May 2014 • Moms Just Know • Free
PARENTIN G MEDIA AS SOCIATIO
N
2013 Silv Award W er inner Edito rial an Awards Co d Design mpetition
Consignment
Shopping: The New Trend
Gender
Reveal Party Creative Ways to Announce the “It’s a ____” News
Saving the
Environment
You’re Pregnant. Now What?
One Toy at a Time Serving: Granger • Mishawaka • Elkhart • South Bend • Goshen • Niles Edwardsburg • Middlebury & Surrounding Communities
eyes Braxton, Elkhart
The
Sonia, Elkhart
have it.
Darnell, Bristol
Jill, Bristol
The votes are in. Boling Vision Center is the #1 choice for eye care. Maintaining good eye health is an important part of enjoying good overall health. And we believe that’s why, for more than three generations, residents of this community have overwhelmingly trusted their eyes to the Boling Vision Center team. From comprehensive eye exams and the finest eyewear, to the most advanced surgical procedures and vision-enhancing treatments available today, we are committed to helping the families of our community be as bright-eyed, healthy and happy as possible.
We hope that you are already one of our valued guests at Boling Vision Center. If so, we thank you for voting Boling as your eye care provider of choice. If not, we sincerely invite you to visit us and discover first-hand the amazing experiences that happen here every day.
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800.283.8393
bolingvisioncenter.com
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IN THE NEXT ISSUE: One Tank Trips
Contributors President & Publisher: Betsy Tavernier
Betsy@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com
If you would like your business and/or service to be included in the next issue, call The FAMILY Magazines at 574.387.5420 to reserve your space. Space is limited.
Managing Editor: Jessica Haviland
Jessy@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com
Introducing FAMILY Magazine's NEW Blog:
The Savvy Mom!
Jena@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com
Marketing Coordinator: Jill Ludwick Jill@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com
Always wanted to try a new product but wished you could test it before you buy it? Well, The FAMILY Magazines has made it easy for you! Our new blog, The Savvy Mom, will be reviewing one product a week from a local business telling you what we think of the product! The fun doesn't stop there! At the end of the blog post, you can enter for your chance to win the product being reviewed for FREE! the
Savvy Mom
Creative marketing director: Jena Bontrager
Let's Get Savvy!
GRAPHIC DESIGN Manager: Zuzanna Zmud
Zuzanna@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com
Medical Editor: S. Jesse Hsieh, M.D. Distribution Manager: Mike Trentacosti Kevin Reynolds Family Magazines of Michiana would love to hear from you! Please submit press releases, event information and inquiries to: Jessy@Michianafamilymagazine.com
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The FAMILY Magazines PO BOX 577 Granger, IN 46530 PH: 574.387.5420 • FX: 574.217.4700 www.MichianaMom.com
March Silverhawks Coloring Contest Winners!
The FAMILY Magazines May 2014 Established in 2006. All rights reserved. Permission from the publisher is required for any reproduction or reprint of this publication. Read The FAMILY Magazines online each month! Go to www.MichianaMom.com and flip the pages, cover-to-cover the organic and green way!
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Thomas – Age 6
Volume 8: Number 5
Brody – Age 5
TheFamilyMagazineOfMichiana on the cover:
Lily from Goshen Photo:
Classic Image Photography
@FamilyMagazines FamilyMagazine TheFamilyMag
Stylist:
Maria Gonzales
www.MichianaMom.com
The FAMILY Magazine is a proud member of PMA
PARENTING MEDIA ASSOCIATION
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2013 Silver Award Winner
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General Excellence
Editorial and Design Awards Competition
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Find the Hidden Acorn! For your enjoyment and fun!
Please use the information compiled by Michiana Family Magazines for your research. Michiana Family Magazines recommends that parents and families interview each business or organization to make sure that it is safe and a good fit for your family. The information presented here and provided by Michiana Family Magazines is for informational purposes only and although every effort has been made to present accurate information, Michiana Family Magazines does not, in any way, accept responsibility for the accuracy of or consequences from the use of this information and/or for the businesses and organizations presented herein. We urge all parents and families to confirm any information given herein through additional research. The views and opinions expressed by the writers, event organizers and advertisers do not necessarily represent those of Michiana Family Magazines LLC, its officers, editors, staff or contributors. THE
FAMILY MAGAZINE | MAY 2014
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FROM THE PUBLISHER
Things
We Learned Making
Photography: Classic image photography Makeup: Camellia Maalouf, Camellia Cosmetics Granger
The May Issue
1.
Consignment and resale shopping has become the new trend. Find out why you should stop by your local thrift store today on page 30.
2.
Give your gender reveal party a theme! Fill a piñata with either pink or blue confetti and have your guests take a whack at it! Get more fun ideas on page 26.
3.
Raise your child with confidence for a brighter future. Check out our Girl Power article on page 12 and find out how you can empower young girls from the start.
4.
Find Mother’s Day activities in our Centerfold Calendar! And find other fun local events happening in the area on page 20.
Things We (at FAMILY)
Love
Right Now!
1. Mother's Day 2. Tulips 3. Baseball! 4. Grilled Filets 5. Spring School Programs 6. Turquoise 7. A Great Facial 8. Lifelong Friends 9. Tears of Joy 10. Moms 11. Greatful Children 12. Technology 13. Pistachios 14. Doing the Right Thing 15. The Working Class
5.
Name brand items may not be the best consumer choice. Check out our “Splurge VS Save” article on page 36 to see which products are worth the extra cash.
MAY 2014
6.
Too many toys can feel overwhelming for your child. Learn more on picking the best toys for your little ones on page 16.
7.
Let your children have a sweet treat every once in a while. Keeping your child away from unhealthy foods will only increase their desire to want more. Find out other ways to incorporate healthier foods into your child’s life on page 10. 4
THE
FAMILY MAGAZINE | May 2014
Check it Out! Don
’t forget to pick up your copy of the NEW SASS Y Magazine!
Dancing towards
N O23
One Fam
CROSSRO ily’s
SUCCES
S
to a Heal
jodi BRENN Business EMAN Manager
#HASHTA G
Your Way
Successto
AD
thier Life
4Keeps
By: Casey Kiel
Okay
Like '4Keeps' on Facebook or visit CaseyKiel.com
VIP
may
ADVERTISERS
Special THANKS to the following VIP May advertisers that help us provide The Family Magazine to the Michiana community for FREE: 32 Pearls Dentistry Club Tabby Darah Medical Equipment Elkhart Christian Academy Lanser's The Natural Way Mathnasium Menno Travel Once Upon a Child Premier Arts Star Martial Arts The Kroc Center
Testimonials From Our Readers “I love FAMILY Magazine and look forward to reading every new issue that comes out.”
”The centerfold calendar is always full of fun things to do with your kids, husband and girlfriends!”
– Deeanna R.
– Haley B.
“I found a copy of FAMILY Magazine at my local grocery store and gave it to my sister-in-law who is expecting. Now, we both read this magazine and discuss the articles with one another.”
“One article that I always enjoy reading in the FAMILY Magazine is the “Dear Mom.” It always lifts my spirits and keeps me motivated.” – Jenny E.
– Mindy C.
Want to win a free gift card? Take a picture of yourself with the current issue of FAMILY Magazine and post it to Instagram! Write what you love most about this month’s magazine and tag us in the photo. Hash tag #lovefamilymag for your chance to win a $25 gift card to a local Michiana business. Instagram.com/TheFamilyMag. Winner will be announced at the end of each month and their picture will be printed in the following month’s issue! THE
#lovefamilymag FAMILY MAGAZINE | MAY 2014
5
the FAMILY magazine table
Of
Happy Mothers
Day!
contents Live Your Best
4 7 Things We Learned Making This Issue
26
4 Things We Love Right Now 5 4Keeps Comic
26 Gender Reveal Parties
20 Centerfold Calendar
14 Furry & Feathered: Local Petting Zoos & Wildlife Parks By: Robin McClure
18 Birthday Parties With A Cause
By: Meagan Church
Movie & Book Reviews 38 Book Review: The Hunter, the Bear and the Seventh Sister
By B.I. Woolet Reviewed By: Jessica Baron
39 Movie Review: The LEGO Movie By: Cole Pollyea
By: Meagan Church
34 14
By: Emily McClements
Family Pregnancy
8 The FAMILY Month Calendar
By: Kristine Smith
16 Saving The Environment One Toy At A Time
By: Gayla Grace
7 Contributors
10 Preparing Healthier Meals For Your Children
Family Kids
24 28 Simple Ways To Show Your Kids Love
5 Reader Testimonials
Family Fun
32
Family Craft
7 Mother’s Day Vase
By: Jill Lebbin
Family Recipe
23 Berry Breakfast Pizza
28 You’re Pregnant. Now What? By: Chaunie Bruise
SPECIAL SECTION
30 Consignment Shopping: The New Trend By: Lara West
32 Donate VS Pitch By: Kristine Smith
12 Girl Power By: Noelle Elliott
Mommy and Daddy 34 Dear Mom, Thank You By: Meagan Church
36 Splurge VS Save By: Lara West
19 6
THE
FAMILY MAGAZINE | May 2014
FAMILY contibutors
Meagan Church is married to her high-school sweetheart and is the mother of 3 kids. She is a writer and children’s book author. She is also the brainpower of the online resource Unexpectant, exploring the realities of birth, babies and beyond
Lara West completed her degree in Elementary Education and has spent the last several years working as a ghost writer, completing manuscripts, children stories, research papers and article rewrites.
Noelle Elliott is a social media junkie, blogger, writer and career woman. She lives in South Bend with her husband, four young sons and two chocolate labs.
Chaunie Brusie is a nurse, freelance writer and a young mom of three (soon to be four!). She lives in SE Michigan and is the author of Tiny Blue Lines: Reclaiming Your Life, Preparing For Your Baby, and Moving Forward in Faith in an Unplanned Pregnancy.
FAMILY craft
Mother’s Day Vase By: Jill Lebbin
Materials:
Steps:
• Mod Podge Washout
Apply a healthy heaping of Mod Podge Washout for kids onto the vase and back of the artwork. This step is to attach their artwork. You may get bubbles but just use your finger and smooth them out. I was happy to have the kid’s washout version of Mod Podge for this craft because I didn’t have to take my son’s shirt off in fear of it getting dirty! The Mod Podge Washout is designed with kids in mind!
• Spouncers • Your Child’s Artwork • Round Glass Vase
1.
2.
Put Artwork on Vase (make sure before you adhere it that you have it cut to the size you want on the vase) and Mod Podge on top of the artwork.
3.
Allow to dry and then use your new one of a kind vase! You can use it for flowers, pens, craft supplies or maybe just a decorative piece. Be very careful when washing it and avoid putting it into the dishwasher.
Photos provided by: Jill Lebbin
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FAMILY MAGAZINE | MAY 2014
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The FAMILY Month Calendar 2
Les Miserables, 7:30 P.M., The Lerner Theatre Walk MS: Michiana 2014, 7:30 A.M., IUSB
3
Blue Line Handmade Market Place, 3:00 P.M., Nagy Hall, Elkhart
1 Th
F
Sa
10
6
Sesame Street Live-Can’t Stop Singing, 6:30 p.m., Morris Performing Arts Center
8
5
Lucky Penny Day
17
Monthly Meditation Yoga, 5:30 P.M., Elkhart Run, Walk, Rock 2014, Environmental 7:00 A.M., Lory’s Place, Center St. Joseph, MI
11
Michiana Go Red For Women Health Forum and Luncheon, 10:00 A.M.. Morris Inn, University of Cinco De Mayo Notre Dame
Mother’s Day BAZAAR Sunday at The State,10:00 A.M., The State Theatre
31
23
14
Clean Up Your Room Day
26
Relay for Life Elkhart County, 10:00 a.m., Goshen High School
30
Memorial Day
Sleeping Beauty, Friday May 30th, 7 P.M., and May 31st, 2 P.M. and 7 P.M., DeBartolo Performing Arts Center
Women’s Health Day, 10:00 A.M., Allied Physicians of Michiana, South Bend
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18 19 20 21
22
24 25
27 28 29
Su M
W
F
M
Tu
Th
F
Su
Th
Sa
Tu
Tu
Th
Sa
Su
W
Sa
M
Tu
W
F
Su
M
W
Th
F
Sa
Name the Celebrity Mom:
What we are
Pinning:
Each of these little tots has a famous mom! Pair up the child to their mom and see how many you know!
Tiny Tot: 1. Violet Afflect 2. Shiloh Pitt 3. Maxwell Johnson 4. Suri Cruise 5. Skylar Bergman
Famous Mom: A. Jessica Simpson B. Rachel Zoe C. Katie Holmes D. Jennifer Gardner E. Angelina Jolie
Sidewalk Chalk Games:
www.birthdaypartyideas4kids.com
Homemade
Finger Paints Ingredients: 3 Tablespoons Sugar ½ Teaspoons Salt ½ Cup Corn Starch 2 Cups Water
Dress Up Closet:
Answers:
1. (D) 2. (E) 3. (A) 4. (C) 5. (B)
www.craftinessisnotoptional.com
“I want my children to have all the things I couldn't afford. Then I want to move in with them.” Nursery Names:
www.apartmenttherapy.com
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FAMILY MAGAZINE | May 2014
- Phyllis Diller
Directions: Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan. Warm the mixture until it thickens. Cool and then pour in separate containers. Add food coloring to create desired colors!
Ride the Rails!
Steam train rides all summer long. Free Train Ride Ticket Offer Below
FAMILY Magazine is all about
Girl Power
in the month of May! Starting May 19th through May 23rd you have the chance to enter to win several fun prizes for you and your daughter. Be sure to visit our website or Facebook page to show your inner Girl Power!
Take a ride on three different steam railroads & stroll among machines of the industrial age.
Treat your family to an unexpected fun museum and history that will move you.
Just minutes off I-94 (Exit 1) or Indiana Toll Road (Exit 49)
Brought to you by these girl empowering sponsors... More than just trains! All kinds of big steam powered machines, in a working outdoor museum await your family to explore.
Visit Doc’s a 1930 vintage
Soda Fountain for lunch & ice cream.
www.hesston.org
Look for the billboard at CR 1000 North and IN-39
Red Barn TheatER
GPS: 1201 East 1000 North LaPorte, IN 46350 Bring this ad for a Free Single Fare Train Ride with purchase of same.
Not valid Labor Day Weekend. Offer not valid in combination with any other offer. No Cash Value Free ticket equal or lesser value. One per guest per day. Expires: 1/1/15
FAMILY fun
Preparing
Healthier
Meals For Your Children
By: Kristine Smith
I
t is always a challenge for parents to provide healthy meals for their children. As the kids grow and become more active, they need all the nutrients they can get. As healthy meals are not a popular choice among kids, planning a nutritious meal is as important as preparing something that they will actually want to eat. It is a parent’s responsibility to show their child that healthy eating does not have to be boring or unappetizing. Setting a good example for your child is the best way to train them as they always look to the parent as their role model. It would be difficult, if not impossible, to convince them to eat a salad if you are eating a hamburger. It is the parent who brings the food into the home so it should be the parent who models healthy eating habits for the child. What are some steps you can take to get your child interested in eating healthier foods? First of all, kids enjoy food that is visually interesting. To encourage your kids to eat what you serve them, you need to make a little more effort on the appearance of the food. Try forming faces using vegetables on their plate, or serving the vegetables as pizza toppings. You can also top salads with low fat cheese, croutons or even chocolate. Be creative with the appearance of the food too. For a healthy snack, serve vegetables with a dipping sauce such as low fat ranch dressing, hummus or even salsa. Cut the veggies in interesting shapes. Make a pizza together and top it with vegetables that spell out their name or make a funny face. While you obviously cannot force your child to eat the meals you prepare, try not to bully them into trying new things. Some nutritionists state that a child needs to see new food an average of five times before they may even want to sample it. Given that information, involve them in the preparation of the meal. The fun in preparing the meal makes the eating part enjoyable, too. Have them develop a list of foods they would like to eat and go from there. If your child likes hamburgers, for example, make them with ground turkey or chicken. If a child wants macaroni and cheese, try wheat pasta with low fat cheese. This gives the child a sense of empowerment and then gives you the chance to educate them on healthier alternatives to what you already know they love.
Despite the desire to have your child eat healthy, having less healthy foods at hand keeps them from becoming ‘forbidden,’ and thus more appealing. Allowing a treat now and then is a
great way to keep the child from believing that cookies, soda or candy are their entire diet. Instead, this method would teach them 10
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FAMILY MAGAZINE | May 2014
that a treat is a reward for healthy behavior. Treats in moderation is key. If your child simply has a sweet tooth though, maybe try strawberries or mandarin oranges first and see if that satisfies their need for a sweet treat.
There are also ways to ‘sneak’ a healthy food into a meal.
For example, chopping a carrot and adding it to spaghetti sauce or mincing vegetables and adding it to ground turkey burgers are a couple of ways to get vegetables into their diet. But encouraging the child to try a new food item a week might be a more realistic and honest approach. Again, teaching a child by example is the strongest way to show a child the way to a healthy lifestyle. While feeding a child healthier foods is certainly difficult, starting slowly and setting realistic goals will encourage the child to embrace healthier eating habits throughout the rest of their lives.
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AMISH PRODUCTS!
We offer furniture from Baby to King size as well as Rockers High Chairs Quilts Mattresses Toy-boxes and Decor!
Stop in today to check out our collection! 620 W. Edison Road, Mishawaka, IN Same plaza as Bonefish Grill 574.807.8797 Like us on www.TheNaturalWay.org Facebook!
Special Section Spring Cleaning/Mom Bargains
By: Noelle Elliott
How to Teach the Young Girls of Today to Feel Confident in the World of Tomorrow
W
hen I was in high school, I had a soccer coach that treated me like a boy. Up until that point in my youth soccer career, every coach had been, well… kind. But one coach of mine was anything but. He set the bar very high for his team and we wanted nothing more to reach it. One practice I was late because of boy troubles. He approached me as I cried on the sidelines. He didn’t ask what was wrong, he just told me to get on the field. When I tried to explain, he looked me straight in the eye and yelled “On the line!” Which meant I was going to be running because I was late. I had never been treated so abruptly and yet, I felt more empowered than I ever had. He taught me that nothing and nobody should get in the way of my success. I have never forgotten him and the influence he had not only on me, but my entire team.
Girls today are sent so many mixed messages. On one hand, they are told that they can do anything that a man can do. However, today, women earn about 80 cents on the dollar compared to men — a gap that results in the loss of about $380,000 over a woman's career. The message is, you can do what a man can, just not get compensated for it. I hope this statistic changes by the time young girls start their careers. I spoke with a veteran male elementary teacher and asked him if he taught girls differently than boys. He said this is an area that he struggles with. He tends to be stricter with boys than girls. I asked him what he does to let a little girl know that she is powerful. He said that he listens to them. “Sometimes girls are reluctant to speak out. I love to ask their opinion on something and whatever it is, I tell them that I hadn’t thought of it that way before.” Giving validity to the opinion of a girl is one of the first steps in letting them know their voice should be heard. He also believes that the foundation of a girl’s confidence is built at home. I have a vivid memory as a child in observing my mother. It sounds simple, but I noticed that her voice would change when she was speaking to a man. It would get a little higher, softer and there was an apologetic tone to it. Sharp contrast to when she was speaking with a woman. When I got older I found myself doing the same thing and I didn’t know why. I had a hard time looking men in the eye. Eye contact is so crucial in building empowerment in a young girl. It evokes confidence and respect. Evading it does the opposite.
Photography: Classic Image Photography Stylist: Maria Gonzalez 12
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FAMILY MAGAZINE | May 2014
If you have a daughter, notice what music she listens to or what television shows she likes. Chances are they are not portraying a powerful persona, from the young ingénue who wears short skirts to attract a boy to the song lyrics, which glorifies getting wasted in a bathroom.
Both are teaching girls to hide their most important feature, their intelligence. Encouraging this kind of behavior has the potential to get them into more serious trouble as they get older. A yoga instructor told me that she feels most powerful when she has accomplished a pose that she never thought she could. “At first I started yoga to lose weight,” she said, “but what I realized is that I wanted to be smaller to disappear.” Now she has devoted her life to sharing her gift in front of several hundred people a week. “I never thought I was smart or that I could teach anyone anything. I’m proud of what I know and what my body can do and less what it looks like.” I visited Good Shepherd Montessori School in South Bend and interviewed a few junior high girls. I asked them, “What makes you feel powerful?” “One of the things that makes me feel powerful is sports. They are a great way to feel strong and be around other girls who share some of the same interests. I also feel that writing is a great way to feel empowered and have your words matter in a powerful way.”
DROWNING is the 2nd leading cause of accidental death in CHILDREN!
"When I talk, and people listen to what I have to say, I feel powerful."
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“I feel powerful when I do something that is categorized as a "guy" thing, and doing it successfully. (Like catching a football or wearing my hair really short.) I guess I just like catching people off guard with how I act and what I enjoy doing.”
Girls will come in contact with several influential people in their lives, some good and some bad. Their power needs to be generated from deep within. It can’t be manufactured. A true sense of self worth will be with them as they grow into strong women. Our job as parents is to allow them to cultivate this. To nurture and guide them back if they start to deviate to the popular path of suppressing it. It took me a long time but now when I speak, I speak loud enough to be heard, because I realize what I have to say is important.
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We offer five, three day camps in June & July that include some super summer fun with slip and slides, sprinklers, pool time, crafts and snacks! Ages 3-10 (must be potty trained). Call or register online.
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FAMILY MAGAZINE | MAY 2014
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FAMILY kids
Furry & Feathered:
Local Petting Zoos & Wildlife Parks By: Robin McClure
A
s the warm weather slowly approaches us, plan to take a trip with your little ones to a local petting zoo or to a wildlife park. These fun destination spots provide an ideal balance of enjoyment, education and soaking in the sun’s rays. Make the most of your kid’s curiosity and love of all things furry and feathered by packing them up for a day and head to any of these Michiana locations. Black Pine Animal Sanctuary Albion, IN www.blackpine.org
Deer Forest Exotic Animal Sanctuary Coloma, MI www.deerforestexoticanimalsanctuary.com
Linton’s Enchanted Gardens Elkhart, IN www.lintons.com
Hours: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Beginning Memorial Day through Labor Day Cost: $7 for Ages 3-9, $8 for Adults and Free for Children 2 and Under
Hours: Weekends April 18-Memorial Day, Daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day and weekends from Labor Day through October 31st. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cost: $6.50; Free for Children 2 and Under
Hours: 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sundays Cost: Free
Ever wonder what it takes to care for an exotic animal? Daily tours of this hands-off wildlife sanctuary include an orientation and a 90-minute tour with a zookeeper who introduces the animals, explains where they came from, why they live there and answers species-specific questions. The sanctuary is home to 100 animals and more than 50 species, including tigers, wolves, foxes, reptiles, black bears, deer, donkeys and llamas. Kids at the age of three and older can partake in a summer kid’s camp. Cook’s Bison Ranch Wolcottville, IN www.cooksbisonranch.com
Discover exotic animal habitats from around the world, including some endangered species. Observe around 150 captive-raised animals, including American alligators, macaws, peacocks, iguanas, emu, arctic foxes, potbellied pigs, deer, llamas and snakes. Although some animals can’t be touched, many can, and the sanctuary strives for a hands-on experience that can include taking the alligators for walks. Animal encounter weekends can provide an educational experience for the whole family.
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Potawatomi Zoo South Bend, IN www.potawatomizoo.org Hours: Currently open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. until November 30th. Cost: $6.50 for Children 3-11, $8.50 for Adults and Free for Children 2 and Under
Hours: Call Ahead Cost: $6 for Children and $8 for Adults Climb aboard a covered wagon to tour an 83-acre farm that’s home to roughly 1,500 buffalo. Feed the buffalo, pet them and ride among them. Most tour groups see about 50 bison. After the tour, visitors will return to the ranch to eat a bison burger. Open tours are available, but it’s best to call ahead for reservations.
Need to get new garden supplies but have the kiddos with you? Stop by the petting zoo in the Garden Center to interact with bunnies, miniature sheep, miniature horses, miniature donkeys, miniature potbellied pigs and miniature goats. Watch turtles sun and admire the plumage of the exotic birds, including Bloomer, the blue and gold macaw. Pay only a quarter for a handful of food. There’s also a Kid’s Corner, complete with a tree house.
Potbellied Piglets
Spread across 23 acres, the Potawatomi Zoo houses more than 400 animals, including pygmy goats, Amur tigers, chimpanzees, Diana monkeys, Chinese alligators, blue poison dart frogs, flamingos and scorpions. In the zoo’s farm area, visitors can pet and feed baby goats.
Hippopotamus Mother and Baby Maple Lane Wildlife Farm Topeka, IN http://wildlifefarm.weebly.com Hours: May 24th through September 27th; closed August 16th this year. Tuesday through Thursday they are open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and closed on Sundays and Mondays. Cost: $4 for Children between the Ages of 3-12, $7 for Adults, Free for Children 2 and Under Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! This 25acre farm is home to large cats, including bobcats, lions and tigers and grazing animals, such as zebra, donkeys, llamas and deer. The petting zoo features farm animals, such as pot-bellied pigs, sheep, goats, but white-tailed fauns, camels, llamas and other baby animals can also be touched. Camel and horseback rides and a pony cart ride are also available.
888-850-MATH
Feeding Alpaca Scidmore Park Three Rivers, MI www.threeriversmi.us Hours: Saturday’s beginning Mother’s Day weekend through October 31st from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Cost: Free Pet exotic birds and reptiles, ponies, donkeys, emu, alpaca and a pot-bellied pig. Free educational programs covering animals and the environment that are designed for the whole family are scheduled for Saturdays in June, July and August. Previous topics have included llamas, myths about animal rehabilitation, bugs, birds and reindeer. The park also has picnic benches, sand volleyball, basketball courts, a fountain and a playground. THE
FAMILY MAGAZINE | MAY 2014
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FAMILY kids
Saving the
Environment One Toy at a Time
H
By: Emily McClements
ave you ever watched a child immersed in play? They are in their own little world, imagination running wild, oblivious to everything else around them. That’s the essence of childhood, isn’t it? As parents we want to encourage this type of play in our kids. Not only is it good for their development, it’s also wonderful for us to have a few extra minutes to cook dinner, finish a task or just spend a few quiet moments by ourselves. It’s important to be intentional about the types of toys we choose to provide for our children. In addition to concerns about toxins, like lead in paint and BPA in plastics, the toys a child plays with can either help or hurt the development of their imagination. Toys can also place a strain on the environment. Too many old, broken and unwanted toys make their way to the landfill where they will remain for generations. And ask anyone who has tried to open a new toy recently if they think the amount of packaging is excessive! So we want to choose toys that are not only good for our kids, but also good for the environment. We want toys that will help develop and grow our children’s imaginations and will be cherished for years to come.
Less is More Children can be easily overwhelmed by too many choices. I’m sure all of us who are parents have had the experience of a child complaining they are bored and there is nothing to play with while standing in the middle of a room overflowing with toys, much like a woman standing in front of a closet full of clothing complaining she has nothing to wear. We think our children need lots of choices of toys to play with to keep them interested, but the opposite is actually true. The fewer quality toys they have, the more they can get lost in deep imaginative play.
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FAMILY MAGAZINE | May 2014
Simple, Open-Ended Toys Children are easily bored by toys that do the playing for them because they are limited in how they can play with it. Open-ended toys can become anything the child imagines it to be and will entertain a child for years as they grow. When kids play with toys where the opportunities are limitless, their play will be limitless, not bound by the limits of the toy itself.
Some enchanted evenings *
Soutahcific P
Made from Natural Materials Touch is one of the ways that children experience the world through play. Providing them with toys that are not made of plastic is not only better for the environment, but better for them to play with. Wooden blocks, pieces of felt or fabric, play silks, wool blankets, beanbags and items from nature all engage a child’s sense of touch during play.
June 20 June 22 20 14
Art Supplies Children love to create, and they don’t need us to set up a Martha Stewart worthy craft projects to get them excited about creating. Unlimited access to art supplies can encourage endless creativity in our children.
Building Toys Basic blocks and other simple building toys like Lincoln Logs, Tinker Toys and LEGO can be the foundation of hours of engaged play.
Before we bring new toys into our homes, we should ask ourselves the following questions:
* and one matinee
There’s more than meets the eye in this classic Rogers and Hammerstein musical. The lush imagery of the South Pacific islands and the romantic melodies provide a stark contrast to stories of forbidden love while a world was
www.sbct.org
at war. Backed by a full orchestra, the most talented performers in the region will bring this beautiful story to life. But it is a limited run. Just four enchanted evenings and one matinee. Better get your tickets now.
For tickets, call 574-234-1112 or order online at SBCT.org. South Pacific FamilyMag.indd 1
4/25/14 10:42 AM
Do we really need this toy? Does our child already have something similar? Will this toy truly enrich our child’s play experience? Is this toy something my child will play with for years to come, or will it end up in the trash before next Christmas? How much packaging does this toy have? Can the packaging be recycled? What will I do with this toy when my child has outgrown the toy or it breaks? Can it be passed on to another family or recycled, or does it have to be thrown away? Can I find this toy used or second-hand? Second hand toys save environmental resources, keep a toy from ending up at the landfill and have little to no packaging waste.
Most of all our children should be engaged and delighted by their toys, not overwhelmed by them. Then they have the freedom to do what kids are supposed to do. Play!
(574) 243-2025
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FAMILY MAGAZINE | MAY 2014
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FAMILY fun
Birthday Parties with a Cause By: Meagan Church
I
n our house, we have what we refer to as a birthday month since two of our three children were born in the same month. This month is full of birthday celebrations which includes a joint family party, a joint friend party and then individual celebrations on their actual birthdays. I have to admit that while we love celebrating their births, we often dread the amount of stuff they will receive from well-meaning friends and family. That’s why we decided to change things up and have a birthday party with a cause. Last birthday month, we sat the kids down and explained that since our family is blessed with so much, we would ask our friends to not bring gifts. We explained that we wanted the party to be a time to celebrate with our friends and not a reason to expect something out of them. Then we suggested that instead of gifts for themselves, they could ask their friends to give to a cause. I will admit that it took my five- and seven-year-olds a bit of time to figure out what we were saying. At first they feared they wouldn’t receive any gifts from anyone, including their parents. We told them that family members would still be giving them gifts but the friend party could be an opportunity to bless other people who are in need. Once they understood, they got on board. After some consideration, we came up with three possibilities and let the kids decide which they wanted to ask their friends to take part in.
I believe this has made a more lasting impression on them and I hope their friends as well.
Gently Used Toys
One option was to ask their friends to dig up some gently used toys they no longer played with and bring them to the party. Those toys would then be donated to a local organization.
Non-Perishable Food Items
Another option was to ask their friends to bring a few non-perishable food items that we would donate to the food pantry at Monroe Circle Community Center (MC3). This organization is close to our hearts. Our kids have visited MC3 and have heard some of the stories of people whose lives are being changed because of the organization.
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FAMILY MAGAZINE | May 2014
Photos: Meagan Church
Donations for Heifer Project
The final option was to ask each child to bring a small cash donation. Once all the money was pooled together, the kids could choose to gift an animal (ducks, rabbits, sheep, honeybees, etc.) to a family in need somewhere else in the world. The animals serve as a source of income and nutrition for these families. Because of their personal understanding of MC3, they asked their friends to bring food instead of toys. Their friends responded and we collected about eight bags of groceries. But, we didn’t end it there. Since they had chosen a local organization, we made sure they went with us and carried in the bags for themselves, so they could see the food pantry and experience the act of actually handing the donations to the director of MC3. I often hear parents complaining about how much stuff their kids have and how cluttered their homes are because of it and how their children’s rooms are filled to the brim with excess. I’ve had those complaints myself. And, in the next moment, I’ve wondered right along with other parents how we can teach our children to think of others and to have giving hearts. This birthday party with a cause was a great experience for them to turn their birthday celebration into something that blessed other people. I know they still would’ve enjoyed getting toys from their friends but I believe this has made a more lasting impression on them and I hope their friends as well.
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FAMILY MAGAZINE | MAY 2014
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3:00 P.M., St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church
The School of Mediterranean Cookery
Mother’s Day
11
4
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
5:30 P.M., Elkhart Environmental Center
Monthly Meditation Yoga
12
5
9:00am -11:30am South Bend Kroc Center
Toddler Tuesdays
13
6:30 p.m., Morris Performing Arts Center
Sesame Street LiveCan’t Stop Singing
5:30 P.M., Elkhart Environmental Center
Monthly Meditation Yoga
14
10:00 A.M., Morris Inn, University of Notre Dame
Michiana Go Red For Women Health Forum and Luncheon
Toddler Tuesdays 9:00am -11:30am South Bend Kroc Center
7
6
- Buddy Hackett
Take it or leave it.”
“My mother's menu consisted of two choices:
Sunday
4:30 P.M., Harris BranchMishawaka Public Library
Decorate a Cupcake for Your Mom,
All Day, Center for History, South Bend
The Beatles
National Chocolate Chip Day
15
8
3:45 P.M., Downtown BranchMishawaka Public Library
Lego Club
Hilton Garden Inn
5:30 P.M.,
Les Miserables
6:30-8:30 P.M., Lerner Theatre
Hairspray Audition Workshop,
16
11:00 A.M., Bristol Public Library
Lap Sit Story Time,
9
7:30 A.M., IUSB
Walk MS: Michiana 2014,
7:30 P.M., The Lerner Theatre
2
YWCA Tribute Awards & Dinner
Friday
1
Thursday
May 2014
7:00 A.M., Lory’s Place, St. Joseph, MI
Run, Walk, Rock 2014,
17
10:00 A.M.-3:30 P.M., Downtown Branch-Mishawaka Public Library
Clean Up Your Room Day Mother’s Day Walk-In Craft: No Moms Allowed,
10
7:30 P.M., The Lerner Theatre
Les Miserables,
3:00 P.M., Nagy Hall, Elkhart
Blue Line Handmade Market Place,
3
Saturday
Scan this QR Code to get connected to our online calendar at MichianaMom.com!
Want to check out even more things to do in Michiana?
2:00 P.M., South Bend Civic Theatre
To Kill a Mockingbird
JUNE 1
National Missing Children’s Day
25
Visit Your Relatives Day
18
10:00 A.M., The State Theatre
BAZAAR Sunday at The State
Memorial Day
3 9:00am -11:30am South Bend Kroc Center
Toddler Tuesdays
9:00am -11:30am South Bend Kroc Center
Toddler Tuesdays
6:00 P.M., Premiere Arts Academy
Hairspray Auditions
27
4:00 P.M., Bittersweet BranchMishawaka Public Library
Diggin’ in the Dirt: Kids Garden Club,
9:00am -11:30am South Bend Kroc Center
Toddler Tuesdays
20
8:00 P.M., Wagon Wheel Theatre
Hug Your Cat Day Mary Poppins
4
All Day, Center for History
POW! Comics!
28
12:00 P.M., Black Squirrel Golf Course, Goshen
Safe Kids Golf Challenge,
21
In 1783, the firest sustained flight occurred when a hot-air ballon was launced in Annonay, France.
5
2:00 P.M., The Round Barn Theatre at Amish Acres
Plain and Fancy
6:00 P.M., St. Patrick’s County Parks: Brown Barn
Archery Lessons
29
Buy a Musical Instrument Day
22
20 spots per session first come first serve! Mini Week: June 9-13 Grades 3-7: June 16-20 & June 23-July 3 Grades 8-12: July 21-25
amy.gallo2000@gmail.com 574.904.7061
www.redbarntheatercamp.com
Find an outlet for your child’s creative imagination and develop their acting and speaking skills!
- Annoymous
"Nothing is IMPOSSIBLE in the world. Yes, the word says I'M POSSIBLE."
6
Southold Dance Theatre
Lucky Penny Day
Sleeping Beauty Performance
30
23
6:30 P.M., PHM Digital Video Theatre, Planetarium
Laser Retro,
Red Barn Theater Camp
- Annoymous
"Teach your children how to think and not about what to think!"
2
26
Boy’s Club Day
19
11:30 P.M., Kroc Center South Bend
Mayor’s Luncheon for Scouting
7
One discount per family (Not valid on Mini-week)
Use code FAMILY upon sign up and save $15
National Chocolate Ice Cream Day
1:00 P.M., Premiere Arts Academy
Hairspray Auditions
10:00 a.m., Goshen High School
International Jazz Day
Relay for Life Elkhart County
31
24
10:00 A.M., Allied Physicians of Michiana, South Bend
Women’s Health Day,
STAR MARTIAL ARTS
Summer Special Summer Session- $99 June-August Includes Free Uniform Only 25 spots available!
Increase Discipline Build Confidence Improve Self-Esteem Bully Prevention & Self-Defense Leadership Training Lifeskills Training Physical Fitness Keep your kids active this summer Fun for the entire family Ages 3-99
Ask about Summer Camps for the Entire summer! www.michianasummercamps.com
Meet owners Melanie and Seth!
STAR MARTIAL ARTS (574) 277-KICK 5776-48 Grape Rd. Mishawaka
(574) 522-KICK 123 Elkhart Ave. Elkhart
www.StarTKD.com
FAMILY recipe
Berry Breakfast
DID YOU KNOW: Eating three or more servings of strawberries can lower the risk of macular degeneration which causes vision loss!
Pizzas
Want to get your child to eat more fruit in the mornings? Problem solved! Try this yummy Berry Breakfast Pizza to add a sweet kick to their morning breakfast! Ingredients: 1 Can Large Buttermilk Biscuits 2 Cups Frozen Strawberries, Raspberries, Blackberries and Blueberries 3 Tablespoons Sugar
Directions: 1. Heat oven to 375 degrees and lightly grease a baking sheet. 2. Separate biscuits onto baking sheet and press each biscuit until flat. Arrange frozen berries on top. 3. Sprinkle sugar on each biscuit and bake for 15 to 20 minutes.
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FAMILY MAGAZINE | MAY 2014
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FAMILY kids Your kids know you love them, right? I'm sure they could still use a few extra strokes or simple reminders of how important they are to you. Try some new ways this month to say
"I love you."
1. Surprise them with a new game on Saturday morning.
Enjoy donuts and hot chocolate while learning to play the game. Be sure to include the whole family.
2. Tell them the story of their birth. Show pictures of how they
looked as a newborn and talk about who came to visit in the beginning. Make sure they know how excited you were when they entered your life.
3. Love them despite their faults. Offer them grace freely and often. 4. Find a unique quality about each of your children and praise them for it. Whether it's a sensitive spirit toward a sibling or a quick-to-forgive gesture toward friends, tell them how it makes them special.
5. Indulge in a child-specific treat and enjoy some one-on-one time together. Ask for input and make plans ahead so your child knows it's a special occasion.
By: Gayla Grace
10. Accompany them to walk the dog. Ask about their day at school or a budding friendship. Listen more than you talk.
11. Allow them to be messy. Play with finger paints and play-doh. Go outside and spray silly string on each other.
12. Display their artwork on your refrigerator or window. Talk
about what a great job they did and how you love to look at it every day.
13. Put a surprise in their lunch. Include a note that says, "I love you."
14. Get off social media and completely tune in when they're talking. Refrain from multi-tasking and focus on their needs.
15. Patiently help with homework. Don't raise your voice when you have to explain it one more time.
6. Compliment your child in front of another adult. Be specific with an example of good behavior as you beam with pride.
7. Praise their efforts, not just results. Don't expect perfection on every chore or straight-A's on every report card. Let them know you notice when they do their best. 8. Let them pick their favorite book and read to them, even when
you don't want to.
9. Play outside together on a cold day. Make snow angels. Go sledding one more time. 24
THE
FAMILY MAGAZINE | May 2014
Books to Help Your Kids Feel Loved • You Are Special By Max Lucado • Little Things Long Remembered: Making Your Children Feel Special Every Day By Susan Newman • 101 Ways to Make Your Child Feel Special By Vicki Lansky • Oh, The Places You'll Go By Dr. Seuss
Darah Medical
16. Ask for their ideas when you plan
Equipment
your next vacation. Look at fun places to visit on the computer and dream together for future trips.
17. Sit under the stars and talk about the beauty of God's creation.
18. Take off your serious hat and make them laugh. Tell jokes or watch a funny movie together. Tickle them until they cry.
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19. Offer a no-rules day. Let your kids stay
Call Darah Medical Equipment at our Toll Free number:
in their pajamas all day and eat and play whatever they want.
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20. Ask your child to sing to you. Join in
WE DO ALL OF THE L E G WO R K F O R YO U.
and finish the song as a duet. Let your child know you love hearing their beautiful voice.
21. Surprise them with a simple gift
through the mail such as a comic book, a glow-in-the-dark pencil or their favorite player's card. Include a note of "I love you."
22. Make s'mores around the fire pit or
roast marshmallows in the fireplace. Include a cup of hot cocoa or favorite beverage with it.
23. Start fun traditions for holidays and birthdays that your child can look forward to as a family. 24. Get to know their friends and
Once we gain approval from your insurance provider we ship out your breast pump via Fed Ex the same day! High speed service and customer satisfaction is our motto!
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encourage healthy friendships. Take everyone out for a movie night or bowling night once in awhile.
Children ages 3-5, offering preschool and child care schedules
Early Childhood Development Center at Saint Mary’s College
25. Be their biggest fan. Let them
experiment with sporting activities, music lessons and other extracurricular activities. Cheer them on as they seek to find what fits for them.
26. Allow them to be different from you.
Early Childhood Development Center
27. Treat them with respect. Don't
interrupt when they're talking. Ask for their opinion as often as possible and include them in family decisions as they get older.
28. Hug, kiss and shower them with
physical affection every day. Tell them at least once a day, "I love you."
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For information please call:
574-284-4693
or online at: www.nd.edu/~ecdcnd THE
FAMILY MAGAZINE | MAY1/22/14 2014 25 2:59 PM
FAMILY pregnancy
Gender
Reveal Party Creative Ways to Announce the “It’s a ____” News By: Meagan Church
W
hen my mom was pregnant with me a few decades ago (we’ll just leave it at that), she asked the doctor if he thought I’d be a boy or a girl. She’d had a boy four years earlier and was hoping for a girl this time. The doctor said he guessed I would be a boy because, “Usually the first two babies are the same gender and the third is different.” Hmm. I don’t believe that’s what you call sound advice or evidence-based practice. But, in a time when ultrasounds and blood tests didn’t reveal a baby’s gender months before his/her arrival, parents were left to guess and wait.
The Onesie Reveal Wrap a pink or blue onesie, booties or hat. At the party, the expectant parents open the gift, so the party guests can all discover if it’s a boy or a girl.
Of course today is different. While some parents still choose to wait and be surprised in the delivery room, others prefer to know ahead of time. And, for those who want to know before their labor pains ever begin, finding out a baby’s gender can also be a reason to party. In recent years, gender reveal parties have become the new baby shower where expectant parents gather together with friends to reveal the big news. Sometimes the parents know ahead of time and other times they wait for the party to be surprised by the big news. For parents who want to be just as surprised as their party guests, they will need the help of the ultrasound technician, midwife or doctor who will write the gender on a piece of paper and place it in an envelope. Then they will need to enlist a sales associate or baker to handle the details of the gift.
The Cupcake Uncover Bake cupcakes, a cake or other such pastry using pink or blue batter, or a colored cream filling. When the guests bite in, the color will announce the baby’s gender.
Local retail store Lanser’s The Natural Way hosts gender reveal parties and, if the parents desire, they can keep the secret until the time of the reveal. “Gender reveal parties are so much fun,” said Dawn Lanser, shop owner. “We especially have fun keeping the secret from the parents. All they have to do is drop of the sealed envelope to us and we’ll take care of the rest, including invitations, games, food and photos. These parties are definitely moments they will want to record in the baby book and remember forever.” For parents who have news to share between the pregnancy test and the delivery date, consider these party theme ideas:
The Balloon Blowout Wrap “It’s a Girl” or “It’s a Boy” balloons in a large box. When the gift is opened, the balloons float up to tell the secret.
Warsaw, Indiana 574-267-8041 866-823-2618
The Silly String Surprise Cover cans of either pink or blue silly string with wrapping paper or cardboard, so the guests can’t see what color is inside. When guests begin to spray, they discover the color and the gender.
The Piñata Party Fill a piñata with either pink or blue confetti, and let guests take a whack at it.
June 4–14, 2014
It's a Girl! The Big Sibling Shout Out Get the big brother or sister involved in the excitement by letting them share the big news at the party. Have them don a t-shirt announcing “Coming Soon: Little Sister” or “Soon to Have a Little Brother.” Or, just let them shout out the news at the shindig. They will appreciate being involved.
Gender reveal parties can be a great way to celebrate your little one’s upcoming birth. Just remember that not all ultrasounds are 100 percent accurate when it comes to gender prediction. So, the surprise may actually be awaiting you in the delivery room. If so, I’d say that calls for another celebration…and a new layette.
Catch Me If You Can June 18–28, 2014
Gypsy July 2–12, 2014
Fiddler on the Roof July 16–26, 2014
And Then There Were None July 30–August 9, 2014
The Marvelous Wonderettes August 13–23, 2014
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FAMILY MAGAZINE | MAY 2014
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FAMILY pregnancy
You’re Pregnant. Now What? By: Chaunie Marie Brusie
A little over a year ago, I was crowded in a tiny stall at the grocery store with my three-year-old daughter. I suspected I could be pregnant and I just couldn’t take it anymore. I had to know now. So I parked my cart full of groceries outside after bribing a teller into watching them and corralled my daughter into the stall with me with the pregnancy test stuffed into my purse. I managed to distract her long enough to pee unsuspectingly on the stick—which displayed two blue lines instantly. After snapping a picture and sending it to my husband (which of course, he didn’t even look at), we flew home to celebrate the good news. The next morning, when I called a local doctor to schedule my first prenatal appointment, I was surprised to learn that they wouldn’t see me. “We don’t typically see patients until they reach 12 weeks of pregnancy,” the nurse told me over the phone. It may come as a surprise to some women that the majority of pregnancy care providers may not schedule a woman’s first prenatal visit until they are between 8-12 weeks pregnant, unless she has a medical condition that warrants an early visit. Waiting to see a doctor can be hard, especially in early pregnancy, when anxieties can run high and there are no obvious signs of pregnancy.
So what should you do in the meantime? Take Your Vitamins. Your doctor may call in a prescription
of prenatal vitamins over the phone for you before your scheduled visit; if not, pick up an over-the-counter brand of prenatal vitamins. They should all contain folic acid, an essential nutrient for pregnant women, but check the label just to be sure.
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FAMILY MAGAZINE | May 2014
This Summer Offer Makes a Splash!
Drink Water. Stay hydrated! This can be
difficult if you are experiencing morning sickness but try sipping small amounts throughout the day.
Bulk Up On Protein. Many studies show
that a diet low in fat, sugar and processed carbohydrates can actually help ease morning sickness. Instead of reaching for those comforting carbs, try fresh fruits and veggies and lean protein with every meal. And small, frequent snacks may keep the nausea at bay, while helping your little one to grow. There is also some evidence that magnesium oil helps relieve morning sickness, although check with your care provider before adding any supplements to your diet. Connect With Other Moms-To-Be. If you are anxious about the pregnancy, schedule some time with other moms to chat, or try a distracting stress-reliever, like walking while listening to music, some shopping or a pampering day. Consider a Nap! Rest up and enjoy some quiet time before the craziness of pregnancy and parenting begins! If you experience any complications or are unsure if the symptoms you are experiencing during your early pregnancy are normal, however, do not hesitate to call your doctor or care provider to be seen. While it is “normal” not to be seen until near the end of your first trimester, a healthy mama can help grow a healthy baby so don’t hesitate to seek help if you need it.
Take the plunge and save on rooms at select Walt Disney World ® Resort hotels for stays most nights 6/15-8/28/14.
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You’d be goofy to pass this up! 574-534-1521 1-800-635-0963 www.mennotrav.com
THE
FAMILY MAGAZINE | MAY 2014
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Special Section Spring Cleaning/Mom Bargains
Consignment
Shopping: The New Trend By: Lara West
Wherever you shop, it is always important to be sure you’re buying a clean, working item. Here are some things to double check for when resale shopping: • Stains and Holes • Working Buttons and Zippers • All parts are Included • Correct Number of Fitting Bolts and Screws • Safety Mechanisms are in Place and Working
Find a Shop: Once Upon A Child, Mishawaka 5936 Grape Road, Mishawaka, IN 46545 574-247-1099 Once Upon A Child, Goshen 4024 Elkhart Road, Unit #9, Goshen, IN 46526 574-830-5332 Kids Konsignment Etc 2324 Miracle Ln, Mishawaka, IN 46545 (574) 257-4258 Tiny Tot Reruns 2459 Yankee St, Niles, MI 49120 (269) 683-7479 Twice As Nice (Clothing Only for Children) 121 S Main St, Goshen, IN 46526 (574) 533-4030
Consignment and resale shops
are not exactly unheard of; in fact, with the unstable economy and the increase of people looking to stretch their hard earned dollars, they have become a “first-stop” choice over new product retail outlets for many people. That’s not to say the idea of second-hand garments and toys doesn’t still border on “taboo” for some people. Once upon a time, about a decade ago, I was one of those people. My perception of resale and thrift stores was that they were stocked with stained and broken items that someone just wanted to get rid of but they couldn’t bear to physically throw away themselves. My perception wasn’t completely false, but my lack of knowledge was. What I didn’t know is that there is a major difference between thrift stores and consignment/resale shops. While you can find the occasional steal at thrift stores, such as the Goodwill and Salvation Army, those stores are donated items with little regard to condition (think about your child’s favorite old pair of shoes). They’re too small, scuffed up and falling apart, but he loved them too much for you to toss in the trash, so you donate them to the thrift store in hopes that they will make another child as happy as they made yours. According to Andrea, a sales associate at Once Upon A Child in Mishawaka, those old (but well-loved) shoes won’t be found in their store, “We only purchase like-new condition items. Everything has to be free of stains, holes, signs of wear and alterations.” Resale stores like Once Upon A Child make an investment in the products they carry. Items are brought into the store by parents to get money back for their child’s gently used goods. The store then inspects the items, and they will pay (by either check or cash depending on the purchase amount) for the items they believe they can resale. Typical consignment stores, where you contract for the business to sell items for you and then you receive a percentage after the item sells, are generally decreasing in regard to children clothing and items. However, large consignment sales are known to pop up occasionally. These events offer a massive inventory for a short time (usually a day or weekend), but the quality of some items may be lesser than what you would find in most shops where the goods have been paid for upfront by the store for reselling.
There are some differences you can expect to experience in a consignment/resale shop. Here are just a few:
•Inventory. There will be one item of
this, one item of that and two of those. Then there will be four bicycles of different brands, in different colors and different sizes lined up against the back wall. There isn’t shelf-aftershelf filled with brightly colored boxes of the same item, nor are there racks of the same cute shirts hanging in tidy rows with various sizes to choose from, but there are many options of different brands and styles.
• Disarrayed Look. Due to the
lack of big-box store type inventory, these great shops can often appear to be disorganized, but generally are actually quite organized despite the lack of pretty boxes. Some stores may be more organized than others, but most try to keep clothing items separated by size and season. Almost all toys are free from packaging on the shelves and outside play equipment is set out assembled and ready to take home and be played with instantly. (Bonus! Because who really likes to assemble that stuff, anyway?)
Come check out our newly expanded
Fairy Garden Display (Granger Location)
LOTS of new accessories including houses, fairies, Halloween/Christmas items, small ponds and waterfalls with pumps, mini bark, mulch, colored stone and crystal, “itty bittie” plants as well as some true miniature conifers!
Join the Fairy Garden fun! Host a class for your friends (kids or adults), Girl Scout group or celebrate your birthday!
Sign up on our website to be on a fairy garden class list! – classes will be posted on Facebook and our website.
• Friendly Staff. Most consignment/
resale shops are locally owned and operated and they want to be a part of the community. There are usually few staff members, which means each time you visit you’re likely to see the same smiling face greeting you. The more you frequent the shop the better they get to know you and are able to assist you in finding the items you are looking for. Consignment/Resale shopping is a great way to keep more of your money and dress your family in stylish and trendy clothing.
Why not save money, invest in a locally owned business and give back to your own community?
www.gingervalley.com Hey Kids, ages 5-12!
Ginger Valley Granger has a club just for you! Join our FREE Kids Club program that meets the 2nd Saturday of every month where you will do garden and nature themed crafts, activities and projects! GRANGER 15065 Indiana 23 Granger, IN 46530 (574) 271-0202
SOUTH BEND 26666 Roosevelt Road South Bend, IN 46614 (574) 282-1085
Granger SPRING Hours: M-F: 8am-7pm Sat: 8am-6pm Sun: 10am-3pm THE
FAMILY MAGAZINE | MAY 2014
31
Special Section Spring Cleaning/Mom Bargains
Donate VS
Pitch
De-cluttering Your Home One Room at a Time
By: Kristine Smith
Spring cleaning
is always the best time to declutter your home. The dilemma, however, of what to keep and what to get rid of can be overwhelming. Add to that the obstacle of what is worth donating and what is truly trash can completely immobilize some to the point where you may figure, why even bother? Don’t let this confusion stop you from releasing unused items from your home. Simply follow the next few tips to help guide you through the clutter.
When to Keep Your Clutter If it’s worth money, should you keep it? Not necessarily. When you’re de-cluttering, only allocate something to the ‘keep’ pile if the item is worth more than it would cost to organize the sale, regardless of the kind of sale it would be. While Craigslist, for example, may be free, your time and energy to show the item to potential buyers can really add up. Take that into consideration when selling an item. Another point to consider when thinking of selling or donating an item is what the sentimental value is. If your husband bought you a piece of jewelry that may be worth some bucks but also reminds you of a great time in your life, than money will not amount to a thing. You cannot put a price on a happy memory. If the item can be repurposed in your own home, with, maybe a fresh coat of paint for example, keep it. A can of paint might cost you less than replacing an end table that’s showing its age. In fact, with all the paint colors available, keeping an aging item and turning it into a new piece is easier than ever. This is also a great way to get your children a little more interested in helping you out. Then promise them they can help decorate an old piece of furniture to make it their own.
When to Donate Your Clutter Ok, you have now decided to rid yourself of some clutter and have made a ‘discard’ pile. Now the question becomes: what should I donate? While there are tax benefits to donating items at your local Goodwill, it is also not a dumping ground for your junk. For example, do not donate a toaster that is broken. The store will not fix it and ends up throwing it in the trash anyway. Anything donated should be in working order and should look appealing. A rusty or tattered item is not desirable. Donating products in poor condition only makes more work for the employees of the thrift store and is not worth your time driving it across town. 32
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When to Throw Away Your Clutter
If you’re fighting years of procrastination or have simply been too overwhelmed to decide what to do, do not let that indecision about what to sell or what to donate stop you from your task. Ask yourself if you have used an item within the past year. Odds are, if you did not wear a certain sweater this winter, you probably will not wear it next year either. Donate it if it is in good condition or throw out if it is too worn. Another quick tip to remember is that if an item is worth hanging onto, you will create a space for it. If you have not done so, you can probably discard it. In today’s world, it makes sense to recycle items as much as possible. Old books, for example, can be donated. However, old magazine from the 90’s can probably be taken to the recycle bin.
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Half-day and Full-day Preschool programs; Kindergarten through Grade 8 NLSA/NCA accredited National Exemplary School Wherever you decide to start on your spring cleaning project, start at the most simple point in order to avoid those overwhelming feelings and then do what you are able to do. De-cluttering your home does not have to be completed overnight. It takes as long as it takes and there is no rule as to how long or detailed you even have to be. Once you start and then finish a small project, you will gain the confidence needed to tackle another one, and then another one and so on. Spring cleaning not only can clear your space but it can clear your mind as well.
Before and after school care available Blended technology instruction and learning
Secure and safe learning environment
Established in 1874, Trinity Lutheran School offers excellence in education within a caring, faith-based community. Please contact us for more information.
“Spring cleaning not only clears your space but it clears your mind as well.”
30888 C.R. 6, Elkhart (Corner of Ash & Cleveland Roads)
574.674.8800 School@TrinityL.org • http://pk8.TrinityL.org THE
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FAMILY mommy & daddy
Dear Mom,
Thank You By: Meagan Church
Dear Mom, Thank you. I know those two words are ones you don’t hear often enough, so I want to say them again:
Thank you. Thank you for all you do. Thank you for the seen and especially the unseen acts of love and service you do for your family each and every day. I may not know your exact situation. Perhaps you are the mother of little ones. Maybe you are going it alone. Maybe your kids are tweens or teens or even out of the house at this point. Maybe you work outside the home. Maybe your full-time job is running the household. I don’t need to know the details to know that you haven’t heard enough thank yous. The thing about this motherhood gig is that as different as our individual stories may be, when you get down to it, we are all in this together. While our experiences may not be precisely the same, we share common ground. And that’s why today I want you to know that those long hours and hard efforts you put into raising and caring for your family has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated. Motherhood can be a thankless job, but the payoff is greater than any monetary reward we could ever receive. And, so again, I say thank you. Thank you for loving your kids well. Thank you for all the late night feedings, while they were babies. Thank you for the endless amounts of diapers you have changed through the years. Thank you for the nose wipes and the bottom wipes. Thank you for the hair fixes. Thank you for making sure their faces were clean after meals, even if that meant using your mom saliva to remove the debris. Thank you for saying “no” and teaching them boundaries. Thank you for dropping them off at their first day of school with confidence, even if you shed a few tears in the car. Thank you for letting them play outside and get dirty. Thank you for the heaps of laundry you have done and the endless amounts of socks you have paired up. 34
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Thank you for the meals you have prepared, even if more of them than you’d like to admit have come in the form of peanut butter and jelly. Thank you for vacuuming and dusting and sweeping. Repeatedly.
More than just a great show! Sign up your kids for the upcoming 2014 Camps, Workshops and Classes!
Thank you for cleaning the toilets. (Hey, somebody has to do it.)
410 S Main Street Elkhart, IN 46516 (574) 293-4469
Thank you for every encouraging word you’ve given. Thank you for every kiss you’ve given an ouchie. Thank you for learning the names of their friends. Thank you for trusting them to go to the school dance. Thank you for tucking them into bed. Thank you for knowing when to hold on and when to let go. Thank you for being interruptible, even if those interruptions came at a less-thanideal times.
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Thank you for being your child’s advocate. Thank you for teaching them to speak up for themselves. Thank you for tickling them. Thank you for loving them enough to discipline them. Thank you for each kiss, each cuddle, each lullaby and each prayer you have whispered over them. And thank you for the countless sacrificial acts you will do for them throughout the rest of your life. Will they ever know the full magnitude of your love for them? Perhaps not, though maybe they will get a glimpse of it when they have kids of their own. But, we don’t do this motherhood thing for the gratitude or the payment. We do it because of love. And what greater gift is there than that?
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So, dear mom, please know that you are appreciated and that you are important. You are needed and what you do is vital. Don’t ever forget that even as you search out those missing socks and put the finishing touches on the pb&j.
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I Splurge VS Save
FAMILY mommy & daddy
Product Testing for the Savvy Mom
• Batteries. The test was simple; thanks to Santa and my
father-in-law getting my husband the exact same flashlight for Christmas. The results, however, are not entirely as By: Lara West simple. The name brand batteries stayed stronger longer when the flashlights were left on all night but the cheaper batteries performed just as well when turned on and off for inconsistent amounts of time. Recommendation: If the primary purpose of the batteries is to run items like toys, remotes and emergency flashlights, then save your money and go with the cheaper versions. If you need to work 4 one-week sessions something for consistently long periods of for kids in June and July time, then go with the name brand.
for adults & kids Visit southbendart.org
t’s no secret that most of us like to save money but do you spend more time debating between the name brand and the store brand than you’d like? Do you ever wish there were some way you could know before you even get to the store if it’s worth it to save the money on the off-brand product? Good news, I’ve put my sleuthing skills to work for you and here’s what I’ve found in regard to batteries, bandages and paper towels.
or call 574.235.9102
• Bandages. For this test, I wrapped the
cloth bandages (not the plastic kind) around my fingertips, on my arm and then removed one trying to reposition it several times. Although neither was waterproof, both survived a shower. A soak in the tub caused the off-brand to loosen up a bit, but stayed with me. They were both viable for the day of wear after repositioning two times. Recommendation: Bandages are a pretty useful tool for drying eyes for little ones when they get a little scrape (or sometimes no scrape at all). When used as intended for minor cuts and scrapes namebrand and store-brand bandages both worked sufficiently for the purpose. With this product, you can save a few bucks by going with the cheaper ones.
• Paper Towels. Comparing the feel
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of name-brand and store brand against your face is like comparing a week long Caribbean beach vacation to a 40 hour work week, but when it comes to wiping up food spills on the counter they performed about as equally. Using the small select-asize sheet, both failed to absorb an entire ½ cup of water. When completely soaked, the name brand paper towel weighed in at 1.2 oz. and the store brand weighed in at 1 oz. Recommendation: Performance wise the name-brand absorbed slightly more liquid in regard to capacity, but they both cleaned up small messes easily. The softness of the name-brand was superior to the store brand, which might be important to consider if you use paper towels as napkins around the dinner table.
Birthday Party Resource Guide
Everything you need to plan the party of the decade for your kiddo!
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56199 Parkway Ave. #13, Elkhart, IN 46516 574.296.SWIM (7946) www.ShepardSwimSchool.com
PARTY in the Park!
At St. Joseph County Parks!
Plan an outdoor birthday party designed to engage your child and 14 guests in hands-on nature activities and adventure with our park staff. Choose from: Outdoor Fun Adventure, Owl Prowl, Sensory Sensations, Ponds are Plentiful and more! For info or to register call (574) 654-3155. www.sjcparks.org
Does your business host birthday parties for kids? Contact us to get featured in this special section!
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FAMILY book reviews The Hunter, the Bear and the Seventh Sister By B.I. Woolet Reviewed By: Jessica Baron
The Hunter, the Bear and the Seventh Sister, the first in the new World of Arcas trilogy by B.I. Woolet, follows a young man named Jackson into a fantastic kingdom filled with eternal beauty, invisible evil, a sassy tomboy princess and even a grumpy, talking bear. This fast-paced adventure story with a clever twist will have advanced middle school readers, older teens and adults all frantically turning the pages to find out whether or not the mysterious Gurges Ater is able to follow through on his nefarious plan to rule two worlds. Jackson is your average fantasy-loving teen, swashbuckling imaginary dragons in his after school hours, until a mysterious creature named Cygnus takes him into the kingdom of Arcas. On some level, we’d all like to be Jackson – the special kid who holds the key to saving worlds – but he’s not too keen on his role as potential hero. Mustering the kind of bravery that only a young person has, he travels through the mysterious kingdom, meets up with a motley group of other brave souls who offer to see him through his journey and even catches the eye of a smart, bold princess who can match his grit. The Woolets have created a cast of characters who have a great story ahead of them as they untangle the web of intrigue that lies behind the menace of Gurges Ater. The astronomy that inspired and lies behind the characters is a special treat for readers interested in science. It’s especially rewarding to look up in the night sky and see your favorite characters, as you look forward to books two and three. In my case, I’ll be looking forward to autumn, the best time to view Andromeda (or Andi, to her friends).
Watch FAMILY Magazine’s Facebook page for your chance to win a signed copy of The Hunter, the Bear and the Seventh Sister! 38
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Our mission
is to guide each child in living the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. Academic excellence will be achieved through diverse and challenging learning experiences. Each student will also develop the qualities necessary to face the demands of life, while serving God and others, in an ever changing society. • Named a 4-Star School for 2013 • Before and After School Care • State of the art iPad and Smartboard Technology
• Christian Family Atmosphere
• School Choice Indiana Option
• Recently Renovated and Expanded
• Outstanding Academics
• 21st Century Learning Facility
• Safe Environment We received an “A” on the state accountability report card!
For a tour call (574) 264-4855
www.stselkhart.com
FAMILY movie review
NEW ON DVD: The Lego Movie
They smile because they’re happy . . . You smile because they’re healthy.
By: Cole Pollyea
With that being said, it’s important to recognize the fact that I wasn’t blown out of my seat by this movie. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a good flick, but through my eyes, it wasn’t as great as it was cracked up to be. I suppose that I was predisposed to its alleged excellence, and in turn, I was let down at its, for lack of a better term, mediocracy. We’re thrown into the life of Emmet, a guy who strives to be “normal” and no different than “average” because, as it’s taken, the society revolves around this expectation of people. When he’s mistaken for the “most extraordinary person in the world,” he sets out on the adventure of his life to “save the world” with a multitude of friends including the funniest character in the whole movie, Batman. As it sounds, The Lego Movie is creative. It stretches boundaries of animation that make us think, and along the way, it incorporates some genuinely funny moments that make it a memorable (enough) movie going experience. It really isn’t a hilariously comedic film, to my dismay, but it delivers time after time and it, overall, is worthy of your family’s viewing. Something to consider too is that even if you don’t love it, the kids will. Its charisma is simply too much to shy away from at a young age.
A happy, healthy environment is something every parent wants for their child, and something every child care provider should strive for. But hidden environmental hazards in your facility could harm children, leading to lifelong impacts. Protect the children in your care from unseen environmental hazards such as lead-based paint, radon or unsafe pesticides. Become a member of Indiana’s Five Star Environmental Recognition Program. It’s a free voluntary program that helps you address these potential hazards cost effectively. Now you can have peace of mind.
Call (800) 451-6027 or visit www.idem.IN.gov/childcare to learn more.
OCS-1017-OT-01 4/14
It's obvious that a group of intelligent individuals sat down and came up with the idea for The Lego Movie. That shows in the screenplay. It's also obvious that moviegoers were very receptive to their style of filmmaking. That shows in the notably high Rotten Tomatoes score of 96%. And when you throw in cutting edge animation and notable voiceovers, the end result is a kids' movie that deserves a spot on the DVD shelf.
Indiana Department of Environmental Management
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We’ve Moved! Come Celebrate with Us! Community Open House Saturday, April 26 | 9 a.m. to Noon 5155 Verdant Drive, Elkhart Elkhart General Home Care is celebrating the opening of our new facility at 5155 Verdant Drive in Elkhart. We have relocated our facility from 225 East Jackson Blvd. Connecting health and wellness services to people living at home, Elkhart General Home Care is here to serve you and your family with all of our services under one roof.
Bring in this coupon for
20% off
Open house will include: • Free health screenings: blood sugar, blood pressure, balance • Free fittings for diabetic shoes and mastectomy products • Personalized pharmacy consultations available for scheduling • Refreshments • Giveaways • Gift drawings
Elkhart General Home Care Advanced Pharmacy/Home Medical Equipment Free home assessment and delivery. Discounts do not apply to insurance or Medicare reimbursement purchases and cannot be combined with any other offer. Offer expires May 31, 2014.
To learn more, visit HomeCareBeacon.com or call 574.294.6181.