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VOLUME 9 · ISSUE 5 MAY
WHITE SPACE: Your secret power
2018
Memorial Day Run Benefits the Center for Childhood Deafness, Language and Learning.
Kids’ Fun Run
1-Mile Walk/Run
5-Mile Walk/Run
Enjoy a walk or run through historic Boys Town and learn how you are making a difference in the lives of children who are deaf and hard of hearing.
May 28, 2018 Register online at MemorialDayRun.org or call 402-498-6729 for more information. Presented by:
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Offer expires May 16, 2018
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THE
SCREAMING EAGLE
ZIP LINE
t. Crescent Ski Area
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the
Discover foreign languages!
Dabble in the arts!
Work your muscles!
Code, animate, design!
Experience And More!
Camp dates: June 4-29; July 30 - August 10 400 N. Happy Hollow Blvd. • 402.556.3772
brownell.edu/camps
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THE BEST PLACE FOR KIDS.
Levi & Dylan, age 4 Pulmonary Atresia
Visit ChildrensOmaha.org for more information on how we can help your child. For a pediatrician, family physician or pediatric specialist, call 1.800.833.3100.
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2018-2019 Caterpillar
Member Shows
THE
Very Hungry
&
R.L. Stine’s
THE MUSICAL
Other Eric Carle Favorites
The Phantom of the Auditorium
the
Return to
Doll Maker'
GIFT
Winnie Pooh Dragons Love Tacos the th
ß
ß
ß
ß
ß
ef
RoALD DAHL's
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Premium Show
$
105
THE MUSICAL Premium Show
THAT’S 28 TICKETS! (Additional packages available for larger families.)
Membership Mem mbeership is the best way to enjoy everything ng The Rose has tto oo offer. ffer Rose members receive access to seven regular season shows for one low price. That’s seven times to stop and laugh together with your child. Seven times to experience the awe and wonder of theater. Seven times to make memories together as a family — memories that will last a lifetime.
Memberships on sale now.
JOIN TODAY! 2001 Farnam Street (402) 345-4849 www.rosetheater.org 2088463-01
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BAND
CHEER
Middle School Concert Band Retreat
May 31 - June 1
Ages 4 - 13
Middle School Marching Band Clinic
June 4 - 8
DANCE
BASKETBALL
June 4 - 8
Pre-K - Grade 6
June 13 - 15
Boys: Grades 4 - 8
June 18 - 21
FOOTBALL
Girls: Grades 2 - 8
June 11 - 14
Quarterback Camp: Grades 7 - 9
SOCCER
June 18 - 20
SHOW CHOIR
Boys: Grades 1 - 8
June 11 - 14
Grades 3 - 8
Girls: Grades 1 - 8
June 25 - 28
WRESTLING
VOLLEYBALL
Ages 5 - 12
Girls: Middle School
June 5 - 8
BASEBALL
Girls: Grades 3 - 5
June 11 - 14
Boys: Ages 8 - 14
Girls: Grades K - 2
June 11 - 14
SOFTBALL
Boys Sand Volleyball Clinic: Grades 3 - 8
June 15
Girls: Ages 8 - 14
May 29 - 30 June 13 - 15 June 11 - 13 June 5 - 7
BASKETBALL | BASEBALL | CHEER | DANCE | FOOTBALL | SHOW CHOIR | SOFTBALL | SOCCER | VOLLEYBALL | BAND | BASKETBALL | BASEBALL
FOOTBALL | SHOW CHOIR | SOFTBALL | SOCCER | VOLLEYBALL | BAND | BASKETBALL | BASEBALL | CHEER | DANCE | FOOTBALL | SHOW CHOIR
MAKING A DIFFERENCE SINCE 1993 2088479-01
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HEIDI THORSON
CONTENTS
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REAL MOMS + ADVICE
SEASONAL
8 Editor’s Column 10 On Our Radar 12 Momaha Bookshelf 22 Sit. Think. Reset. 26 Get Organized 30 Be Well
16 DIY Felt Flowers 18 DIY Apron 20 DIY Steppingstones 28 Graduation Party Ideas 32 Seven Layer Dip Cake
SPONSORED FEATURES 14 YMCA: Water Safety 24 Mother’s Day Gift Guide
momaha where moms connect VOLUME 9 . ISSUE 5 . MAY 2018 editor in chief CHRIS CHRISTEN chris.christen@owh.com 402-444-1094
creative director + designer HEIDI THORSON hthorson@owh.com 402-444-1351
copy editor SHELLEY LARSEN shelley.larsen@owh.com 402-444-1143
Move & Groove at a
Trolls Themed Mini Camp
Baton, Pom, Dance & Tumbling
JUNE 4TH - 7TH 8:30 AM - 12 PM COST IS $125
assistant editor MARJIE DUCEY marjie.ducey@owh.com 402-444-1034
momaha.com editor ASHLEE COFFEY ashlee.coffey@owh.com 402-444-1075
production coordinator
REGISTER ONLINE AT:
sstepperettestudios.com SPACE IS LIMITED
PAT R I C I A “ M U R P H Y ” B E N O I T
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content contributors KILEY CRUSE SASHA K. SHILLCUTT AMY TOKOS BETSY VON KERENS H E AT H E R W I N K E L ADRIENNE ZUECK C H R I S T I N E Z U E C K- W AT K I N S
Join us for a summer of
cover photo HEIDI THORSON
account manager L AURE N KRUGE R lauren.kruger@owh.com 402-444-1261
account executive G AY L I D D E L L gay.liddell@owh.com 402-444-1489
EXPLORE and G R O W
Summer Adventure Camps at Lauritzen Gardens provide exciting opportunities for children ages 4-12 to connect to nature and foster an appreciation for the environment through direct experiences with the natural world. Visit lauritzengardens.org for details.
account executive E M I LY M A R T I N emily.martin@owh.com 402-444-1411
account executive MICHAEL MEDRANO michael.medrano@owh.com 402-444-1209 Momaha Magazine is a monthly publication of the Omaha World-Herald, 1314 Douglas St., Suite 700, Omaha, NE 68102. Momaha is a registered trademark, and all content is copyright 2018 by the Omaha World-Herald. All rights reserved. The opinions and perspectives published herein are those of the authors and should not be construed as those of Momaha Magazine.
OUTDOOR E ADVENTUR
THE MORE YOU
EXPLORE
THE MORE YOU
SAVE
• Buy one week of camp at regular price, get 10% off the second week • Buy two weeks of camp at regular price, get 50% off the third week
FUN THEMES • FLEXIBLE SCHEDULING OPPORTUNITIES FOR DISCOVERY 100 Bancroft Street, Omaha (402) 346-4002, ext. 253
www.lauritzengardens.org 2074823-01
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MOMAHA.COM EDITOR // ASHLEE COFFEY Wife to Kevin Coffey, music critic for the Omaha World-Herald. Mom to Sam and Elliott. Follow her on Twitter: @AshleeCoffeyOWH
MAY IS FOR MOMS
G
rowing up, I always associated the month of May with “mom.” I still do. After all, we celebrate Mother’s Day (May 13), and it’s such a pretty month, full of blooming flowers. Last year on Mother’s Day, I woke up to a beautiful bouquet of flowers on my table. The flowers smelled amazing, and Sam, then 3, was so proud that he had helped pick them out at the store. The year before, he helped make my gift – a flower pot that held colorful flowers. Our day care provider had dipped Sam’s feet into paint and pressed them side-by-side on the clay pot to form a cute little butterfly.
I still have that pot. If you’re looking for the perfect gift for that special mom in your life, check out our sponsored gift guide, page 24. One DIY idea I particularly like (hint, hint) is a steppingstone for the garden. Find our step-by-step instructions, page 20. And moms, you know that day of pampering you’ve been dreaming about? Just do it! Moms work hard, and we’re needed 24/7. So don’t feel guilty about taking a few hours to get your hair or nails done, get a facial or even see two movies back-to-back. You deserve it. See proof, page 22. Happy Mother’s Day to all you moms out there!
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ON OUR RADAR // EDITOR’S PICKS New and Momaha-tested too!
THINGS TO TRY THIS MONTH
SWEETEN THE DEAL These chocolate, nut and date concoctions from Chocodate never made it out of the office. A favorite among the four flavors of European chocolates that are gluten-free, non-GMO and packed with protein was the date variety stuffed with an almond, covered in Belgian chocolate and lightly dusted with coconut. Yummy! $7 to $10 a bag, Chocodate.com
FRY IT UP The Krups double basket deep fryer is easy to use and clean. Our reviewer thought it was perfect for a small family. It worked great for making doughnuts. When cooking frozen items, the temperature dropped and she needed to double the recommended time on the packaging for good, crisp fries and onion rings. But the results were excellent. The disadvantage is that there is no drain for the oil. $59.99, target.com SWEAT MORE Our yoga partners loved these colorful Leus yoga towels, made of suede microfiber with an antimicrobial coating. The thick watermelon edition was super soft, one said, and made her yoga mat extra comfortable. The towel stayed in place and hands and feet did, too. The towels, designed to be super absorbent, are the perfect solution to sweating it out. $39.99, Leustowels.com 10
BLOOM Looking for the perfect present for your mother for Mother’s Day? This adorable necklace made our reviewer, who loves flowers, melt when she read the message on the back: “You make me bloom.’’ The sterling silver piece, accented with gold, has the word “mom” and a blooming flower embossed on the front side. Available with a sterling silver or a 14-karat gold-filled chain. $68, isabellegracejewelry.com
LAST LONGER Our tester rarely is caught without lip color – even at home. So her eyes lit up when samples of Aussie brand Mirenesse’s new matte lip rouge fell into her hands. The Mattfinity collection won high marks for long-lasting color and creamy, moisturizing texture. The contoured sponge-tip applicator got a thumbs-up for delivering even color across her lips. Best of all: no embarrassing color stain on her coffee cup! About $29 each, mirenesse.com
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Top-sellers for moms looking for a book they can’t put down COMPILED by Betsy Von Kerens, The Bookworm
THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW
A.J. Finn It’s been 10 long months since she left her house, and Anna Fox spends her days drinking wine, watching old movies and spying on her neighbors. But when new neighbors move in, and she sees something she shouldn’t, Anna’s world begins to crumble. Full of twists and turns and as one reviewer said, “Creaking with menace.’’ We couldn’t put it down.
THE IMMORTALISTS
Chloe Benjamin It’s 1969 in New York City’s Lower East Side, and word has spread of the arrival of a mystical woman who claims to be able to tell anyone the day they will die. The Gold children sneak out to hear their fortunes, and their prophecies form their next five decades. The book is divided into four parts, one for each life of a sibling, with interesting themes about fate and destiny.
THE GREAT ALONE
Kristin Hannah Ernt Albright returns home scarred from the Vietnam War and looks for a fresh start in the Alaskan frontier. Things don’t go well in a land where the family is warned that you can survive one mistake but not a second. Wife Cora and daughter Leni learn that dangers lurk not only in the wilderness but also behind closed doors. A great ride, one reader said, full of ups and downs. “But so good.’’
AN AMERICAN MARRIAGE
Tayari Jones Newlyweds Celestial and Roy embody both the American Dream and the New South. But as they settle into their life, they are ripped apart by circumstances neither could have imagined. Roy is sentenced to 12 years for a crime Celestial knows he didn’t commit. She finds comfort in Andre, her childhood friend. After five years, Roy’s conviction is overturned, and he returns to Atlanta ready to resume their life together.
I’VE BEEN THINKING
Maria Shriver As a woman juggling many roles, Shriver knows just how surprising, unpredictable and stressful everyday life can be. She shares inspiring quotes, prayers and reflections designed to get readers thinking, feeling, laughing on their own journey to what she calls The Open Field – a place of acceptance, purpose, passion and joy. Ideal for anyone at any point in her life.
SOME NEWER TITLES THAT VON KERENS RECOMMENDS: Tangerine, Christine Mangan; Alternate Side, Anna Quindlen; I Was Anastasia, Ariel Lawhon; The Punishment She Deserves, Elizabeth George; Sometimes I Lie, Alice Feeney
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SAVE
$100
CHECK OUT Momaha.com & the Momaha Newsletter for more informationon programs to help students with ADHD succeed DOCTOR TESTIMONIAL: Huntington’s approach helps all kids get great results and with their specialized ADHD teacher training and use of evidence-based ADHD teaching techniques, they are a phenomenal option for meeting the unique needs of kids with this diagnosis. By tailoring their instruction for each child, they build the academic skills, executive functioning, focus and confidence that make a lasting difference. - Dr. Mary Rooney, Clinical Psychologist specializing in ADHD
OMAHA 546 North 155th Plaza Pepperwood Village Omaha, NE 68135 402-884-4407
MILLARD 17935 Welch Plaza Bay #6 Omaha, NE 68135 402-934-7909 2042837-01
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SPONSORED FEATURE // YMCA OF GREATER OMAHA
ARE YOUR KIDS SWIM READY? YMCA program helps keep them safe TEXT Mike Watkins
J
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE YMCA OF GREATER OMAHA
osh Breeden gets to do a lot of fun things as aquatics director for the YMCA of Greater Omaha. But the activity he enjoys most also is a pillar of the YMCA’s Youth Development Program. Breeden teaches kids how to be safe in and around the water. “Water is a great, amazing thing to play in, but in a moment, it can be deadly and unforgiving,” he notes. “Every child who learns water-safety skills is one less swimmer who is at risk of drowning.” But Breeden’s concern as a certified lifeguard and swim instructor runs deeper. “Everyone, and I mean everyone – young and old – needs to know how to swim,” he stresses. Water safety is an integral part of the mission of the YMCA of Greater Omaha, Breeden says. But more than being a premier destination for youth to learn to swim, the YMCA champions water safety as a social responsibility for healthy living. Earlier this year, the YMCA updated its Learn to Swim program in both practice and language to offer simple yet comprehensive teaching that goes handin-hand with making sure safety – and fun – remain at the core of the swimming curriculum. “Water safety is more than just knowing how to swim,” Breeden explains. “It involves knowing about heat-related
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concerns and how to respond to them. It’s about safe habits around pools and what you should or shouldn’t bring with you when you swim. Like no glass near a pool – ever.” A sampling of facts from the Learn to Swim handbook: • All YMCA swim instructors must complete 14 hours of certification before they are allowed to take over a class. • The most dangerous time for young children is when they first arrive at a pool. Their instinct is to dive right in. The YMCA’s program teaches them to wait and ask permission before entering the water. • Swim Float Swim techniques can keep children from panicking if they’re in over their heads and can’t catch their breath in the water. Kids learn how to float or rest in the water between strokes to get to safety. • Jump Push Turn Grab skills reinforce to children that the pool wall is a stable, safe place. Climbing out of a pool can be a challenge for a young swimmer; this exercise makes it lifesaving. • Swimmers age 18 and younger must wear a wristband that signifies their swimming skill level. A Deep End Test
is required for swimming in water 4 feet or deeper or using features such as water slides. Those who pass receive a green band for access to that area of the pool. Children who have not taken and passed the Deep End Test are required to wear a red wristband and stay in the shallow end. • Children age 7 and younger must have an adult in the water and within an arm’s reach at all times. “Knowing how to swim is a life skill; it’s something you carry with you,” Breeden says. “Through education of both swimmers and their parents, we can help make the pool a fun, safe place for families to spend their time.” The YMCA takes several steps to make sure everyone is safe and educated, echoes Ben Novak, aquatics manager at the Southwest YMCA. “The Y recently celebrated 150 years in Omaha, and as an organization has led the nation in water safety education throughout its lifetime,’’ Novak says. “The Y does a great job of trying to include everyone in its programming. We have a scholarship program for those who may not be able to afford swim lessons.” Learn more at metroymca.org
May is National Water Safety Month
SKILLS THAT SAVE LIVES
YMCA Swim Lessons - 1st Summer Session
Session Dates: May 6-June 30
REGISTER NOW ONLINE OR AT ANY YMCA!
We’ve updated our swim lesson curriculum in 2018! Water safety is a key focus in every lesson for all ages; building stronger and safer swimmers! Learn more online about our updated lessons and sign up today!
YMCA OF GREATER OMAHA • www.metroymca.org 2088456-01
Summer Discovery Days May 29-August 3rd, 2018 • 12 one week sessions Omaha Christian Academy’s Summer Program is offering an exciting summer filled with Christ-centered instruction, outdoor fun, creative & stimulating indoor activities and projects, swimming, new friends and more.
To sign up, contact the school office at 402-399-9565 15
HEARTFELT PETALS This may be the least-expensive, longest-lasting rose bouquet ever to be delivered. PHOTOGRAPHY + STYLING Heidi Thorson
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1.
2.
INSTRUCTIONS 9 x 12 felt sheet, 1 per bloom, in color(s) of your choice 9 x 12 felt sheet in green for leaves Low-temp glue gun Hot-glue sticks Scissors Small pom-poms Floral wire
3.
4.
5.
6.
1. Begin by cutting felt circles for your rose. You'll need one 4" circle, four 3" circles and five or six 2" circles. 2. Cut the 4" circle into a spiral. Starting from center, roll the spiral to form the middle of the rose; use hot glue to secure the shape at sides and bottom. 3. On each 3" and 2" circle, cut slits at 5, 6 and 7 o'clock. Overlap the edges of each slit and add hot glue to hold the shape of the petal you've just formed. 4. With hot glue, attach the first layer of small petals around your center spiral; then anchor the larger petals to build out the bloom. Crown the center of the rose with a pom-pom. 5. Cut rose leaf shapes from green felt 6. Use hot glue to secure the bloom and leaves to floral wire. Arrange in a vase and enjoy your everlasting bouquet!
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Featured: Stitch 'Em Up Classic Apron by Aunt Martha's, $5.99, Joann's Fabrics
DIY APRON FOR MOM Cook up a design and color away
TEXT Chris Christen STYLING Adrienne Zueck PHOTOGRAPHY Christine Zueck-Watkins
INSTRUCTIONS 1 white canvas apron Paper (to protect work surface) Pencil for tracing Permanent markers Alternative: tea towel
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1. Spread paper or other protective layer on table. 2. Lay apron flat within work area. 3. Using a pencil, lightly draw design on the fabric. 4. Color in the design with permanent markers (we used Sharpies). 5. When ink is dry, lay apron designside down on ironing board and press fabric with iron on low heat setting to remove any wrinkles. 6. Wrap apron as a gift (idea: roll it on a new rolling pin and tie with ribbon), attach a homemade card and present to Mom on Mother's Day as a thank you for all those great meals she prepares for the family.
Performing arts camps & classes
Many performance opportunities One-week & multi-week camps available Camps for ages 4-18, beginners to advanced
2 010-01 2071 2071010-01
Summer Reading Program June 1–July 31, 2018 Presented by the
Richard brooke Foundation
Kids, teens & adults read to receive great prizes!
Kick-off Parties
Fri | May 25 | 10 AM–12:30 PM W. Dale Clark Main Library
Sat | May 26 | 1–3 PM All other locations
Visit omahalibrary.org to learn more & register.
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2018 Jr.
Golf Programs P
Leagues, Clinics, Play Days & Team Golf
SNAG is the first step of the pathway for all players new to the game. We provide all the equipment to make that first step fun. Tues. June 5th to July 3rd, 10-11 AM, Wed. May 30th to June 27th 9:30-10:30 AM & July 11th to Aug. 8th 9:30-10:30AM Wed. May 30th to June 27th 11AM-12N or July 11th to Snag Level 2 Aug. 11AM-12N Aug g. 88th th 11A 11AM-1 M-112N 2 Building off the skills learned in Level 1 we continue to use the FUNdementals of Starting New At Golf. In Level 2 we introduce our SNAG golf course, on-course skill building and of course Safety. This program is designed to work on conjunction with those players who have graduated from SNAG 1. For beginning golfers with limited golf experience. Each session development camp will consist of golf swing instructions, activities and on course skill building. July 12 - Aug. 9th / June 6th - Aug. 15th 8:00-9:30 AM For experienced to advanced golfers. Wed. June 7th - Aug. 9th / Instructional league 8AM to 11:00AM. 45 minutes of instructions and activities with on course play each week.
Snag Golf 5-8 yrs
steppingstone KEEPSAKE A quick and creative way to a mother's heart TEXT + PHOTOGRAPHY Heather Winkel
Hey, dads and kids! Here's a Mother's Day craft idea. Surprise Mom with a keepsake steppingstone for the garden. Remember to date and sign your work (with your initials or thumbprints clustered in a heart shape).
INSTRUCTIONS 8-pound box steppingstone mix or quick-mix concrete Water Steppingstone mold, plastic pie pan or plant saucer (one mold per stone)
Bucket or pail Paint stirrer Tiles, marbles, stones, shells or other embellishments
1. Using a bucket and paint stirrer, mix concrete and water according to package directions. The cement should be the consistency of sour cream. 2. Scoop cement into mold and gently tap the outside of the mold to remove air bubbles and even out the mixture. Use a paint stirrer to finish smoothing the top layer. 3. Once smooth you’ll have about an hour to decorate. Press tiles, marbles, stones, shells, etc., into the cement, submerging embellishments so they are flush with the top of the cement. If you’re decorating with hand prints or lettering, let stone set for 30 minutes before making indentations. 4. Once your design is finished, use a damp rag to remove cement smudges on embellishments. 5. Allow cement to dry undisturbed for 48 hours, then remove steppingstone from mold. Wrap for an unveiling by mom or place directly in the garden.
TENNIS summer tennis program
Preschool–High School. Summer long weekly programs in safe, fun, high energy climate controlled environment. Taught by USPTA instructors. Call for Dates and Times.
registration
miraclehillgolf.com 402-498-02202086933-01 Open to m em bers & Non m em bers!
June - August • Weekly • K-8TH GRADES
SUMMER
camps Day Camps
Premiere Camps
sport Camps
Register today at www.jccomaha.org
333 S. 132nd St. | Omaha, NE 68154 | 402-334-6426
2082136-01
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SIT. THINK. RESeT. How one mom finds the energy to 'do it all' TEXT Sasha K. Shillcutt, MD, MS
A
s a mother and a physician, the question I get asked most by other women is this: “How do you accomplish all that you do and raise a family at the same time?” Women want to know how I balance a full-time job and kids. I don’t have a group of minions doing work for me. I empty the dishwasher. I pay bills. I run to the store on my way home because we run out of laundry detergent. The truth is, I don’t have it all figured out. But there is one secret I share: the power of what I call "white space." When we are trying to balance our jobs, our families, our relationships, our friendships, our health all while trying to fit into a pair of skinny jeans, it’s really easy for our day to fill with a million things and yet somehow leave us feeling like we have accomplished nothing. Sound familiar? Emails. Phone calls. Texts. Questions from colleagues. A knock on the door. A birthday card to send. A garage that needs sweeping. A flight to book. A dental appointment. A dishwasher that needs emptying. Mail that needs sorting. There will always be a million things to do. One way that I am able to juggle a million things may seem very coun-
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terintuitive to you. Here it is: Every Sunday I take 10 minutes, look at the coming week and find one to two hours of space for me. In this space, I block out time to read, rest, get a pedicure, write, organize something I’ve been putting off, shop, but most of all, think. I call this time "white space." So often we fail to give ourselves time. We don’t make decisions, or we make hurried ones because we don’t have time to think them through. We put off our dreams or interests because we don’t take the time to process and plan for them. White space allows me to feel human again – and to feel like an individual. Not a mom, not a doctor, but a person. White space allows me to recharge and find the energy to go back out there and slay again. When women tell me how busy and overwhelmed they are, this is my suggestion: “You need one to two hours a week to sit, think and rest.'' They look at me like I am nuts. Ask yourself this: What would you tell a friend who was overwhelmed with life and stressed? You would likely tell her to take some things off her plate and find time to recharge. White space is no different from taking vitamins or putting on sunscreen.
For me, it’s preventative, important and life-saving. It allows me to recharge and be the best mom I can be for my little people. I don’t answer my phone or texts or emails during my white space. If I did, I’d get nothing written, created, thought through or accomplished. I’m off the grid, and it’s delicious and wonderful. I don’t know a woman who wouldn’t benefit from some white space in her week, nor do I know any women who aren’t deserving of white space. We care for so many people; let’s not forget to care for ourselves.
Dr. Sasha Shillcutt is a cardiac anesthesiologist and mother of four. You can follow her blog at www.becomebraveenough.com
SWIM
INTO
SPRING
REGISTER NOW FOR ONCE-A-WEEK SWIM LESSONS AGES 6 MOS. & OLDER.
The Omaha World-Herald’s home and lifestyle magazine. To start your Sunday subscription, call 402-348-3363 or email circulationcustomerservice@owh.com inspiredlivingomaha.com
MORNING, AFTERNOON, EVENING & SAT. MORNING
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SUMMER CAMPS ENROLLING NOW MAKE THEIR SUMMERS ELECTRIFYING 402-691-8875 Omaha@SchoolofRock.com www.schoolofrock.com 2076603-01
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s e i P Mud TODAY!
Mud Pies is a relaxed, drop-in-and-play program that encourages interaction between adult and child. Each week, a natural science topic is explored through station-based activities, free play, and a guided walk. Come discover the joy of sharing nature with your child! Mon-Thurs from 9:30-11:30 am at Fontenelle Forest $3 per child for members | $5 per child with admission.
OPEN DAILY FROM 8-5
WWW.FONTENELLEFOREST.ORG 2088450-01
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GET ORGANIZED // AMY TOKOS Amy Tokos is a Certified Professional Organizer and the owner of Freshly Organized. You can find more organizing tips at freshlyorganized.com.
GRADUATION PARTY PLANNING 101 What nobody tells you until it's too late
M
ay brings a flurry of graduation parties. They are always fun to attend but sometimes can be overwhelming to plan. The key is to prep early for the event, so your senior is honored and everyone, including you, gets to enjoy the celebration.
FALL PREP This may seem early, but fall is the time to begin gathering items to display at your spring party. Senior pictures are best done in the fall or earlier. Begin gathering photos and thinking how you might display them. Will you put together a slideshow or a table display? Include awards and certificates that are meaningful along with items that represent your graduate. Set aside a place in a closet or storage area for the items you gather. Collect party ideas. Pinterest is a wonderful resource. Pin ideas that are fun, fit your budget and timeline, and would be easy for you to pull off. Begin building your invite list. An early start will help you remember everyone who should be included. Don’t forget your child’s special teachers.
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If you are hosting the party at home, list any repairs or improvements you want or need to make. Fall is a great time to start getting the house ready and scheduling contractors for winter work.
WINTER PREP Now is the time to narrow down your ideas for a great grad party. Discuss theme, time, menu, displays, etc. Listen to your graduate about his or her preferences. After you have a time, date and plan for the party, start making reservations. Do you need tables and chairs? Possibly a tent? Are you catering or cooking? If you’re catering, get your party on the supplier’s calendar. With the time and date pinned down, you can create your graduation party invites. Prior to ordering, review the invite list with your graduate. There likely will be some additions. Plus, order extras for your child to share with friends at school.
SPRING PREP It's time to purchase paper products, tablecloths and other party goods.
Start creating your grocery and food prep plan. Keep in mind, you won’t have a solid guest count. Kids invite kids and depending on your child, the verbal invite could go out to a lot of kids. This can be a challenge, but the good news is that most kids will not come hungry. They are going from one grad party to the next and typically pop in to parties for short amounts of time. There will be lots of grazing and not so many full plates. So be sure to have a plan for leftovers! Line up help for the day of the party. As the parent of the graduate, guests will want to visit with you. Keep yourself free to enjoy the party.
GRADUATE PREP What will the graduate wear for the party? Where will the graduate be stationed in the house? (Giving them a “station” to greet guests will guarantee that they connect with everyone.) How long should the graduate plan to stay at his or her station? When will the graduate open gifts? And what's the timeline for sending thank-yous?
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20 BRILLIANT GRADUATION PARTY IDEAS
Your student – and guests – will thank you
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If you are expecting a big crowd, invite the graduate’s family for the first two hours and friends for the last two. That way the graduate can socialize with everyone and not be restricted to catching up with just one group.
For a guest book, post your graduate’s picture on 12-by-12-inch poster board and have people sign around the photo. Or ask guests to sign a globe. One graduate incorporated her favorite Jenga and had guests sign game pieces.
4 Incorporate family traditions. One family had an aunt who drove a school bus. So at the always-large family gatherings to celebrate graduations, a ride through the countryside in a school bus became tradition. "I miss that bus,'' a family member pines.
STORY Marjie Ducey & Kiley Cruse
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s May arrives, graduation parties sprout like flowers. They can range from the most simple for just a few friends and family to elaborate theme-inspired events. Here are ideas to get the creative juices flowing.
1 Families don’t always have the space to host a big party at home. One couple who was leaving town had a college graduation and goodbye party at the North Omaha Airport. They brought in a taco truck and hired a band. A friend was a sky diver, so he "jumped in.'' Many restaurants, apartment complexes and health clubs have party rooms, or you could even consider a city park pavilion.
2 Money is always a favorite gift. Just to make it stand out, this giver adds cents to her total to match the year. So, this spring it would be $20.18.
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5 Some graduates don’t like to be put on the spot. So, one youngster included a list of Top 10 questions a graduate is asked as part of his party décor. It included answers to all the pertinent questions such as: Where are you going to college, what is your major, do you plan to study abroad, and what are you doing this summer?
6 Do you have an athlete who played a sport throughout high school? Put the grad's jersey number on cupcakes or decorate a cake with motifs of the sports he or she played. Showcase a letter jacket and other awards. One soccer player used a soccer net to pin cards and graduation items. If you want to look ahead, decorate with colors, mascots and other items representing the athlete's future college.
8 Pinterest is your friend. One of our favorite ideas calls for a 3-D cardboard letter, photos and Mod Podge. Cut out photos and decoupage them to the letter. The finished product is perfect for displaying in a new dorm room.
9 One parent gave all of her teen’s friends a post card to send to her after they started college. It was good for a dozen homemade chocolate chip cookies.
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Tony Constantino, owner of Mangia Italiana, does a lot of catering for graduation parties and says the high school events seem to be getting bigger every year. His tip? You don't have to purchase a complete dinner for your guests. And if you are planning for 150 people, order food for 75 to 100 unless you know that your guests will be there for the entire event. "Most people are going to so many parties,'' he explains. "You don't need to feed them an entire meal.''
A shower kit with a simple white towel with her name embroidered on it was one graduate’s favorite present. Years later, the towel is still in use in her gym bag.
Candy bars are all the rage. Pair your grad's favorite candies in mini buckets with cute sayings. Put Smarties with a sign that says, “Congratulations, smartie pants, you did it!” or “So long, suckers!” with Tootsie Pops. You get the idea.
11 Give sturdy plastic buckets filled with dorm survival goodies like a flashlight, tissues and toiletries. The possibilities are endless. Or opt for a sturdy square plastic container with a lid that once emptied can be used for storage.
13 Graduation books can range from inspirational to practical. Quick and easy cookbooks, like the five-ingredient "College Cookbook," can really come in handy. Other recommendations from Betsy Von Kerens at The Bookworm: • "Congratulations, By the Way," George Saunders • "Make Your Bed," William McRaven • "Adulting: How to Become a GrownUp in 535 Easy(ish) Steps," Kelly Williams Brown • "You Are Not Special....and Other Encouragements," David McCullough Jr. • "Advice From My 80-Year-Old Self," Susan O'Malley • "Money Rules: The Simple Path to Lifelong Security," Jean Chatzky • "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" Dr. Seuss
17 Pulled pork was his most popular party selection last year, says Mike Carlin, assistant kitchen manager and caterer at Hy-Vee at 180th and Q Streets. “The cost is low, and it’s good,’’ Carlin says. Fried chicken also holds up well.
18 Try something fun and different, like carnival food with a hot dog roaster, a peanut machine and a popcorn maker. And for added fun, try assorted retro candies, including Pez dispensers.
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Taco bars are hot, hot, hot. You can build your own taco and it appeals to vegetarians, who can opt for beans or fried rice instead of meat, says Paul Bossow, kitchen manager and a caterer for the Linden Market Hy-Vee.
Easy finger sandwiches or wraps or a large variety of cookies for dessert make it easy for guests to drop in, say hello, leave a present and get a bite to eat before they're on to the next event.
15 Many grads rely on a bike for transporation. Send them off with a bicycle repair kit that can handle any emergency. Or go whole hog with a mini tool kit.
20 If you want to start a day of parties off right, opt for a brunch. The food is generally cheaper, and you have the added bonus of probably being the only game in town that early in the day.
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as your teenager suddenly turned into a social activist? No need to panic. Or to put your foot down. The best reaction is a listening ear. “It’s important for parents to engage and make it a discussion rather than toss out a quick opinion,’’ says Dr. Mike Vance, director of behavioral health services at Children’s Hospital & Medical Center. Don’t go into doomsday mode if your teen comes home from school and tells you that he or she is going to miss class to be part of an organized event. It’s not the end of the world for their academic class standing. Or if it is, they may think it’s worth the cost. Instead ask: What are you thinking? What message do you hope to get across? What other ways have you thought of doing this? “It’s really important for parents to capture that dialogue,’’ Vance says. He’s been working with families on how to support their teen’s interests and autonomy without that youngster putting himself or herself at risk or getting into trouble. Here are some of his suggestions. • Pair political activism with education. Discuss the political system. Talk about what is happening with gun control and school shootings. Make sure that if they want to protest, they understand what they’re defending. Vance recently saw professional basketball teams doing a public support announcement on TV. That would be one way, he says, to challenge your son or daughter. “If you were going to do a PSA, what would your PSA look like?” Or ask, “If you were being interviewed on national TV, what would be your reason for doing this besides saying it’s horrible and it’s got to stop?”
• Do a cost-benefit analysis if they decide to miss class for an event. The benefit may be they can support their peers, but the cost could be a detention. As a parent, you can’t go with them to school and sit in the classroom. But you do have options. Vance says you can tell your teen: “Here is my response if you do have unpleasant outcomes.’’ But don’t expect them to be perfect, he adds. You weren’t.
DR. MIKE VANCE
“Expect them to have passion and not always make the best decision.’’ • Today it may be social activism, but who knows what it will be tomorrow with the bombardment of social media. As a parent, your job is to help guide and teach them. “Rather than criticize, we need to help them understand,’’ he says. “They do have bigger challenges with the Internet and social media than we ever had ... We need to embrace that it exists and guide them to make informed decisions.’’ • As students, they are not writing school security policy, paying for guards or installing alarm systems. So becoming a part of a collective movement gives them a way to express a lack of control or uncertainty. “It’s a coping mechanism,’’ Vance says. • Activism is better than apathy, although it may not always turn out as expected. And that’s fine, too. Just look at past generations. “People can make silly choices and jump on the wrong cause for a while," Vance says. • The age of your child matters. Those still in junior high, who have more all-or-nothing thinking, may need more guidance. “I think we can have a little more direction with late-elementary to junior high kids, giving them ways to express sadness or prayers or whatever they want to express,’’ Vance says. “Teens, we need to let them come up with what they want to do and help shape that.’’ • Schools are doing a lot of good things as they prepare their staffs on how to handle a crisis, Vance says. They can further help by combining that work with some form of education. If several students want to walk out of class, make it a positive. “Not just a walkout but a walkup,’’ Vance says. “Something to support their peers and the agenda. Those are important components, too.’’
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SEVEN LAYER DIP CAKE
INSTRUCTIONS
makes 10-12 servings
1 16- to 18-ounce box yellow cake mix (plus required ingredients)
This dish will have your guests searching for the tortilla chips. Until they figure out it's a cake and not a dip!
1 3.4-ounce box instant vanilla pudding
TEXT + PHOTOGRAPHY Heidi Thorson
1 16-ounce tub vanilla frosting
(plus required ingredients)
1 to 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder 1½ pounds fresh strawberries 2 cups coconut flakes ¼ cup white chocolate 8 maraschino cherries 1½ cups whipped cream Green, black and orange food coloring
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1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Coat two 9-inch round cake pans with cooking spray. Prepare the cake mix as directed; divide between the pans and bake as directed. Let cool on a rack. 2. For the refried beans, make the pudding as the label directs; fold in the cocoa powder until combined. Transfer to a large resealable plastic bag and refrigerate until ready to use. 3. For the salsa, cut strawberries into quarters, puree in a food processor and set aside. 4. For the lettuce, combine the coconut, 1 or 2 drops green food coloring and 2 teaspoons water in a resealable plastic bag; shake and massage to distribute the color. 5. For the cheese, melt white chocolate in the microwave, stirring, until smooth. Stir in 3 to 4 drops orange food coloring. Let cool slightly, then transfer to a resealable plastic bag and snip a small corner. Pipe the icing in lines back and forth on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Allow chocolate to harden in freezer. 6. For the olives, thinly slice the cherries; combine with 3 to 4 drops black food coloring in a resealable plastic bag and shake to distribute the color. Transfer to a paper towel and blot dry. 7. Stack the cakes and trim with a paring knife so that they are about 1½ inches smaller in diameter than your serving bowl. Transfer 1 cake to the bowl. 8. Pipe the pudding around the cake and up against the glass bowl. 9. For the sour cream, put the whipped cream in a resealable plastic bag. Pipe on top of the pudding and cake. Place the second cake on top. 10. For the guacamole, tint the frosting with 1 to 2 drops green food coloring. Transfer to a resealable plastic bag; pipe around the second cake layer. 11. Spoon the strawberry pulp on top of the cake and frosting. 12. Sprinkle the coconut on top of the strawberry layer. Break the orange white chocolate strands into small pieces; sprinkle on top of the coconut. Top with the darkened maraschino cherries. Serve and eat immediately. Recipe adapted from foodnetwork.com
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Music by Alan Menken Lyrics by Jack Feldman Book by Harvey Fierstein
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