July 2013

July 2013

Toddler tantrums {Page 12}

In the air?

Tips for taking flight with kids

Get outsIDe! {Page 44}

Re-wild your kids

{Page 40}

Summer fun with your baby

{Page 10}

Hot stu to take on the road {Page 18}

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Contents Departments 6 editor’s note Our sense of wonder

By Kathleen Stoehr

14 in tHe KitCHen A recipe from Andrew Zimmern and more

12 asK tHe PediatriCian Answering your medical questions

By Dr. Peter Dehnel

10 BaBY on Board

By Kathleen Stoehr

8 CHatter

Summer fun with your baby

A bit of news and info for your quiet time reading

By Shannon Keough

By Kathleen Stoehr

16 tWeen sCene Adventures large, small, and in be-‘tween

By Joy Riggs

18 Hot stUFF Travel time 22 BooK sHelF

By Kathleen Stoehr 20 GroWs on trees Education credit

Animal tales

By Emily Mongan

By Kara McGuire

24 relationsHiPs

Calendar 26 JUlY at a GlanCe 28 Parent PiCKs 29 oUt & aBoUt

4 July 2013

50 real liFe

Slow down, you move too fast

Real parents Autumn Ness and Reed Sigmund

By Sean Toren

By Kathleen Stoehr

Minnesota Parent July 2013

Features

40

44

Go Wild

traVelinG WitH Kids?

Take to the air with these great airplane tips

Is nature deficiency disorder affecting our children?

By Kelly Jo McDonnell

By Patricia Carlson

The First Five Years Are Forever

Problem Solving.

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GYMNASTICS TUMBLING TRAMPOLINE

From the editor

Our sense of wonder

M

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www.gleasons.com

y husband, Mark, and I both had childhoods filled with long summers running around our neighborhoods, he in the Excelsior area and I in Edina. He lived in a community dubbed Acorn Ridge, and while his family moved him away when he was 10, he still reminisces about his time there. Whenever we are in the area, he drives me through and points out where he had acorn fights and rode his bike, and at the house where he lived…and I know that some of the things I love about him most first manifested there.

I grew up in east Edina, and spent a lot of time at a park where part of the Minnehaha Creek Watershed DNR Protected Wetlands continually drew me. I’d spend hours there alone, hunting for turtle eggs, and watching crayfish scrabble around in the low creek areas. I think about that quiet and calming place often—especially when high stress hits my life—and I am almost instantly soothed.

As my husband and I were walking through Minneapolis’ Roberts Bird Sanctuary a few weeks ago, he recalled a time when our daughter was about 18 months old. We had decided to go camping, and left directly from work in the early evening. We drove as far as we could before recognizing we were exhausted, and set up camp in the dark somewhere between Hinckley and Cloquet. While we were drained from the long day, our toddler was bouncing off the walls of our tent. Would she ever sleep?

It was then that Mark picked her up, wrapped her in a small blanket, and took her outside for a moonlit walk. He revels in this memory, of holding her little warm body while he whispered about stars and trees and animals and the natural world in her ear, until she fell deeply asleep on his shoulder. He returned to the tent about a half hour later and tucked her into her little sleeping bag.

I’ll close with a favorite quote, and then it’s up to you to read Kelly Jo McDonnell’s feature on children and the natural world, beginning on page 40. Rachel Carson once wrote, “If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement, and mystery of the world we live in.”

Take your children outside. Teach them birdsongs. Let them dig in the dirt. Instill a sense of wonder about this big and beautiful world.

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vol. 28, Issue 7 Co-Publishers Janis Hall jhall@mnpubs.com Terry Gahan tgahan@mnpubs.com General Manager Chris Damlo 612-436-4376 • cdamlo@mnpubs.com editor Kathleen Stoehr kstoehr@mnpubs.com Contributing Writers/Photographers Patricia Carlson Dr. Peter Dehnel Julie Kendrick Shannon Keough Kelly Jo McDonnell Kara McGuire Emily Mongan Joy Riggs Sean Toren

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nities for youth all across Minnesota to be part of the legislative process,” said Kori Redepenning, Alliance director of engagement and policy.

Council member Kevin Nguyen, a sophomore at St. Paul’s Highland Park High School, is already thinking beyond Minnesota. “I hope the Minnesota Youth Council becomes one of the models for other upcoming state councils in the U.S.,” he said.

To read the bill, go to legiscan.com/ MN/text/HF622/id/737728.

In brief Looking for something to occupy your kids this summer? Consider Bookawocky, a summer reading program for kids and teens at Hennepin County Libraries. Last year, an estimated 30,000 kids, teens, and adults participated in activities ranging from live performances, books clubs, listening to stories, making crafts, and more—and it’s all FREE. Go to hclib.org/summerreading for more information. The programs run through August 17.

It’s the law! For the first time in state history, Minnesota youth have an official voice in legislation that affects them directly, through passage of the Minnesota Youth Council Committee Bill in May—part of the education finance omnibus bill.

The Minnesota Youth Council draws 72 youth and adult representatives from all congressional districts statewide— including eight representatives who serve “at-large”—in a unique partnership to address issues of interest to young people. The bill formalizes a relationship that has been underway since 2005, led

by the Minnesota Alliance With Youth (the Alliance). Eighth- through 12th-grade council members provide guidance to the legislature, governor and Department of Education on issues affecting young people.

As Sarah Dixon, the Alliance’s president and CEO, said, “Youth voice is now the law!”

Minnesota is one of fewer than a dozen states to formalize this relationship between policymakers and those too young to vote. “The signing of this bill is the first step in providing opportu-

Homejoy, a new online, on-demand, home cleaning service was launched in June. The brains behind this service is Marlo Stuve of St. Paul. Similar to booking a restaurant or hotel reservation, clients can log into the Homejoy website via computer or smartphone, and book, cancel, and reschedule cleanings through a simple web interface. Clients can review different staff profiles to ensure their abilities meet their cleaning needs and add additional services like having laundry washed and folded or having the interiors of cabinets cleaned. Go to homejoy.com to check it out.

Minnesota Parent tested

Y Fliker F3 We knew this three-wheeled scooter was a hit when it wasn’t just the kids fighting over the chance to play with it. Because the F3 can accommodate up to 220 pounds, dad was spinning it around the driveway as well.

Riders simply move their hips from side to side to get going and keep moving for self-propelling fun. Quick response brakes, folds easily for quick storage. toysrus.com; about $130

8 July 2013

You used to just be able to build a bear.

Recently, Build-a-Bear Workshop added SpongeBob and Patrick to the mix, along with accessories such as the Pineapple House, various costumes, and some of their friends, too. Build-a-Bear is located at the Mall of America.

Five tips before hitting the road Taking a summer vacation this year? Here are a few reminders to help ensure you are road-trip-ready—before you hit the road.

Check under the hood Even if you properly care for your vehicle year round, it’s wise to check your vehicle’s oil, coolant, and wiper fluid levels before heading out on the road. Hot summer temperatures can cause your engine to overheat, so keep an eye on all of the warning lights on your dashboard— from the engine light to the gas gauge.

your glove compartment for parking and toll fees). It’s best to review your route and understand the alternate roads that can help you arrive at your destination safely, stress free, and ready to enjoy your vacation.

Inspect your vehicle

Minnesota Parent Tested

Balance bike Strider No-Pedal Balance Bikes received a big thumbs-up from both our volunteer rider and his parents, who commented that their son loved the no pedal bike. We like that this little cyclist is learning the skills needed to be part of the next generation of bike riders in our great state!

Some of our parent readers chimed in as well: From Tiffany T.: My four year old has been on a Strider for the last few years and we love it. His balance is amazing and he can’t wait to get a new big bike this summer. From Liz A.: Our son had a wooden balance bike at age two (very confident, loved to “off-road”) and at about age four and four months he transitioned to a 16-inch big kid bike with no training wheels. By five-and-a-half we’re shopping around for a mountain bike with gears. LOVE balance bikes! Super confidence builder and great exercise! striderbikes.com; about $109

To help avoid any unfortunate surprises, do a thorough check of your vehicle, paying special attention to the only part that actually touches the road—your tires. Be sure to properly check all four tires with a tire pressure gauge. The optimum tire pressure required for your car can be found on a sticker in the door jamb, on the inside of the glove compartment door, or in the owner’s manual.

“The proper inflation is essential for the performance and longevity of a tire,” says Ron Margadonna of Michelin. “In fact, keeping your tire pressure at the recommended level can boost fuel efficiency by one mile per gallon.”

Prep friends, family, and your home Remember to tell neighbors, friends, and family that you’ll be out of town. Have someone keep an eye on the house and also pick up your mail and newspaper, or you can call for a temporary service halt. It’s also a good idea to set up timers on lamps and lights in various rooms throughout your home so it looks occupied.

Review the route No matter how well you plan your journey, you can never predict what obstacles you might encounter along the way. Road construction, traffic detours, or toll booth fees can be troublesome if you aren’t prepared or with a back up plan (tip: keep a ziplock bag of change and some bills in

Check the weather Unexpected storms are common during the summer months and the first few minutes of a rain shower can be a dangerous time for drivers. Oil and grease trapped on roadways rises to the surface and can create slippery driving conditions that can impact the traction and grip of your car. In fact, stopping on a wet road can take up to four times the normal distance as a dry road. It’s best to slow down and increase the space between you and the vehicle in front of you.

For tire maintenance tips and more information, visit michelinman.com.

July 2013 9

don’t feel like every outing has to be designed for maximum baby enrichment. Make sure you’re doing things you want to do, too.

Shannon

Keough

the babies and the older kids seemed to be quite engaged in their water play. Another good thing about the Wabun splash pad is the close proximity to the Sea Salt Eatery

by Minnehaha Falls, for all your fish taco and beer pitcher needs.

the great outdoors

Summer fun with your baby

A

fter the winter that would not end, most Minnesotans are probably extra motivated to get out and take advantage of the summer months. But if you have a new baby in your life, you might be wondering if summer will ever be the same. Maybe you like to spend your summers taking long bikes around the city, or maybe you are more of a “beer on the patio” kind of person. You might be asking yourself, “Can I still do these things with a baby?”

Whatever your personal preferences for summer activities, the beautiful thing about babies is that they’re incredibly portable. Want to visit the farmers market?

Strap your baby into a stroller or carrier and away you go. Need to cool off on a 90-degree day? That baby is your ticket to the finest wading pools in town.

Of course, even when it’s beautiful 10 July 2013

outside it’s easy to get into a rut when it comes to hitting the town with your little one. This month I talked to a bunch of veteran parents about some fun things they’ve done around town with their babies. Read on to learn more about their suggestions and get some new ideas for summer fun.

land of 10,000 lakes (and wading pools) Visiting the local wading pool is a classic summer outing, but the current craze is definitely the splash pad—a “pool” that features sprinklers and fountains and has virtually no standing water (reducing the risk of drowning). They’re popping up all over the metro area, including Minneapolis, St. Paul, Robbinsdale, St. Louis Park, and Apple Valley. I visited the splash pad at the Wabun picnic area at Minnehaha Park last summer and can attest that both

For an urban area, the Twin Cities metro area provides quite a few opportunities to “get back to nature” without leaving the city.

One of my personal favorites is the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary, located in Theodore Wirth Park.

The 15-acre garden is a perfect place for a relaxing walk with your babe (a sling or carrier pack is probably a better bet than a stroller here). If you go this month you may see the end of the bloom cycle for the showy lady’s slipper, Minnesota’s very own state flower.

If flowers aren’t your thing, Wirth Park is also home to a quaking bog, a great beach, and playgrounds for toddlers and older kids alike. Parking is available, but if your baby is big enough to ride in a bike trailer or bike seat you might want to consider biking—the park is easily accessible via Minneapolis’s excellent system of bike trails.

City stuff “Some parents get so fixated on packing the baby years full of activities,” says one friend who has older kids. “They should give themselves a break—childhood is long.” In other words, don’t feel like every outing has to be designed for maximum baby enrichment. Make sure you’re doing things you want to do, too.

For example, get out your stroller or baby carrier and visit one of the area’s many farmers markets. The markets in downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul are large and

popular, but don’t forget the other markets that are located in other parks of the city (Northeast Minneapolis or Kingfield, for example) or the suburbs. Search online for the market closest to you.

The Music in the Parks series in Minneapolis is another way to get outside and take in some free entertainment. With concerts being held virtually every day at a variety of locations, you’re bound to find something that appeals to you, whether it’s retro surf, gypsy swing, or classical.

And if you’re at the Lake Harriet Band Shell, you can take advantage of the tasty food options at Bread and Pickle.

Day trips

Learning begins at

birth.

ECFE works to strengthen families and encourages parents to provide the best possible environment for the healthy development of their children.

When you have a new baby, sometimes a long ride in the car is just what the sleep doctor ordered. Take advantage of your baby’s love of car rides (if indeed that’s the case for you) and schedule a day trip.

Options abound, but one intriguing possibility is the Pizza Farm in Stockholm, WI. It’s a 90-minute drive from the Twin Cities, so you’ll want to be sure to stock your diaper bag well. The pizza is reported to be great, and you eat picnicstyle on the farm itself.

resources Minnehaha Park/Wabun Wading Pool/Sea Salt Eatery 4801 South Minnehaha Park Drive, Minneapolis tinyurl.com/pehv87q Theodore Wirth Park 1339 Theodore Wirth Parkway, Minneapolis tinyurl.com/pq979z2 Farmers Markets There are 163 farmers markets in Minnesota, according to the MN Dept. of Agriculture. Find the list here: www3.mda.state.mn.us/mngrown/

Parent-Child Classes • Birth – 5 Years Old • www.ECFE.info

Music in the Parks tinyurl.com/orlaqmu Pizza Farm A to Z Produce and Bakery N2956 Anker Ln., Stockholm, WI atozproduceandbakery.com/pizza-night

Early Childhood Family Education This ad was made possible by the generosity of the Minnesota College Savings Plan.

For more information, please visit www.MN529today.com ECFE MNP NR1 2-3page.indd 1

12/17/12 1:04 PM July 2013 11

your child needs.

Beyond that, there are various combinations of benzoyl peroxide plus topical antibiotics (medicated skin creams), retinol skin creams, oral antibiotics, and even oral isotretinoin (a medication for severe acne).

If your tween has moderate to severe acne, it is best to work with your primary care provider or dermatologist to develop the most effective treatment plan.

Peter

Dehnel, MD

My daughter complains of severe headaches. She is 10 years old.

What can I do to help her?

Q

My 16 year-old is really struggling with acne. Is there anything that can be done to help treat this condition?

Acne is, of course, a very common skin condition, affecting roughly 80 to 85 percent of teenagers.

It is caused by a combination of four processes that affect skin pores causing “pimples,” which are basically an infection in the pores. These processes are 1) a significant increase in the number cells that produce natural skin oils; 2) a notable increase in the growth of skin-pore cells; 3) bacterial presence in the pores; and 4) an inflammatory reaction.

These factors combine to block skin pores, causing whiteheads or blackheads (depending on their size) to form. The bacteria naturally present in these blocked pores then become inflamed. This inflammation causes redness and pus and can be large enough to be almost cyst-like. As these 12 July 2013

wounds heal, they can leave scarring and/or an increase in pigmentation.

Acne treatments are designed to combat one or more of the four processes. For example, over-the-counter products with benzoyl peroxide work to reduce bacteria and diminish the formation of whiteheads and blackheads. They also have a mild anti-inflammatory effect to decrease redness and pus, helping prevent scarring and hyperpigmentation.

Generally, the method to treat tweens with acne is to use the mildest treatment that treats the skin to an acceptable level.

Remember, your child’s skin may not be perfect, but it can be vastly improved.

Gentle washing with an oil-free acne wash two to three times a day with a daily application of benzoyl peroxide may be all

Headaches are a common childhood occurrence and are usually very treatable.

Up to five percent of children will actually have a migraine-type headache, and this is much more common if there is a family history of frequent headaches and/or true migraine headaches.

Stress and muscle tension of head and neck muscle groups are another common cause. Trying to find a trigger for your child’s headache is always a good strategy.

Anything from being overtired to anxiety due to excess stress can all be triggers.

Some kids will have food triggers that cause headaches—tree nuts, chocolate, peanuts, aged foods (e.g., cheese), monosodium glutamate (MSG), and caffeinated items.

Also, lack of hydration, especially in the summer, can cause severe headaches.

The treatment for most headaches in this category is adequate rest, reducing stress and anxiety, removing any identified trigger foods, and drinking extra water. Over the counter acetaminophen and ibuprofen in appropriate doses can also be helpful.

Thankfully, the more serious causes of persisting or recurring headaches are uncommon in children. Many children will have headaches with various viral infections and strep throat, but these tend to go away as the infection clears. Head injuries and concussions—even if relatively mild—can cause headaches that persist for quite a while. However, as the head injury resolves, the headaches will eventually clear.

If your son or daughter has a headache condition that seems out of the ordinary or

is really interfering with their normal activities, please consult your clinician.

My two-year-old has frequent temper tantrums. I feel like I’ve tried every trick in the book to manage them. Do you have any tips?

Temper tantrums in toddlers and young children are undoubtedly universal, at least at some level. By 18 months to two years, children have discovered that they are independent persons. At times, they will vigorously assert that mindset.

Being able to control the world around them is something they are beginning to appreciate. They are also beginning to develop preferences and cannot understand why those preferences are overruled by parents and caregivers. Some personality factors, such as stubbornness, are starting to reveal themselves during this time of rapid cognitive development. Finally, attention of any sort—even if it is “negative attention”—is almost always “good” from a toddler’s perspective.

In terms of reducing the amount of tantrums, here are a few suggestions. First and foremost, ignore the tantrums if at all possible and your child is not in a position of danger. Another important strategy is not to ask “yes” or “no” questions if there is really not a choice. Simply telling your son or daughter, “it is now time to go to the car” is far more effective than asking, “Billy, do you want to go out to the car now?”—especially if that is really not an option. Finally, even young children have very good memories and they will remember what has happened in the immediate past, so consistency on the part of all adults is helpful in reducing tantrums for some toddlers.

This column is intended to provide general information and guidance only and not specific medical advice. If you have specific questions about your child, please consult your health care professional. Dr. Peter Dehnel is a board certified pediatrician and medical director with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota. Have a question for Dr. Dehnel? Email mnga@mnpubs.com.

July 2013 13

recip

e

Rigatoni with asparagus-pistachio pesto 1/4 cup pine nuts 1 1/2 pounds asparagus, cut into 1-inch lengths 3 medium carrots, chopped 1 medium shallot, chopped 1/2 cup packed basil leaves 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced 1 tablespoon honey 2 teaspoons finely chopped thyme 1 1/2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest 1 teaspoon cumin 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for tossing Kosher salt Freshly ground pepper 1 pound rigatoni 1/4 pound sliced bacon 1 cup chicken stock or low-sodium broth 4 tablespoons unsalted butter 1/4 cup unsalted roasted pistachios, very finely chopped 1/3 cup chopped parsley Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, for serving

14 July 2013

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. Spread the pine nuts in a pie plate and toast for about 3 minutes, until golden brown.

3. Combine the asparagus, in the bowl of a food processor, with the carrots and shallot and process until finely chopped.

Scrape the mixture into a 9-by-13-inch glass or ceramic baking dish. Stir in the basil, garlic, honey, thyme, lemon zest, cumin and the 1/4 cup of olive oil. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring once, until the vegetables are soft and just starting to brown. Season with salt and pepper.

4. Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta until al dente, 12 to 14 minutes. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water. Transfer the pasta to a baking sheet and toss with olive oil.

5. Cook the bacon over moderate heat in a large skillet until crisp, about 6

minutes. Drain the bacon on paper towels and finely chop it.

6. Combine the cooked vegetables, in a very large skillet, with the chicken stock and butter and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until hot, about 4 minutes. Add the pasta, pine nuts, pistachios and the reserved cup of pasta water and cook, tossing, until the sauce is thick and the pasta is coated. Stir in the parsley and chopped bacon and season with salt and pepper.

Transfer the pasta to bowls and serve, passing the grated cheese at the table.

Make ahead: The pesto can be prepared through Step 2 and refrigerated overnight.

From andrewzimmern.com; originally published in Andrew Zimmern’s Kitchen Adventures on foodandwine.com.

All about basil There are dozens of types of basil, all of which can be grown successfully in pots or in garden beds, but those you might be most familiar with are:

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This classic Italian style basil is used in pestos, sauces, and those lovely Caprese sandwiches (layer basil, sundried or ripe tomato, and a nice thick slice of mozzarella cheese, with a bit of extra virgin olive oil drizzled across the top). This plant has small leaves.

5/7/13 9:50 AM

Genovese basil Similar to sweet basil with much larger and darker green leaves, genovese basil is a bit more tender—also very well suited for the aforementioned meals.

Thai basil With its strong aroma of licorice, Thai basil is more intensely flavored and works well in Thai dishes, as well as Italian. It has smallish green leaves and a dark purple stem and flower.

Lemon or Lime basil With its stronger citrus aroma, this silver/ green-leaved plant pairs very well with chicken and fish.

Volunteer with Junior Achievement.

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Purple ruffles basil With large, curly, ruffled leaves and its dark purple, almost eggplant tone, purple ruffles basil adds nice color to vinegars and salads.

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Joy

Riggs

adventures large, small, and in be-‘tween’

W

hen my three kids were younger, summers seemed to stretch endlessly before us like the horizon on Lake Superior. But the limitlessness was deceptive. To ensure that each family member carved out time for their favorite activities before August ended, I began making an annual summer to-do list, just like Arthur did in a second season episode of my all-time favorite PBS Kids show, Arthur.

Some activities have reappeared every year, like attending theater camp. Some were entrepreneurial: organize a lemonade stand. Others harkened back to my own childhood: eat at the A&W drive-in restaurant, and catch a double feature at the drive-in movie theater.

My daughter, Louisa, is now 17, and my sons Sebastian and Elias are 15 and 12, respectively. It’s fun to think about the activities that used to amuse them and consider how many of their interests have changed as they’ve grown. I recognize that I’ve changed as well. As I’ve juggled my various roles as family cruise 16 July 2013

director, taxi driver, and camp counselor, I’ve placed more responsibility on them for organizing their activities, as they have become more independent.

Dad’s eye view Minneapolis dad Michael Hartford can relate. He took on the role of expedition leader as he and his twin sons developed their list of favorite things to do in the Twin Cities; the results are detailed in Hartford’s handy and helpful guidebook, Dad’s Eye View: 52 Family Adventures in the Twin Cities. The book was published by the Minnesota Historical Society Press in 2011, when Hartford’s sons were nine years old.

Since then, Hartford says, family outings have become both smaller and bigger— smaller because sons Jack and Peter often prefer to spend time relaxing with their friends, and bigger because they are now physically strong enough to take on challenges like backpacking with their Boy Scout troop.

“They’re more skeptical of my ideas now. If I see something that I think we should try, I really have to market it,”

Hartford says. “We have to negotiate things: ‘we’ll try this one new thing if I can do something I know you guys like.’ When they were little, I could throw them into the car and take them anyplace. They didn’t have a choice.”

Hartford’s book is divided into seasons, and each of the 52 entries contains a description of his family’s experience of a particular place, attraction, or event, plus tips about price, the location of restrooms, and suggested questions to stimulate family discussions. Some of the places in the book are still favorites, like the Science Museum of Minnesota and the Mill City Museum, but the activities the boys are drawn to are different because they are older and have longer attention spans.

“They get more out of things now, and they have a lot more insights,” Hartford says. “They have harder questions to answer, too. If I’m not paying attention to things, then I can’t answer any questions they come up with—and they’re skeptical of my answers anyway.”

New favorite spots for Jack and Peter include the Rusty Quarters Retro Arcade in Minneapolis, and the many climbing

ResouRCes dad’s eye View dadseyeview.cartwheelmedia.com explore Minnesota exploreminnesota.com/index.aspx Minnesota state Parks tinyurl.com/ypvaoy science Museum of Minnesota smm.org three rivers Park district threeriversparks.org

MN Landmarks MNP 0812 H6.indd 2

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PPA - Smurfs 2 MNP 0713 V2.indd 1

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walls at Vertical Endeavors.

“Lately, they like anything they can bring a friend to; it seems like at this age they’re more interested in doing things with buddies,” Hartford says.

When Hartford takes his nearly teenaged sons—and their friends—on adventures now, they are able to venture off on their own for longer periods of time because they don’t need as much supervision. Hartford encourages that independence; he will often bring a book or explore by himself, and then meet up with the boys and their friends to discuss what they experienced or learned.

Although Hartford doesn’t have any concrete plans for writing a new book, he has been taking notes as his family has expanded their adventures beyond the Twin Cities to include state and regional parks, and historic sites like the Lower Sioux Agency interpretive center in Morton. They camp and hike a couple times a year at Interstate State Park, two adjacent state parks on the MinnesotaWisconsin border, and last year they spent the day canoeing on the Cannon River with other boys and parents.

Wherever parents and tweens decide to venture, Hartford offers this piece of advice: “Be open to being surprised.”

That seems like the perfect philosophy to adopt as the weeks of summer wane. In fact, I’m going to put it at the top of my summer 2013 to-do list. I think Arthur would approve.

toss it

l e v a r T time

You’re at a lovely picnic and it’s time to clean up but that darn trash bag keeps blowing everywhere and collapsing. It’s not an issue, however, if you have brought your handy Trash-Ease along. Just hook it onto a nearby surface (a picnic table will do nicely) and attach a standard trash bag to it. Voila! Instant trash gathering success!

— trash-ease.com; about $15

Hitting the road? Here are some great items to pack, making travel time that much easier.

By Kathleen Stoehr

scrub it Leave it to our friends down under to design a small, hand-held clothes washing bag. Inside the bag is a highly flexible washboard, so just add water, cleaning liquid, and then pop your dirties in. Press down and rub clothes against the internal scrubbing board for 30 seconds or up to three minutes, drain, rinse, and dry. We were impressed with how clean our clothes became with this handy little gadget (which also doubled as an on-the-road laundry bag!).

— thescrubba.com; about $60

light it

A reusable travel bag with inflatable air chambers that protect and insulate wine bottles, other liquids, and fragile items, VinniBag is designed to provide superior protection against impact and leakage and stores flat or folded when not in use. So great—now we won’t have to tuck our breakables inside our shoes when flying home with luggage!

—

Try warming a bottle when you are in your car. Not an issue with WarmZe, a special air-activated wrap you place around a bottle that warms milk to the ideal temperature (90 to 104 degrees) in about 30 minutes.

The WarmZe can be used multiple times throughout the day, up to 10 hours.

Biodegradable.

—

Carry it lantern-style in the dark, dark night when you are heading from tent to bathroom; or hang it off a loop in your tent for late night reading. Whatever the use, the Energizer Mini Pop-Up Lantern delivers up to 150 lumens and 100 hours of run time (uses 4 AA batteries), and collapses well for compact storage (just four inches when locked down).

—

vinnibag.com; about $25

warmze.com; about $16 for a starter set

energizer.com; about $20

Protect it

18 July 2013

Warm it

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DON’T MISS THIS DISNEY FAVORITE ENDS AuguST 4TH

Play it Car rides can quickly devolve into a morass of “are we there yet?” and “I’m bored!”

When these phrases are impending, be proactive and pull out Kwizniac 2, the Trivia Countdown Game to occupy your time. Each trivia question comes with multiple clues to guess person, place, or thing—the fewer clues you need, the more points you gather. For ages 12 and up.

—

Take a magical carpet ride with Stages Theatre Company this summer when Princess Jasmine, Genie and Aladdin embark on an adventure filled with magic and mayhem. The Academy award-winning score includes favorite songs like “A Whole New World,” “One Jump Ahead” and “A Friend Like Me.” Come discover the lavish journey that awaits your favorite characters. For all ages.

WWW.STAGESTHEATRE.ORG BOX OFFICE: (952) 979-1111

continuumgames.com; about $20 Stages Theatre MNP 0713 H4.indd 1

6/10/13 12:52 PM July 2013 19

Kara

McGuire

n o i t a c u d E t i d e cr rly for Shop ea

L

bes

gains r a b l o o scho t back t

ike the unwelcome arrival of Christmas decorations on store shelves in October, back to school displays of crayons and backpacks crash summer vacation months every year. I don’t like thinking about back to school while basking at the beach, but some of the best deals are to be had right after the fourth of July.

As it is with most child-related decisions, back to school shopping is a balancing act between time and money, needs and wants, finding teachable moments, and getting-it-done-quick.

I asked some smart and savvy Minnesota parents to share their back to school shopping strategies.

20 July 2013

Know thyself.

It’s an ongoing debate in the mind of this bargain-hunting mom. Sure I could spend several summer Sundays scouring ads for loss leaders and driving store to store to cobble together the cheapest bundle of supplies. Factor in valuable time and the cost of gas, and you start to wonder if this is the best strategy. Over the years, I’ve finally decided that purchasing a back to school supply kit through the school is my preferred method of fulfilling those lengthy supply lists. Plus the PTO earns a little money in the process.

Now if you’re in the camp that secretly enjoys the hunting and organizing that a big bargain-hunting mission requires,

have no shame. Go for it, using the back to school comparison lists put together by the team at Maple Grove-based pocketyourdollars.com. Each week Carrie Rocha not only tracks the prices of 30-plus items at a dozen stores, she also compares them to last year’s prices so you can tell when a so-called deal is a deal.

Becky Sun, a Minneapolis mother of three, hates shopping in physical locations—unless it’s her own home. Like many parents, Sun scours her home for existing supplies first, on the lookout for extra pencils or glue sticks that have accumulated, as well as items that can be reused such as scissors and calculators.

She heads online for anything else.

Whether shopping in malls, big boxes, or online, smart parents have smartphones at the ready. Mobile devices are playing a much larger role in the shopping process these days—from research to locating items to downloading coupons.

find the teachable moments.

Yes, learning about money is important and kids absorb more of the lessons when it’s directly related to stuff they want or need. But I tend to leave my kids and their pester power at home. It’s an infallible equation: kids + big box = big cart + empty(er) wallet.

Parents with stronger constitutions use school shopping to teach about the value of money. Winnie Williams of Woodbury set her girls on a back to school budget after one of them suggested a trip to that magical money machine—a.k.a. the ATM—after Williams said they didn’t have the money for a particular item.

She started with a fall back to school clothing allowance, but decided an even better lesson would be learned if her daughters had a yearly budget that required allocating money for clothes for all seasons, including winter coats and boots.

Over the years, there were disappointments about not being able to afford must-have items and “they thought winter coats were a fortune,” Williams said. (Don’t we all?) “But they definitely

learned what a good value is.”

Her daughter, Marta, became so interested in money matters that she joined the Credit Union National Association’s C-Note teen panel and wrote an article on couponing for teens that will be published on the C-Note site (googolplex.cuna.org/1/cnote/).

Don’t pass up tax savings.

Finally, don’t forget to save your school supply receipts for tax time. It’s not a huge tax break, but Minnesota parents with K-12 kids should look into the education credit and subtraction. In years past at the Minnesota State Fair, the Minnesota Department of Revenue passed out free envelopes to keep track of school receipts.

The agency’s booth is typically in the education building—a great place to pick up free school supplies, too.

Kara McGuire is a personal finance expert and mother of three living in St. Paul.

You can get there. We can help.

Visit www.MN529today.com or call 1-877-338-4646

Animal tales This month’s books are all about animals, starring some of our furry and feathered friends.

By Emily Mongan

Lazy Daisy, Cranky Frankie

The Million Paws Puppy

Rain Forest

Nine-year-old animal lover Cassie and her dog Ripper team up with new neighbor Ben and his dog Florence for The Million Paws Walk, a fundraiser for the RSPCA. But when a rambunctious runaway puppy causes chaos at the walk, the four must work together to return the naughty pup to its owner. Proceeds from sales of this short chapter book go to the RSPCA. For elementary school age.

Over half of the world’s wildlife live in rain forests, from insects as wide a dinner plates, to monkeys that swing across the jungle canopy at speeds of up to 30 mph. Explore the different levels of the rain forest and the species of animals, insects, and plants that call them home through vivid photographs and informative illustrations. Additional activities like a “Guess Who” game of species and matching game let kids apply what they’ve learned in a fun way. For ages 5 and up.

By Chris Kunz random House australia; $7.99

By elinor Greenwood dK; $10.99

GQ GQ. Where are You?

22 July 2013

It’s bedtime on a very unusual farm, where none of the animals behave like they’re supposed to. We meet some of the farm’s residents in this quirky rhyming story, like Frankie the dog, who sits inside drinking tea and watching TV all day, and Lizzie the chicken, who’s too busy dancing around in a pair of purple underwear to lay any eggs.

But there is one thing all the animals on the farm can agree to do normally: sleep.

Picture book.

By Mary ellen Jordan and andrew Weldon albert Whitman & Company; $15.99

Animalia

GQ, a curious Gambel’s quail, is on a search for playmates in the Sonoran Desert of southern Arizona.

GQ meets some of the interesting animals that live in the desert as he continues on his adventure, but he soon decides the best place to be is home. The gorgeous illustrations and additional illustrated glossary help bring the desert ecosystem to life.

Included is a CD that has the author’s narration as well as a sing-along version of the book. Picture book.

You’ve never seen the alphabet presented quite like this. Each page includes a short, alliterative poem and is filled with insanely detailed illustrations, featuring a host of exotic animals doing not so animal-like activities, like zebras zigzagging around in zeppelins or lions lounging in libraries. In addition to hard copies, it is also available in app form for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. Ages 4 and up.

By sharon i. ritt little Five star; $14.95

By Graeme Base Puffin Books; $7.99

Playful Slider If there’s one thing river otters know how to do, it’s have fun. They play hide-and-seek, wrestle, and slide down snow covered hills during the winter. This beautifully illustrated book not only explains how playful and adventurous river otters can be, but teaches readers about their behavior and characteristics with poetic detail as well.

Ages 6 to 8.

By Barbara Juster esbensen University of Minnesota Press; $11.95

Having a Party with Lily and Milo

Milo is throwing Lily a birthday party!

Before the celebration can begin, he has to prepare for the party, which means putting up decorations, picking the perfect silly party hats, and setting the table. And don’t forget the cake! Kids can help Milo plan for the party by choosing the right decorations, snacks, and music. The brightly colored and adorable illustrations make this book a fun read. Picture book.

By Pauline oud Clavis Books; $12.95 MELSA MNP 0613 2-3page.indd 1

5/20/13 9:36 AM July 2013 23

Sean

Toren

Slow down, you move too fast

H

ave your kids’ activities taken on a life of their own? Has your schedule started to plan things without you? Ours, too. For us it all started with one little word: “Yes.” My partner Edna fell into the trap of saying “yes” to just about every activity having to do with our kid. I became a de facto Yes-Man since I rarely say “no,” or even “maybe.” But between Ed, Jr.’s busy-ness, Edna’s two jobs, and my job and side projects, our schedule had run amok.

We didn’t say “yes” to everything because Edna was some controlling Tiger mother, or because I believed it’s so dog-eat-dog out there that our son had to keep up with his peers. It’s because we wanted the very best of this big, bold, beautiful world for him— and that he get enough exposure to be big, bold, and beautiful in it. For us, all the activities were about enrichment.

But enrichment can be complicated. Take last fall, for example. After daily carpooling to Ed, Jr.’s German immersion school (Ja, you read that right), we had Monday evening soccer, Tuesday afternoon with my mother, Thursday afternoon with Edna’s father, and on Saturday, YMCA swim class followed immediately by MacPhail ‘Music around the world’ class.

Of course, it’s swell that he gets to dig 24 July 2013

into all this great stuff, but it was becoming clear that we needed less around-the-world and more stay-at-home so that we could catch up on mundane tasks—and Ed, Jr. could recover from his seriously intense week.

I mean, when I was a kid, after I got home from kindergarten, my then stay-athome mom let me do whatever I wanted.

Watch TV, hunt garter snakes in the woods, build “boy’s only” forts…or simply be bored.

And I had the summer O…F…F…OFF, baby! Ditto for my wife’s childhood.

But since Edna and I both work, our son has to stay in aftercare (and sometimes pre-care), which can make for 10-hour days. Compared to his kindergarten schedule, mine was a walk in the park—or at least in those woods.

Saturday morning madness: a timed triathlon consisting of swimming, music, and a mad dash between them. My constant nagging for Ed, Jr. to make faster transitions was frustrating for him and for me. It was also teaching him that being hectic was normal—and that being late was OK. Then came, Strike Two, a particularly frenetic weekend where we had lots to do at home but instead went to Edna’s third cousin’s birthday party (“It only happens once a year!”), staying out way past Ed, Jr.’s bedtime only to haul over to the May Day parade the very next day (“It only happens once a year!”). The result was that we didn’t get our tasks done—especially one that really mattered: planning daycare for the summer.

Strike Two led to Strike Three, because by the time we finally got online to book camps, we’d missed out on both a Children’s Theatre week we wanted as well as the entire Minneapolis Kids summer program.

IM SS W S LA C SOCCE

R

c i s Mu lass C

striking out The schedule for all this enrichment came to a head recently with a series of knuckleball pitches that stressed out the boy, as well as my relationship with my wife.

Strike One was the abovementioned

Grand parent s

SC

OL O H

In the end we had to cobble together a greater number of smaller camps and daycare options, which took even more time—and caused even more complicated scheduling. It was enough to make a Yes-Man finally put his foot down.

saying “yes” to our family—by saying “no” These events slowly strengthened our resolve to say “No.” Because of the lesson learned over the winter, for example, I refused to have more than one thing scheduled for our son on the weekend.

That’s all it took for Saturdays to start feeling groovy again. After an easy breakfast, he and I would amble three blocks over to the YMCA for swim class, let him dork around in the shower afterward as long as he wanted, and then make the morning last as we wandered home while playing various, six-year-old-friendly games (avoid stepping on cracks, say hello to lamp-posts, count farts, etc.).

We made a similar call for Mother’s Day (did nothing) and Father’s Day (even less), and we were getting so cocky in our ability to say “No” that we decided to tweak Ed, Jr.’s summer schedule even further.

We cancelled a swim class and then, just to show off, decided on “absolutely nothing” for all of August, pledging to get out to the family cabin as much as possible. You know, to catch Garter snakes, build forts, and let Ed get hideously, impossibly, recharge-your-batteries…bored.

The game hasn’t been won yet; there’s still too much adult stuff going on—but we’re working on it. And I have a new goal: to get bored, too. Stinking bored. Bored to death.

And if I can’t get bored to death, then at least so bored that I’ll feel like saying “Yes” again. Or even “Maybe.”

Maybe would be nice.

Sean Toren loves living the full catastrophe in Minneapolis with his wife and son. He can be contacted at mnga@ mnpubs.com with thoughts or suggestions.

Especially for Children MNP 0413 H4.indd 1

3/18/13 11:54 AM

Cool off this summer on Minnesota’s North Shore!

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6/19/13 2:58 PM July 2013 25

out about

Move & Groove Family Fest @ The Basilica,

shakespeare in shorts @ Wolfe Park, st. louis Park

end arcade area,

Enjoy a lunch time concert: The Heebie Jeebies

10

Sat

aquatennial’s “best

19 20 ———————— ———————— ———————— ———————— ———————— last day of the

saturday live!

Wendy’s Wiggle, Jiggle & Jam

13

5 6 ———————— Free 1st saturday @ Walker art ———————— Center ———————— SWAK! It’s National Kissing Day ———————— saturday Play ———————— date @ Bryant lake Bowl ————————

Fri

12 11 ———————— Opening day: Minneapolis ———————— Aquatennial, thru the 20th ———————— opening day: ———————— rondo days, thru the 21st ———————— ————————

Happy birthday, Usa!

4

16 17 18 ———————— snapdragon seeds Free kid’s dance ———————— music in the park @ town Green ———————— ———————— the okee dokee Brothers ———————— @ the shops at West

15 ———————— ———————— ———————— ———————— ————————

14

Family Day at the MIA: Paper Caper

9 8 ———————— arty Pants: Your Playdate ———————— tuesday @ Walker art Center, ———————— Minneapolis ———————— ———————— ————————

2 3 ———————— — ———————— ———————— ———————— Summer Fete ———————— @ Normandale Lake Park ————————

7 ———————— ———————— ———————— ———————— ———————— ————————

a new cache has been hidden! art in nature Geocache saint Paul’s regional Parks

1

Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs

July Pull out anD save!

23 ———————— ———————— ———————— ———————— ———————— ————————

SPONSORED BY:

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6/24/13 2:54 PM

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free admission + door prizes + goodie bags

visitor center

TPT MNP 0613 4.71x3.59.indd 1

31 ———————— ———————— ———————— ———————— ———————— ————————

24 25 Marketfest in ———————— downtown White Bear lake ———————— ———————— ———————— ———————— ————————

st. louis Park

como park zoo & conservatory

10am-2pm

Oct. 5 2013

30 29 ———————— ———————— ———————— ———————— ———————— opening night: ———————— les Misérables

22 ———————— ———————— ———————— ———————— ———————— ————————

———————— ————————

Ed Fair MNP 0713 4.71x3.59.indd 1

ernie’s birthday

28

Closing night: if You Give a Mouse a Cookie @ Children’s theatre Company

21

Minneapolis

Movie by Moonlight: Wreck it ralph

26

————————

5/15/13 10:35 AM

27 ———————— ———————— ———————— ———————— ———————— ————————

days of summer”

Out About

Parent pick

Summer Fete ÎÎThis year’s fun starts with a carnival, includes two entertainment stages—the Kid’s Stage and the Main Stage— featuring a great lineup of performers, and as usual, culminates with a fantastic fireworks display just after dusk!

When: Wednesday, July 3; 5:00 until after the fireworks Where: Normandale Lake Park, Bloomington Cost: FREE Info: tinyurl.com/mghhphe or 952-563-8895

Parent pick

Shakespeare in Shorts ÎÎA great way to introduce your pre-teens and “Shakespeare skeptical” friends to the plays you love. See As You Like It in a slightly shortened version (approximately 80 minutes without intermission) with an interactive introduction to the cast and plot starting five minutes before curtain.

When: 14th and 21st; 7:55 p.m.

Where: Wolfe Park, St. Louis Park Cost: FREE (donations accepted) Info: theptmn.com or 952-220-2178

28 July 2013

Out About ongoing Minneapolis Aquatennial ÎÎThe Minneapolis Aquatennial is the official civic celebration of the City of Minneapolis. Entering its 72nd year, Minneapolis residents, workers, and tourists have come to love and appreciate all that the City of Minneapolis has to offer during the Aquatennial Festival. Enjoy the Milk Carton Boat Races, Torchlight Parade, fireworks display, and other unique waterbased events, bringing out more than 400,000 people annually.

When: 12th to 20th Where: Around the city of Minneapolis lakes Cost: FREE Info: aquatennial.com

Rondo Days ÎÎThis year marks the 30-year anniversary of this great historical event: Rondo Days, celebrating the best and brightest of Minnesota’s African-American stories, achievements, and culture. It reunites a dispersed people, welcomes new neighbors and encourages everyone to be mindful of the extent to which neighborhoods nourish our souls. Parade, events with the Minnesota History Center, and more.

When: 12th to 21st Where: Around the city of St. Paul Cost: FREE Info: rondoavenueinc.org

As You Like It ÎÎSee Shakespeare’s great comedy in an outdoor amphitheater.

When: 8:00 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings the 5th to the 21st Where: Wolfe Park, St. Louis Park Cost: FREE (donations accepted) Info: theptmn.com or 952-220-2178

Millie and Tillie ÎÎA perennial favorite, the Silly Sisters start a normal day as flowers smell like being tickled and bicycles are ridden indoors. Interrupted by a phone call, the sisters are suddenly packing for a picnic,

Then Now Wow

but things don’t always go as planned and one silly mishap after another leads to a hysterical misadventure! Full of silly games, puppet surprises, and ice cream cones for all, it’s the perfect summer fare for families!

When: Through the 21st Where: Open Eye Figure Theatre, Minneapolis Cost: Adults $10; Children $5 Info: openeyetheatre.org or 612-874-6338

Art In Nature Geocache ÎÎExplore Saint Paul’s regional parks through geocaching! Geocaching is an outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices like smartphones, tablet computers, or receiver units. Natural Resources staff hides caches monthly from May through October with activities designed to encourage learning and exploration of regional parks. Participants who successfully navigate to the provided GPS coordinates, find the cache, and complete the activity described inside are entered in a monthly prize drawing.

When: Through October 31 Where: Saint Paul’s Regional Parks Cost: FREE Info: tinyurl.com/43ava97 or 651-632-2455

Then Now Wow ÎÎDedicated entirely to Minnesota history, Then Now Wow is the largest exhibit ever created by the Minnesota History Center.

Designed primarily for children, visitors of all ages will enjoy exploring Minnesota’s distinctive places from the prairies and forests to the cities, along the way they’ll meet the people who have made their homes here.

When: Ongoing Where: Minnesota History Center Cost: $6–$11; FREE ages five and under Info: mnhs.org or 651-259-3000

Minnesota & the Civil War ÎÎThe Civil War holds a pivotal place in the history of the United States. Citizens of the new state of Minnesota were a major part of the national story, from being the first state to offer troops through their dramatic role at Gettysburg to Appomattox and beyond.

When: Through Sept. 8; closed Mondays except for holidays Where: Minnesota History Center Cost: $5 and under FREE; 6 to 17, $6; seniors and college students, $9; adults, $11 Info: minnesotahistorycenter.org or 651-259-3000

July 2013 29

Family Fair Stage atBaldwin Park High-energy dance, silly antics, magic Sponsored by and illusions, amazing feats of strength, zany juggling, and classic children’s entertainment — free shows daily!

SEAN EMERY

JARED SHERLOCK

MAMA LOU: AMERICAN STRONG WOMAN

Incredible THE BAZILLIONS

THE CHOO CHOO BOB SHOW LIVE!

Plan ahead and save!

Pre-fair discount admission and ride & game tickets, plus Blue Ribbon Bargain Books $5 filled with State Fair coupons, are available at mnstatefair.org Sponsored by now through 5 p.m.

Sam’s Club Aug. 15; at the State Fair Box Office now through Aug. 21; and July 7 through Aug. 21 at participating Cub Foods stores and select outlets in Greater Minnesota (while supplies last).

Proudly supporting the future of the State Fair!

• Offer your support to improve State Fair buildings, grounds and educational experiences.

• Visit us at the J.V. Bailey House on Cosgrove St. across from the Space Tower.

• Foundation donors receive a  State Fair Calendar!

(min. $25 donation – while supplies last)

ONLY

Proudly sponsored

by Sam’s Club

KIDSDANCE

BREAK-SHOP BUMP ’N

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Find more fun and lots of details at MNSTATEFAIR.ORG

Unlimited fun

for one low admission price!

TIMBERWORKS LUMBERJACK SHOW The North Woods sponsored by Gander Mountain

Savings!

Weekdays feature great admission discounts and deals on Mighty Midway & Kidway rides, games and concessions: Thrifty Thursday Aug. 22; Seniors & Kids Day Aug. 26; Military Appreciation Day Aug. 27; Read & Ride Day Aug. 28; Seniors Day Aug. 29; Kids Day Sept. 2.

Kids under age 5 are ALWAYS free!

FLIPPENOUT EXTREME TRAMPOLINE SHOW

3RD LAIR SKATEPARK

Weekday savings

GIANT SING ALONG

GREAT BIG SANDBOX

SHENANIGUNS! COMEDY WILD WEST SHOW

LASERTAINMENT’S LASER HITZ SHOW

ALPHABET FOREST

DAILY MALL PARADE

The Great Minnesota Get-Together Aug. 22 – Labor Day, Sept. 2

Out About

July 20, 2013 • 18 farms themix.coop Dora and Diego—Let’s Explore!

Dora and Diego— Let’s Explore!

Mississippi Market MNP 0713 12.indd 1

6/13/13

ÎÎThe exhibit features beloved characters Dora and Diego from Nickelodeon’s hit preschool series Dora the Explorer and Go, Diego, Go!, along with their friends Boots, Map, Backpack, Isa, Tico, and of course Swiper, now in their own exhibit for 3:17 PMyour preschooler to explore as they learn and play along. Dora the Explorer follows the adventures of the seven-year-old Latina heroine Dora and her friends in an imaginative, tropical world. Go, Diego, Go! stars Dora’s eight-year-old cousin Diego, a bilingual animal rescuer who protects animals and their environment. The exhibit gives children and their families the opportunity to go into the worlds of Dora and Diego to engage in problem-solving and active play.

When: Through September 22 Where: Minnesota Children’s Museum, St. Paul Cost: $9.50 ages 1 to 101 Info: mcm.org or 651-225-6000

Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed ÎÎIt’s the world premiere of Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed, a brand-new, original exhibition that sheds light on this mysterious and majestic ancient culture.

When: End date TBD Where: Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul Cost: $9 to $28 Info: smm.org/maya or 651-224-9444

32 July 2013

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat ÎÎA secular version of the powerful and beloved story of Joseph, favorite son of Jacob, who is given a splendid coat of many colors. With 22 major production numbers filled with colorful costuming, creative staging, upbeat music and exuberant choreography.

When: Through Fall 2013 Where: Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, Chanhassen Cost: Prices vary depending upon seat and date selected Info: chanhasentheatres.com or 952-934-1525 Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed

Out About Run! Jump! Fly! Adventures in Action ÎÎRun! Jump! Fly! Adventures in Action motivates children to be more active by experiencing the fun in physical activity. It features four adventure scenes, an action star training center, and a toddler pyramid. Each adventure scene provides an imaginative setting in which kids can try out a high appeal physical activity.

The adventure scenes include surfing/ snowboarding, kung fu, a climbing canyon, and flycycles (flying bicycles). Each area highlights a specific physical challenge of balance, strength, coordination, or cardiovascular endurance.

When: Through Sept. 8 Where: Minnesota Children’s Museum, St. Paul Cost: $9.50 ages 1 to 101 Info: mcm.org or 651-225-6000

Disney’s Aladdin Jr. ÎÎTake a magical carpet ride this summer when Princess Jasmine, Genie, and Aladdin embark on an adventure filled with magic and mayhem.

When: Through August 4 Where: Stages Theatre Company, Hopkins Cost: Admission fee Info: stagestheatre.org or 952-979-1111

When: 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Where: Downtown White Bear Lake Cost: FREE Info: marketfest.org or 651-429-8537

Godspell ÎÎJoin Bunch Backyard Productions outside for a 2012 revised edition of the popular musical.

When: 17th to 21st, 23rd, 7:00 p.m.

Where: Town Green, 7991 Main. St. N., Maple Grove Cost: FREE Info: tinyurl.com/ly78zkl or 763-494-6500

Preschool Playdate ÎÎEach Tuesday, the Science Museum offers preschool appropriate activities that will keep little hands busy and little minds buzzing. A Preschool Playdates ticket includes admission to the exhibit galleries, take-home science experiment, preschool perfect Science Live performances and science demonstrations, and various discounts.

When: 10:00 a.m. to noon Where: Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul

Cost: Under five, FREE; $13 for adults Info: smm.org/playdates or 651-221-9444

Wee Wednesdays ÎÎWee Wednesdays have plenty to see and do for toddlers and their families. Free, educational programming geared toward children five and under; also features hands-on activities and more.

When: Every Wednesday beginning at 10:30 a.m.

Where: Midtown Global Market, Minneapolis Cost: FREE Info: midtownglobalmarket.org or 612-872-4041

Family Night at the Global Market ÎÎFree live music, a children’s play area, and free balloons for the first 50 children.

Businesses will validate your parking (for up to three hours) with purchase if you park in the 10th Avenue parking ramp.

When: Every Friday from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Where: Midtown Global Market, Minneapolis

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie ÎÎIt all starts innocently enough: a boy and his cookie. Along comes a mouse who unleashes a whirlwind of crumbs, dust bunnies, unfortunate choices and utter chaos. Capturing the sheer joy of the much-loved picture book, it’s a celebration of true friendship and a whole mess of fun.

When: Through the 21st Where: Children’s Theatre Company, Minneapolis Cost: Admission fee Info: childrenstheatre.org or 612-874-0400

Marketfest ÎÎA free family festival held every Thursday night with live entertainment, fine art, food, children’s activities, farmers market, and classic car show.

Run! Jump! Fly! Adventures in Action

July 2013 33

Out About Cost: FREE Info: midtownglobalmarket.org or 612-872-4041

HOBT Puppet Show ÎÎEvery Saturday, different artists perform engaging puppet shows—a great alternative to television! Families can also attend hands-on Make-n-Take puppet workshops based on that day’s puppet theme.

When: Shows at 10:00 a.m. and noon; Make-n-take at 11:00 a.m.

Where: Heart of the Beast theatre, Minneapolis Cost: Suggested donation for show between $2 and $4; Make-n-take admission $5/child, $3 adult Info: hobt.org or 612-721-2535

2 Tuesday Molly & the Magic Boot ÎÎFamily Fun Series: Puppet show by Open Eye Figure Theatre When: 10:00 a.m.

Where: Caponi Art Park, Eagan Cost: FREE Info: tinyurl.com/7aflfz8 or 651-454-9412

3 Wednesday Summer Fete ÎÎThis year’s fun starts with a carnival, includes two entertainment stages—the Kid’s Stage and the Main Stage—featuring a great lineup of performers, and as usual, culminates with a fantastic fireworks display just after dusk!

When: 5:00 until after the fireworks Where: Normandale Lake Park, Bloomington Cost: FREE Info: tinyurl.com/mghhphe or 952-563-8895

4 Thursday Independence Day Fireworks ÎÎMany cities throughout the state

34 July 2013

celebrate with fireworks and parades, including Minneapolis’ Red, White and BOOM; Edina’s parade and fireworks with John Philip Sousa band; Delano’s celebration (the oldest in Minnesota); Taste of Chanhassen, and more. Check your local listings.

When: After dusk Where: All over the state Cost: FREE Info: Check your local listings

6 Saturday Free First Saturday: Urban Green ÎÎJoin the Walker Art Center for a day that brings people together to talk about the environment and learn ways to make a positive impact.

When: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (family activities until 3:00) Where: Walker Art Center, Minneapolis Cost: FREE Info: walkerart.org or 612-375-7600

Saturday Live!

Becca & Oscar’s Big Break ÎÎWhen young pianist Becca makes her piano concert debut, her old friend Oscar decides to help! Enjoy a delightful blend of music, silliness, and physical comedy.

When: 11:15 a.m. to noon Where: St. Paul Public Library, Central Library Cost: FREE Info: tinyurl.com/bulsmwh or 651-266-7034

Saturday Play Date ÎÎThe madcap actors from the Old Gem Theater perform classic storybook tales but they are going to need a little help from the audience. Filled with physical comedy and goofy jokes, these sidesplitting stories are geared for young audiences but include humor for the adults as well. Stress-free participation of your own volition.

When: Noon Where: Bryant Lake Bowl, Minneapolis Cost: Adults $12 ($10 with Fringe button), kids $6 Info: bryantlakebowl.com

7 Sunday Sound & Place: Minnesota ÎÎCalifornia composer Hugh Livingston will present a sonically animated summer evening stroll through the rolling hillsides.

Musicians will flit in and out of the woods, a low clarinet trilling responding to rapidfire marimba in the distance. Birdcages hanging from trees will provide a visual element, with unusual sounds emanating from them, supplementing the live performance with a multi-channel sound installation covering several acres. Visitors will explore the site in a new way, kids can participate in playing percussion, and everyone will view nature and musicmaking in a different light.

When: 6:30 p.m.

Where: Caponi Art Park, Eagan Cost: FREE ($5 donation suggested) Info: tinyurl.com/muvdxy or 651-454-9412

8 Monday Medalist Concert Band ÎÎFree concert in the park.

When: 7:00 p.m.

Where: Town Green, 7991 Main. St. N., Maple Grove Cost: FREE Info: tinyurl.com/ly78zkl or 763-494-6500

Wendy’s Wiggle, Jiggle and Jam ÎÎJoin Wendy as she entertains with her original songs. Every child will be encouraged to participate with movement, engaging props, and fun, upbeat music.

When: 10:30 a.m.

Where: Moir Park, Bloomington Cost: FREE Info: tinyurl.com/lvthvjc

9 Tuesday Mexican Folk Dance ÎÎFamily Fun Series: with Los Alegres Bailadores When: 10:00 a.m.

Where: Caponi Art Park, Eagan

Out About Cost: FREE info: tinyurl.com/7aflfz8 or 651-454-9412

eden Prairie Community band Î The Eden Prairie Community Band is an adult community band of over 50 musicians, performing great concert band classics.

When: 7:00 p.m.

Where: Normandale Lake Bandshell, 84th and Chalet Road, Bloomington Cost: FREE info: tinyurl.com/mmv9y47

arty Pants: Your tuesday Playdate Î Features activities for adults and youngsters ages three to five. Art projects, films, gallery activities, and story time.

When: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Where: Walker Art Center, Minneapolis Cost: FREE with gallery admission; Walker members and kids ages 12 and under are always free. info: walkerart.org or 612-375-7600

10 WeDnesDaY the heebie Jeebies Î Enjoy a lunch time concert.

When: 11:00 a.m. to noon Where: The Shops at West End Arcade area, St. Louis Park Cost: FREE info: theshopsatwestend.com

11 thuRsDaY schiffelly Puppets Î Free entertainment in the park.

When: 11:00 a.m.

Where: Town Green, 7991 Main. St. N., Maple Grove Cost: FREE info: tinyurl.com/ly78zkl or 763-494-6500

12 fRIDaY Moonlight Movie: the hunger Games

Playing Singing Ear Training Composing Ages 3-Adult

Î Enjoy beautiful outdoor scenery and watch the PG-13 movie The Hunger Games on the 30-foot outdoor movie screen.

When: 9:00 p.m.

Where: Normandale Lake Bandshell, 84th and Chalet Road, Bloomington Cost: FREE info: tinyurl.com/mmv9y47

CHILDREN’S YAMAHA MUSIC SCHOOL Celebrating Over 40 Musical Years in Minnesota!

CYMS Edina: Edina Community Center 5701 Normandale Rd

CYMS Roseville: Hamline Center 2819 Hamline Ave N

www.cyms.ws • 612-339-2255

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Movie by Moonlight: the lorax Helping Clothe the Twin Cities’ Newborns in Need

Î Free PG movie in the park.

When: Sunset Where: Town Green, 7991 Main. St. N., Maple Grove Cost: FREE info: tinyurl.com/ly78zkl or 763-494-6500

13 satuRDaY saturday live! Wendy’s Wiggle, Jiggle & Jam

Collects new and gently used baby clothes for distribution to disadvantaged infants and new moms.

Facebook.com/LovedTwiceTwinCities Call or email Jennifer with questions 952-920-8111 • lovedtwicemn@gmail.com

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Î Interactive musical entertainment for children ages two to 10 and their families. Every child will be encouraged to participate with movement, engaging props, and upbeat music.

When: 11:15 a.m. to noon Where: St. Paul Public Library, Central Library Cost: FREE info: tinyurl.com/bulsmwh or 651-266-7034

Supporting organizations that provide all aspects of support, resources, opportunities and outreach programs to children and families.

95% of all proceeds go to charities we support

14 sunDaY

Go online to donate jimandjudefoundation.com

family Day at the MIa: Paper Caper Î Join the fold for a day dedicated to the art of paper. Produce a pleasing print, draft a dramatic drawing, or fold original origami. And check out the MIA’s special exhibition, It’s New / It’s Now: Recent Gifts of Contemporary Prints and Drawings.

Join us at our annual events:

Vintage Vegas Casino Night – February Golf Event – August We are proud to support Children’s Cancer Research Fund®

When: 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Where: Minneapolis Institute of Arts

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Out About

Move & Groove Family Fest: The Imagination Movers

Cost: FREE Info: artsmia.org or 612-870-3000

Shakespeare in Shorts ÎÎA great way to introduce your pre-teens and “Shakespeare skeptical” friends to the plays you love. See As You Like It in a slightly shortened version (approximately 80 minutes without intermission) with an interactive introduction to the cast and plot starting five minutes before curtain.

When: 7:55 p.m.

Where: Wolfe Park, St. Louis Park Cost: FREE (donations accepted) Info: theptmn.com or 952-220-2178

Move & Groove Family Fest ÎÎDesigned to energize the entire family, Move & Groove will fill the grounds of The Basilica of St. Mary in downtown Minneapolis with a variety of all-ages activities, all day long, including arts

36 July 2013

& crafts tent, playground for all ages, and “budding farmers” program. The Imagination Movers will headline the music and dance stage (ticket fee applies) at 1:00.

When: 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Where: The Basilica, Minneapolis Cost: FREE; IM tix are $15 in advance, $20 day of show (2 & under FREE) Info: moveandgroovefamilyfun.com

Dakota Valley Summer Pops Orchestra & Chorale ÎÎThe orchestra’s repertoire includes classical orchestral music, concerti, oratorio, music theater, familiar Hollywood or Broadway themes, and premiere works.

When: 6:30 p.m.

Where: Caponi Art Park, Eagan Cost: FREE ($5 donation suggested) Info: tinyurl.com/muvdxy or 651-454-9412

15 Monday The Alpha Bits ÎÎInteractive show that promotes singing, dancing, clapping, and hopping. The Alpha Bits perform kid’s tunes, rock songs, and original Alpha Bits songs with a groove.

When: 10:30 a.m.

Where: Moir Park, Bloomington Cost: FREE Info: tinyurl.com/lvthvjc

16 Tuesday Caribbean Music ÎÎFamily Fun Series: with The Maroons When: 10:00 a.m.

Where: Caponi Art Park, Eagan Cost: FREE Info: tinyurl.com/7aflfz8 or 651-454-9412

Out About The Okee Dokee Brothers

17 Wednesday The Okee Dokee Brothers ÎÎEnjoy a lunch time concert with these Grammy Award winners.

When: 11:00 a.m. to noon Where: The Shops at West End Arcade area, St. Louis Park Cost: FREE Info: theshopsatwestend.com

18 Thursday Snapdragon Seeds ÎÎFree kid’s dance music in the park.

When: 11:00 a.m.

Where: Town Green, 7991 Main. St. N., Maple Grove Cost: FREE Info: tinyurl.com/ly78zkl or 763-494-6500

19 Friday Highland Fest ÎÎCelebrating its 30th anniversary with

live music, juried art fair, activities, and much more.

When: 2:00 to 10:30 p.m.

Where: St. Paul’s Ford Parkway from Cleveland Avenue to Hill Crest Parkway Cost: FREE Info: highlandfest.com

20 Saturday Best Days @ The Bakken ÎÎFabulous science-related programming and plenty of fun for no charge every second Saturday of the month.

When: 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Where: The Bakken Museum, Minneapolis Cost: FREE Info: thebakken.org/Saturday or 612-926-3878

Saturday Live!

Snapdragon Seeds ÎÎThis upbeat, fun program teaches rhymes, patterns, synonyms, sentence structure, songwriting, movement, and the

power of asking questions.

When: 11:15 a.m. to noon Where: St. Paul Public Library, Central Library Cost: FREE Info: tinyurl.com/bulsmwh or 651-266-7034

Highland Fest ÎÎSee description, Friday, July 19 When: 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

21 Sunday Highland Fest ÎÎSee description, Friday, July 19 When: 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Shakespeare in Shorts ÎÎA great way to introduce your pre-teens and “Shakespeare skeptical” friends to the plays you love. See As You Like It in a slightly shortened version (approximately 80 minutes without intermission) with an interactive introduction to the cast and

July 2013 37

Out About plot starting five minutes before curtain.

When: 7:55 p.m.

Where: Wolfe Park, St. Louis Park Cost: FREE (donations accepted) Info: theptmn.com or 952-220-2178

22 Monday Sticks & Tones ÎÎAre you ready to rock? The fun and exciting Sticks and Tones provide a familiar blend of rock songs! Bring your dancing shoes!

When: 10:30 a.m.

Where: Moir Park, Bloomington Cost: FREE Info: tinyurl.com/lvthvjc

23 Tuesday

24 Wednesday The Alphabits ÎÎEnjoy a lunch time concert.

When: 11:00 a.m. to noon Where: The Shops at West End Arcade area, St. Louis Park Cost: FREE Info: theshopsatwestend.com

25 Thursday Sticks & Tones ÎÎFree kid’s music in the park.

When: 11:00 a.m.

Where: Town Green, 7991 Main. St. N., Maple Grove Cost: FREE Info: tinyurl.com/ly78zkl or 763-494-6500

What is Jazz? ÎÎFamily Fun Series: with Joan Griffith and Ruth Mackenzie When: 10:00 a.m.

Where: Caponi Art Park, Eagan Cost: FREE Info: tinyurl.com/7aflfz8 or 651-454-9412

Minnesota Jazz Orchestra ÎÎListen... to the sound of Frank Sinatra, Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller and more.

It’s the Minnesota Jazz Orchestra playing swing that’s so real, so gutsy and smooth, you’ll want to dance all night.

When: 7:00 p.m.

Where: Normandale Lake Bandshell, 84th and Chalet Road, Bloomington Cost: FREE Info: tinyurl.com/mmv9y47

Arty Pants: Your Tuesday Playdate ÎÎFeatures activities for adults and youngsters ages three to five. Art projects, films, gallery activities, and story time.

When: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Where: Walker Art Center, Minneapolis Cost: FREE with gallery admission; Walker members and kids ages 12 and under are always free.

Info: walkerart.org or 612-375-7600

38 July 2013

26 Friday Movie by Moonlight: Wreck It Ralph ÎÎFree PG movie in the park.

When: Sunset Where: Town Green, 7991 Main. St. N., Maple Grove Cost: FREE Info: tinyurl.com/ly78zkl or 763-494-6500

27 Saturday Saturday Live! RADZOO ÎÎThe Reptile & Amphibian Discovery Zoo features live animals including frogs, salamanders, turtles, lizards, snakes, and a small crocodilian.

When: 11:15 a.m. to noon Where: St. Paul Public Library, Central Library Cost: FREE Info: tinyurl.com/bulsmwh or 651-266-7034

Les Misérables

29 Monday Jack Pearson ÎÎAlong with stories and songs, a healthy dose of imagination, spirit, folklore.

Jack educates children on the history of the guitar, fiddle, five-string banjo and an assortment of small percussion instruments.

When: 10:30 a.m.

Where: Moir Park, Bloomington Cost: FREE Info: tinyurl.com/lvthvjc

30 Tuesday Les Misérables ÎÎOpening night. Based on Victor Hugo’s classic novel, Les Misérables is an epic

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story about the survival of the human spirit. This legendary production includes the classic songs I Dreamed a Dream, On My Own, One Day More, and many others.

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Orpheum Theatre, Minneapolis Cost: $39 and up info: hennepintheatretrust.org or 800-982-2787

flamenco Para todos Î Family Fun Series: with Flamenco España When: 10:00 a.m.

Where: Caponi Art Park, Eagan Cost: FREE info: tinyurl.com/7aflfz8 or 651-454-9412

5/22/13 1:49 PM

31 WeDnesDaY Wendy’s Wiggle, Jiggle & Jam Î Enjoy a lunch time concert.

When: 11:00 a.m. to noon Where: The Shops at West End Arcade area, St. Louis Park Cost: FREE info: theshopsatwestend.com

les Misérables Î See description, Tuesday, July 30 When: 7:30 p.m. •

July 2013 39 Radio Disney MNP 0112 V6.indd 1

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40 July 2013

Go kids w Reconnecting

ith nature

By Kelly Jo McDonnell

M

y son has a fort. It’s wedged between two evergreens in our backyard, and houses such treasures as slabs of wood and other knick-knacks. An old green army tarp hung by bungee cords serves as a wall.

And while I sometimes sigh loudly at the amount of items that find their way into my son’s fort, I leave it alone. A few years ago my father told me that a boy’s fort in nature is his sanctuary and refuge. “Treat it as such,” he warned.

I would never argue that point, as my own childhood memories are steeped in the great outdoors. Many of the most cherished recollections I have involve either a vacation up north or my own fort nestled in a thicket. I want my son to have those memories, too, but I worry the experience won’t be the same. And I’m not the only parent thinking this. There is a growing disconnect between our kids and nature.

According to Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods and The Nature Principle, it’s a phenomenon—and not a

good one. It was Louv who first came up with the term, “Nature-deficit disorder” when his Last Child in the Woods book came out in 2005. His hypothesis is basically that people, especially children, are spending less time outdoors.

Why is this happening? The reasons are myriad, and a few, obvious. One I can relate to is “stranger danger,” or as Louv calls it in his book, the Bogeyman syndrome. “Fear is the most potent force that prevents parents from allowing their children the freedom they themselves enjoyed when they were young,” he explains. “Fear is the emotion that separates a developing child from the full, essential benefits of nature. Fear of traffic, of crime, of stranger-danger—and of nature itself.”

My boundaries growing up included the entire town. Admittedly, my son’s boundaries are tighter. In a 2002 survey by TNS Intersearch for American Demographics magazine, 56 percent of parents in the U.S. said that by the time they were 10

July 2013 41

years old they were allowed to walk or bike to school, but only 36 percent of those same parents said their own children should be allowed to do the same.

Restricted access

“

If, as a growing body of evidence recommends, contact with nature is as important to children as good nutrition and adequate sleep, then current trends in children’s access to nature need to be addressed.

—Richard Louv

42 July 2013

The loss of wild surroundings is another factor. In more and more cities and suburban neighborhoods, it can be tough to find green. But it’s worth looking for: a team study by researchers in Sweden, Australia, and the U.S. found that when children played in an environment dominated by play structures rather than natural elements, the kids established social hierarchy through physical competence. But by offering a grassy area with a few shrubs, and the kids engaged in more fantasy-style play, and their social standing became based less on physical abilities and more on language and creative skills. And a bonus: open play also provided greater opportunities for boys and girls to play together in egalitarian ways.

Even if you find a park or nature preserve, kids are seeing more restricted access. “Do not walk off the trail” one sign recently warned me at a neighborhood park. Everyone understands that the

natural environment must be protected, but Louv questions the cost of that protection in some instances, and the direct impact it has on a child’s relationship with nature. Even environmentalists and educators, he points out, say, “look but don’t touch.” But sometimes that’s the only way to learn, especially for kids.

And a third obvious cause, of course, is the increased draw to spend time inside looking at screens, including computer, video, and television. The average American child spends 44 hours a week with some form of electronic media.

The effects of this are sobering. Our kids have a limited respect for their natural surroundings. Louv points out that this will be an even bigger problem down the road. “An increasing pace in the last three decades, approximately, of a rapid disengagement between children and direct experiences in nature...has profound implications, not only for the health of future generations but for the health of the Earth itself.”

Then and now Research has shown that people who care about the earth now spent time in the natural world as children. GreenHeart

Education stresses that we owe it to our children to give them unmediated time in nature, so that, as one native elder explained, “the land will remember them.”

That is, they will feel grounded and have a sense of “home” that they care about.

Another impact of nature deficit may be the development of attention disorders.

Louv suggests that going outside and being in the quiet and calm can help kids. “It’s a problem because kids who don’t get nature-time seem more prone to anxiety, depression, and attention-deficit problems.”

As a mother of an ADHD son, this research is worth watching. Some tips include encouraging your child to play in outdoor green spaces, study or play in rooms with views of nature, or plant and care for gardens and trees at your place of residence.

Louv explains that although the impact of nature experiences on attention disorders and on wider aspects of child health is in its infancy and easily challenged, it’s not to be

Get outside!

Here are some fun ideas to get things going with the cause.

Got dirt? A truckload of dirt costs about the same as a video game, so how about buying a load and throwing in some plastic buckets and shovels?

Plant some native plants, or maintain a birdbath. Invite some native flora and fauna in your kid’s life.

Revive some older family traditions. Collect lightning bugs at dusk, and release them at dawn. Collect feathers or leaves. How about crawdadding? (Tie a piece of bacon on a string, and drop it into a creek or pond. Wait until a crawdad tugs.)

Encourage kids to go camping in the backyard. Put up a tent (you can rent them inexpensively through REI) or help them make a canvas tepee and leave it up all summer. (For some other great ideas, go to nwf.org.)

Tell your kids stories about your special childhood places in nature, then help them find their own. Encourage kids to build a fort, hut, or tree house.

Combine tech with nature and go digital—with nature photography that is. Digital cameras save money on film, and are decreasingly expensive.

Go on a moth walk. It sounds weird, but it’s worth it. Mix (in a blender) overripe fruit or wine, and blend in honey, sugar, or molasses. Go outside at sunset and spread the goop on a few trees or untreated wood. Go back when it’s dark, flashlight in hand, and see what you’ve lured. With luck, you’ll probably find moths, ants, earwigs, and other bugs.

It’s Minnesota, so in the winters build an igloo or snow cave, or go sledding, snow tubing, or snowshoeing. Stay outside!

brushed over. “Yes, more research is needed, but we do not have to wait for it. If, as a growing body of evidence recommends, contact with nature is as important to children as good nutrition and adequate sleep, then current trends in children’s access to nature need to be addressed.”

Childhood obesity is another issue, and about nine million children ranging in age from six to 11 are overweight or obese, according to The Institute of Medicine. It’s time for kids to move more, which means getting off the couch and heading outside and away from screen-time. Blogger Marc Bekoff of Psychology Today says it may be an uphill battle for parents, but “we need to rewild our children before it’s too late.”

While my generation may have been the first to experience Atari and MTV, we also played kick the can, fished in creeks, and had more free-roaming boundaries outside.

While some good works are already taking root, such as an environment-based education movement, a simple-living movement, and schoolyard greening, there’s always more work to be done.

With luck, our kids will realize their sense of purpose in this cause. After all, I can only hope that, someday, my son will want his own children to have an outdoor fort. A refuge, a sanctuary. Army tarp and all. •

Kelly Jo McDonnell is shown here with son, Hayden.

Photos by Cy Dodson

July 2013 43

TRAVELING WITH KIDS? Tips for taking flight 44 July 2013

lenda Haugen, a grandmother of four, loves flying with her grandchildren so much she’s done it three times. You read that right. She LOVES it. THREE times!

Haugen and her husband have even flown with their grandkids, who span ages between three to 12, internationally—to St. Maarten.

The long security lines don’t get her down. The salty assortment of in-flight snacks don’t bother her. Squishing into coach seats? No problem.

“It’s such a special one-on-one time with my grandchildren,” says Haugen, who owns My Best Friend’s Closet consignment boutique in Moorhead. “You can’t get that at home or on a visit to see them. There’s no TV. There are no real distractions. You can ask them questions and re-connect. It’s nice, quality time.”

Is she such a travel pro because she has lived through raising children, and is now onto spending time with her kid’s kids? Possibly.

So before you pack your bags (and possibly a bunch of diapers), check out Haugen’s—and a few other experts’—tips:

1. Reserve your seats ahead of time Haugen always makes a point to reserve seats for herself, her husband, and grandchildren when she purchases their tickets. “That way, we have a better chance of all sitting together,” she says.

“With six of us, I book an entire row so we can mix and mingle with each other if we want to.”

Reserving seats ahead of time also eliminates the chance that you’ll be seated separately (and with new booking practices, it happens more frequently than you might think).

2. Check-in online In addition to reserving your seats, be sure to check-in online as soon as the airline allows, advises Beth Blair of St. Paul, and author of Break into Travel Writing. “If you wait until the last minute or until you get to the airport the flight may be overbooked and you may or may not get seats.”

Checking in early also gives you an opportunity to pay for any luggage you may need to send to your destination and print your boarding passes. The less you have to do the actual day of travel, the better! on

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3. Board last Blair advocates being one of the last to get on the plane. “One benefit to preboarding is ensuring you have a place for your carry-on luggage in the overhead bins. But when you’re traveling

with children it’s best to wait until the last minute because then you’re not sitting on the plane for a half-hour with antsy children waiting for departure.”

Even better? If there are two adults traveling, have one pre-board and get settled (perhaps install the car seat?) then have the other person board with the child/children.

4. Pack plenty of food Back in the day, flight attendants used to be able to serve a lot of food but times have changed. “Sometimes all we have is peanuts, pretzels, and cookies,” says Tammy R., a veteran Delta flight attendant based in Minneapolis.

She recommends bringing plenty of snacks for the little ones but avoiding foods with lots of sugar (we’re talking to you, chocolate) or that are particularly messy (sorry again, chocolate). Packing plenty of food is especially important if you have a long day of travel ahead of you. The more connections you have, the more likely you are to stock up on costly airport fare. Having your own snacks on hand should keep the kids satisfied.

One caveat: on a recent Delta flight, Lila DeWolfe of St. Paul and her family were warned that persons with peanut allergies were onboard—and that passengers should put away any food that had trace nuts.

Passengers were also informed that only pretzels and cookies would be served on that flight—no peanuts. “To be safe,” DeWolfe mentions, “bring fruit and cheese or yogurt without the granola toppings on the

July 2013 45

off-chance you are on a long flight and your nutty snacks need to be 86’d.”

5. Bring a car seat The safest way for a child to fly is the same way they travel in a car—in a car/booster seat. “Until they can understand the seatbelt sign, I recommend bringing your car seat,” says Tammy. “They should be in their seat at least until the age of five.”

Most airlines allow infants and toddlers under two years old to sit on a lap so bringing a car seat means you’d have to buy your child his/her own ticket, which is costly. But it also frees you up from having to corral a squirmy toddler in your arms for hours at a time.

6. Bring a stroller If you’re worried about how to carry all that gear, Blair says to bring a stroller.

It’s useful if you’re passing through big airports with little children (and their tiny legs!). “Even if the children have lots of energy upon arriving and [they] want to walk, you can use the stroller to

Gonna fly now!

Especially if you are traveling during a holiday (such as the upcoming July 4th week), or if you haven’t flown for a while, take note of the following tips from the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport, for a smooth journey: Security screening • Remember the Transportation Security Administration’s 3–1–1 rule for non-exempt liquids in carry-on bags: you can only have 3-ounce bottles or less for all liquids, gels and aerosols; they should be placed in a one-quart-sized, clear, plastic, ziptop bag; only one such bag is allowed per passenger. Be sure to take your quart-sized bag of liquids out of your carry-on bags to be screened separately.

• Know your airline’s luggage weight and size restrictions. The charge for weight overages is insane crazy. For example, a bag one pound over the 50-pound limit will cost you $90 on a Delta flight. If over 71 pounds, it goes up to $175. American Airlines charges between $50 and $150.

• Save time at the airport: print your boarding pass at home.

Fun stuff • There are two children’s play areas at the MSP International airport. Terminal 1-Lindberg’s is in Concourse C by Gate C12.

Terminal 2-Humphrey is by Gate H6. In addition, several

46 July 2013

“kiddie rides” are available in Terminal 1’s Baggage Claim area by Door 6.

• You may also find works of art on display in Terminal 1-Lindbergh’s Concourse C gallery.

• Internet service is now free at MSP, so if you have time to kill at your gate, power up, log on and enjoy. You will find the newly renovated Concourse G near gate 2 filled to the brim with seating, each table with its own iPad for surfing, ordering food, and boarding alerts while waiting for a flight.

Parking & information There is ample parking at both terminals during the holidays.

However, cost-conscious travelers can save $6 per day, compared with general parking at Terminal 1-Lindbergh, by parking in MSP Value Parking at Terminal 2-Humphrey. The ramp is directly adjacent to light rail, which passengers can ride for free between terminals.

For more information about airport amenities, including fullservice restaurant menus, airport accessibility, and family services, visit mspairport.com or download MSP’s official mobile app, FlySmart. Also, MSP Airport customer information associates are available 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. every day—including holidays—by calling 612-726-5555 or dialing 201 from any Airport Assistance telephone.

—Kathleen Stoehr

push your carry-on bags [or that car seat],” says Blair.

about bombs, or to make jokes,” she says.

“I’ve found that if they know that ahead of time they will wait patiently. Having a Nintendo DS doesn’t hurt, either!”

7. Give it a wipe Seat belt clips. Arm rests. Tray clasps.

Window shades. “A lot of that stuff doesn’t ever get cleaned,” discloses Tammy. “I bring my own antibacterial wipes.”

She says once the kids are settled, wipe down all surfaces they might touch. Then give each child their own wipe to clean their hands. Finally, give your own hands a swipe.

8. outlines rules or acceptable behavior before the flight When Haugen flies internationally with her grandchildren she takes the time to explain the customs procedure and how she wants the kids to behave. “I tell them that there will be very long lines and that they are not to say anything weird, like

childcare/education 47-48 party pages 49 • retail 49

need to be expensive, but should be new to the kids. You can stock up on plenty of fun stuff at the local dollar store.

10. obey the seatbelt sign

9. Keep them busy Tablets. DVD players. Nintendo DS. You can be overwhelmed just thinking of the electronics available to keep kids busy on flights. But do you really need them?

The answer is yes. And no.

“Entertainment needs to be planned out while keeping the length of the flight in mind,” advises Blair.

She uses this rule of thumb: there needs to be an activity for every 15 minutes of flight time depending upon the age of the child and their attention span.

Books, stickers, coloring books, word searches, and toys such as mini dolls or animals that allow them to use their imagination are all safe bets. They don’t

This can be a difficult tip to follow. If you’re in the middle of a long flight and your cranky three-year-old daughter is squirming and whining, you might think about getting up and letting her walk the aisles (if the seatbelt sign is off) to burn off some steam. Don’t, says Blair. “I’ve seen children get very hurt when walking through the cabin and the plane hits unexpected turbulence.”

However, sometimes a bathroom trip is unavoidable. If your child is little, please hold their hand or carry them. And remember, if they’re potty training, take them to the bathroom mid-flight and before you start to descend!

Happy, safe, fun flying!

• home 48 • miscellaneous 48 • new & expecting moms 48

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Real Life I really want to create wonderful memories for families and to have an influence on the kids who see us perform. I hope they feel inspired to play, imagine, write, and be themselves.

story be given to them. They stand, they argue with you, they tell you what to do next, where to go, and occasionally try to get up on the stage!

I’m guessing you have some favorite memories in which kids in the audience have interrupted the show?

Autumn: I’ve had kids take me by the hand and start to tell the story the way they want it told. I’ve had them wander in behind me and take my props!

Reed: During How the Grinch Stole Christmas there was a young fellow who interrupted one of my mean and nasty “Grinchy” moments by shouting “Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!” as loudly and as slowly as humanly possible.

It brought the show to a screeching halt but delighted the audience and managed to bring a big ol’ smile to this Grinch’s face.

I’d love to hear about some of your own first memories of the theater experience, and also a comment on how you feel

real parents

Autumn Ness and Reed Sigmund If you have ever been to the Children’s Theatre, you will surely recognize Autumn Ness and Reed Sigmund, both members of CTC’s acting company, most recently seen in Alice in Wonderland. But additionally, they have their own company—a Q&A marriage that also includes Can you talk about the experience of performing for children, versus adults? son, Sawyer, and a new The energy you receive from the audience member, born in July after has to be very different.

Autumn: The process of creating a show is the same, no matter what the age group. this issue of Minnesota [But] the audience’s response to that work, Parent went to press. when you have a house full of kids—that’s —Kathleen Stoehr

50 July 2013

the different part! They are not satisfied to sit with their hands in their laps and let the

about being an influence on the creative lives of children.

Reed: My first theatrical memory is of my mom taking me to see The Wizard of Oz in Fargo, where I grew up. Afterward, I got to meet the actors, which was so thrilling to me. It’s 30 years later and I still remember that moment. I always think of that when we greet our audience after a show. I really want to create wonderful memories for families and to have an influence on the kids who see us perform.

I hope they feel inspired to play, imagine, write, and be themselves.

Autumn: All of my first theater memories are from the Children’s Theatre! My family came to see The Little Match Girl and that show has the tragic ending of the little girl freezing in the snow. I made my family wait until everyone was gone, because I was sure the girl would come back out if we just waited. I remember seeing A Midsummer Nights Dream at around nine years old and laughing my head off— Shakespeare at nine! I saw Cinderella, Dracula, all those shows made me turn to my parents and say, “I could do that!”

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