARY 10 • WEDNESDAY Cupid’s Arrow Craft at the MAC at Mitch Park (2733 Marilyn Williams Dr, Edmond). Create colorful arrows to use as decoration for Valentine’s Day. Best suited for ages 6-12. $10. 4:30-5:30pm. 359-4630, www.edmondok.com

FEBRUARY 11 • THURSDAY ABA Methods Training: Reinforcement 101 at Easter Seals Oklahoma (701 NE 13th St) features training for parents, family members and professionals who have a loved one with developmental disabilities, challenging behaviors or those who are interested in learning about behavioral strategies. A light lunch will be provided. Parents & family, $10; professionals, $20. Preregister. Noon-1pm.

239-2525, www.eastersealsok.org FREE 2-1-1 Day at Quail Springs Mall (2501 W Memorial Rd) features a familyfriendly event with activities and giveaways to celebrate 2-1-1 Day in Oklahoma. 6-8pm. www.heartlineoklahoma.org/our-events/21-1-day/ FREE Galileo’s World Lecture Series and Sky Watch at Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History (2401 Chautauqua, Norman) features a monthly lecture series followed by a sky watch by the OU Observatory on the museum lawn.

7-9pm. 325-4712, www.snomnh.ou.edu FREE Teen Crafts at the Choctaw Library (2525 Muzzy St, Choctaw). Celebrate friendship by creating bracelets to wear or give as a special gift for Valentine’s Day. Participants will begin with an easy bracelet and then learn a more advanced heart pattern design. Best suited for ages 12-18.

5-6pm. 390-4818, www.metrolibrary.org FREE Chocolate Fondue for Teens at the Warr Acres Library (5901 NW 63rd St) features fondue and games. Preregister. For ages 12-18. 721-2616, www.metrolibrary.org

FEBRUARY 11-13 Sci-Fi Murder-Con Episode X: A Musical Mystery at Sooner Theatre (101 E Main St, Norman) features an adults-only musical murder mystery dinner theater where different fan universes collide. Proceeds benefit the Sooner Theatre. $75 & up.

6:30pm. 321-9600, www.soonertheatre.org

FEBRUARY 11-14 The Odyssey at Mitchell Hall Theatre (100 N University Dr, Edmond) is brought to life as a stage production featuring the romance, sea voyage, shipwreck, seduction and supernatural doings of one of the greatest tales of all time. $10-$20. Show times are Thursday, Friday & Saturday, 7:30pm & Sunday, 2pm. 974-3375, www.mitchellhalltheatre.com

FEBRUARY 12 • FRIDAY No School! Activity Day at Mustang Town Center (1201 N Mustang Rd, Mustang) features a fun-filled day with activities throughout the day including a marble

paper art making. Bring your own refillable water bottle and lunch (no peanut products).

Preregister. $30. 7:30am-6pm. 376-3411, www.cityofmustang.org

FEBRUARY 12 & 13 American Red Cross Babysitting Boot Camp at Mustang Town Center (1201 N Mustang Rd, Mustang) is a two-day course with activities, videos, discussions and reallife problem solving situations as well as first aid, child & infant CPR and rescue breathing techniques. For ages 11 & up. Preregister. $65. 9am. 376-3411, www.cityofmustang.org

FEBRUARY 12-26 Go, Dog. Go! at Oklahoma Children’s Theatre (2501 N Blackwelder) is an exploration of movement, color and space through the work of P.D. Eastman. Adults, $10; kids (2-12), $8. See website for a complete list of show times. 951-0011, www.oklahomachildrenstheatre.org

FEBRUARY 12-27 A Midsummer Night’s Dream presented

by Reduxion Theatre at Civic Center Music Hall (201 N Walker Ave) features one of Shakespeare’s most famous romantic comedies. Adults, $35; students, $20. See website for show times. 297-2264, www.okcciviccenter.com

FEBRUARY 13 • SATURDAY FREE Make + Take at Oklahoma Contemporary (3000 General Pershing Blvd) features a Clay Pictures art making inspired by the works of art on view at the museum.

Projects are designed to be accessible and fun for visitors of all ages and all levels of art-making experience. All children must be accompanied by an adult. No registration required. All supplies included. 1-4pm.

951-0000, www.oklahomacontemporary.org Wolf Cub Scouts Workshop at Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History (2401 Chautauqua, Norman). Discover what air can do! Wolf Cub Scouts will complete all the requirements to earn the Air of the Wolf adventure loop. Loop not included, museum admission is included. $10. 10am-noon.

325-4712, www.samnoblemusuem.ou.edu

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METROFAMILY MAGAZINE

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FEBRUARY 2016

alentine’s VDay

CELE B R AT I O N

FEBRUARY 13 & 14, 2016

FREE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE : Cookie Decorating VALENTINE’S CRAFTS

STOMP DANCE DEMONSTRATION Card Making Workshop

FA M I LY FILM CHICKASAW

C U LT U R A L C E N T ER

Sulphur, Oklahoma • 580.622.7130 www.chickasawculturalcenter.com

events this

february

FREE Frozen Fun Dance Camp at Velocity Dance Center (11122 N Rockwell Ave) features an hour-long dance camp for kids ages 3-8. Preregister. 1pm. 721-8807, www.oklahomacitydancestudio.com Hot Chocolate Adventure with Katiebug’s at Myriad Botanical Gardens Terrace Room (301 W Reno). Learn how chocolate is produced from bean to bar, then create (and taste!) two yummy hot chocolate flavors. Best suited for ages 5-9. Preregister.

Members, $10; non-members, $12. 11amnoon. 445-7080, www.myriadgardens.org Tweet for Tweaties Project at Martin Park Nature Center (5000 W Memorial Rd). Make heart-shaped treats for your backyard birds. Preregister. Best suited for ages 6 & up. $4. 3-4pm. 297-1429, www.okc.gov/active Wine & Chocolate Pairing Class at Myriad Botanical Gardens Terrace Room (301 W Reno) features an exploration of the many flavors of wine and chocolate led by Joshua Yates, manager of Broadway Wine Merchants. Preregister. Attendees must be 21 & over. Members, $55, nonmembers, $65. 4:30-6pm. 445-7080, www.myriadgardens.org FREE Cookie Crawl in Downtown Edmond (various locations). Enjoy free samples of different cookies at participating businesses. 10am-5pm. www.downtownedmondok.com FREE Silver Strings Concert at the Bethany Library (3510 N Mueller Ave, Bethany) features a special performance by the Silver Strings of Putnam City, a unique rolling orchestra with members from all three Putnam City high schools. 2-3pm.

789-8363, www.metrolibrary.org FREE Adam & Kizzie Performance at the Northwest Library (5600 NW 122nd) features an all ages concert by the singing duo Adam & Kizzie. 2-3pm. 606-3580, www.metrolibrary.org FREE Anti-Valentine’s Day Party at the Downtown Library (300 Park Ave) features a Nightmare Before Valentine’s Day themed party including smashing heart METROFAMILY MAGAZINE

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FEBRUARY 2016

candies and an un-festive photo booth. All black clothing is encouraged. Preregister.

Best suited for 9 & up. 2-4pm. 231-8650, www.metrolibrary.org FREE Valentine Murder Mystery at the Belle Isle Library (5501 N Villa Ave) features a murder mystery set in Edwardian times. Snacks will be provided, period dress encouraged. Best suited for ages 15 & up. Preregister. 2-4pm. 843-9601, www.metrolibrary.org Valentine’s Dinner and Movie at the Chickasaw Cultural Center (867 Cooper Memorial Dr, Sulphur) features a fourcourse dinner and a showing of My Big Fat Greek Wedding in the Anoli’ Theatre. $25.

Dinner, 5pm; movie, 6:30pm. 580-622-7130, www.chickasawculturalcenter.com Love & Orchids at Myriad Botanical Gardens (301 W Reno Ave) features champagne, live music and a preview of the exhibit, Deceptive Orchids. Ages 21 & over only. Includes one glass of champagne and light appetizers. Preregister. Members, $15; couple, $25; non-members, $20; couple, $30.

6-8pm. 445-7080, www.myriadgardens.org

FEBRUARY 13 & 14 FREE Valentine’s Day Celebration at the Chickasaw Cultural Center (867 Cooper Memorial Dr, Sulphur) features family-friendly activities including cookie decorating, card-making, stomp dance demonstration and a special family film.

Activities are free, theater admission applies.

Saturday, 10am-4pm; Sunday, noon- 4pm.

See website for movie times. 580-622-7130, www.chickasawculturalcenter.com Monster Jam at Chesapeake Energy Arena (100 W Reno) features racing and freestyle action from the biggest Monster Jam superstars. Monster Jam’s fiercest athletes will headline the tour. Adults,$20 & up; kids, $10 & up. Saturday, 2 & 7pm; Sunday 2pm. www.chesapeakearena.com

FEBRUARY 14 • SUNDAY Valentine’s Party at Southwind Hills (468 SW 24th Ave) features a four course dinner,

cash bar and a live performance by country artist Ashley Campbell. $75. 5:30-10:30pm.

837-9463, www.southwindhills.com The Band of the Royal Marines and the Pipes, Drums and Highland Dancers of the Scots Guards at Armstrong Auditorium (14400-B S Bryant Rd, Edmond) features an all-ages concert of marches, anthems, changing of the guards and the music of England, Scotland and Ireland. $45-$97. 7:30pm. 285-1010, www.armstrongauditorium.org Valentine’s Day Dinner at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art (415 Couch Dr) features a six-course meal complete with white chocolate cranberry cheesecake for dessert.

See website for a full menu. $46-$60. 5-10 pm. 236-3100, www.okcmoa.com Behind the Beautiful Forevers at OCCC Visual and Performing Arts Center (7777 S May Ave) features a National Theatre live broadcast of the adapted work of Katherine Boo’s Pulitzer prize-winning book. $15.

6-10pm. 682-7579, tickets.occc.edu

FEBRUARY 15 • MONDAY School’s Out Safari Day Camp at the Oklahoma City Zoo (2101 NE 50th St) is an animal adventure day camp for kids ages 4-11. Advance registration and payment is required. Half day, $25; full day, $45. Half day, 8:30am-12:30pm; full day, until 5:15pm.

425-0218, www.okczooed.com FREE Presidents’ Day Scratch for Tweens at the Norman Central Library (225 N Webster Ave, Norman). Tweens can spend the day off school learning code through the Scratch method, developed at MIT. Preregister. 10am-noon. 701-2696, www.pioneerlibrarysystem.org FREE Pete the Cat’s Groovy Party at the Moore Library (225 S Howard, Moore) is a come & go celebration with fun crafts, games and a photo booth.

All ages welcome. 2-3:30pm. 793-4347, www.pioneerlibrarysystem.org

FEBRUARY 16 • TUESDAY Tiny Tuesdays at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art (415 Couch Dr) features a monthly themed come & go art-making experience geared for kids ages 5 & under with a caregiver. Dress for mess, no registration required. Free with admission.

10am-noon. 236-3100, www.okcmoa.com

Fiesta Mexico-Americana at OCCC Visual and Performing Arts Center Theater (7777 S May Ave) features the Grammy awardwinning group Los Lobos and the Ballet Folklorico Mexicano. $36 - $55. 7:30-10pm.

682-7579, www.occc.edu/pas

FEBRUARY 18 • THURSDAY FREE Native American Art Institute at Southern Oaks Recreation Center (400 SW 70th St) features free monthly art workshop where participants learn a new art form from Native American teachers. 7-9pm.

297-1449, www.okc.gov/parks/rec_centers Third Thursday Floral Arranging Series at Will Rogers Gardens (3400 NW 36th St). Learn different techniques to turn your backyard blooms or flowers from the store into tabletop masterpieces. Preregister. $25.

7-9pm. 297-1392, www.okc.gov/active

FEBRUARY 19 & 20 The Name’s Bond. James Bond at Civic Center Music Hall (201 N Walker) features the music from favorite James Bond movies including Nobody Does it Better, Live and Let Die, For Your Eyes Only and Skyfall performed by the OKC Philharmonic in their POPS series. $19 & up. 8pm. 842-5387, www.okcphilharmonic.org

FEBRUARY 20 • SATURDAY Pancake Breakfast & Vendor Crafts Fair at Putnam City High School (5300 NW 50th St) features an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast and a craft fair stocked with a variety of items from local vendors. Benefits the Putnam City High School Pirate Band.

Breakfast, $5; craft fair, free to attend. 7am3pm. 496-3835.

Kids Fest 2016 at Cox Convention Center (1 Myriad Gardens) is an annual family event hosted by MetroFamily Magazine featuring fun and educational activities for kids including hands-on craft and science projects, face painting, roaming characters, door prizes and live music. Adults, $5; kids, free. See coupon on page 42. 11am-4:30pm. www.metrofamilymagazine.com/kids-fest Fairie Gardening Furnishings Workshop at Will Rogers Gardens (3400 NW 36th St) Learn to create a variety of fun and festive garden accessories for your Faerie Garden during this hands-on workshop. Make lanterns, wee baskets, wicker fences and more. Preregister. $20. Noon-2pm. 297-1392, www.okc.gov/parks

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events this

february

Spring Sale

March 4-5, 2016 HOURS Friday - 8 am - 7 pm Saturday - 8am - 2 pm (1/2 price sale on Saturday)

LOCATION

Memorial Road Church of Christ 2221 E. Memorial Rd. Edmond, Ok

FREE Oklahoma City Zoo Career Conference at the Oklahoma City Zoo Rosser Conservation Education Center (2101 NE 50th St). Gain insight into zoorelated careers and discover volunteer opportunities at the OKC Zoo. Best suited for ages 13 & up. Registration required. Zoo admission not included. 1-4pm. 425-0218, www.okczoo.com

Walker) features a one-hour concert about the evolution of the African American influence in blues, jazz, gospel and rap.

Best suited for ages 4-13. Pre-concert fun includes Instruments Playground, Conductor’s Corner, performers meet & greet and more. $9. 2pm; pre-concert, 1pm.

842-5387, www.okcphilharmonic.org/ discovery

FREE Endangered Species Talk at Martin Park (5000 W Memorial Rd). Learn about the kinds of changes that influence animal populations and diversity and hear about endangered species in the United States and Oklahoma. Best suited for ages 6 & up.

3-4pm. 297-1429, www.okc.gov/parks

FEBRUARY 23 • TUESDAY

Edmond Daddy Daughter Dance at the MAC at Mitch Park (2733 Marilyn Williams Dr, Edmond) features a Frozenthemed dance for daughters ages 3-12 and their dads with dancing, refreshments and a professional photographer. Anna & Elsa will make an appearance at the dance! $30; $10 each additional girls.

4-5:30, 6-7:30 & 8-9:30pm. 359-4630, www.edmondparks.com

Consign your spring/summer children's clothing and earn 65% - 70% of your sales!

Mother & Son Soiree at Orr Family Farm (14400 S Western Ave) features an evening of dancing, a professional DJ, food, drinks and fun. Wear your boots, cowboy hats, pearls and western attire. Churchappropriate attire requested. $15. 6:30pm.

799-3276, www.orrfamilyfarm.com

For more information:

Cub Scout Science Overnight at Science Museum Oklahoma (2100 NE 52nd St) features special hands-on activities, a planetarium show and camp out among the exhibits. Members, $35; nonmembers, $45, adults, $25. 7pm. 602-3760, www.sciencemuseumoklahoma.org

Passitonkids.com Contact Lilyfield passiton@lilyfield.org

405.216.5240

Lilyfield Christian Adoption & Foster Care is excited to host the Pass It On Kids sale where all the proceeds will help more children find loving families!

FEBRUARY 21 • SUNDAY FREE Open House at All Saints Catholic School (4001 36th Ave NW, Norman) showcases teachers, students and the campus for prospective families. 1-3pm.

447-4600, www.allsaintsnorman.org OKC Philharmonic Discovery Family Series at Civic Center Music Hall (201 N

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TobyMac Hits Deep Tour at Chesapeake Energy Arena (100 W Reno) features TobyMac and his DiverseCity Band as well as artists Britt Nicole, Colton Dixon, Building 429, Capital Kings, Finding Favour and Hollyn. $12, $33 & $66.50. 7pm. 800745-3000, www.chesapeakearena.com

FEBRUARY 24 • WEDNESDAY Bringing Gardens to Life at Myriad Botanical Gardens (301 W Reno). Make a nature-based, take-home craft that relates to the book read in Bringing Books to Life story time. Best suited for ages 2-5. $3 suggested donation. 11am-noon. 445-7080, www.myriadgardens.org

FEBRUARY 25 • THURSDAY FREE Frozen/Ice Age Winter Party at the SOKC Library (2201 SW 134th St) is a themed party with crafts, tasty snacks, games and experiments. No registration required. Party is come & go.

All ages welcome. 4:30-6pm. 979-2200, www.pioneerlibrarysystem.org FREE Opening Reception of the Willard Stone Centennial Exhibition at the Oklahoma Hall of Fame at Gaylord-Pickens Museum (1400 Classen Dr) celebrates the opening of the multi-media exhibit showcasing the work of the late Willard Stone as well as Stone’s 100th birthday.

5-7pm. 523-3231, www.oklahomahof.com

FEBRUARY 26 • FRIDAY Paint Me a Story Story Time at Paint’ N Station (7906 N May Ave) features a fairytale story time, coordinating pottery activity and milk & cookie snack time. Best

suited for ages 2-5. Preregister. $26. 10-11am.

842-777, www.paintnstation.com

FEBRUARY 27 • SATURDAY 3-D Collage Youth Art Class at Oklahoma Contemporary (3000 General Pershing Blvd). Using a variety of media, students will create a unique winter piece that can be hung anywhere. Best suited for ages 8-12. $15. 10am-noon. 951-000, www.oklahomacontemporary.org Everything is Awesome Youth Art Class at Oklahoma Contemporary (3000 General Pershing Blvd). Students ages 5-7 will incorporate LEGOs into mixed media collages. $15. 10am-noon. 951-0000, www.oklahomacontemporary.org Midwest City’s Daddy Daughter Dance at the Sheraton Midwest City Hotel at the Reed Conference Center (5750 Will Rogers Rd., Midwest City) features a live DJ and refreshments. Carriage rides and professional photography will be on-site for additional fees. $10. 4-5:30 p.m., 6-7:30 p.m. & 8-9:30 p.m. 739-1293, www.cityofmidwestcity.org

Faerie Gardening at Will Rogers Gardens (3400 NW 36th St). Plant your very own sprite-sized garden to attract faeries into your life. A pot, starter soil, plants and an accessory are included in class cost.

Preregister. $25. Noon-2pm. 297-1392, www.okc.gov/parks FREE Speak for the Trees Hike at Martin Park (5000 W Memorial Rd). Explore the park through the eyes of Dr. Suess. Hike the Martin Park woods while staff read excerpts from The Lorax. Best suited for ages 6 and up. Preregister. 3pm. 297-1429, www.okc.gov/active Chipota (Children’s) Film Festival at the Chickasaw Cultural Center (867 Cooper Memorial Dr, Sulphur) features a selection of family-friendly Native films.

See website for a list of films and show times. Adults, $6; students, $5; kids (12 & under), $3. 10am-5pm. 580-622-7130, www.chickasawculturalcenter.com Fairytale Flora at Myriad Botanical Gardens (301 W Reno) features a fairytale story time, an adventure through the conservatory in search of treasure and

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ends with a game to discover plants woven into classic fairytales. Best suited for ages 5-9. Preregister. Members, $3; non-members, $5. 11am-noon. 445-7080, www.myriadgardens.org Mustang Dad & Daughter Dance at Mustang Town Center (1201 N Mustang Rd, Mustang) features a fun-filled night with music, dancing and refreshments as the center is turned into a beautiful Woodland Garden. Tickets must be purchased in advance. $8. 7-9pm.

376-3411, www.cityofmustang.org

FEBRUARY 27 & 28 Repticon Oklahoma City Reptile & Exotic Animal Expo at State Fair Park (3001 General Pershing Blvd) features vendors of reptile pets, supplies, feeders, cages and merchandise as well as live animal seminars and raffles for prizes. Adults, $12; kids (5-12), $5; kids (under 5), free. Saturday, 10am-5pm; Sunday, 10am-4pm. 863-2684273, www.repticon.com

events this

february

FEBRUARY 28 • SUNDAY FREE Open House at Erna Krouch Preschool (4901 N Pennsylvania).

Prospective students and their families can tour the facility, meet staff and begin enrollment. 3:30-4:30pm. 848-5926, www.thetempleokc.org

MARCH 1 & 2 FREE Monthly Mini Build at the LEGO Store in Penn Square Mall (1901 NW Expressway) features a free build for ages 6 -14. Quantities are limited, and must be built in store. Preregister. 5pm. 840-9993, shop.

LEGO.com/Minibuild-Registration

MARCH 2 • WEDNESDAY Seussville at Mustang Town Center (1201 N

Mustang Rd, Mustang) features a Dr. Seussthemed birthday party with a visit from Cat in the Hat, Thing One & Thing Two with games, crafts and face painting.Preregister, space is limited. Kids, $3; adults, free. 6:308:30pm. 376-3411, www.cityofmustang.org

MARCH 3 • THURSDAY Parenting Conference at Metro Tech Conference Center (1900 Springlake Dr) features Jim Fay, co-founder of the Love & Logic Institute. Preregister, seating is limited. $99. 8:30am-2:30pm. www.loveandlogic. com/classes-and-conferences An Evening with Bernadette Peters at Oklahoma City Community College Visual and Performing Arts Center Theater (7777 S May Ave) features an exclusive, one

night only Broadway concert with one of Broadway’s brightest stars, Bernadette Peters. $50-$200. 8pm. 848-3761, www.cityrep.com

MARCH 4 • FRIDAY FREE First Friday Gallery Walk in the Paseo District (NW 30th & 27th St, Walker & Hudson Ave) features more than 80 artists, special themed exhibits, refreshments, live music and food trucks. 6-10pm. 525-2688, www.thepaseo.com Omelette Party at the Chevy Bricktown Events Center (425 E California Ave).

Enjoy amazing omelettes and other tasty dishes from some of the community’s most acclaimed chefs as well as live music from The Stars and more entertainment by DJ Brian Smith of Chameleon Entertainment.

Benefits the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. Tickets are sold in advance only. Members, $100; non-members, $125. 7pm-midnight.

278-8225, www.okcmoa.com

MARCH 4-7 Big 12 Women’s Basketball Championship at Chesapeake Energy Arena (100 W Reno).

FIRST SATURDAYS

800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive Oklahoma City OK 73105

Call or visit the website for more info.

Monday - Saturday, 10AM - 5PM Closed: Sundays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day

405.522.3602

www.okhistory.org METROFAMILY MAGAZINE

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#okhistory

MARCH 5 • SATURDAY

FREE Kids’ Trout Fish Out at Dale Robertson Center (1200 Lakeshore Dr) is a fishing derby for young anglers. Kids can win awards for largest and smallest fish.

Adults must be accompanied by a child.

8-11am. 350-8937, www.cityofyukonok.gov

Suitcase Faerie Garden Workshop at Will Rogers Gardens (3400 NW 36th St). Create a miniature landscape in the confines of single suitcase. Suitcase not provided; soil, plants and accents are provided. Preregister. $40.

Noon-2pm. 297-1392, www.okc.gov/parks

Family-iD Workshop at New Covenant United Methodist Church (2700 S. Boulevard, Edmond) is a family goal-setting session with author and expert Greg Gunn. Two identical sessions: 9am-noon and 1:304:30pm. $25 per family plus $10 per family for child care. Purchase tickets in advance at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/family-id

Oklahoma Hall of Fame Land Run at Gaylord-Pickens Museum (1400 Classen Dr) features a USATF certified, chiptimed 10K, 5K & one-mile fun run through the historic Heritage Hills neighborhood.

Benefits the Gaylord-Pickens Museum. 10K, $30; 5K, $25; Fun Run, $20. 8am. 235-4458, www.oklahomahof.com

FREE Seussabration at Southern Oaks Public Library (6900 S Walker Ave) features a party with cake, crafts, reading and Lorax hikes to celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday. 1-4pm.

297-1429, www.okc.gov/parks

FREE Breakfast with Dinos Member Event at Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History (2401 Chautauqua, Norman) features a special exclusive opening just for museum members to e xplore the Be The Dinosaur exhibit and e njoy a selection of complimentary, breakfastthemed hors d‘oeuvres and beverages.

Membership is required. 8:30-10am.

325-4712, www.samnoblemuseum.ou.edu

FREE OKC Hot Wheels Association Show at The Crown Center (13300 S Western Ave) features 40 plus tables of collectables for sale or trade as well as raffles, pizza and more.

9am-3pm. www.greaterokchotwheels.com

All session tickets, $70-$95. Friday, 6 p.m; Saturday, 11 a.m.; Sunday, 1:30 p.m and Monday at 8 p.m. 800-745-3000, www.chesapeakearena.com

FREE Saturdays for Kids: Silhouette Collage at National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum (1700 NE 63rd St). Create a personal piece of art inspired by notable women. For ages 4-12. 10am-noon. 478-2250, www.nationalcowboymuseum.org

First Saturday at the Oklahoma History Center (800 Nazih Zuhdi Dr) features a variety of activities throughout the museum including crafts, coloring, hands-on carts and educational trunks. Free with admission.

1-4pm. 522-0793, www.okhistory.org FREE Fishing Days at OKC Lakes & Ponds (various locations) offers free fishing on the first Saturday of each month. No city permit is required; however, a state license is for anyone 16 and older. 297-1426, www.okc.gov/lakes

HELP THE Y BUILD A BETTER US. YMCA OF GREATER OKLAHOMA CITY

The Y is a positive force in our community. Together, we take on the challenges that shape our city’s future.

From tackling the achievement gap to teaching healthy habits for a lifetime or giving people the chance to strengthen our community through volunteering, everything the Y does is in service of building a better us.

Every day, our community faces new challenges that create a greater need for the work we do.

YMCA donors, volunteers, members, and partners like you make the difference.

Your gift can help our city and everyone in it shine.

Bella, Alex and Libby are sisters who participate in the Y’s YOUTH AND GOVERNMENT program.

GIVE at YMCAOKC.ORG/CAMPAIGN METROFAMILY MAGAZINE

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FEBRUARY 2016

The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum® cordially invites you to

1 X 4:

Views of the American West Riding the Whirlwind: Weather in the West February 5 — May 8, 2016 Organized by the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Photograph by Piotr Krzeslak/Shutterstock.com.

Native American Bolo Ties: Vintage and Contemporary Artistry February 5 — May 8, 2016

events this

february WEEKLY EVENTS

FREE Art Moves at various locations in Downtown Oklahoma City offers a free hour-long lunchtime art experience every weekday. Events run Monday-Friday, noon-1pm (unless otherwise noted), and are free and open to the public. 270-4848, www.artscouncilokc.com/art-moves

Fairytale Takeover at the Crystal Bridge (301 W Reno) features a self-guided scavenger hunt focused on a different fairytale each Wednesday. Best suited for ages 5-9. No registration required.

Admission plus $1 suggested donation. 9am5pm. 445-7080, www.myriadgardens.org

FREE Brainiacs After-School Program at the Mustang Library (1201 N Mustang Rd, Mustang) is a four-week session that aims to build creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. For ages 9 & up. Preregister. Mondays (except Presidents Day), 4-5:30pm. 376-2226, www.mustangpubliclibrary.eventbrite.com

FREE Bringing Books to Life Story Time at Myriad Gardens (301 W Reno) features a weekly nature-themed story time and coordinating craft. Best suited for ages 2-5. Wednesdays, 10-11am. 445-7080, www.myriadgardens.org

FREE Evening Family Playtime at the Downtown Library (300 Park Ave) features an hour of family play time meant to help children build social skills and promote learning. Mondays, 6:30-7:30pm. 231-8650, www.metrolibrary.org

Organized by the Heard Museum, Phoenix, Arizona, and made possible by the Virginia M. Ullman Foundation.

Bolo by Julius Keyonnie (2009), silver, gold and turquoise, collection of Norman Sandfield. Photograph courtesy of the Heard Museum.

The Cowboy Returns: Photographs by Bank and John Langmore February 5 — May 8, 2016 A nationally traveling exhibition organized by the Briscoe Western Art Museum.

John Langmore, Ken Saucier, Diamond A Ranch – Seligman, Arizona, 2013.

Gelatin silver print, Collection of the artist.

Philip R. Goodwin: America’s Sporting & Wildlife Artist, A Private Collection February 19 — May 8, 2016 Organized by the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, Canyon, Texas.

Moose Hunting (detail) by Philip R.Goodwin (1882-1935), oil on canvas, c. 1930.

Private collection.

1700 Northeast 63rd Street Oklahoma City, OK 73111 Open daily 10:00 a.m. — 5:00 p.m.

www.nationalcowboymuseum.org

FREE Art Adventures at Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art (555 Elm, Norman), for ages 3-5. Young artists are invited to experience art through books. Tuesdays, 10:30am. 3253272, www.ou.edu/fjjma Two for One Tuesdays at the Oklahoma City Zoo (2101 NE 50th St) features buy one get one free admission on Tuesdays in February. Adults, $8; kids (3-11), $5; seniors (65 & up), $5; kids (2 & under), free. 9am5pm. 424-3344, www.okczoo.com Tuesday Night Classics at Harkins Theatre (150 E Reno) features special presentations of classic films on the big screen every Tuesday. $5. 7pm. 231-4747, www.harkinstheatres.com/TNC Nature Play Group at Martin Park (5000 W Memorial Rd) introduces children ages 2-6 to nature using naturecentered play activities. Children must be accompanied by a caregiver. $2.

Wednesdays, (excluding 12/23 and 12/30).

10:30am. 297-1429, www.okc.gov/active Toddler Story & Craft Time at Unpluggits Playstudio (575 Enterprise, Edmond) features a different story each week & a related craft time. Free with admission. Wednesdays, 11-11:30am.

340-7584, www.unpluggits.com

Family Night at Skate Galaxy (5800 NW 36th St). Families can enjoy admission for up to five people, pizza and drinks using the MetroFamily Family Package (coupon available at www.metrofamilymagazine. com/coupons). $29. Thursdays, 6-9pm.

602-2758, www.skategalaxyokc.com FREE Family Story Time at the Edmond Library (10 S Boulevard, Edmond).

Pajamas welcome. Preregister, best suited for families with kids ages 1-5 years old.

Thursdays, 6:30-7:15pm. 341-9282, www.metrolibrary.org FREE Children’s Story Time at Full Circle Books (1900 NW Expressway).

Saturdays, 10:15am. 842-2900, www.fullcirclebooks.com FREE Children’s Story Time at Edmond’s Best of Books (1313 E Danforth, Edmond).

Saturdays, 11-11:30am. 340-9202.

FREE Roller Skating Lesson at Skate Galaxy (5800 NW 36th St) offered each Saturday. Noon-12:45pm. $2 skate rental.

605-2758, www.skategalaxyokc.com All Star Bowling for Differently-Abled Individuals at AMF Windsor Lanes (4600 NW 23rd) invites differently-abled individuals and their friends and families to bowl on Saturdays. $8. Noon-1pm. 9425545.

Drop in Art at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art (415 Couch Dr) features hands-on art activities for all ages. Free with paid admission. Saturdays, 1-4pm. 236-3100, www.okcmoa.com

events this

february ONGOING EVENTS

THROUGH FEBRUARY 12

THROUGH APRIL 30

FREE The Secret Life of the City Art Exhibition in the Underground of downtown Oklahoma City is a street art exhibit incorporating the work of eight central Oklahoma artists. The exhibit is free and open to the public from 6am-8pm.

235-3500, www.downtownokc.com

FREE Galileo’s World: An Artful Observation of the Cosmos at Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art (555 Elm Ave, Norman) is part of a cross-campus initiative celebrating the works of Galileo and combines works from the museum’s permanent collection with books from the Bizzell Memorial Library. Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm; Thursday, until 9pm; Sunday, 1-5pm. 325-4938, www.ou.edu/fjjma

THROUGH FEBRUARY 21 Collision & Creation: Indigenous Arts of the Americas, 1890-2015 at Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History (2401 Chautauqua Ave, Norman) showcases ethnographic arts highlighting the unique mixture of people, materials and ideas.

Free with admission. Monday-Saturday, 10am-5pm, Sunday, 1-5pm. 325-4712, www.samnoblemuseum.org

FEBRUARY 5-27 God of Carnage at The Pollard Theatre (120 W Harrison, Guthrie) is a 90-minute thrill ride into the most dangerous place on earth: parenthood. An innocent squabble over a playground incident becomes an all-out, fur-flying, hilarious brawl between two couples in this new play from Yasmina Reza. $25. See website for a complete list of show times. 282-2800, www.thepollard.org

THROUGH FEBRUARY FREE Black History Month Celebration at the Metropolitan Library System (various locations) features a performance of Yes Indeed, Mrs. Hannah Atkins by local story teller DWe Williams and Rhythmically Speaking. See website for times & locations. www.metrolibrary.org

THROUGH MARCH 20 FREE Fan Fiction & Fan Art Contest at Southern Oaks Library (6900 S Walker Ave) is an all-ages, multi-medium contest of original works of art or fiction with copyrighted characters as the main theme.

Prizes will be awarded at an announcement party on March 26. Must be present to win.

631-4468, www.metrolibrary.org

THROUGH APRIL 3 Willard Stone Centennial: A Legacy of Art Through Family at the GaylordPickens Museum (1400 Classen Dr) features the work of Willard Stone, who gained global recognition for his stylized figures of humans and animals created from a variety of locally-grown wood and occasionally cast in ceramic or bronze. Free with admission.

Tuesday-Friday, 9am-5pm; Saturday, 10am5pm. 235-4458, www.oklahomahof.com

THROUGH MAY 1 Honeybadgers by Blair Thurman at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art (415 Couch Dr) features the work of a popular contemporary artist. Honeybadgers was inspired by the design on a favorite t-shirt and is reminiscent of totem poles first created by indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest Coast of North America. Free with admission. Tuesday-Saturday, 10am5pm; Thursdays, 10am-9pm; Sunday, noon-5pm. 236-3100, www.okcmoa.com

THROUGH MAY 8 Riding the Whirlwind: Weather in the West at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum (1700 NE 63rd St) features a highly interactive exhibit focused on the way the rugged weather conditions of the westerns U. S. has influence and shape our heritage.

Free with admission. 10am-5pm. 478-2250, www.nationalcowboymuseum.org

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At Home With

Emily Hart

BY HANNAH SCHMITT

PHOTOS BY EMILY HART & JULIE BURDEN

Let spring break get

WILD natural Resources camp March 7-18 Hands-on nature fun: Ecology Archery Wildlife Fishing Horticulture Registration Cost: $275 for 2 weeks $175 for 1 week Week 1 Will Rogers Gardens 3600 NW 36th Week 2 Martin Park Nature Center 5000 W Memorial Register in advance at www.okc.gov/active

For more information call 405-297-1429 or 405-297-1392.

@okcparks

Love

MFM: What have you learned from your kids?

EH: Selflessness. That unconditional love does exist. They’ve taught me to see the world again through the eyes of a child.

They’ve reminded me that everyone has good and bad parts. They have bad parts but I still love every part of them.

MFM: Has motherhood been what you expected it would be?

EH: Motherhood has turned out to be a lot different than what I thought. I never imagined the 24-hour job it would be. Like everything, there’s a risk and a reward. But the stakes are so high in parenting. The reward is so big you don’t even think it could be possible.

It’s made my faith so much stronger. I can see myself and the way I feel about my kids and it just makes everything more real. There’s a constant fear of being responsible for someone else. When Blake was a baby, I was so fearful. Then I suddenly had a moment of realization that I can’t control everything.

I can do my best to make sure he’s always safe but God has put them in my care and I have to trust that whatever happens, God is in control and it will be okay. What a feeling of relief when I realized there is sovereignty and a plan that God has for my kids. I pray a lot about achieving that peace. I pray God watches over them and keeps them safe every day because otherwise it would be so easy to just go off that cliff of worry.

MFM: Your oldest son is 12 now. What’s been your favorite age to parent?

EH: I love 5. They still have that little “toddlerness” about them but they also have this sense of wonder and take everything so literally that it just cracks you up. The conversations every day are just too cute because they haven’t really wised up to the world yet.

MFM: What’s a typical day like at your house?

EH: There is no typical day, but they all start a little bit the same. I wake Blake up and make coffee. I check emails and get started on some work while Blake gets ready and then I watch him start his bike ride to school. Then I wake Luke up and get him ready for school. When he’s at school, I can go work out, get groceries, edit or answer emails, mail prints, do laundry or get other little stuff done. When the kids get home, we do some chores. Luke usually plays outside for a while. Blake is working on building a

computer right now so his spare time goes to that. On a perfect day, we’re all around the table having dinner together but that doesn’t always happen.

We like to make time to snuggle on the couch in the evenings. We like to watch METROFAMILY MAGAZINE

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“The Middle” together. Sometimes I’ll get some work done while Josh plays music on YouTube and beat boxes with the boys. They just like to be silly so we will play music or sing and then it’s bedtime.

MFM: Of everything you want at home, what’s the most important?

EH: Family dinner and laughter. I got that influence from my house growing up. You just have to joke and laugh all the time. Josh likes to give Blake jobs around the house.

That’s something that was important to him growing up. Just helping out with the yard and things like that can really teach him how to be a man.

EH: Of course I want things to be clean and nice. With boys that seems almost impossible. Every day I step on a Lego. But mostly, I want everyone to feel safe and loved at home. I want them to never feel like they can’t be themselves. I want their friends to be comfortable at our house, too.

One intentional thing we did was live in a small home. The house isn’t tiny but it’s smaller than most. We all share a bathroom and the boys share a bedroom. It’s kept our family close. It’s been really sweet to watch their relationship grow in sharing a space.

Blake reads to Luke every night and they really are forced to get along almost because of proximity. It works for us.

MFM: What does it mean to be a mom?

EH: To me, it means trusting the big picture and finding contentment in the every day.

It means having an open heart and patience in abundance, along with the willingness to forgive myself when those things don’t come easy. It also means lots and lots of love and laughter, which is the best part by far!

This interview has been edited for style and clarity. To learn more about Emily, visit ninaandbphotography.com.

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ENROLL: CAMPS + CLASSES

MFM: Do you practice anything at home you inherited from your own upbringing?

Youth Arts Classes Last Saturdays Spring Break Camps Ages 5-12 March 7-11 and March 14-18 Visual, digital, music, clay and robotics Learn more and enroll: oklahomacontemporary.org

or call: 405 951 0000

Saturday, Feb. 20

Meet exotic animals at the Extreme Animals Petting Zoo.

11a.m. to 4:30p.m. at the Cox Convention Center 1 Myriad Gardens, Oklahoma City

Enjoy over 60 booths with hands-on activities for kids • Climbing wall • Inflatables • Stage Entertainment

by Oklahoma Youth Orchestra & others • Petting zoo by Extreme Animals • Face painting • Door prizes AND MUCH MORE!

Every booth will include a fun hands-on activity for kids.

Kids are FREE and adults (18 and older) are just $5 each.

(See coupon below!)

THANK YOU to our SUPPORTING SPONSOR

Catch Upstage Theatre’s “Beauty and the Beast” performance!

Professional magician Joe Coover

Save with this coupon!

Bring this coupon to MetroFamily’s Kids Fest to receive $1 off admission up to two (2) people!

Adults (ages 18 and up) are $5 • Kids are FREE Saturday, Feb. 20, 11a.m. to 4:30p.m. at the Cox Convention Center More info at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/kids-fest.

42

METROFAMILYOnly MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2016 2/20/16. No cash value. good for MetroFamily Kids Fest,

Thank you to our sponsors Kids Fest would not be possible without the support and help of our sponsors, K12.com and Infant Crisis Services.

K12.com offers online educational options to provide parents an alternative choice for students in grades K-12 and preschool. K12’s guiding principle is to individualize learning for all students so they can be successful in school now and in the future. Many students have graduated and gone on to college or started their careers. Find more at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/K12.

Infant Crisis Services (ICS) has a mission to provide services to central Oklahoma babies and toddlers under the age of 4. This year, ICS is sponsoring the “baby station” at Kids Fest. They’ll be talking to the participants about how to get involved in volunteer opportunities for this invaluable nonprofit that serves the youngest in our community.

Learn the benefits of our 'Take the Wheel' program for teen drivers, visit us at our KidsFest booth.

Call a local branch: 866-877-2450

AAA.com

fostering hope “Providing stable, loving homes to Oklahoma foster children” www.annashousefoundation.org

Where Garage Band Meets Traditional Music Lessons!

Come Jam with us at KidsFest

Fun for all ages!

www.facebook.com/ backbeatmusicgarage

Camp Fire Heart of Oklahoma Camp Dakani Register today!

Spring Break Camp Teen Resident Camp Summer Day Camp Autism Day Camp ...AND MORE!

www.ChiCkasawCulturalCenter.Com

(580)622-7130 Visit our Booth

3309 E. Hefner Road Oklahoma City, OK 73131 [405]478-5646 campfirehok.org

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Catch the Stage Acts at Kids Fest From drama to magic, bands to orchestras, you’ll enjoy a variety of acts on the Kids Fest stage. Performing this year are: • Microgiant • Upstage Theatre • Oklahoma Youth Orchestra • Mad Science • Magician Joe Coover

Have a Voice in the Choice, stop by our booth.

Dodge City PAINTBALL

2016 Honda Odyssey

Awesome New Courses

in Minivans!

Experienced Referees

405-360-1200

www.edchoicematters.org

Please Visit Our Booth

405-373-3745

Stop by our booth and we will show you how we support families and our community!

405-682-1990 www.faaecu.org

Share the culture of America with an exchange student!

888-866-6869 Forte International Exchange Assoc. www.forteexchange.org METROFAMILY MAGAZINE

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FEBRUARY 2016

See the FAMILY-FRIENDLY

and you will know why it’s

RANKED #1 405-631-4444 EskridgeHonda.com

What else will you find at Kids Fest this year?

• More bounce houses and inflatables than ever • Extreme Animals Petting Zoo • Roaming characters • Hands-on fun • Climbing wall • Face painting • Rowing machines

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Thank you to the following booth participants AAA Oklahoma The Academy of Classical Christian Studies The AMF Bowling Company Andy Alligator’s Fun Park & Water Park The Anna’s House Foundation Aqua Tots Swim Schools Backbeat Garage Camp Fire USA Camp McFadden/Kaw Lake Association CAT’s Illusions Chickasaw Cultural Center Choice Matters Christian Karate Academy DHS Foster Care Recruitment Dodge City Paintball & Laser Tag of OKC Epic Charter School Eskridge Honda Extreme Animals FAA Credit Union Forte International Exchange Assoc.

Gattitown OKC Generations Chiropractic Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma Green Bambino Gymboree Play & Music (Norman and OKC) Hackney Chiropractic HealthCARE Express Infant Crisis Services Instabus Photo Booth J.D. McCarty Center for Children with Developmental Disabilities Just Kids Pediatrics k12.com Kid’s Eye Site Kool Smiles, Midwest City, OK Liberty Mutual Insurance Mad Science of Central Oklahoma Magic 104.1 KMGL Missouri Military Academy Museum of Osteology Noah’s Park & Playgrounds Oklahoma History Center Oklahoma Connections Academy

Oklahoma Women’s Coalition OKC RIVERSPORT Oklahoma Aquarium Oklahoma Christian School Oklahoma Institute of Allergy & Asthma Oklahoma Otolaryngology Associates and Oklahoma Hearing Center Oklahoma Youth Orchestras Papa Murphy’s Rose State College Savvy Baby Skate Galaxy OKC SoccerCity OKC Sooner Bowling Center Spontaneity Kid Care University of Oklahoma Athletics Upstage Theatre & Performing Arts Studio Water-Zoo Indoor Water Park YMCA of the Greater Oklahoma City Area & Camp Classen

Oklahoma City’s Natural Parenting Resource 1991 Tower Drive, Suite G Moore, OK 73160

405.735.8282 generationsmoore.com

Visit our booth for a

FREE GIFT.

Find Out How At Our Booth!

WWW.GSWESTOK.ORG/CAMP

800-698-0022

5120 N Shartel Ave. (405) 848-2330 GreenBambino.com

Faster and less expensive than the ER!

Child friendly atmosphere!

COME VISIT OUR BOOTH

Stop by our booth for a picture with Klondike!

1701 S. Douglas, Midwest City 405-302-8999

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The official KidsFest Changing Station partner!!!

Camp Claphans A residential summer camp for children with special needs ages 8-18 o Accredited by the American Camp Association

Explore our ambulance at Kids Fest!

o 1:1 camp staff to camper ratio o Activities adapted to each camper’s ability o Camp runs from Sunday afternoon to Wednesday evening o Tuition scholarships are available to qualifying families

Camp Claphans

2002 E. Robinson Norman, Oklahoma 73071 405.307.2814

405-757-7818

www.JustKidsPeds.com

Adventure Camp

Proud to sponsor Kids Fest!

Come say hello at our booth.

Located along the west shore of Kaw Lake (near Ponca City)

campmcfadden.com • (580) 762-9955 kawlake.com • (580) 762-9494

3637 NW 39th St. Oklahoma City

www.kidseyesiteokc.com/

okc.madscience.org

Come see us and play the fastest growing game in America, Gaga Ball!

SUMMER CAMPS

(877) 248-5444 www.noahsplay.com

June-July 2016

www.missourimilitaryacademy.org

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The Top 10 reasons

you should bring your family to Kids Fest 2016 1. Kids Fest is the perfect way to celebrate family and have fun with your children, no matter the weather outside.

2. Your kids will love the hands-on activities, bounce houses (double the number this year), petting zoo, stage entertainment, climbing wall, roaming characters and MORE.

5. Get up close and personal with the incredible animals from Extreme Animals.

6. Bring your camera and take memorable photos of your child with all sorts of their favorite characters, including Disney princesses.

3. Planned with families in mind: easy parking, diaper change area (sponsored by Infant Crisis Services) and something to see and do for every age and stage.

7. Learn about a wide variety of family services and products, from afterschool activities and summer camps to museums, private schools, online schools, retail boutiques and much more! BONUS: Each booth has a fun activity to share with your kids!

4. Take fun family photos in the Instabus photo booth. (Who doesn’t love the nostalgia of a refurbished VW van?)

8. Door prizes AND grand prizes galore! Win a one-week session at Camp Classen, a birthday party from Skate Galaxy and much more. Grand

prizes include a season pass to Andy Alligator’s Water Park and a twonight stay at the Gaylord Texan.

9. Stage entertainment will keep everyone clapping, moving and amazed! Enjoy the kindie band Microgiant, performances by the Oklahoma Youth Orchestra, magic by professional Joe Coover, musical drama by Upstage Theatre and more.

10. All this plus kids get in FREE and adults are just $5. Find a coupon on page 42 or online at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/ kids-fest. You can even simply show it on your phone.

Learn more about fostering Oklahoma children at Kids Fest!

Oklahoma Christian School PK-12th Grade Accepting applications for 2016-17 Christ-Centered/ College Preparatory School

www.ocssaints.org

SEE YOU THERE! Family Fun for Everyone!

You can't avoid life, let us get you back to living!

Stop by and support Oklahoma's young music talent!!!!

Pediatric and adults • Highest quality therapy • Friendly and caring staff • Flexible office hours • Convenient locations

www.okallergy.com

405-522-0765 www.okhistory.org

Edmond/OKC: (405) 607-4333 1810 East Memorial Road, OKC, OK 73131 Yukon/Mustang: (405) 265-1949 728 S. Mustang Road, Yukon, OK 73099

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405-232-1199

Sample how #LoveAT425 brings families together at our booth

You Have A Choice!

Oklahoma Otolaryngology Associates, LLC

www.okoa.org

Call for an appointment, today!

405.562.1810

www.papamurphys.com

www.okhc.org

(405) 733-7392 rose.edu/clc

Stop by our booth and learn how to spend more time with your precious family

405.596.1588

www.savvybabyok.com

BETTER THAN BABYSITTERS OKC's only drop-in kid care center.

Located in Chase Plaza at Portland and Memorial

405-541-9072

www.SpontaneityKidCare.com

Come See Us at Kids Fest!

SPIN OUR WHEEL, WIN A PRIZE!

Come by our booth for a Meet & Greet with Princess Belle!

• Performing arts classes • “Star” birthday parties • Camps

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OPEN YEAR ROUND

exploring oklahoma WITHOUT children

5 Romantic Escapes & why your marriage needs them

BY PAIGE WILLETT LOUGH, INTRO BY HANNAH SCHMITT

W

e’ve all heard marriage is hard work, but Shel Harrington wants you to stop thinking of marriage like that. Harrington is a local divorce attorney, author and blogger who has seen many couples drift apart because they haven’t spent adequate time focused on each other.

working and they’re pulled in a lot of directions. You only have so much energy and if you’re not intentional about how you spend that energy you can lose focus and stop making your marriage the priority.”

“If it’s really hard work then we’re not in the right place,” she said. “We didn’t work at dating. We dated because we were interested in the person and cared about the person and wanted to impress the person. We need to take that attitude into marriage and keep dating in the marriage. Getting married doesn’t change that it’s a special, precious relationship that should be valued.”

“We know the divorce rate is high,” said Edmond Clinical Psychologist Dr. Lisa Marotta, “and I think one thing that makes a couple really vulnerable is if they haven’t invested in their relationship with each other while the kids are growing up.”

She believes couples have a tendency to drift away from one another unless they have an anchor. A significant anchor in any relationship, she said, is spending meaningful time together.

“We’re running our kids all over the place these days,” she said. “More parents are

Harrington has been married 38 years and been a divorce attorney 23 years, so she has seen it all when it comes to relationships.

Although she believes there’s a reason for divorce and some people need to get divorced, she calls her self “the divorce attorney who doesn’t like divorce” because she believes people go into divorce too lightly.

Marotta’s primary specialty is children and families. She believes that while it’s important for parents to pay attention to their children, not balancing that with attention paid to your spouse is a recipe for disaster.

“I encourage my parents to hire excellent babysitters,” Marotta said, “and find that balance so they have a good foundation for the parenting years.”

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Every couple with children has two relationships, she said: their couple relationship and their parent relationship.

“When I see parents not balancing well their couple relationship with their parent relationship,” Marotta said, “I have concerns for them down the line when the kids are out of the house and it’s just them again.”

Parents neglect to spend adequate time with each other for a number of reasons. One reason is that their spread thin already and feel they should spend their spare time with their kids. But Harrington said parents should give themselves permission to spend time alone with each other as a way to help their kids.

“You are doing your kids a service by role modeling prioritizing your marriage,” Harrington said. “Where else do they learn that?”

So give yourself permission to escape with your spouse this month. In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, we’re featuring some terrific destinations across Oklahoma for that perfect romantic getaway. But these suggestions aren’t just for the year’s most amorous holiday—they’re ideal anytime. Drop off your kids with the in-laws, pack your bags and whisk your better half away to one of these great properties they’re sure to love.

Rivers Edge Cottages

Now booking for spring!

www.riversedgecottages.com P.O. Box 55, Watson, OK 74963 580-244-7296 suzyknappnyc@gmail.com

The Ladysmith Bed & Breakfast www.theladysmith.com 221 W. Main St., Tishomingo, OK 73460 580-371-3886 inkeeper@theladysmith.com The Ladysmith is all about style and fun.

Owned by country music superstar Miranda Lambert, this eclectically-decorated bed and breakfast oozes shabby chic from the front door to the fringe on every throw pillow.

Miranda had a hand in designing each of the eight guest rooms with her signature hint of rock and roll. The B&B is housed in a historic building that was built in 1901 on Main Street in Tishomingo, a small town about two hours southeast of Oklahoma City.

It is also located right down the street from Miranda’s retail shop, The Pink Pistol.

If seclusion is the name of the game, find your special place to get away from the stresses of everyday life at Rivers Edge Cottages. This group of a dozen cabins in southeastern Oklahoma all overlook Mountain Fork River in Watson, about four hours southeast of Oklahoma City. Six of the twelve cabins are aimed specifically toward couples who want a special trip out in the woods.

Each cabin has a fireplace in the living room where guests can lounge on the couch and enjoy each other’s company along with the crackle of the warm fire. Bike and canoe rentals also come free with each stay. Both offer ideal ways to explore the gorgeous surroundings right outside your cabin’s front door. Charcoal grills, whirlpool tubs, full kitchens and breathtaking porches are just a few more of the amenities that make Rivers Edge Cottages an irresistible destination.

Senior, Holiday, Events, Family, Wedding, Sports, Corporate

In addition to overnight accommodations, enjoy The French Quarter, an onsite bar and lounge with a bit of New Orleans flair and a balcony overlooking charming downtown.

Guests also can enjoy late nights watching television in the Losa Lounge and madefrom-scratch breakfasts each morning at 2nd Please, the lavish dining room on the property.

When it’s time to be alone with your sweetheart, the beautiful guest rooms are each sanctuaries of their own. Each secondlevel room features en suite bathrooms, so book one of those for extra privacy.

RIVERS EDGE COTTAGES

Mark Doescher Photography 405.227.6049 ouphotoguy@gmail.com @ouphotoguy 500px.com/ouphotoguy

Spring into OKC Family Fun! Find these on our website now:

• Valentine’s Day Fun and Date Night Ideas • Spring Break Camps and Activity Guide • Easter Activity Guide AND coming soon: • Reader-voted Family Favorite Winners and Finalists announcement • Summer Camps and Activities Guide

Shiloh Morning Inn www.shilohmorning.com 2179 Ponderosa Rd., Ardmore, OK 73401 580-223-9500 innkeepers@shilohmorning.com Shiloh Morning Inn is one of southern Oklahoma’s premiere bed and breakfast destinations, offering both guest rooms in a large and spacious inn as well as four separate cottages for even more privacy.

Aiming to be your own little piece of heaven on earth, Shiloh Morning Inn offers a gourmet breakfast every morning and dinner brought to the guest suites and cottages each evening. For an extra special trip, request a romance package that includes thoughtful extras like chocolate covered strawberries.

Located about an hour and a half south of Oklahoma City in Ardmore, this 73-acre property is close to Lake Murray State Park and the Chickasaw National Recreation Area. Guests can spend the day having fun hiking next to the lake or dipping their feet in fresh spring water before returning to a luxurious room complete with a whirlpool tub or private hot tub, king bed and fireplace.

Lago Vista Bed & Breakfast www.lagovistabedandbreakfast.com 489 Bowfin Ln., Broken Bow, OK 74728 580-494-7378 lagovistabedandbreakfast@gmail.com LAGO VISTA BED & BREAKFAST

See why over 80,000 local readers visit our website every month!

metrofamilymagazine.com

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Lago Vista Bed & Breakfast lives up to its name with a view of Broken Bow Lake from the quaint balcony off each of the four guest bedrooms. This four-story oasis sits about four hours southeast of Oklahoma City, tucked away in the highlands of the Ouachita National Forest and is located a very short distance from Beavers Bend State Park, one of Oklahoma’s most sought-after destinations. The Italian-chateau-themed rooms all have whirlpool tubs, luxury bath products, fireplaces and comfortable king size beds.

Right outside the front door of the bed and breakfast is a convenient walking trail that leads to the shores of the lake. Each stay includes a home cooked breakfast each morning, wine and beer, an in-ground pool and hot tub with an exquisite view of the forest and access to a movie room in the basement for ultimate relaxation. The B&B staff also can arrange for couple’s massages and other packages to create the ideal getaway.

The Ambassador Hotel 1200 N. Walker Ave., Oklahoma City 405-600-6200 www.ambassadorhotelcollection.com If you can’t get away from town, Oklahoma City boasts plenty of upscale lodging destinations, as well. A top property for a romantic staycation is the Ambassador Hotel located in Midtown. The combination of 1920’s-era Art Deco architecture and modern amenities and features provide the perfect combination of old and new. You’ll never even have to leave the 54-room hotel, which features an on-site restaurant great for dinner and a rooftop bar perfect for a nightcap. If you desire to get away, Midtown presents plenty of shopping and dining within walking distance.

Community Sponsor of Exploring Oklahoma:

The road less traveled is seldom plowed.

Bob Moore Subaru Visit Our NEW Location 13010 N. Kelley, Oklahoma City, OK 73114 405-749-9049 www.bobmooresubaru.com

Purchase or lease any new (previously untitled) Subaru and receive a complimentary factory scheduled maintenance plan for 2 years or 24,000 miles (whichever comes first.) See Subaru Added Security Maintenance Plan for intervals, coverages and limitations. Customer must take delivery before 12-31-2016 and reside within the promotional area. At participating dealers only. See dealer for program details and eligibility.

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resource

directories

GOT CHILDREN? THEN YOU NEED LOTS OF RESOURCES! INTRODUCING THE “YELLOW PAGES” FOR OKC AREA PARENTS. From pediatricians to special needs therapy, birthday party ideas and private schools, our resource directories—both here and online—provide local parents with the information they need to help their families and children thrive.

Check out these businesses and those you find at www. metrofamilymagazine.com/directories/ and be sure to tell them you found their business via MetroFamily Magazine.

55 56

56 57 58 58 59

Party Guide, pg. 55-56 Andy Alligator’s Bouncin’ Craze Brickopolis Gymboree Play & Music of OKC and Norman Jump!Zone Mad Science of Central Oklahoma Mobile Laser Forces Paint Your Art Out Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History Skate Galaxy Water-Zoo Indoor Water Park Special Needs, pg. 56 Sensational Kids TOTAL POSS-ABILITIES Education, pg. 57-58 Club Z In-Home Tutoring Erna Krouch Preschool Holy Trinity Christian School King’s Gate Christian School Kumon Math & Reading Centers, Edmond Westminster School After-School Activities, pg. 58-59 Aalim Bellydance Academy Cadence Equestrian

58 59

Camp Fire USA The Dance Department Fine Arts Institute of Edmond Velocity Dance Center

59

Retail/Restaurant, pg. 59 Jimmy’s Egg learning tree toys, books & games Once Upon a Child

60

Foster Care, pg. 60 Bair Foundation Circle of Care

61

Family Services, pg. 61 Arnold Njikam, Realtor, Keller Williams Brain Balance Center of OKC Oklahoma Institute of Allergy & Asthma

61

Family Fun, pg. 61 Dodge City Paintball & Outdoor Laser Tag of OKC Paint ’N Station Unpluggits Playstudio

62

Child Care, pg. 62 College Nannies + Tutors + Sitters North Penn Creative Kids Learning Center Spontaneity Kid Care

Find more at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/directories/ METROFAMILY MAGAZINE

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US We specialize forJOIN classes today! in parties freeonclass for 1-4 us* year olds BRING IN

For ages starting at birth.

Bring this ad in for $25 off your birthday party

this offer*

Find a location and class schedule that works best for you at gymboreeclasses.com.

Norman: Redbud Plaza, 255 34th Ave. SW, Norman, OK 73072 405-307-8454 normanok@gymboreeclasses.com OKC: Shoppes at Northpark 11940 N. May Ave. OKC, OK 73012 405-755-3445 okcok@gymboreeclasses.com *Offer valid for new families only at participating Play & Music locations. Existing Play & Music customers are not eligible. Offer is not redeemable for cash or credit. Gymboree Play & Music may change or cancel this promotion at any time at Gymboree Play & Music’s sole discretion. Void where prohibited by law.

Oklahoma's Original Art Entertainment Studio

Birthday Parties for the Young at

405-513-5333 10 S Broadway, Downtown Edmond, OK www.paintyourartout.net

PARTY on the Bricktown Canal!

Located on the Bricktown Canal, Brickopolis offers a wide variety of FUN including OKC’s Best Laser Tag, 18 Holes of Mini Golf, Arcade Games, Mining and More!

www.BrickopolisU.com 101 South Mickey Mantle Dr. • Oklahoma City • 405.516.2745

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PARTY GUIDE

a world of learning awaits!

PARTY GUIDE

405-607-4440 totalposs-abilities.com

PEDIATRIC OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY Our innovative staff, state of the art facility and FUN gives your child Poss-ABILITIES!

Serving children living with: •

Accepting: BCBS, Health Choice, Tricare, Indian Health Services, Oklahoma Health Network, OSMA, Sooner Care and more...

• • • •

ADD/ADHD, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Developmental Delays Handwriting Difficulties Gross & Fine Motor Delays Feeding Difficulty Sensory Processing Disorder

Play • Learn • Thrive

Services Include:

Occupational Therapy Speech- Language Therapy Social Groups We Specialize in Working with Children with: • • • • • •

Down Syndrome Autism ADD & ADHD Sensory Processing Disorder Cerebral Palsy Typical Children with: • Handwriting Problems • Speech-language Delays (and other types of diagnoses that may interfere with day to day skills) Blue Cross Blue Shield, Tricare, United Healthcare, Health Choice, Soonercare

(405) 840-1686 www.SensationalKidsOKC.com

NOW OPEN 2nd LOCATION

Serving Tinker AFB, South OKC & Moore!

Sooner Business Park, 5701 SE 74th St, on NE corner of Sooner Road and I-240 14715 Bristol Park Blvd. - OKC/Edmond

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SPECIAL NEEDS

2917 NW 156th ST. Edmond, OK

Certified Teachers ACT/SAT GRE MCAT All Subjects • Pre K-Adult • Individualized Plans • Affordable

(405) 478-3515 BOOST your GRADES & TEST Scores!!

It’s time

to plan for

summer camp!

Math. Reading.

Confidence.

Schedule a free placement test now at your local Kumon Math & Reading Center:

EDMOND - NORTH Covell & Kelly

405.715.1111 • kumon.com/edmond-north EDMOND - WEST

Check out

2nd & Santa Fe Ave.

405.216.9800 • kumon.com/edmond-west

MetroFamily’s

©2014 Kumon North America

April issue for the

BIGGEST camp guide

in the OKC area.

Hosting a camp?

Advertise with us!

Ad reservation deadline March 16.

WE ARE...

WESTMINSTER

Pre-K and Kindergarten • Grades One through Eight 600 NW 44 Street • OKC • 405.524.0631 • westminsterschool.org

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EDUCATION

Improve your child’s grades with one on one training!

EDUCATION AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

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Sweet Deals

Sweet deals for sweetie pies!

Save big bucks on kids stuff.

We buy and sell gently used kids stuff, including clothing, toys and equipment. No appointment necessary.

Ca$h on the spot! Saving money, how sweet it is!

13801 N Pennsylvania Ave • N Oklahoma City 73134 • 405.286.3114

www.OnceUponAChildOKCNorth.com

EXPERIENCE THE

VELOCITY DIFFERENCE! FREE Dance Camps for kids ages 3 - 8

Frozen Fun Pop Star Training Camp February 13 April 16 Super Hero Hip Hop All camps are from 1-2pm March 12

ENROLL TODAY!

11122 N Rockwell Ave Ste A-11 OKC

405-721-8807

admin@oklahomacitydancestudio.com

www.oklahomacitydancestudio.com

BELLYDANCE ACADEMY

FIRST CLASS FREE!

• Mommy & Me

• Sparkles, ages 5-9

• Sequins, ages 10-13 • Intro to Bellydance • Bellydance Cardio

• Bellydance Fitness

• Children receive free

classes if a parent is enrolled in a class.

(405) 844-0304 www.aalimdanceworld.com METROFAMILY MAGAZINE

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RETAIL/RESTAURANT

CHECK OUT THE

FOSTER CARE

FAMILY SERVICES

Do You Have a Heart for Children?

There are children in crisis situations all across the state who need a safe and loving home tonight. Have you ever thought about being a foster parent? You can be part of Circle of Care’s team as we work to provide help, healing, and hope to abused and neglected children. We stand by your side and help you navigate the paperwork and process.

www.circleofcare.org Call our local staff today to learn more! 405-463-6626 1501 NW 24th Street, Suite 214, OKC, OK 73106

Oklahoma City

Valentine’s Day events metrofamilymagazine.com/valentines METROFAMILY MAGAZINE

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• • • • •

Pediatric and adults Highest quality therapy Friendly and caring staff Flexible office hours Convenient locations

Know your home’s

value for FREE!

Selling or buying a home?

Call Arnold TODAY for all your real estate needs!

Arnold Njikam Real Estate Agent Direct: 405-882-0728 Office: 405-330-2626 njikamproperties@kw.com

www.okallergy.com Edmond/OKC: (405) 607-4333 1810 East Memorial Road, OKC, OK 73131

Lots of

FAMILY SERVICES

You can't avoid life, let us get you back to living!

10 East Campbell, Edmond, OK 73034

Yukon/Mustang: (405) 265-1949 728 S. Mustang Road, Yukon, OK 73099

New Low Impact Paintball

PERFECT FOR YOUNGER PLAYERS

Love is in the Air! FB Friday

Check-in & Post pic of yourself painting on Fridays get 10% off.

Soup Month

10% off Soup Bowls Get xtra $2 off if you post favorite soup recipe

Paint Me a Story Feb 26 10-11am Fairy Tale Story & choose a Princess or Dragon $16 Reserve today!

personalization available • Ceramics • Paint-n-Take • Birthday

Parties • Indoor Playground • Grown-ups paint nights • Parents night out

AGES! FUN FOR ALL

Mark your calendars for March 5! Sign up today!

Announcing a family workshop to create your own family’s “Intentional Direction”!

(405) 373-3745

DodgeCityPaintball.com 16425 NW 150th in Piedmont 405-340-PLUG • www.unpluggits.com

Open Year Round, Groups & Walk-ons Welcome!

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More info at

www.metrofamilymagazine.com/family-id

or by calling 405-601-2081.

FAMILY FUN

New Jr. Paintball! (5yr+) 8 Field Courses!

New Picnic Area!

New Playground!

All-Weather Building!

Birthday Parties!

842-7770 paintnstation.com

Paint your own pottery studio. 7906 N. May, OKC

CHILD CARE

1/5 vertical: 2.25” X 6.418”

You’re always set for a sitter The days of saying no because you can’t find a sitter are OVER. It’s time to say yes to you and everything you want to do.

Child Care with a

Creative Twist!

Scheduling has never been easier or more convenient. So get excited & get started.

405.513.6060 collegesitters.com/edmondok

Spend time with your valentine!

BETTER THAN BABYSITTERS

Infants - School age

Come be a part of our growing family!

OKC's only drop-in kid care center.

Located in Chase Plaza at Portland and Memorial 405-541-9072 www.SpontaneityKidCare.com

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405-254-3147

North Penn Creative Kids Learning Center, 150th & Penn

FEBRUARY HOME SCHEDULE

VS. OKLAHOMA STATE WEDNESDAY, FEB. 3 @ 7 PM Sunglasses to the first 1,000 fans

VS. TCU SATURDAY, FEB. 6 @ 2 PM MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY Show your military ID and receive discounted admission.

VS. TEXAS SUNDAY, FEB. 14 @ 1:30 PM Postgame autographs with some of the Sooners.

VS. BAYLOR MONDAY, FEB. 22 @ 8 PM PLAY 4 KAY Wear pink as the Sooners raise awareness for cancer research.

VS. IOWA STATE SATURDAY, FEB. 27 @ 2 PM SENIOR DAY Join us for a postgame ceremony to recognize senior Kaylon Williams

FOR $5 TICKETS, VISIT SOONERSPORTS.COM/PROMOCODE and enter FAMILY

Family fun for everyone!

Saturday, February 20 11am - 4:30pm Cox Convention Center

Kids are FREE

Adults (18 and older) are just $5 but look for coupon inside! www.metrofamilymagazine.com/kids-fest