MetroFamily Magazine April 2012 by MetroFamily Magazine

April 2012

Fishing for summer fun?

Our Summer Camps & Activities Guide is a keeper

Going Green

15 practical pointers

Visit the New Myriad Gardens

Over 197 family fun events in our calendar metrofamilymagazine.com

www.metrofamilymagazine.com | April 2012

• Click

what’s new at metrofamilymagazine.com You could WIN big!

Photo by Fred Marvel, travelok.com.

CALENDAR DIRECTORIES BLOGS CONTESTS MOTHER LODE

Learn about Route 66 icons and other fun "Mother Road' attractions in our upcoming “Exploring Oklahoma with Children” travel guide, coming in May.

Get ready for a summer of adventure! This month, enjoy our BIG Summer Camps & Activities Guide (www.metrofamilymagazine.com/ summer-camp-guide) and next month, Exploring Oklahoma with Children, our annual travel guide to family road trips in the state. Find more at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/exploring-oklahoma.

Top picks on our website this month • Easter Fun Guide (Easter Egg hunts and more!) • NEW! MetroFamily Field Guides to the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum and the Myriad Gardens. • Guide to Consignment Sales & Stores, just in time for spring shopping • Coming Soon: Mother’s Day Brunch and Activities Guide • School ending dates list • Ten great parks & playgrounds in the metro • Family-friendly restaurants offering discounts

These are just a few of the hundreds of reasons to visit www.metrofamilymagazine.com every day!

Join the MetroFamily community of active local parents at

Sign up to be eligible for these great prizes at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/ contests. • Win one of two family 4-packs of tickets to the OKC Ballet’s production of The Wizard of Oz at the Civic Center Music Hall, April 20-22. Deadline is April 13. • Our April Giveaway features many fantastic family- and kid-friendly products. Value is over $250. Deadline is April 19. • Win one of two family 4-packs of tickets to opening night of Celebrity Attraction’s Fiddler on the Roof at the Civic Center Music Hall, May 1-6. Deadline is April 24. • Reclaim Your Closet by winning three hours of closet renovation from wellknown local organizational and style experts and a celebrity organizer—a $400 value! Deadline April 26. • Watch MetroFamily’s appearance on FOX 25’s morning show mid-month and enter to win a prize pack of cool ProblemSolving Products.

You could SAVE big! Find coupons to the businesses listed below at www. metrofamilymagazine. com/okc-family-discounts. • Kelly Haines, family hair stylist • Dr. Youngker • Daniels Compounding Pharmacy • Green Goodies • Guitar for Kids School of Rock • The Vintage Pearl • Creative Adventures • Club Z! in-home tutoring • Museum of Osteology • Mathnasium • techJOYnT • Skills for Living • Bouncin’ Craze • Play Nation playground sets • Jump!Zone PLUS, save with Kids Pass! www. metrofamilymagazine.com/kids-pass.

www.metrofamilymagazine.com | April 2012

Contents Photo courtesy of City Arts Center.

April 2012

32 Kids learn new skills, discover hidden talents, make new friends and have fun at summer camps. Our guide can help you find the perfect fit.

Dear MetroFamily

Family Shorts

Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Note.

Community news, resources & other family-friendly information.

18 Real Moms of the Metro

Meet frugral mom Carrie Loper.

20 Oklahoma Reads

Great reads for all ages.

22 Exploring Oklahoma Rediscovering the Myriad Gardens.

24 Ask the Expert

Spring cleaning tips.

28 Question of the Month How our readers go green.

30 Problem Solving Products 40 Focus on Education

Preventing the summer slide.

26 32 44

Practical pointers for going green: how to start from right where you are. With over 60 listings and dozens of camps represented, our annual Summer Camps & Activities Guide has something for every age and interest! Harvest Kids Foster Camp: providing lifechanging experiences for local foster kids.

43 Character Corner

Encouraging resourcefulness.

48 Your Healthy Family

Birthing choices: Can you safely have your baby at home?

51 Calendar

Fun events, activities and classes.

62 Photo Gallery

Snapshots from Kids Fest.

ON OUR COVER: Nine-year-old Madison Moghadam-Ellison of Norman, daughter of Michelle and Joey Wishnuck and Dustin Moghadam-Ellison. PHOTO BY: Randy Coleman, www.randycolemanphotography.com.

April 2012 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

Dear MetroFamily, Last month I challenged you to find a way to have fun in all that you do—and I must have had a lot of fun myself, because the month sure flew by! We began the month at the Parenting Media Association’s annual convention, where we were honored to receive a bronze award for website general excellence. Then the month was a flurry of mild weather, spring break, my oldest’s 10th birthday (how is it possible he’s in double-digits already!?) and preparation for our incredibly busy Kids Fest, a full day of family fun, entertainment and giveaways. To everyone who attended and to our vendors and co-sponsors, thank you very much! This month, we’re talking summer—it’ll be here before we know it. Check out our big Summer Camps & Activities Guide. There you'll find dozens of ideas for camps that will encourage your child to stretch their imagination, learn new skills and make new friends. This summer, make plans to sign your child up for a reading program at your local library. These programs are fun for kids and the rewards can keep them motivated to read and prevent learning loss through the summer break. Experts say that children who read at least five books through the summer at their reading level do not experience “summer slide,” an issue covered in this month’s education column.

Photos, from top: Lauren and Spencer enjoy 10th Anniversary Celebration activities at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. Having fun with superheroes Wonder Woman and Spiderman at Kids Fest.

And finally, we celebrate Earth Day in April, and our feature on easy ways to green your family provides tips to take small steps toward reducing your carbon footprint, because it’s easier than you think to reducereuse-recycle. Cheers,

Publisher Sarah L. Taylor sarah@metrofamilymagazine.com Editor Mari M. Farthing editor@metrofamilymagazine.com Art Director Kathryne Taylor kathryne@metrofamilymagazine.com Advertising Sales Athena Delce Dana Price ads@metrofamilymagazine.com Office and Distribution Manager Kathy Alberty kathy@metrofamilymagazine.com Assistant Editor & Online Content Manager Brooke Barnett brooke@metrofamilymagazine.com Calendar Editor Sara Riester calendar@metrofamilymagazine.com Special Projects Assistant Terri Fields Interns Janetta Bridges, Roxanne Nguyen, Alexandra Bryan Contributing Writers Brooke Barnett, Julie Dill, Shannon Fields, Sarah Holmes, Kristen Hoyt, Robin Jones Circulation 35,000 – OKC, Edmond, Nichols Hills, Norman, Moore, Midwest City, Yukon Also available as a digital edition at 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 published monthly by Inprint Publishing, Inc. 725 NW 11th, Suite 204 • Oklahoma City, OK 73103 Fax: 405-445-7509 E-mail: info@metrofamilymagazine.com

P.S. Visit metrofamilymagazine.com/mari to read my blog, “Keeping it Real,” about my personal adventures in the ups and downs of parenting.

Info And Questions: 405-601-2081 To submit events to our calendar calendar@metrofamilymagazine.com

www.metrofamilymagazine.com | April 2012

April 2012 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

Contributing writers: Brooke Barnett, Mari Farthing

Parent Care Line The Parents Assistance Center (PAC) and HeartLine have partnered to offer a Parent Care line, which launched in March. Underwritten through a grant from the Kirkpatrick Family Fund, the line is staffed with professional call specialists who can speak to parents who are feeling stressed out, anxious or frustrated with their children. “We are excited to be partnering with HeartLine,” said PAC Executive Director Laura Gamble. “They are experts in phone assistance and we are leaders in prventing child abuse, neglect and other family violences.” Parents who call the line will be offered immediate phone assistance and may set up a personal appointment with a PAC specialist. The Parent Care Line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and may be reached by calling 405-848-CARE (2273).

According to the Oklahoma City-County Health Department (OCCHD), kids who have fun in the kitchen may also eat healthier. “Oklahoma is among the lowest in the nation in per capita consumption of fruits and vegetables, and we could improve our overall health significantly just by eating more fruits and vegetables,” says OCCHD Total Wellness Coordinator and Registered Nurse Jennifer Nettle. Fruits & Veggies—More Matters (www. fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org) was developed by the OCCHD and partners including The Oklahoma Health Improvement Plan Obesity Work Group. The program provides resources to encourage Oklahomans to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into their diets. To engage kids in eating more healthfully, try these tips: 1.

Let kids wash fresh fruits and vegetables during preparation or measure frozen vegetables before cooking.

2. When shopping, encourage kids to pick out something new to them. Play “I Spy” in the produce aisle to look for new and interesting foods. 3.

Kids can get hands-on by snapping fresh beans, breaking up broccoli and cauliflower or tearing lettuce.

Let older children peel and slice during preparation. Younger kids will love to play with a potato masher.

Let kids experiment with flavors, by adding herbs, spices or other seasonings to fruits and vegetables.

“Involving your kids in the meal planning, shopping and preparation process gives kids an investment in eating and enjoying the foods they’ve helped to prepare,” says OCCHD dietician Jennifer Like. For more information on including more fruits and vegetables in your diet, visit www. occhd.org/wellnessnow.

For more information, call 405-232-8226 or visit www.pacok.org.

The Spirit of Heather L. Harkness Role Model Award Do you know a girl who is a junior or senior in high school that shares the gifts of time, effort and ingenuity with others? The Spirit of Heather L. Harkness Role Model Award was created in memory and celebration of the life of sixteen-year-old Heather L. Harkness, who lost her life during surgery in 2008. Applicants have an opportunity to honor Heather’s memory by sharing their hard work, involvement and efforts by organizing or participating in a group that shares information, material goods, education, entertainment or inspiration with those less fortunate than themselves. The young woman who is selected for the Spirit of Heather L. Harkness Role Model Award is recognized by others as an example to follow and will receive a $1,000 award provided by INTEGRIS Health. Applicants must have a 2.5 GPA or above and are required to write a 1,000-word essay describing how they have made their community healthier, safer and more inspirational. Applications must be submitted by April 30 to INTEGRIS Health (3030 NW Expressway, Suite 1620). For more information, call 405-951-4832 or visit www. integrisok.com

Armstrong Auditorium hosts Ancient Artifacts The Grand Lobby of the Armstrong Auditorum hosts an interactive multimedia exhibition of “Seals of Jeremiah’s Captors Discovered.” Nearly three dozen artifacts are included in the display. The display features dozens of artifacts from Jerusalem’s first temple period, highlighted by the world premiere of two bullae used by Judean princes whose names are recorded in the Bible. “The real stars of the show are two of the exhibit’s tiniest pieces,” said Brad Macdonald, curator for the exhibit. “Two clay seals, each about the size of a dime, embody some incredible history.” The exhibition is free and open to the public through October 16. Armstrong Auditorium is located on the campus of Herbert W. Armstrong College, 14400 S Bryant, Edmond. For more information, call 405-285-1010 or visit www.armstrongauditorium.org.

www.metrofamilymagazine.com | April 2012

Photos by Gabi Laron of the Institute of Archaeology, The Hebrew University, courtesy of Dr. Eilat Mazar.

Have Fun in the Kitchen

“Our highly-trained, compassionate call specialists are available to parents around the clock, providing support, information and referral to community resources,” said HeartLine Executive Director Kelly Nutter.

Free Infant Vision Screenings

Spring Cleaning Safety Tips

One in 10 children is at risk for undiagnosed eye problems. To encourage parents to bring children in for eye exams, the Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physicans (OAOP) have named April 16–21 InfantSEE Week.

When going through your home doing your spring cleaning routine, it’s the perfect time for a safety check! Some roomby-room tips for keeping your home safe this spring:

A vision assessment is recommended for babies between six months to one year of age, to determine the risks of eye or vision disorders. “OAOP and its members across the state are proud to offer this free service to the citizens of Oklahoma,” said Saundra Naifeh, OAOP Chief Executive Officer. “It is critical that parents get involved in their child’s eye care at an early age. Undetected vision problems can affect every stage of a child’s development and cause major hardships during school years.” During the InfantSEE evaluation, babies are tested for vision problems and overall eye health using variety of instruments as well as accessories such as penlights, finger puppets and toys. Parents can usually hold their baby in their lap during the exam.

•

Child’s bedroom: Ensure beds are properly assembled with mattress secure. Window treatments made prior to 2001 (blinds, corded shades or draperies) should be replaced with safer products. • Living / Dining area: Secure bookcases and heavy furniture. Keep potted plants (which may be poisonous to children and pets) out of reach. Use plug protectors in unused wall outlets. • Bathroom: Check the thermostat on your water heater and keep it under 120° F to prevent bathwater burns. Ensure all medicines are out of reach or locked away from children. • Kitchen: Store knives and utensils out of reach of children. Use back burners and keep pot handles turned inward and away from children. Ensure heavy appliances are secure. Tips courtesy of the Window Covering Safety Council. Learn more at 800-506-4636 or www.windowcoverings.org.

To locate an optometrist or to schedule an InfantSEE exam, call 405-524-1075 or visit www.oaop.com.

Get Local at LOCAL

Project Mom Comes to OKC Moms of all ages and stages are invited to receive insights, advice and inspiration when the 2012 Project Mom tour comes to Oklahoma City. Scheduled for Saturday, May 5, Project Mom is an interactive conference featuring speakers and breakout sessions designed to inspire and rejuvenate moms in a fun, relaxing environment. Real moms and experts will share insights on topics such as home organization, meal planning, couponing, raising adolescents and feeling your best. Featured speakers include the Crockin’ Girls (Jenna Marwitz and Nicole Sparks), parenting expert Lisa Loyd, Consumer Queen Melissa Garcia, author Leanna Ely and others. The event, to be held at the Sheraton Oklahoma City Hotel (1 N Broadway Ave) will also include giveaways, a swag bag and opportunities for shopping. Tickets are $49 for a one-day pass or $79 for a weekend package that includes an exclusive Friday night reception and yoga session on Saturday morning. (EDITOR'S NOTE: MetroFamily readers can use the code “METRO” to save $15 off the cost of registration.) To purchase tickets, visit www.projectmom.com or call 972-832-6945 for more information.

Located at NW 24th and Main Street in Norman is a new restaurant that is truly one that lives up to its name. LOCAL is a “farm to fork” concept restaurant, serving locally-sourced, sustainable, creative American food. Operating under a philosophy of taking the practices of the best restaurants and infusing them with a dedication to Oklahoma farmers and families, the restaurant hired local chef Ryan Parrott of Iguana Mexican Grill to create a fresh and innovating menu incorporating local food and flavor. The restaurant, which opened in mid-March, includes an open kitchen, patio, retail space for meals on-the-go and a children’s center called Localville, which incorporates a nursery, movie cave, reading space, play house and more. Localville is a supervised childcare area within the walls of LOCAL where parents may take their children while they dine. While in Localville, children can participate in a variety of activities including weekly crafts, a playhouse, reading corner and more. A special area is also dedicated to infants. “My sisters and I are all parents and know the challenges that can face young families when dining out,” explains Abby Clark, one of LOCAL’s owners. “We created Localville to engage the children in a fun and safe environment while their parents enjoy a meal together.” Parents who take their children to LOCAL will notice one other benefit for children—a children’s menu offering healthy, fresh options. “Our children’s menu encourages healthy eating, offering a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. There are no fried foods, sodas or corndogs on our children’s menu,” Clark adds. For more information, visit www.eatatlocal.com or find LOCAL on Facebook and Twitter.

April 2012 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

New SW Oklahoma City LIbrary Opens The Pioneer Library System recently opened its 10th branch, serving the residents of south Oklahoma City with the new Southwest Oklahoma City Library (2201 SW 134th Street). Visitors to the library will have access to over 55,000 new books, audio books, DVDs and literacy kits for adults, teens and children. The children’s department will offer weekly story times, monthly make n’ takes, as well as outreach visits to the elementary schools within the southwest Oklahoma City area. Teen programming will be offered each month, designed to be both fun and informative for students ages 12–18. Programming for adults will include book clubs, discussion groups, and free computer classes. In addition, a large public meeting and conference room is available for the public to reserve. “We are so happy to be able to offer all our great library services to the people of south Oklahoma City,” explains Lenore St. John, Children’s Department Manager. “We will begin offering children's programming in April, with toddler storytimes being held on Mondays at 10:00am and baby storytimes on Thursdays at 10:00am and 10:30am. We look forward to meeting the families who bring their kids to the new library!” Public hours are 9:00am–9:00pm Monday–Thursday, 9:00am–8:00pm on Fridays, 9:00am–5:00pm on Saturdays and 1:00–6:00pm on Sundays. For more information, visit www. pls.lib. ok.us/home/sokc or call 405-979-2200.

Seven Ways to Unplug Screen-Free Week is a national celebration where children, families, schools and communities spend seven days turning off TVs, video games, computer and hand-held devices and tuning into life. It’s a time to unplug and play, read, create explore and spend time with family and friends. Screen-Free Week 2012 will be held April 30–May 6. The week isn’t just about reducing screen time—it is a springboard to an important lifestyle changes that will improve well-being and quality of life. Current statistics indicate that the average preschooler spends 32 hours a week in front of a screen. Time with screens is linked to poor school performance, childhood obesity, attention issues and other health and social problems. Ideas for having fun with your kids during Screen Free Week include: 1.

Plan a treasure hunt.

Make a family photo book.

Cook a themed meal together.

Make an outdoor fairy gathering.

Take a long walk in your neighborhood.

6. Take a day trip. 7.

Plant flowers or start a garden.

For more information, visit www.commercialfreechildhood.org/ screenfreeweek.

Walk a Mile in My Shoes By Robin Jones

Current Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) studies show 8,308 children in protective custody due to abuse, neglect or abandonment. The vast majority of these children have nowhere to go but foster care, and when there isn’t a family available, the children are placed in shelters. In Oklahoma, there is a movement within the communities of faith to embrace and engage this need. Through the www.111project.org and their many community partners, hundreds of families are pursuing fostering. Their goal is to leave no Oklahoma child without a family. One vital community partner is found in local churches. With over 6,000 churches in Oklahoma, recruiting the needed number of foster families is doable. The 8308 Conference is open to influencers in churches to learn about the obstacles, opportunities, resources and tools available to establish their own foster care/adoption ministry to serve our Oklahoma children. This free, oneday conference will be held at Journey Church (1330 East Lindsey, Norman) on Thursday, April 26 from 9:00am–3:30pm. For more information to register, visit www.faithlinksok.org. Walk a Mile in My Shoes, a one-mile foster care awareness walk, will be in Oklahoma City on Saturday, April 28 at 9:00am. This familyoriented walk promotes awareness and of the crisis faced by Oklahoma’s 8,308 children in OKDHS custody. Simultaneous walks across the state are being scheduled. Participants are asked to bring a new suitcase to pull or carry during the walk. The suitcase symbolizes the many moves children in foster care endure due to the shortage of available foster homes. Often, children in OKDHS custody only have a trash bag to carry their belongings. Suitcases will then be donated to area agencies. For free registration and information, visit www.walkamileokc.com.

www.metrofamilymagazine.com | April 2012

April 2012 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

Healthy Meals in the Metro: Top 10 Reader Picks

Promise Walk Raises Awareness The Promise Walk for Preeclampsia is a national annual event to support research and raise public awareness about the warning signs of preeclampsia, a life-threatening disorder of pregnancy that affects both mother and baby. The leading cause of preterm birth, preeclampsia is a rapidly progressive condition that, if undetected or untreated, can lead to seizures, cerebral hemorrhage, failure in vital organs and death. Preeclampsia affects approximately 300,000 pregnancies in the United States and is responsible for approximately 76,000 maternal deaths and half a million infant deaths worldwide each year.

Need to eat out but want to make it as healthy as possible? We polled our readers for their favorite restaurants to grab a tasty and nutritious meal in the OKC metro. Here, in random order, are their recommendations: 1.

Genghis Grill (Moore and OKC)

Jason’s Deli (Edmond, OKC and Norman)

LOCAL (2262 W Main, Norman)

Big Truck Tacos (530 Northwest 23rd, OKC)

Iguana Grill (9 NW 9th St, OKC)

Spicy Pickle (1389 East 15th St, Edmond)

McAllister’s (Edmond, OKC, Moore and Norman)

Pink Elephant Café (301 E Main, Norman)

Nunu’s Mediterranean Cafe and Market (3131 W Memorial, OKC)

“Almost 300,000 women each year are affected by preeclampsia, with approximately 25 percent of those resulting in serious adverse outcomes to either mother, baby or both,” explained Eleni Tsigas, Executive Director of the Preeclampsia Foundation, the only national nonprofit patient advocacy organization for the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. “The Promise Walks help celebrate Preeclampsia Awareness Month and especially honor those mothers who have endured preeclampsia.”

10. Cool Greens (OKC and Edmond; Norman opening soon) Thanks to Tiffany B, Mary E., Shyla H., Natalee G., Jennifer S., Shannon S., Melissa T., Tisha J., Lori H. and Jami V. for contributing to this list. Visit www.facebook.com/metrofamily to share your thoughts on next month’s list. Have a restaurant you’d like to suggest? Comment on our website at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/healthy-localrestaurants.

In Oklahoma City, the Promise Walk will take place at Stars and Stripes Park (3701 South Lake Hefner Dr) on Saturday, May 12. Registration begins at 9:30am. The walk will include face painting, warm-up exercises from Stroller Strides of Oklahoma City, a Q&A with local health experts, silent auction and more. Strollers, wagons and pets on leashes are welcome. Registration fees are $10 for ages 12 and under and $20 for ages 13 and above. This is the first year that the walk will be held in Oklahoma City and event organizers hope to raise $8,400 to support the work of the Preeclampsia Foundation. Walk Coordinator Laura Morrison is seeking volunteers, walkers and event sponsors. Visit www.promisewalk.org/ oklahomacity for more information.

Local Students GEAR-UP for the PROMISE By Julie Dill

Touring a college campus, experiencing college class schedule and overnight campus stays are just a few of the ways the OKC School District is looking to bridge the gap between high school and college. In partnership with the University of Oklahoma’s K2O Center—an education research and development center—students will reap the benefits of a seven-year, $26 million grant from the United States Department of Education. GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) allows for opportunities that low-income students may not experience otherwise. Ten low-income middle schools* will implement the program, directly benefiting approximately 4,600 students. “GEAR UP presents a wonderful opportunity for students in Oklahoma City Public Schools to prepare for college and their chosen career beyond. GEAR UP’s focus on minority and first-generation college students is a wonderful match for Oklahoma City Public Schools students, and we look forward to the partnership with the University of Oklahoma,” said Angela Monson, chairman of the OKC Public Schools Board of Education. The district wants students to be prepared for post-graduation opportunities. Laura Buxton, GEAR UP Project Coordinator for OKC Schools explains, “As part of Oklahoma City Public Schools’

www.metrofamilymagazine.com | April 2012

Strategic Plan, ‘all students will graduate prepared for success in college and/or their chosen career.’ All of the goals, resources, and activities provided through the GEAR UP for the PROMISE (Promotion of Readiness through Opportunities that Motivate and Increase Student Expectations) grant are aligned with the district's college-readiness goal and are designed to equip students with the tools to be academically, financially, and socially prepared to enter an institution of higher education. GEAR UP for the PROMISE also invests in training and instructional resources for school personnel in order to increase the schools’ ability to make college success the norm for all future OKCPS graduates.” Each school will have a site coordinator who works with students, teachers and counselors providing the maximum opportunity for continuity and growth. Each school will develop an action plan to suit the needs of their students, with the ultimate goal for the coordinator to work across all content areas to improve learning. Learn more about the GEAR UP program by visiting www. okhighered.org/gearup. * Participating Middle Schools: Centennial, Douglas, Jackson, Jefferson, John Marshall, Northeast, Rogers, Roosevelt, Taft and Webster.

April 2012 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

www.metrofamilymagazine.com | April 2012

April 2012 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

Real Moms of the Metro Meet Carrie Loper: Frugal Mom of Four

Photo by Aimee Adams • www.aimeeadamsphoto.com

eing financially savvy is more than just a responsibility for Carrie Loper. This OKC mom of four (son Gavin is 6, twins Garret and Grant are 5 and daughter Grace is 3) is on a mission to share how couponing and being financially smart has changed her family’s life and can do the same for others. From couponing tips on her popular Coupon Closet blog (www.couponcloset.net) to fast and frugal recipes on her Eating on a Dime site (www. eatingonadime.com), the 30-year-old works to help local moms become saavy shoppers and save money, all while maintaining a normal life. Read more about what makes this frugalista mom tick.

What are you passionate about? I am passionate about helping others to save money and have a financially smart family. How has motherhood changed you? I now consider myself to be more self-less. My children have taught me what real love is—a love that is hard to describe. How do you banish stress? I really like to run and I am trying to get back into it. In addition, writing helps with my stress. If I write it down, it leaves my head. What inspires you? My children. Along with your job as a mom, what do you do? Through my blogs, I show people how

Quick Facts About Carrie 1. What are five words that describe you? Passionate, determined, frugal, loving, stubborn. 2. What can’t you live without? Internet and my computer! Since I am blogging all the time, I love how I can reach others just with a click 3. What’s your favorite TV show? My all time favorite would be Seinfeld. 4. What’s your favorite meal to cook for dinner? Anything in the crockpot. We have made some amazing dinners in the crockpot. 5. What’s your guilty pleasure? Chocolate. If you have a candy bar for me, then I am your best friend.

The Loper Family—Eric, Grant, Gavin, Garrett, Grace and Carrie.

couponing and living within our means has changed my family’s life. I now teach others how to do the same thing through my blogs and free local coupon classes. What do you like most about your job? I love helping others. I love hearing stories about moms becoming stay at home moms because of Coupon Closet. I love hearing that families are paying off their cars, paying off debt and being able to pay high adoption fees using cash and not a loan because of coupons. What is on your wish list? We adopted our daughter this past summer, and I hope for more adoptions in the future. I hope to write a book some day. I am working on some ebooks, but I really want to get a book published. What are you most proud of? I am most proud of my husband and my children. They are my rock and my biggest cheerleaders. We have also been foster parents for three years. We currently do not have any foster children, but plan to either foster more children or adopt. How do you find balance in your life? Balance is something that I still struggle with. I have found that if I schedule everything in my life, then I am more likely to have balance. We now have family game night. That way, we are guaranteed one night a week to just enjoy each other. Advice for other moms? Set goals and write them down. If you want to get something done, then write it down. Before you know it, they will all be

www.metrofamilymagazine.com | April 2012

done and you will have more time left in your day. Where are you from originally? What brought you to Oklahoma? I was born in Owensboro, Kentucky, but my family moved when I was 18 months old. I was raised in Kingfisher and have lived in Oklahoma ever since. What’s the biggest challenge in your life? My biggest challenge is to find time to just take care of myself—getting enough sleep, having some quiet time, etc. How do you help others? I teach free couponing classes on a regular basis to help others learn how to save money. We also take donations of toiletry items at all coupon classes to donate to Citizens Caring for Children (www.citizencaringforchildren.org) to help children in foster care. What is your parenting style? My number one goal with parenting is to teach my children. I am always looking for help with parenting and I am always trying to be better. Favorite quote or advice about motherhood? “Be happy for this moment, this moment is your life” – Omar Khayyam. My husband and I had bracelets made to constantly remind us of this. Brooke Barnett is the Assistant Editor of MetroFamily Magazine.

April 2012 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

Oklahoma Reads Great Reads for All Grades 4+

Healthful Eating Made Simple For younger readers, Secrets of the Garden by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld and illustrated by Priscilla Lamont (Alfred A. Knopf, hardcover, $17) teaches all about the food chain with Alice, her family and her family’s garden, chickens and pets. Learn what happens in Alice’s backyard during one growing season. And for those of us a bit older but still not sure about the best eating practices, the newly-updated version of Food Rules by Michael Pollan and illustrated by Maira Kalman (The Penguin Press, hardcover, $24) reminds us to “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” At the most basic level, these are the author’s rules for healthful eating. This beautifully-illustrated, updated edition expands on this simple idea with rules to help readers live a happier, healthier life.

Early Readers

Animal World Sticker Book By Maurice Pledger (Silver Dolphin Books, softcover, $11) This hands-on book introduces kids ages 3 and up to the different places where animals live, ranging from the grassy meadow to the sandy seashore, by having them complete scenes using over 200 colorful stickers. Pantone Colors By Jonathan Emmett, illustrated by Poly Bernatene (Abrams Appleseed, board book, $10) This board book features the rainbow of colors you find in most children’s book with the addition of 20 Pantone shade variations for each color. Now, instead of choosing between green and blue, he can choose from pickle green or pool blue. The Princess and the Pig By Jonathan Emmett Illustrated by Poly Bernatene (Bloomsbury Kids, hardcover, $17) Not that long ago in a kingdom not far from here, Priscilla the princess was accidentally swapped with Pigmella the piglet. Kissing a frog has been known to work wonders for princesses in traditional fairy tales, but will it work for a pig? This witty and wry tale is a fun twist on the classic princess story.

Seriously, Just Go to Sleep By Adam Mansbach Illustrated by Ricardo Cortes (Akashic books, hardcover, $16) Once upon a time, Adam Mansbach wrote a very off-color story about children who would not go to sleep, geared toward adults. Due to popular demand, he now offers a child-friendly version that lets the little ones in on the joke.

Grades 2+

Feeling Great: A Girl’s Guide to Mixing Fitness, Friends and Fun By Alyssa Shaffer (American Girl, spiral, $9) This slim volume encourages girls to try their best to challenge their minds, hearts and bodies every day. Features words of encouragement and inspiration to help girls get in touch with their inner power. Jinxed: A Topps League Story By Kurtis Scaletta Illustrated by Eric Wight (Amulet Books, softcover, $6) Chad Snyder, a baseballloving batboy for the Pine City Porcupines, uses his vast knowlege of the sport to help solve problems. Kids with a love of baseball or a desire to learn more will have fun with this title.

www.metrofamilymagazine.com | April 2012

Reviews by Mari Farthing & Brooke Barnett.

Explorer: The Mystery Boxes By Kazu Kibuishi (Abrams Books, hardcover, $20) The seven stories in this collection combine to create a graphic novel anthology that centers around the theme of a mysterious box. Featuring boys and girls, stories scary and funny, the creative collection might inspire your young artist to create her own story.

Adults

Successful Failure By Devery Youngblood (Tate Publishing, softcover, $21) Reminding us all that growth stems from adversity, this title suggests that in order for us to find happiness, we must first fail to find it. Failure should be used to fuel the heart, mind and spirit to persevere.

What Your Child Needs to Know About Sex (And When) By Dr. Fred Kaeser (TenSpeed Press, softcover, $15) Parents, is it time you had the talk? You know—the talk? In our sometimes oversexualized society, it can be hard to know how to address the topic with our children. This title offers an earnest conversation about how to talk to your kids about sex. Freshalicious By Stacey Fokas (Infokus Productions, hardcover, $30) A journey through food by season, with the goal of encouraging readers to think locally when selecting foods. Includes recipes, stories about local producers and vivid photography. Vegebaby By Pragna Parmita (Vegebaby, hardcover, $20) Parents interested in a locally-sourced vegetarian diet for their children will find this a useful resource, packed with nutritional information, tips and healthy recipes for all ages.

April 2012 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

Exploring Oklahoma The Myriad Gardens and Crystal Bridge

n a 17-acre spread in the heart of Oklahoma City lies a Project 180 success story: The Myriad Botanical Gardens. And if you think you’ve seen it before, you need to give this iconic landmark a second look.

History of the Myriad Gardens For 30 years, the Gardens have provided a natural oasis in the city, with paths and greenery throughout, highlighted by the Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory (designed by architect I. M. Pei) in the center of it all. As part of the Project 180 renovation, the Crystal Bridge was updated and the grounds were completely redesigned to increase both accessibility and versatility. “We want the community to see the Myriad Gardens as the heart of downtown Oklahoma City,” said Maureen Heffernan, Executive Director. “It is a place for everyone to play, relax, learn and be inspired.”

Fun For All Ages This beautiful, mild winter has provided many opportunities to enjoy the outdoor areas at the gardens. I brought my kids (ages 7 and 9) one Sunday afternoon, to play at the park and listen to local kindie rock musicians the Sugar Free All Stars, who were playing in celebration of their recent Grammy win. We entered the park from the west, directly into the Children’s Garden, which is filled with oversized structures that virtually beg children to use their imaginations to find ways to play on and around the area. Though the garden lies along Reno Avenue, the fence and single entry point afford a

layer of safety for adventurous kids. It wasn’t warm enough to see the Children’s Fountain in action, but the sheer size and creative design of the structure make me look forward to revisiting the park in warmer weather.

Looking toward the Crystal Bridge from the Meinders Garden.

After visiting the very clean and well-appointed rest room facilities (a happy find in any park setting!), we wandered across the bridge spanning the lake, where amazingly large and colorful koi fish swam in the waters below. The bridge also overlooks the water stage, which has been upgraded and includes additional seating (and individual seats!) and improved accessibility. Tables and chairs are scattered around the grounds, providing ample seating for park visitors to sit and enjoy the day in this new community focal point. On the Grand Lawn, in the shadow of the new Devon Tower, we relaxed on the grass and snapped shots that looked like we were holding the tower in our hands. The bandshell provided the perfect venue for a Sunday afternoon concert in the Oklahoma sunshine. And even with all that we saw on this visit, we only scratched the surface.

More To See On another visit to the Gardens, I was able to explore the other areas of the park. Entering from the east is the Seasonal Plaza, which held the ice skating rink this winter, just outside the planned restaurant. The building is there but a tenant has yet to be named. To the east of this area is a fenced dog release area where dogs are permitted off their leashes to run free. As with the other parts of the gardens, there is ample shade from the sun, seating (for humans) and dog-friendly amenities such as low-to-the-ground water fountains and ample waste disposal. To the west is the Meinders Garden and Meadows which includes pathways and water features among the native trees, flowers and

Visit the Myriad Gardens The Myriad Gardens is located at 301 W Reno Avenue, on the northwest corner of Robinson and Reno in downtown Oklahoma City. 405-297-3995, www.myriadgardens.org Admission to the Myriad Botanical Gardens outdoor grounds is free, open 6:00am–11:00pm daily. The Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory is open Monday–Saturday, 9:00am–5:00pm; Sunday, 11:00am–5:00pm (until 7:00pm from June 1–Labor Day). Admission $7 adults; $6 seniors, students (with ID) and active military; $5 children 4–12; age 3 and under free.

Photography

Making new friends near the bandshell on the Grand Lawn.

Visitors are always welcome to take snapshots at the Myriad Gardens, though permits may be required for professional photographers or special circumstances; photography guidelines may be requested by calling 405-297-3996 or emailing jana.lucht@okc.gov.

www.metrofamilymagazine.com | April 2012

Upcoming Events

A panoramic shot of the Children’s Garden.

grasses that abound. Even though I visited before the trees and plants were in full, leafy splendor, there was much to see.

East and West Lakes Just under the Crystal Bridge itself lie the East and West Lakes. Long a place where visitors could come and see local wildlife (koi fish, ducks and turtles are among the frequently spotted visitors), the access to the lakes has been updated with amazing result. When thinking “accessibility,” my mind quickly conjures up the adaptations that make a space more accessible to visitors of all physical abilities; but these accessibility updates address that and more. There are stairs and ramps and paths and stone seating areas that provide a myriad (no pun intended) of accessibility points to the lakes and surrounding landscaping, and from each turn or step there is something to appreciate. From various plantings to water features, the area around the lakes invites exploration from all ages and abilities.

The Crystal Bridge Entering the Crystal Bridge from the south end, visitors will quickly note the updated and spacious new Welcome Center. Within the Bridge itself, updates have been made to the plants but the biggest change—and biggest impact—is a result of each and every tile being meticulously removed and replaced and the repainting of the entire structure. This subtle update seems to reinvigorate the Gardens. So, yes, in the many years that the Myriad Botanical Gardens have been open in Oklahoma City, I imagine that you may have visited, perhaps even many times over the years. But if you haven’t visited for a while? It’s time to visit again.

Mari Farthing is the editor of MetroFamily Magazine.

• Starlifter: U.S. Air Force Band of Mid-America will play a free concert at the Grand Lawn Bandshell on April 1, from 1:00–3:00pm. Bring a blanket. • The Annual Plant Sale will be held April 5–7, 9:00am–5:00pm daily in the Visitors’ Center at the Crystal Bridge Botanical Gardens. • On April 12 at noon, a guided hike begins on the east steps of City Hall (200 N Walker) that will take visitors in and around the historic buildings of downtown, including through the Myriad Gardens. Also at noon, the Brown Bag Lunch Series held in the second floor conference room in the Crystal Bridge with the Emeritus Director of Teleflora allows visitors to ask questions about flowers. • The Festival of the Arts held at the west end of the Myriad Gardens April 24–29 has been a much-attended festival in downtown Oklahoma City since 1967. Open Monday–Saturday, 11:00–9:00pm and Sunday 11:00am–5:00pm.

April 2012 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

Ask the Experts Spring Cleaning This month’s question: Spring is in the air! I need motivation to get my family to clear out the clutter, but I can’t get anyone to part with anything, from my husband’s broken, old tools to my daughter’s basket of miscellaneous doll parts to my own stash of projects that I’ve left unfinished. How can I help my family to avoid becoming hoarders and to finish what we start? Kevin Tutty, LCSW: Spring is always a great time of year to clean house. I like the idea of going through belongings annually and see what things have not been touched in a year. If something has not been used for a year, how important is it, really? As a warehouse manager, I learned that physical space actually can cost money after a product sits on the shelf for a period of time. Much in the same way, unused objects prevent other items from being placed where we can locate them in our home. A disorganized, cluttered space causes stress and anxiety. One option for someone who has trouble getting rid of anything is to negotiate a number of items that each person will part with. Then, donate these to a worthwhile charity so someone can use them, and you get the tax deduction as well. A win-win! Kevin Tutty, LPC, is a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice. Contact him at 405-431-6225.

Valerie Riley, Professional Organizer: We always advise our clients to take things room by room—otherwise it’s too overwhelming. Focus on one area at a time and don’t leave it until you’ve accomplished clearing the clutter. Only then is it wise to

move on to the next area or room needing attention. To get the family involved, we like to have our clients make it a game. Time yourselves and see who can get through their designated clutter first—the winner gets to pick the restaurant where the family dines out as a reward. Or, have everyone help each other in their personal area and when one area is complete, the family enjoys a new activity to do together or a reward (such as going out for ice cream or having a family movie night). It’s also helpful to set a time limit on how long you work on a particular area. If you leave yourself too much time you will most likely get overwhelmed and quit early. Set a timer and stick to that. If the whole idea of clearing clutter is daunting, start with a small time limit—set the timer for 10 minutes and see how much you can accomplish. The small victories will make you feel good and help you to be motivated to continue on! Good luck! Valerie Riley is the founder of the Riley Group, offering concierge and lifestyle management services. Contact them at 405242-2267 or www.therileygroup.info.

Devonne Carter, LCSW: I would encourage you to start this project by modeling. You model the behavior you want everyone else in the family to follow. Start with one closet and clean it out and talk about how good it feels to donate things.

Then state that you want everyone to clean out their closet or their room. Give them a deadline and a place to which you want them to bring their donations. If your children are young, ask them to choose 5 items for your donation sack. Have your children help you with the donation and then on the way home talk about how nice it will be for children who don't have many clothes or toys and how much they will enjoy their new treasures. Devonne Carter, LCSW, is a Clinical Social Worker in private practice in Edmond. Contact her at 405-326-3923 or www. carterscounseling.com.

Donnie Van Curen M.A., LMFT: Pick a Saturday where each person helps fill a family box, or has their own box to fill, which can then be taken to an organization like The Salvation Army. This makes for a great family activity, and the opportunity to help each person in your family generate a lot of positive feelings and emotions from their actions. It is also a wonderful way to help your kids see the value, responsibility and fun that helping others provides, all while cleaning up clutter. Make it a tradition; it may be one that carries on for generations to come. Donnie Van Curen M.A., LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Theapist with Counseling 1820, LLC. Contact him at 405823-4302 or www.counseling1820.com.

PRACTICAL POINTERS FOR

GOING GREEN 15 Ways to Create a Sustainable Family

Is the idea of going green and raising an environmentally friendly family appealing in theory—but a little tricky in practice? Whether or not you have a green thumb or deep pockets, raising a sustainable family is attainable. And in our current society, going green makes sense on many different levels, as the changes you make can contribute to your family’s health, your pocketbook and the overall well being of our planet. Think one family isn’t enough to make a difference? Think again! Your family can have a big impact with just a few lifestyle changes.

Eco-Parenting “Kids learn what they live,” explains Dr Richard S. Kordesh, author of Restoring Power to Parents and Places. “If they are living and participating in a world where they are a consumer only, that’s a way of life that is internalized. Alternatively, they can also learn that they can grow and make stuff. And they can learn those basic, useful skills at home.” For starters, the experts suggest these tips: • Talk to your kids about what it means to be green. “The simplest definition of green living is making choices based on what’s right for the environment,” explains Chris Ward, Education Director at the Cleveland County Conservation District. “Being green means creating less impact, either by lifestyle changes or buying products that are more eco-friendly.” • Pack a lunch. Make a commitment as a family to eat in more often. “Taking your lunch each day is one of the greenest things you can do,” Ward says. “It reduces the amount of unrecyclable waste created on a daily basis, multiplied by the number of people in your family.” Since children often learn by imitation, pledge to take your lunch to work each day. It will be less expensive, healthier and reduce the amount

of driving you do on a daily basis. • Reduce your consumerism. Talk to your kids about needs versus wants. “Buy only what you need to buy and look for ways to buy it locally and with a minimum of packaging,” Ward explains. For books, DVDs and magazines, consider borrowing them from your local library instead of buying new, or use Netflix or Redbox to catch your favorite new releases. While your habits may not seem to have a major impact, Kordesh urges parents to look at the bigger picture. “Imagine if you had a whole community taking these steps, sharing resources and information. These changes are at the heart of healthy community development.”

of clean. When doing laundry, keep in mind that you shouldn’t see bubbles.” • Green Your Home. “In winter, keep the temperature in your home around 68 degrees,” Ward suggests. “Keep the temp in summer at 78 degrees. For every degree you lower it, energy costs rise six percent.” Ward recommends cleaning air filters monthly, changing to compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs, applying weather stripping around windows and doors and using ceiling fans. “Most ceiling fans use only as much power as a 100 watt light bulb,” she explains. “In the winter, set the fan to low and to turn clockwise to pull warm air down from the ceiling. In summer, the fan should turn counterclockwise to keep air moving.” Also, use power strips on everything from cell phone chargers to Go Green to Save Green laptops to your cable box to reduce the “The best place to start saving the world is “ghost drain” of electricity being used even in the home,” says Claire Malone, a leading when these items are turned off or not in member of the Norman Sustainability use. If you are an OG&E customer, you Network. “The key is to start young and have can request a home energy audit, which kids feel like they are taking care of their includes an in-home inspection, an air family and the environment at the same time.” conditioner tune-up, duct work inspection, Many environmentally-friendly changes can and a weatherization kit for $50. For more also have a positive benefit on your bottom information, visit www.ogehomeenergyeff. line. com or call 877-430-3936. • Drive less. Malone recommends mapping • Use less water. Use commercial car out safe walking/biking routes to local washes that use high-pressure nozzles to restaurants and grocery stores and using minimize water usage. “If you must wash them as often as possible. “It’s good your car at home, use biodegradable soap, exercise and saves gas,” she explains. a bucket and sponge,” Ward says. “Never When driving is necessary, carpool with use your hose.” Also consider your toilet, friends or coworkers. which accounts for 30 percent of indoor water use. Consider installing a low-flow • Green cleaning. Natural cleaning products toilet or place a hot water bag filled with will clean your home and avoid exposing pebbles or sand to your tank. “This adds your family to toxins and harmful volume to the tank so it fills with less chemicals. With laundry and dishwashing water,” Ward explains. For outdoor water detergents, reduce the amount you use for use, consider collecting precipitation in a each load. “The recommended amount on rain barrel to keep your lawn and garden the package is way too much,” Ward says. naturally well-watered. “Use about one-third of the recommended amount and you’ll still see the same level

www.metrofamilymagazine.com | April 2012

Go Crunchy Granola Whether you grow it or buy it, locally-grown food offers a number of financial, taste and nutritional benefits. In addition to supporting local farmers and connecting you to your community, food grown nearby is better tasting, higher quality, and more nutritious. Plus, it keeps money in the local community. “Remind yourself that the money stays here when you buy local. It’s fixing our roads and going to your child’s schools,” Malone says. “Think about the bigger picture and the return on your investment.” • Grow your own. Backyard gardening can take many forms, from greenhouses to raised beds to a tomato plant in a fivegallon bucket. “Teach [kids] how to garden and make them a part of nourishing their family,” Malone recommends. “Talk about the plants you see and make it educational but still fun.” Kordesh also recommends composting as a means of reducing trash and enriching garden soil. • Buy local. Don’t have time to grow your own? Shopping at your local farmer’s market can give your kids firsthand access to farmers and other food producers, plus seasonal produce and access to healthier food options. Visit www.metrofamilymagazine.com/farmersmarkets for a list of metro-area Farmers Markets. • Join a Cooperative. Need more shopping flexibility? Join the Oklahoma Food Cooperative (www.oklahomafood.coop), a network of local farmers and customers offering Oklahoma-produced products year-round. All items sold through the cooperative are grown or produced in Oklahoma and orders are delivered on the third Thursday of each month to pick up locations across the state, including many in the local area. • Eat at restaurants serving local fare. Eating out can also support local food. “There is no reason that the stuff we like to eat has to be trucked in and have a large carbon footprint,” says Matt Burch of Urban Agrarian, a local food distribution company. “Seek out restaurants that serve local food. And if your favorite restaurant doesn’t serve local food, be sure to ask them why.”

•

and paper towels, opting instead for reusable options. Pay bills online to reduce paper and donate usable items to local charities of thrift stores. Buy it used. Garage sales, consignment shops, freecycle.com and thrift stores are great places to find what you need, often at a fraction of the cost. Aim for less plastic packaging. According to Ward, the average American disposes 300 pounds of plastic each year. Buy staples such as cereals, rice, beans and oatmeal from bulk bins. Opt for products in glass jars. And if you must buy plastic, make sure it can be recycled. Reduce your mail. “Each year, the junk mail industry destroys about 100 million trees to bring you the ads and offers you throw away without opening,” Ward explains. Add your name to the “Do Not Mail” list by calling the Direct Marketing Association at 212-768-7277, opt out of credit card offers by visiting www.optoutprescreen.com and reduce the amount of unwanted catalogs that you receive by visiting www.catalogchoice.org. Recycle. Curbside recycling bins have made it easier than ever to recycle your household items. Oklahoma City, Edmond and Norman accept plastics #1–7, while Moore accepts #1 and #2. If you have hazardous waste products such as motor old, antifreeze, paint or garden chemicals, contact the Hazardous Waste Facility near SW 15th and Portland in Oklahoma City at 405-682-7038 to see about open drop-off times and requirements. For a helpful list of metro-area recycling programs, visit www.metrofamilymagazine.com/recyclingprograms. To find out how to recycle products such as household cleaners, paint and batteries locally, visit www.okc.gov/ trash/recycle/beyondbin.html or http:// earth911.com

Green Living For Matt Burch of Urban Agrarian, the choice to create a more sustainable family is really about doing what is right. “It’s our responsibility to leave the world a better place than we found it,” he says. “The simple decisions we make on a daily basis can be very rewarding.”

The Three R’s Ever watch Bob the Builder? Then odds are you are familiar with “reduce, reuse and recycle” mantra and the benefits of keeping still-useable products out of the landfill. • Reduce waste. Ward encourages families to stop buying disposables like paper plates

Brooke Barnett is MetroFamily Magazine’s Assistant Editor and has an addiction to reusable bags and locally-grown produce.

MORE TIPS TO GO GREEN: Recycle CFL bulbs at all Home Depot locations. Deposit any unbroken CFLs in the in-store orange collection units. Recycle cell phones and printer cartridges at many retailers, including Best Buy and Staples locations. Save green by going green at many local stores. The Earth in Norman offers a 10% discount if you walk or bike to their store. Target locations offer 5¢ off for every reusable bag you use, and Whole Foods offers 10¢ off per cloth bag used and 5¢ off for paper. CVS stores also offer a “Green Bag Tag,” program offering $1 in in-store rewards for every fourth visit with a reusable bag.

The Oklahoma Food Coop (www. oklahomafood.coop) offers work credit for those who volunteer sorting and compiling orders. These work credits spend like cash to buy locally grown food for your family. Talk to your kids about your current

shopping and living habits and how you would like to change. Solicit their input and suggestions and make a goal as a family to integrate those changes.

Make Your Own Cleaning Products Many natural cleaning products can be made from ingredients such as lemons, baking soda, vinegar, borax and castile soap. “Create a natural all-purpose cleaner by combining 2 cups of water with a teaspoon of borax, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, a tablespoon of baking soda and ½ teaspoon of dishwashing liquid,” Ward advises. “Or, for a natural furniture polish, dab on a mixture of 1 cup olive oil with ½ cup lemon juice.” Other green cleaning tips? Freshen your fridge by securing one-half cup of baking soda in a coffee filter with a twist tie and placing it your refrigerator door. Clean your microwave by filling a bowl with water and four slices of lemon. Heat for three minutes and wipe clean.

Further Reading 8 Reasons to Buy Local Food: http://www. oklahomafood.coop/8reasons.php Use Less Stuff Tips: http://www.deq.state. ok.us/mainlinks/uls/ulstips08.pdf Norman Sustainability Network: www.normansustainability.org Urban Agrarian: www.urbanagrarian.com Cleveland County Conservation District: www.clevelandcountyconservationdistrict. com

April 2012 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

Question of the Month Greening Your Family From recycling household waste to growing a garden to conserving resources, there are many ways for families today to go green. Whether through small changes to a daily routine or by making serious home improvements to increase energy efficiency, being eco-friendly has environmental, financial and personal benefits for families of all sizes. Our March Question of the Month asked our readers to share the activities they do to be eco-friendly. Some incorporate green living into everything they do and a few have yet to take the first steps.

Moore’s Hannah P. works to teach the next generation to take care of the earth. “We choose to recycle and I teach my kids not to waste water and electricity. I also like to buy eco-friendly cleaner products. But it's not always easy, we do what we can.” For Lisha B. of Midwest City, green living is truly a way of life. “We have a compost pile, a garden, use cloth diapers and family cloth, cloth baby wipes, and cloth napkins. We don’t use paper towels, we use junk mail for scraps of paper to write notes on, use natural cleaners, and try to find ways to be greener all the time.”

For Tamia D. of Midwest City, eco-friendly Kami M. of Oklahoma City incorporates also has to be budget-friendly. “Sometimes small changes into her family’s daily life. the more organic or eco-friendly option is “We try our best to recycle and reuse as more expensive. When it’s not more expensive, much as we can. We use Freecycle to give or when I can afford the more expensive away things we are no longer using. I try to options, I always choose products and combine my errands as much as possible and services that are environmentally friendly.” not waste or use up gas.” Mitchell T. of Edmond shares that recycling is truly a family affair. “We always recycle! Our daughter know what goes in the recycle bin already and she isn’t even 3.”

Visit www.metrofamilymagazine.com/marchreader-responses to read more about how our readers work to be more eco-friendly.

Q What does your family do to be more “green?” 67 total responses methods • We Other choose eco-friendly options and recycle whenever possible. 52% We love to cook together and share meals as a family.

• Sometimes we choose the organic or We love to travel and visit but new places explore whenever eco-friendly option, nottoalways. 30%we can! • We We really 10.5% share adon’t. love of movies/games/books/music and spend time on that. • Other. 4.5%

We love to attend sporting events together! Whether one of us is playing or we

• Everything we can! We strive for a greener lifestyle in all we do. 3%

Question of the Month for May

Moms—if your gift for Mother’s Day is an additional hour in your day, how would you use it?

Visit www.metrofamilymagazine.com/ fs-giveaway to fill in the blank and enter your name in our monthly prize package drawing, valued at over $250. The full contents of the prize package are listed on the contest page. Deadline to enter is Thursday, April 19.

www.metrofamilymagazine.com | April 2012

April 2012 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

Problem Solvers Helpful Family Products When we hear about new or helpful products, we like to let our readers know! Here are a few of the more interesting items we’ve recently found. Visit the product website for a list of local retailers.

Problem:

Washing the car uses so much water!

Solution:

Washdrops let you wash the car with one bucket and a minimal amount of water, no rinsing required. It’s biodegradable and complies with the EPA Safe Water Act. ($9/16 oz; www.washdrops.com)

Problem:

Taking baby food with you can be a messy endeavor.

Solution:

Nurturme organic dried fruits and veggies come in single-serving pouches that you can mix yourself with water, formula or breast milk. ($10 includes spoon; www.nurturme.com)

Problem:

He would rather throw his crayons on the ground than color with them.

Solution:

The Crayon Bungee keeps three crayons on a leash for your little ones and saves you from having to play fetch. ($16; www.nini-baby.com)

Problem:

You want to be glamorous in the kitchen and cook like you’re ready for your Food Network debut.

Solution:

Tie on a Fabulous Girl Clothing apron in one of 12 designs of aprons to fry up the bacon in style. ($48; www.fabulousgirlboutique.com)

Problem:

What are they tracking in on their shoes?

Solution:

The Amazing Mat is sticky to trap allergens dirt and whatever else there is on their shoes before they enter your home. When it gets dirty? Tear off the top sheet. Comes with 30 refills. ($30; www.theamazingmat. com)

Problem:

Your used toothbrushes could fill up a landfill!

Solution:

The Worldcentric Toothbrush is commercially compostable and comes in a set of three so you never have to be without. ($12/3; www.worldcentric.org)

Visit www.metrofamilymagazine.com/contests for a chance to win many of the products shown here and on other pages this month!

www.metrofamilymagazine.com | April 2012

April 2012 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

Summer Camps & Activities Guide Ready or not! Here comes summer. Whether you seek artistic, academic or sport-themed activities for your kids (or anything in between), you can find it here in our bigger and better guide to summer fun, camps and activities. Find your interest and note the registration dates—many of these fun activities will fill up early. Be sure to contact the venue with any questions that you have. So are you ready? Set? Go!

Venue

Address

Dates

Fees

Details

Aqua-Tots Swim Schools

8543 North Rockwell, 405-562-8787, OKC (Target shopping www.aquatotscenter) oklahomacity.com

Contact

June–August

$139

Day camp; no before/after care, no scholarships. Ongoing enrollment, limited space.

ArtWorks Academy

3251 Market Pl, Suite 130, Norman

405-397-1824, www.artworksacademy. com

June 18–July 26

Camp Chaverim

4901 N Penn, OKC

405-848-3132, www.jfedokc.org

June 4–July 27

Camp McFadden

9137 E Hartford, Ponca City

Intensive 2-week swim lesson sessions & Fast Track swim camps. $50-$250

A variety of camps for kids Preschool–12th grade include drama, dance, voice, guitar and art. $480-$650/3 week session

Day camp; before/after care available, no scholarships. Register by June 1. 3–week camp sessions for kids ages 2–15. Activities include swimming, dancing, singing, cooking & exploration.

Casady School 9500 N Penn, OKC Summer by the Lake Center for Children and Families, Inc.

1151 E Main, Norman

Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center

507 S 4th, Enid

Chess Camp

580-762-9955, www.campmcfadden.com

June–August

405-749-3193, www.casady.org

June 4–July 27

$140 for 3 days; $290 for 1 week $69 half-day sessions

Overnight camp at Kaw Lake; scholarships available. Camp (for ages 6-9; 8-15) features wide range of activities include water sports, shooting, horse-back riding, crafts & cooking. Day camp; before/after care available, scholarships available. Ongoing registration. Athletic, art & academic programs; half-day & full-day camp options.

Session 1: June 18– July 6; Session 2: July 9–27

Free; donations accepted

580-237-1907 x227, www.csrhc.org

July 30 –August 3

$170

Heritage Hall 1800 NW 122nd, OKC Metro Christian Academy 6363 S Trenton, Tulsa

888-652-4377, www.chesscamp.com

June 4–8 & July 16–20 (OKC)

Cimarron Opera

PO Box 1085, Norman

405-364-8962, www.cimarronopera.org

City Arts Center

3000 General Pershing Blvd, OKC

Day camp; no before/after care, scholarships available. Enrollment open until full.

405-364-1420, www.ccfinorman.org

Day camp for Norman youth; no before/after care. Register by 5/18, space is limited. Summer Youth Enrichment Program includes mentoring, skill-based activities & community service projects. Grades K–5 mornings, 6–12 afternoons, Fridays are all age groups. Day camp; no before/after care, no scholarships. Frontier adventure camp for students entering grades 4–6 features collecting artifacts, cattle drive, fishing & exploration.

Varies

Chess instruction for all experience levels, including complete beginners.

June 25–29 (Tulsa) June 11–30

Day camp; no before/after care, no scholarships.

$400

Day camp; no before/after care, scholarships available. Auditions April 15–16. 3–week intensive theater camp for ages 9–18 to learn basics of vocal, dance, acting & audition prep.

405-951-0000, www.cityartscenter.org

May 29–August 17

$150

Day camp; before/after care available, scholarships available. Register by 5/20 for 10% discount. Week-long I’m Artsy and I Know It camp for ages 5–13 includes painting, trapeze, pottery, sewing & more.

www.metrofamilymagazine.com | April 2012

Paid Advertisement

Venue

Address

Contact

Dates

Fees

Details

June 4-28 (register by June 1) & July 9- August 2 (register by July 6)

Small group special rates; call for details

Day camp; no before/after care, no scholarships.

405-751-1002, http:// creativeadventuresourchild renarespecial.webs.com

Ongoing

$15–$30 per session

405-340-3432, www. crosscreekstablesokc.com

June 4–July 30

3200 E. Memorial Rd, 405-478-3515, www. Club Z! In Suite 600, Edmond clubztutoring.com/okc Home Tutoring

Creative Adventures

10455D N May, OKC

Cross Creek Stables

2200 NW 192nd St, Edmond

The Dance Department

1110 S Air Depot #11, Midwest City

405 732-7722, www. thedancedepartmentokc. com

July 16–20

Edmond Historical Society & Museum

431 S Boulevard, Edmond

405-340-0078, www.edmondhistory.org

Session 1: June 5–7 Session 2: July 10–12

Individual or small group reading & math instruction for grades 2-5; individual MATH Academy for grades 3-12; Study skills program to develop time management, test prep & more. Day camp; no before/after care, no scholarships. Ongoing registration. Half- or full-day fine arts programs.

$195/week includes t-shirt & water bottle

Day camp; no before/after care, no scholarships. Register until full (call for availability). Basic instruction in horsemanship plus crafts & horse show with ribbons for all. Ages 6+, 1:00–5:00pm.

$70

Day camp; no before/after care, no scholarships. Princess-themed kid's camp includes dancing, crafts & end of the week performance.

9:30am–12:30pm

$30

Day camp, no before/after care, no scholarships. 1889 Summer Camp held for ages 6-12 at 1889 Territorial School (124 E 2nd St).

April 2012 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

Love ? Love sales? MetroFamily is seeking a high-energy, enthusiastic, hard-working person with a friendly personality to join our sales team. Looking for someone with a positive attitude who loves meeting new people and is not afraid to cold call to sell a new high-appeal digital media product to local businesses. You will be given the training, procedures and toolsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; plus continual supportâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;to help you achieve success! Sales experience preferred but not necessary. Unlimited income potential. If interested in this exciting ground-floor opportunity, send your resume and a brief cover letter to sarah@metrofamilymagazine.com.

www.metrofamilymagazine.com | April 2012

Paid Advertisement

Summer Camps & Activities Guide

Venue

Address

Contact

Dates

Fees

Details

Edmond Parks & Recreation

2733 Marilyn Williams Dr, Edmond

405-359-4630, www. edmondok.com/parks/rec

June 4–July 27

$300 per session

Day camp; no before/after care, scholarships available. Registration open until full. $35 discount each additional child. Fee includes field trips, daily snack & t-shirt. Summer Blast Camp for ages 5 (entering grade 1)–12. Activities include arts & crafts, water sports, field trips & more. Bring lunch.

Fine Arts Institute of Edmond

27 E Edwards, Edmond

Francis Tuttle Technology Center

12777 N Rockwell, OKC

Girl ScoutsWestern Oklahoma

405-340-4481, www.edmondfinearts.com

June–August

$80-$175

Day camp; no before/after care, no scholarships. Ongoing registration until full. Variety of 3– & 5–day camp sessions for children of all ages separated by age, include arts instruction, drama, theater & more. See website for details.

405-717-4900, www.francistuttle.edu/ summer

June 4–29

6100 N Robinson, OKC

405-528-4475, www.gswestok.org

June 8–July 29

$85-$600; Day and overnight camps; no before/after care, $12 fee for scholarships available. Registration open until full. non-girl scout Variety of camps for girls grades K–12 include Art campers Camp, Horse Camp, Mad Scientists, Archery Games, Crafty Critters and more. Bus transportation avail.

The Goddard School

17440 N Western, Edmond

405-348-4442, www.goddardschool.com

May 29–August 15

Varies

Harn Homestead Museum

1721 N Lincoln, OKC

Invent Now

Held in various venues throughout state

8:30–11:30am or noon–3:00pm

$69/class; $5 discount each additional.

Day camp; no before/after care, no scholarships. Register until first day of class. Fun and interactive classes for ages 11-14.

Day camp; before/after care available, no scholarships. Registration open until full. Passport Around the World camp celebrates the 2012 Olympics. Open to children ages 6 weeks–12 years.

405-235-4058, www.harnhomestead.com

June 4–8

$30/day or $125/week

Day camp; before/after care available, no scholarships. Register by 5/25 or until full. Hands-on activities for ages 6–12 to participate in crafts, activities & games.

800-968-4332, www.campinvention.org

June 1–August 1

$215

Day camp; no before/after care, scholarships available. Registration preferred 3 weeks prior to camp start date. Week-long adventure camps for grades entering 1–6 to participate in hands-on science & technology learning.

L'Alliance Française d'Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City

Leonardo's Children's Museum

200 E Maple, Enid

405-748-0868, www.afdokc.org

July 9–12

$99–$109

French immersion camp for kids entering grades 3–5 or 6–8. No language background required. 580-237-2787, www.leonardos.org

June 4–August 3

$85-$165

Day camp; no before/after care, no scholarships. Early enrollment discount through May. Week-long half- & full-day art or science camps for ages 4–12.

Mabee-Gerrer 1900 W MacArthur, Shawnee Museum of Art On St. Gregory's

405-878-5300, www.mgmoa.org

June 11–July 27

Free–$60

Mad Science of Central Oklahoma

PO Box 30983, Edmond

Marjorie Kovich School of Ballet

1312 S Berry Rd, Norman

Day camp; no before/after care, scholarships available. Registration open until full. Creative arts camps for ages 5–8, 9–13, 11–18. Activities/themes include puppets, creative creatures, wearable art & exploration.

University Campus

Day camp; before/after care available, no scholarships.

405-285-9643, www.madscience.org/okc

June 4–July 27

$20-$200

Day camp; no before/after care, no scholarships. Register up to camp start date. Variety of science-themed camps for ages 4–11.

405-364-1818, www.mkovichballet.com

June 4–July 13

$50-$250

Day camp; no before/after care, no scholarships. Register by 5/15. Variety of dance summer camps & workshops for ages 2½+.

April 2012 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

Paid Advertisement

Summer Camps & Activities Guide

Venue

Address

Dates

Fees

Details

Moore Norman 4701 12th Avenue NW, 405-364-5763, Norman www.mntechnology.com/ Technology sya2012 Center

June 4-28

$70-$135

Day camp; no before/after care, no scholarships. Register deadline April 19. Program offers one-week sessions (half-day and full-day) of learning fun for ages 9 -14.

Mount St. Mary 2801 S Shartel, OKC Catholic High School

405-631-8865, www.mountstmary.org

May–August

$50-$85

Day camp; no before/after care, no scholarships. Register by camp start date.

100 N University Oklahoma Dr (UCO campus), Center for Arts Edmond Education at UCO

405-974-3754, www.ocae.net

2501 N Blackwelder, OKC

Oklahoma Children's Theatre

Oklahoma City 725 S Lincoln Blvd, OKC Boathouse Foundation

Contact

Academic & athletic camps for all ages. June 4–July 27

405-606-7003, www. oklahomachildrenstheatre. org

May 29–August 10

405-552-4040, www.riversportokc.org/ camps

June 4–August 3

June 5–August 10

$65-$300

Day camp; no before/after care, no scholarships. Bring lunch, snacks provided.

$39-$225

Day camp; before/after care, scholarships available. Enrollment available until 3 days before camp starts. Sports and swimming classes for infants-age 15; College for Kids for 1st-8th graders includes classes in science, math, IT, musical theater & more.

$120-$260

Day camp; before/after care available, scholarships available. Enrollment accepted until full. A variety of age-appropriate themed camp sessions based on the museum’s collections. Each camp features student exhibition & reception. Ages 4-16.

405-208-4800, www.thunder.nba.com

June–August

$180–$225

Day camp; no before/after care, no scholarships. Register until full. Week-long basketball camps for ages 5-16 (one for ages 13-17) held around OKC metro.

Oklahoma City 2101 NE 50th, OKC Zoo

405-425-0218, www.okczooed.com

Orr Family Farm

14400 S Western, OKC

OU Sooner Flight Academy

1928 Goddard Ave, Norman

June–August

$100-$110

Day camp; no before/after care, no scholarships. Register by one week prior to camp start date. Weekly camps meet Tuesday–Thursday. Age ranges 3 years, 4–5, 6–7, 8–11 & 12–15. Camps feature daily animal encounters, nature playtime, hikes & more.

8932 S Western, OKC 405-582-0773, www. Oklahoma oklahomarockacademy. Rock Academy com

Day camp; before/after care available, scholarships available. Register by camp start date.

Ages 8-19 learn water safety and individual and team water sports with provided equipment.

Oklahoma City 415 Couch Dr, OKC Museum of Art

405-236-3100, www.okcmoa.com

$90-$450

Half- and full-day camps for ages 3–13 feature instruction in theater, magic and dance.

June 4-July 27

locations vary

Day camp; scholarships available, before/after care available for some camps. Register by 4/30 for $25 discount. Registration deadlines on website. Drama & music camps for ages 7+. Dance & Down Syndrome Music Theatre Camp held 6/11–15 for ages 13+.

Oklahoma City 7777 S May Ave, OKC 405-686-6222, www.occc.edu Community College

Oklahoma City Thunder

$125-$200

405-799-3276, www.orrfamilyfarm.com

May 15–August 5

Day camp; no before/after care, no scholarships. Registration open until camp start date. Music training camps for ages 7–18. Sessions held for 2 weeks, 1 month or entire summer. Each camp features live performance.

Session 1: June 19–22 Session 2: July 17–20 10:00am–2:00pm

405-325-1635, flightcamp.ou.edu

$150–$600

June 4–July 27

$160 includes Day camp; no before/after care, no scholarships. lunch & Registration open until full. t-shirt Campers learn animal care, how to make soap and butter and how to fish. $380-$625

Day camp; no before/after care, scholarships available. Register by 3 days prior to start date. Camps held by age for kids 6–18. Feature hands-on science activities related to flight.

www.metrofamilymagazine.com | April 2012

Paid Advertisement

Venue

Address

Contact

Dates

Fees

Details

Precollegiate Programs at the University of Oklahoma

1700 Asp Ave, Norman

405-325-6897, youth.ou.edu

June 1–August 10

Free–$745

Overnight & day camp; no before/after care, scholarships available. Online registration.

Primrose School of Edmond

15000 Western Ave, Edmond

Day camps for grades 1–9; Overnight camps for grades 7–12 held throughout summer. CSI camp, meterology, architecture and music video production are examples of themes. 405-285-6787, www. primroseedmond.com

May 29–August 19

$190/week + activity fees

Day camp; before/after care available, no scholarships. Register by 5/29. Adventures in music, dance and the outdoors with a theme of time travel.

1520 SW 119th Street, 405-793-6000, www. Primrose OKC primroseswoklahomacity. School of SW com Oklahoma City

July 1–August 31

2401 Chautauqua Ave, 405-325-1008, Norman www.snomnh.ou.edu

Science Museum Oklahoma

2100 NE 52nd, OKC

Silver Phoenix Drama Camptacular

Edmond

SoccerCity OKC

4520 Old Farm Rd, OKC

SPARK After School Program

1001 NW 25th, OKC

The Studio of The Sooner Theatre

227 E Main, Norman

techJOYnT

8328 Glade Ave, OKC

Day camp; before/after care available, no scholarships. Adventures in music, dance and the outdoors with a theme of time travel.

8107 NW Expressway, 405-728-3605, June 4–28 Redlands OKC www.redlandsfencing.com Fencing Center

Sam Noble Museum

Varies

June 1–August 3

$65/week

Day camp; no before/after care, no scholarships. Week-long fencing camps for ages 6–12. Features basic instruction in sport fencing.

$7.50–$65

Day camp; no before/after care, no scholarships. Registration open until full. A variety of camp sessions for ages 4 (with adult)–14 cover a wide range of science-related topics.

405-602-3760, www. sciencemuseumok.org

405-816-6588

405-748-3888, www.soccercityokcity.com

June 18–July 27

July 9–13

June–August

$250, nonmembers, $235 members

Day & night camps; no before/after care no scholarships. Register until 1 week prior to start date.

$195, discounts available

Day camp; before/after care available, no scholarships. Register until full.

$75–$150

Day camp; no before/after care, no scholarships. Enroll by start date.

Did you ever? science camps for 1st-6th graders feature science-themed fun activities.

Children in grades 1–9 invited to rehearse and participate in performance of “The Frog Prince.” Limit of 60 campers.

Lil’ Kickers camp for ages 18 months–9 years, recreational & advanced camps for ages 4–16. 405-525-0018, www.fpcokc.org

405-321-9600, www.soonertheatre.com

June 4–July 31

June 4–August 3

$125/week, drop-in rate $25/day, $55 enrollment

Day camp; before/after care available, no scholarships. Registration open until full.

$100–$400

Day camp, no before/after care, scholarships available. Registration open until full.

SPARK 2012 Summer Olympics features swimming, field trips, classes, crafts & interactive learning.

Half- and full-day performing arts camps for students entering grades K–12. 405-345-5010, www. techjoynt.org

June 1–September 1

$80–$650

Day & night camps; no before/after care, scholarships available. Register by 4/29. Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (S.T.E.A.M.) Camps for ages 4–18 provide world-class, multi-faceted programs with high entertainment value and integrity of scientific content.

Trinity School

321 NW 36th St, OKC

405-525-5600, www.trinityschoolokc.org

June 5–July 19 Tuesday–Thursday

$450-$950

Day camp; no before/after care, no scholarships. Register by May 4 (pay by May 31). Sessions for children in grades K–12 focus on strengthening reading & math skills.

April 2012 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

Paid Advertisement

Summer Camps & Activities Guide

Venue

Address

Contact

Dates

Fees

Details

Velocity Dance Center

11122 N Rockwell, Suite A11, OKC

405-721-8807, www. velocitydancecenterokc. com

June 18–August 3

$100–$125

Day camp; no before/after care, no scholarships. Enrollment open until full.

Victory Dance

4300 N MacArthur, OKC

405-717-1250, www.victorydance.tv

June 20–August 1

Week-long dance camps for kids based on ages (3–4, 4–5, 5–8). Four sessions of Angelina Ballerina camps for ages 3-5 available. Call for details. $55-$85

Day camp; no before/after care, no scholarships. Registration opens 4/10, register by 2 days prior to camp start date. 2-week camp sessions for ages 3–18 features instruction in dance styles incuding ballet, hip-hop, tap & jazz.

Video Game Creation

Heritage Hall 1800 NW 122nd, OKC Metro Christian Academy 6363 S Trenton, Tulsa

888-652-4377, www. gamebuildercamp.com

Westminster School

600 NW 44th St, OKC

405-524-0631, www. westminsterschool.org

YMCA Camp Classen

10840 Main Camp Road, Davis

June 4–8 & July 16–20 (OKC)

Varies

Participants will design, develop and create a video game.

June 25–29 (Tulsa)

580-369-5239, www.itsmycamp.org

Day camp; no before/after care, no scholarships.

June 11–15 (9:30am– 3:30pm) & August 6–9 (1:30– 5:00pm)

$215 & $109

June 3–July 28

$595-$695

Day camp; no before/after care, no scholarships. Register until full. For children entering grades 1–6. Camp Invention (June) focuses on magnetism & building. Club Invention (August) focuses on oceans, outer space & the planet. Overnight camp; no before/after care, scholarships available. Registration open until full. Camp for kids ages 7–15 includes activities, camp fires, talent shows, canoeing and more.

Other Summer Programs Venue Address

Contact

Dates

Fees

Details

Academy of Dance Arts

718 S Mustang Rd, Yukon

405-324-7600, www. academydanceartsok.com

June 4–August 3

$50-$200

Before/after care. Register by May 7 for summer dance classes (4-8 week sessions) held afternoons & evenings.

AMF Sunny Lanes

4330 SE 15th, Del City

405-677-6616, www.amf.com

May 15–September 1

varies

Summer Unplugged program for kids provides up to 2 free bowling games every day. Summer Fun Pass available for adults to provide up to 2 free games.

May 12–September 1

Free

Special family-friendly events held throughout the season. Storytimes, game demonstrations, workshops, and more. See website for details.

The Chickasaw 867 Cooper Memorial 580-622-7130, www. Dr, Sulphur chickasawculturalcenter. Cultural Center com Problem Solving Products: The Camp Edition

Every month we bring you products that fill a need, and here we present products perfect for summer camp. Help them to be prepared with this unique collection of products. And, as always, be sure to visit the product website to find a list of local retailers.

Problem:

Ugh! Bugs!

Solution:

The BugBand Portable Diffuser repels mosquitoes, flies, gnats, no-see-ums and fleas with naturallyderived geraniol in a battery-powered unit that may be used indoors or out. ($20; www. bugband.net)

Problem:

You have a “worst-case scenario” type of kid and you want him to be prepared.

Solution:

Send him armed with Survival Straps bracelets, made from militarygrade paracord that can be unwound and used in survival situations. If you use it, tell the company and it will be replaced, free. ($25; www.survivalstraps.com)

Problem:

You want her to take her vitamins when she’s at camp.

Solution:

AlternaVites are portable, powdered vitamins that kids

www.metrofamilymagazine.com | April 2012

can keep in their pocket for easy access. Use discount code “METRO20” when ordering for a 20% discount. ($16/30; www. alternavites.com)

Problem:

This one is going to camp, but this one is staying home. And wishes that he could be there.

Solution:

CAMP: the board game designed for ages 4 and up will give an ageappropriate camp experience without leaving the comfort of your home. ($25; www.campboardgame. com)

Paid Advertisement

Venue

Address

Contact

Dates

Fees

Details

College Nannies & Tutors

1333 N Santa Fe, Suite 116, Edmond

405-513-6060, www. collegenannies.com

June–August

varies

Classes held day and night. Ongoing enrollment. Summer academies, one-on-one instruction, subjectspecific instruction & college test prep coaching.

405-340-8294, www. guitarforcoolkids.com

June 1–August 1

$254

8-week electric guitar course for ages 8+ teaches tabulature and chord charts. Guitar & amp purchase or rental is available (call by May 15).

Ongoing

Varies

Summer Start Up Program for ages 3–18 teaches strong study and time management skills plus goal setting.

Guitar for Kids 201 E Campbell, Edmond

Kumon Math & Edmond (245 S Santa Fe), 405-216-9800 N Edmond (775 W Covell), 405-715-1111 Reading Mustang (204 N Mustang Mall Terr), 405-376-6400 www.kumon.com

Norman (1320 N Interstate Dr), 405-364-1600 N OKC (9494 N May Ave), 405-752-2000 NW OKC (764 NW Expy), 405-721-7323 S OKC (10600 S Penn Ave), 405-691-8900

MATHNASIUM of North OKC

14101 North May, Suite 106, OKC

405-241-6284, www. mathnasium.com/northokc

June 1–August 15

Varies; 12 or 18 sessions

Ongoing registration until full. Hour-long math workouts, either one-on-one or small groups for grades 2–4 (Jump Start), 5–8 (Power Up!) or 9–12 (Master Series).

Oklahoma History Center

800 Nazih Zuhdi Dr, OKC

405-522-0765, www. okhistory.org

Wednesdays, June– July

$2, includes museum admission

Okietales historical storytelling program held 10:30– 11:30am for ages 4–9 with parent. Preregistration required.

Saturdays, June 2– August 4

$5 per child

Children ages 6–18 are invited to bowl with USBCcertified experts.

May 1–August 31

$6 museum admission

Summer activities include themed weekends & Arts & Reading program.

550 24th Avenue NW, 405-360-3634, Sooner Norman www.soonerbowl.com Bowling Center

The Toy & Action Figure Museum

111 S Chickasaw St, Pauls Valley

405-238-6300, www. actionfiguremuseum.com

Oklahoma City Community College Recreation and Fitness /Community Outreach and Education

Fitness and Enrichment Programs

June 4–July 27 OPEN ENROLLMENT

begins the week of April 23, 2011

Receive a 10% discount on summer programs by enrolling the week of April 23. For information and to enroll: 405-686-OCCC

April 2012 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

Focus on Education Preventing the “Summer Slide”

ummer break is right around the corner. As parents, you are likely thinking about season passes to the pool or water park, much-anticipated family vacations and a more relaxed schedule. But what you might not be thinking about is how the summer months affect your child’s learning. Often referred to as “summer slide,” there is a real danger in the loss of educational ground your children might experience during the summer months.

Think of it this way: children who are proficient in a sport spend regular time and effort practicing the necessary skills, such as batting, running, catching or swimming. Typically, kids become better at their sport the more they practice. However, if they take a three-month break from practice, proficiency suffers. It is the same way with math and reading. During the school year students’ minds are exercised daily. This ceases at the beginning of summer break unless parents make a concerted effort to offer enrichment activities. The authors of a study from Johns Hopkins Center for Summer Learning indicate, “A conservative estimate of lost instructional time is approximately two months or roughly 22 percent of the school year. It’s common for teachers to spend at least a month re-teaching material that students have forgotten over the summer. That month of re-teaching eliminates a month that could have been spent on teaching new information and skills.” This loss is greater for children from families living in poverty, considering most affluent families offer their children enrichment activities over the summer months. The loss is also cumulative; meaning that over a period

of several years, it is likely a student can be years instead of months behind his sameage peers. This trend is one of the causes of achievement gaps between students of lower and higher socioeconomic levels.

Overcoming the Summer Slide According to Stephanie Jefferson, founder of Little Scholars (www.littlescholars.com), here are ten ways to avoid the summer slide: 1.

Read every day. Read non-fiction, fiction, eBooks, poetry, newspapers and read out loud. For an independent reader, 20 minutes is usually a good amount of time to read. Local libraries have a wonderful summer reading program with incentives and rewards for books read over the summer (find a branch near you in the list on page 53).

2. Cook with your children. This is one of the best ways to integrate math, reading and following directions. Let your child design the menu, too. Help your child put together their favorite recipes in a cookbook. 3.

Plant a garden. Your child will gain responsibility and pride as they watch their plants grow and thrive.

Take a field trip. Head out to a museum, zoo or local park with walking trails. Keep a journal about your travels.

Learn a new word each week. Hang it on the fridge and see who can use it the most times throughout the week.

Enroll in a quality summer program that will provide your child with opportunities to build their critical thinking skills.

Play quick games with flashcards like Math War or Concentration to keep math skills sharp.

8. Listen to audio books during your summer road trip. 9. Take pictures and make a summer scrapbook. Encourage your children to write narratives to accompany the pictures. 10. Make time to read. It can’t be said enough; if your child does nothing else this summer make sure he is reading!

Our Local Schools and Organizations Working to Prevent Summer Slide Harris Cooper, a social psychologist from Duke University, indicates some common

www.metrofamilymagazine.com | April 2012

remedies for summer learning loss are an extended school year, a modified academic calendar and summer school. An extended school year coupled with curriculum reform could have a significant and positive effect on student learning. Oklahoma City Public Schools (OCPS) recently initiated a modified calendar which has shortened the summer break. Cooper indicates this improves disadvantaged achievement and shows improvement in student performance, especially when parents are involved. Dr. Stacy Dykstra of Smart Start Oklahoma, indicates the United Way of Central Oklahoma is currently in the planning stages for the All-America City Grade Level Reading Award, supported by the National Civic League. Educators and researchers have long recognized the importance of mastering reading by the end of third grade, yet twothirds of U.S. schoolchildren are not reaching that benchmark. And children who don’t read by the end of third grade and live in poverty are six times more likely to fail to graduate from high school. Smart Start Oklahoma takes these statistics seriously and is working to make sure Oklahoma City children don’t fall prey to this trend. In addition, Smart Start Oklahoma is collaborating with local organizations and volunteers to ensure local children master reading by the end of third grade by taking a look at several topics, including preventing summer slide. There are plans to form a Children’s Bureau of local volunteers who will be available to speak to parents about prevention resources available in the metro area. The Children’s Bureau will be available for churches, civic organizations, schools, child care centers and any other organizations interested in learning more. The school districts who have already shown interest are Oklahoma City, Putnam City, Western Heights and Crooked Oak, however, Dykstra states the goal is to make this program easy to duplicate in all school districts.

Kristen Hoyt, Assistant Professor and Director of Field Experience in the School of Teacher Education at MACU (Mid-America Christian University in OKC), is an avid advocate for quality education in Oklahoma. If you have a topic about education that you would like to see covered in this column, please email editor@metrofamilymagazine.com.

April 2012 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

www.metrofamilymagazine.com | April 2012

Character Corner Learning About Resourcefulness I like to carry a gigantic, magic purse stuffed full of snacks, games, markers and anything that I would ever need should my family and I encounter any kind of problem. However, by swooping in and rescuing my kids, I am neglecting to let them learn to make do, practice positive problem solving and figure out solutions with limited resources. I have to remind myself that my job as a mom is not to always be there to rescue them, but to teach them skills—like resourcefulness—that they need to survive and succeed on their own in the real world. I am not going to stop carrying my gigantic purse, but I will work on giving my kids opportunities to creatively solve their own problems before I swoop in to save the day.

If you have a dream—whether you have to go through those doors sideways, backwards or jump in from the roof—don’t give up. ~ Alex Shalman

Help Your Family Become More Resourceful: Family tradition. While dying eggs this Easter, use a white crayon to show your kids how to make interesting patterns on eggs by covering parts of the egg up before you dye it mutiple times. Let them get as resourceful as they want using household items such as rubber bands (my favorite), stickers or old hosiery (use this to hold objects like small leaves or paper cut-outs tight to the egg so it will leave a design). Egg carton craft. After you dye your eggs, give your kids markers, scissors, and their imagination and let them make something creative from the left-over egg cartons. My favorite ideas can be found at www.thecraftycrow.net. For other resourceful crafts, see “MacGyver— An Eco Friendly Craft Series” at www.planetforward.ca. Object lesson. Any activity that requires problem-solving or imaginative play fosters resourcefulness. Set up a fort in the house or a tent in the yard and pretend that you are stranded. Have everyone bring a couple of household items and talk about different ways you could use them to help you survive. How many uses can you find for a slotted spoon? Role Models. Preschoolers love Bob the Builder’s “can-do” attitude and problem-solving skills. Try reading the Box Car Children mysteries for your school-age child. If you are looking for real life examples, check out a book about George Washington Carver, George Mueller or Tony Robbins from the library. “I will” statements. Encourage resourcefulness in your home by committing to the following statements. Say these “I will” statements aloud with your children, and encourage them to apply them to situations in their everyday life.

I will: see value in objects, ideas and people • make wise use of my time, talents and energy • practice positive problem-solving • find solutions using the resources I have • remember to reuse and recycle.

Sarah Holmes lives in Norman and is the founder of Wildflowers Character Resources. Find more at www.thecharactermom.blogspot.com.

April 2012 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

Giving Hope and Changing Destinies THE HARVEST FOSTER KIDS CAMP The statistics tell a troubling story. For children in foster care, twenty percent will go to jail in their lifetime. For those who remain in foster care until their 18th birthday, eighty percent will end up in prison. And this is a very real problem in Oklahoma, where more than 60,000 reports of child maltreatment were reported to the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) in fiscal year 2011, affecting more than 103,000 children. Of those children confirmed to be suffering from abuse and neglect, more than 7,000 are currently in out-of-home care— many in foster care situations. “These statistics spark in us a great desire to help hurting children in our community,” Allison Morris, Camp Director for Harvest Foster Kids Camp explains. “If 80 percent do go to prison, the citizens of Oklahoma City will be footing the bill for that later on. Many have been in patterns of abuse, distrust and neglect in their natural homes. Breaking that cycle now is necessary, and we have to give them the tools needed to make good choices without violence. These kids are smart, wise and have been through a lot. They could be major influences on society if they get the self-confidence, values and mentorship they need now to help them make a different choices than their parents.”

Positive Childhood Experiences Helping to meet this need is the Harvest Foster Kids Camp, a fourday camp for abused, abandoned and neglected children in Oklahoma County who are currently in foster care. Operating with the full support of OKDHS, the camp provides foster children with long-term connections to positive role models and creates positive childhood memories for children whose other memories are often of distrust, anger and abuse.

Summer 2012 will be the seventh year for the camp, held at Church of the Harvest in Oklahoma City. This year’s theme is “royalty” and includes activities that many campers have never experienced before such as horseback riding, swimming, hiking and inflatables. In addition, a themed birthday party will celebrate all the camper’s birthdays, complete with cake and gifts. Young boys at the camp will take part in a “knighting” Ceremony of Honor and girls will enjoy a Princess Gala dinner, with both activities designed to increase confidence and self-esteem. Before the camp concludes, a

The impact of Harvest Foster Camp can be heard in the words of its campers: “Thank you for giving me time at camp with my brother and sister. Thank you people for being so nice to me so I could come to camp.” “Thank you for giving me the best week of my life.”

and the words of the foster parents: “My foster daughter is a different child after attending camp. Before she was withdrawn, afraid and had low self-esteem. Now she holds her head high and has self-worth.” “In a world where they’ve been moved around and had to grow up too soon, camp gives them the chance to be kids, have fun and have something just for themselves.”

www.metrofamilymagazine.com | April 2012

tree planting ceremony will help the children symbolically bury bad memories from the past and look forward to future growth and development. “Harvest Foster Kids Camp is a positive, life-giving memory for hundreds of foster children whose childhoods are mostly filled with terrible experiences,” Morris says. “They may not remember our names, but they will remember how valuable, loved and special they truly are and felt at camp. Our belief is that they will grow up and break the cycle because of our influence. Many of our camp counselors and volunteers continue with the kids all year long as an OKDHS mentor, so we’re able to provide a continuation of that positive influence.” In addition to providing campers with positive experiences and chances to grow, the camp helps to reunite siblings who may be in separate foster homes. “One of the most rewarding experiences is watching siblings who are separated in different foster homes be reunited for a week,” Morris says. “Each year we have several sets of siblings who don’t get to see each other all year and this is their chance to have a childhood together. It’s heartbreaking and rewarding all at the same time.”

Changing Hundreds of Lives Since 2006, the Harvest Foster Kids Camp has served more than 400 foster children. The camp is free for foster families, with the $350 per child cost offset by contributions from individuals, businesses and local churches. In summer 2012, the Harvest Foster Kids Camp hopes to bring 80 kids to camp and needs support from the community to achieve this goal. “We want the community to realize that doing anything—small or large—toward making camp possible is literally changing hundreds of lives,” Morris explains. “Every dollar raised goes directly towards bringing kids to camp. These children live in our neighborhoods and go to school with our children. We must do what we can to impact the future of our city and state.” To learn more about the Harvest Foster Kids Camp, to get involved or to sponsor a camper, call 405-747-0326 or visit www. harvestfostercampoutreach.com.

Brooke Barnett is the Assistant Editor of MetroFamily Magazine.

April 2012 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

photography for the artistically minded family

randycolemanphotography.com 405â&#x20AC;˘509â&#x20AC;˘9395 //studio 223 south walker randy@randycolemanphotography.com

www.metrofamilymagazine.com | April 2012

Finding a copy of your favorite local family resource has never been easier! MetroFamily is now at all OKC area Jimmyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Egg locations Homeland stores Crest stores YMCA branches Area libraries (MetroLibrary System and Pioneer Library System) And over 400 additional area businesses & schools.

You may also enjoy the convenience of a subscription for only $21.95 per year. Call 405-601-2081 or go to metrofamilymagazine.com/ subscribe

April 2012 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

Your Healthy Family Home Childbirth Options

hildbirth in the United States has gone through many different trends over the years. Before the early twentieth century, the vast majority of births were attended by midwives and took place in the home. During the early 1900s, after a shift in thinking within the medical community resulted in a campaign for physician-attended births, more and more babies were delivered in hospitals. As decades passed, many longheld childbirth trends and practices began to fall by the wayside. While most women in Oklahoma still choose to give birth in medical or hospital settings, more women are choosing alternative ways of bringing new life into the world, delivering their babies at home or in birthing centers, where the focus is on the natural process of childbirth within the family. In many other developed countries, midwifeattended births are common in low-risk pregnancies, while the United States continues to hold fast to the medical model of childbirth. Sterile delivery rooms have given way to birthing suites in most hospitals, to make the experience more comfortable for new parents, and fathers and other family members are typically allowed to attend the birth of a new baby. But many statistics continue to raise eyebrows. For example, approximately 32 percent of all births in the country are carried out by Caesarean Section (c-section), or surgical delivery, while as recently as the mid-1970s, that number was only 4.5 percent. The World Health Organization acknowledges the dangers of judicious use of the technique, which involves a much longer recovery period for the mother and poses greater risks for complications. They recommend that the medical community worldwide should make an effort to reduce the number of c-section deliveries to 10–15 percent.

Why the Shift? While c-section deliveries become more common, it is estimated that fewer than 10 percent of women delivering in hospitals experience natural childbirth, although nearly every doctor offers the option to low-risk patients. Why are the numbers for natural delivery so low and surgical delivery so high in a process that has been occurring since the beginning of time? That question is one of the reasons expectant Edmond mother Deanna Norris is planning a home birth for her second child, due at the end of April. “There were many factors. With this being a surprise pregnancy and thinking I couldn’t have any more kids, I didn’t have

maternity insurance,” she says. “I had to find the most cost-effective way to have a baby, and even without insurance, my out-of-pocket expense will be about $1,300 less than what it was to have my son in a hospital eight years ago when I had that type of insurance.” While cost was a factor, Norris was primarily driven by her desire to experience natural childbirth. “It wasn’t until I got pregnant with this child that I realized how angry and hurt I was that my first birth didn’t go the way I wanted. In fact, it was taken away from me and completely reversed. I wanted a natural birth with my son (Will), no medical interventions. And until the very end, my doctor agreed to this. Then he started telling me that I was going to go over my due date, making things more difficult for me, that Will would be too big to push out, and that I could have any number of complications.” Norris felt pressured by both her physician and her former husband to agree to an induction. “Unfortunately, once induced, it’s nearly impossible to have a natural birth. Pitocin (a synthetic hormone used to induce labor) causes very strong contractions, often putting the baby in distress due to lack of oxygen. Which leads to an epidural to ‘allow the mom to rest,’ however, she can’t feel anything and has no real concept of when to push. This usually stalls labor, which leads to c-sections. I don’t want that with this baby. When a friend recommended I see a midwife instead, I decided to look into it. A home birth just felt right to me,” says Norris.

Midwives and Home Birthing Margarett Scott is a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM), and will be attending Deanna’s birth. She has been practicing midwifery since 1988, and has attended approximately 1,000 births. While she offers her clients the option of a birthing center, she estimates that approximately 95 percent choose a home birth. Scott explains that she felt called to become a midwife based largely on her own birth experiences, which resulted in two c-section deliveries. “Several of the women at the church I was attending at the time were using a midwife and doing homebirths.” Scott began training under this midwife, and “never looked back,” as she says. In 2011, Scott had 55 mothers in her care, and already has 50 contracted with her for 2012 deliveries. Most of those mothers ended up with the safe home birth they had planned for. “We never promise a home birth.” Rather, Scott offers a safe experience that focuses on the mother’s choices and the family. Of

www.metrofamilymagazine.com | April 2012

those that contract with her, she estimates approximately 11 percent of her clients opt to transfer to the hospital prior to delivery. “The majority of them are first-time moms who simply aren’t as well prepared as they think. Long labors can lead to exhaustion, and sometimes women opt to transfer to the hospital.” Scott always respects that decision, pointing out that the experience is all about the mother’s choices being supported. Other times, she will recommend a transfer if there are prolonged irregular heart tones during labor. “We don’t wait for an emergency. I’m not going to put a mom and baby in that situation.” Scott also points out that of all of her patients, less than two percent end up having c-sections. “Oklahoma’s c-section rate is currently at 35 percent,” she notes, a number which is even higher than the national average. She also points out that infant morbidity is actually increasing. “I am not against technology. It saves lives, and I’m grateful it’s there,” she says. “What I AM against is applying to 100 percent of women what maybe five percent of them need.” Deanna’s birth plan is fairly simple. “Basically, I want to go into labor at home, and move when I need to, and allow my body to guide me in what it needs it in order for this baby to come out as gently as possible. I’ll eat and drink as needed. I’ll labor in or out of the water, depending on what feels better. I will nurse immediately and leave the cord attached until the placenta is birthed and it stops pulsing. I will have soft music and dim lights. No loud voices. My son will be able to come and go as he pleases. My husband will be there along with a close personal friend acting as a doula. In the event of an emergency, I will be consulted first and my husband and I will make all decisions regarding transfer to a medical facility.” Norris has total faith that she will be in excellent hands with Scott. “I instantly fell in love with Margarett. She has the sort of presence that makes your feel like you're home and are going to be taken care of.” Approximately six to eight weeks from delivery, Norris seems relaxed and confident in her ability. Scott has every confidence in her as well. “Women were MADE to have babies. Most of the complications that commonly occur in hospital settings are the result of medical interventions that the mother probably didn’t need in the first place.” Scott feels that too many women have lost their confidence in the ability to do what they were created to do. In fact, she feels that there is a whole

generation of women who donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even understand what â&#x20AC;&#x153;normalâ&#x20AC;? is when it comes to childbirth. While home births remain common in most other developed countries, most people in the United States continue to take a medical approach to labor and delivery. However, other options are available for anyone interested in a home birth or a natural delivery. If you are considering a home birth with a CPM or a hospital delivery with a Certified Nurse Midwife or a physician or you feel passionate about a natural delivery, do your research. Most experts recommend that you write a birth plan and discuss it with your healthcare provider.

Shannon Fields is a freelance writer from Edmond and a Certified Pharmacy Technician at Innovative Pharmacy Solutions.

April 2012 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

www.metrofamilymagazine.com | April 2012

April

20 -22 th

The Wizard of Oz To cap its 40th anniversary season, the Oklahoma City Ballet will present a special encore production of The Wizard of Oz at the Civic Center Music Hall.

The production will feature live orchestral music by The Oklahoma City Philharmonic and will include family-friendly activities one hour prior to each performance. Thirty minutes prior to show time, families can listen to Glinda the Good Witch tell the story of Wizard of Oz. Following the Sunday matinee performance, families can enjoy milk and cookies and meet their favorite dancers. Performances are scheduled for 8:00pm on Friday, April 20 and Saturday, April 21, and 2:00pm on Sunday, April 22. Tickets begin at $10 and can be purchased by calling 405848-TOES. For more information, visit www. okcballet.com. Photo courtesy of the Oklahoma City Ballet.

24 29

Malee’s 1st Birthday Bash

Festival of the Arts

Norman Music Festival

The Oklahoma City Zoo is throwing the biggest birthday party in the Zoo’s history! The Zoo’s popular baby elephant, Malee, will celebrate her first birthday with cake, party favors (while supplies last), fun for the elephants and activities. Malee's birthday bash will be held on Sunday, April 15 from 1:00-3:00pm. For more information, visit www.okczoo.com.

The 2012 Festival of the Arts is a celebration of the visual, culinary and performing arts, with special activities for children. The Festival will take place April 24-29 in Downtown Oklahoma City at Festival Plaza and the Myriad Botanical Gardens. Families can enjoy hands-on aft activities in the Children’s Art Field for $2, as well as face painting, pottery and more. The festival runs 11:00am-9:00pm Tuesday through Saturday and 11:00am-6:00pm on Sunday. Admission is free. For more information, call (405) 270-4848 or visit http://www.artscouncilokc.com/festivalof-the-arts.

This year, the Norman Music Festival’s Wild Prairie Family Park will transform the parking area at Crawford and Gray Streets in Norman into a concert venue, activity center, and picnic corner for families.

Photo courtesy of the Arts Council of Oklahoma City.

Photo courtesy of the Norman Music Festival.

Photo credit: Thane Johnson.

On Saturday, April 28 from11:00am-6:00pm, children of all ages can enjoy performances from the Grammy Award winning Sugar Free Allstars and other local musicians, face painting, rock star hair spray, the OKC Philharmonic instrument playground, and activities from Science Museum Oklahoma, the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art and more. For more information and a schedule of performances, visit www. normanmusicfestival.com.

April 2012 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

Quick Reference American Banjo Museum 9 E Sheridan Ave, OKC 604-2793, www.banjomuseum.org City Arts Center Fair Park, 3000 Pershing Blvd, OKC 951-0000, www.cityartscenter.org Fine Arts Institute of Edmond 27 E Edwards, Edmond 340-4481, www.edmondfinearts.com Fred Jones Jr Museum of Art 555 Elm Ave, Norman 325-3272, www.ou.edu/fjjma Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum 13th & Shartel, OKC 235-4458, www.oklahomaheritage.com

Weekly Events Discovery Room programs at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History are hands-on fun for toddlers through elementary age children. See website for complete list & details. All programs FREE with paid admission. FREE Art Moves provides lunchtime arts events in the downtown OKC area, including performances, demonstrations, short films & artist/curator discussions. Monday-Friday, noon1pm. 270-4892, www.artscouncilokc.com/art-moves for details. FREE Admission at Norman’s Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art on Tuesdays. 10am-5pm. Activities include Art Adventures for children ages 3-5 with adult (10:30am).

Museum of Osteology 10301 S. Sunnylane Rd, OKC 814-0006, www.museumofosteology.org

Family Fun Night at JumpZone (SW 104th & Western) includes 2 adults, 2 children, 1 large pizza, 2 liter pop for $25. Tuesdays & Thursdays, 4:30-8pm. 200-1691, www. jumpzoneparty.com.

Myriad Botanical Gardens 301 W Reno, OKC 297-3995, www.myriadgardens.com

FREE Norman Sooner Mall Outreach Story Time is an interactive story time held outside Sears at Sooner Mall for ages 9 & under. Tuesdays, 10am.

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum 1700 NE 63rd St, OKC 478-2250, www.nationalcowboymuseum.org

Toddler Time at Mustang Town Center (1201 N Mustang) with toys & activities. $2 or FREE with membership. Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9am-noon. 376-3411, www.cityofmustang.org.

Oklahoma Aquarium 300 Aquarium Dr, Jenks 918-296-FISH, www.okaquarium.org

Story Time at Be Wild For Art (1006 24th Ave NW, Norman) invites children to hear a story & paint pottery based on the story’s theme. Tuesday & Wednesday, 10:30am. 307-9971, www.bewildforart.com.

OKC Museum of Art 415 Couch Dr, OKC 236-3100, www.okcmoa.com OKC National Memorial 620 N Harvey, OKC 235-3313, www.oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org OKC Zoo 2101 NE 50th St, OKC 424-3344, www.okczoo.com Oklahoma Children’s Theatre 2501 N Blackwelder, OKC 606-7003, www.oklahomachildrenstheatre.org Oklahoma History Center 800 Nazih Zuhdi Dr., OKC 522-0765, www.oklahomahistorycenter.org Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History 2401 Chautauqua Ave, Norman 325-4712, www.snomnh.ou.edu Science Museum Oklahoma 2100 NE 52nd St, OKC 602-6664, www.sciencemuseumok.org

FREE Tuesday Noon Concert Series at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art are 30-minute concerts are performed by OU music students & faculty through 4/17. Admission to the museum is FREE on Tuesdays. FREE Playgroup with a Purpose at Wildwood Community Church (1501 24th Ave NE, Norman) provides fun & character building for moms & children age 6 & under. Snacks provided. First Wednesday of the month. 10-11:30am. 301-7321, www. growingcharacter.com. FREE Tours of the Governor’s Mansion available the 1st & 3rd Wednesday of each month. Closed during the summer & the month of December. 10am-3pm. 568-1292, www.ok.gov. FREE Children’s Storytime at Quail Springs Barnes & Noble (13800 N May) every Wednesday & Saturday, 11am. 755-1155, www.barnesandnoble.com. FREE Wednesday Night at the Movies at the Downtown Library. Held every Wednesday, 6-8pm. 231-8650. Family Fun Day at Celebration Station (509 Westline) features unlimited rides & a pizza buffet for $15.99 per person. Thursdays, 4-9pm. 942-7888, www.celebrationstation.com. FREE Thursday Noon Tunes at the Downtown Library, 11:30-1pm.

Do you have an event for our calendar? Email Calendar@MetroFamilyMagazine.com All phone numbers are area code 405 unless otherwise noted. Information should be verified before attending events as details can change after press date.

The UCO Jazz Lab features performances each Friday & Saturday at 8pm. $7 adults, $5 age 12 & under. 359-7989, www.ucojazzlab.com. FREE Children’s Storytime at Full Circle Bookstore (1900 NW Expressway) each Saturday, 10:15am. 842-2900, www. fullcirclebooks.com.

www.metrofamilymagazine.com | April 2012

FREE Children’s Story Time at Edmond’s Best of Books, Saturdays, 11am. 340-9202, www.bestofbooksedmond.com. FREE Skating Lessons at Skate Galaxy (5800 NW 36) features rollerskating lessons for beginner, intermediate & advanced as well as featured styles. Saturdays, noon-12:45pm. 605-2758, www.skategalaxyokc.com. All-Star Bowling at AMF Lanes (500 E Main, Yukon) invites differently-abled individuals & friends. $8 per week for 3 games & shoes. Saturdays, 1pm. Email dbrakefield@yahoo.com to verify schedule. 354-2516. Drop in Art at the OKC Museum of Art. Create art inspired by the Museum’s collection, exhibitions, & special occasions. FREE with paid admission. Saturdays, 1-4pm. FREE Green Earth Gang for ages 9-13 works on conservation projects in Martin Park. Saturdays 2-5pm. 755-0676, www.okc. gov/parks/martin_park. FREE Open House at techJOYnT (8328 Glade) presents information about this hands-on after-school program based on science, technology, engineering, arts & mathematics. Sundays, 2-4pm. 345-5010, www. techjoynt.org.

Ongoing Events Through April 8 Chihuly Northwest at the OKC Museum of Art features recent works by the artist that explore the color white. Pueblo to Pueblo: the Legacy of Southwest Indian Pottery at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum features 74 pottery vessels illustrating the remarkable variety of pottery created from the mid-19th to mid-20th centuries.

Through April 15 FREE Portrait of A Generation—The Children of Oklahoma: Sons & Daughters of the Red Earth exhibit at the State Capitol features photographs by M.J. Alexander from her critically acclaimed book. 521-2020, www.arts.ok.gov.

Apr 20–Sep 16 Oklahoma Clay: Frankoma Pottery at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art surveys some of the most iconic pieces Frankoma produced & the frontier spirit of Oklahoma that inspired John Frank’s work.

Apr 26 • Jul 31 Enoch Kelly Haney Art Exhibit: Touching the Past at the Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum showcases paintings & sculptures by Oklahoma Senator & Seminole Chief, Enoch Kelly Haney.

Through April 29 Highlights from the Permanent Collection of Photography, Part 1 at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art surveys the history of photography with 100 photographs from the museum’s collection.

APRIL S M T W T F S

Through May 4

Through December 9

FREE Miradas: Ancient Roots in Modern and Contemporary Mexican Art from the Bank of America Collection at the City Arts Center features works by some of the best known Mexican artists. MondayThursday, 9am-10pm; Friday-Saturday, 9am-5pm. 951-0000, www.cityartscenter.org.

Oklahoma & Infamy at the Oklahoma History Center marks the 70th anniversary of the United States’ entrance into WWII through the Oklahomans who experienced the devastation. Includes artifacts, Japanese flight suits & naval uniforms, interviews with veterans & personal letters. FREE admission to veterans & active duty military.

Through May 9 11th Annual Respect Diversity Exhibit at Science Museum Oklahoma is filled with art & poetry collaborations by students of all ages who have explored other cultures, human rights and/or other diversity issues. FREE with paid museum admission.

Through May 13 Warrior Spirits: Oceanic Arts Exhibition at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History features objects from the permanent collections of the Sam Noble Museum & the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art created & used by the indigenous peoples of presentday Papua New Guinea & West Papua, Indonesia. The Sun & His Wife Exhibit at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum depicts the ceremonial & domestic life of the Southwest Indians. Princely Treasures: European Masterpieces 1600-1800 from the Victoria & Albert Museum at the OKC Museum of Art showcases eighty objects from the collections of European decorative art of the 17th & 18th centuries from miniature to the monumental. NEW FRONTIERS: Julie Heffernan at the OKC Museum of Art presents twenty large-scale contemporary works by the artist.

Through May 31 Pickin’ & Grinnin’: Roy Clark, Hee Haw & Country Humor exhibit at the Oklahoma History Center celebrates Oklahoma’s ties to the beloved television show. Bound to Please: A History of Corsets at the Carnegie Library (406 E Oklahoma, Guthrie) showcases undergarments as a symbol of growth in women’s history from the Middle Ages through the present. 2821889, www.okterritorialmuseum.org.

Through June 6 Rock, Paper, Scissors at Science Museum Oklahoma is an interactive installation celebrating the multimedia works of Denise Duong & ceramics of Matt Seikel.

Through June 30 The Return of Elegance at the Oklahoma History Center features 29 evening gowns worn by Oklahoma women at inaugural balls & other special occasions, as well as footwear & handbags from 1912-1985.

1 2 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Metropolitan Library System

Go to www.metrofamilymagazine. com/easter-fun-guide for all the Easter egg hunts & other family fun activities!

www.metrolibrary.org

Belle Isle.................5501 N Villa...........843-9601 Bethany................3510 N Mueller.........789-8363 Capitol Hill............ 334 SW 26th...........634-6308 Choctaw.................2525 Muzzy...........390-8418 Del City..................4509 SE 15th...........672-1377 Downtown.............300 Park Ave.......... 231-8650 Edmond............... 10 S Boulevard......... 341-9282 Midwest City......... 8143 E Reno........... 732-4828 Ralph Ellison....... 2000 NE 23rd...........424-1437 Southern Oaks....6900 S Walker.........631-4468 The Village........... 10307 N Penn.......... 755-0710 Warr Acres...........5901 NW 63rd...........721-2616 Harrah...............1930 N Church Ave.....454-2001 Jones.......................111 E Main............399-5471 Luther......................310 NE 3rd............ 277-9967 Nicoma Park...... 2240 Overholser........769-9452 Wright Library.... 2101 Exchange.........235-5035

Daily Events April 1 • Sunday OKC Thunder vs. Chicago Bulls at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. $10 & up. 12pm. Tickets, 800-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com. www.nba.com/thunder. Other home games this month: 4/2, 8, 11, 13, 24, 25.

April 3 • Tuesday OKC Barons vs. Hamilton Bulldogs at the Cox Convention Center. 7pm. Tickets $14 & up, www. okcbarons.com. Other home games this month: 4/6, 7, 13.

Pioneer Library System

April 4 • Wednesday

www.pls.lib.ok.us

Esther Women Luncheon featuring speaker Rev. Linda Brink worth at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church (222 NW 15) creates meaningful dialogue & strengthens fellowship for Christian women as they navigate family, work & spiritual fulfillment. Preregister. $150 per year, $20 per program. 11:30am-1pm. 232-1371, www. estherwomenokc.org. FREE Martin Luther King Commemoration Ceremony organized by the OKC MLK Coalition at the Oklahoma State Capitol “Tree of Life” features speaker Wilfredo Santos Rivera. 6pm. 413-4372.

Blanchard............... 300 N Main............ 485-2275 McLoud....................133 N Main............964-2960 Moore.................... 225 S Howard.......... 793-5100 Newcastle............. 705 NW Tenth.......... 387-5076 Noble........................204 N 5th..............872-5713 Norman.................225 N Webster......... 701-2600 Purcell.................... 919 N Ninth............ 527-5546 Shawnee............101 N Philadelphia......275-6353 SW OKC............... 2201 SW 134th.........979-2200 Tecumseh............114 N Broadway........598-5955

Looking for a fun family activity? Subscribe to MetroFamily’s

Weekend Picks to keep in the know.

www.MetroFamilyMagazine.com/subscribe-to-weekend-picks

April 2012 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

April 4–May 23 Yoga for Kids & Mandala Art at INTEGRIS Fun & Fit (5500 N Independence) invites children ages 7-12 to learn to manage stress & experience creative growth through yoga. Preregister. $30 for eight sessions. Wednesdays, 4-6pm. 951-2277, www.integrisok.com.

April 5 • Thursday FREE Early Access Project Autism Screenings at Easter Seals Oklahoma (701 NE 13). By appointment only. 271-7476, http://earlyaccessok.org. Also held: 4/12, 19, 26, 28, 29. Mechanics & Intervention: A Showcase of Rube Goldberg Projects at UCO Donna Nigh Gallery features works by freshmen students in Design Foundations as they bring Goldberg’s cartoons to life. 4-6pm. 974-3375, www.uco.edu/cfad/events. FREE Joyful Music Guitar Concert by Michael Fresonke at the Choctaw Library featuring works for solo guitar. 6-7pm. OKC Redhawks vs. Memphis Redbirds baseball at the Bricktown Ballpark. 7:05pm. $5 & up. 218-1000, www.okcredhawks.com. Other home games this month: 4/6-12, 21-24, 26-29.

April 5–7 Myriad Gardens Annual Plant Sale includes a wide selection including perennials, annuals, herbs, vegetables, flowering hanging baskets & Easter lilies. Benefits the horticulture department of the Myriad Botanical Gardens. 9am-5pm. 297-3995, www. myriadgardens.com.

April 5–8 Sugar & Spice Children’s Consignment Sale at the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center (1700 W Independence, Shawnee). Half-price sale on Saturday, $1 Charity Sale on Sunday. Thursday-Friday, 9am-8pm; Saturday, 8am-2pm; Sunday, 6-7pm. 275-2020, www. sugarandspicesale.com.

April 6 • Friday The Science of Bubbles at Science Museum Oklahoma invites guests to have fun with bubbles. FREE with paid museum admission. 9am-4pm. First Friday Gallery Walk at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum invites guests to learn more about the Museum’s galleries. FREE with museum admission. 11-11:45am. The Four Freshmen at the Sooner Theatre (100 E Main, Norman) features four-part vocal harmony. $40 & up. 8pm. 321-9600, www.soonertheatre.org. FREE Poetry Slam at the Norman Public Library. Preregister. 6pm.

April 6–7 FREE First Friday Gallery Walk in the Paseo Arts

www.metrofamilymagazine.com | April 2012

District features more than 60 artists in 17 galleries. Friday, 6-10pm; Saturday, noon-5pm. 525-2688, www.thepaseo.com.

April 7 • Saturday Aquarium Run at the Oklahoma Aquarium (300 Aquarium, Jenks) features a a variety of running events, food, activities and FREE race day Aquarium admission for all participants. $35 half-marathon & 5K, $30 10K, $20 1-mile, $10 1-mile for 12 & under. FREE Saturdays for Kids at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum invites children to enjoy a hands-on activity and FREE museum admission for kids & one accompanying adult. 10am-noon. FREE Crafts for Kids “Fun Bunny Basket” at Lakeshore Learning (6300 N May) invites kids ages 3 & up to create a handy bunny basket. 11am-3pm. 8588778, www.lakeshorelearning.com. Metropolitan Library Tour of Much Ado About Nothing presented by Reduxion Theatre at the Warr Acres Library includes a workshop at 11am followed by the production of Shakespeare’s classic tale at 1pm. Live Banjo Performance at the American Banjo Museum (9 E Sheridan). FREE with paid admission. 3-5pm. 604-2793, www.americanbanjomuseum.com. Also held: 4/21, 28.

April 7–30 FREE Scavenger Hunt in Edmond Parks invites families to spend this time searching for items & performing activities using clues set by the staff. All ages welcome. Register with the parks department by April 6. 359-4630, www.edmondok.com/parks/rec.

April 10 • Tuesday Homeschool Day at the Harn Homestead Museum (1721 N Lincoln) provides educational, hands-on activities for ages 5-12 in the one-room schoolhouse, the dairy barn & the farmhouse. Preregister. $8 for ages 5 & up. 235-4058, www.harnhomestead.com. Read Across Oklahoma 2012 at the OKC Zoo features The Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond as she shares her book Charlie the Ranch Dog with interactive activities & more. The first 1,000 kids will receive a FREE book. FREE with paid admission. 9am-1pm. Storytime Science at Science Museum Oklahoma features storytelling at its finest with SMO’s performerpuppeteer extraordinaire. FREE with paid museum admission.10am & 2pm. Bela Fleck & the Flecktones at Rose State Performing Arts Theatre (6420 SE 15, Midwest City). $45. 8pm. 297-2264, www.rose.edu/rose-state-live.

April 11–15 They Promised Her the Moon presented by the OU School of Drama at the Max Weitzenhoffer Theatre (840 Asp, Norman) is based on the true story of the first woman to be tested for space flight. $22 adults, $14

students. Wednesday-Saturday, 8pm; Sunday, 4pm. 325-4101, http://173.83.181.3.

April 12 • Thursday Downtown Nature Hike led by experts from the Myriad Gardens & Martin Park Nature Center leads participants inside, outside & around the buildings of downtown OKC. Begins at City of OKC City Hall (200 N Walker). Preregister. Noon. 297-2578, www.myriadgardens.com.

April 12–15 Sunset Boulevard at UCO Mitchell Hall Theater (100 N University, Edmond) contrasts the magic of movies & the realities of Hollywood in this musical based on the 1950 film. $15-$20. Thursday-Saturday, 7:30pm; Sunday, 2pm. 974-3375, www.uco.edu/cfad/events.

April 13 • Friday FREE Lego Club at the Village Library invites children & their parents to have fun building with Legos. 1-3pm. FREE Art a la Carte at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art provides live music, short films & an art activity. 6-9pm. FREE Norman’s 2nd Friday Circuit of Art monthly celebration of the arts connecting the downtown arts district with galleries, performance halls & Campus Corner. Trolley service between venues for a fee. 6-10pm. 360-1162, www.2ndfridaynorman.com. FREE LIVE on the Plaza in the Plaza District (NW 16th between Classen & Penn) on the second Friday of each month includes art walk, local artists, live music & shopping. 7-11pm. www.plazadistrict.org.

April 13–14 Fun With Fossils: A Family Fossil Field Trip at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History invites children ages 8 & up to learn about when Oklahoma was under the ocean & visit one of the premier invertebrate dig sites in search of marine fossils. Preregister. $90 1 adult & 1 child, $45 each additional for members; $110 1 adult & 1 child, $55 each additional for non-members. Friday, 7-8:30pm; Saturday, 8am-4pm. Auditions for Upstage Theatre Summer Productions (844 W Danforth, Edmond) for ages 4 & up. Call to schedule. 285-5803, www.upstagetheatreok.com.

April 13–15 Southwest Street Rod Nationals at State Fair Park. $14 adults, $5 ages 6-12; FREE ages 5 & under. FridaySaturday, 8:30am-5pm; Sunday, 8:30am-2pm. www. nsra-usa.com.

April 13–29 One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest presented by the OKC Theatre Company at the City Space Theatre tells the story of a charming rogue who contrives to serve

a short sentence in a mental institution rather than prison & the effect he has on his fellow patients. $20, $17 students. Thursday-Saturday, 8pm; Sunday, 2pm. 297-2264, www.okctheatrecompany.org.

April 14 • Saturday Secondary School Shakespeare Festival presented by Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park in the Burg Theatre at OCU (2501 N Blackwelder) invites students grades 7-12 to a non-competitive forum engaging in live Shakespeare. Registration form online. 8am-4:30pm. 235-3700, www.oklahomashakespeare.com. College Tutors FREE ACT Practice Test at Edmond Learning Center (1333 N Santa Fe, Edmond). Preregister. 8:30am. 513-6060, www.collegetutors.com/ edmondok. FREE Build & Grow Kid's Clinic: Game Show Chip Drop at Lowe's stores offers kids an opportunity to complete a wooden project. Participants receive apron, goggles, a project-themed patch & a certificate of merit. 10am. www.lowesbuildandgrow.com. Bedlam Mud Run at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie raises funds to fight childhood obesity through the biggest mud & obstacle course 5K run in central Oklahoma. 9am. www.bedlammudrun.com. FREE Baby & Toddler Expo 2012 presented by the Children’s Hospital at the Cox Convention Center features resources, seminars, prize drawings, diaper derby & vendors with products for babies & expectant moms. 9:30am-5pm. www.oumedicine.com/babyexpo. Camp Gruber at War at Fort Gibson Historic Site (907 N Garrison, Fort Gibson) invites guests to learn about the camp’s use during WWII & the camp’s use as a Prisoner of War internment camp. $3 adults, $1 students. 10am-5pm. 918-478-2669. FREE Screening of Disney’s Robin Hood at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art shows the classic version of the timeless medieval tale. 10:30am. Opening Day at Frontier City (15501 NE Expressway). 10:30am-8pm. 478-2140, www.frontiercity.com. FREE Princess Story Time at Uptown Kids (5840 N Classen) features a story read by a princess. 10:30am. 418-8881, www.uptownkidsstyle.com. Women of the South Magnolia Brunch & Fashion Show at the Beacon Club (210 Park) honors Kevin Durant’s mother Wanda Pratt & features a fashion show and purse & jewelry auction. $50 per person. 651-4606. FREE Crafts for Kids “Cowboy Boot Bag” at Lakeshore Learning (6300 N May) invites kids ages 3 & up to design & decorate a wild-west tote. 11am-3pm. 858-8778, www.lakeshorelearning.com. FREE Drawing from the Exhibition at the City Arts Center (3000 General Pershing) invites families of children ages 5 & up to join local artist, Narciso Argeulles through an informal drawing exercises using the current exhibition, Miradas, as inspiration. Bring a sketchbook & pencil. Space is limited. 1-2:30pm. 9510000, www.cityartscenter.org. April 2012 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

2012 Red/White Spring Football Game at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, 2pm. Prepurchase tickets. $5 through April 10, $10 after April 10. BBQ available for $10 each 325-2424, www. soonersports.com.

April 16 • Monday

Fairy Tale Ball at the OKC Petroleum Club (100 N Broadway #3400) benefits the Oklahoma Children’s Theatre. The evening is divided into family time, a Children’s Ball & an Adult Ball. $125 adult dinner, $50 children’s ball. 5:30-10pm.

3:30-7:30pm. 848-2273, http://ok.gov/odmhsas/Mental_ Health_/Upcoming_Events/index.html .

Couponing Bootcamp at Metro Technology Center (1900 Spring Lake) teaches families how to cut their grocery bills by 80% with strategic shopping. 5:30pm. $5. www.moneysavingqueen.com/events. Greater Oklahoma Bluegrass Music Society Concert/Jam at the Oklahoma Country-Western Museum & Hall of Fame (3925 SE 29) features three professional bluegrass bands on stage. $6, FREE ages 12 & under. 6:30pm. 677-7515, www.gobms.org. FREE Smart Start Oklahoma Early Birds Classes school readiness program for parents with children birth–5 years or those expecting a baby. Includes FREE educational resources & tips to help stimulate child’s development. Preregister. 491-7626. www.earlybirdsok. org. For Putnam City schools, 10am & 1pm; Western Heights schools 4/24 & 4/26, 6pm. Mid-Del schools 4/26 6pm & 4/28, 10am.

FREE Children’s Tai Chi at the Moore Public Library invites children ages 8-12 to learn & practice several tai chi moves that relate to animals. 4:30-5:30pm. FREE The Big Read: The Joy Luck Club Panel Discussion at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History discusses themes of the book in the museum’s Kerr Auditorium as part of the Pioneer Library System’s Big Read “one community reads one book” project. 7-9pm. Student Jazz Ensemble Concert at UCO Jazz Lab (100 E 5, Edmond) invites listeners to enjoy food & beverages from Hideaway Pizza before & during the show. $7. 7pm. 359-7989, www.ucojazzlab.com.

April 17 • Tuesday Homeschool Day at the Oklahoma Aquarium accommodates homeschool families & groups. Two programs available for different ages. Preregister. $7 students, $10 adults.

Spring Sampler Evening of Art Auction at Oak Tree Country Club (700 Country Club, Edmond) benefits the Edmond Fine Arts Institute with live & silent auctions. $150 per couple. 7-10:30pm. 340-4481, www. edmondfinearts.com.

Tiny Tuesdays: Princely Treasures at the OKC Museum of Art invite offers come & go, open-ended art making activity geared towards children ages 2-5 with a parent or caregiver. FREE with paid museum admission. 10am-noon.

April 14–15

FREE Disney Re-Mix at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art explores the trend of Disney RE-mixes currently posted on YouTube. 3:30pm.

Redbud Classic at Nichols Hills Plaza (6301 Waterford) benefits Citizens Caring for Children with a bike tour, 5K, 10K, 2-mile walk & stroller derby & a 1-mile kids fun run. Preregister. Bike tour & 1-mile kids fun run on Saturday, 10K/5K & 2-mile walk on Sunday. $40 multiple days, $25 single events, FREE 1-mile kids fun run. 842-8295, www.redbud.org.

15 • Sunday Leonardo Da Vinci’s Birthday at Science Museum Oklahoma invites guests to celebrate this famous birthday. 11am-5pm. FREE with paid museum admission. Pitch, Hit & Run at Yukon Community Center (2200 S Holly) invites children ages 7-14 to compete in a baseball skills competition. Boys, 1pm; girls, 2pm. 3508920, www.cityofyukonok.gov.

FREE 2012 Children, Youth & Families Picnic hosted by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services’ Systems of Care on the lawn of the Oklahoma State Capitol. Preregister.

Tuesdays at Sundown: Native Foods at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum features a renowned Native American chef, food historian & lecturer. FREE for members, $5 nonmembers. 6:30-8pm. FREE Book Adventure: Kids Book Club at the Southern Oaks Library invites children ages 6-9 to meet with other children & discuss a great book, have snacks, do crafts & play games. Children must read the book before attending & preregister. 6:30-7:30pm. Tulsa Ballet II at OCCC Bruce Owen Theater (7777 S May) features the official pre-professional ensemble of Tulsa Ballet. $10-$22. 682-7576, www.occc.edu/cas.

April 18 • Wednesday

Malee’s 1st Birthday Bash at the OKC Zoo invites guests to celebrate Malee the Elephant’s 1st birthday with cake & fun activities. FREE with admission. 1-3pm.

FREE Big Read Teen Event: Calligraphy at the Newcastle Library invites teens ages 11-18 to learn the basics of calligraphy & make a nameplate. Preregister. 3:30-5pm.

FREE Native American Festival at the Norman Public Library will feature Native American Dancers, children's crafts, storytelling, native marketplace & Indian Tacos available for purchase. 1-5pm.

April 19 • Thursday

www.metrofamilymagazine.com | April 2012

An Enchanting Evening at the Governor’s Mansion (820 NE 23) benefits the Single Parent Support Network

while honoring four distinct Oklahomans who personally understand single parenting and features special musical guest, Kyle Dillingham. $75. 6:30-8:30pm. 9171817, www.supportforsingleparents.org.

April 19–22 Alice in Wonderland Jr. presented by Upstage Theatre (844 W Danforth, Edmond). $12, $6 children 4 & under. Thursday-Saturday, 7:30pm; Sunday, 2pm. 285-5803, www.upstagetheatreok.com.

April 20 • Friday

YWCA 2 Minute 5K & Kiddie K at Regatta Park & Pavilion (725 S Lincoln) features live music, face painting, community fair, children’s activities & prizes. Preregister. 5K: $20 online, $30 race day; Kiddie K: $10 online, $20 race day. Kiddie K, 8:45am; 5K, 9:15am. 951-3318, www.ywcaokc.org. Adult Workshop: Animal Tracks—Identifying & Collecting at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History demonstrates how to identify & collect native Oklahoma animal tracks. Includes preparing a plaster cast of a track to take home. Preregister. $25 members, $30 nonmembers. 9am-1pm.

Jingle-Jangle Mingle at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum is a kick-off event honoring the winners of the Western Heritage Awards & Hall of Fame inductees with entertainment, hors d’oeuvres, book & CD autograph session & more. Preregister. $30 members, $40 nonmembers. 5:30pm.

FREE Arts Trek! An Arts Adventure for All at the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art (1900 W MacArthur, Shawnee) features crafters, hands-on art activities, performers, food vendors, a collaborative community artwork & a performance walk. 10am-4pm. 878-5300, www.mgmoa.org/artstrek.

Pianist Alpin Hong in concert at OCCC Bruce Owen Theater (7777 S May). $10-$20. 7pm. 682-7576, www. occc.edu/cas.

FREE Norman ‘89er Day Parade & Festivities on Main Street in Downtown Norman celebrates the Great Land Run of 1889. 10am. www.norman89.com.

Lunafest at Lyric’s Plaza Theatre (1727 NW 16) features short films by, for & about women. $25 in advance, $35 at the door. 7pm. 418-0407, www. workofwomen.org/events.

The Great Cloth Diaper Change 2012 at Science Museum Oklahoma works to put cloth diapers in the Guinness Book of World Records for the second year in a row. All ages welcome, participating babies must be less than 39". 10am. 290-8862, www. clothdiaperoklahoma.org.

Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park Staged Reading Series at the Ghostlight Theatre (3110 N Walker) features actors reading Two Noble Kinsmen by William Shakespeare & John Fletcher with script in hand. $5 suggested donation. 7:30pm. 235-3700, www. oklahomashakespeare.com. FREE Third Friday Celtic Night at Sonder Music (225 E Gray, Norman) features a traditional Celtic music jam & dance to the live music. 8pm. 474-9734, www. sondermusic.com.

April 20–21 FREE 2012 Olympic Trials for Flatwater Sprint on the Oklahoma River features athletes competing for a chance to compete in the 2012 Olympic Games. Saturday includes a Paddle Now! event giving children ages 8-16 a chance to go on a short paddle with a top US athlete. www.usack.org, www.boathousedistrict.org.

April 20–22

FREE Crafts for Kids “Little Gardener Apron” at Lakeshore Learning (6300 N May) invites kids ages 3 & up to decorate real aprons with an Earth Day theme. 11am-3pm. 858-8778, www.lakeshorelearning.com. FREE Money Mania at the YWCA McFarland Branch (1701 N Martin Luther King) includes food, games, prizes, break-out sessions, crafts & educational activities centered on taking better care of your money. 11am-2pm. 948-1770, www.ywcaokc.org. Metropolitan Library Tour of Much Ado About Nothing presented by Reduxion Theatre at the Ralph Ellison Library includes a workshop at 11am followed by the production of Shakespeare’s classic tale at 1pm. Western Heritage Awards Banquet at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum presents the Wrangler Awards for the year’s best Western movie, television, literature & music. Preregister. $145 members, $175 nonmembers. 5pm.

The Wizard of Oz presented by the OKC Ballet at the Civic Center Music Hall features a full-length work with original score telling L. Frank Baum’s story. $31 & up. Friday-Saturday, 8pm; Sunday, 2pm. 843-9898, www. okcballet.com.

Family Fun Night at KickingBird Golf Club (1600 E Danforth, Edmond) invites families to play 9 holes with special junior tees. Tee times required one week in advance. $6 green fees, $6 carts, $2 range tokens. Tee times start at 5pm. 341-5350, www.kickingbirdgolf.com.

April 20–May 6

April 22 • Sunday

Cheaper By the Dozen presented by the Poteet Theatre (222 NW 15) tells the story of a high school girl & her relationship with her father in a large family. Thursday-Saturday, 8pm; Sunday, 3pm. 609-1023, www. poteettheatre.com.

Earth Day at Science Museum Oklahoma offers FREE saplings to take home & grow, while supplies last. FREE with paid museum admission. 11am-5pm.

April 21 • Saturday

Party for the Planet at the OKC Zoo celebrates Earth Day with live entertainment, animal feedings, giveaways & more. FREE with paid admission. 11am-3pm.

FREE Earth Day Festival at Reaves Park (2501 S Jenkins, Norman) celebrates the message of conservation & protecting natural resources with hands-on activities, demonstrations, games & prizes. Noon-5pm. www.normanfun.com. Fort Reno Ghost Tours at Historic Fort Reno (7107 W Cheyenne, El Reno) tells tales & urban legends of haunted buildings, villainous murders, lost treasure & more. Includes tours & presentations by paranormal research teams. Preregister. $8 adults, $7 seniors, $5 children ages 5-12. 7:30pm. 262-3987, www.fortreno.org. Kuleshov-Mogilevsky Piano Duo at Armstrong Auditorium (14400 S Bryant, Edmond) features Russian pianists performing works by Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev & Rachmaninoff. 7:30pm. 285-1010, www. armstrongauditorium.com.

April 23 • Monday Gorilla Golf hosted by the Oklahoma Zoological Society at The Greens Country Club (13100 Green Valley) benefits the OKC Zoo’s support of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International. $125 individual, $750 team of four. 425-0613, www.zoofriends.org. Calm Waters Annual Golf Tournament & Auction at Quail Creek Golf & Country Club (3501 Quail Creek) benefits Calm Waters' mission to help serve grieving children as they deal with death, divorce, deployment, deportation or incarceration of a parent or guardian. 10am. 841-4800, www.calmwaters.org. Monday Study Club at 50 Penn Place (1900 NW Expressway) features a presentation by Sgt. Tim Tucker with the University of Oklahoma Police Department covering “Personal Safety & Assault Prevention” & includes lunch. Preregister. Annual dues, $25; lunch, $12.50. 11:30am-1pm. mondaystudyclub@gmail.com.

April 24 • Tuesday Social Security: What Every Parent Should Know presented by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Oklahoma at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church (222 NW 15) covers what it takes to obtain Supplemental Security Income for disabled children of all ages. FREE for NAMI members, $20 nonmembers. 8:30am-4pm. 230-1900, http://ok.nami.org. FREE Chinese Stories & Folktales at the Moore Public Library invites preschoolers & families to join a nationally known storyteller as she spins tales from China. 10-10:30am. FREE Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park’s 2nd Annual Sonnet-a-Thon at the State Capitol 2nd Floor Rotunda will include the reading of all of Shakespeare's 154 sonnets in order to celebrate Shakespeare's 448th birthday. 10am-3:30pm. 235-3700, www. oklahomashakespeare.com. FREE Gallery Talk: Frankoma Pottery at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art leads visitors on a tour of this exhibition of pottery produced by Frankoma, a company established by the founder of OU’s ceramic program. 12:30-1:30pm.

April 2012 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

5th Street Jazz Collective at UCO Jazz Lab (100 E 5, Edmond) features traditional & contemporary jazz performed by UCO faculty. $10. 7:30pm. 359-7989, www.ucojazzlab.com.

April 25-29 Festival of the Arts 2012 in Downtown OKC is a celebration of the visual, performing & culinary arts. 270-4848, www.artscouncilokc.com.

April 27–May 6 Seussical the Musical presented by the OU School of Drama at the Rupel J. Jones Theatre (563 Elm, Norman) is based on the characters & stories of Dr. Seuss. $30 adults, $15 students. Thursday-Saturday, 8pm; Sunday, 3pm. 325-4101, http://173.83.181.3.

Apri 27–May 11

Science of SMO Collections at Science Museum Oklahoma invites guests to experience the science behind protecting & displaying precious artifacts. FREE with paid museum admission. 9am-4pm.

“Miss Nelson is Missing” presented by the Oklahoma Children’s Theatre (2501 N Blackwelder) tells the story of the super nice teacher who is replaced by a detention-loving, recess-cancelling substitute named Viola Swamp. $9 adults, $6 children ages 2-12. Wednesday & Friday, 11am; Saturday & Sunday, 2pm. 951-0011, www.oklahomachildrenstheatre.org.

April 26–28

April 28 • Saturday

FREE Norman Music Festival in Downtown Norman features over 100 bands on 12 stages, as well as a children’s area, Dustbowl Arts Market & more. www. normanmusicfestival.com.

Christian Fun Day & Switchfoot Concert at Frontier City (15501 NE Expressway) invites youth groups & families to enjoy the park & listen to great Christian music. Advance tickets available, 475-1180. www. frontiercity.com.

April 25 • Wednesday

Sweeney Todd, School Edition at the Plaza Theatre performed by 8–12th grade students. $7 advance, $10 at door. Thursday-Friday, 7pm; Saturday, 2pm & 7pm. 524-9312, www.lyrictheatreok.com.

April 26–May 6

FREE Build & Grow Kid's Clinic: Terrarium at Lowe's stores offers kids an opportunity to complete a wooden project. Participants receive apron, goggles, a project themed patch & a certificate of merit. 10am. www. lowesbuildandgrow.com.

Cinderella at Rose State College is a fair tale with humor, romance & magic. $5. Thursday-Saturday, 7:30pm; Sunday, 2pm. 733-7430, www.rose.edu/theatre.

March for Babies at Andrews Park in Norman benefits the March of Dimes. Registration, 9am; Walk, 10am. 943-1025, www.marchforbabies.org.

April 27 • Friday

FREE Save the Frogs Day! at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History shows guests why frogs are important to the environment, what dangers exist & how to help frogs through hands-on activities. 10am-5pm.

Outdoor Classroom Day at Frontier City (15501 NE Expressway) turns the park into a fun-filled learning lab with educational exhibits, presentations & programs. Preregister. 478-2140 x214, www.frontiercity.com. Also held 5/4. Tombstone Tales: Educational Day at Historic Fort Reno (7107 W Cheyenne, El Reno) invites students to hear the tales of individuals who lived & died at the old fort from re-enactors. 9am, 11am & 1pm. 262-3987, www.fortreno.org. Fort Gibson Spring Encampment Education Day (907 N Garrison, Fort Gibson) invites teachers to bring classes to experience various aspects of life within the fort. $3 adults, $1 students. 10am-5pm. 918-478-2669. FREE The Big Read: The Joy Luck Club Discussion at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History features author Amy Tan speaking about her book. 7-9pm.

April 27–28 OKC Philharmonic: Wicked Divas at the Civic Center Music Hall features two Broadway singers performing showstoppers from Broadway, opera & popular music, as well as the musical “Wicked”. $15 & up. 8pm. 8425387, www.okcphilharmonic.org.

Fort Gibson Spring Encampment at Fort Gibson Historic Site (907 N Garrison, Fort Gibson) invites guests to learn about life in the log fort during the Antebellum Period, the Civil War & Indian Wars. $3 adults, $1 students. 918-478-2669. FREE Crafts for Kids “Fancy Feathered Bird” at Lakeshore Learning (6300 N May) invites kids ages 3 & up to create multi-colored birds that they can hang in the air. 11am-3pm. 858-8778, www.lakeshorelearning.com. 7th Annual Touch a Truck hosted by the MOMS Club of Norman at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds (615 E Robinson, Norman) features more than 40 vehicles to explore. A special quiet hour will be held from 8:309:30am for children with special needs. A suggested donation of $2 will benefit the Children's Section of the Norman Public Library. 9:30am-noon. 701-0161. Tombstone Tales: Public Day at Historic Fort Reno (7107 W Cheyenne, El Reno) invites guests to hear the tales of individuals who lived & died at the old fort from re-enactors. Taste of El Reno Dinner, 5:30pm; Performance, 7pm. 262-3987, www.fortreno.org. Evening EscAPE at the OKC Zoo benefits great

www.metrofamilymagazine.com | April 2012

ape conservation & includes dinner, a behind-thescenes tour of Great EscApe, a special presentation by the Great EscApe keepers & a silent auction. $50, Preregister. 6:30-8:30pm.

April 29 • Sunday OKC Memorial Marathon at the OKC National Memorial includes a marathon, half-marathon, relay, 5K & kids marathon. Pricing varies by race. Preregister. www.okcmarathon.com. FREE Hershey’s Track Meet in Edmond for children ages 9-14 to compete in track & field to qualify for competition in the North American Final in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Registration required & available at the MAC building in Mitch Park or online. Check-in at noon. 359-4630, www.edmondok.com/hershey.

April 30–May 5 Just Between Friends Consignment Sale at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds. Many items discounted Friday & Saturday. www.okc.jbfsale.com.

May 1 • Tuesday Meteorology Day at Science Museum Oklahoma invites guests to explore the science behind meteorology. FREE with paid admission. 9am-4pm. FREE Monthly Mini Model Build at Penn Square Mall’s Lego Store invites children ages 6-14 to build a new model on the first Tuesday of every month. Quantities are limited. 5pm. 840-9993, www.stores.lego.com. FREE Family Night Out at Quail Springs Mall (2501 W Memorial) features family friendly activities & themes in the Food Court. 5:30-7:30pm. 755-6530, www. quailspringsmall.com.

May 1–6 Fiddler on the Roof presented by Celebrity Attractions at the Civic Center Music Hall is a Tony Award-winning musical based on the stories of Sholom Aleichem. 800869-1451, www.celebrityattractions.com.

May 3 • Thursday FREE Concerts on the Curve at Classen Curve in OKC features family fun with live music, food, art & more. 6pm. www.classencurve.com. Sugar & Spurs at the Harn Homestead (1721 N Lincoln) benefits Credit Unions for Kids & includes silent auction, sugary samplings from local restaurants & music. $60 individual, $100 couple. 7-10pm. www.oecu.org. HWAC Choral Union: Brahms’ Requiem & Handel’s Coronation Anthems at Armstrong Auditorium (14400 S Bryant, Edmond) features a stirring evening of sublime choral mastery. 7:30pm. 285-1010, www. armstrongauditorium.com.

May 3–6 Red Dirt RV Rally at the Heart of Oklahoma Expo

Center in Shawnee includes western bar-b-q & barn dance, ice cream social & 50s sock hop, date night at the drive in, golf outing, sightseeing tours, exhibitor expo, crafts, games & more. www.oktourism.com.

May 4 • Friday FREE Lecture: Thoroughly Modern Mickey – American Art & the Animation of Walt Disney Studios at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art discusses how American artists & critics perceived Disney animation as a new art form, distinctly American in character. 6-7pm. A Mammoth Sleepover at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Musuem of Natural History features a movie in the Great Hall & a sleepover with the dinosaurs in the Hall of Ancient Life for ages 6-12. One parent for every three children is requested. Preregister. 7pm-9am.

May 4–5 Project Mom at the Sheraton Oklahoma City Hotel (1 N Broadway) features parenting experts, speakers, breakout sessions & more. See ad on pg 63 for code to save $15. $79 Girls’ Getaway Weekend Package, $49 All-Access Day Pass. 235-2780, www.projectmom.com.

for purchase. Proceeds benefit the Norman Library. Friday, 6-9pm; Saturday, 9am-5pm; Sunday, 1-5pm.

okcredhawks.com. Other home games this month: 5/9-15, 29-31.

May 5 • Saturday

An Evening with Garrison Keillor at the Civic Center Music Hall features the host of A Prairie Home Companion. $45 & up. 7:30pm. 297-2264, www. okcciviccenter.com.

FREE Comic Book Day at participating retailers across the country offers a FREE comic book to all customers to introduce new readers to the comic book medium. Details found at www.freecomicbookday.com. Festival of the Child at Yukon City Park (2200 S Holly) with over 50 activities including crafts, storytelling, kayaking & performing arts stage $5 advance, $7 at event, FREE for adults. 10am-4pm. 354-8442, www. cityofyukonok.gov. Prague Kolache Festival on Main Street in downtown Prague offers dance, song, food, crafts, parade, carnival rides & more. 567-4866, www.praguekolachefestival. com. May Fair 2012 at Andrews Park in Norman features art vendors, a 2K & 5K run, food, dancers, musical performers, children’s activities & more. 8am-7pm. www. norman.assistanceleague.org. Cruise to the Park at Hafer Park in Edmond features the Central Oklahoma Classic Chevy Club Car Show. 8am-3pm. 363-1164, mike.rhoades@cox.net.

Heart of Oklahoma Youth Rodeo Association Finals at Lazy E Arena (9600 Lazy E, Guthrie) invites children 18 years old & younger to compete in a variety of rodeo events. 282-RIDE, www.lazye.com.

March for Babies at State Fair Park benefits the March of Dimes. Registration, 8am; Walk, 9am. 943-1025, www.marchforbabies.org.

Space Day at Science Museum Oklahoma celebrates space exploration. FREE with paid museum admission. Friday, 9am-4pm; Saturday, 9am-5pm.

El Reno Fried Onion Burger Day in Downtown El Reno features live entertainment, arts & crafts, food, games, rides & more. 10am. 262-8888, www. elrenoburgerday.com.

FREE Operation Kidsafe Child Safety Event at Marc Heitz Chevrolet (I-35 & Lindsay, Norman) provides a quality 8 1/2 X 11" printout of your child’s picture & fingerprints. First 100 kids will receive an activity pack complements of Marc Heitz Chevrolet. All children 1 year & older as well as special needs adults are encouraged to attend. Friday, noon-6pm; Saturday, 10am-4pm. 866-962-5487. FREE First Friday Gallery Walk in the Paseo Arts District features more than 60 artists in 17 galleries. Friday, 6-10pm; Saturday, noon-5pm. 525-2688, www. thepaseo.com.

May 4–5 Disney’s Aladdin Jr. at the Plaza Theatre, performed by children in 2nd-7th grade. $7 advance, $10 at door. Friday, 7pm; Saturday, 2pm & 7pm. 524-9312, www. lyrictheatreokc.com.

May 4–6 Downtown Edmond Arts Festival in Downtown Edmond features over 100 artists & crafters, food, wine tasting & performing artists. Friday-Saturday, 10am-8pm; Sunday, 11am-5pm. 249-9391, www. downtownedmondok.com. Better Book Sale at the Norman Public Library offers a wide selection of coffee table, rare & collectible books

Visit www.metrofamilymagazine. com/calendar today for more fun upcoming events!

FREE Family Fun Festival at Spring Creek Plaza (NE corner of 15th & Bryant, Edmond) features a jump house, balloon animals, face painting, Spaghetti Eddie, Big Truck Taco, art show, shopping & more. 11am-2pm. www.facebook.com/springcreekplaza.

May 6 • Sunday FREE Open House at the American Organ Institute Shop at the University of Oklahoma (2101 W Tecumseh Suite C, Norman) invites the public to come see the work of the pipe organ program in restoration of pipe organs & components, meet students & refreshments. 3-5pm. 325-7829, http://aoi.ou.edu.

May 7 • Monday FREE Admission at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History on the first Monday of each month. 10am-5pm.

May 8 • Tuesday Storytime Science at Science Museum Oklahoma features storytelling at its finest with SMO’s performerpuppeteer extraordinaire. FREE with paid museum admission. 10am & 2pm. OKC Redhawks vs. Las Vegas 51’s baseball at the Bricktown Ballpark. 7:05pm. $5 & up. 218-1000, www. April 2012 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

No matter what time of year or occasion, you'll find the BEST partyplanning choices in the area right here.

www.metrofamilymagazine.com | April 2012

April 2012 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

Katie B. helps out at the Safety Village area. (Photo by Mike Bosley)

Drew E., age 4, mini-golfing at HeyDay Entertainment Center's booth.

Kerrigan, age 10, enjoying an Extreme Animals experience.

Our 2012 Kids Fest was a huge success! Over 4,500 people filled the Oklahoma Expo Hall at the State Fairgrounds for hands-on family fun, live entertainment, giveaways and more. Taylor T., age 13, and Toby T., age 11, with crowns from Chickasaw Nation Cultural Center's booth.

Here are a few special moments from the event.

Lala G., age 6, and Joe G., age 5 painting at Creative Adventures' booth.

Ben P., age 16, at the Extreme Animals petting zoo.

For our May issue, we want to kick summer off with your favorite vacation memories! Share your best vacation photos with us by Thursday, April 12. For our June issue, send us your favorite father & child photos by May 17. Guidelines and a photo submission form can be found at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/mfm-photo-galleries. Kids Fest photos by Alexandra Bryan, MetroFamily Intern unless otherwise stated.