MetroFamily Magazine August 2013

August 2013

Find your end-ofsummer fun here! ✔ Adventure on the Oklahoma River ✔ Unforgettable getaway to Northwest Oklahoma ✔ Over 101 family events in our calendar

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Meet Robin Dziedzic:

Moore teacher & tornado survivor

Over 35 classes & extracurriculars in our After-School Activities Guide Available inside!

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• Back to School Giveaway–over $200 in fun school gear up for grabs. (Deadline: August 15) • Oklahoma City Storytelling Festival– win one of two family 4-packs to the Saturday matinee. (Deadline: August 15) • The Wiggles “Taking Off!” World Tour Giveaway—five four-packs, with the grand prize winner receiving a meetand-greet before the show. (Deadline: August 31) • State Fair of Oklahoma Ticket Giveaway–four readers will win a 4-pack of tickets to the Fair, plus complimentary parking. (Deadline: August 31) • Disney on Ice Rockin’ Ever After Ticket Giveaway—win one of two family 4-packs for a performance of your choice.

(Deadline: August 31) • Project Mom Giveaway—four readers will win a pair of free registrations to this inspirational event for moms. See p. 10 for more. (Deadline: August 31) • Follow us on Twitter (www.twitter. com/metrofamily) and Facebook (www. facebook.com/metrofamily) for the announcements of other fun contests.

Have you visited the NEW www.metrofamilymagazine.com?

If you haven’t had a chance to check out our new website, come by to see what’s new! Each day, you can find our top three events happening around the metro (plus, one-click access to even more events happening every day). Our new website is also tablet and smartphonefriendly—so you can take MetroFamily with you on the go!

Plus, while you are there, be sure to check out our newly updated After-School Activities directory. You can search for the perfect extracurricular activity, class or program for your child, based on interests and name! Find it at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/after-schoolactivities.

Other great resources: • Wondering how many days are left before school starts? Find school starting dates for distrcits around the metro at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/school-start-dates.

• If you’d like to lend a hand to students in need, or if you need help getting your school supplies this year, visit www.metrofamilymagazine.com/school-supply-drives for a list of school supply drives and backpack donation events going on this month.t • Our Summer Survival Guide continues through Labor Day, giving you daily events, tips and ideas to keep the summer fun going! Check it every day at www.metrofamilymagazine. com/summer-survival-guide.

Join the MetroFamily community of active local parents at:

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www.metrofamilymagazine.com | August 2013

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• Project Mom Summit • Skate Galaxy • Studio J • The Vintage Pearl • Bouncin’ Craze • GattiTown • Club Z In-Home Tutoring • Jump!Zone • Bright Smile Family Dentistry • American Hearing Aid Center • The Wiggles “Taking Off!” World Tour • Paint N’ Station PLUS, save big bucks with the 2013-14 Kids Pass that includes over 30 awesome coupons to local and statewide attractions.

Plus, these coupons don’t expire until April 2014, so you can print and use as many as you like. Download your own Kids Pass at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/kids-pass.

Contents August 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 Robin Dziedzic, Moore Teacher & Tornado Survivor

27 Calendar

Fun events, activities and classes

38 Focus on Education

Motivating the Gifted Student in the Classroom

40 Learning Adventures Create an Altered Book

44 Your Healthy Family

Oklahoma’s Mothers’ Milk Bank

46 Local Shopping

Learning Tree: Specialty Toys for All Ages

50 Ask the Expert

Tips for School Dropoff, Mean Girls & Difficulty with Reading

54 Mom Gets the Last Laugh

Nuture your child’s interests, talents and skills with the great classes and programs in our 2013 After School Activities Guide.

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How I Found a Backpack and Lost My Mind

Whether you are looking for fun on land or on water, here’s how you can find new adventures for your family on the Oklahoma River.

We complete our exploration of Oklahoma’s best state parks with a look at beautiful Northwest Oklahoma. Plan an adventure that includes digging for crystals, cave exploration & more!

ON OUR COVER AND ABOVE: 7-year-old Abigail, daughter of Rick and Kim DeSpain, Oklahoma City. Abigail was voted the winner of MetroFamily’s Cover Kids Search Contest in the 4-7 year old category. She has been playing the violin through the Sooner Strings Project at the University of Oklahoma for the past two semesters and she says about the experience, “I like it a lot and I really like learning to read music now.”

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

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Dear MetroFamily,

Murphy (age 7) and I this summer, enjoying a visit to POPS in Arcadia.

I will never forget how I felt when I saw my four-year-old daughter take the stage at her first Kinderdance recital. As I watched my little girl venture out on the stage and begin to dance, I found myself having a true “proud mama moment” right there in the cramped auditorium where her recital was being held. She did maybe a third of the steps, teetered scarily close to the edge of the stage and nearly lost her sequined hair accessory, but her smile when the audience applauded was priceless. Three years later, my family is now juggling school schedules, homework, new jobs and a second child in addition to extracurricular activities—but it has been worth every ballet shoe, leotard and lesson to watch how she has grown in her abilities and confidence.

Our August issue is all about extracurricular activities, and our handy After-School Activities Guide begins on p. 17. The guide represents some of the best programs, venues and classes available in the OKC metro, so we hope it will help you find your own “proud mama moment” while you watch your kiddo learn, grow and excel.

Info And Questions: 405-601-2081 To submit events to our calendar calendar@metrofamilymagazine.com Publisher Sarah L. Taylor sarah@metrofamilymagazine.com Editor Brooke Barnett editor@metrofamilymagazine.com Art Director Kathryne Taylor kathryne@metrofamilymagazine.com Advertising Sales Athena Delce Dana Price ads@metrofamilymagazine.com

But if you aren’t quite finished having summer adventures just yet, you’ll find plenty of familyfriendly fun in our pages this month, too. Former editor Mari Farthing gives you her first-hand account of the thrilling fun available in the Boathouse District (p. 36), while publisher Sarah Taylor shares how you can explore caves & dig for crystals in a fun-packed family getaway to northwest Oklahoma (p.22).

Office and Distribution Manager Kathy Alberty kathy@metrofamilymagazine.com

Lastly, I had the pleasure of meeting Robin Dziedzic, a Moore teacher and tornado survior who courageously helped her students through the F5 tornado that devastated her community last spring. Her story on p. 14 is about keeping faith, staying strong and facing fears—and is an inspiration to us all as we head back to school.

Project Manager Janetta Bridges janetta@metrofamilymagazine.com

Wishing you a wonderful month,

P.S. In addition to my new adventure as the Editor of MetroFamily, I also share my family’s ongoing adventures in our Weekend Warrior blog. Find it at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/weekend-warrior.

We asked our contributors:

What was your favorite school supply as a kid?

Mari Farthing, Exploring Oklahoma with Children

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Sarah Taylor, Publisher

Paste! The white kind in the jar. It had a particular smell that really announced back to school for me.

The notebooks and the crayons. Everything smelled new and it was exciting to have blank pages to fill up with activities. Yes, just call me a school geek!

Shannon Fields, Your Healthy Family

Heather Davis, Mom Gets the Last Laugh

I was a notebook fiend— narrow rule with perforated edges. I would buy a multisubject for school, plus an extra for doodling and journaling.

A new box of crayons and a brand new notebook. I’d spend hours coloring and writing with my new crayons in my new notebook.

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Calendar Editor Sara Riester calendar@metrofamilymagazine.com

Contributing Writers Brooke Barnett, Janetta Bridges, Heather Davis, Mari Farthing, Shannon Fields, Sarah Taylor 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 8

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Contributing writers: Brooke Barnett & Janetta Bridges

Photo courtesy of Sooner Success

New Papa Murphy’s Franchise Employs Oklahomans with Disabilities The Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC) is a local nonprofit organization that trains and employs people with disabilities.

The organization is the first nonprofit in the country to become a Papa Murphy’s pizza franchisee. By opening its new Papa Murphy’s location (2220 NW 23rd) in July, the DRTC is able to increase the number of jobs for people with disabilities in the Oklahoma City metro and provide valuable work experience for employees.

“Dale Rogers Training Center has always been an entrepreneurial nonprofit,” said Connie McGoodwin, DRTC executive director. “Because of our mission, we go beyond hosting fundraisers and asking for donations by actually creating products and services—everyone wins. We raise awareness and support abilities, our clients gain the pride and independence of earning a living, and companies find enthusiastic, capable employees. Operating a Papa Murphy’s store is the perfect way to meet our mission in a new and exciting way.”

“Our Papa Murphy’s restaurant is unique because our mission is to hire people with disabilities. We have the same standards expected from every other Papa Murphy’s store and crew members,” added McGoodwin. “A sign by the door lets people know that the franchise is owned and operated by Dale Rogers Training Center. It tells our customers that their purchase also helps their community.”

For more information, visit www.drtc.org.

Photo courtesy of the Dale Rogers Traning Center

Promoting School Attendance in OKCPS It is estimated that one in four Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS) students will not show up for the first day of school. For every school day missed, it takes three days to make up for what was taught.

OKCPS has launched a district-wide campaign aimed at improving student attendance.

More than 40,000 students are expected to start school on Monday, August 5—but only 76% of expected students showed up on the first day in the last school year. The district hopes that the research-driven campaign “HERE! First Day. Every Day.” will increase both first day and regular student attendance by raising awareness about the importance of being in school each day. It will also reward students for good attendance.

“We want parents and students to know the serious consequences of missing school and how good attendance leads to academic improvement,” said Karl Springer, OKCPS Superintendent. “Being in school on the first day and every day is important. We cannot teach our students if they are not in school.”

Middle and high school students with perfect attendance for the first full week will earn a free dress day in August. Each elementary school principal is planning a special party or event for the students who attend school the first five days.

To encourage regular attendance throughout the school year, the OKC Thunder has provided each OKCPS middle and high school with Thunder-branded headphones that will be raffled throughout the school year to students with good attendance. Schlegel Bikes and American Fidelity have provided each elementary school with four bikes that will be raffled during the school year to students in pre-k through sixth grade with good attendance.

OKCPS is promoting the Monday August 5th start date with yard signs, postcards sent home to parents, phone messages and other advertising. For more information on the HERE! First Day. Every Day. attendance campaign, visit www.okcps.org.

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Bridging the Gap for Families with Special Needs Sooner SUCCESS serves as an information access point and referral system for Oklahoma families with special needs, connecting them to available health, educational and social services in a timely, compassionate and efficient manner. Now in its 10th year, Sooner SUCCESS also empowers families by supporting, serving, and building healthy communities for children with special needs.

When families aren’t sure what they need, a Sooner SUCCESS County Coordinator can help them gather information, consider options and put together an action plan. The Coordinator can also help family members navigate complicated health care and human service systems, and help coordinate services to prevent duplication. Lastly, when needed services are missing, Sooner SUCCESS helps bring the family together with service organizations to find new ways to close service gaps.

“Sooner SUCCESS has been instrumental in helping many Oklahoma families and children reach their full potential,” explains Governor Mary Fallin. “There are many wonderful public, private and nonprofit resources already available in the community, but in many cases, people don’t know how to find them. Sooner SUCCESS helps bridge the gap and lead families to healthier, more productive lives.”

Families can contact Sooner SUCCESS by calling 1-877-441-0434, email soonersuccess@ouhsc.edu or search their online directory at www.soonersuccess.ouhsc.edu.

Photo courtesy of METRO Transit

Be Prepared for Ozone Alert Days Last year, a record number of ozone alert days were declared in central Oklahoma. Hot temperatures, calm winds and sunshine with no cloud cover are the ingredients for an ozone alert day. As Oklahoma enters ozone alert season, you can do your part to keep pollution down.

“Breathing in ozone is similar to getting a sunburn on your lungs,” said Jenny Brown, health promotions coordinator with the American Lung Association, Oklahoma City office. “It causes the lining of the lungs to become irritated and inflamed. Ozone affects everyone, but it is especially harmful to the approximately 32,000 children and 89,000 adults who struggle with asthma in central Oklahoma.”

Other tips for cutting carbon emissions on ozone alert days: • Carpool. Talk to your friends and coworkers about sharing the drive—you’ll help the environment and save on gas money.

• Combine trips. Before running errands, plan ahead and combine as many errands into one trip as possible.

• Take your lunch to work. Packing a lunch is a simple way to cut out a trip during the hottest time of the day.

• Dine-In. Avoid idling your engine in line at the drive-thru.

• ·Teleconference. Instead of driving to meetings on ozone alert days, consider teleconferences.

• Fill up your tank in the evening. Refueling in the evening can prevent gas fumes from evaporating into the atmosphere.

• Avoid mowing or mow in the evening. Older gasoline-powered lawn mowers running for one hour emit as many pollutants as a car driven from Oklahoma City to Houston.

To learn more about METRO Transit or view bus schedules and routes, visit www.gometro.org or call 405-235-RIDE. To learn more about carpooling or to be matched with someone in your area, visit www. getaroundok.com.

August brings new learning opportunities—a new school year, new after-school activities and other opportunities to engage your children in learning opportunities. And learning is not just limited to the classroom!

Family outings can also broaden horizons, spark new interests and capture imaginations. For our August Top 10 list, we polled our readers for their favorite places for kids to learn outside the traditional classroom. Here, in random order, are their responses: • Science Museum Oklahoma (2100 NE 52nd St, www. sciencemuseumok.org) • National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum (1700 NE 63rd, www.nationalcowboymuseum.org) • Martin Park Nature Center (5000 W Memorial, www.okc. gov) • Chickasaw Cultural Center (867 Charles Cooper Memorial Rd, Sulphur; www.chickasawculturalcenter.com) • Oklahoma History Center (800 Nazih Zuhdi Dr, www. okhistory.org) • Fort Reno (7107 W Cheyenne St, El Reno; www.fortreno.org) • Oklahoma City Zoo & Botanical Garden (2000 Remington Pl, www.okczoo.com) • Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History (2401 Chautauqua, Norman; www.snomnh.ou.edu) • Museum of Osteology (10301 S Sunnylane, www. museumofosteology.org) • Chickasaw National Recreation Area, including Little Niagra and the Travertine Nature Center (www.nps.gov/chic) Thanks to Jennifer S., Dolores I., Dorothy H., Sara R., Shana H., Tiffany B. and David F. for contributing to this list.

Follow us at www.facebook.com/metrofamily to weigh in on next month’s list. Have a place you’d like to suggest? Comment at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/outside-the-classroom.

Find Volunteer Opportunities After a Disaster The new Team Red Cross App from the American Red Cross allows individuals to receive notifications about Red Cross volunteer opportunities in their community and sign up to help following a disaster.

“When people see an emergency happening in their community, they often want to help but may not know how,” said Ken Garcia, Central and Western Oklahoma regional spokesman. “The Team Red Cross App provides an easy and quick way for people to sign up to help the Red Cross and support their community.”

Once users download the app, they can create an account and learn about different jobs available. When the Red Cross has a need for volunteers, the app will notify users based on their location and

users can instantly accept or decline the volunteer opportunity. The app also allows users to share notifications for volunteers within social networks, make a monetary donation to the Red Cross, sign up for blood donations and share emergency response information with friends.

The app is free and available for iPhone and Android smart phones and tablets. The Team Red Cross App can be found in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store by searching for American Red Cross or by going to www. redcross.org/mobileapps.

Image courtesy of the American Red Cross.

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Photo courtesy of Science Museum Oklahoma

In an effort to make Oklahomans more aware of local air quality issues, METRO Transit is offering free bus service on the third Friday of every month through September. METRO Transit bus rides are free for everyone on any route in the greater Oklahoma City metro area on August 16 or September 20. “Free ride days will also allow people who haven’t ridden before a chance to try the service at no cost while visiting the many entertainment and family-friendly venues available through our bus routes,” said Michael Scroggins, METRO Transit public information manager.

Top 10 Reader Picks: Best Places to Learn Outside the Classroom

Project Mom Coming to OKC! Project Mom is an organization that provides valuable resources and enjoyable events for moms of all ages and stages. Project Mom events include one day get-togethers and weekend-long getaways for moms who want to be inspired and rejuvenated while relishing some much needed “me” time.

Project Mom is coming to the Oklahoma City metro on September 13–14, 2013 at the Hilton Skirvin Hotel. Interested moms can purchase an All-Access Day Pass for $49 that includes admission to general sessions and breakout sessions and access to the Project Mom Promenade Shops. Plus, every participant received an exclusive Swag Bag full of goodies, including gift cards, samples, beauty products, and coupons. A limited number of Girls’ Getaway Weekend Package are available for $79, which also include tickets to a meet-and-greet reception with Project Mom speakers and founders and access to Rise and Shine Yoga on Saturday morning.

Special group rates are available for groups of four or more by emailing groups@projectmom. com.

You can enter to win one of four pairs of free registrations to Project Mom by visitng www. metrofamilymagazine.com/Contests. For more information, visit www.projectmom.com.

Spotlight on Character: Diligence “Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned.”

— General George C. Marshall

Diligence is investing your time and energy to complete each task assigned in a timely manner. In the home, diligence includes investing time and energy to establish a vision and goals for the family, as well as helping to plan and set priorites for weekly tasks for the family to accomplish.

Parents can help children to be diligent by making a daily schedule to use time most wisely and by putting effort into helping family members meet responsibilities. The rewards of diligence are having direction and a vision in your life, and making the most of every opportunity to accomplish goals.

I will: finish my projects • do a job right • follow instructions • concentrate on my work • not be lazy.

Read about diligence to bring the lesson home to your young children: • Young children will enjoy the simple narrative and colorful illustrations about a spider who stays focused on her job in Eric Carle’s Very Busy Spider. (Preschool) • Share the amazing true story of Helen Keller and how her indomitable will and the help of a devoted teacher empowered Helen to triumph over incredible adversity with Helen Keller: Courage in the Dark (Step-IntoReading, Step 4) by Johanna Hurwitz. (Ages 7–9) • A retelling of a traditional Dutch folktale, The Boy Who Held Back the Sea by Thomas Locker shares the story of a mischevious young boy who must act fast to save his low-lying village. (Ages 3-5)

Enter the 2013 Reading Makes Cent$ Sweepstakes This summer, two young Oklahoma readers will win a $2,529 Oklahoma College Savings Plan (OCSP) in the Reading Makes Cent$ Sweepstakes. Part of an annual partnership between the OCSP and Oklahoma Department of Libraries (ODL), the sweepstakes runs through August 15 and is open to all Oklahoma children ages 18 and under.

The goal of the sweepstakes is to keep kids from pre-school to high school reading throughout the summer, expanding their knowledge on subjects of interest to them.

This is the fifth consecutive year for the sweepstakes, which runs in conjunction with ODL’s summer reading program.

“This year’s theme—Reading Makes Cent$ Sweepstakes—truly says it all,” said State Treasurer Ken Miller. “While the chance to win $2,529 toward an OCSP account attracts great attention among students and parents, the practice of continued learning during the summer months through reading and other activities helps prepare students for their future education.”

The sweepstakes will award $2,529 toward an Oklahoma 529 College Savings Plan account to two summer reading program participants—one from the children’s program and one from the teen program.

Plus, the library of each winning reader will receive $1,000 to help fund its programs.

Reading Makes Cent$ Sweepstakes entry forms are available at participating libraries for parents, guardians and grandparents of all children signing up for the 2013 Summer Reading Program. Forms may be completed and returned to the library or returned by mail. Participants can also submit a sweepstakes entry online at www.ok4saving. org/news/reading.shtml. Entry forms must be submitted online or postmarked by August 15, 2013. Visit your local public library or www.ok4saving.org/news/reading.shtml for sweepstakes details and official rules. For more information about the Oklahoma 529 College Savings Plan, visit www.ok4saving. org or call 1-877-654-7284.

Courtesy of Character First, www.characterfirst.com.

Photo courtesy of Oklahoma 529 College Savings Plan

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Real Moms of the Metro Meet Robin Dziedzic: Moore Teacher & Tornado Survivor When Robin Dziedzic reported to her 5th grade classroom at Briarwood Elementary School in Moore on May 20, 2013, she had no idea what the day had in store. A veteran teacher of more than 10 years, Robin had never experienced severe weather while at school. “I love being a teacher,” Robin explains. “I love it when kids gets excited about what they are learning. Having grown up in Kansas and lived in Moore since 2003, I am always aware that severe weather is a possibility while we are at school. But, until that day in May, I had never been in a situation in which we had to enact our safety plans.”

As the weather became severe on that Monday afternoon, Robin and her students found shelter in a restroom as an F5 tornado devastated their community and caused significant damage at their school. “My main thought was to keep the students calm and to reassure them that we were going to be all right,” she recalls. “I was definitely taking the situation minute-by-minute. I never thought it was going to be as bad as it was.” Robin recorded the events of the tornado as they occurred with her cell phone, capturing on video the harrowing events of that afternoon. She shared the video with the news media after the storm, and has appeared on ABC World News, CNN, the Discovery Channel and the Weather Channel.

“Although we all did exactly as we had practiced, nothing could have prepared us for

Quick Facts About Robin: 1. What are 4 words that describe you? Outgoing, loving, strong willed, sensitive.

2. What is your favorite indulgence? Pistachio gelato.

3. What’s always in your handbag? Gum, lotion, lip gloss, sunglasses, my camera— you name it, it’s in there!

4. What’s your guilty pleasure? White chocolate coconut Lindt bars 5. What’s on your reading list? Call It Courage, so that I can teach it to my 5th graders next year. After what my students have been through, they’ll be able to relate to the feeling of triumph as you conquer something you didn’t think you could handle.

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Real Mom Robin Dziedzic with son Sam (age 7) and daughter Mariposa (age 10).

that day,” Robin recalls. “It is truly amazing that no one in our school building lost their life.”

As Robin emerged from the bathroom and led her students to safety, her thoughts immediately went to her own children, who were in a different area of the school, and her personal home. “We were truly one of the lucky families from that storm,” she says. “I will forever be thankful that I did not lose my daughter or my son in that devastated building. We lost our car and lost our school, but other than some damage, our home was spared. I was very, very lucky that my children were safe and my house was not destroyed. Half a block away from me, homes were a total loss. We are forever grateful. I know that the tornado claimed precious lives and destroyed many families’ homes. I can only imagine the pain that those families have had to face. I especially feel for all those in the Plaza Towers family and all families who lost loved ones. I feel that as a result of this tragic storm, we are more appreciative of each day.”

Here, this 41-year-old mother of two shares her experience with the Moore tornado, what she has learned about herself and her community and her hopes for the coming school year.

Looking back, what is your strongest memory of the day that the tornado came?

When the first tornado announcement came, I told my students to look around. I assured them that we were surrounded by concrete bricks and steel, and we would be safe. I just

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could not believe that the wind could destroy all of that so easily. It took me several days to fully accept what had actually happened and how severe it really was.

What was your initial reaction when you saw the destruction once you emerged from the bathroom? How do you feel when you look back at that cell phone video footage now?

I was so very shocked to see our school. In a matter of minutes, everything was just destroyed. When I looked at the entrance to our library, I could not believe what I saw. There was rubble everywhere and I could see sky where the roof had been. I was dumbfounded when I saw that our our parking lot had just been completely swept clear—approximately 60 cars, just whisked away. I was doing my best just to wrap my mind around what I was seeing.

I could not have imagined worse. At first, I thought that everyone was able to just walk out of the building as I did. Now I know that many others, including my own children, had a much more harrowing experience. Many were pinned under debris, or were covered in rubble and had to crawl out. I remember feeling certain that my home and everything around us was gone, based on the destruction I saw at the school.

Looking back, what moves you the most about the experience?

It was really heart-wrenching to see all of the children so terrified and upset, not to mention that I did not know

what to do or what to say to reassure them completely. I just kept saying that everything would be okay, and we were all so lucky to be out and alive. We all just hung on tightly to one another, and did the best we could. Even afterwards, seeing the children react to the destruction was so sad. Many were screaming that their parents were right across the street in the neighborhood that was totally destroyed. Others were worried that the tornado was not over, and we were in danger of being hit again. Every adult I saw was either comforting a child or screaming a child’s name. I wanted to be sure that every parent who came to that devastated school looking for their child could find them as quickly as possible.

In the days after the event, some children experienced the further devastation of dealing with losing their homes and their personal belongings. I spoke to kids who said their family never found their bed, which had all their stuffed animals on it. Even kids who did not lose their homes did lose their school, as well as their sense of security. Our community was much like a war zone for days, with helicopters flying overhead and the devastating sights.

What did you learn about yourself and your community as a part of this experience?

I must admit that my sense of security has been shaken. To have an event such as that happen on an average day was huge. However, the way that our community has come together during this difficult time has been inspiring. The strength of the Oklahoma people, combined with the kindness of people from all over, has made the days following the tornado bearable.

I saw such wonderful acts of thoughtfulness and generosity, like the day that I came home and every house on my block had a case of water on the porch, and people were driving around passing out toiletries, fresh fruit and hot meals. I came home to find that volunteers had picked up the debris from my yard. A volunteer organization helped tarp the hole in my roof from a 2x4 that had impaled it. Oklahoma is strong. We will recover and be even better than before!

How are you feeling as you look towards the 2013-14 school year?

I am truly looking forward to this next school year! I know that there will be some inevitable anxieties that would not normally be a concern, but I am also very excited about the potential. We are so

fortunate that Emmaus Church has offered us their facility for the year. I look forward to getting to know my students and becoming a school family. I hope to show them that even though it will be a year of transition, we are all in it together, and we will learn and have fun doing it. The real rainbow from this storm will be when we are in our new building, constructed from the love of so many and built to keep us safe as we head there each day to make friends and learn. That will be an awesome day!

How do you banish stress?

I try to ask myself if what I’m stressed over will be important in 20 years. Getting plenty of rest helps too.

What is on your wish list?

Right now, a decent new car, since I lost my old Honda in the tornado, along with some home repairs.

Advice for other moms?

I think it’s really important to keep your own personal identity and have some time for yourself. It can be difficult when our babies are so dependent on us, but as they grow, it’s important to remember the other relationships in our lives. It really is true that a happy mom is a better mom.

What’s the biggest challenge in your life?

I’ve been divorced since my kids were five and two years old. Co-parenting can be difficult, but I have always thought it is really important for kids to have both parents equally involved in their lives. If you look on the bright side of things, co-parenting gives one the opportunity to spend time on work, errands, love relationships, and your own personal interests that married parents often do not get.

What is your parenting style?

I take parenting seriously, but I try to remind myself to choose my battles. I am not afraid to enforce what I think is important, such as homework and manners, but I want my children to know, without a doubt, that I love them unconditionally, even if to them, I might seem strict.

Brooke Barnett is the Editor of MetroFamily Magazine.

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

August 2013 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

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Special Advertising Section

After-School Activities Guide In addition to helping your child learn, develop skills and build confidence, participating in after-school activities can also aid in your child’s healthy development. “There are multiple benefits in getting your child involved in the after-school activities,” explains Lanet Clark, a metro-area school counselor. “They offer your child a chance to excel at something that really interests them without the pressure associated with getting a grade. They also have an opportunity to make friends outside of the peer group they have at school. Kids who participate in activities outside of the school day are often more confident and outgoing due to their varied experiences.”

Choosing the right activity is key, as children who are passionate about activities are more likely to stay focused and committed. “Make sure your child understand the commitment they are making when they sign up. As a parent, do your homework. Find out as much as you can about the leadership of the team ororganization and what their objectives and values are,” Clark continues. “Kids who respect and admire their leaders are way more likely to succeed and stay on track.”

Finding the perfect extracurricular activity can have benefits way past the lessons or games themselves. “Some kids need extracurricular activities so they can find their niche and really show off their natural talents. You don’t always have to spend a lot of money to find something that your child will enjoy,” concludes Clark. “It takes a lot of dedication to spend several days a week in practice or most weekends at games, but the rewards can be great. Seeing your child beaming with pride as they succeed and improve is priceless.”

Venue

Address

Contact

Dates

Fees

Details

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Academy of Dance Arts

718 S Mustang Rd, Mustang

405-324-7600, www.academydanceartsok.com

Classes begin 8/23

$45-$80/ month

Instruction in ballet, jazz, pointe, tap, modern, pom, creative movement & Zumba Ages 2+.

Be Wild for Art

209-24th Ave NW, Norman

405-307-9971, www. bewildforart.com

Fall program beings 9/3

$25–$125

Art After School Program includes pottery and clay, mixed media, painting, fused glass and fiber art. Single session and multi-week session activities. Ages 6+.

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Bilingual Family

2900 W Hefner Rd, OKC

405-613-0183, www. bilingualfamily.us

Fall: 8/5–12/19

$12.50/hr Boulevard, Edmond

Children learn the Spanish language through fun, exciting and engaging activities. Ages 4–10 years.

Spring: 1/6–5/15 Bouncin Craze

14901 N Lincoln Blvd, Edmond

405-607-2020, www. bouncincraze.com

Ongoing

$7.50/ child

Drop-in, indoor active play on inflatables. Ages 2+.

Bouncin Craze II Art N Craze

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

Ongoing

$7.50/child each venue, $12.50 for both

Drop-in, indoor active play on inflatables for ages 2+. Art N Craze includes drawing, painting, coloring, play-doh and chalk stations, plus projects available for purchase.

Can Do Kids and Spectrum Therapy Center

14 E Ayers, Edmond

405-513-8186, www.stc-ok. com

Ongoing

Varies

Occupational and speech therapy clinic provides needed treatment and assistance to families and children. Therapy includes oral/motor feeding issues, sensory integration, motor skill development and other developmental needs. Ages birth to 21 years.

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Club Z! In-Home Tutoring

3200 E Memorial Rd, Edmond

405-478-3515, www. clubztutoring.com/okc

Ongoing

Varies

One-on-one tutoring with certified teachers for pre-K–adult in all subjects at your home or alternative location. Also SAT/ACT prep and writing assistance. Students with learning disabilities/ADD welcome.

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The Dance Center of Oklahoma City Ballet

7421 NW Classen Blvd, OKC

405-843-9898, www.okcballet. Fall session com begins 8/19

Varies

Dance classes including pre-ballet, pre-professional training program, ballet boys, adult ballet, pointe, modern, jazz and character. Open house held on 8/10 from 1:00–3:00pm. Ages 3+.

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Key:  Sports & Active Programs /  Early-learning/preschool /  Arts /  Enrichment /  Drop-in

August 2013 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

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Special Advertising Section

Venue

Address

Contact

Dates

Fees

Details

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The Dance Department

1110 S Air Depot, OKC

405-732-7722, www. thedancedepartmentokc.com

Classes begin 8/19

$35-$40/ class

Multi-class discount available. Instruction in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, hip-hop and creative movement. Ages 3+.

Edmond Parks & Recreation

2733 Marilyn Williams Dr, Edmond

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

Various

$8–$30

Sewing, bisque painting, acrylic painting, Halloween & Thanksgiving crafts plus special teen classes. Activities for all ages including parent-child preschool classes.

Edmond Parks & 2733 Marilyn Williams Recreation Archery Dr, Edmond

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

Ongoing

$30

After school archery program. Ages 8–17.

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Fine Arts Institute of Edmond

405-340-4481, www. edmondfinearts.com

Session 1: 8/26–10/5

$12/hour

A nonprofit performing arts organization offering visual and performing arts classes. Ages 3 to adult.

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Girl Scouts of 6100 N Robinson, OKC Western Oklahoma

405-528-4475, www.gswestok. Academic year org

$15/year

Girl-only environments facilitated by adult volunteers help girls explore and develop leadership skills. Girl Scouts builds girls of courage, confidence and character. Girls will have the opportunity to explore science, technology, engineering and math (S.T.E.M.) activities and careers. Financial aid available. Ages 5–17

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Gymboree Play & Music of OKC

11928 N May Ave, OKC (Northpark Mall)

405-755-3445, www. gymboreeclasses.com

current session 8/1–10/31

$65+/ month

Play, music, art and family classes for children up to age 5, plus open play times.

i9 Sports

Edmond (practice & game field located near Santa Fe & Danforth)

405-225-7048, www.i9sports. com

Fall season 9/14–11/9

$99–$119

Youth sports leagues, camps and after school programs. Practice and games held on the same day. Includes flag football, soccer, basketball and t-ball. Ages 3–14.

ICAN (Intervention Child Advocacy Network)

3200 NW 48, OKC

405-702-0663, www.icanokc. com

Begins 8/5

$35–$50

Program includes reading and math lab, vocal music, dance classes, instrument lessons, snacks and transporation from schools.

Private instrument or vocal lessons available for $15/session. Ages 5–13.

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L'Alliance Française d'OKC

OKC/Edmond

405-748-0868, www.afdokc.org

Early August

$125–$150 / French instruction for preschool–5th grade held in 8-week session sessions.

Lyric Theatre's Thelma Gaylord Academy

1801 NW 16th St, OKC

405-524-9310, www. lyrictheatreokc.com

Fall session begins 8/12

Varies

Professional working actors teach skills and techniques needed to work in the entertainment industry. Classes include musical theatre production, theatre magic, acting/character study, dance, voice and more. Private lessons available. Ages 5–18.

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Mad Science of Central Oklahoma

14020 N Western Ave, Edmond

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

Ongoing

Varies

Provides hands-on science activities, learning and fun to afterschool groups such as daycares, churches and other programs. Also offers homeschool science classes. Call for details. Preschool–6th grade.

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Mathnasium of North OKC

14101 N May, OKC

405-412-8758, www. mathnasium.com/northokc

Ongoing

Varies

Specializes in teaching math for grades 2–12 to address foundational gaps, plus homework help and ACT/SAT test prep.

Grades 2–adult.

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OCU Community Dance Center

2501 N Blackwelder, OKC 405-208-5508, www.okcu.edu/ Classes begin communitydance 8/26

$45–$100

Dance classes include tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop and creative movement. Scholarships available. Open house 8/24, 9:30am– 11:30am.

OCU Performing Arts Academy

2501 N Blackwelder, OKC 405-208-5410, academy@okcu. Classes begin edu, www.okcu.edu/music/ 8/5 academy

$25–$30/ week for private lessons

Private lessons in all instruments and voice for all levels.

Kindermusik ($60/month) for birth–age 6. Sibling discounts and financial aid available. Ages 3+.

27 E Edwards, Edmond

Session 2: 10/14–11/23

Key:  Sports & Active Programs /  Early-learning/preschool /  Arts /  Enrichment /  Drop-in

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www.metrofamilymagazine.com | August 2013

Special Advertising Section

Dates

Fees

Details

2501 N Blackwelder, OKC 405-606-7003, www. oklahomachildrenstheatre. org

Classes begin 9/12

$150–$250

After-school, weekend, seasonal camps and acting classes. Ages 4+.

Oklahoma City Museum of Art

415 Couch Dr, OKC

405-236-3100, www.okcmoa.com

Ongoing

Varies

Classes in visual art techniques for all ages plus regularly scheduled free drop-in art activities.

Paint' N Station

7906 N May, OKC

405-842-7770, www. paintnstation.com

Ongoing

$7+

Drop-in hands-on art activities for all ages.

Poteet Theatre Arts Education

222 NW 15th St, OKC

405-609-1026, www. poteettheatre.com

Classes begin 9/3

Varies

Performance classes including acting, improv, musical theatre, ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, hip hop, modern, contemporary & more.

Private lessons available in voice, acting, piano, guitar and strings.

Ages 4–adult.

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Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History.

2401 Chautauqua Ave, Norman

405-325-1008, www. samnoblemuseum.org

Register by 9/3 for fall session

$45 for nonmembers/ $35 for members

Spike's Club meets for six weeks and focuses on investigating the natural world. Students explore galleries, study museum objects, play games and create science projects. Grades 1–5.

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Sensational Kids, Inc.

14715 Bristol Park Blvd, OKC

405-840-1686, www. sensationalkidsokc.com

Ongoing

$65–$120

Occupational and speech therapy related to social interactions, handwriting, dressing, coordination, speech and more held weekly, bi-weekly or bi-monthly. All ages. Fees may be covered by individual insurance.

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SoccerCity OKC

4520 Old Farm Rd, OKC

405-748-3888, www. soccercityokcity.com

Ongoing

$13/class

Lil’ Kickers Child Development Program for 18 months–9 years. 50 minute age appropriate sessions teach technical skills and mastery.

Sooner Bowling Center

550-24th Ave NW, Norman

405-360-3634, www. soonerbowl.com

Academic year

$8/week

After-school youth and high school bowling programs coached by USBC-certified coaches. Offered on Wednesdays, 4pm during the school year. Ages 5–18.

SPARK After School Program

1001 NW 25th St, OKC

405-525-0018, www.fpcokc. org/spark

Ongoing

$30 for am; $70 for pm

Before/after care plus tutoring and programs working with OKC Arts Council. Full day programs offered during school breaks.

Enrollment $35. Ages 6–13.

Studio J School of Dance

16614 N Western, Edmond

405-348-3377, www. studiojdanceok.com

Classes begin 8/26

$48+

Dance classes including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical and contemporary. Ages 3–18.

Twist and Shout Training Center

14801 N Lincoln Blvd, Edmond

405-775-9491, www. shouterspirit.com

$85–$120

Tumbling and cheer classes, cheerleading and power tumbling teams at 3 locations (Midwest City, Edmond & Tulsa). Ages 4+.

Unpluggits Playstudio

575 Enterprise Dr, Edmond

405-340-7584, www.unpluggits.com

Ongoing

$7–$25

Craft and ceramic studio open weekdays until 6pm or later. Dropin Paint'n Play for ages 2–12 includes painting, stamping, play-doh, indoor playground, sand table, train table and hands-on fun for children. Check calendar for after-school workshops.

Velocity Dance Center

11122 N Rockwell Ave, OKC

405-721-8807, www. oklahomacitydancestudio.com

Classes begin 8/15

$33/month

Dance classes include creative ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, musical theatre and hip hop. OKC's only offcial Angelina Ballerina Dance Academy. Ages 2–18

Victory Dance

4401 N MacArthur Blvd, OKC

405-717-1250, www. victorydance.tv

Enrollment dates 8/10 & 8/24.

$50+/ month

Classes in all disciplines and levels, including Pre-K dance, ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, pom, acro and more. Competitive teams available. Open house and enrollment dates 8/10 & 8/24. Ages 3 –18.

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Venue

Address

Oklahoma Children's Theatre

Contact

Key:  Sports & Active Programs /  Early-learning/preschool /  Arts /  Enrichment /  Drop-in

August 2013 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

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August 2013 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

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Discover Fun Adventures in

NORTHWEST OKLAHOMA Boiling Springs State Park Alabaster Caverns State Park Little Sahara State Park

Photo by Keli Clark/Oklahoma Tourism

Photo by Ron Stahl/Oklahoma Tourism

Great Salt Plains State Park

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oad up the kids and take off for plenty of adventure in Northwest Oklahoma.

The four parks highlighted here are a perfect combination of family fun, unique terrain and plenty of exciting kid-friendly activities, some that you won’t find anywhere else in the world.

updated, was originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) during the 1930s.

Swimming there is a memorable experience.

When planning this trip, consider making Boiling Springs State Park (1) near Woodward your home base during your travels. One of Oklahoma’s first state parks, Boiling Springs is named for springs that bubble (no, they aren’t really boiling).

Accommodations range from camping and cabins at the park. If you cannot get reservations for a cabin, consider a motel or hotel room in nearby Woodward, about 10 minutes away. (See sidebar for details.)

Playgrounds, hiking, wildlife watching: Need to run off energy? You and your kids will enjoy the updated playground areas and easy hiking trails that lead through woodlands and spring-fed creeks. Deer, turkey and other wildlife are plentiful in the park. At dusk, be sure to drive slowly and look towards grass areas as they meet the woods for your best chance to observe the wildlife.

Day One

There are several activities that kids will enjoy at Boiling Springs State Park. If you add in time for exploring nature and free play, there are enough activities to keep your kids busy and happy for at least a day—or two.

When you arrive, be sure to stop by the observation area to observe the bubbling water and read about the history of the area.

From there, enjoy the following: Swimming: From Memorial Day through Labor Day, the park’s large swimming pool includes a bathhouse that, although now

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Fishing: Right next to the swimming pool is the original swimming hole of the park, Shaul Lake, a spring-fed lake that is now a fun (and easy) place to fish.

Golf: Boiling Springs includes a unique 18-hole golf course that challenges players with its changes in elevation. Another perk?

The views are beautiful.

While in Woodward, visit the Plains Indians and Pioneers Museum (2) to learn about the history and heritage of northwest Oklahoma.

Exhibits show the history of the nomadic Plains Indians that inhabited the area, Fort Supply and General George Custer, the Land Run of 1893 and the settlement of Woodward and other northwest Oklahoma towns, the infamous 1947 Woodward tornado, and more.

2009 Williams Avenue—Highway 183, 580256-6136, Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm, free admission

www.metrofamilymagazine.com | August 2013

Day Two Next on your exploration of Northwest Oklahoma is a day trip to two nearby parks.

The first place to explore is Alabaster Caverns State Park (4), home of the largest natural gypsum cave in the world that is open to the public and located just 40 miles north (Hwy 34 then east to Hwy 64 then follow the signs). The caves are a cool 59 degrees, making this a perfect destination for a hot summer day. When you arrive, check in at the park office and schedule a one-hour guided tour of the caverns. These tours begin promptly on the hour and are limited to 40 visitors per tour. The tour includes seeing the rare black alabaster and even experiencing total darkness. After the tour, ask about the nearby hiking trails; two of the trails are rated for all ages and abilities, providing a great way to explore more of the unique flora and fauna that make up this beautiful park.

If you have a four-wheeler or dune buggy, you most likely have heard of Little Sahara State Park (3), one of the largest sand dunes in the country, located 42 miles southeast of Alabaster Caverns. Consider this park Oklahoma’s biggest sand pile—a 1600 acre sand pile with 25- to 75-foot dune heights!

If you don’t have your own vehicle that will work on the sand, either plan to drop by for a short time to view the dunes from the observation area (near the park entrance

off Highway 281) or look into renting dune buggies from private vendors in nearby Waynoka. Whether you bring your own or rent a four-wheel vehicle, be sure to observe all safety rules.

Day Three

will be able to carefully dig for the unique selenite crystals which are only found here.

This hands-on activity is great for a wide range of ages and is the perfect way to to celebrate the diversity of landscape we have in our state. (See instructions to the right.)

For your third day in the area, take off from the Woodward/Boiling Springs area towards the Sod House Museum in Aline, OK. Located 60 miles east of Woodward (take Highway 412 east then north on Highway 8 towards Aline), the Sod House Museum won’t take long to tour but will certainly make your family understand the harsh life that the pioneers led and appreciate their own modern home.

After you clean up from the crystal dig, find overnight accommodations at either the Great Plains State Park or at one of the many hotels in the city of Enid, your next destination.

(Route 3, Box 28, Aline, 580-463-2441, http://www.okhistory.org/sites/sodhouse.

Open Tuesday-Saturday, 9am-5pm but be sure to call ahead to verify they will be open. Admission is $4, less for children and seniors.)

Kids will explore science and creativity at Leonardo’s Discovery Warehouse (6) (200 E Maple Ave, 580-233-2787, www.leonardos. org, Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00am-5:00pm, Sunday, 1:00-5:00pm. Admission $7 for ages 2+; seniors $6). The museum hosts exhibits inspired by the genius of Leonardo DaVinci that include a carpenter shop, artist’s studio, flight exhibits and more. Adventure Quest, the outdoor part of the museum that looks like a castle, is open in the afternoons and includes water play, a dinosaur dig, slides, swings and much more.

Your family will likely remember the treasures you discovered in Northwest Oklahoma for years to come.

Born and raised in Woodward, Sarah Taylor is publisher of MetroFamily Magazine and author of the book Exploring Oklahoma with Children. The mother of three young adults, she and her husband live in Edmond.

Photo by Lisha Newman/Oklahoma Tourism

Photo by Lisha Newman/Oklahoma Tourism

Next stop is to head northeast towards Great Salt Plains State Park (5) (go north on Highway 8 and east on Highway 64) where your family can participate in the ultimate natural “treasure hunt.” On the Great Salt Plains, in an area that resembles a moonscape or perhaps the surface of Mars, your family

Day Four

The city of Enid, located one hour southeast of the Great Salt Plains area (south on Highway 38, east on Highway 64, south on Highway 60) offers two award-winning museums perfect for families.

Then, take a short drive over to the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center (7) to experience the history of the early years of the area’s settlement. Recently updated and expanded, this museum uses technology and artifacts to bring the history of the pioneers to life. (507 S 4th St, 580-237-1907. Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00am–5:00pm; Sunday, 1:00–5:00pm. Admission $5 for adults, free for ages 5 and under, seniors $3 or $13 per family of 6 or less.)

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August 2013 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

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TIMELY TIP One of the most unique wildlife experiences in the state is offered near Alabaster Caverns, typically in June or July. With a little pre-planning, you can ensure your family (children ages eight and up) gets to take advantage of this unique opportunity. Operated by the Oklahoma Wildlife Department, the Selman Bat Tours start from Alabaster Caverns State Park and include a tour of the area by knowledgeable naturalists. Then, at dusk, the spectacular show begins with millions of Mexican free-tailed bats leaving their nesting caves to feed on mosquitos and other bugs—over 22,000 pounds of them in just one night. After all that excitement, stay longer to do some star gazing, taking advantage of the University of Central Oklahoma’s Selman Living Laboratory Observatory, weather permitting.

Registration for the Selman Bat Tours begins at the end of May each year and registration forms must be postmarked by a specific date. The extra efforts to enjoy this tour are worth it as this is one Oklahoma experience your family will be talking about for years to come.

Find more information at http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/ wildlifemgmt/batwatch/aboutselman.htm.

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HOW TO DIG FOR CRYSTALS AT THE GREAT SALT PLAINS WILDLIFE REFUGE For best results, come prepared. You will need a shovel, a bucket or jug of water and a container (such as an egg carton) to carry the crystals, which are fragile until dry. Since crystal hunters spend most of their time on hands and knees, an old towel is handy, both for kneeling and wiping hands. Sunglasses and sunscreen are essential; bright sun combined with the glare from the white salt surface can quickly result in sunburn.

Photo courtesy of wildlifedepartment.com

Use a shovel to dig a hole about two feet deep until you reach wet sand. Allow two or three inches of water to seep in from the bottom. Use your hands or a cup to splash water gently against the sides of the hole. (Some people bring a container of water, so they have plenty of water to splash…and to drink when it gets hot!) This washes the soil away and exposes the crystals. When you find a crystal, continue splashing it with water until it is mostly exposed.

Newly-exposed crystals are fragile and will break if you try to pull them from the soil. After removing the crystal, place it where the sun and wind will dry it. You are permitted to remove up to ten pounds of crystals, plus one large cluster each day.

Find more details on accommodations and other information about Northwest Oklahoma at www.metrofamily magazine.com/ nwok.

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Photo by Keli Clark/Oklahoma Tourism

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www.metrofamilymagazine.com | August 2013

Photo by Lisha Newman/Oklahoma Tourism

ALABASTER CAVERNS BOILING SPRINGS PARK

GREAT SALT PLAINS LITTLE SAHARA

ACCOMMODATIONS Woodward: Boiling Springs State Park 207745 Boiling Springs Road Woodward, OK 73801 Located 1 mile north on Hwy 34, then 4 miles east on Hwy 34C from Woodward.

580-256-7664 On-site Lodging: Cabin/Cottage, Group Camp, RV Sites, Tent Sites

• OKLAHOMA CITY

Hampton Inn & Suites 2814 Williams Avenue (Hwy 270) 580-254-5050 Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites 3333 Williams Avenue (Hwy 270) 580-256-5200 La Quinta Inn & Suites 3410 Williams Avenue (Hwy 270) 580-256-5533 Northwest Inn 3202 1st Street (corner of Hwy 270 and 1st Street) 580-256-7600 Great Salt Plains State Park Rt 1 Box 28 Jet, OK 73749 Located 8 miles north of Jet on Hwy 38, approximately 45 minutes NW of Enid.

580-626-4731 On-site Lodging: Cabin/Cottage, RV Sites, Tent Sites

Enid: Hampton Inn & Suites 511 Delma Ct 580-234-4600 Holiday Inn and Suites 4702 W Owen K Garriott Rd 580-237-7722 Ramada Inn Enid 3005 W Owen K Garriott Rd 580-234-0440 Springhill Suites 5815 KL Drive 580-540-4256 Baymont Inn and Suites 3614 W Owen K Garriott Rd 580-234-6800 Find more information at www.metrofamilymagazine. com/nwok

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August 2013 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

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Wiggle Out Loud Oklahoma’s first Kindie rock festival will be held on Sunday, September 1 from 11:00am-7:00pm at Bicentennial Park (in front of the Civic Center Music Hall, 500 Couch Dr). With the goal of fighting childhood obesity through dancing, fitness activities and family play, the festival will also showcase independent rock music for kids and families.

The festival is free and will feature popular local musicians Monty Harper, the Red Dirt Rangers, Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, Spaghetti Eddie and the Sugar Free Allstars. The headline act is The Verve Pipe, best known for their 90’s hit song The Freshman. Health and fitness-related activities will include yoga for moms and babies, an obstacle course, dancing, parachute games and more. For more information, visit www.wiggleoutloud.com.

SEPTEMBER

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Photo of the Sugar Free Allstars courtesy of Wiggle Out Loud.

THROUGH

AUGUST

THROUGH

AUGUST 31stSEPTEMBER 2 ND

AUGUST & ONGOING

Gaylord-Pickens Museum

Arts Festival Oklahoma

Dollar Days of Summer at the Gaylord Pickens Museum (1400 Classen) offers $1 admission every Saturday throughout the month of August. At the museum, visitors can experience Oklahoma’s story through its people.

The 35th annual Arts Festival Oklahoma (AFO) will be held Saturday, August 31–Monday, September 2. Over 25,000 patrons attend AFO every Labor Day weekend to view and purchase original artwork by regional artists, experience community performing arts groups, and sample a diverse selection of foods from up to 14 different food concessionaires. The event also features a children’s tent to help young artists to create their own masterpieces and a concert by the Oklahoma City Philharmonic.

On display at the museum through September 7 is Invisible Eye, an exhibit by award-winning photographer Yousef Khanfar. The exhibit features black and white portraits of incarcerated women convicted of non-violent crimes in Oklahoma, displayed alongside their personal message and words of wisdom to the next generation. The exhibit is free with museum admission.

The museum is open daily from 10:00am-5:00pm.

For more information, call 405-235-4458 or visit www.oklahhomaheritage.com.

Photo courtesy of the Gaylord-Pickens Museum.

Stingray Bay Now Open

The festival takes place on the Oklahoma City Community College campus, located at SW 74 and May Ave. Admission is free; parking is $5 per vehicle. For more information, call 405-682-7576 or visit www.occc.edu/afo.

Photo courtesy of Oklahoma City Community College.

The Oklahoma City Zoo’s new Stingray Bay exhibit allows guests to touch stingrays in a beautiful 16,000-gallon saltwater pool located near Aquaticus. Stingray Bay is open daily from 10:00am-4:00pm (and until 7:00pm on Saturdays through September 7) to allow guests to get “hands-on” with these fascinating creatures. Entry is $3 per person and children two and under are free. Feeding cups can be purchased for $2 on select days.

Other special activities in August are Morning Zoo Rise (where the Zoo opens at 8:00am through August 25) and Way Back Wednesdays (offering $1 admission per person, plus $1 concession and ride deals each Wednesday through August.) To learn more, call 405-4243344 or visit www.okczoo.com.

Photo courtesy of the OKC Zoo

August 2013 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

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Daily Events 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 2 • Friday Plant It To Take It Day at Science Museum Oklahoma (2100 NE 52). Learn the science behind soil as you make & take home your own container plant. $1 in addition to museum admission. 10am-3pm. 6026664, www.sciencemuseumok.org.

Parents Night Out at Unpluggits Playstudio (575 Enterprise, Edmond) for ages 4+ includes playground games, flashlight tag, painting & pizza while parents enjoy a night out. Preregister. $25, $20 additional sibling/friend. 6:30-10pm. 340-7584, www. unpluggits.com. Also held: 8/16, 30.

FREE Wise Guys Concert at the Myriad Gardens Great Lawn features live music & food trucks. $5 suggested donation/person to benefit the Gardens.

8-10pm. 445-7080, www.myriadgardens.org. Also held: 9/6.

Dive-In Movies: Evan Almighty at White Water Bay (3908 W Reno) features an outdoor movie screening in the water park at dusk. FREE with park admission.

943-9687, www.whitewaterbay.com.

August 2–3 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.

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.

FREE Hooked on Fishing Youth Fishing Clinic at Edwards Park Lake (1515 N Bryant) for ages 5-15 includes fishing instruction. Equipment provided.

Preregister. 8-10:45am. 297-2211, www.okcpal.org.

Also held: 8/10 (South Lakes Park Pond) & 8/17 (Dolese Park).

Edmond Mothers of Multiples Consignment Sale at Quail Springs United Methodist Church (14617 N Pennsylvania). $1 admission/family. 8am-2pm (many items half-price from noon-2pm). www. edmondmoms.com/clothing-sale.

FREE Cloth Diaper Basics Class at Green Bambino (5120 N Shartel). Preregister. 9-10:30am. 848-2330, www.green-bambino.com. Also held: 8/17.

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FREE National Martial Arts Grand Opening at National Martial Arts (11720 S Western) features free classes & seminars, moon bounces, prizes, food & more for ages 4+. 10am. 692-7300, www.facebook. com/NationalMartialArtsOK. 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 3–31 Art Gone Wild: Paintings by OKC Zoo Animals at In Your Eye Studio & Gallery (3005 Paseo) features works created by animals with the help of their trainers. Sale of these works will support the Zoo’s conservation projects. Thursday-Sunday, noon-5pm.

525-2161, www.okczoo.com.

August 4 • Sunday

August 7• Wednesday FREE Summer Movie Nights: Shrek 2 at the Myriad Gardens is an outdoor film screening with food trucks and vendors. 9pm. www.myriadgardens.org. Also held: 8/14 (Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl), 8/21 (Goonies).

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 8 • Thursday Back-to-School Brigade at the Sheraton Midwest City Reed Conference Center (5800 Will Rogers, Midwest City) will distribute 500 backpacks filled with school supplies to metro area military families. www. operationhomefront.net/backtoschoolbrigade.

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

FREE Caliente! Peppers in the Garden at the Myriad Gardens Children’s Garden explores the many kinds of peppers & allows participants to sample fresh garden salsa. Potted peppers will be available for purchase. 5-9pm. 445-7080, www.myriadgardens.org.

FREE Summer Breeze Concert Series at Lions Park in Norman features the music of Honeylark. 7:30pm.

307-9320, www.pasnorman.org. Also held: 8/25 (Elephant Revival)

August 8–11

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 Water Slide Inflatables at Bouncin Craze (14901 N Lincoln, Edmond) features an inflatable water slide outside & indoor inflatables. $15/child. 10am-8pm.

607-2020, www.bouncincraze.com. Also held 8/13.

Stuff the SMO Subaru with School Supplies at Science Museum Oklahoma (2100 NE 52). Bring new school supplies to donate to Moore Public Schools & enjoy FREE admission for the rest of the day. 3-5pm.

602-3760, www.sciencemuseumok.org.

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.

FREE Family Night Out at Quail Springs Mall (2501 W Memorial) features crafts, treats, balloons, face painting and more. 6-8pm. www.quailspringsmall.com.

www.metrofamilymagazine.com | August 2013

2013 USA Canoe/Kayak Sprint National Championship on the Oklahoma River features the nation’s best kayakers. See website for schedule. www.oklahomariverevents.org.

August 9 • Friday FREE Art a la Carte at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art (555 Elm, Norman) includes live music, films & an art activity. 6:30-8:30pm. 325-3272, www.ou.edu/fjjm.

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. 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.

August 10 • Saturday Minute to Win It at Science Museum Oklahoma (2100 NE 52). Call for details. 602-3760, www. sciencemuseumok.org.

FREE Weed & Seed Club at the Myriad Gardens.

Participants will help beautify the Gardens on the second Saturday of each month. No experience necessary, bring own gloves & tools. 7-11am. 4457087, www.myriadgardens.org.

Chill Out at the Zoo at the OKC Zoo (2000 Remington) features Zoo animals enjoying ice pops & water toys. FREE with admission. 9am-noon. 4243344, www.okczoo.com.

FREE Feeding 5000 & More at OKC Faith Church (I-40 & Portland) offers burritos, backpacks and school supplies to the first 5000 attendees. Child must be present to receive supplies. No bags are allowed in the building. 9am-noon (or while supplies last). 948-7100, www.okcfaith.com.

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.

FREE Watermelon Festival in Rush Springs celebrates the watermelon harvest with a seed spitting contest, arts & crafts, carnival rides, live entertainment, 5K Watermelon Run and free watermelon in the afternoon. 9:30am-9pm. 580-476-2338.

Drop-In Drawing at the OKC Museum of Art (415 Couch) provides basic instruction & materials during a come-and-go drawing session in the permanent collection & special exhibition galleries. FREE with admission. 2-4pm. 236-3100, www.okcmoa.com.

FREE Art in the Afternoon for Families at the Capitol Hill Library (334 SW 26) provides a craft project for ages 8+. 2-4pm. 634-6308, www.metrolibrary.org.

DeSoto Adventures at Martin Park Nature Center (5000 W Memorial). Learn how the continent’s earliest explorers navigated & used resources to help them along the way. Ages 6+. $2/person. 3pm. 755-0676, www.okc.gov/parks.

OK Victory Dolls Roller Derby at the State Fairgrounds Centennial Building. $10 in advance, $15 at the door, 12 & under FREE. 6-9pm. www. oklahomavictorydolls.com.

Bubbles! at the Myriad Gardens Children’s Garden provides bubbles & bubble makers for kids to create all kinds of bubbles. FREE for members, $2 nonmember child. 6:30-8:30pm. 445-7080, www. myriadgardens.org. Also held: 8/17.

the mustang’s plight & behavior through art. 6026664, www.sciencemuseumok.org.

August 11 • Sunday Pooches in the Pool at City Splash (2200 S Holly, Yukon) features a swim party for dogs & contests. $3/ dog. 5:30-7pm. 350-8920, www.cityofyukonok.gov.

August 12 • Monday FREE Magician Steve Crawford at the Norman Library (225 N Webster, Norman) takes a trip to Egypt as a Magical Archeologist. 2-2:45pm. 701-2600, www.pls.lib.ok.us.

August 12–14 Home School Days at White Water Bay (3908 W Reno).

Home schoolers can pick a day to enjoy the park at a discounted rate. Advance tickets must be purchased online. 943-9687, www.whitewaterbay.com.

August 13 • Tuesday FREE SOKC Back-to-School Bash at SOKC Library (2201 SW 134) celebrates returning to school with presentations from Extreme Animals & more.

Preregister. 979-2200, www.pls.lib.ok.us.

Kids Pop Art Your Pet Session at Paint Your Art Out (10 S Broadway, Edmond) allows ages 8-17 to create a masterpiece on canvas. Email picture of pet to fun@paintyourartout.net 48 hours prior to the session. Preregister. $35. 1pm. 513-5333, www. paintyourartout.net.

August 15–September 1 In the Heat of the Night presented by OKC Theatre Company at the Civic Center Music Hall tells the story of murder & racial tension in the Deep South. Ages 14+ for coarse language & violence. $20 adults, $17 students/seniors. See website for schedule. 297-2264, www.okctheatrecompany.org.

August 16 • Friday Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children Style Show at Embassy Suites (2501 Conference, Norman)

provides back-to-school clothing for the children from Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children & Boys Ranch Town. $20. 7pm. 463-5516.

August 17 • Saturday Kidathlon: Swim, Bike, Run at Earlywine Park (SW 119 & May) introduces ages 5-13 to the sport of triathlon.

Participants need their own equipment. Preregister. $30. 7:45am. 297-2211, www.okc.gov/parks.

Behind-the-Scenes Tours at the Oklahoma Aquarium (300 Aquarium, Jenks) features a tour of the Siegfried Families Shark Adventure and the forthcoming holding facility for the sea turtles. Tour includes walking & climbing stairs so wheelchairs & strollers cannot be accommodated. Ages 5+. Tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis. No advanced registration. $10 adults, $8 youth plus general admission. 10:30am, 11:30am & 1:30pm. 918296-FISH, www.okaquarium.org.

FREE WildCare at Martin Park Nature Center (5000 W Memorial) teaches the “do’s & don’ts” of wildlife rescue. Ages 10+. 3-4pm. 755-0676, www.okc.gov/ parks.

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

Art on the Wild Side: Family Art Workshop at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History (2401 Chautauqua, Norman) explores the wildlife art of Bob Kuhn in the special exhibit Drawing on Instinct.

Families will create an art project to take home.

Supplies included. Price includes one adult & one child. Preregister. $20 members, $30 nonmembers, $10 additional member, $15 additional nonmember.

1-3pm. 325-4712, www.snomnh.ou.edu.

Fort Reno Ghost Tour at Historic Fort Reno (7107 W Cheyenne, El Reno) features lantern light stories of the unsolved mysteries & murders that have occurred at the Fort. $10 adults, $9 seniors, $5 ages 5-12. 8pm.

262-3987, www.fortreno.org.

FREE Moore Movie in the Park at Little River Park in Moore screens a 3D movie outdoors. Bring your own seating. 8:30pm. www.pls.lib.ok.us.

FREE Moore Movie in the Park at Buck Thomas Park in Moore screens Despicable Me & includes inflatables, pizza (while supplies last) & children’s tattoos. 7-10pm. www.pls.lib.ok.us.

Midnight Streak at OK Contemporary Arts Center (3000 General Pershing) benefits OK Contemporary Arts Center with a family-friendly festival & 5K. $35 in advance, $40 race day. Festivities, 9pm-midnight; Race, 11pm. 951-0000, www.oklahomacontemporary.org.

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

August 10–March 1 Untamed at Science Museum Oklahoma (2100 NE 52) features works by Jennifer Cocoma Hustis exploring

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Weekly Events

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

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.

FREE Art Moves weekdays (Monday-Friday) in downtown OKC (various locations). Performances, demonstrations, short films & discussions. Noon1pm. 270-4892, www.artscouncilokc.com/art-moves.

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 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 Art Adventures at Norman’s Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art (555 Elm, Norman) includes hands-on art fun for children ages 3-5 with adult.

Tuesdays, 10:30am. 325-3272, www.ou.edu/fjjma.

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

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

FREE Night Time Stories in the Myriad Gardens Children’s Garden features stories for the whole family. Wednesdays in August. 8:30-9pm. www. myriadgardens.org.

FREE Summer Movie Nights at the Myriad Gardens is an outdoor screening of a PGrated family film, plus food trucks & vendors.

Wednesdays through August 14, 9pm. www. myriadgardens.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.

236-3100, www.okcmoa.com.

FREE Story Time at Cuppies & Joe (727 NW 23) features stories & a treat. Held the 1st & 3rd Saturday of each month. 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.

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.

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. Saturdays, 10am-noon. 445-7079, www. myriadgardens.org.

FREE Crafts for Kids at Lakeshore Learning (6300 N May) for ages 3+. Saturdays, 11am-3pm. 8588778, www.lakeshorelearning.com.

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

605-2758, 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.

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.

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.

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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.

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 Lower Bricktown Live outdoor concerts.

See website for schedule. Fridays through August 16, 8-10pm. www.lowerbricktown.com.

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Find our Top Picks— including resources for summer fun and back to school— at www.metrofamilymagazine. com/top-picks.

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t h g i N e Dat Ideas

August 22 • Thursday

August 23–25

FREE Duct Tape Craft Night at the Choctaw Library (2525 Muzzy, Choctaw). Teens learn how to make simple projects while advanced crafters can use supplies to work on their own creations. Preregister.

6-7:30pm. 390-8418, www.metrolibrary.org.

You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown at Oklahoma Christian University showcases favorite Peanuts characters in a revised version of the Tony awardwinning Broadway hit. $10 adults, $8 children & seniors. Friday-Saturday, 7:30pm; Sunday, 2:30pm. http://bit.ly/charliebrowntickets. Also held 8/30-9/1.

August 22–24 Oklahoma City Storytelling Festival at the Oklahoma History Center (800 Nazih Zuhdi) features the art of storytelling through performances, educational workshops & more. $10+ adults, $3+ children. 270-4848, www.artscouncilokc.com.

August 23–24 Through August Luau Cruises depart from Meridian Landing and include hula dancing, Hawaiian-themed cocktails, light appetizers & more. Ages 21+.

Preregister. $29/person. Saturdays in August, 7:30pm. 702-7755, www.okrivercruises.com.

August 1–4 Urinetown the Musical at the Sooner Theatre (101 E Main, Norman) is a tale of greed, corruption, love & revolution in a time when water is worth its weight in gold. $10+ Thursday, 7:30pm; Friday-Saturday, 2pm & 7:30pm; 2pm.

321-9600, www.soonertheatre.org.

FREE Midsummer Nights’ Fair at Lions Park (450 S Flood, Norman) is a celebration of the visual arts with art booths, children’s art wall and activities, live music, demonstrations & food. 6-11pm. 329-4253, www. normanfirehouse.com.

OK County Free Fair at the State Fairgrounds 14 Flags Plaza features contests, kiddie tractor pull, indoor carnival, clowns, exhibits & more. See website for schedule. www.okstatefair.com.

Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association Range Roundup at State Fair Arena features participants competing in 6 events depicting day-to-day ranching jobs. $10+ in advance, $13 at door, $6 for ages 3-11.

7:30pm. www.okcattlemen.org.

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 Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. $35+. Tuesday-Thursday, 7:30pm; Friday, 8pm; Saturday, 2pm & 8pm.

524-9312, www.lyrictheatreokc.com.

August 20 • Tuesday 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 an hour. Helmets & lights required to ride. $5 suggested donation/rider.

9-10pm. 445-7080, www.myriadgardens.org.

August 30 • Friday H&8th Night Market at Hudson & 8th in Midtown OKC features food trucks & live music every last Friday of the month through September. 7pm-2am. www.h8thokc.com.

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

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August 24 • Saturday Moore Strong Run at Moore High School benefits Westmoore HS, Moore HS & the Southmoore HS Student Fund. $25 adults, $10 students. 7:30am. www. moorewarrun.com.

Spirit Sprint 5K Run & Spirit Stroll at Chisholm Trail Park (500 W Vandament, Yukon) raises awareness of special needs athletics in Yukon. $25 run, $20 walk.

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

5K to Monet at the Fine Arts Institute (27 E Edwards, Edmond) features a 5K & 1-mile fun run; proceeds help the Fine Arts Institute help keep tuition & fees affordable for all. $10+. 8am. www.signmeup. com/77757.

5th Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta at Arcadia Lake in Edmond allows youth, teens, adults & teams to compete in several categories. Preregister by 8/16. $35+/participants, $5/spectator car. 8am. www. edmondok.com/parks/rec.

FREE Weather Wonders at Martin Park Nature Center (5000 W Memorial) features FOX 25 meteorologist John Slater discussing how weather

affects the environment. Ages 10+. 3-4pm. 755-0676, www.okc.gov/parks. gloRUN at Mitch Park in Edmond is a 5K & 1-mile fun run in a course lined with tunnels of artwork & blacklights. Benefits The Referral Center. Paint booth & live DJ, 6pm; races, 8:45pm. $15/Fun Run, $40/5K. www.glorunokc.com.

August 24–November 17 Of Heaven & Earth: 500 Years of Italian Painting from Glasgow Museums at the OKC Museum of Art (415 Couch) features works by some of the greatest names in European art including Giovanni Bellini, Sandro Botticelli, Francesco Guardi & more. 236-3100, www.okcmoa.com.

August 25–31 Just Between Friends Children’s Consignment Sale at State Fair Park. $3 admission on Sunday.

Sunday, noon-9pm; Monday-Tuesday, 10am-9pm; Wednesday-Thursday, 10am-4pm; Friday, 10am-4pm & 7-10pm; Saturday, 9am-noon. www.okc.jbfsale.com.

August 27 • Tuesday FREE Tween Scene at the Moore Library (225 S Howard, Moore) shares book recommendations for ages 9-13, plus games & crafts. Preregister. 4:305:15pm. 793-5100, www.pls.lib.ok.us.

August 28 • Wednesday FREE Teen Movie Night at the Midwest City Library (8143 E Reno, Midwest City) screens a movie selected for teen audiences on Wednesday nights. The movie for August is a documentary on peer-to-peer bullying in schools across America. Discussion follows. 6-8pm.

732-4828, www.metrolibrary.org.

August 30–September 7 Oktoberfest at Choctaw Creek Park features homemade German food & dance groups, crafts & activities for children. See website for details.

Saturday-Monday, noon-midnight, Tuesday-Friday, 5pm-midnight. 390-8647, www.oldgermany.com.

August 31 • Saturday FREE Loose Caboose Festival on historic Main Street in Purcell features antiques, arts & crafts, children’s activities, wine tasting, live entertainment & food. FREE admission. 9am-4pm. 527-5214, www. loosecaboosefestival.com.

FREE Juggle Whatever for Teens at the Midwest City Library (8143 E Reno, Midwest City). Registration required. 10-11am. 732-4828, www.metrolibrary.org.

FREE Baby Food 101 at Green Bambino (5120 N Shartel). Learn how to save money by making baby food from scratch. Preregister. 11am. 848-2330, www. green-bambino.com.

FREE Reptiles with Bob at Martin Park Nature Center (5000 W Memorial) features reptile enthusiast Bob Clark as he shares his knowledge of all things reptile. Ages 6+. 3-4pm. 755-0676, www.okc.gov/ parks.

OU Football vs. Louisiana-Monroe at the Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. 6pm. www. soonersports.com.

August 31–September 2 FREE Arts Festival Oklahoma at Oklahoma City Community College highlights a wide variety of fine art, crafts, children’s activities, culinary specialties & live entertainment. $5 parking. 682-7576, www.occc. edu/afo.

September 1 • Sunday FREE Plaza Sunday in the Plaza District on NW 16th Street features activities including sidewalk chalk, crafts, art demonstrations, food trucks, live music, shopping & more. Held the first Sunday of each month. See website for event schedule. www.plazadistrict.org.

OKC Redhawks vs. Memphis Redbirds at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark (2 S Mickey Mantle).

6:05pm. 218-1000, www.okcredhawks.com. Other home games this month: 9/2.

FREE Wiggle Out Loud at Bicentennial Park (500 Couch) features live music, health & fitness related activities, vendors & more. Performers include Spaghetti Eddie & the Sugar Free All Stars. 11am-7pm. www.wiggleoutloud.com/2013site.

FREE Family Day at the OKC Museum of Art (415 Couch) features hands-on art making, live performances, face painting, door prize drawings & more. Noon-5pm. 236-3100, www.okcmoa.com.

September 2 • Monday Kones for the Korral at Chatenay Square (10600 S Penn) is an all-you-can-eat ice cream festival that helps build a cost-free home for children with cancer. Also includes entertainment, children’s area & hot dog for the first 1,000 ticket purchasers. $8 adults, $3 children 3-12. 11am-7pm. 217-8629, www. tobykeithfoundation.org.

September 4–22 Wicked presented by Celebrity Attractions at the Civic Center Music Hall. Recommended for ages 8+. $35+. Tuesday-Thursday, 7:30pm; Friday, 8pm; Saturday, 2pm & 8pm; Sunday, 2pm & 7:30pm. www. celebrityattractions.com.

September 5–7 FREE 106th Annual Cleveland County Fair at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds (615 E Robinson, Norman) features livestock shows, carnival rides, tractor pulls, celebrity cow-milking contest, kiddie pedal pulls & petting zoo. www.clevelandcountyfair. org.

September 7 • Saturday FREE Septemberfest “Hats Off to History” at the Oklahoma History Center features live music, high school bands, hands-on activities, demonstrations & FREE museum admission. 10am-4pm. www.okhistory. org.

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Ongoing Events Through August 9 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.Â

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 & body. 951-0000, www. oklahomacontemporary.org.

Through 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.

Through September 1 FREE Admission at the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art (1900 W MacArthur, Shawnee) 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.

Through September 2 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 September 8 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.

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.

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Exploring Oklahoma with Children Finding Adventure on the Oklahoma River

I

t’s hard to miss the 80-foot tall skeletal structure soaring above the Oklahoma River just east of the Chesapeake Boathouse. But take a closer look: it’s not a scaffold or a partially-completed building you see. Further study will reveal the multilevel adventure ropes course contained within the structure, the spiral slide attached to the side—both the largest of their kind in the country.

No, this structure, the SandRidge Sky Trail, isn’t a partially-constructed building, but it is part of a work in progress that is providing fun activities for kids and families alike.

The SandRidge Sky Trail For the past several years, the Boathouse District has been growing into a unique feature of the downtown landscape. The Oklahoma River has grown from a flood control channel into an Olympic training site that hosts a robust rowing and paddling training facility. But the Boathouse District is not just for elite athletes, as there are plenty of activities on water and land for families to enjoy.

The real draw for me? That 80-foot structure that was previously mentioned, the Sky Trail.

The day that I visited with my 11-year-old son, Spencer, was cloudy and just a little bit windy—not bad for Oklahoma. I have a healthy fear of heights, which was reignited as I stood at the base of the structure (have I mentioned that it’s 80-feet tall?), getting fitted into my safety harness.

Spencer wanted to charge ahead and start exploring, but I took it a bit more slowly. The Sky Trail features several levels of challenges, some more difficult than others. There are tightropes and wooden bridges and balancing beams to navigate. Some levels had small wooden platforms held by ropes that were like lily pads; one memorable challenge was a vertical rope net to climb across. While Spencer went across each of the challenges on every level, I admit to skipping a few that seemed a bit terrifying. But as I reached the top of the structure—80 feet in the Oklahoma sky!—I felt an amazing sense of accomplishment and satisfaction to have challenged myself on this Sky Trail.

When it’s time to come down, there is the easy way (the stairs), the fun way (the slide) and the challenging way (the Rumble Drop). We chose the fun way, but only because the Rumble Drop was not open. Not saying that I would have chosen that path (I don’t know that I would ever jump off a perfectly good structure), but I do believe my adventuresome son would have taken the safe but scary plunge.

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“The Sky Trail is the tallest in the world,” says Executive Director Mike Knopp. “It provides a unique experience, complimentary to what we’ve already got in place here.”

The type of belay system set up in the structure will allow for a lot of people to experience climbing on the multi-level structure at the same time. “The slide adds another element of fun. You can’t find this anywhere else, it’s unique to Oklahoma City,” continues Knopp.

Daytrip Destination It’s easy to plan to spend a day on the River.

The RIVERSPORT Adventures activities include fun options for all ages that will get families out on the river and actively engaged.

Kids ages 3–12 will enjoy the Youth Zone activities, which include a cloud bounce (a giant air-filled pillow), Sky Tykes miniadventure course and a full playground of equipment. Watercraft, such as kayaks, standup paddleboards, long boards and water bikes are available for rental if visitors want to get on the water, and pedal jeeps can be rented for land-based fun. Visitors may choose from a single pass (for just one activity) or a day pass to try them all; season passes are also available (see sidebar for details and discounts).

“We’re really trying to engage the community in terms of doing something that’s different,

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Contact Information: Oklahoma Boathouse District 725 S Lincoln Blvd.

405-552-4040, www. boathousedistrict.org RIVERSPORT Adventures open daily Memorial Day through Labor Day and weekends March through May and September through October. Monday–Saturday, 10:00am–8:00pm; Sunday 1:00– 5:00pm Adventures Passes (good for all activities, full day) $35 adults, $20 youth (3–12). Season passes available; Individual activity passes available. Prices vary by activity.

Pricing subject to change.

Use MetroFamily’s 2013-14 Kids Pass for a coupon for a free youth RIVERSPORT Adventure Pass with purchase of adult pass. Print your Kids Pass at www.metrofamilymagazine. com/kids-pass.

If you plan to make a day of it, concessions and restrooms are available; or pack a blanket and have a picnic as there is ample space to sit and enjoy the scenery.

Closed-toe shoes are required for the Sky Trail (no flip-flops).

adventure-related, healthy and active,” explains Knopp. “Everything we’ve done here has an element of movement and physical fitness.”

Future Expansion The Boathouse District is a work in progress.

There are plans in place for expansion that include an outdoor climbing wall, a double zip line across the river and a white water center. Additional planned improvements include extending the river inlet to the Bricktown canal, building additional boathouses and pavilions.

Knopp explains the overall goal of the investment and construction as building on an active future for Oklahoma’s youth. “The whole idea behind all of what we’ve done here is to build something unique,” says Knopp. “We’ve challenged ourselves to continue the active theme in a unique way… and created world-class standards.” One visit to the Oklahoma River and you will see that goal has been surpassed.

Mari Farthing is an OKC-based freelance writer and editor. Find her at www. marifarthing.com.

A Kid’s Experience at RIVERSPORT I asked my son, Spencer (age 11) to tell me what he liked about Oklahoma RIVERSPORT and he provided me with the following: My experience at RIVERSPORT was a lot of fun. My favorite part was doing the Sky Bounce. It feels like you are a marionette and it is very fun. The Sky Bounce is also the point where I was most scared.

My favorite part of the ropes course was the slide, where you ride a slide from all the way at the top. My favorite obstacles were the tightropes because they were the most challenging. I wasn’t scared up on the Sky Trails except for when it was windy. That was terrifying!

I would definitely do everything again.

I would also like to do the Rumble Drop, which is where you jump off the ropes course tower and stop at the last minute. I think it would be a lot of fun.

August 2013 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

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Focus on Education Motivating Gifted Students in the Classroom

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cross the state, students and teachers are getting ready to head back to the classroom. Typically, the first days of school are dedicated to reviewing previously covered material. While this review can be tedious for many students, gifted students often face additional challenges throughout the year when it comes to staying motivated in the classroom.

It’s easy to forget that gifted students are special needs students when so much comes easily for them, but the reality is that many gifted students fail to achieve their full potential. The majority of gifted students spend most–if not all–of their day in regular classroom settings. Teachers are faced with the challenge of having to develop instructional plans that challenge students of different abilities, while parents have to advocate for their children and help them stay involved.

Characteristics of Gifted and Talented Students Teachers commonly cite three observations about gifted students. First, they finish their work quickly, and sometimes seek further assignments or additional direction. Second, they often ask more abstract questions than many of their peers. Finally, they have interests that are more typical of older, more advanced students. In addition to indicating potential giftedness, these characteristics also present a challenge for classroom teachers.

Many school districts automatically test all students for the gifted and talented program in or around the second grade. In some cases,

a teacher will make a recommendation to a student's parents based on their classroom observations and the student's performance.

Other times, a parent can request an evaluation if they suspect their child might be showing signs of being gifted.

Edmond parents Ian and Deanna suspected their son, Will, was gifted from an early age. “In first grade, Will spent most of his time drawing, reading, or doodling while the rest of the kids were finishing their work. He already knew most of the curriculum. He would ask his teacher for something to do, and she would often tell him to turn over his paper and draw her a picture,” says Deanna.

His parents laugh, fondly recalling the awesome cache of first grade artwork they have saved. “We talked to his teacher and requested he be tested, and she agreed, but the public school he was in doesn’t allow for testing until second grade.” When Will was eventually tested, his IQ was off the charts.

“He was testing at high school level in certain subjects.”

Will began the Enrichment Program in second grade and has done well since.

However, his mother notes that, “While we appreciate the opportunity he has with the Enrichment Program, it’s a pull-out class once a week. I think he would do better if it were incorporated into his regular day.”

Will is fortunate to have involved parents who work with him to help him achieve his potential. Taft Middle School counselor Amber Dubuc has worked in several schools in the Oklahoma City Public School district.

“Kids in low-income households might have two parents working hourly jobs who don’t have a lot of extra time to work with their child at home,” she notes. Typically, gifted students are more successful when parents are involved in their education and supplementing them at home.

Teaching Gifted Students High school teacher Jeffrey Pate has taught both science and English classes, and knows what a challenge it can be to motivate gifted students. “Even in AP level classes, each student or class may need more or less [motivation]. It's so easy for them to get bored when they think they know the material already. They may blow it off and not do it, or they can become easily distracted or act out in class,” says Pate. “It's important to make it challenging and to make the challenge worth the effort. I try to give them more difficult concepts or start a lab with the tools they need to work it through without telling them the conclusion first. I also think

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having advanced classes work in teams is important.”

At the high school level, many districts offer honors and AP courses in place of Enrichment or Gifted and Talented programs.

However, Dubuc admits that “every school is hit or miss. In some districts with a low performing population and high turnover rate for administrators, those advanced students can be overlooked, because classroom teachers may focus on the ‘middle’ population of students. Honors and AP courses help, but not all districts offer that, so teachers really need to be astute to meeting those students’ needs.” Private schools and tutors are often better equipped to meet those needs. “Unfortunately, kids that are functioning on a higher level are more likely to be labeled as ADHD. When these kids get bored, they may be easily distracted, which puts them at a disadvantage,” says Dubuc.

Pate tries to keep it interesting by incorporating other subjects, such as art and literature into his biomed and biology classes.

“I love to have them create a human heart out of clay or read a novel that goes along with a science theme, such as Jurassic Park.” Pate also encourages his high school students to engage in debates over issues. “I want them to be able to clearly and fluently state their opinion on subjects, so if something comes up in the news that can be tied into those subjects, I encourage discussion, and even debate.”

The bottom line is that gifted children are very much children with special needs.

Parents, teachers, and administrators often have to work together to help gifted students achieve their potential and prevent boredom by recognizing those characteristics and taking steps to fully engage gifted students.

If you suspect your child may be showing signs of giftedness, take some time to discuss it with his teacher, so you can make any necessary changes.

Editor’s Note: For more tips on keeping your gifted child motivated, visit www. metrofamilymagazine.com/gifted.

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.

August 2013 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

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Learning Adventures Create an Altered Book

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s your child prepares to return to school, have him think back on all the great books he has read this summer (if he is a little behind, encourage him to go pick up a good book now!). Which books inspired him, made him laugh, or had interesting and beautiful pages? How did these books make him feel? What colors, symbols or words would he use to describe the book?

Have your child pick an old book or magazine that you own and see what he can create using the book itself as the focus of his artwork. (Be sure not to alter a book from the library or from school!)

According to the International Society of Altered Book Artists, an altered book is any book–old or new–that has been recycled by creative means into a work of art. Altered books may be as simple as adding a drawing or text to a page, or as complex as creating an intricate book sculpture. Books can be rebound, cut, burned, folded, added to, painted, collaged in, gold-leafed, rubberstamped, drilled or adorned in any way that the artist sees fit.

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Using what you have around the house and your child’s imagination, create an altered book of your own. Search for “altered books” on Google or Pinterest for inspiration.

Did You Know?

Did you know that people all over the world are turning books, magazines, and other literature into altered books?

You will find countless altered book examples and how-to videos by searching for “altered books” on YouTube (www. youtube.com), Go Make Something (www. gomakesomething.com) and tumblr (www. tumblr.com).

Happy creating!

This Learning Adventures project is sponsored

by Primrose Schools. Find more educational fun at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/learningadventures.

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 | August 2013

Photo courtesy of OK A+ Schools

We appreciate our readers, friends and sponsors who recently helped raise funds for Feed The Children's Oklahoma Tornado Relief Fund through

We'll announce the family and group that raised the most money soon.

The family will win a weekend trip to Grapevine, Texas, including an overnight stay at Great Wolf Lodge and other perks. The group will win four tickets per person up to 20 to Science Museum Oklahoma.

The total amount raised will be announced on August 15.

Our sincere appreciation to our sponsors:

And to our prize sponsors: Discover more at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/lemonaid

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Your Healthy Family Oklahoma Mothers’ Milk Bank

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any mothers and families make the choice to breastfeed upon the birth of a new child. Healthcare professionals have agreed for decades that breast is best, but many women find breastfeeding to be challenging and may lack the support they need to continue.

In some situations, such as adoption, it may be nearly impossible to breastfeed exclusively.

In other cases, nursing is contraindicated due to a medical condition the mother may have. Luckily, more Oklahoma families and healthcare providers have the option of using donor milk for infants whose mothers are unable to breastfeed, thanks in part to the efforts of the Oklahoma Mothers’ Milk Bank.

Human milk is the best thing for human babies. In cases where an infant is premature or is critically ill, breastfeeding greatly increases survivability and improves development. Oklahoma has one of the highest premature birth rates in the country, with approximately one in seven babies being born early. While the premature birth rate ranks high, the breastfeeding rates in Oklahoma rank fairly low in comparison with other states. Approximately three out of four mothers initiate breastfeeding upon the birth of a new baby, but less than half of them are still breastfeeding when the infant is 10 weeks of age. For critically ill infants, the benefits of breast milk are even more important. In early 2011, neonatologists at OU Medical Center began regularly ordering pasteurized donor milk for NICU infants who were not being breastfed.

There are currently 10 milk banks in operation in the country, with the closest bank to Oklahoma being in Ft. Worth, Texas.

That means that Oklahoma hospitals must order donor milk from Texas for critically ill and premature infants. The supply often fails to meet the demand, and the delays that result from milk having to be shipped out

of state often prolong the waiting period for available donor milk. After its 2011 inception, Oklahoma Mothers’ Milk Bank (OMMB) served as a milk depot and is partnered with the Mothers’ Milk Bank of North Texas (MMBNT). That means that Oklahoma moms could drop off their donor milk to The Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center, where it can be safely stored and sent to MMBNT for screening and pasteurization at no cost to the donor. Approximately 10%

This year, in celebration of the 21st Annual World Breastfeeding Week, a group of Oklahomans who are heavily involved in the birth community as professional doulas and lactation consultants are hosting an art exhibit on Friday, August 2 at the Old Trinity Church in the Paseo district. The exhibit’s theme is “Ancient Roots,” and it aims to showcase breastfeeding as the physiologically normal source of nutrition, hydration, and comfort for infants and toddlers. All proceeds from the exhibit will be donated to

In cases where an infant is premature or critically ill, breastfeeding greatly increases survivability and improves development. of the milk distributed by MMBNT is being donated by Oklahoma mothers through the OMMB program, making it one of the most prolific milk bank depots for the Texas milk bank. In recent months, OMMB has begun screening and processing their own milk, putting them a step closer to becoming an independent milk bank.

the nonprofit OMMB to further expand their ability to provide this life-saving milk to families throughout Oklahoma. Local artists will create original works highlighting World Breastfeeding Week’s objectives and how mothers throughout history are connected through pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding.

Art will be sold via silent auction.

It’s the support of programs like these that help make breast milk more widely available. In fact, having the support of other women and mothers plays a major role in successful breastfeeding in general. This year’s World Breastfeeding Week (Aug 1-7) focuses on that very issue, with the theme of “Breastfeeding Support: Close to Mothers.” The chosen theme highlights the importance of breastfeeding peer counseling and community support as essential to breastfeeding success. One of the primary objectives of OMMB is to offer breastfeeding education and support for mothers and the medical community.

Community involvement is key to breastfeeding success, and programs such as OMMB and La Leche League (www.llli. org) offer much needed support for nursing mothers. Events such as World Breastfeeding Week and the Ancient Roots Exhibit help to educate the public about the superiority of mother’s milk over other forms of nutrition for babies.

For more information about how to donate breast milk or how to obtain donor milk, contact the Oklahoma Mothers’ Milk bank or visit www.okmilkbank.org.

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.

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Local Shopping Learning Tree: Specialty Toys for All Ages

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ll too often, a true sign that you have children is when you have more toys than floor space. Between holidays, birthdays and other gift-giving occasions, it is easy for your child’s room (and even your living room) to quickly become crowded with toys of all shapes and sizes. But Patti Tepper-Rassmussen, owner of Learning Tree Toys, Books & Games, says toys should be more about quality than quantity—and that the types of toys you purchase can have a big impact on your child’s learning and development.

A Montessori Approach Patti founded Learning Tree 28 years ago, opening the doors to her first store in 1985, just a few doors down from her current location. A former Montessori teacher, Patti and a fellow teacher opened the specialty toy store with the goal of providing developmentally appropriate toys, games and puzzles designed to help children learn. “We carry toys that are good for children, starting at birth and continuing through age 14,” Patti explains. “Some people think of us as a preschool-oriented store, but we carry stuff for kids all the way into their teen years.”

Patti’s background in Montessori education leads her to select toys that place an emphasis on independent play, freedom for exploration and respect for a child’s natural developmental process. “What I look for are very durable, safe, open-ended toys that can be used in several different ways,” she explains. “It’s kind of in line with a European approach to raising children. We suggest providing fewer toys, of a higher quality, that offer many things to do with them as the child grows. We look for green toys, toys made from recycled materials, and lots of wood toys—no plastic, we’re talking about toys that will last for years.”

Conspicuous Consumption This type of shopping is the opposite of what Patti refers to as “conspicuous consumption,” a term referring to the purchasing of items to display wealth and income rather than to cover real needs. “Purchasing long-lasting toys teaches children that there is value in choosing high-quality, creative toys that you will play with for a longer time,” she explains.

“This is very different than the immediate gratification of a toy purchased on a whim that they might play with for a few weeks and that ends up in a garage sale six months later.”

Instead, Patti encourages her customers to choose things that will be played with over a variety of developmental stages. “The idea

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Amanda Braud, part-time employee and student at OCU and Patti Tepper-Rassmussen.

is that your kids play with it, then you share it with a neighbor who has a baby. Then, you get it back when your next child is born. It is well worth the investment because it goes from child to child to child and was only purchased once.”

Ease of Shopping The 2,800 square foot store is divided into separate areas, each containing products appropriate for different ages and developmental stages—making shopping for gifts easy and convenient. “One side of the store is set up for birth through age five, and the toys are grouped by ages,” Patti explains.

“The other side is from age six through teens, and is laid out by category, such as games, puzzles, science, construction and outdoor toys.”

On the preschool side of the store, the toys are grouped by age-appropriate levels and each area has signs that detail out skill levels of a child in that developmental stage.

“People will often read the signs and say ‘Oh my gosh—that perfectly describes him!’” she laughs. “So they feel confident that they are getting a toy that the child will enjoy.”

More than 500 brands of toys and games are represented in the store. For children ages 6-12 months, Learning Tree offers a variety of pushing toys that encourage crawling and help them balance while they learn to walk.

“I also love wood toys for toddlers, including pounding toys, shape sorting toys and

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building toys,” Patti notes. “Other favorites are our Corrolle dolls, which I love because their faces are all different.” Shoppers in the market for a new doll can also find a selection of Adora dolls, Baby Stella and Groovy Girls. “I don’t buy anything that I haven’t pulled out and played with,” she adds.

“I want to be sure that it isn’t going to break, that they are safe, accurate and effective.”

Learning Tree Toys, Books & Games 7638 N. Western, Oklahoma City, 405-848-1415, www. learningtreeokc.com Monday–Saturday, 10:00am–6:00pm Sunday, 1:00-5:00pm (November/ December only) Also located at 102 South Broadway in downtown Edmond inside Cinnamon Bears, 405-330-2327 What do your customers say most often?

“I love it when customers tell us that everything they bought from us was a big hit, and that they can trust that everything they buy from us will be wonderful.”

Customer Service In addition to their specialized inventory, Learning Tree also offers child development knowledge to customers looking to select the perfect toy or gift. “We are able to helping parents and grandparents choose the best toy for the child,” Patti says. “They can describe where the child is and we help them find toys for the next step. If they say the child likes puzzles, we can help guide them through the whole developmental progression of working on puzzles.”

Patti has two part-time employees who are both former educators and bring their child development and classroom knowledge with them. She also employs five or six high school or college students to assist in the store. “They learn from us and like to play the games,” she laughs. “The great thing is that they can then teach the games to customers.”

Free gift wrapping is available on all purchases and the store will also assemble items upon request. “Additionally, customers can call and let us know the age and interests of the child and we can pick out an appropriate gift,” Patti adds. “We will wrap it and get it ready to go so that all they have to do is pick it up.”

Learning Tree offers a birthday registry, where the birthday child can come in and fill a birthday wagon with toys and games for guests to choose from. Also available is a frequent shopper program called Leaves of Gold that allows shoppers to earn store credit. “We stamp your Leaves of Gold card and indicate the amount you spend pre-tax,” Patti explains. “After 15 visits, we add up all your purchases, average the amount spent and you receive that much in store credit. And the card never expires.” Learning Tree also offers a 15% discount with a Keep it Local card, the Allied Arts OKCityCard, as well as a discount for military personnel.

Patti offers one last piece of advice for firsttime customers. “If you are coming just to check out the selection, be sure to plan extra time,” she advises. “We encourage children to play with what’s out on the floor, everything from trains to a marble run, so there is lots to explore. It’s a very fun place to be.”

Brooke Barnett is the Editor of MetroFamily Magazine.

August 2013 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

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Celebrating our15th year!

Our next issue will be available September 1 with the theme Tweens/Teens. www.metrofamilymagazine.com 405-601-2081

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Ask the Experts School Drop Off, Mean Girls & Reading Difficulty My biggest parenting challenge is dropping off my pre-k daughter at school in the morning without incident. How do you walk away from a sad, clingy child at school? How can I help her to transition easier into the school day?

It is normal for children to fear the unknown, and a change in routine is often difficult for them. Try to always talk positively about school. Discuss the fun things your child will learn and do during the day. Go over the schedule for the day and let her know what time you will see her when school is out.

When it is time to drop your child off, make sure you keep your attitude positive and firm.

Trust your child’s teacher—they are really good at getting the kids engaged in activity at the beginning of the day. Most kids settle into their school routine within minutes of their parents exiting the parking lot. If you are still having issues after a week or two of following this routine, ask for help from your school counselor.

Lanet Clark is a metro area school counselor.

Children will mimic your feelings, whether good or bad. Young children are not in the developmental stage where they recognize their feelings as separate from their parent, so if you are anxious about leaving your daughter at school, she will most likely show anxiety as well. Strive to be calm and collected, explaining to your daughter that you won’t be able to stay with her during school. Try to make it as positive as possible and you will set her up for success!

Kevin Tutty is a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice. 405-431-6225.

Our Readers Respond: • Start talking about it now. Focus on positive words and tell her stories of how she’s been brave in the past.

• Read The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn.

Take a week and do some kissing hand activities before school starts.

• Coordinate with the teacher to leave a small note or something in her desk for the first few mornings, so that your child finds a special “hug” from you when she gets to class to encourage them for the day.

Thanks to Laura G., Tiffany R. and Jessica G. for your feedback!

How can I help my daughter deal with friends that aren’t always nice to her? I know that ‘mean girls’ are a problem in high schools, but my daughter is only 8!

How can I help her to deal with situations when other girls are less than kind?

Help her to both experience and appreciate the many talents, gifts and beauty that are unique to her. Encourage her to participate in a dance class, art club or sports team. Second, help her learn how to reach out and make friends with other girls that provide safety and support for her. Many young children need help with the skills required to be a friend. Invite new friends over with their parents. Lastly, if the meanness continues, don’t be afraid to confront a teacher or parent (of the mean child) for help. Often times the parents are not even aware of the actions of their young person.

Donnie Van Curen, M.A., LMFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist with Counseling 1820, LLC. 405-823-4302, www. counseling1820.com.

This is a great time to instill in your daughter the social skills needed to deal with difficult people—she will be using them for the rest of her life. When we are faced with aggressive behavior from others, we can return with aggressive, passive or assertive behavior of our own. Assertive behavior is in between passive and aggressive, where one’s boundaries are stated simply and clearly, i.e., “I don’t like it when you talk to me that way,” or “ I want you to stop,” while looking the person in the eye with a clear voice. The aggressive person is likely not expecting this response, and your daughter will not be as much of a target for bullying.

Kevin Tutty is a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice. 405-431-6225.

Our Readers Respond: • At school, stay open and communicative with teachers. Build up her self esteem

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with lots of encouragement, hugs, and compliments. Find a new/different group to go to regularly for her to meet a new friend.

Being a safe place for her to talk and share her feelings will help—the rest will show her how to build herself up and treat others in spite of adversity.

• We worked on being able to identify mean behavior and cope with it by communicating that she did not want any part of such behavior.

Thanks to Monica M. and Blair F. for your feedback!

My son is 7 years old and going into the second grade. He is struggling with reading and isn’t reading on grade level.

We are practicing at home, but he is very easily discouraged and is feeling badly about himself. How can I help him to have confidence as he masters this new skill?

Any time we focus on something, that skill is strengthened. I would encourage you to take frequent trips to the library. Use books as rewards instead of candy. Take your child to the bookstore and let him pick out what book he would like to read. Hire a tutor during this time and tell your child that you are going to work hard on reading for a short period. Then take a bit of a rest and start the whole process over if he needs more help.

Devonne Carter is a clinical social worker in private practie in Edmond. 405-326-3923, www.carterscounseling.com.

Find books that are about subjects he is passionate about or expresses interest in, as that will help spark a desire to read. If he is nervous or struggling with reading aloud, try having him read to the family pet or a stuffed animal or check your local library for a proram where kids can read to dogs in order to practice their skills. Stay positive and keep encouraging your son.

Tamara Walker, RN, is a talk show host and speaker in Edmond. www.momrn.com.

Our Readers Respond • Everywhere you go (either in the car or at a store, etc.) give him a challenge to find a word of your choice.

• Turn on the closed captioning on the TV, so your child will be reading while watching their favorite shows.

• Our eldest was having problems reading due to one eye being stronger than the other. We did vision therapy & now she reads above grade level.

Thanks to Christi R., Blair F. and Barbara F. for your feedback!

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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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Mom Gets the Last Laugh How I Found a Backpack and Lost My Mind

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

ith exactly a month before school was to commence again, my younger daughter approached me with her own school supply list that included just one thing: A bodacious backpack.

“I want it to be zebra print and rainbow plaid.

I also need pockets for my umbrella, my pencils, my lunch bag, an extra pair of shoes, a water bottle, a kite and a phone (hint, hint).”

Clearly, she had spent her entire summer vacation thinking about this backpack.

“Plus,” she added, “I want it to have one strap that goes across my body or over my shoulder or it can be shortened like a hand bag that I swing as I walk like this.” Then she demonstrated a catwalk strut that would guarantee her another week on America’s Next Top Model.

Thinking it would take us only a quick jaunt up the road, we headed to our local megahuge department store to try on backpacks.

We checked the back-to school aisle first.

All of those were too princess-y, too boy-ish, too small, too plastic, too hard, too soft, too babyish and too medical. Don’t ask. I pointed out a primary-colored zebra-striped design with an across-the-chest strap that came with a matching umbrella and lunch box. Without saying a word, my little quester crossed her arms and rolled her eyes, slowly shaking her head left to right.

“You don’t get it, Momma.”

With hope still brimming from my not-yetweary heart, we ventured to the sporting goods department where she pronounced every single one of those backpacks “Too offgrid.” What did that even mean?

“Momma,” she sighed, “Don’t you remember my description? My heart knows what it wants.”

“Does your heart know where to shop for it?” I sighed right back. I picked up some cap erasers (because you can never have enough of those) and we left the mega-huge department store and headed to the uberpopular department store at the strip mall. I just knew we’d find something worthy there.

And we did—it’s just that none of them we were worthy of belonging to my backpack elitist.

What we found were backpacks that were too second-grade, too blue, too cowboy, too gangster, too complicated and too country club. Again, what was she even talking about?

“What if we never find my perfect backpack, Momma?” my little shopper asked with a catch in her voice.

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“We’ll find a backpack,” I soothed her, “but it may not be exactly what you’re looking for.”

“Then what’s the point, Momma? What’s the point?” She posed a good question.

As we stood in line waiting for our Icees and popcorn, I explained to her that I didn’t even have a backpack until I went to college.

“How did you carry your books?” the little skeptic asked with her hand firmly planted on her hips.

Demonstrating how I held my books, which looked very much like I was holding an invisible baby, I explained, “I carried my books in my arms.”

She sighed, “Don’t be so dramatic, Momma.”

Over the course of the day, we went to a sporting goods store, a high-end department store, an Italian restaurant and a pet store— just because. Our quick jaunt up the road turned into an eight-hour expedition going from store to store in search of the everelusive perfect backpack. At the end of the day, my feet hurt, my eyes were crossing, and I was ready to sleep off my lunchtime pasta feast. I offered my little backpack buff $100 if she’d agree to carry a plastic grocery bag every day. She dropped her head in exasperation.

“What if,” I offered, “You just leave everything at school? You never bring home anything anyway.”

www.metrofamilymagazine.com | August 2013

She sniffed, “My back would be naked.”

We walked to the car hand-in-hand, and I promised her we’d look some more before school started. I swore to her that I really wouldn’t make her carry the plastic grocery sack. I also promised to stop telling her stories about my backpack days, even if I believe it to be very important for the generations that follow to understand just how uncool it was to wear your backpack straps over both shoulders.

Before heading home, we stopped at the mega-huge department store for some toilet paper, and we found it—a primary-colored zebra-striped design with an across-the-chest strap that came with a matching umbrella and lunch box. Yes. It was the same one I had pointed out 5,000 grey hairs earlier in the day. “It’s perfect, Momma!”

One day she’ll wonder why I cry at the sight of backpacks.

Heather Davis is an Oklahoma momma, a writer and a former lover of school supplies.

She blogs at www.minivan-momma.com and is the author of TMI Mom: Oversharing My Life.