MetroFamily Magazine July 2013

July 2013

Meet Julia and learn how she benefits from

Hearts for Hearing How your kids can help tornado victims— see inside!

Over 29 great party resources in our BIG birthday guide Available inside!

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152 ways to celebrate summer this July metrofamilymagazine.com

July 2013 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

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• Click

what’s new at metrofamilymagazine.com CALENDAR DIRECTORIES BLOGS CONTESTS

SAVE MONEY

You could WIN big!

Sign up to be eligible for great prizes at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/contests.

• Our Big Birthday Giveaway is here!

Enter to win one of more than a dozen fun party packages from venues across the metro. Deadline: July 31.

• Having a baby? Raising an infant? Don’t miss our Baby Gear Giveaway, where one lucky winner will get a prize pack of baby-friendly products worth over $300!

Deadline: July 25.

• Follow us on Twitter (www.twitter. com/metrofamily) and Facebook (www. facebook.com/metrofamily) for the announcements of other fun contests.

You could SAVE big!

How you & your children can support tornado recovery In response to the continued needs of May tornado victims, MetroFamily and other community partners are encouraging families to raise funds for the tornado recovery by hosting their own lemonade stand during the weekend of July 26-28. Participate in our LemonAID for Tornado Recovery and you and your family or group can play a role in helping with recovery efforts.

Imagine hundreds of lemonade stands across our area, from simple to elaborate, run by kids and adults, all raising funds for Feed the Children’s Oklahoma Tornado Disaster Relief Fund.

We hope you join us in this effort!

Find more information and register at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/lemonaid.

Our sincere appreciation to our sponsors, Buy for Less and Feed the Children, and our partner, ServeOK.org.

Maximize your summer fun!

Whether you are looking for an outdoor concert, a place to swim, summer reading programs or just free family fun, MetroFamily is your “go-to” resource for all things summer in OKC! • Find all our best summer resources at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/summer, including links to our helpful guides, money-saving Kids Pass & more.

• Find festivals around the metro and across the state in our 2013 Festivals Guide. View it at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/Oklahoma-festivals and have fun exploring with your family.

Join the MetroFamily community of active local parents at:

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Find coupons to the businesses listed below at www.metrofamilymagazine. com/coupons.

• Project Mom Summit • Skate Galaxy • Studio J • The Vintage Pearl • Bouncin’ Craze • GattiTown • Water Zoo • Jump!Zone • Bright Smile Family Dentistry • American Hearing Aid Center PLUS, save big bucks with the 2013-14 Kids Pass that includes over 30 awesome coupons to local and statewide attractions.

Included this year are NEW discounts for venues such as Skate Galaxy in OKC and the Water Zoo in Clinton. Download your own Kids Pass at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/kids-pass.

Contents July 2013

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6

Dear MetroFamily

8

Family Shorts

Editor’s Note.

Community news, resources & other family-friendly information.

14 Real Moms of the Metro Meet Lisa Miller Baldwin, advocate for women in need.

21 Calendar

Fun events, activities and classes.

34 Learning Adventures

Creating personal symbols.

36 Your Healthy Family

How good nutrition impacts your child in the classroom.

38 Local Shopping

Pie Junkie: Truly addictive desserts.

42 Ask the Expert

Caring for yourself and your kids after a disaster.

46 Mom Gets the Last Laugh

Party On: Confessions of a Party Girl.

Take the stress out of your child’s next birthday party. Find the perfect venue or party entertainment in our 2013 Birthday Party Guide!

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Make your birthday party planning as easy as 1-2-3! Find great party survival tips—plus, local moms weigh in with their best tips.

We continue our exploration of Oklahoma’s best state parks with a look at beautiful Lake Murray in southern Oklahoma.

ON OUR COVER: 7-year-old Julia Pershica of Oklahoma City is the winner of the Special Needs category in our 2013 Cover Kids Contest Search. Learn more about Julia on p. 8.

COVER PHOTO BY: Steffanie Halley, www.steffaniehalley.com.

July 2013 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

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Dear MetroFamily, As you open the pages of this issue and begin to read, I’m closing a chapter with it. This marks my last issue as the editor of MetroFamily, and it’s been an amazing time. I’ve been penning these notes, often at the last minute, for the past five years and I’m amazed at how the time has flown!

Editors Brooke Barnett and Mari Farthing.

We’ve had a lot of changes over the years, always in the interest of producing a better product. I appreciate your continued feedback, as it’s been an essential part of what you hold in your hands now. I trust that you like what the future brings in the capable hands of Brooke Barnett, our current Assistant Editor and social media manager, as she takes over, and I hope that you show her as much support as you’ve given to me.

One other exciting change in this issue is the introduction of our new humor columnist, Heather Davis of Bartlesville, Oklahoma. You may be familiar with Heather as the “TMI Mom” or from her blog at www.Minivan-Momma.com—and we hope you will enjoy her mominspired humor.

I won’t be going far, as I’ll continue to blog and write under the masthead, but I want to use this opportunity to say a heartfelt THANK YOU to the readers for pushing me to always do my best; to our publisher, Sarah Taylor and all of our staff for being a part of such an amazing team; to all of the writers who continue to hit the mark.

Cheers,

We asked our contributors:

What’s your favorite way to beat the heat?

Sarah Taylor, Publisher Icy drinks, shade, the pool and air conditioning.

Shannon Fields, Your Healthy Family

Heather Davis, Mom Gets the Last Laugh

A trip to the pool is just about all that makes the heat bearable...for other outdoor activities, the girls and I tend to become night owls.

It’s hard to be hot when you’ve got ice cold watermelon. Ice cold. That’s the key. Also, eat it in a pool.

That’s also the key.

www.metrofamilymagazine.com | July 2013

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

Project Manager Janetta Bridges janetta@metrofamilymagazine.com

The staff at MetroFamily expresses their sincere gratitude for all of the hard work and dedication that Mari has given to the publication over the last 10 years total, five of those as editor. We’re glad she isn’t going far and that she’ll continue to write and blog for us. We wish Mari and her family all the best. ~ Sarah Taylor

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Publisher Sarah L. Taylor sarah@metrofamilymagazine.com

Calendar Editor Sara Riester calendar@metrofamilymagazine.com

Publisher’s Note:

Submerged up to my eyeballs at our local pool. We practically live in the water all summer!

To submit events to our calendar calendar@metrofamilymagazine.com

Assistant Editor & Online Content Manager Brooke Barnett brooke@metrofamilymagazine.com

P.S. Let’s keep in touch! Follow my blog, Keeping it Real to read about the next chapter of my life. Find it at metrofamilymagazine.com/mari.

Brooke Barnett, Assistant Editor

Info And Questions: 405-601-2081

Contributing Writers Brooke Barnett, Janetta Bridges, Heidi Brandes Heather Davis, Mari Farthing, Shannon Fields 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 Office: 405-601-2081 • Fax: 405-445-7509 E-mail: info@metrofamilymagazine.com ©Inprint Publishing, Inc. 2013, All Rights Reserved.

Volume 16, Number 7

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Contributing writers: Brooke Barnett, Janetta Bridges & Mari Farthing

Photo by Steffanie Halley, www.steffaniehalley.com.

Sports and Activities for Children with Special Needs

Meet Julia Pershica, Special Needs Cover Kids Search Winner Cover Kid Julia Pershica was born with Moebius Syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that is present at birth. Moebius Syndrome affects certain cranial nerves, leaving those with the condition unable to move their faces (they can’t smile, frown, suck, grimace or blink their eyes) and often unable to move their eyes laterally. Symptoms include a lack of facial expression, the inability to smile, eye sensitivity, hearing impairment and articulation and speech disorders. “Julia failed her hearing tests when she was born,” explains her father Joshua Pershica. “Her doctor at the Hough Ear Institute referred us to Hearts for Hearing when she was only six months old and it has been an amazing experience for our family.”

Hearts for Hearing (HFH) is a non-profit organization established in 2003 to provide funding for the initial set of hearing aids for children in Oklahoma who are deaf or hard of hearing so that they can learn to listen and talk. Since then, Hearts for Hearing expanded its mission to become a provider of comprehensive hearing health care for children in Oklahoma.

“We believe that the cost of hearing aids should not limit a child from access to excellent listening and spoken language outcomes,” explains Kris Hopper, HFH’s Development Director. “Hearts for Hearing provides the first set of hearing aids to all newly diagnosed infants and children in Oklahoma under the age of five at no cost to the family.” When infants are diagnosed with a hearing loss and referred to HFH, family counseling begins almost immediately, and infants as young as a few weeks old may be fitted for their first set of state-of-the-art hearing aids, often within a few days.

“HFH provided both hearing aids and speech therapy for Julia,” explains her grandmother Renee Pershica. “She also attended their Listening for Littles Preschool when she was 2 years old and has attended their summer camp every year. I just can’t explain how important it has been in her development.”

“She has to form her words and sounds differently,” Joshua explains. “HFH worked with her and got her on track. Ninety percent of people that speak to her now have no idea that she has hearing loss or speech problems.”

Julia, who is now seven years old, is in the gifted program going into second grade. “Even with her dramatic hearing loss, she can perform in a regular classroom setting,” he adds. “I credit that to all the hours of work that HFH has dedicated to her as she has grown up.”

Services offered by HFH include comprehensive diagnosis, funding for initial hearing aids, comprehensive audiological and speech language testing, audio verbal therapy and speech language testing, family education workshops and summer day camps.

For more information, visit www.heartsforhearing.org.

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Every child should have the opportunity to explore their interests, develop skills and have fun with friends. The OKC metro offers many programs to help children and adults with special needs get into the game and participate in a wide variety of activities.

Find the one that is right for your child with this handy list: • All-Star Bowling for Differently-Abled at AMF Yukon Lanes. Saturdays, 1:00pm.

405-354-2516.

• Arctic Edge Ice Arena in Edmond offers ice skating lessons for children with special needs. $10/lesson 405-823-0435.

• Breakaway at the Bethany First Church of the Nazarene is a free program on the third Friday of every month for children with special needs in grades five and up.

405-623-9585; www.bethanynaz.org.

• Dance with Shannon Wright in Oklahoma City offers dance and creative movement. 405-388-5048.

• Empire Elite Cheerleading in Bethany offers tumbling and cheerleading for ages four and up. $35/month. 405-789-9996, www.empireelitecheer.com.

• Joyful Sound Choir at Henderson Hills Baptist Church invites people of various ages and disabilities to perform for retirement villages, churches and other places in the Edmond community. 405341-4639.

• Miracle League of Edmond is a baseball league that plays at the handicapped accessible field in Edmond’s Mitch Park.

405-850-7603, www.edmondmiracleleague. org.

• Sensory Sensitive Shows at Moore’s Warren Theatre screens current movies with accommodations for children affected by autism, sensory processing disorders or other disabilities. 405-703-3777, www. warrentheatres.com/sensorysensitive.asp.

• Shining Starz Program at Shock! Sports Center in Norman for kids of all ages to compete in cheer competitions. 405-5739974, www.normanshock.com.

• Special Olympics Oklahoma is a statewide sporting programs for ages four and up, including aquatics, basketball, golf and more. 800-722-9004, www.sook.org.

• TOPSoccer Program at Edmond Soccer Club for children of all ages with mental or physical disabilities. 405-204-7228, www.edmondsoccer.com/TOPSoccer.php.

For other programs and activities, visit www. metrofamilymagazine.com/activities-forspecial-needs.

Courtesy of ScanMed QR

Top 10 Reader Picks: Best Splash Pads, Pools & Water Parks in the OKC Metro Technology to Make Important Medical Information Readily Available For Edmond resident Eric Richardson, the inspiration to start his own company came directly from his mother. “My mother lives with epilepsy and became diabetic in her mid-30s,” he explains.

“Her medical conditions can lead to her becoming unconscious at any time, and then, in May 2011, she had a mild heart attack.”

Richardson knew about QR codes and linked it to a website that listed his mother’s medical conditions, allergies and important care information. “Like anyone who lives with a chronic medical condition, my mom tended to keep her important medical information in her wallet, in hopes that first responders would find it and be able to give her proper care,” he explains. “I just thought there had to be a better way for technology to make this information easily accessible.”

After setting up his mom’s QR code and website, Richardson says that his mother’s doctors expressed an interest in how such technology could be helpful for people with seizures, diabetes, Parkinsons Disease and more. “I started doing it for others and launched ScanMed QR in March 2012,” he explains. “It is an editable, easy-to-use way for people to share unlimited medical information, physician information, care instructions, emergency contact and more. It has the ability to be your voice in times when you might not have one. It’s designed to be there for adults or children with special needs or chronic medical problems, to give them peace of mind.”

ScanMed QR is available at local Homeland grocery stores and provides an ID card and two plastic keychain tags containing a QR code that links directly to your personal medical profile. “It’s the perfect product for children with special needs or other medical conditions,” Richardson explains. “It can give parents comfort that their child’s medical information is always with them, regardless of whether they are at school or in someone else’s care.”

The initial cost is $19.99 for one ID card and two ID tags, plus unlimited updates for one year. Each additional year is $14.99. For more information, visit www.scanmedqr.com.

During the hottest days of summer, there is nothing as refreshing as cool water. Whether your family enjoys playing at splash pads and spray parks, taking a dip in at the local aquatic center or enjoying the thrills available at a water park, there are plenty of great ways to enjoy the water in the Oklahoma City metro. We recently polled our readers for their favorite places to get wet with their families, and here, in random order, are their recommendations: • Thunder Fountain* at the Myriad Botanical Gardens (301 W Reno, www.myriadgardens.org) • White Water Bay (3908 W Reno, www.whitewaterbay.com) • Frontier City Wild West Water Park (11501 N I-35 Service Rd, www.frontiercity.com) • Alexis Clark Water Park (NE 10 and Indian Meridian Ave, Choctaw; www.ok.gov/choctaw) • Andy Alligators Water Park (3300 Market Pl Dr, Norman; www.andyalligators.com) • Will Rogers Family Aquatic Center (3201 N Grand Blvd, www. okc.gov/parks) • Reno Swim & Slide (101 S Douglas Blvd, Midwest City; www. midwestcityok.org) • Children’s Zoo water feature at the OKC Zoo (2000 Remington Pl, www.okczoo.com) • Pelican Bay Aquatic Center (1034 S Bryant Ave, Edmond; www.edmondok.com) • Westwood Water Park (2400 Westport Dr, Norman; www. normanfun.com) *Please note that the Thunder Fountain is currently closed due to storm damage; please check with the venue for reopening information.

Thanks to Kristy R. Jennifer S., Jamie H., Lisa B. Kathy W. Tamara W., Taylor P., Leesa C., Christina C., and Christine D. for contributing to this list. Follow us at www.facebook.com/ metrofamily to weigh in on next month’s list.

Have a splash pad, pool or water park that you’d like to suggest?

Comment at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/top-10-water-parks.

Help the Orr Family Farm’s Tornado Recovery Courtesy of Orr Family Farm

Since 2004, the Orr Family Farm has been a popular agriculture-based educational venue in the Oklahoma City metro. Families and school groups alike have enjoyed outings that are both educational and entertaining. In addition to teaching about animals and farming, the Farm offers fun experiences such as rides on a Jupiter train, a zip line and a vintage 1974 carousel.

On May 20, the Orr Family Farm was changed forever as it was directly in the path of an EF-5 tornado that ripped through Moore, south Oklahoma City and surrounding communities. The staff and animals survived, but the farm itself suffered substantial damage to the amusement rides, buildings and attractions vital to operation. The Farm is currently closed while the staff works to rebuild.

With a goal of opening in fall 2013, the Farm could use your help in the rebuilding process. Monetary donations will be used to rebuild structures, attractions, landscaping and other needs allowing the farm to reopen and employees to continue working. Volunteers are also needed periodically for “clean up days” on designated Saturdays. To find out more on how you can help and upcoming volunteer opportunities, visit www.orrfamilyfarm. com/how-to-help.

July 2013 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

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See Your Child in a Spaghetti Eddie Video!

Families are invited to submit a video of their child making a mess—and the messier, the better! Entries can be submitted at the band’s website at www.thespaghettieddie.com. The deadline for entries is Wednesday, July 17 at 11:59pm.

Ten finalists will be determined by a panel of judges and one grand prize winner will be selected by online voting. The grand prize winner will receive a Spring Clean Carpet cleaning package from Brim’s Carpet (www.brimscarpet.com). The top 10 finalists will receive one-of-a-kind Spaghetti Eddie merchandise.

The finalists’ videos will be featured in a music video for the song “Uh-Oh” which will be posted on the band’s website and YouTube channel, and possibly included in a future DVD of music videos.

Oklahoma City Football Club Oklahoma City is welcoming another type of “football” team to the metro. Known as the Oklahoma City Football Club (Oklahoma City FC), this 30-member Premier Development League men’s amateur soccer team joined the local sports scene in May 2013.

Team forward Adam Black of Liverpool, England, scored the franchise’s first goal of the season. He says one reason he strives to play well is to give fans “something to be proud of.”

Spotlight on Character: Sensitivity “The finest qualities of our nature, like the bloom on fruits, can be preserved only by the most delicate handling…”

— Henry David Thoreau

Sensitivity is perceiving the true attitudes and emotions of those around you.

The more a person is sensitive to the needs of others, the more perception he will gain in all areas of life. Being sensitive in the home includes realizing that a family member’s irritating or negative behavior may be a sign of an unmet need for love, noticing when a family member needs a word of praise, realizing that rude words can hurt deeply and being alert to attitudes of hurt, guilt and disloyalty in children and each other. Displaying sensitivity allows family members to refresh each other and creates new meaning and purpose as a family.

I will: listen to others fully • watch facial expressions • notice tone of voice • put myself in others’ shoes • show that I care.

Read about sensitivity to bring the lesson home to your young children: • Help your kids learn to be sensitive to the hardships of the men and women who lived in the Great Plains during the Dust Bowl years of 1931– 40 in Sherry Garland’s Voices of the Dust Bowl. (grades 3+) • Children learn that honesty is best served with a dose of sensitivity in Being Frank by Donna W. Earnhardt. (early readers) • Pepita teaches Babette a lesson about being sensitive to others’ feelings and learns one herself in Pepita and the Bully by Ofelai Dumas Lachtman. (early readers) • It’s a banana peel prank that fuels the action in That’s Not Funny! by Jeanne Willis. But readers get a lesson in sensitivity about laughing at the misfortune of others. (early readers) Courtesy of Character First, www.characterfirst.com.

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“It feels great playing for a team in OKC. Coming from England to live in OKC to go to school, it has become my ‘home from home,’ so to play for the highest standard of soccer in the city makes me proud,” Black explains.

Brad Lund of Sold Out Strategies is the managing partner of Oklahoma City FC for both the men’s and women's amateur teams.

According to Oklahoma City FC ownership, the Oklahoma City Public Schools Board granted exclusive rights to Sold Out Strategies to host professional soccer games at Taft Stadium, which is currently undergoing a $9 million transformation.

“In spring of 2015, all teams will call Taft Stadium home,” Lund said.

Join the Oklahoma City FC for their final game of the season against the Houston Dutch Lions on Saturday, July 20th at 7:30pm on Stars Field at Oklahoma City University. General admission is $10 and $7 for children 12 and under, bleacher reserved seating is $15 and VIP Club FC seating is $30. Call 405-232-7223 or visit www. oklahomacityfc.com for tickets or more information.

Photo by Aimee Cox.

Courtesy of Spaghetti Eddie.

Local children’s band Spaghetti Eddie is giving their young fans a chance to star in an upcoming music video. “Our fans are what make Spaghetti Eddie so great,” band member Brendan Parker explains. “This contest offers a way for fans to decide the content of the new video and also possibly be in it—all while having fun by making a mess!”

July 2013 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

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Real Moms of the Metro Meet Lisa Miller-Baldwin: Advocate for Women in Need

“I

was in a very bad place and pretty much kicked to the streets in Oklahoma City when WMF [the Wonderfully Made Foundation] gave me a home and gave me the support I needed. I will never forget WMF and the kind-hearted folks who helped me get my life together.”

Photo by Steffanie Halley, www.steffaniehalley.com.

This testimonial, a true story from a local survivor of domestic violence, is the perfect representation of the life work of Lisa MillerBaldwin, founder and executive director of the Wonderfully Made Foundation (WMF).

Miller-Baldwin is in the business of changing lives and empowering victims of domestic abuse—a calling that is close to her heart, as she herself is a domestic abuse survivor.

Drawing its name from Psalm 139:14 (“I will praise thee for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”), the WMF works to provide a sense of hope and restoration to victims of domestic violence and individuals who find themselves homeless or in need.

In addition to providing domestic violence awareness, the WMF also works to provide life skills such as budgeting, job readiness and building foundations for healthy relationships. These life skills are designed to help WMF’s clients to learn to sustain themselves and become productive members of society.

The WMF opened their Wonderfully Made Home in 2011, providing a 90-day transitional housing program for women and children struggling with homelessness. The organization’s Wonderfully Yours Clothing Closet provides free clothing, shoes and toiletry items to any woman or child in need, and can help women rebuilding their lives to find professional dress attire for job interviews and work. The EmPOWERed

Quick Facts About Lisa: 1. What are 5 words that describe you? Tenacious, loving, passionate, driven and caring.

2. What’s your favorite indulgence? Reading, writing and chocolate.

3. What’s your favorite movie? The Bucket List, The Lion King and The Ten Commandments.

4. What’s your favorite TV show?

Touched by An Angel.

Real Mom Lisa Miller Baldwin (front row, center) with her children: back row (l to r) Kentrell Miller, Clarence Miller and Elizabeth Miller. Front row, Me’lisa Taft and Marquise Miller.

Teens program works to educate teens about dating violence, self-esteem, self-worth and the benefits of healthy relationships. These programs all dovetail into Miller-Baldwin’s mission of minimizing the societal effects of domestic violence and strengthening individuals to live to their fullest potential.

“We just opened a new office to accommodate all our growing programs and we invite the community to come out and tour it [2001 N. Martin Luther King Blvd] on Thursday, July 11 from 5:30-8:00pm,” Baldwin says. “We will have family-friendly activities such as a moonbounce, plus an art display of local children’s art work.”

Here is more about how this 47-year old mother of five dedicates her life to empowering women in need.

What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?

I would like to become an artist with my work displayed in an art gallery.

What are you passionate about?

Seeing others reach their potential and to fulfill my purpose until my last breath is taken.

5. What’s your favorite date night venue? The Melting Pot.

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How has motherhood changed you?

When I became a parent, unconditional love became a way of life. Motherhood also placed a personal mandate for me to leave a legacy behind of which my children could be proud.

How do you banish stress?

When I have time, I enjoy exercising and sitting at the lake or any body of water. I love water!

What inspires you?

To excel in the work that God has birthed in me and to witness my children grow into unique individuals and their roles as parents, wives, husbands and leaders.

What do you like most about your job?

Being able to make a difference and impact areas [of life] that many people tend to shy away from.

What is on your wish list?

Professionally, I would like to find funding to open another house for the homeless, so that we can provide housing to many of the homeless families we turn away due to our limited capacity. Personally, I’d love a trip to Paris or Africa.

What are you most proud of?

In April, the WMF was selected as a finalist for an Oklahoma Center For NonProfits Excellence Award. Out of 19,000 non-profits in the state of Oklahoma, 24 were selected for this award, and WMF was among those selected in the selfsufficiency category.

What motivates you?

A challenge to create, build and empower.

How do you find balance in your life?

By creating it! Due to current responsibilities, I have to create balance and take time for family and friends.

Advice for other moms?

Cherish the time with your children because they soon will become adults.

Each milestone and accomplishment is very important. But, equally, you must never lose yourself! While maintaining your identity as mom, car pooler, counselor, wife, coach and/or professional, you mustn’t lose who you are.

What’s the biggest challenge in your life?

To juggle the responsibilities as an executive, wife, mother and friend, as well as ensuring the vision of the organization is properly funded so we can serve those in need.

How do you help others?

By supporting people exactly where they are. Whether it’s providing housing for the homeless, guidance for domestic violence victims or advocating for those in need, I work to provide them with the appropriate resources to aid them in becoming sustainable.

What is your parenting style?

Non-authoritarian directive; direct but not intrusive.

Favorite quote or advice about motherhood?

“Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.” —Mother Teresa For more information about The Wonderfully Made Foundation, call 405-778-6870 or visit www. thewonderfullymadefoundation.com.

Brooke Barnett is the Assistant Editor of MetroFamily Magazine.

Have an awesome mom that you would like to see featured in our column? Email realmoms@metrofamilymagazine.com.

July 2013 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

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It’s Party Time!

PARTY SURVIVAL TIPS FROM LOCAL MOMS

A

s you drift off to sleep, while you’re still in that magical state between fully appreciating that you are happily lying in your bed and there are no children demanding your attention and deep, welcome REM sleep, your eyes snap open and you realize: it’s time to plan a birthday party.

Your child’s social world is full of potential pitfalls, especially when it comes to birthday parties. Is there anything trickier than planning the perfect birthday party? And by “perfect” I don’t mean the one with the pony rides and the $50 iTunes gift cards in the goody bags; I mean the one where your child is happy, his friends leave happy and you don’t start screaming for Calgon to come and take you away once it’s over.

As a military family, my husband has been deployed on occasion when birthdays have rolled around. On those years, I’ve felt compelled to overdo it a little bit, and one year in particular my son’s birthday party featured over 30 children from his school, live “critters” and no fewer than three cakes (it was a lot of kids!). The party was crazy; lots of planning and it left me exhausted, feeling like I had to outdo myself the next year.

Fast forward a few years when we were discussing birthday parties past and he didn’t even remember that party—the one where I jumped through hoops and took out a second mortgage to make it perfect. He did remember the one where he had two friends over to play video games and eat pizza. We now have family parties instead, like we used to do back in the day when I was a poor, underprivileged kid. I wasn’t really, but to see the look on my kids’ faces when they hear of the things I didn’t have growing up, you wouldn’t know that.

I have learned a few things from the years of parties that we did have, so I’m giving you my easy three-step party planning… plan. And I’m including a little help from my friends, because what’s a party without friends?

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Step One: Planning What should your party theme be? Where should your party be held? You may be wracking your brain trying to come up with the perfect theme and venue, but instead of that, sit back and watch your kid. What does he like to do? This was driven home for me when my son didn’t remember the parties that I planned (I’ll admit it) for me; the parties he did remember were shaped around his favorite things. (Like pizza. Or professional wrestling.)

True, there isn’t going to be a lot of discussion about themes with your two-yearold, until “NO!” or projectile green beans become party themes, but that should also be a guide to keep parties for your youngest birthday babes on the simple side.

When my daughter was into princesses, we had a costume tea party and one of her gifts was a cardboard castle playhouse that she colored with her party guests (A gift and an activity in one. Inspired multitasking!). When my son was learning about daddy’s job in the military, we had a basic training-themed party with an obstacle course set up in the garage—and the kids would only abandon it for the promise of cake. Another year, when we couldn’t come up with a theme (because we procrastinated), we had the party at the place with the bouncy things. Easy for us, fun for the kids and reasonable with a coupon.

GOODY BAGS Of course, when you talk of themes, you are getting into goody bag territory. I think this is the trickiest part of the party, but it can be easily handled. One of the parties my kids attended had a “summer fun” theme. The activities were sidewalk chalk, a sandbox, squirt guns and bubbles. The goody bags included a framed instant picture of the party packed in the sand pail with all the toys each kid played with during the party (more inspired multitasking).

www.metrofamilymagazine.com | July 2013

Heather D., mom of two tween girls, plans parties with multitasking party favors. “For an ice cream sundae themed part, each kid took home a decorated goblet that was used to hold their ice cream.” The goblets were purchased from the dollar store and sending them home cut down on cleanup. “For a spa party,” continues Heather, “each girl took home her favorite polish that was also used to paint her nails.”

Erika C., mom of one, likes to throw themed parties that include giveaways. “For my Hunger Games-themed party, I made mini lemon poppyseed muffins and put them in containers that hung from handmade silver parachutes all around the house—a decoration and a take-home gift!” Perfect for a teen party.

At my parties, I’ve tried to keep it easy as well. The tea party takeaway was a teacup and saucer (from a set I’d purchased at a thrift store, and the number of cups also determined the number of guests). American flags and dog tags were the takeaways at the basic training party. Mix CDs featuring the kid-friendly, parent-approved music played at the bouncy house party went home as favors (though I’m still apologizing for the “Who Let the Dogs Out” earworm).

NOT IN MY BACKYARD Parties at a separate venue can be great (less cleanup; party supplies included) but also should be checked out to ensure it’s the right place for your party. “My son recently attended a party at a dodgeball park,” says Jennifer S., mom of two. She gave high marks to the friendly staff and fun concept, but “the party room was small and crowded, there was limited parking and the bathrooms were on the other side of the dodgeball court, so parents had to literally duck and run to make it.” Fun for kids, not so fun for parents.

Step Two: Invite the Guests I believe that there is some wisdom to that whole “getting lost in a crowd” idea, and

what’s the fun in that? I no longer feel compelled to invite the whole class (or the whole school; whatever) to my child’s parties.

I prefer to have my child pick out a few friends to attend the party, especially if it’s a party at home. Or, if we hold the party at a different venue, there may be restrictions as to how many kids can be invited, which also must be considered.

So, who should be invited? One rule of thumb is reciprocity; if your child is invited to another child’s party, then that other child should be invited to your child’s party.

But what if your child doesn’t attend all of those birthday parties he gets invited to? For children in school, it’s best to find out the policy before sending invites to the classroom. Sometimes the school does not allow it at all; sometimes there are restrictions (all students in the class must be invited if invitations are sent).

Jen S., mom of three says that her kids are allowed to “invite the same number of people as years they were turning that year,” for her younger children. At age 11, they could invite two friends for a celebration—like dinner and a movie or a slumber party.

“I always like to have an even number of kids,” says Monica D., mom of two girls. “When there is an odd number, there can be room for someone feeling left out.”

And what about special circumstances, like when you know that someone isn’t getting along with someone else? How do you choose who gets the invite? Erika C. says “I don’t avoid inviting people due to feuds or anything else. That’s their problem to work out—not mine.”

Step Three: Minimize Your Stress This one is my favorite recommendation, as it can apply to everything involved in your party planning. First and foremost, minimize your expectations; it’s just a party. It’s not the social event of the year (if it is, please don’t forget to invite me). Don’t try for perfect, just try for fun. Jen S. reminds us that the point of the party is “to make your child feel special.

And that can be accomplished easily.”

Wendy S., mom of five kids over the age of 15, urges parents to be in the moment. “Chill out, enjoy the day and take lots of pictures,” she advises. “These children are most likely going to be a part of your life for a long time—you’ll see them growing up with your kids, at football games, proms, even weddings in the future. Focus on the fun.”

Minimize your theme—keep it simple.

Don’t try to outdo yourself or someone else.

Remember that plain party supplies will not only save you cash but can also be used at other parties if you have extra. Jennifer S. also recommends thinking ahead. “I know that I personally spend too much when I’m trying to meet last-minute needs,” says Jennifer. So she chooses her themes ahead of time, shops sales and discount stores and checks out online sources for party supplies and bulk items.

Minimize your goody bag—don’t feel compelled to include a pile of stuff; scale it back to just a few things or one special item. Think quality over quantity. It can be fun to find little toys or treats that fit the party theme, but we all know the fate of most goody bags. “Since I throw away goody bags that come home from other parties, I assume those parents tend to do the same thing,” says Bridgette C., mom of three. “I try to include things that are usable.”

Minimize portion sizes to save time and money—serve snacks instead of meals; cupcakes instead of a cake that needs to be cut; pre-scooped ice cream (kept frozen in muffin tins) instead of scooping it to order.

Heather B., mom of three, saves by “making the cake and food myself.” Another good plan is to have the party between mealtimes to alleviate the expectation of providing a meal.

Cupcakes are usually always a hit at birthday parties, and decorating the cupcakes with sprinkles and candies can even become your party activity (multitasking!). Especially fun if you are outside. Or at a venue that is not your kitchen or anywhere you are responsible for cleaning the floor.

For our basic training party, I wanted to replicate the “meals ready to eat” that military trainees enjoy, easily done with prepackaged lunch kits, which the kids loved. In hindsight, I could have made them myself and put the meals in divided plastic dishes that were then sent home with each child— instant goody bag (and more multitasking!).

Don’t let the fear of another birthday party keep you up at night. Birthday parties happen; but with a little planning—and a lot of great advice from other moms who’ve been through it—a fun party really can be as easy as 1–2–3.

Mari Farthing is the editor of MetroFamily Magazine.

Local Moms Share Birthday Party Tips How do you save money on birthday parties?

• Jen S.: Discount stores and homemade food.

• Heather D.: I always have parties at home.

• Erika C.: I get crafty. I can’t draw but I can trace and follow directions.

What is your goody bag plan?

• Wendy S.: Candy and stickers— but don’t overthink it because nobody cares that much.

• Monica D.: I base the contents on the age of the party-goer, usually a healthy snack and a small toy or something to do.

• Erika C.: A craft made at the party or something that can be brought home to make, cook or plant.

How do you retain your sanity during and after the party?

• Heather B.: I have a friend or other parents available to help at the party.

• Bridgette C.: I just try to focus on the birthday child and tune out any drama that may crop up.

How do you determine who gets invited?

• Heather B.: The kids make a list and we review it together.

If it’s a sleepover, it’s limited to how many kids I can tolerate running around all night!

• Autumn B.: It can be hard, but we try to let the kids pick a few friends from each area of their life (church, school, etc.).

What’s your best tip for a great party?

• Monica D.: Have a backup plan for activities that don’t work out, food that runs out, sick kids...

• Bridgette C.: Let kids open gifts one-on-one with the gift giver, possibly off to the side, which is great for quiet kids and for keeping track of gifts.

July 2013 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

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2013 Birthday Guide

Whether you are celebrating baby’s first birthday or a sweet sixteen, let MetroFamily help you find the perfect venue for parties in Oklahoma City.

Name

Contact

Description

Ages Cost

Andy Alligator’s Fun Park

3300 Market Place, Norman 405-321-7275 www.andyalligators.com

Party activities include go-kart speedway, Bayou Blaster Boats, batting cages and pizza.

All ages

$130+

Arcadia Lake

9000 E 2nd St, Arcadia 405-216-7470 www.arcadialakeok.com

Host your party at a pavilion with view of the lake. Add a birthday package and receive a birthday T-shirt, 2 bags of ice, and volleyball or horse shoes for the day.

All ages

$50-$200

Be Wild for Art

209 24th Ave NW, Norman 405-307-9971 www.bewildforart.com

Choose a party package or create your own from pottery painting, glass fusing, and canvas painting packages.

Includes party room, assistant and all materials.

All ages

$16$35 per person

Bouncin Craze

14901 N Lincoln Blvd, Edmond 405-607-2020 www.bouncincraze.com

Indoor play center with inflatables offering both open play and private party packages.

Up to age 12

Up to $225

Bouncin Craze Delivery

9333 W Reno, OKC 405-603-4058 www.bouncincraze.com

Delivers inflatables to your birthday party, church or corporate event.

All ages

Up to $1,000

Bouncin Craze II

9333 W Reno, OKC 405-470-7000 www.bouncincraze.com

Indoor play center with inflatables offering both open play and private party packages.

Up to age 12

Up to $225

Dodge City Paintball & Outdoor Laser Tag

16425 NW 150th, Piedmont 405-373-3745 www.dodgecitypaintball.com

All equipment provided (building, bathrooms, grill). Bring your charcoal & food. 4-hour paintball or 2-hour laser tag (parents required for paintball under age 10). Rates charged per person, per hour of play for paintball or party size for laser tag.

All ages

$16$20 per person

Face Painting and Glitter Tattoos by Amanda

Based in Moore; travels to your party 580-309-7625 www.facepaintbyamanda.net

Transform party guests into butterflies, superheros, animals, monsters and more. Glitter tattoos can last up to a week. Tattoos are waterproof and are perfect for pool parties.

All ages

$75+

Fine Arts Institute of Edmond

27 E Edwards, Edmond 405-340-4481 www.edmondfinearts.com

90-minute art parties include hands-on project with all materials provided plus paper goods and gift for the birthday child.

4+

$200+

Gattitown Family Entertainment

5833 NW Expressway, OKC 405-721-4227 www.gattitownokc.com

Three party packages to choose from that include a party host, food, drinks and game play for the birthday child.

4+

$200+

Gymboree Play & Music

11928 N May Avenue, OKC 405-755-3445 www.gymboreeclasses.com

90 minutes of private party time includes one-of-a-kind guided activities, paper goods and juice boxes for 20 children.

1-5

$225

Jump!Zone Party & Play Center

10400 S Western, OKC 405-200-1691 www.jumpzoneparty.com

The biggest inflatable party place in Oklahoma City includes 6 massive inflatables, 5 playsets and 4 party rooms.

Up to age 12

$140– $250

Mad Science

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

60-minute party includes hands-on science fun at your location. All materials included.

3+

$185+

Mobile Game Party

405-816-0258 www.mobilegameparty.net

32-foot temperature-controlled mobile game theater brings the party to you. Includes high-definition TVs, surround sound, vibration seating and the latest X-BOX and Wii games for up to 16 players (beginner to expert).

7+

$249

Mobile Laser Forces

405-259-9300 www.mobilelaserforces.com

Customizable indoor/outdoor laser tag with different options of play available for varying prices.

6+

150+

Museum of Osteology

10301 S Sunnylane, OKC 405-814-0006 www.museumofosteology.org

Two-hour parties include classroom space, hands-on educational presentation, self-guided museum time, t-shirt for the birthday child and more. Can also add invitations and party favor bags for additional charge.

Parties must be scheduled at least 2 weeks in advance.

All ages

$250, includes up to 25 guests

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www.metrofamilymagazine.com | July 2013

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Name

Contact

Description

Ages Cost

OKC RIVERSPORT

725 S Lincoln Blvd, OKC 405-552-4040 www.boathousedistrict.org

High-flying adventures on the SandRidge Sky Trail and Air Express Zip Line, water activities like Stand Up Paddling Boarding and Kayaking, staff member to facilitate the party, a T-shirt for the birthday child, and event space to open presents and eat cake. Exclusive birthday parties before or after normal operating hours available upon request.

3–18

$139+, varies by number of guests.

Oklahoma City Zoo

2101 NE 50th, OKC 405-425-0218 www.okczooed.com

Six birthday party packages include party host, live animal encounter, themed room, guided tour, decorations, party favor and zoo admission. Ask for overnight sleepover ideas.

Up to age 13

$275+

Oklahoma Railway Museum

3400 NE Grand Blvd, OKC 405-424-8222 www.oklahomarailwaymuseum.org

Parties held in 1921 wooden caboose or 1927 passenger car. Coloring books and paper hats provided. Packages with or without train rides.

All ages

$100$250

Paint ‘N Station

7906 N May, OKC 405-842-7770 www.paintnstation.com

Creative 90-minute parties include painting and space for cake and gifts.

All ages

$10+ per person

Paint Your Art Out

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

2-hour birthday parties including artist-led instruction, 5–16 cake & gift time. 10 guest minimum; additional guests $17$22 each, 30 maximum allowed.

$200–250

Pelican Bay Aquatic Center

1034 Bryant Ave, Edmond 405-216-7655 www.edmondok.com

Party package includes cabana for 90 minutes. Choose Birthday Blast or Extravaganza package and enjoy swimming and cake.

All ages

$200+

RedPin Restaurant & Bowling Lounge

200 S Oklahoma Ave, OKC 405-702-8880 www.bowlredpin.com

Parties include 2 hours of bowling, meals, soft drinks and optional space for cake and gifts plus waitstaff. Minimum 8 children.

4+

$19-32 per child

Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History

2401 Chautauqua Ave, Norman 405-325-4712 www.snomnh.ou.edu

Dino Birthday includes 30 minutes reserved Discovery 5-12 Room time, guided tour of Hall of Ancient Life, party space, table decorations, favors, T-shirt for the birthday child, admission for 25 and party host. Dino Deluxe Birthday also includes cake, ice cream and drinks for child guests, plus tableware.

$150-250; discounts available for museum members.

Science Museum Oklahoma

2100 NE 52nd St, OKC 405-602-3760 www.sciencemuseumok.org

Packages include admission to the museum’s exhibits, Planetarium and Science Live shows, plus private party room for up to 30 people (14 adults, 16 children).

Demonstrations available for additional fee.

All ages

Members $225+; NonMembers $260+

Skate Galaxy OKC

5800 NW 36th, OKC 405-605-2758 www.skategalaxyokc.com

Roller skating parties including sound and light shows.

All ages

$99+

SoccerCity OKC

4520 Old Farm Rd, OKC 405-748-3888 www.soccercityokcity.com

Party includes 1 hour of field time in a climate-controlled building, a coach to help on the field and enclosed party room.

All ages

$175-250

Sooner Bowling Center

550 24th Ave NW, Norman 405-360-3634 www.soonerbowl.com

Parties feature bowling, use of party area, party host, free game passes for guests, invitations and more. Online booking available.

2+

$149+

Unpluggits Playstudio

575 Enterprise Dr, Suite 110, Edmond 405-340-7584 www.unpluggits.com

Two hours in your choice of private party room, Fairy Cove or Treasure Island. Includes paint’n play admission and supervised craft for each child. Invitations, paper goods and party assistant included. Also offer paint-your-own pottery parties for ages 8+.

2-12

$225, includes 15 children.

Velocity Dance Center

11122 N Rockwell, Suite A-11, OKC 405-721-8807 www.oklahomacitydancestudio.com

Party package includes 45-minute themed dance instruction (themes include princess, fairy, pop star, super hero, disco, etc.), water bottle for each guest, table coverings and more.

3-10

$125+

Water Zoo Indoor Water Park

1900 Blvd of Champions, Clinton 580-323-9966 www.water-zoo.com

Birthday package include two hours in a private party room, 10 admission tickets, 10 drinks, three pizzas and T-shirt for birthday child.

All ages

$250+

July 2013 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

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Help Tornado Relief Efforts with MetroFamily’s LemonAID Join the fun and help a wonderful cause by hosting your own family or group lemonade stand as part of the LemonAID for Tornado Recovery project, July 26-28. Designed to bring awareness, focus and needed funds to relief efforts, this project encourages you and your children to contribute to those in our community who need it most. All funds raised will be donated to Feed the Children’s Oklahoma Tornado Relief Fund. Find the details, tips and instructions on how to participate at www.metrofamilymagazine. com/lemonaid.

Our sincere thanks to our sponsors, Buy for Less and Feed the Children, and our partner, ServeOK.org.

JULY 26TH -28TH

JULY

1ST-12TH

JULY

JULY 19TH Classics for Kids As part of the Metropolitan Library System’s summer reading program and Neighborhood Arts program, Reduxion Theatre Company will present a new play Professor Spillsby Digs into Shakespeare. Designed for ages 6–10, the play centers around Professor Spillsby, a loveable original character who teaches literature and learns about the importance and fun of performing classical plays such as Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Performances are free of charge and are held at Metropolitan Library locations from July 1–12. See www.metrolibrary.org for a complete performance schedule and visit www. reduxiontheatre.com for more information about Classics for Kids.

Photo by Reduxion Theatre Company.

23RD-27TH

The Wise Guys Tornado Relief Benefit Concert Rock the night away on the Great Lawn of the Myriad Botanical Gardens (301 W. Reno) for a free concert by local band, The Wise Guys. The concert will benefit the Red Cross Oklahoma Tornado Relief Fund and a donation of $5 per person is suggested.

Enjoy local fare with a variety of food trucks, plus The Wise Guys signature brand of old fashioned rock n’ roll. The concert will be held on Friday, July 19 from 8:00–10:00pm. For more information, call 445-7080 or visit www.myriadgardens.org.

Photo courtesy of The Wise Guys

The Will Rogers Follies As part of its 50th Anniversary Season, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma will present The Will Rogers Follies at the Civic Center Music Hall from July 23–27. The show showcases the life of famed humorist & performer Will Rogers in a dance spectacular that celebrates Oklahoma’s past and present. The show will also feature a special “wild west” act featuring the Oklahoma City Thunder’s trick basketball team, the Storm Chasers. Each performance will also include an Oklahoma arts, political or civic leader playing the role of Wiley Post. Tickets begin at $35 and performances will be held Tuesday–Thursday at 7:30pm, Friday at 8:00pm and Saturday at 2:00pm & 8:00pm. For tickets or additional information, call 405-5249312 or visit www.lyrictheatreokc.com.

Photo courtesy of Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma

July 2013 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

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Daily Events July 1 • Monday

July 5 • Friday

July 7–8

Otto’s 6th Birthday at Science Museum Oklahoma (6100 NE 52) features party hats, cake & a performance by the Sugar Free All-Stars. FREE with paid admission. 9am-noon. 602-6664, www. sciencemuseumok.org.

A Night with Bats at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History (2401 Chautauqua, Norman) for ages 5+ explores information about bats & includes a trip to a local park to look for bats.

Preregister. $20 members, $30 nonmembers (price includes 1 adult & 1 child.) $10 additional member child, $15 additional nonmember child. 7:30-9:30pm.

325-4712, www.snomnh.ou.edu.

Brandon Weeden’s Swing from the Heart Golf Tournament at Oak Tree National (1515 W Oak Tree, Edmond) benefits the Children’s Hospital Foundation.

See website for details. 503-807-0960, www.okchf.org.

FREE Admission at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History (2401 Chautauqua, Norman) on the first Monday of each month. 10am5pm. 325-4712, www.snomnh.ou.edu.

OKC Redhawks vs. Albuquerque Isotopes at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark (2 S Mickey Mantle).

7:05pm. 218-1000, www.okcredhawks.com. Other home games this month: 7/2-3, 11-14, 26-31.

July 1–5 FREE Neighborhood Arts Presents: Monty Harper–Dig Into Reading at Metropolitan Library System Libraries features a sing-along concert for the whole family. See website for schedule. www. metrolibrary.org.

July 1–12 FREE Neighborhood Arts Presents: Reduxion Theatre–Classics for Kids at the Metropolitan Library System Libraries features a lighthearted romp through Shakespeare for ages 12 & under. See website for schedule. www.metrolibrary.org.

July 2 • Tuesday FREE Monthly Mini Model Build at Penn Square Mall’s Lego Store. Children 6-14 can build a new model on the first Tuesday of every month. Quantities limited. 5pm. 840-9993, www.stores.lego.com.

Justin Bieber in concert at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. 7pm. www.chesapeakearena.com.

July 3–4

Beyoncé in concert at Chesapeake Energy Arena. See website for details. 8pm. www.chesapeakearena.com.

July 5–6 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.

July 6 • Saturday FREE Kids Workshops “Despicable Me 2 Surprise Craft” at Home Depot Stores features hands-on workshops for children ages 5-12 on the first Saturday of each month. All kids receive apron, commemorative pin & certificate. 9am-noon. www.homedepot.com.

FREE Cloth Diaper Basics Class at Green Bambino (5120 N Shartel). Learn about the “new” cloth diapers & what kind might be right for your family. Preregister.

9-10:30am. 848-2330, www.green-bambino.com.

Also held: 7/20.

FREE 3rd Annual Children’s Festival at the Chickasaw Cultural Center (867 Cooper Memorial, Sulphur) features a stomp dance, storytelling, horticulture exhibits, arts & crafts & games. 10am-5pm.

580-622-7130, www.chickasawculturalcenter.com.

FREE Crafts for Kids “Big Mouth Whale Puppet” at Lakeshore Learning (6300 N May) for ages 3+.

11am-3pm. 858-8778, www.lakeshorelearning.com.

FREE Freedom Fest 2013 at Chisholm Trail Park (500 W Vandament, Yukon) & Yukon City Park (2200 S Holly, Yukon) features a live outdoor country music concert, sand art contest, car show, parade, crafts, OKC Philharmonic, 2 nights of fireworks & more. See website for details. 350-8937, www.cityofyukonok.gov.

Toby Keith Oklahoma Twister Relief Concert at the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman will feature Garth Brooks, Willie Nelson, Trisha Yearwood & Ronnie Dunn. Proceeds benefit the United Way of Central Oklahoma May Tornado Relief Fund. $25 plus fees, available through Ticketmaster.

3pm. www.tobykeith.com.

July 4 • Thursday

July 7 • Sunday

See our Guide to Independence Day Fun (www. metrofamilymagazine.com/independence-day-fun) for a complete list of festivals and events.

FREE Bricktown 4th Fest in Bricktown features fireworks visible from numerous locations in downtown OKC as well as food, live music and more.

Fireworks after dark. 4pm, fireworks at 9:30pm. www. welcometobricktown.com.

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FREE Plaza Sunday in the Plaza District on NW 16th Street features sidewalk chalk, crafts, art demonstrations, food trucks, live music & more. Held the first Sunday of each month. See website for schedule. www.plazadistrict.org.

FREE Summer Breeze Concert: Mike Hosty Duo at Lions Park in Norman. 7:30pm. 307-9320, www. pasnorman.org.

www.metrofamilymagazine.com | July 2013

July 8–12 FREE Gary Owen & Friends at the Pioneer Library System libraries features a professional ventriloquist & his puppets. See website for schedule. www.pls.lib.ok.us.

July 9 • Tuesday Biodegradable Bird Feeders in the Myriad Gardens Children’s Garden. Kids learn to create their own bird feeders & enjoy a story in the garden. FREE for members, $2 nonmembers. 9-10am. www. myriadgardens.org. Also held 7/11.

Water Slide Inflatables at Bouncin Craze (9333 W Reno) features an inflatable water slide outside. $15/ child. 10am-8pm. 470-7000, www.bouncincraze.com.

Also held 7/23.

FREE Pack the Park at Mustang Town Center (1201 N Mustang) features inflatables, face painter, games, concessions & a movie at dusk. 7:30pm. 376-3411, www.cityofmustang.org.

July 11 • Thursday Dive-In Movie at Pelican Bay (1034 S Bryant, Edmond) features themed activities, giveaways & screening of The Sandlot. $5. 8pm. 216-7647, www. edmondok.com/pelicanbay. Also held: 7/25 (Elf).

July 12 • Friday FREE Play in the Park at Fairmoore Park in Moore features supervised summertime activities including games, art & more for children ages 6-14. Adult must accompany children. 9:30-10:30am. www. cityofmoore.com.

Paint Your Own Gnome! at the Myriad Gardens Children’s Garden. $5 per gnome to paint. Noon-4pm. www.myriadgardens.org.

FREE Art a la Carte at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art (555 Elm, Norman) includes live music, films & art activity. 6:30-8:30pm. 325-3272, www.ou.edu/fjjma.

FREE Norman’s 2nd Friday Circuit of Art is a monthly celebration of the arts connecting the downtown arts district with galleries, performance halls, & Campus Corner. Trolley service between venues available at minimal cost. 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.

July 12–14

July 14 • Sunday

July 17–21

Gilbert & Sullivan’s Ruddigore presented by the Cimarron Opera at the Nancy O’Brian Center for the Performing Arts (1809 Stubbeman, Norman) features a melodrama about a witch’s curse, a hidden identity & a gallery of ghosts who come to life to exact their vengeance. $20 adults, $15 students & seniors. Friday, 8pm; Saturday, 2pm & 8pm; Sunday, 2pm. www. cimarronopera.org.

FREE Gustafer Yellowgold’s Rock Melon Tour at the Downtown Library (300 Park) features a multimedia experience for all ages. 2pm. 231-8650, www.metrolibrary.org.

Children’s Theatre Festival presented by the Oklahoma Children’s Theatre (2501 N Blackwelder) includes productions of Wizard of OZ, Old MacDonald & Rumpelstiltskin. See website for schedule. $10 adults, $7 students & ages 2-12. 951-0011, www. oklahomachildrenstheatre.org.

July 12–August 4 9 to 5: The Musical presented by Poteet Theatre (222 NW 15) is a story of friendship & revenge in the Rolodex era. Rated PG. $20. Thursday-Saturday, 8pm; Sunday, 3pm. 609-1023, www.poteettheatre.com.

July 13 • Saturday OKC Zoo Photo Op at the OKC Zoo (2000 Remington).

View the photos of George Walters at the ZooZeum & visit some of his favorite sites to take your own photos. $15/child member, $18/child nonmember. 9:30-11am. www.okczooed.com/families.

FREE Crafts for Kids “Make-A-Bug Wooden Spoon” at Lakeshore Learning (6300 N May) for ages 3+. 11am3pm. 858-8778, www.lakeshorelearning.com.

FREE “Hope Fest” Benefit Concert at the Myriad Gardens Great Lawn (301 W Reno) features local music artists, food vendors, fun and more. Donations accepted for Feed the Children’s Tornado relief Fund for Oklahoma. 11am-3pm. 945-4077, www. feedthechildren.org/tornado.

FREE Estate Planning for Families with Young Children at Green Bambino (5120 N Shartel). Rebecca Moreland explains the importance of estate planning for families & demystifies other estate planning devices such as living wills & powers of attorney. Preregister.

1-2pm. 848-2330, www.green-bambino.com.

FREE Nighttime Diapering Options Class at Green Bambino (5120 N Shartel). Learn about options for nighttimes diapering with cloth diapers. Preregister.

2-3pm. 848-2330, www.green-bambino.com.

Oklahoma City Football Club Women’s Soccer vs.

Ft. Worth Panthers at OCU. $10+ adults, $7 ages 12 & under. 7:30pm. 232-7223, www.oklahomacityfc.com.

Also held: 7/20 (Men’s).

FREE Summer Movie Series–Madagascar 3 at the Chesapeake Finish Line Tower & Devon Boathouse features a family-friendly movie on select Saturdays.

Concessions available. 8:30pm. www.riversportokc. org. Also held 7/27 (Back to the Future)

Ending July 14 FREE 2013 Family Summer Camp at Bass Pro Shops (200 Bass Pro) includes crafts, interactive displays & outdoor skills workshops. See website for details.

Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays & Sundays, Noon-4pm.

218-5200, www.basspro.com.

July 15–26 FREE Neighborhood Arts Presents: Cimarron Opera—Fumbelina at Metropolitan Library System libraries features music from Gilbert & Sullivan operettas. See website for schedule. www. metrolibrary.org.

FREE Neighborhood Arts Presents: Chasing James at Metropolitan Library System libraries features live children’s music. See website for schedule. www.metrolibrary.org.

July 16 • Tuesday FREE Christmas in July at Mustang Town Center (1201 N Mustang, Mustang) features a visit with Santa, candy cane hunt, holiday craft, crafters & a screening of Arthur’s Christmas at dusk. 7:30pm. 376-3411, www. cityofmustang.org.

July 19 • Friday FREE Tiger Safari at the SOKC Library (2201 SW 134) features an animal program designed to foster handson interactive learning with live animal interactions.

Preregister. 10-11am. 979-2200, www.pls.lib.ok.us.

The Wise Guys Tornado Relief Benefit Concert at the Myriad Gardens features a family-friendly outdoor concert as well as food trucks & vendors.

Donations will be collected to benefit tornado victims. $5 suggested donation. 8-10pm. 445-7080, www. myriadgardens.org.

July 19–20 Single Parent Support Network Mom & Son’s Conference at Crossings Community Center (2208 W Hefner) & Chapel Hill United Methodist Church (2717 W Hefner). $25/family SPSN members, $30/family nonmembers. Friday, 6-9pm; Saturday, 9am-5pm.

917-1817, www.supportforsingleparents.org.

July 19–21 Kiss Me Kate presented by Summerstock at UCO’s Mitchell Hall Theater in Edmond. $20 adults, $15 seniors & students. Friday, 8pm; Saturday, 2pm & 8pm; Sunday, 2pm. 974-3375, www.summerstockok.com. Also held 7/26-28.

Cowboy Cantina at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum (1700 NE 63) offers drinks, conversation, live music & an after-hours museum experience for adults 21+. FREE for members, $5 nonmembers. 5-8pm. 478-2250, www. nationalcowboymuseum.org.

July 20 • Saturday

Recycled Bird Houses at the Myriad Gardens. Kids can paint a birdhouse & identify birds in the Children’s Garden. $10 members, $12 nonmembers. 9-10:30am. www.myriadgardens.org. Also held 7/18.

FREE National Open House Event: Read Every Day, Lead a Better Life at Primrose Schools campuses features a day of fun for families. 10am2pm. www.primroseschools.com.

July 17 • Wednesday

FREE Crafts for Kids “Summer Fun Visors” at Lakeshore Learning (6300 N May) for ages 3+. 11am3pm. 858-8778, www.lakeshorelearning.com.

FREE Sales Tax Appreciation Day at the OKC Zoo (2000 Remington) offers free admission for all guests.

425-0262, www.okczoo.com.

FREE Baby Food 101 at Green Bambino (5120 N Shartel). Learn how to save money & make baby food from scratch. Preregister. 1-2pm. 848-2330, www. green-bambino.com.

FREE Astronomy on the Lawn at the Myriad Gardens features the OKC Astronomy Club includes instruction about finding the correct telescopes & stories for children. Boy Scouts can earn an astronomy merit badge. 8:30-10:30pm. www.myriadgardens.org.

July 13–August 25 Art of the Human Figure at the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art (1900 W MacArthur, Shawnee) examines how people have been portrayed in art by different civilizations from Egyptian stele to modern art. 878-5300, www.mgmoa.org.

July 2013 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

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Weekly Events

FREE Wacky Wednesdays at Jackie Cooper Gym (1024 E Main, Yukon) offers a fun activity each week including sports activities, fishing & more.

Wednesdays through July 24, 10am-noon. 350-8920, www.cityofyukonok.gov.

FREE Discovery Room programs at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History (2401 Chautauqua, Norman). See website for details. 3254712, www.snomnh.ou.edu.

Mid Week Market at the Myriad Gardens offers local fruits, vegetables & other goods. Wednesdays in July, 4-8pm. wwww.myriadgardens.org.

Morning Zoo Rise at the OKC Zoo (2000 Remington). The Zoo opens at 8am daily through August 25. 425-0262, www.okczoo.com.

FREE Art Moves weekdays (Monday-Friday) in downtown OKC (various locations). Performances, demonstrations, short films & discussions. Noon-1pm.

270-4892, www.artscouncilokc.com/art-moves.

Passport to Imagination Craft Classes at participating Michaels stores features 2-hour themed classes for ages 5+ that meet three times weekly through August 2. See website for schedule.

Preregister. $2. Monday, Wednesday & Friday, 10am-noon. www.michaels.com/passport.

Toddler Time playtime at Mustang Town Center (1201 N Mustang). $2 or FREE with Town Center membership. Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9am-noon.

376-3411, www.cityofmustang.org.

Cinemark Summer Movie Clubhouse at Cinemark Tinseltown (6001 N Martin Luther King) features kid-friendly movies on Tuesdays through August 6. See website for titles. 9:30am. 424-0461, www.cinemark.com.

FREE Night Time Stories in the Myriad Gardens Children’s Garden features stories for the whole family.

Wednesdays in July & August. 8:30-9pm. www. myriadgardens.org.

FREE Summer Movie Nights at the Myriad Gardens is an outdoor screening of a PG-rated family film , plus food trucks & vendors. Wednesdays through August 14, 9pm. www.myriadgardens.org.

FREE Diaper Bag Cinema at the Downtown Library (300 Park) baby-friendly movie venue.

See website for movie titles. Held every 1st & 3rd Thursday of the month. 11am-1pm. 231-8650, www. metrolibrary.org.

Cocktails on the Skyline at the OKC Museum of Art (415 Couch Dr) with full bar, complimentary chips & salsa & live music on the Roof Terrace.

See website for weather cancellations. FREE for members, $5 nonmembers. Thursdays, 5-9pm. 2363100, www.okcmoa.com.

FREE Sooner Mall Outreach Storytime is an interactive story time offered by the Norman Public Library in Norman’s Sooner Mall for ages 9 & under.

Tuesdays, 10am. 701-2600, www.pls.lib.ok.us.

FREE Outdoor Summer Concerts at Hafer Park in Edmond feature a variety of musical styles in an outdoor setting. See website for schedule.

Thursdays in July (except July 4), 6:30-8:45pm. www. edmondok.com.

Wild Tuesdays Story Time Safari at the OKC Zoo (2101 NE 50) features stories & Zookeeper chats.

Tuesdays in July, 9:30am & 10:30am. 424-3344, www.okczoo.com.

FREE Concerts in the Park at Chisholm Trail Park (500 W Vandament, Yukon). See website for schedule. Concessions available. Thursdays through August 8, 7-8:30pm. www.cityofyukonok.gov.

FREE Art Adventures at Norman’s Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art (555 Elm, Norman) includes handson art fun for children ages 3-5 with adult. Tuesdays, 10:30am. 325-3272, www.ou.edu/fjjma.

FREE Summer Concerts in the Park at Joe B. Barnes Regional Park in Midwest City each Thursday in July. See website for schedule. 7pm. 739-1293, www.midwestcityok.org.

Tuesday Night Movies at the Chickasaw Cultural Center (867 Cooper Memorial, Sulphur) features a movie on the four-story screen in the Anoli’ Theater every Tuesday through July. See website for titles. $3 adults, $2 children. 6:30pm. 580-622-7130, www. chickasawculturalcenter.com.

FREE Lower Bricktown Live outdoor concerts. See website for schedule. Fridays through August 16, 8-10pm. www.lowerbricktown.com.

Reading Rainforest in the Crystal Bridge at the Myriad Gardens (301 W Reno) features storytime, a short hike & craft for ages 3-5. FREE with admission. Wednesdays, 10-11am. 445-7079, www. myriadgardens.org.

Okietales at the Oklahoma History Center (800 Nazih Zuhdi) explores Oklahoma’s past through reading & storytelling for ages 5-9. Preregister. $2/ child, includes museum admission. Wednesdays through July, 10:30-11:30am. 522-0765, www. okhistory.org.

Way Back Wednesdays at the OKC Zoo (2000 Remington) offers $1 admission per person, dollar concession & ride deals. Children 2 & under FREE. Wednesdays in July & August. 425-0262, www. okczoo.com.

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FREE Story Time at Cuppies & Joe (727 NW 23) features stories & a treat. Held the 1st & 3rd Saturday of each month (except 4th of July weekend). 9am.

528-2122, www.cuppiesandjoe.com.

Dollar Days of Summer at the Gaylord Pickens Museum (1400 Classen) offers $1 admission.

Saturdays through August. 10am-5pm. 235-4458, www.oklahhomaheritage.com.

www.metrofamilymagazine.com | July 2013

FREE Skating Lessons at Skate Galaxy (5800 NW 36) for all skill levels. Saturdays, noon-12:45pm. 6052758, www.skategalaxyokc.com.

Drop in Art at the OKC Museum of Art (415 Couch Dr) features hands-on art activities for all ages.

FREE with paid admission. See website for themes/ activities Saturdays, 1-4pm. 236-3100, www. okcmoa.com.

All-Star Bowling for Differently-Abled Individuals at AMF Yukon Lanes (500 E Main). $8/ week includes 3 games & shoes. Saturdays, 1pm.

Email dbrakefield@yahoo.com to verify schedule.

354-2516.

FREE Green Earth Gang for ages 9-13 works on conservation projects at Martin Park Nature Center (5000 W Memorial). Saturdays, 9:30am-12:30pm.

755-0676, www.okc.gov/parks/martin_park.

Disco Nights Cruises on the Oklahoma River departs from Meridian landing & features a cash bar & boogie atmosphere. Reservations required.

Ages 21+. $29/person. Saturdays in July, 7:30pm.

702-7755, www.okrivercruises.com.

FREE Green Earth Rangers at Martin Park Nature Center (5000 W Memorial) for teens ages 13-18 to assist the park with complex, leadership-driven conservation efforts. Sundays, call for times. 7550676, www.okc.gov/parks/martin_park.

Shakespeare on the River Cruises depart from Regatta Park & Exchange Landings & feature “William Shakespeare” telling passengers about his relationship with the Thames River & the Globe Theatre. On-board concessions available, regular fare applies. Sundays in July, 12:30pm & 1:10pm.

702-7755, www.okrivercruises.com.

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Dive-In Movies at White Water Bay (3908 W Reno) screens an outdoor movie at dusk. See website for titles. FREE with park admission. Fridays through August 2. 943-9687, www.whitewaterbay.com.

FREE Friday Fun Days at various Yukon Parks features different activities for children each week including a turtle race, music fun, carnival, magic show & more. See website for details.

Fridays through August 2, 10am. 350-8937, www. cityofyukonok.gov.

Train Rides at the Oklahoma Railway Museum (3400 NE Grand) depart from the Oakwood Depot at the Museum throughout the day every 1st & 3rd Saturday through August. $12 adults, $5 children ages 3-12, children under 3 FREE. 10am, 11am, noon, 1:30pm, 2:30pm. 424-8222, www. oklahomarailwaymuseum.org/train-rides.

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FREE Sunday Twilight Concert Series at the Myriad Gardens are family-friendly outdoor concerts.

See website for schedule. Sundays through August, 7:30-9pm. www.artscouncilokc.com.

Have the best summer ever with MetroFamily’s resources. Find them at www. metrofamilymagazine.com/ summer.

July 2013 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

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KickingBird Golf Family Fun Night (1600 E Danforth, Edmond) features 9-holes including special junior tees, a putting course, $2 range tokens & food & beverage discounts. Call in advance for a tee time. $7 green fees, $7 carts. 5pm. 341-5350, www.edmondok.com.

July 21 • Sunday FREE Family Day at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art (555 Elm, Norman). Experience the illusions of Into the Void. 1-4pm. 325-3272, www.ou.edu/fjjma.

FREE Summer Breeze Concert: Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band at Lions Park in Norman.

7:30pm. 307-9320, www.pasnorman.org.

July 22 • Monday FREE Tommy Terrific’s Wacky Magic at the Norman Library presents a magical dinosaur dig. 2pm & 7pm.

701-2630, www.pls.lib.ok.us.

July 23 • Tuesday FREE Buckle Up & Boogie at Babies R Us (1731 Belle Isle) provides information about car seats & teaches caregivers how to fit the child correctly into the seat.

6pm. 840-2820, www.redbudbabyplanners.com.

Rock for Oklahoma Benefit Concert at the Chesapeake Energy Arena features the Kings of Leon, the Flaming Lips, Jackson Browne, Built to Spill & special guests. Proceeds benefit tornado victims. $35$50. 6:30pm. www.chesapeakearena.com.

July 23–27 The Will Rogers Follies presented by Lyric Theatre at the Civic Center celebrates the life of famed humorist & performer Will Rogers in a dance spectacular. $35+.

Tuesday-Thursday, 7:30pm; Friday, 8pm; Saturday, 2pm & 8pm. 524-9312, www.lyrictheatreokc.com.

July 25 • Thursday FREE Admission to the Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory at the Myriad Gardens in celebration of their 25th year. Held the 25th day of each month in 2013 except December. www.myriadgardens.org.

Ladies Night Out at Be Wild for Art (209 24th Ave NW, Norman). Bring friends, snacks & beverages for an evening of painting with a discounted studio fee of $4. Held the last Thursday of each month. 6-9pm.

307-9971, www.bewildforart.com.

July 25–28 King John presented by Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park at OCU Burg Theater (2501 N Blackwelder). $15 adults, $10 students/seniors/military. ThursdaySaturday, 8pm; Sunday, 2:30pm. 403-1750, www. oklahomashakespeare.com.

July 25–27 Annie the Musical presented by Upstage Theatre at the Mitch Park Amphitheatre (1501 W Covell, Edmond) presents this fun tale starring Edmond’s 2012 Teacher of the Year & Oklahoma Teacher of the year finalist Angie McKenna as Miss Hannigan. $16 adults, $8

students, kids 4 & under are FREE. 8pm. 285-5803, www.upstagetheatreok.com. Also held 8/1-3.

July 26 • Friday Bright Night of Harry Potter at Science Museum Oklahoma (5100 NE 52) features Quidditch matches, wizard’s dueling & giant chess during an overnight adventure at the museum. $45 children, $25 adults.

6pm-8:30am. 602-6664, www.sciencemuseumok.org.

Night at the ZooZeum at the OKC Zoo (2000 Remington). Spend the night in the historic 80-yearold ZooZeum. Includes a night hike, snacks, movie, breakfast & morning elephant habitat tour. Ages 4+ with parent. Preregister. $30/child, $15/adult. 7pm9am. www.okczooed.com.

H&8th Night Market at Hudson & 8th in Midtown OKC features food trucks & live music on the last Friday of every month through September. 7pm-2am. www.h8thokc.com.

July 26-28 Krazy Daze in downtown Edmond is a themed sales event that allows visitors to shop locally. www. downtownedmondok.com.

MetroFamily’s LemonAID for Tornado Recovery encourages families and individuals to host a lemonade stand to raise funds to benefit Feed the Children’s Oklahoma Tornado Relief Fund. Find tips and information at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/ lemonaid.

July 20 • Saturday

ght i N e t a D Ideas July 9–13 The King & I presented by Lyric Theatre at the Civic Center Music Hall (201 N Walker). $35+. TuesdayThursday, 7:30pm; Friday, 8pm; Saturday, 2pm & 8pm.

524-9312, www.lyrictheatreokc.com.

Ends July 13 Ring Round the Moon presented by Oklahoma Shakespeare at the Myriad Gardens Water Stage features a tale of mistaken identities & misguided love affairs with unexpectedly happy results. $15 adults, $10 students/seniors/ military. Thursday-Saturday, 8pm. 403-1750, www. oklahomashakespeare.com.

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www.metrofamilymagazine.com | July 2013

Bowling for Rhinos at Heritage Lanes (122 & N Pennsylvania) benefits rhino conservation & includes 3 games of bowling, pizza, shoe rental, door prize opportunities & a t-shirt. Teams & individuals welcome. Registration available online. $25/bowler.

7pm. 425-0262, www.bowlingforrhinosokc.com.

July 22 • Sunday Full Moon Bike Ride at the Myriad Gardens features a full moon route through downtown OKC, the river trail & other routes. Rides will last approximately 1 hour. Helmets & lights required to ride. $5 suggested donation/rider. 9-10pm. 445-7080, www.myriadgardens.org.

July 26 • Friday Cruise & Carriage on the Oklahoma River departs from Regatta Park Landing & features a 90-minute cruise followed by a 40-minute horse-drawn carriage ride under the stars. Includes cash bar, music, appetizers & soda. Ages 21+. Preregister. $39/person.

7:30pm. 702-7755, www.okrivercruises.com.

To find our readers’ top 15 local date night destinations, visit www.metrofamilymagazine. com/date-night.

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July 27 • Saturday

August 2 • Friday

Celebrating the National Day of the American Cowboy at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum (1700 NE 63) features the introduction of Miss Rodeo Oklahoma contests, announcement of the queen & court & more. 8am-5pm. 478-2250, www. nationacowboymuseum.org.

Sleep with the Sharks at the Oklahoma Aquarium (300 Aquarium, Jenks) is an overnight event that includes a dive show, scavenger hunt, flashlight tour, movie & sleepover. See website for details.

Preregister by 7/31. $45/person nonmembers, $35/ person members. 7pm-8am. 918-296-FISH, www. okaquarium.org.

United We Ride at Sooner Mall Safety Town (3301 W Main, Norman) benefits the United Way of Norman & features a big wheel race for kids of all ability levels ages 3-8. Bring your own custom decorated Big Wheel & enter to win best-outfitted trike. Preregister online by 7/12. $50/entry. 9am. 579-7000, www.bankfab.com.

Kids & Cousteau at the Oklahoma Aquarium (300 Aquarium, Jenks) features speaker Jean-Michel Cousteau, noted ocean explorer & son of the late Jacques Cousteau in celebration of the venue’s 10th anniversary. FREE with paid admission. Saturday, 10:30am. 918-296-FISH, www.okaquarium.org.

FREE Crafts for Kids “Cute-As-A-Cupcake Notepad” at Lakeshore Learning (6300 N May) for ages 3+. 11am-3pm. 858-8778, www. lakeshorelearning.com.

Beginning Cross Stitch at the Oklahoma History Center (800 Nazih Zuhdi) for ages 12+ explores the history of cross-stitch & teaches the skills needed to begin cross-stitching independently. Preregister. $15.

1-4pm. 522-3602, www.okhistory.org.

FREE Kids Cricket Clinic at the Myriad Gardens. teaches children ages 8-12 how to play cricket.

7:30pm. www.myriadgardens.org.

July 28 • Sunday Cruisin’ With Edgar on the Oklahoma River departs from Regatta Park Landing & features classical guitarist, Edgar Cruz as well as light appetizers & cash bar. Ages 21+. Preregister. $45/person. 7pm. 702-7755, www.okrivercruises.com.

July 29 • Monday FREE Edmond Home School Expo at UCO Nigh University Center is designed for existing homeschoolers & those considering it for the first time. Inlcudes a “You Can Homeschool” Seminar, exhibit hall & more. Preregister. 6-9pm. www. edmondhomeschoolexpo.eventbrite.com.

August 1 • Thursday OKC Redhawks vs. Reno Aces at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark (2 S Mickey Mantle). 7:05pm. 2181000, www.okcredhawks.com. Other home games this month: 8/2-6, 16-20, 26-31.

August 1–4 Urinetown the Musical at the Sooner Theatre (101 E Main, Norman) is a hilarious tale of greed, corruption, love & revolution in a time when water is worth its weight in gold. Thursday, 7:30pm; Friday-Saturday, 2pm & 7:30pm; Sunday, 2pm. 321-9600, www. soonertheatre.org.

August 3 • Saturday FREE Arcadia Lake Sweep at Spring Creek Park.

Participants will help clean-up the Arcadia Lake area & receive a t-shirt (while supplies last) & brunch.

Bring your own gloves. 7-10am. 216-7471, www. arcadialakeok.com.

Dancing for a Miracle at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum (1700 NE 63) features live & silent auctions, a cocktail reception, seated dinner & entertainment. Benefits the Children’s Hospital Foundation. Preregister. $150. 6pm. 271-8430, www. okchf.org.

August 5 • Monday FREE Admission at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History (2401 Chautauqua, Norman) on the first Monday of each month. 10am5pm. 325-4712, www.snomnh.ou.edu.

August 6 • Tuesday FREE Monthly Mini Model Build at Penn Square Mall’s Lego Store. Children 6-14 can build a new model on the first Tuesday of every month. Quantities limited. 5pm. 840-9993, www.stores.lego.com.

August 6–10 Big River presented by Lyric Theatre at the Civic Center (201 N Walker) is a musical adventure based on Mark Twain’s novel Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. $35+.

Tuesday-Thursday, 7:30pm; Friday, 8pm; Saturday, 2pm & 8pm. 524-9312, www.lyrictheatreokc.com.

August 7–November 13 FREE Wide-Open Wednesdays at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum (1700 NE 63) offers free admission on Wednesdays sponsored by the Oklahoma Ford Dealers. 478-2250, www. nationalcowboymuseum.org.

August 10 • Saturday Zoo Time with Grandparents at the OKC Zoo (2000 Remington) for grandparents & grandchildren to spend time together with activities including crafts, puppet play & animal meet-and-greets. FREE admission for grandparents. $15/child member, $18/ child nonmember. 9:30-11am. www.okczooed.com.

Bruno Mars at the Chesapeake Energy Arena features special guest, Ellie Goulding. $53+ plus fees. 8pm. www.chesapeakearena.com

Find our guide to family-friendly festivals at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/oklahoma-festivals.

July 2013 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

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Ongoing Events Ending July 19

Through August 2

Through September 2

FREE Play in the Park at parks in OKC provides supervised summertime activities for children 6+, including sports, crafts, educational games, performing arts & more. Breakfast & lunch available at selected sites. See website for list of sites. MondayFriday, 8am-4pm. www.okc.gov.

Soundscapes at Science Museum Oklahoma (2100 NE 52) features the sculptural work of 11 artists based on the distinct relationship between the visual & aural domains. 602-6664, www.sciencemuseumok.org.

Blue Star Museums program offers FREE admission at participating museums to all active duty military personnel & families. www.nea.gov/national/ bluestarmuseums/index2013.php.

Through August 9

Through September 8

Summer Movie Fun at Harkins Bricktown 16 (150 E Reno) offers 10 family-friendly movies over 10 weeks for $5 total. www.harkinstheatres.com/smf.

Beautiful Beasts: The Unseen Life of Oklahoma Spiders & Insects at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History presents a series of largescale color photographs taken by Thomas Shahan.

325-4712, www.snomnh.ou.edu.

Through July 28 FREE Into the Void Exhibition at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art (555 Elm, Norman) features a sensory experience that encompasses the entire optical spectrum. 325-3272, www.ou.edu/fjjma.

FREE Exhibition: Stirring the Fire–A Global Movement to Empower Women & Girls at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art (555 Elm, Norman). 3253272, www.ou.edu/fjjma.

Herb Ritts: Beauty & Celebrity at the OKC Museum of Art (415 Couch) features over 80 largescale, black & white photos. 236-3100, okcmoa.com.

Through August 1 Summer Kids Movie Series 2013 at the Warren Theatre (1000 Telephone, Moore) features a different kid-friendly movie each week. See website for titles. $2/person per movie, $15 for all. Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10am. 735-9676, www.warrentheatres.com.

Through August 23 FREE Laurie Frick: Walking, Eating, Sleeping at Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center (3000 General Pershing) draws from neuroscience as the artist adopts a daily regimen of self-tracking that measures her activities and body. 951-0000, www. oklahomacontemporary.org.

Through September 1 FREE Admission at the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art (1900 W MacArthur, Shawnee) offers FREE admission through Labor Day weekend. 878-5300, www.mgmoa. org.

Halo Amok at the OKC Museum of Art (415 Couch, OKC) features a puppet installation by Wayne White.

236-3100, www.okcmoa.com.

Bob Kuhn: Drawing on Instinct at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History (2401 Chautauqua, Norman) displays the relationship between predator & prey. 325-4712, www.snomnh.ou.edu.

Through September 15 FREE Exhibition: Hopituy Kachinas from the Permanent Collections at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art (555 Elm, Norman) features six types of Hopi kachina figures as depicted in more than 175 objects.

325-3272, www.ou.edu/fjjma.

Through December 31 Reigns Supreme: The Little Black Dress at the Oklahoma History Center (800 Nazih Zuhdi). 522-0765, www.oklahomahistorycenter.org.

July 2013 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

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Exploring Oklahoma’s State Parks Southwestern Oklahoma: Lake Murray, Turner Falls Park & More Editor’s note: In the third of a four-part series providing guides to the amazing state parks of Oklahoma, we travel south to Lake Murray and the nearby Chickasaw National Recreation Area. This beautiful part of the state provides a variety of indoor and outdoor fun for families.

Find more at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/exploring-oklahoma

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ust south of Ardmore, a few short miles east of Interstate 35, lies beautiful Lake Murray, one of Oklahoma’s most picturesque and busiest state parks. With over 12,500 acres, ample opportunities for family recreation make this a popular summer destination, and lodges and cabins on the lake fill up fairly quickly. Fortunately, other nearby accommodations or day trips from the Oklahoma City metro make it easy to enjoy all the fun there is to offer.

Lisha Newman/Oklahoma Tourism

“There’s a lot to see at Lake Murray, and it’s the largest state park in Oklahoma,” said Kelly Clark, marketing coordinator for the Oklahoma State Parks. “People love to stay in the lodges and cabins because it’s all centralized with the activities, including a water playground and boat rentals. It’s very popular with families.”

To reach Lake Murray State Park, head south on I-35 from Oklahoma City. It’s just over 100 miles to exit 24 (Lodge Road), which will take you directly into the park.

Fun in the Sun Outdoor activities abound at Lake Murray State Park. Lake Murray Water Sports and Mini Golf (3322 Lodge Road) provides equipment rental for a fun day on the lake.

Non-motorized options (paddleboats, canoes, kayaks, waterbikes and sailboats) and motorized options (waverunners, jetboats and accessories such as skis, tubes and wakeboards) can be rented by the hour, including lifejackets (which are required). If you’d prefer to hang out closer to shore, try out the water trampoline and water slide combo area. Fees and requirements for activities vary.

When it’s time to dry off, the 18-hole mini golf ($5 per person) and concession stand with drinks, snacks, ice cream and sno-cones offer family fun near the water when it’s time to dry off. One favorite activity for visitors is a pontoon cruise of the lake, where you can see the sights and learn a little about the history of the state’s first state park. Halfhour daytime cruises last 30 minutes and run $7 per person; the 75-minute sunset cruises are $12 per person. Private houseboat cruises are also available for groups of 25 or more by advance reservation, with or without dinner and drinks.

The Lake Murray State Park Golf Course is a well-manicured and challenging 18-hole course loaded with natural beauty. Fairways

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are lined with towering trees, water hazards and a striking natural waterfall. Golfers of all ages and abilities are welcome, especially at the newly-renovated pro shop, making this course great for families. A full rate sheet and downloadable course layout and scorecard are available online.

The Lake Murray Riding Stables offer an adventure of the four-legged variety. Open seasonally from March–November, families can book guided trail rides or hayrides that are appropriate for riders of all skill levels.

“Across from the Murray Lodge are the horse stables, and the guides will take you on a guided trail ride,” said Clark. “This is also a really popular family activity, and you’re never on your own. An experienced guide leads you all the way.” Trail rides are $20 per person, or $5 for ages 2–5 (must ride double with an adult.) Rides can accommodate up to groups of 12, no minimum required. Call 580-223-8172 for more information.

www.metrofamilymagazine.com | July 2013

For visitors who prefer to explore the area on their own two feet (or even two wheels), the 10 miles of the Lake Murray State Park Trail System offers the perfect trek for novice hikers or mountain bikers. The Pecan Grove Day-Use Area opens to trailheads that ramble through flat land and wooden bridges, easing into more challenging rocky areas.

Mountain bikers can stay on the footpath or challenge their ride with small ramps and jumps along the route, and the paths will also provide thrills through beautiful scenery, waterfalls and the Buckhorn Interpretive Trail, which adds facts and fun information about the local wildlife and fauna.

“There are trails throughout the entire park, but one in the Buzzard’s Roost area will take you up around all the rock formations in the park,” Clark said. “Because Lake Murray is the state’s first state park, there [are] neat historical foundations and buildings to be discovered.” Find more information about at www.travelok.com/listings/view.profile/id.18224.

Keli Clark/Oklahoma Tourism

The goal of the new nature center is to educate children about the impact of their presence and to inspire caring for the environment. The importance of conservation—water, energy and other natural resources—is stressed throughout the gallery, and the “green” aspects of the building are highlighted and explained for visitors.

Lodging Options For visitors who choose to stay at the park, there are a few options available, depending on your comfort preference. On the north end of the lake, Lake Murray Floating Cabins (formerly Lake Murray Bed and Berth) provide luxury in their vacation villas with views of Tranquility Point. The floating cabins feature two master bedrooms, a sleeping loft, balconies, showers and other amenities.

The Lake Murray Lodge features 49 rooms, three suites and internet access in the lobby.

“The lodge is in need of a facelift, and we will be building a new lodge in the coming years,” said Clark. “But while we build the new lodge, the old lodge will remain open.”

Those who prefer a more rustic getaway can select from 323 RV sites, 500 tent sites in nine campgrounds and 56 rustic cabins.

Other Places to Visit One of the best features of Lake Murray State Park is its great proximity to many other family-friendly venues. Here are several nearby places to check out on your trip south:

Photo by John Rohloff.

New at Lake Murray A few miles south of the main park entrance is Tucker Tower. From Lodge Road, head south on State Highway 77S for a few miles and you will reach the tower, on the shores of Lake Murray. Designed originally to be a retreat for Governor Murray in 1933, this medieval-style fortress features a new multimillion dollar Nature Center, a hands-on, interpretive and educational center focused on the environment around Lake Murray and all around the state.

• Ardmore—In the nearby town of Ardmore, the Greater Southwest Historical Museum will introduce your children to the history of the southwest through a collection of unique artifacts acquired from around the area. The main museum hall features a re-creation of turn-of-thecentury life in Oklahoma. Three additional wings house transportation and technology exhibits, local and changing galleries and a military memorial museum. Handson activities for kids provide fun and engaging learning opportunities.

• Turner Falls—Turner Falls Park in Davis is located just north of Ardmore and Lake Murray State Park and is a jewel of a mountain getaway. An adventurous and family-friendly destination deep in the Arbuckle Mountains, families can explore the cool springs, rugged wilderness trails or the streaming 77-foot waterfall that the park is famous for. Download a map of the park before you go to plan your visit. Adventurous visitors may want to hike to the deserted Collings Castle ruins, which is fairly easy to find but somewhat challenging to explore as the ruins are in a state of disrepair. The park also features paved and gravel roads, trails, caves, swimming areas, creeks to wade in and multiple day-use picnic areas and overnight cabins or camp sites.

See website for admission fees, cabin or campsite reservations • Chickasaw National Recreation Area— Located near the town of Sulphur, the Chickasaw National Recreation Area is

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Photos by MikeMcKee (left) and Marcy A. Gray (right).

really two parks in one, offering outdoor activities such as hiking, boating, fishing and swimming plus a historic view of the former Platt National Park, land that was sold to the government by the Chickasaw Nation in order to protect the unique freshwater and mineral springs along Travertine and Rock Creeks. The Travertine Nature Center educates visitors on the local flora and fauna and is open year-round. The area is home to the Lake of the Arbuckles, great for fishing, or families can enjoy a host of other activities, including biking, bird watching, boating, camping swimming, hiking and more.

Contact Information: Lake Murray Water Sports and Mini Golf 3322 Lodge Road, Ardmore 580-223-7185, www. lakemurraywatersports.com Lake Murray State Park Golf Course 2673 Lodge Road, Ardmore 580-223-6613, www.travelok.com/ listings/view.profile/id.4359 Lake Murray Riding Stables at Lake Murray State Park 580-223-8172 Open March–November; Saturdays– Sundays, 9:00am–5:00pm Reservations required

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• Chickasaw Cultural Center—The Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulphur features displays, interactive media, hands-on classes and a close look at the Chickasaw culture. It’s easy to spend most of the day immersed in the interactive indoor and outdoor exhibits. Children can connect with the past as they visit with Chickasaw elders of the tribe who share their stories and memories with visitors.

Getting hungry? Try lunch or dinner at the Aaimpa’ Café, which serves up traditional Chickasaw and American foods. For picky eaters, children’s meals can include traditional American favorites, but for adventurous eaters, the menu also includes Indian fry bread, buffalo burgers, pishofa, grape dumplings and seasonal foods such as wild onions and possum grapes.

An amazing adventure is waiting for you just south of Oklahoma City in and around Lake Murray State Park. Whether you choose to head south for several days or make a few trips, your family is sure to find adventure that will bring smiles for years to come.

Heide Brandes is a freelance writer based in Oklahoma City with 15 years of journalism experience. She is an avid traveler, adventure hound and professional belly dancer. Visit her website at www.heidewrites.com.

Editor’s note: Coming next month, the last in our series of travel articles, an overview of state parks in northwest Oklahoma. Find more at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/ exploring-oklahoma.

Tucker Tower Nature Center Open daily, 9:00am-6:30pm.Free admission, donations accepted.

18407 Scenic Highway 77, Ardmore 580-223-2109

Open Tuesday–Saturday, 10:00am–5:00pm; free admission

Lake Murray Floating Cabins 115 Bed & Berth Dr, Ardmore 580-223-0088, www. oklahomabedandberth.com Open year-round; accommodations by reservation only

Chickasaw National Recreation Area 1008 West Second Street, Sulphur 580-622-7234, www.nps.gov/chic

Lodging at Lake Murray 580-223-6600, www.travelok.com/ listings/view.profile/id.4358 Greater Southwest Historical Museum 35 Sunset Drive, Ardmore 580-226-3857, www.gshm.org

www.metrofamilymagazine.com | July 2013

Turner Falls Park Hwy 77, Davis 580-369-2988, www.turnerfallspark.com

Chickasaw Cultural Center Open Monday-Saturday, 10:00am-5:00pm; Sunday, noon-5:00pm.

867 Cooper Memorial Drive, Sulphur 580-622-7130, www. chickasawculturalcenter.com

Growing up can be hard and adolescents go through many phases‌

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it may be

BIPOLAR DISORDER If you child is between the ages of 10-17 and has symptoms of Bipolar I disorder, they may qualify for a clinical research study conducted by Cutting Edge Research to study an investigational medication for the treatment of Bipolar I Disorder in adolescents.

For more information about participating in a clinical research trial, call:

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Advancing Medicine. Changing Lives.

July 2013 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

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Learning Adventures Family Activities for Creative Minds: Creating Personal Symbols

For example, there are many symbols for the United States of America, including the Stars and Stripes (or the United States flag), the Seal of the United States, the Bald Eagle, and Uncle Sam to name just a few. What symbols mean “America” to you?

Personal Symbols What symbol or symbols would you use to represent yourself to others? Think about your best characteristics and ideas. How would you represent them visually? Look around your current environment. Are there colors that you like? Animals? Objects?

After you have thought about what colors, shapes, places, animals, signs or objects might represent you, create your new symbol.

You can draw, sketch, paint or sculpt your symbol—whatever media you feel best conveys your message. What do you think

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your new personal symbol says about you, your values or your interests?

Did You Know?

Symbols can help you identify with or understand a group, place, or belief easily because they help define ideas in a concrete way very quickly.

Take a few minutes afterward to record your thoughts about why you chose the symbol that you did. You can do this by writing your thoughts on paper or by telling your parents.

You may want to use technology to share your symbol and thoughts with the world.

Websites and apps like Voicethread (www. voicethread.com) and Fotobabble (www. fotobabble.com) allow you to take a picture of your symbol and record your voice as you explain it to others.

This Learning Adventures project is sponsored by Primrose Schools and Green Bambino. Find more educational fun at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/learning-adventures.

Activity ideas provided by Oklahoma A+ Schools, the state’s only research-based whole school network with a mission of nurturing creativity in every learner. Learn more at www.okaplus.org.

www.metrofamilymagazine.com | July 2013

© Anna Velichkovsky | Dreamstime.com

S

ymbols are everywhere. You see symbols when you ride to school, read a book or watch a television show. A symbol is simply something that stands for something else and comes to represent its qualities or traits.

July 2013 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

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Your Healthy Family When It Comes to Learning, Nutrition Matters

G

ood nutrition is the foundation for maintaining optimal health. We all know this… we may even try to eat right, but it’s often easier said than done in an age where processed convenience foods are readily available and hold such appeal, especially for busy working families. For so many of us, it’s entirely too easy to fix macaroni and cheese from a box and cut up a hot dog and call it lunch for a child, especially when you have something else— like an article deadline that is days past due— that you really need to be doing. But did you ever stop to consider the cumulative effect those decisions might have on your child’s learning?

Many studies have shown a clear link between nutritional quality and school performance in children—and adults. Some studies have also shown that improved nutrition and certain dietary changes can markedly improve symptoms in children diagnosed with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Clearly, there is a link between nutrition and learning outcomes, and possibly also between nutrition and behavior. Let’s explore ways that we can help our children learn and behave better through better nutriton.

Hunger The negative effects of hunger on a child’s academic performance and behavior have been reported in numerous publications, including the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Pediatrics, and the American Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

This is often tied to socioeconomic status, because often, healthier, fresh foods may not be readily available to purchase in poorer urban areas, and sometimes food shopping is done at the local convenience store or gas station.

While federal assistance is available to cover or offset the costs of school meals for lowincome families, there are other programs in place to assist families in bridging the gap. The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma’s Food for Kids Backpack Program provides children with backpacks filled with nonperishable, kid-friendly foods on weekends and school holidays.

A Matter of Choice Hunger isn’t always a socioeconomic issue, of course. Even though healthy food was readily available in my home, I distinctly remember opting out of breakfast altogether starting in middle school, instead favoring the extra 15–20 minutes sleep I was afforded by doing so. Of course, I know now that I

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was doing myself a disservice, as studies show students who eat breakfast tend to be better able to focus and have higher academic scores, particularly in math, than those who don’t. (I can tell you, that stint in summer school repeating Algebra II was NOT a good time.) Children who miss meals or are chronically hungry are also more likely to repeat a grade, and have a higher rate of absenteeism and more tardies than those who eat three meals a day.

calls the fast-food trap on a regular basis, she advises “meal-planning, including eating meals and snacks at regular times. When grocery shopping, stock up on a variety of healthy foods and snack options. Give older school-age kids choices, and avoid being overly restrictive. Plan dinners a week at a time and stick to a regular schedule.

Providing meals and snacks at regular times promotes stable blood sugars and helps children tune into their own hunger and fullness cues.”

An ideal breakfast for a school-aged child might include an egg, a piece of whole-grain toast with peanut butter, a piece of fruit amd a glass of low-fat milk or water..

Good Nutrition Just filling up a student’s belly with whatever is nearby is not enough to help him focus.

In fact, if those bellies are being filled with the wrong things, they can have the opposite effect. Eating too many simple carbohydrates can cause a rapid spike in blood sugar levels that is followed by a crash that will make you sleepy. Ever had a big piece of birthday cake right after lunch? It never fails… by 3:00pm on any co-worker’s birthday, I am fighting to stay awake.

There have also been recent studies showing that students with low-protein diets had lower achievement scores than those with a protein-rich diet. In addition, iron deficiency can lead to shortened attention span, fatigue, irritability and difficulty with concentration, all of which negatively affect student achievement.

There are two types of dietary iron. Heme iron comes from animal products that once contained hemoglobin, such as red meats, fish and poultry. These are the best-absorbed types of iron, and are excellent sources of protein as well. Non-heme iron can be found in foods such as spinach, broccoli, tofu, legumes and seeds. On the flip side, adding omega-3 fatty acids to a child’s diet may help to improve cognitive function. These can be found in many cold water fish and certain foods such as flaxseeds and avocadoes, and can also be given as a supplement.

So what’s the best way to eat to promote learning and school success? Jamie Taylor is a Registered Dietitian and Clinical Nutrition Specialist with a decade of experience, as well as mom to two elementary-age daughters. To avoid falling into what she

www.metrofamilymagazine.com | July 2013

An ideal breakfast for a school-aged child might include an egg, a piece of whole-grain toast with peanut butter, a piece of fruit and a glass of low-fat milk or water. The protein and fiber content will help keep your child satisfied until lunch time. “Optimal cognitive function pertains to stable glucose levels, as glucose is the brain’s preferred fuel source.

Keys to Success In order for a child to be successful at school, teaching optimal health and nutrition habits is a must.

• Eat three meals per day.

• Include lean protein in every meal.

• Switch to whole-grain bread.

• Include a variety of fruits and/or vegetables at each meal (4–6 servings per day).

• Include omega-3 fatty acids in your diet, or consider supplementing.

• Get into a routine with regular meal and snack times.

• Plan meals and grocery trips a week at a time.

• Involve your child with shopping and meal prep.

• Give children choices, and refrain from being overly restrictive.

• Avoid liquid calories.

• Minimize processed foods and refined carbohydrates.

• Set a good example by modeling healthy choices.

The more complex carbohydrates and fiber from sources such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, the better. Limiting simple sugars helps as well,” says Taylor.

Nothing Forbidden She cautions against forbidding certain foods altogether, such as fast food, sugary drinks and cereals. Most experts agree that occasionally partaking in these types of refined foods is harmless, as long as they don’t make up the majority of any child’s—or adult’s—diet. “We have to be careful to avoid too much deprivation, as it can cause an increase in desire for ‘forbidden’ foods.

Striking a balance between offering healthy yet appetizing food on tight budgets is an ongoing challenge in institutional food management,” says Taylor.

Indeed, while school lunches have come a long way in the past decade, many schools continue to offer fast-food style pizzas and French fries alongside the healthier options, especially in middle and high schools. Still, there are a few standouts. One high school in Appleton, Wisconsin replaced their regular poor-quality school lunches with healthy fresh foods at lunch with water as the main beverage. The changes reportedly resulted in improved behavior from the students and fewer absences.

The important thing is to teach your kids by example. Let them get involved in grocery shopping and food preparation. Keeping them involved in the process will help them to make better choices at school. There is always the option to send lunch to school with your child—hearty soups, salads, fruits

and sandwiches can be easily packed in insulated containers to stay hot or cold.

Obesity While children who are undernourished have trouble focusing and tend to be less successful in school, the same is true of children who are overweight and obese.

While at first glance, these issues appear to be at odds, research shows that obesity and hunger can and often do co-exist, particularly in low-income families.

Those without sufficient resources to buy nutritionally adequate food are often overweight, as purchasing decisions are driven by the need to maximize the number of calories they can buy to feed family members and stave off hunger. With poorquality meals, students are left with the same problem of blood sugar instability that those who are undernourished are facing. With childhood obesity rates on the rise across the country, it’s important to stop and ask how many of these children are actually in the same boat—at least academically—as the kids who are hungry?

Remember, ensuring your family is eating healthy doesn’t only lead to academic achievement and potentially successful careers, but also to a lifetime of good health!

Shannon Fields is a freelance writer and single mom to two girls. An Edmond resident, she graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma and is an HR manager in the medical field.

July 2013 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

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Local Shopping Pie Junkie: Truly Addictive Desserts

F

or Leslie Coale-Mossman and Darcy Schein, what started as a simple playdate has evolved into Pie Junkie— Oklahoma City’s only self-contained pie shop and the newest retail venture in the city’s thriving Plaza District.

The pair met when their oldest daughters were in a Mother’s Day Out program together.

“We started having playdates and Darcy ended up moving about a block away,” Leslie explains. “Our husbands worked a lot, so our playdates often turned into dinner. We realized that we were both pretty good cooks and other friends soon starting asking us to cook for their events. It started to grow and that’s when we realized that we could really do this.”

It Started with One Pie After getting the necessary licenses, Leslie and Darcy began catering small events out of the certified kitchen at a local church.

Soon, they were asked to make a dessert for S&B Burger Joint on NW 59th and May. “Basically, we decided to make a pie and see what happened,” Leslie explains. “It started with one pie. Then it was two pies. Then, it turned into delivering pies a few times a week.”

When S&B expanded with a new location and needed more pies, Leslie and Darcy decided to abandon their other catering efforts and focus exclusively on pie.

Operating under the name of Pie Junkie, they quickly established a strong wholesale business in the Oklahoma City metro. In addition to providing an exclusive pie to S&B called the “Hot Mess.” they also began baking a signature Italian Cream pie for Pizza 23 and providing pies for other local eateries including The Paramount OKC and Coffee Slingers.

Three years later, they began discussing the possibility of opening their own storefront.

“We really took our time, we are not quick decision makers. We had built our name recognition. It was the right time,” Leslie explains. “It was just time to put on our big girl pants and launch out there in our own space.”

Moving to the Plaza When looking for a location for their new storefront, the pair sought a retail space with a large kitchen space and a small dining area. The perfect location was found in the Plaza District, a commercial district with an artistic flair located inside the neighborhood on NW 16th between Classen and Penn.

“The Plaza District has transformed in the

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Pie Junkie last few years,” Darcy says. “We have spent time here eating in the restaurants and shopping in the stores. It is such a wonderful neighborhood and the neighbors have been so welcoming.”

Both Darcy and Leslie are thrilled to be part of the new energy and renewal taking place in the Plaza District. “Everyone is committed to the Plaza and to local business.

We understand that collective success means individual success,” Leslie continues.

“Everyone can just be who they are down here.

There are artists and retailers and we’re the moms who have a pie shop. We are who we are. We just welcome people to come in and have a slice.”

Setting up shop in the Plaza District was a quick process. Only five months after signing the lease, the two opened the doors of Pie Junkie on May 10, 2013. “We opened our doors during the monthly Live on the Plaza event,” Darcy recollects. “In our first night, we sold over 700 items and had a line out the door.”

Since then, Darcy estimates that they produce approximately 275 pies each week.

“Lots of people who work in the Plaza come by and take a slice of pie back to the office,” she says. “On Saturdays, we see lots of people stopping in to have a slice of pie and just enjoy time with their families. We love looking out in the dining room and seeing folks just talking and enjoying themselves.”

www.metrofamilymagazine.com | July 2013

1711 NW 16th Street, OKC 405-605-8767, www.piejunkieokc.com Tuesday–Friday, 8:30am–6:00pm Saturday, 11:00am–4:00pm Why did you choose the name “Pie Junkie”?

“We were trying to think of something that captured what we are doing, and we wanted something fun and memorable.

We love the idea of pie junkies being out there, people who just love good pie.”

What do your customers say most often?

“Most people comment on the unique concept behind our store.

There isn’t another pie shop in town.”

Anyone who hangs around your store might hear some special Pie Junkie vocabulary. What does “wongly” mean?

“Wongly is one of Darcy’s favorite culinary terms. It means the pie is still shaky, needs to set up and go back in the oven for a bit longer.”

Follow Pie Junkie on Twitter at @piejunkieokc or find them on Facebook.

Pies for Every Taste On any given day, visitors to Pie Junkie can find a wide array of signature pies, cream pies, nut pies and fruit pies. The menu includes Macadamia Key Lime, Almond Joy, Peanut Butter Chocolate, Orange Pecan, Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie, Peach Blueberry and Lemon Cream—and the pies available for purchase change daily. “People can’t get enough of our Strawberry Rhubarb,” Darcy adds. “It’s been very popular.” Darcy’s favorite is the “Drunken Turtle,” a baked fudge pie topped with chopped pecans and salted bourbon caramel. Or, leave off the bourbon caramel and enjoy it as the “Sober Turtle” instead.

Full-sized pies serve about eight people and are $18 each. Individual slices are $4 each.

The store offers a “HappyPi” hour Tuesday– Friday from 5:00–6:00pm, where individual slices are $3.14. All pies are available for special order with 48 hours notice by calling the store or emailing orders@piejunkieokc. com. “We offer 20 different types of pies and can make what you want with just a call,” Leslie adds.

In addition to their dessert pies, the store offers savory pies including several flavors of quiche and “take and bake” pot pies.

Balancing Baking and Babies Darcy and Leslie collectively have four children, who are basically growing up together. “Our kids are the same age and have always been together,” Darcy explains.

“We kind of operate as one combined family.

Even their extracurricular activities are coordinated!”

The two are very forthcoming about the challenges of operating a successful business, opening a new storefront and raising children simultaneously. “It’s not perfect and it probably won’t ever be,” Leslie admits. “Our husbands have been great about stepping up during our first few weeks and our kids are excited about the new store. Our ultimate goal is to be able to work our schedules around our kids. I wake up every day trying to figure out the best way to find the balance between work and being a mom. Every day is a new day and we just continue to do the best we can.”

The Future of Pie Junkie With their first month under their belt, the pair are focusing on perfecting their store, their menu and providing exactly what their customers want. “We are both kind of perfectionists,” Leslie jokes. “We aren’t hasty decision makers, so it will probably take us the next five years to figure out where we want to be in five years.” But regardless of how their culinary endeavors expand, they are certain that their story will continue to revolve around pie, family and staying local.

“Pie is just very Oklahoma,” Leslie explains.

“Everyone has a pie story and a favorite pie they love. I can’t even imagine not making pies now. It is just part of who we are.”

Brooke Barnett is the Assistant Editor and Online Content Manager at MetroFamily Magazine.

July 2013 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

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www.metrofamilymagazine.com | July 2013

Ask the Experts Self Care After the Storm

T

he national spotlight is no longer focused on Oklahoma, now more than a month after a series of devastating storms swept through the state wreaking havoc and destroying property and lives.

Though the storms and attention have past, the impact endures.

trauma may not show up for some time,” especially in children. “No matter how much you may have sheltered them from the news,” continues Carter, “if your town is like mine, tornado relief is on every block.” There are reminders of the storms, the damage and the need for help.

A non-stop convoy of semi trucks carries rubble and debris from the impacted areas in Moore, but a drive along I-35 in south Moore or across 4th Street will quickly highlight the need for ongoing cleanup efforts. And yes, the nation may have moved forward, but for Oklahoma? The storm rages on.

Warning Signs

Far-Reaching Impact “May 20, 2013 was one of the longest and scariest days of my 13 years as a school counselor,” said Lanet Clark. “I was in Moore, at one of the elementary schools that was not hit. For a period of time, after our central office and technology center were hit and we lost our computer and phone services, we were not sure where the tornado was going. The last word many schools got before we lost power was that it was headed our way.”

The impact of the storms was felt beyond the paths of damage that were left behind.

Whether you lived close to the storm damage or many miles away, the stress of the tragedy may affect your family in unanticipated ways.

“Whether or not you were directly involved in the tornado outbreaks, many Oklahomans will experience heightened levels of stress and anxiety in the weeks and even months following,” stresses Clark.

Devonne Carter, a licensed clinical social worker in Edmond, agrees. “The effects of

More Ideas for Getting Help “Support groups, individual counseling or even writing about the experience will be helpful,” says Dr. Lisa Marotta, a clinical psychologist of Edmond. A 1988 study by psychologist James W. Pennebaker showed that writing about traumatic experiences was helpful in processing the emotions of the events.

But beyond that, individuals who took part in the study and wrote about a stressful event were happier and suffered from fewer illnesses than the group who did not write about their experiences.

Keeping a journal can be helpful for those of all ages, and we should all be encouraged to share feelings and emotions in a safe place; writing (or drawing) can provide that space.

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Children may have a more difficult time understanding the aftermath of the storms and the subsequent cleanup. After the third round of storms on May 31, I drove down a street near some previously-damaged homes; my eight year old daughter started to worry that the previous night’s storms had caused that damage and we had a discussion about how the damage was actually caused by the storms two weeks prior but that the cleanup and rebuilding would possibly take months or years. This concept was very confusing; in her eyes, the damage just kept happening.

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (www.nctsn.org) advises that children who have been through a traumatic event may show the following symptoms: • Feelings of anxiety, fear and worry about their safety or the safety of others (including pets).

• Fears about more storms or tornados.

• Changes in behavior, including increased irritability, angry outbursts and withdrawal from family interactions.

• Increased physical complaints, such as headaches and stomachaches.

• Changes in sleep patterns, either sleeping more or less than what is normal.

How can you help if your child is displaying signs of stress? “One of the most important things you can do is listen to your child,” says Clark. Take the time to talk to him, reassure him and answer his questions. “It will take patience and reassurance to regain the sense of safety that was lost.”

Everyone in your family may have a different reaction to the stress. “Teens and children may be withdrawn and seem in a daze, while younger children may be more clingy and need more hugs and affection,” says licensed clinical social worker Kevin Tutty. There may also be strong reactions if the tornado sirens sound or the weather reports mention storms.

“Have a disaster plan with food, water and a place to go in the event of another tornado,” advises Tutty. And don’t forget to keep tabs on your personal stress levels as well. “Make sure to get adequate rest, downtime and take a day off if you and your family need it.”

www.metrofamilymagazine.com | July 2013

Reaching Out For people most directly affected by the storms, the emotional and physical cleanup are far from over. “They are rebuilding their sense of normalcy and safety,” says clinical psychologist Dr. Lisa Marotta. “We can expect that they are fatigued and still emotionally raw from the trauma of extreme stress. The rest of us need to remember this so we can extend our compassionate response.”

There are many ways to help that not only provide comfort and benefit to the families receiving the assistance, but to those providing it as well. “In Oklahoma, many of our neighbors were affected by prior tragedies; these feelings are reawakened in the aftermath of disaster,” says Marotta.

Keep in mind that sometimes the most important assistance that you can offer is also the easiest. “[Even] as a professional counselor, there are no simple or easy answers to the questions of ‘why did this happen now and to me?’” says licensed marriage and family therapist Donnie Van Curen. “Sometimes all we can do is listen to those hurting.” Van Curen offers the following three tips for reaching out to those in crisis: • Be available. People in crisis have different needs at different times. Be prepared to be physically and emotionally available, which provides comfort and security to those in crisis.

• Listen with your ears—and eyes. Show that you care by being there. Let them share their stories with you. Ask them about their feelings and allow them to express themselves openly.

• Give something of yourself. Pray with them, offer encouragement, a smile, a hug.

When dealing with children in crisis, there are additional considerations: • Create a safe environment.

• Let the child choose when to discuss the event.

• Help the child to express feelings.

• Provide activities that offer escape, such as imaginative play or coloring.

With all ages, watch for signs indicating that more attention or possible intervention by a professional counselor may be required. Find resources at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/ ways-to-help.

Mari Farthing is the Editor of MetroFamily Magazine.

Tips for When Your Student Heads Back to School “I don’t want to go back to that school,” I overheard a little girl tell her mother shortly after the tornado went through Moore. “Your child might seem fine all summer… until it’s time to go back to school,” cautions clinical social worker Devonne Carter. “Then she might show some fears.”

Carter encourages parents to listen, let their child communicate and express their fears. “Let your child know that you hear her, you understand her,” encourages Carter, “and then help her to find coping skills and talk about working through fears. The important thing is to let her know that you care about her feelings.”

When it’s time to return to school, find small ways to help your child make the transition through her fear. “For example, draw a face on the tip of her finger,” says Carter, “and let her know that you are there with her all day long.

Or put a picture of your family in her backpack.” Provide tangible proof of your presence in her day so she won’t feel so alone.

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Skate Galaxy OKC, Party Package #2 plus 4 admission passes ($200 value).

Soccer City OKC, Scrimmage Birthday Party Package ($175 value).

Mobile Game Party, mobile game theater party for up to 16 guests ($249 value). .

Jump!Zone Party & Play Center, Weekend Classic! party for 25 children ($250 value).

Face Painting & Glitter Tattoos by Amanda, two hours of face painting ($150 value).

To register and find more details about each of these prize packages, including restrictions and expiration dates, go to

www.metrofamilymagazine.com/birthday-giveaway Deadline is July 31, 10pm. Enter TODAY!

July 2013 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

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n, year or occasio f o e m ti at h w No matter nning BEST party-pla e th d n fi 'll u yo e. area right her choices in the

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July 2013 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

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Mom Gets the Last Laugh Party On: Confessions of a Party Girl

I

Illustration by Emily Ball, http://emilymgball.com.

had handmade 56 invitations, sprinkled glitter on each and every one of them and dropped them in the mailbox weeks before. The presents had been wrapped and decorated with dramatic bows and concealed in the hall closet for well over a month. I had cooked up approximately 32 gallons of chili and chopped about eight pounds of onion for garnish. I bought all the corn chips my local grocery had to offer the night before.

I’d pre-ordered dozens of helium balloons to perfectly coordinate with our red party plates and cups. The drinks were soaking in an ice bath in three different coolers, and the most delicious-smelling birthday cake waited on the partygoers to dive in.

The yard had been decorated with streamers of every color. Games and signs proclaiming the big day told everyone who drove by our house what we had planned. Party music was playing throughout the house loud enough to set the mood, but not so loud as to impede conversation. The camera batteries were charged, but I still debated with myself about hiring a photographer to capture all the birthday memories.

On more than one occasion during the weeks proceeding the big day, my husband asked me if I was being too extravagant. He wondered aloud if I had gone overboard. He muttered under his breath “What’s the big deal anyway?”

I scoffed at him. Men! They didn’t know how to throw a good party anyway. If this birthday party had been left up to my husband, he’d have thrown some pasteurized processed cheese product into a crockpot, turned on the “World Series of Poker” and called it all good.

“No,” I assured him. “This has been a really big year, and we need a really big birthday celebration.” He may have actually snorted when I started listing off the year’s accomplishments.

Then the doorbell rang, and I rushed to welcome the first of our guests—but quietly.

The birthday girl was still napping. Those one year olds really need their rest.

That’s right. All of this hoopla was for a first birthday.

“Hello. My name is Heather, and I’m addicted to birthday parties.”

Hi Heather!

By the time the neighbors, friends, nursery schoolmates and their families, my co-workers, our birthing classmates and quite possibly the postman (I’m not exactly sure who he was, but he looked familiar) crammed into our house for the party

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extraordinaire, I was wiped out. By the time we were eating homemade chili but before we opened presents, I had lost the birthday girl. I found her playing in the toilet.

house wearing only her diaper and a red nose (it’s nearly impossible to clean off red food coloring) when I finally collapsed on the love seat.

We gave up on presents after my eleventh time of dragging her away from the DVD collection underneath the television. All she really wanted to do was stack our old DVDs, even though she had just gotten a giant, fuzzy pink and green caterpillar as big as she from “Aunt Jean”—we don’t have an Aunt Jean.

Within a few moments, my child had discovered her presents. That is to say, she had discovered the wrapping paper around her presents. She had also discovered the four-dozen goody bags that I neglected to pass out as people left the craziness that was her first birthday party. Even the dog was exhausted as she curled up in the corner, dozing on the new over-stuffed, over-sized caterpillar.

When we sang “Happy Birthday To You,” every single child screamed as if we were removing her toenails.

The beautifully decorated Old MacDonaldthemed cake became tiny fists-full of crumbs in the hands of the birthday girl before being hurled at anyone who attempted to take her picture.

And speaking of pictures… my camera went missing. I found it later on the bookshelf with a napkin covering it. I totally blame my husband for this even though he maintains his innocence. I was completely deflated that I would finish off my firstborn’s first-year scrapbook not with a beautiful five-page layout accented by special coordinating Old MacDonald acid-free first birthday stickers, but rather with a note that said, “They came, they saw, they partied.”

Eventually, the partygoers all ventured to their own quiet and clean homes. We hosed down our beautiful daughter in the sink, and she was contentedly running through the

www.metrofamilymagazine.com | July 2013

With the remote in his hand, my husband looked over at me and said, with a slight I-told-you-so smirk on his face, “I bet you won’t plan a big party like this again.”

I looked at my child who was grinding her new Play-Doh into the bricks on the fireplace surround; I stared at the mountain of dishes in the sink and smelled the tangy burn of the slowly-crusting-over chili. I looked at the two diaper bags sitting at the end of the couch, neither one belonging to us, and I said, “At least not for another year.”

Heather Davis is an Oklahoma momma, a writer, and a wannabe party planner. She blogs at www.minivan-momma.com and is the author of TMI Mom: Oversharing My Life.