April 2014 by Peekaboo

Peekaboo April 2014

Northwest Arkansasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Family Magazine

the PEEKABOO family Kimberly Enderle

Editor-in-Chief editor@peekaboonwa.com (479) 957-0532

Ava. Grant. and Holden. Jonathon Enderle

Creative Director jon@peekaboonwa.com (479) 586-3890

Distribution/ Circulation Joyce Whitaker Judy Evans Marcedalia Salinas Colleen Cook Jeremy Whitaker Michelle Dodson

Peekaboo Publications, PO Box 1036, Bentonville, Arkansas 72712 Peekaboo Northwest Arkansas accepts writing contributions. Please send inquiries to: editor@peekaboonwa.com or call (479) 586-3890 Peekaboo may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. Views expressed herein are those of the authors and advertisers, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the magazine.

What’s Inside peekaboo nwa April 2014

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|All in for Aubree by: Audra Shaw

| There Is No Carrot Fairy by: Kyra Ramsey

| Stopping the Spoiling

Cycle by: Dr. Nicholas Long

| Meet Cooper by: Kelli Jensen

Take a Hike by: Rhonda Franz

| Spring Allergies

|Chic, Handmade and Locally

| 10 Signs You May Need Therapy

| Frozen In

| Terra Studios: Using Art to Create

| Kids and Chiropractic

| Dad’s View

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| My Health Home Portal | Peekaboo’s Annual Camp Guide

by: Susan Averitt, MD Crafted: Furniture by James + James by: Loria W. Oliver

Cancer CAN Be Beat! by: Yvonne Jaynes Meet Kinsley by: Caroline Dockery by: Kristin I. Speer, MS LPC by: Janelle Lunney a Better World by: Marisa Lytle

by: Dr. Ashley Rhoades, DC with Ben Lacy

Preview 2014

On the Cover Luke, age 5, and Levi, age 4, sons of Barry and Janelle Lunney of Rogers.

Cover photo by Sweet Portrayal Photography www.sweetportrayal.com

pring has sprung... Finally! Last month’s final little super-cold ice storm has made the warmer weather that much sweeter. Now we can finally move on to the many wonderful things that spring brings with it -- flowers, sunshine, sports, vacation plans and... babies! Lots and lots of new babies, new pregnancies, and new women getting bit by the baby bug. Oh, the baby bug! It can hit you completely out of nowhere, and when it does, it hits hard. I have a number of close friends who are planning their next addition to their growing family. I have even more friends already counting down the months until the birth of their new son or daughter. And, while there is nothing more amazing and awe-inspiring than a brand new baby, our third baby just turned the big “1.” Balancing three kids with three personalities and three sets of hobbies and interests always keeps us busy. Even though our lives are moving at a fairly fast pace right now, I love it for all the chaos that it is. I know that in the blink of an eye our babies won’t be babies anymore, or preschoolers, or elementary plays to attend. Right now it is all about making memories with each of our three little ones and introducing them to different activites that spark their interest and intrigue their imagination. Luckily for us, Northwest Arkansas makes it easy to fill our days with fun things catered just for kids. That is why this issue is dedicated to sharing with readers some of the most popular Summer camps available for area youth this year. From Minecraft Camp at Bricks4Kidz, to building a NASA model rocket with Mad Science, to crafting and creating with Imagine Studios, the opportunities are endless. While putting the camp guide together, I

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was able to sit down with Ava and Holden and fill our summer calendar with different camps, activities, and events that each of them are looking forward to. To make sure that we really take full advantage of the memory making opportunities, we plan to create a summer scrapbook so that we can reflect back this time in our lives because there will only be one Summer 2014. I encourage you to use this issue and future issues to sit down with your children and map out your month. Also, check out our monthly calendar. It is full of great activities for families -- many of them free. One upcoming event that is free and a lot of fun is the 2nd Annual Birthday Party Expo to be held at the Pinnacle Hills Promenade on May 3rd from 10-2. Pony Rides, cake, bounce houses, birthday party activities and much more awaits each guest. Make the most of each day by doing something you love, and then let us share in your joy. Send us your favorite snapshot of your family this Spring enjoying all that NWA has to offer to editor@peekaboonwa.com. You just might see it in an upcoming issue! Until next month....

All in for Aubree

arly Sunday morning on September 11, 2011, my life changed forever when my husband Derrick and I found out we were pregnant with our first child. We were elated! Joy overflowed as we found out we were expecting a sweet baby girl, Aubree Elise. From feeling tiny baby kicks through a growing belly to painting baby furniture in preparation for our sweet daughter’s arrival, never in our 5 years of marriage had we been so happy. Our family and friends joined in the excitement with us, showering our soon-to-be-born tiny treasure with love and gifts. I look back at my pregnancy with Aubree as truly one of the happiest times of my life. Since Aubree was breech, her arrival into the world would be through a C-section, planned for May 3, 2012. In the hospital waiting room that day, 27 of our family members and friends waited to meet our precious daughter. Each of them, myself included, couldn’t wait until the moment Derrick would come back out through the waiting room carrying Aubree on her way to the nursery. However, that moment never came. Instead, our friends and family waited, and waited, growing more and more worried as more and more time passed without Derrick emerging holding a screaming pink baby. Aubree was not born pink and crying, but rather grayish and with barely a squeak. Instead of the endless proud photos taken by the proud father, only a few shots were captured before Derrick was asked to step away to allow the medical staff more room to work on Aubree. After I got a quick glance at my precious daughter, the NICU nurse practitioner said Aubree was having trouble breathing and would need to go to the NICU to receive some help. Aubree was

14 April 2014

by: Audra Shaw

wheeled to the NICU in an isolet, passing through the waiting room of family and friends on her way there. Derrick, the protector of our family, walked behind, helpless to protect our daughter from whatever may lay ahead of her. For our precious daughter, breathing assistance came in the form of a breathing tube and ventilator. Her lungs just didn’t appear to be opening like they should, and medicine seemed to have little effect. As soon as I was able, I was wheeled up to the NICU to see Aubree. Our sweet baby was covered from head to toe with tubes, wires and tape as she lay in a warming bed. However, beneath all of that medical stuff swarming her, I saw a beautiful baby girl with wavy brown hair and porcelain skin who looked just like her daddy. At 7 pounds, 5 ounces and 19 ½ inches long, she was perfect in our eyes, and we loved her fiercely. Because we loved her so very much, it was extremely difficult to process all that was happening with her and to her. As time progressed in the NICU, Aubree showed signs of improvement, quickly getting rid of the breathing tube and eventually all forms of breathing support. While Aubree herself was improving, her prognosis seemed to keep declining. Not only did Aubree have breathing difficulty, but her chest was abnormally small in proportion to the rest of her body, and other features of her skeletal x-rays revealed more atypical characteristics of a typical infant. While we hoped and prayed she was just a petite little thing with a tiny chest that would grow as she got bigger, that was unfortunately not the case. A geneticist was consulted within Aubree’s first week of life in the NICU, and he thought Aubree had an extremely rare genetic condition called Jeune’s syndrome. This

syndrome presents a small, rigid chest that does not grow with the rest of the body, preventing the lungs from fully expanding and from being able to breathe normally. We learned that about 80% of the children with this condition die in infancy or childhood. We were told that any kind of respiratory illness would be potentially lethal for Aubree. To say we were absolutely crushed would be an understatement. Here we had our beautiful daughter who we loved so dearly, who looked absolutely perfect to us, and then were told she had a very poor chance of making it to toddlerhood. Everyday Aubree was in the NICU, I cried the majority of the day. The thought of her struggling to breathe, of losing her, of life being hard for her was so very much to bear. After 4 weeks in the NICU, we were able to take Aubree home. She looked and acted like a typical baby. However, the fear of what would happen if Aubree got a cold or virus was still very fresh in our minds. We went to extremes to keep her protected from germs, going so far as to disinfect our groceries before bringing them in the house. We did whatever we could to keep our baby girl alive and healthy. Aubree was growing, maturing, playing and doing wonderfully, and we wanted to keep it that way.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;...we continue to celebrate every day with Aubree, knowing none of us are promised another day. â&#x20AC;&#x153; However, within months, Aubree was working harder to breath and needed oxygen to help with that. Knowing, statistically, that the future outcome for Aubree did not look good, and seeing her need for breathing support so soon, we sought out a consultation to see if Aubree was a candidate for a radical but potentially lifesaving surgery series. In these surgeries, Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Ribs (VEPTR) would be implanted and the natural ribs broken in multiple places to stimulate growth. Then, the VEPTRs would be expanded every 4 months until puberty. All of this in an effort to expand the chest so that the lungs might be able to grow. While we hated the fact that Aubree was going to have to have so many surgeries, we knew we had to do it to help save and extend her life. So, in January 2012, one day shy of 8 months old, Aubree had her first VEPTR surgery and did very well. We were thrilled that she had done so well and prayed that she would continue to do so. Unfortunately, that was not the case. Aubree caught a virus in March of

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had to be put back on the hospital ventilator. After months of this, Derrick and I were made to accept the fact that we might not ever get to take Aubree home again. We had to come to terms with the fact that she could possibly continue to decline from a breathing standpoint until she could no longer be supported. We had to face the hard truth that our time with her in the hospital might be all that we had with her. We had confidence that God was taking care of Aubree, regardless of the outcome, but prayed with so many others for Aubree to become stable enough to go home again one day.

All in for Aubree the same year that quickly sent her into trouble. After a helicopter ride to the Arkansas Children’s Hospital intensive care unit, Aubree ended up with a breathing tube and on a ventilator. She was unable to breathe well enough to support herself and needed the ventilator to do it for her. We were terrified. We did not know what the future held. Would Aubree succumb to this virus? Would she ever be able to be successfully weaned off of the ventilator? These are the thoughts that consumed our minds as Aubree lay in the hospital bed, fully sedated, unable to play, communicate with us, or even to be held. My arms felt so very empty without being able to hold my daughter. Aubree did not spend much time at ACH before she was flown to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), where she had had her first VEPTR surgery and one of the only places in the country who sees other patients similar to Aubree. While Aubree continued to have surgeries to help expand her chest, the surgeries were not an instant fix. We stayed at CHOP for many months in the intensive care unit as Aubree would sometimes successfully be off of the ventilator and later need to be put back on. This was so very hard to watch, as she would seemingly be getting better, until suddenly she would crash and need the breathing tube and ventilator again in an emergency situation. After months of this back-and-forth cycle, Aubree just could not breathe well enough without the help of a ventilator. After 5 months in the hospital, Aubree had surgery to have a tracheostomy tube placed. This would allow her to receive the benefit of the ventilator, but without the breathing tube down her mouth and throat and without her having to be sedated. After Aubree’s tracheostomy surgery, we hoped to take her home within a few weeks; however, Aubree had been unsuccessful in every attempt to get her stable on a home ventilator. There were many scary times that she

16 April 2014

It was heartbreaking to think about this and caused us constant tears, but we had Aubree at the number one children’s hospital in the country that was doing everything they could to try to help her. We absolutely loved the time Aubree was able to be awake and playful, but some days lasted only a few minutes at a time before she was exhausted from working so hard to breathe while not breathing efficiently. However, things changed the week of Christmas 2013. Some very fine-tuned changes were calibrated on the home ventilator over several days, and an even greater amount of support was added to the home ventilator. Even more breathing support was needed to overcome the great restriction of her chest to allow her lungs to breathe, but she was finally stable on a home ventilator! Less than one month later, we were finally able to bring Aubree back home in January 2014 after more than 300 days in the intensive care unit. What a sweet day that we had prayed for so earnestly, but were unsure whether it would ever come. While so many holidays, birthdays, and special moments were spent confined inside the walls of a hospital room, we still made the most of those times. Not knowing if these would be our last, we still dressed Aubree up in a Halloween costume, celebrated her birthday, put her in her Easter dress, and opened Christmas presents. Now that we are home, we continue to celebrate every day with Aubree, knowing none of us is promised another day. We have a special appreciation for every bite of food eaten, every book read, every middle of the night snuggle, every bath time, and every milestone reached as Aubree continues to grow and thrive while at home. We no longer sweat the small stuff and really treasure the people and moments in our life ... especially a sweet little toddler with wavy brown hair and porcelain skin who looks just like her daddy.

To find out more about Aubree: www.facebook.com/AllInForAubree raisingaubree.blogspot.com/

that fruits and vegetables come from the soil? How many have gotten their hands dirty by planting seeds, watering them, tending to them, and harvesting them? Too few!

“There is NO Carrot Fairy” by: Kyra Ramsey

Apple Seeds is working to turn that trend around. For nearly ten years, Apple Seeds has been working with our community’s students and their families to lead more healthy lives through garden-based education. You may have seen us planting seeds or preparing a healthful snack with our students at a school garden club. You may have even purchased our students’ garden vegetables from a school garden farmers’ market. Or, maybe one of your children has gone on a field trip with us to one of Fayetteville’s local farms. Apple Seeds believes that teaching children about the connection between food and health can result in healthier living and a healthier community, and we firmly believe the best place to make that connection is in the garden. So, how can you bring to life that connection between food and health? For the busy parents (and we know you are), here’s a fun, inexpensive, easy activity that you can do with your kids to plant the seeds of good health.

“What? There’s no carrot fairy? How could that be? I thought the carrot fairy brought us our fruits and vegetables while we’re fast asleep. If there isn’t a carrot fairy, where do my vegetables come from?” Okay, so most of our children don’t believe in the “carrot fairy,” but how many of our children know

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Living Salad Bowl

Living Salad Bowls Fun for kids 4-12 years of age 30-45 minutes

Materials: Cleaned plastic lettuce container Potting soil Seeds for planting: salad green mix Paper towels Knife or scissors Popsicle sticks 1. Cut a small hole with scissors in the bottom of the lettuce container for drainage. 2. Lay a paper towel along the bottom of the container to prevent soil from spilling out drainage holes. 3. Fill the tub with soil—up to ¼ inch from the rim. 4. Water thoroughly and drain in the sink. 5. Have your kids sprinkle the seeds on top of the soil. 6. Have your kids sprinkle more potting soil over the seeds. 7. Rake the soil with a fork to make sure the seeds come in contact with the soil. 8. Water thoroughly. 9. Place your container on a southward facing window with the container lid underneath it to catch excess water 10. Have your older kids make markers with the names of the seeds they’ve planted on popsicle sticks. For your little ones, you can have them simply color on the popsicle sticks. 11. Make sure you water the soil when it’s dry to the touch. 12. Harvest the salad greens when they’re approximately two inches tall. After you’ve harvested your salad greens, visit the Fayetteville Farmers’ Market in the Historic Downtown Fayetteville Square for local produce to add to your salad. Opening day is scheduled for April 5!

About Apple Seeds: Apple Seeds has been serving Northwest Arkansas for nearly ten years, developing programs such as gardening clubs, school garden farmers’ markets, and healthy cooking classes that educate and excite children about healthy food while increasing access to healthy foods in schools. Last year, Apple Seeds reached more than 6,000 students thanks to its Farm to School partnership with the Fayetteville Public Schools. This year, Apple Seeds is expanding its reach by building a teaching farm in Fayetteville. The Apple Seeds Teaching Farm, located on College Avenue and adjacent to Ozark Natural Foods, will be a resource for teachers and school garden leaders throughout the region and will host school garden workshops, field trips, summer camps, community events, and farm dinners. By building a teaching farm, Apple Seeds can better serve the needs of its growing community. To learn more about Apple Seeds and find out how you can get involved, visit www.appleseedsnwa.org.

Stopping the

Spoiling Cycle

t’s a very delicate balance we face as parents: we want to make our children happy (because what could possibly be better than to see your child’s face light up with a big grin?), but, we don’t want to give into their every wish or whim. So, where and, more important, how do we draw the line? If you think spoiling may be an issue for your family, there are a few ways to gauge whether or not there’s a problem. Dr. Nicholas Long, professor of pediatrics and the director of pediatric psychology in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Arkansas Children’s Hospital, says, “One possible sign is when parents frequently find themselves avoiding saying no to their children, and it’s not just related to material things. “Children need to learn they cannot have everything they want, how they want it or when they want it. Children need to learn this at an early age to avoid problems later in life. Teachers and other adults in their lives are not going to cater to children’s every desire.” Spoiling is centered around two primary factors, Long says: the first is that children like to test limits, as is human nature. As adults, we typically don’t always follow the speed limit to the number; we often drive a few miles over the limit because we usually get away with it. The same is true with children, as they want to see just how much they can get away with. The second factor at play is that it is a lot easier in this day and age for parents to give into their children because we’re living in a society that is stressed to the max and consistently busy. “In general, parents are working longer hours and are under more stress than in the past,” says Long. “When parents are more stressed, they are often more likely to give into their children’s demands in order to avoid conflict. And, if you give into whining or tantrums just

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occasionally, it creates a positive feedback loop that can be difficult to break. “Also, when parents are away from their children more due to increased working hours, they sometimes provide their children with more material things in order to make up for being less available to them.” Is any of this sounding familiar? If so, don’t worry; there is hope! “It is never too late,” says Long, “to course-correct and to reverse the effects of spoiling.” However, the longer parents wait to change the patterns of spoiling, the harder it can become to get back on track. Long advises that it is imperative that temper tantrums never work, not even once. “If children think tantrums might help them get their way, even occasionally, they’ll keep trying,” he says. Think of tantrums and misbehaving to try to get your way as a slot machine: The promise that you may strike gold just once is enough to keep you adding those coins! Long also suggests offering children activity-based rewards, such as going to the park or playing a fun game as a family, versus coercing good behavior through the promise of material things. Never underestimate the power of a kind word, hug or smile; these are great rewards and contribute toward reinforcing positive behaviors. “As parents cut back on providing their children with things and giving into fewer of their desires, they can also encourage and help their children to become more giving themselves,” says Long. “Parents and children can volunteer to help others less fortunate than themselves through various nonprofit organizations. This can help children gain a more giving heart and be less focused on themselves.” The Center for Effective Parenting, an initiative founded and led by Long that offers parenting advice

via online resources and classes, recommends the following general guidelines for parents: • Set a good example for your children. Children often learn how to act by observing how their parents act. For example, if parents handle frustrations well, their children will probably learn to handle their own frustrations well. If parents swear and become upset when things don’t go well, their children may learn to act the same way. Parents should avoid resorting to the old saying, “Do as I say, not as I do.” • How directions are given to children can have an effect on whether or not the children will follow them. Parents should make eye contact with their children before giving a direction. Directions should be given in a very specific and concise manner. Parents should avoid giving vague directions such as “Be good.” A parent’s idea of being good and their children’s idea of being good may be very different. • Make rules clear and specific. Parents should avoid making rules that they cannot or may not enforce. Enforcement of rules should be as matter-of-fact as possible. The penalty for breaking rules should be stated in advance. When a rule is broken, children should be appropriately punished (e.g., time-out). • Be consistent and predictable with your children. Children function best when they know what to expect. Parents should make it very clear exactly what are and are not acceptable behaviors. Children’s appropriate and inappropriate behavior should be handled in a similar manner by both parents (e.g., both parents should use the same punishment techniques for misbehavior). Consistency is not only important between parents, but important day-today for individual parents. Parental management of children’s behavior from one day to another should not vary according to parental mood. Rather, it should always be based on their children’s behavior. • Don’t take your children’s good behavior for granted. Parents should praise their children when they are behaving appropriately instead of just waiting to praise them only when they do something special. Parents should give their children the message that they notice appropriate behavior as much as inappropriate behavior. Catch them being good! For more information on effective parenting strategies, visit the Center for Effective Parenting website at http://parenting-ed.org/ Dr. Long is professor of pediatrics and director of pediatric psychology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Arkansas Children’s Hospital. He is also director of the Center for Effective Parenting and director of the Arkansas Home Visiting Network Training Institute. The primary focus of his clinical, educational and research activities is in the areas of parenting and family functioning. He is the author/co-author of more than 80 professional publications and three books on parenting.

T E E M COOPER

Story by: Kelli Jensen

Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder, Combined Presentation Oppositional Defiant Disorder Generalized Anxiety Disorder Social Anxiety Disorder - Deferred Major Depressive Disorder, Single Episode, Mild Deferred

I’ve been staring at these words all day long. All day. Derrick and I knew from very early on that Cooper would likely struggle with focusing, attention, sitting still, and so on. I mean, if you know Derrick and me, you wouldn’t be surprised. “D” and I loved school, but only as a means to be social. When Cooper was three years old, however, his daycare teacher stopped me one morning and asked me if I had thought about having him tested for ADD. I replied by asking her how old she was (18), how many children she had (none) and what she had her medical degree in (she didn’t have one). “Great! So we won’t have this conversation again,” I thought with a smile. After all, Cooper is an amazing child. He is incredibly handsome, first of all, and when he wrinkles his nose, pulls his shoulders up and lets out a giggle, my heart nearly explodes with love and admiration. He is silly, he is funny, he is so incredibly creative, and his imagination brightens my every waking moment. Moreover, he is an all-American boy that can tell you about every tractor, truck and superhero possible, and his favorite sentences start with, “Hey, what if I were a... (fill in the blank!)” He

24 April 2014

loves his momma, for sure. He loves to cuddle and give me big hugs and then play with my hair. He loves to go to work with his daddy and talk him into letting him drive the “Little Bobcat.” He wants to be a ‘worker’ when he grows up, just like his daddy. Unlike Daddy, though, he never wants to marry because girls absolutely terrify him! For all these reasons and so many more, Cooper is an incredible, wonderful boy, but Cooper is struggling. Not at home with us, though--in school. It is nearly impossible for him to sit and focus and understand what is going on, and even harder for him to complete tasks such as reading and writing. It can take him up to six whole minutes to write Cooper Jensen. And that is simply because “WAIT, MOM! What if I was a real transformer and I ended all of the decepticons?! Oh yeah, finish writing my name....I’m so sorry, Mom.” The child can drive a tractor as though he has been doing so for 50 years, but he cannot color inside the lines or write his numbers to 25 for the life of him. Of course, he CAN do those things, in that he is absolutely capable of doing those things, but this fog, this cloud of confusion, is somehow hindering Cooper from busting through and being the boy that I know is in there. His anxiety is growing because he knows he cannot focus and he knows he is falling behind in school. He understands that he cannot do like the other kiddos in his class. So, his emotional well-being and self-confidence are marred, and his anxiety is rising. Cooper is sweet, never malicious or cruel. He wants to be loved, and he wants to love. He wants to play superheroes with all of his buddies and he wants to climb trees and drive tractors. But, his confidence is dwindling day by day.

Heartbreaking things are coming out of his mouth, like: “Mom, I tried so hard to be good today, but my brain just wouldn’t let me.” “Mom, the girls at school told me that my coloring was so ugly. Why are they so mean to me?” “Mom, I am just stupid. I can’t write as good as everyone else, so I’m just going to quit.” “Mom, my stomach hurts so bad, like I’m going to throw up.” “Mom, I was trying to stand in line between Sally and Sue like I’m supposed to, but Sally pushed me down, and when I fell, I hit another kid and I got in trouble. Why didn’t Sally get in trouble for pushing me?” “Mom, I want to play with my friends at recess.” “Mom, I can’t learn these words.” “Mom, I am just not good at school.”

When Cooper says these things to me, I just die inside. I just die. He is rapidly losing his spark ... the things that make him so, so special. The emotional toll that ADD/ADHD takes on a child is huge. Coop is so very self-conscious. He worries until his stomach hurts. He is terrified of being singled out and being ‘outed’ for not understanding. No one wants that for his or her child. Coop deserves to shine like the bright kid that he honestly is. So, he and I met with Dr. Lawson (whom I highly recommend, by the way) and did a lot of talking, mostly about my concerns with his inability to focus and his increasing levels of anxiety. Coop is so honest, and he just laid it all out for the doctor. Derrick and I sat across from Dr. Lawson as he explained simply, beautifully and with compassion all of the things going on with Cooper. It was during this conversation that I knew Dr. Lawson was a perfect fit for Cooper. He believed and understood the emotional toll that all of this takes on a child and how important it is to repair it. He talked about how ‘back in the old days’ a child like Cooper would be praised relentlessly. Why? Because he would be the child out in the fields raking and hoeing and being an excellent worker. Then, as society changed, that became a negative, and sitting behind a desk working with a pencil and paper became much more important.

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became so emotional because I felt the validation from Dr. Lawson of all that Cooper feels. The knowledge that his feelings are of concern to others besides just his mom meant the world to me.

MEET COOPER After we received the diagnosis and went over a plan for him, it all hit me hard. I knew this day would come, of course, and so nothing Dr. Lawson said was shocking or surprising to me. Yet, I got in the car and the tears just started pouring. Mostly for Cooper and how he feels and, my God, if I could only take those feelings of worry and worthlessness from him, how I surely would. I would carry all of it for him. I think I

But, to be honest, I also cried out of self-pity. In that moment, I felt like a failure, as if, somehow, this was my fault. After all, Derrick and I have cried many nights together over the fear of our boys struggling in any way like we did in school. And, here we are, facing those fears in the flesh. Cooper is struggling, and his self-worth is taking a major hit. This is affecting him HARD. And then, I felt as though I have pressured Cooper (in my own mind) to be perfect because, after all, his brother has required so much extra. Selfishly, I needed Cooper to be perfect because I wasn’t sure I had the mental or emotional stability to give any additional help in his department. I carry it all, since D is about as emotionally supportive as a feral cat, though, bless his heart, he tries. “Did I do something wrong, God?” I actually asked that question. I actually felt like I was bad and the punishment was being taken out on my children. Cody and Cooper are so deserving of all the perfection the world has to offer, as all children are. I often hear the phrase “As long as he/she is healthy,” which makes my skin absolutely crawl. I hear it all too often, and it always cuts me so deeply. So, if I have children with special needs, differences, health issues, etc., did I somehow get dealt a “lesser” hand that isn’t as worthy as that allegedly healthy child’s parent? No is the answer. No, I most certainly did not. And I know those things aren’t true, that it’s irrational to believe them, and the whole thing just comes from the crazy thoughts of a worried momma. Rather, I take strength in the knowledge that I was chosen--chosen for such extraordinary gifts of sons that needed extraordinary care. I know that I am the lucky one. The only problem is, that leaves Cooper not feeling so lucky, as he struggles in school. But, that is all about to change. I have had my pity party, and now I am ready for action. We are working on a medication that will give some immediate results on focusing, hopefully helping to apply those breaks that he just can’t always apply. In turn, that will help in the areas of worry, anxiety and depression, which are my chief concern. We are working with Dr. Lawson, who I feel is the perfect match for Cooper, and he will help us weed through with therapy what the medicine doesn’t clear up. I will knock this 504 plan out to help Coop get set up in an educational setting that will encourge his success. And then, Coop will see for himself what everyone else sees in him--how wonderfully made he is. How special and awesome he is. How caring and funny and loving he is. And that will make this momma the happiest she could ever be. Go, Team Coop!

26 April 2014

Take a Hike Using Nature to Nurture Your Childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Education

s mild weather moves in, so does the opportunity to take advantage of natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s classroom as a real-life education for young children. Grab a bucket or a paper bag, and take off for a learning activity that can integrate several academic disciplines. Just a walk down the sidewalk may give you what you need, but if you live on a city street, your best bet is a walk or a drive to the nearest park. Choose one with several acres and lots of trees, and scan the ground.

Look for:

Twigs/sticks - Rocks/pebbles Leaves of all kinds Acorns or other nuts that have Fallen from trees Bring your stash back home for some learning fun!

Science 1. Observe and record. What changes can you observe in your surroundings? Those crusty leaves on the ground are different from the new green growth in the trees. How are these different? Record differences in the texture of the leaves by drawing pictures (younger children) or writing descriptive words and short sentences (older children). 2. Sort. Sort out the twigs, sticks, leaves, and any other treasures on a cookie sheet or several paper plates. Work with your child on sorting the items based on different criteria (long, short, rough, smooth, brown, green, etc) 3. Research. Check out a reference book from the library, or use a reputable website for identifying leaves. The Arbor Day Foundation has a website that can take you through a simple index to help you identify leaves and trees. Check it out at Arborday.org.

Note: To prepare this activity ahead of time for young children, allow yourself time to identify the leaves. Set out 4-5 pictures, or choose images on the computerâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; making sure to include the correct one. Have your child look at the similarities and differences between the leaf they found and the image choices in order to come up with correct identification.

Writing/ Language Arts Write with your child about the walkâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;incorporating the senses. What did you hear? What did your child see? What was the weather like? Preschool-age children could draw pictures and tell you about their observations, as you write out simple sentences for them. Put together a booklet with one sentence on each page, and use their drawings as illustrations.

Art/Reading 1. Take a look at the great activities in Look What I Did With a Leaf by Morteza E. Sohi (it doubles as a reference and art book), and the beautiful artwork in Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf, and Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert.

2. To prepare leaves ahead of time for the art activities inspired in these books, make sure to place them between two pieces of paper or wax paper, and set under several heavy books for a few days. Use the leaves to create pictures like those in the books, or create your own leaf collage.

Math 1. Count and write: make tally marks for the number of each kind of item in your bucket. 2. Write numerals for each kind of item you collected, and add the numbers together. 3. Make a graph of the items. Did you collect more leaves or more sticks? What item do you have the most of? 4. Lay out patterns (green leaf - brown leaf green leaf - brown leaf, or: twig - acorn, twig -acorn). Rhonda Franz is a writer and editor. She lives in the northwest Arkansas woods with her three boys, all of whom are masters of collecting rocks, sticks, acorns, and dead bugs. She writes about a variety of things at CoffeeHouseMom.com.

www.peekaboonwa.com

Spring Allergies Susan Averitt, MD, Board Certified Pediatrician, Best Start Pediatric Clinic, 479.575.9359

would venture to say that after the winter we have A had, we are all ready for spring! It is exciting to think about flowers blooming, the sun shining, spring sports and all the other changes that come with spring! But, for some folks, spring can be a rough time of year. For those with spring allergies, the outdoors can mean sneezing, watery eyes, runny noses and congestion... not so fun. The most common allergens, or allergy-causing agents, in spring come from trees and grasses. They produce and spread pollen as a means of fertilization. The higher the pollen count, the more allergy-producing particles are floating in the air. On windy spring days, the pollen count skyrockets. These are the days that most allergy sufferers dread. Now, children arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really born with allergies, but they can be born with a tendency to develop allergies. An overreaction of the immune system causes the symptoms of allergies. The individual produces antibodies to the things to which they are allergic. When exposed to the allergen, the antibodies stimulate certain types of cells to release chemicals. These chemicals lead to allergy symptoms. When a child is exposed to a few seasons of pollen and other allergens, the child may develop symptoms similar to that of a common cold. It can be difficult at times to distinguish whether the child is experiencing allergies or if the cause of his runny nose is due to virus. The pattern of occurrence and the associated symptoms can help differentiate the two. Cold viruses are often associated with fever and typically run a predictable course over about 7-14 days. Allergy symptoms often wax and wane depending on how much pollen is in the air and whether the patient has spent much time outdoors. In addition to runny nose, the child often experiences itching of the nose and eyes, watery eyes and frequent sneezing. There are two main types of treatment for allergic symptoms. The first is antihistamines. These are usually taken orally and block the production of some of the chemicals released from cells. This results in a reduction in runny nose. There are different types of antihistamines. Short-acting antihistamines are

32 April 2014

very powerful in reducing symptoms, but their effect is short lived. Benadryl, or Diphenhydramine, is an example of a short-acting antihistamine. Another drawback to this type of medication is the side effect of sedation. Many patients are sleepy when they take a medication like Benadryl. This can cause academic problems for children in school. The longer-acting antihistamines are taken once or twice a day and are much less sedating. Over the past few years, these medications have become available over the counter and are considered very safe. Some examples include Claritin, Zyrtec, and Allegra. The other common treatment for seasonal allergies is nasal steroids. This type of medication is sprayed in the nose and decreases swelling and nasal congestion. It is not an immediate response, but one that occurs with continued use of nasal steroids. People worry when they hear the word steroid, but this type of steroid is considered safe. It is not a steroid to build muscles, but a therapy to reduce inflammation of the lining of the nasal cavity. Only small amounts of the steroid are absorbed into the blood because it is sprayed directly in the nose. Using nasal steroids can also reduce eye symptoms. Side effects include discomfort in the nose, post-nasal drip of the medication, and nose bleeds. I almost always try these medications if I suspect allergies. When I run into problems such as poor response to the medications or intolerance of side effects, I refer to an allergy specialist. The allergist will help confirm the diagnosis. He or she will likely perform allergy testing to help determine the specific allergens to which the patient is allergic. This will help us to know what to avoid and when the patient is at greatest risk of experiencing symptoms. Only the most severely allergic patients will receive immunotherapy, or allergy shots. This type of therapy requires a longterm commitment and has risks associated with it as well. If you suspect your child suffers from seasonal allergies, please see your physician to learn more. Susan Averitt, MD is a pediatrician with Northwest Health System practicing at Best Start Pediatrics in Johnson in the medical office building on the campus of Willow Creek Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital. For information or an appointment, call 479-575-9359.

PeekabooAt Home Chic, Handmade & Locally Crafted: Furniture by James + James by: Loria W. Oliver

ike many parents, I want my home to be safe for my children, but donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to lose design and cool aesthetic because of it. Since my first son was born in 2011, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve made many adjustments. One in particular was to find a new dining room table that was durable, kid-friendly and could fit in with our home dĂŠcor. We also wanted something unique to Arkansas and, if possible, to be able to support a small business at the same time. Luckily for us, we found local furniture company

James + James and got a chance to design a custom farmhouse table for our family. We selected everything from the size and stain to the finish. We were also able to be a part of the creative process, which was a huge selling point for us. Founded in 2011, James + James has quickly established itself as one the most innovative furniture business in Northwest Arkansas. Owned by John Brown University alum James Smith, the company creates handmade furniture that includes dining

tables, bookshelves, mud room accessories, coffee and entry tables and much more. They use local resources to create each piece and call a workspace/showroom in Springdale, Ark., their headquarters. As a mom with both a one- and two-year-old, I need durable pieces that can sustain spills, art and craft projects and just the mess that comes with a normal family meal when you have small children. With James + James, you don’t have to worry about water rings, spills, or other common concerns. It wipes clean with a wet cleaning cloth. “Our furniture is built for real-life use,” explains Smith. “While many tables you’ll find at a typical furniture store are faux wood, pressed wood, particle board and/ or veneered, James+James tables are hand built from solid wood. We also seal our furniture with stain and an oil-based finish to protect it.” The James + James bestsellers for families are currently their dining sets. Smith believes that the dining table is the centerpiece for life. While he comes from a family of four, they always entertained and he knows the importance of having a comfortable place where friends and loved ones can reconnect. Their story is one of fast growth and high demand. In less than two years, James + James has grown from one

guy in a garage with a dream and passion for building to fifteen full-time employees. “Our customers love that they are buying furniture built for their home. You control the stain, size, finish, and style, and we have a three-week turnaround, so you get it fast,” explains Smith. “Finally, they love our prices. We don’t have to import and ship our furniture from overseas, we don’t have the high overhead of a massive store and we don’t have high-pressure salespeople who make commission.” While you’re going into spring cleaning mode, you may be thinking about how you’ll keep your floors from getting muddy, rain boots organized and book bags in one central location. James + James also can create a mudroom organizer for you to help you and your little ones to make the transition into rainy and messy weather a little easier. “We love meeting local families,” says Smith. “Our shop is family-friendly and we enjoy giving tours and showing kids how furniture is made. Whether you’re in the market for furniture or not, stop by our shop in Springdale and ask James for a tour.” Visit James + James at 460 W Randall Wobbe Ln, Springdale, AR 72764, or visit them online at www. carpenterjames.com.

www.peekaboonwa.com

cancer

by: Yvonne Jaynes

y journey with ovarian cancer began on August 30 2010. That is when my MD, Dr Byrum, gave me the news. We were devastated, but I did not feel as though it were the end. Dr Byrum prayed for me that day, and peace was with me for sure. Though I thought I’d been gaining weight for weeks, the first day I truly thought something might actually be wrong with me was on Thursday, August 19, 2010. Though my stomach had been getting bigger and rounder all the time--with my appetite getting weaker and weaker, oddly enough--it was not until my husband, Bill, said, “What is wrong with your stomach, Yvonne?” that it clicked. I looked pregnant and felt even worse, with my appetite dwindling to near-zero that weekend. My naturopathic doctor gave me a supplement, but nothing helped. I was able to get an appointment with Dr. Byrum on the following Wednesday, the time until which I endured with a lot of pain and anxiety. He thought an X-ray might show that I was gassy, but the test showed nothing significant. The CAT scan taken the next day, however, apparently gave some alarming answers. They called Bill and me on Friday afternoon, thirty minutes before they were to close, asking that we come in because they had urgent news for me. We refused, since we would not even be able to get to their office before they closed, so they rescheduled us for first thing Monday, August 30, 2010. That Monday morning, my fight with ovarian cancer officially began. Once Dr. Byrum told us the news, my first question was, understandably, “How long do I have?” Amazingly, he answered, “Don’t worry about that yet,” which meant that there was hope for my situation! After all, if the situation is truly and fatally serious, doctors always have numbers that they can shoot out, like “six months to a year” and things like that. I felt comforted, but my husband was crying next to me. Dr. Byrum told us that it was okay, though, and even prayed for us at that moment! A feeling of relief and peace just washed right over me that day. Dr Byrum then explained to us what he had found in more detail. My stomach swelled because my abdomen was actually full of fluid. What happened to me was

36 April 2014

CAN be beat!

almost like what happens when you get a speck in your eye, and your eye waters up to protect itself. Of course, the “speck” was a tumor on each ovary, one three inches wide and one four-and-a-half inches wide. I had two weeks of my stomach getting bigger and bigger. I could not sleep for those entire two weeks, and could not lie down because then the pressure from my abdomen would be on my heart. To try to get a few seconds of shuteye, I would sit on the edge of the couch or the bed and try to doze. One night, Bill rolled over to see me sitting on the edge of the bed still, and simply pulled me into his arms and had me lie back, telling me that he would hold me while I slept. Bill was my warrior! He called the Dr Byrum four days in a row after that, saying, “GET HER IN! We’re going to lose her to the fluids, not cancer!” They finally got me in at Mercy Hospital, and drained seven liters of fluid from my abdomen. They left five liters, as I would go into shock if they removed all 12 liters. On September 8, they drained the rest when I had my hysterectomy. During my surgery, Dr Hightower performed biopsies on every possible place my cancer could have spread to while he was performing my surgery, and then placed me at a “Stage 3” of cancer because it had spread to one of my lymph nodes. The night before my surgery, I had one of the most vivid dreams I have ever had. My best friend at work, Pam, came to me in that dream, and gave me a big hug, saying, “It will all be okay.” Talk about peace! Of course, my husband didn’t share in that peace, and my friends and family said that all he did while I was in surgery for two-and-a-half hours was stare at the board with the surgery timer, praying that I’d make it through the full surgery. He would talk to the company with him, of course, but his eyes were always on that board, thinking of me and praying I would make it through. And, I did! After the surgery, though, complications in the hospital made celebrating a bit hard. Our three nights that we had planned to be in the hospital stretched into five nights because my potassium leveled out, meaning that I had to stay for the doctors to monitor me and try to stabilize me, using first a drip and then drinkable potassium. A month later, on October 8, I started chemo every

three weeks, with six treatments total. After my first session, my hair started falling out in clumps. It was in my brush, in the shower, on my pillow, everywhere, and I just could not stand it. I called my beautician up, and asked her to come directly to my house and just shave my head, right then and there! The chemo stopped in January 2011, and then I started my maintenance treatments, one per month. Miraculously, I endured all 18 treatments with NO nausea or sickness, which was an absolute blessing! Dr Schaeffer at Highland Oncology (who was a wonderful doctor) said he was so pleased with me, the success of my treatments and my performance in other tests. I have had twelve excellent reports since then, including CAT scans. I was even able to go back to my job working at the Sam Walton Development Complex’s building, which I had worked in several capacities for nearly 17 years, but I finally retired on April 29, 2011.

“

A feeling of relief and peace just washed right over me that day. We were devastated, of course, but I didn’t feel that this was ‘the end.’

Most recently, I just had my blood work and a CT scan done, and all is clear! I have officially been in remission for three years now! I am doing so incredibly well that I have gained back the 50 pounds I lost during my journey with cancer. I think my husband thought I would just starve to death, since for a time I could barely keep anything down but four bites of oatmeal and the occasional sweet potato. Thankfully, though, I am back on my salty and my sweet cravings and loving every minute of it. Now, I just wish there was more information out there on this cruel disease, so that other women can avoid waiting too long, and will have a success story like mine. Ovarian cancer is a silent cancer, and oftentimes not detected until too late or almost too late. If any woman experiences intense bloating and loss of appetite, she should not blame it on “just gaining weight.” If you ever notice this sudden change, see your doctor! A pap smear does not show any information on ovarian cancer developing. Only the CA-125 tumor marker test can show this cancer. This test is a blood test, with “normal” blood scores falling between 0 and 35. When I first had my blood tested, my score was 385! Right after surgery, it jumped up to 400 and then right back down to 19--what a rollercoaster! Now, my blood regularly falls between 8 and 12. When I first had my surgery, the chances of my cancer returning were 80%, and now, the chances have fallen to 15% because I have been cancer-free for so long. Honestly, I could not have made it this far without the complete involvement of my friends and family. My husband, Bill, has been my rock and comforter and has loved me every day throughout this entire process. He is the reason I am okay today. Pam, my “guardian

angel” from my dream, was also a huge, huge help. My kids, since they live far away, could not be here with me in person, but did call to check on me and were a wonderful support. Lastly, I am just so thankful for all of my wonderful doctors and nurses that were and are involved with me. THANK YOU! Honestly, we have the very best right here in Northwest Arkansas! This has not been a piece of cake for me, but it has given me a greater faith in God and in our doctors. I just want all women to know that this is a cancer that you CAN beat!

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7:00PM Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Wizard of Oz” at the Walton Arts Center, Fayetteville, AR

Pinnacle Hills Promenade and the NWA Mall Karaoke in the Park 2014 5:30PM-9P 200 S. 1st Street Rogers, AR 72756

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Wizard of Oz” at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville, AR at 2:00PM

10:30AM Toddler Time at the Fayetteville Public Library

Crochet Basics for 1st through 5th Grades 2:00PM -3:30PM at the Fayetteville Public Library

Dia de los Niños at Crystal Bridges Museum, noon to 5:00PM. Children’s Day celebrates the creativity and cultures of the children in our community with fun for all ages!

“Fluff,” a simple, joyful and wacky Australian theatre piece for young children at the Walton Arts Center. An extraordinary combination of slapstick, song, movement, sound sampling, projection and audience participation. Best for ages 4-10. 2:00PM

Boingo Bounce Open Bounce at 12pm Fayetteville boingobounce.com

9:45AM Baby Bookworms at the Fayettville Public Library

Bricks4Kidz Village on the Creeks bricks4kidz.com/rogers Jr. Robotics 10am to 12pm Creative Open Play: 1pm to 6pm

Little Giggles Classes 11:00 - Enrichment Mondays!! (FREE with admission - for all ages but best for ages 2 years+) www.littlegigglesplay.com Bricks4Kidz Village on the Creeks bricks4kidz.com/rogers Jr. Robotics 10am to 12pm Creative Open Play: 1pm to 6pm

9:45AM Baby Bookworms at the Fayetteville Public Library Little Giggles Classes 11:00 - Enrichment Mondays!! (FREE with admission - for all ages but best for ages 2 years+) www.littlegigglesplay.com

Two-Punch Tuesday at Pigtails & Crewcuts in Fayetteville Double punch on loyalty card for every haircut every Tuesday!

Family Night Events - Every Tuesday at Chick-fil-A in Rogers and at Bentonville location from 5:30P - 7:00P

9:45AM Baby Bookworms at the Fayetteville Public Library

10:30AM Preschool Storytime at the Fayetteville Public Library

Two Punch Tuesday at Pigtails & Crewcuts in Fayetteville Double punch on loyalty card for every haircut every Tuesday!

Family Night Events - Every Tuesday at Chick-fil-A in Rogers and at Bentonville location from 5:30P - 7:00P

10:30AM Preschool Storytime at the Fayetteville Public Library

Two Punch Tuesday at Pigtails & Crewcuts in Fayetteville Double punch on loyalty card for every haircut every Tuesday! Homework Helpers at the Fayetteville Public Library at 4:00PM

10:30AM Preschool Storytime at the Fayetteville Public Library

Two-Punch Tuesday at Pigtails & Crewcuts in Fayetteville Double punch on loyalty card for every haircut every Tuesday! Homework Helpers at the Fayetteville Public Library at 4:00PM

Preschool Art Class Crystal Bridges 1 to 2:15 pm For ages 3 to 5 with an adult. Each session includes three consecutive Wednesday classes. $30 ($24 for Members) / 3 classes. Register online or at Guest Services

10:30AM Preschool Storytime at the Fayetteville Public Library

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9:45AM Baby Bookworms at the Fayetteville Public Library

10:30AM The Little Engine that Thought It Could at the Fayetteville Public Library

10:30AM Toddler Time at the Fayetteville Public Library Bricks4Kidz Village on the Creeks bricks4kidz.com/rogers Thursday Classes: Lego Club: Mission to Space 10-12 Creative / Open Play: 1-4:30pm Jr. Robotics: 4:30-6:30

Wednesday Family Day at Pigtails & Crewcuts. in Fayetteville 1 Haircut at full price, 2 Haircuts at $2 off, 3rd gets $4 off, etc.

Boingo Bounce Open Bounce at 1pm Fayetteville boingobounce.com

2014 Preschool Playdate 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM Crystal Bridges Activities are geared for children ages 2 to 5 with an adult. Free, no registration required.

23 Wednesday Family Day at Pigtails & Crewcuts. in Fayetteville 1 Haircut at full price, 2 Haircuts at $2 off, 3rd gets $4 off, etc.

9:45AM Baby Bookworms at the Fayetteville Public Library

10:30AM Toddler Time at the Fayetteville Public Library Boingo Bounce Open Bounce at 1pm Fayetteville boingobounce.com Homework Helpers at the Fayetteville Public Library at 4:00PM

30 Wednesday Family Day at Pigtails & Crewcuts. in Fayetteville 1 Haircut at full price, 2 Haircut at $2 off, 3rd gets $4 off, etc.

Poetry Workshop for Kids 4:00PM at the Fayetteville Public Library

Wednesday Family Day at Pigtails & Crewcuts. in Fayetteville 1 Haircut at full price, 2 Haircuts at $2 off, 3rd gets $4 off, etc.

2:00PM Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Wizard of Oz” at the Walton Arts Center, Fayetteville, AR

Fayetteville on College and 6th St. Bentonville on Walton Rogers on Walnut and Pleasant Grove

7:00PM An Evening with Maya Angelou at the Fayetteville Public Library

10AM to noon Artsy Craftsy for Kids at the Fayetteville Public Library

14th Annual Children’s Advocacy Center of Benton County’s 5K Glow Run and 1-Mile Fun Walk. 5:00PM-9:00PM at the Frisco Stage in Downtown Rogers. Family-friendly events also include a 400-yard Super Hero Dash!

Annual Plant Sale at the Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks

40th Annual Dogwood Festival in Siloam Springs, AR. Held in the two major downtown parks in Siloam Springs every April, this award-winning festival features booths and exhibitors from all over the United States. Handmade, assembled and resale items are included in the 200+ booths, and the KidZone provides rides and activities for youngsters, including an inflatable obstacle course and a rockclimbingwall.

Earth Day Celebration Crystal Bridges 11-3pm Discover the beautiful trails and grounds at Crystal Bridges, and enjoy hands-on nature and art activities with your family as we celebrate Earth Day at the Museum. Don’t miss a special performance by Toucan Jam. Sponsored by Rockline Industries. Free, no registration required.

Meet Kinsley O

ur sweet girl, Kinsley, was born beautiful and perfect. She had a full head of brown hair, blue eyes, super long lashes, ten perfect fingers and ten adorable toes. She was amazing. Her daddy, Luke, and I were smitten immediately. She was born by cesarean section after a long 24 hours of labor caused her to go into some fetal distress. This caused me some concern, but once she was out, there were no complications. Kinsley was healthy and so easy. Once I was out of recovery, she was brought to me and we got to spend our first moments together. I had decided to breastfeed her and she latched on like a champ. There were no issues and no problems. We were sent home after two days with a clean bill of health for each of us. This is the way it’s supposed to go, right? The next several months went by with so much love, snuggling, cuddling, baby smiles, giggles, kisses and all the joys that come with a newborn. Kinsley even started sleeping for seven- to eight-hour stretches at seven weeks old. She was amazing! The biggest problems we had to deal with were some thick cradle cap, sensitive skin with a touch of eczema and that fussiness in the evenings which seems to come with most babies in the first three months. Looking back now, I realize there were things I should have noticed, but as a first-time mom with little experience with babies, I was just fairly unaware of what was normal for babies. I did keep up with the monthly lists of expectations and Kinsley seemed to meet most or all of them for the first four to five months. She smiled by four weeks, rolled over belly to back right at 3 months and started rolling back to belly in her sleep at 5 months. All of those things were right on time, so when there would be something that she

by: Caroline Dockery

didn’t quite do well or all the time, I didn’t really worry because EVERYONE always said, “Oh, it’s no big deal. Babies all are on their own time schedules. She’ll be fine.” Well, in most cases that can be true, but now I urge mamas to be vocal about their concerns, and not be afraid to ask their doctor for a more thorough exam. Kinsley never liked tummy time and she usually screamed through it. It was rare (even by 4-5 months old) for her to lift her head up to look around while on her tummy, let alone push up on her arms. Her head control was not great for a long time, but she could hold her head up inconsistently. It wasn’t until she was six months old that she really started to be able to sit in a Bumbo and keep her head in a normal position. I know now that these should have been huge signs of something wrong, but I was an oblivious first time mom. I thought she was just a “lazy baby”. My first concerns began when she wasn’t sitting up at six months, nor could she bear weight through her arms while on her belly. Additionally, around this time I got to meet my wonderful friend Audra’s sweet Aubree. Aubree was receiving physical therapy already and Audra was explaining it to me–what physical therapy entailed, what low-tone (aka hypotonia) is and how babies look/ move who have it. I jokingly mentioned something about Kinsley needing PT too so maybe she wouldn’t be so lazy. Thank goodness wonderful Audra didn’t take it as a joke! Instead, she sweetly encouraged me, if I really thought it could benefit Kinsley, to over the next few weeks ask for a PT evaluation. I did some research online and found a video which showed a typically developing two-month-old vs. an atypical two-month-old and how their bodies worked. When I

saw the typical two-month-old doing things my thenseven-month-old couldn’t do, I knew Kinsley needed some help as soon as possible. I got the ball rolling by meeting with our pediatrician and requesting a PT and OT evaluation. Audra told me all about Aubree’s amazing PT, Christina, and encouraged me to ask for her to work with Kinsley. I did just that, and on the day after she turned eight months, we met Christina for the first time for a PT evaluation. Christina was very gentle with Kinsley and worked through the evaluation fairly easily. At the end of the evaluation she was able to tell me that Kinsley was easily going to qualify for PT on a twicea-week schedule. She told me that Kinsley, in fact, had very low tone and that this was causing motion to be very difficult for her. I remember asking if there was something that caused low tone or if it could just happen. Christina was very kind, but also honest. She explained that it was very likely a brain issue and that there were a thousand different things which could be causing it. She encouraged me to consult a neurologist to see if he or she could help. Thus began our journey toward a diagnosis. The next several weeks included an OT evaluation (for which she qualified right away), appointments with our pediatrician, a pediatric neurologist, the first of many EEGs, and a developmental evaluation. At that point we found nothing to cause worry. Kinsley got started on her therapies just before she turned nine months

and they were immediately helpful. She made progress in strengthening and learning new skills quickly. Within a few weeks she was able to sit unassisted (although she remained very wobbly). We were feeling very good about her progress and hopeful that with a bit of time and hard work she would be able to overcome these tone issues and catch up to her peers. Then, at 10 months it came time for Kinsley’s MRI in Little Rock. At her age, she had to be sedated in order to remain still during the MRI. The whole day was quite stressful for her mommy and daddy, but she handled it all with ease. Unfortunately, we then had to wait anxiously for three and a half weeks for the results of the test. The day of the appointment with the neurologist to go over the results is one I will never forget. It was not a pleasant experience, to say the least. The doctor was overly polite and so unhelpful. He honestly tried but miserably failed at giving us some horrible news. We were told that Kinsley has several brain abnormalities. She has polymicrogia on her frontal lobe, type II lissencephaly on her occipital lobe, small cerebellar cysts, a dismorphic brain stem and what looked like a lack of myelination, though we were later told it was actually a lack of a specific protein in her cells. Each of these things we’d never heard of and had to Google later in order to try and understand them. Based on these MRI results, we were given two

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with her for all of her therapy sessions (eight sessions per week which include PT, OT, and speech and developmental therapy), many doctors’ appointments and to be her personal therapist at home.

Meet Kinsley

related syndromes, one of which would be the cause of her developmental delays. Within in a few months we had genetic confirmation that our sweet girl has Muscle-Eye-Brain Disease (MEB). MEB is a form of congenital muscular dystrophy. It is an extremely rare genetic condition. We are only aware of about 20 other cases in the United States. MEB affects not only the brain, but, as the name clearly states, the eyes and muscles as well, due to that same lack of protein mentioned earlier. It comes with a prognosis of death between the ages of early childhood up to the seventh decade. It also causes severe intellectual disability, muscle weakness, eye issues which could include strabismus, cataracts, glaucoma, and near-sightedness or even blindness. Many children with MEB never learn to walk or have any mobility. Seizure activity is also extremely common and very difficult to control for children with this disease. We were also told children with MEB are unlikely to be able to speak and that we would need to explore other avenues for teaching her how to communicate. As we met with people who are experienced with MEB, the only good news we were given was that there is a wide spectrum of how much a child can be affected and that since we’d seen good progress with her therapies so far, we could hope this would continue for Kinsley. It has now been more than one year since we received the horrible news of our daughter’s condition, and it was one very difficult year. Luke and I have had to readjust all of the hopes and dreams we had in store for our sweet Kinsley girl. We decided that, for her sake, I should take time away from work indefinitely to be

46 April 2014

Additionally, a few weeks after her first birthday we began to see the first signs of seizures and Kinsley had to be hospitalized for an overnight EEG. She was then diagnosed with infantile spasms and was started on a treatment regimen. Infantile spasms are small seizures which occur in clusters. Each spasm only lasts for a second, but a cluster of them can occur for anywhere from a minute to 45 minutes at a time with the individual spasms occurring once every ten seconds or so. The spasms look like a head drop with arms raised at the same moment. The problem with infantile spasms is not the physical response, but rather the chaotic brain waves that accompany the spasms. This type of seizure is not harmful physically, but if left untreated they can and will stop development in a child and cause regressions which cannot be overcome. We have had to try several different medications and treatments to try and gain some control over her seizures over the past year, and it is still a work in progress. But, this story is not about sadness; it’s about blessings. As horrible as the whole past year sounds, we can only praise our God for His amazing provision to us and our sweet Kinsley girl and say that we have been abundantly blessed beyond our understanding. Kinsley has only made continuous progress since we first learned of her disease. She has not exhibited ANY muscle weakness due to her disease and we were even told it is likely it could remain this way for the rest of her life! We knew it was possible that she may never be mobile or walk, but already at age two she can crawl and is learning to walk with assistance. Her therapists and I think it very realistic that not only will she walk, but that she’ll be doing it all on her own by her next birthday! Not only that, but despite the fact that Kinsley is continuing to deal with her seizures in short clusters of spasms, she has not had ANY regression nor stoppage of development EVER. And on every EEG we’ve had since she began medication, her brain waves look normal and not chaotic at all! We can only attribute these wonderful blessings to a God who is in control. We may never have planned for this to be our daughter’s life and our new lives as well, but God has been with us and our sweet Kinsley every step of the way. He is the one in control of her life and He has made that abundantly clear as He continues to answer our prayers by giving Kinsley more and more abilities and progress. Kinsley is the joy of our lives and her smile or laugh heals the sorrows of watching her have to fight to learn everyday tasks. She is a beautiful, happy child and I am so proud to be her mama. Thank you, God, for the blessing of Kinsley’s life.

10 I

Ten signs you may need therapy

n case you’ve ever wondered if you could benefit from psychotherapy, counseling, or mental health treatment, here is a list of 10 signs that may help you decide. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, but some warning signs that I often see in my practice that indicate the need for outside support. 1. You have given up on things getting better. You are starting to feel hopeless and are resigned to the belief that your life is awful and things will never improve. This may be due to situational experiences or the chronic belief that you will never be happy. You feel like life happens to you and you’re just along for the ride. 2. You don’t think anyone understands. You believe that no one can possibly relate to your experiences and how you feel. You are afraid of judgment, criticism, or the risk of others knowing your problems. 3. Your support system is tired of hearing your problems. Or you don’t have a support system. You feel like your friends and family have grown weary of your negativity and crises. You continue to hear the same advice from them or are told to “get over it.” You feel like you don’t have anyone to talk to or anyone who cares about what you’re experiencing. 4. Your day-to-day responsibilities are being neglected. You’re missing work, staying in bed too long, or just not taking care of yourself. You feel like you’re in a fog and just going through the motions. You’re struggling to take care of your kids, attend appointments, and you don’t find joy in anything. 5. You’re overwhelmed and don’t know where to start. You have so many decisions to make you don’t even know where to begin. They can be major lifechanging decisions or just the day-to-day decisions that make you feel completely helpless. 6. Your emotions are out of control. You feel like you’re on an emotional roller coaster.

by Kristen I. Speer, M.S., LPC You don’t know how you’re going to feel from one minute to the next and you never know what is going to trigger a change. 7. Other people are commenting on your moods or behavior. Your coworkers keep asking you if everything’s okay. Your boss has made comments about your work performance. Your significant other tells you you’re irritable or impossible to get along with. Your friends no longer call you or invite you to events. 8. You have a family history of mental illness. Your mother was depressed, your grandfather was anxious, or there is substance abuse in your family history. Many mental health disorders have a genetic component, not to mention the secondary effects of being raised by a parent who was depressed or an alcoholic, for example. 9. You are self-medicating. Your Friday night glass of wine has now turned into a bottle of wine. You are smoking again or you’re taking your prescription medication more often than prescribed. You find that you are unable to go to sleep without taking something. 10. You have experienced one or more life changes in a short period of time. You have separated, you have a new job, your dog died, or someone in your family has been diagnosed with a chronic illness. You have graduated from school, moved away from your family, or experienced an injury. All of these events can have an impact on your moods and functioning. More than one life change can increase the chance of experiencing adjustment-related symptoms. If you can relate to any of the above, you may benefit from counseling. We all need a little help along the way, and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. And remember, if you change nothing, nothing will change. Kristen Speer is a Licensed Professional Counselor and is accepting new patients. Please contact 479444-1400 or visit her website at kristenspeerlpc.com.

(479) 444.1400 see ad next page..

Snow Days..

Frozen In i

cannot wait for spring, but, if I’m going to be honest, I am so thankful for the wintery blasts of snow and sleet! Call me crazy, but being shut in puts a lot in perspective for this busy mama. When the first snow of Winter came, we were iced in for days. I finished two books, first 7

by: Janelle Lunney

by Jen Hatmaker, all about clothes, shopping, waste, food, possessions, media, and stress. Basically an experimental mutiny against excess. Second, Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp, teaching how to focus not just on disciplining the behavior of your children, but getting to the heart of the matter as well. I definitely need to be “frozen in” at least once per year! “Clear The Stage” by Jimmy Needham blasted on repeat throughout our house, echoing my new inspiration. I believe this came from a Focus On The Family tweet: “If you have nothing left to give at the end of the day, you need to rearrange your days.” Conviction! Yikes! We all get so busy trying to juggle all the necessary responsibilities as well as the additional things we’ve roped ourselves and our kids into, that, sometimes, we simply “fall out” at night--nothing left, zapped, pushed our minds mentally and bodies physically beyond their max. We’ve raised our voices (ouch!) at everyone close to us. Being “frozen in” made me stop, clear the stage, refocus, simplify, and regain my joy back in being a wife and a mom of two precious boys! I know if I’m raising my voice at my kids too much, I need to ask why. What can I change? Did I seriously need to wear myself out making sure not one stitch of clothes was left in the hamper, not one dirty dish left behind, that everything was in its perfect order? My husband does not care that I put everything in his closet by color or by season. That means literally nothing to him. Instead, could I have left that off completely, or pushed it to the next day so I could have some happiness left to spread to my family at the end of the day? Oh, yes ... time for me to rearrange, reorganize, prioritize. Time to remember I don’t have

to do all and be all. I need to do my best and have something left to give. Time to be reminded of the wisdom given to me ever since my first pregnancy: “Enjoy your baby.” “Enjoy your boys.” “It will get easier.” Being frozen in is a chance to enjoy your precious angels! We were dedicated to cookie baking, smoothiemaking, pizza-making, movies, snowman building, sledding, 4-wheeling, and having the neighbor kids over. Laughter and happy screams filled the air as all the neighborhood kids and parents (Oh yes, lots of fun for the parents too!) flew down the hill on our sleds. What fun it is to act like a kid again, to stop all the “Things To Do.” I am enjoying my boys every day, and am thankful for the joy I experience from being a wife and a mom! I’ve started taking time to write down the things they do and say. Here are just a few. A Look at the Funny Side of Being a Mom 1. No more taking 1.5 hours to get ready, or time for anything primpy, really! Oh, no, NO. Survival mode is on! When my first baby came along, I was rocking his Moses basket with my foot, trying to get him to stop screaming just long enough for me to throw a few curls and bobby pins in my 3-days-unwashed hair so

we could run and meet my friend Kristin for lunch. We were already an hour later than planned because getting ready with a baby took WAY longer than I had ever imagined! I had a LOT of changes to make! Make-up was accomplished while nursing with only a tiny mirror and barely two hands. Work-outs were at 5:30AM before anyone else was awake. As far as fashion goes, it’s work-out clothes until evenings on most days. Why take a morning shower when you’re going to get spit up on? Even as the kids get older, you just get dirty and sweaty playing outside. Oh, how I loved afternoon naps for my babies. That was time to refresh mentally and finally get in a shower--if I was lucky. 2. Sometimes we can’t help it when our babies are fussy. Sometimes it’s our own fault for dragging them out at nap time. I just couldn’t miss that sale at Gap, after all! We had to go. Everything was 40% off, and the sale items were an additional 40% off! I’ll never forget the first words I ate as a parent: “Oh, I wish that lady would get her kid to stop screaming!” That was pre-baby while “therapeutic shopping at Target.” Post-baby: I was standing in line at Gap with my bargains, rocking Luke’s carrier, trying to calm his scream while I waited in line. I could feel multiple sets of eyes beaming right through me. I could hear their

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running, sliding, and crawling under dressing room doors before I could get to them. The list goes on and on.

Frozen In

thoughts: “I wish that mom would get her kid to stop screaming!” Or, so I felt like they were thinking, since I all too often thought that myself before I was a mom. 3. The boys have since embarrassed me, getting their revenge by pretending that Gap was a baseball field,

4. Recently, I sat in a Chick-fil-A booth while my boys started playing with the toothpicks a lady had helped them get. I immediately thought, “This is bad. Someone is going to get their eye poked out.” Pretty soon the wrestling started. I had to snatch those toothpicks out of their little fingers fast. I sat beside them and talked with them about what just happened. I looked up and happened to see a man in the corner with the biggest grin on his face. He had seen the wrestling. He’s a man. He knows. Boys will be boys! I walked around with my stomach in my toes most of the first four years of their lives, but we are FINALLY to a point where I don’t cringe with anticipation of what is to come from Levi when he gets a little rowdy. After all, when he was little, he was always banging his head on something, i.e. hardwoods, the countertop, you name it. I can still hear his shrill screams. It was a given that we ended up in the ER with him two nights in a row due to him walking right into our 5 -year-old’s golf swing with a real club. Oh, yes. Talk about a PANIC ATTACK for me, plus feeling like the worst parent ever for even letting them play with the real clubs when we had company and neighbors in the yard! I had no clue how much a facial injury bled. That poor baby’s eyes were swollen shut for several days after. He said, “Mom, I have hair in my eyes!” aka eyelashes. Poor baby. It was scary! Of course, the day we got the stitches out, they got broken open again when, as I had them posing for a picture (I’m kind of obsessed with taking pictures of them), Levi and Luke banged heads RIGHT where Levi’s stitches had just been removed an hour prior. Really? Really?!? Blood everywhere again. Thankfully, it wasn’t AS bad, but still! We want the boys to learn what it means to “love your neighbor as yourself,” as the Bible says, so we volunteer at Snack Packs for Kids at the local Samaritan House. What an amazing organization! We’re so blinded by the newness and wealth of this gorgeous area we live in that we don’t see the poverty in Northwest Arkansas. When I heard about kids actually not having food on the weekends, it crushed my heart. I’m so thankful for this program that gives close to 7,000 bags of snacks per week to kids in four local counties. See for yourself at http://www.samcc.org!

54 April 2014

Moms, moms-to-be, and whoever else had the patience to read this entire article (Which, by the way, I TRIED to keep short!), please be encouraged to prioritize what is most important. Nobody has the perfect life. Be encouraged. Be JOYFUL. And clear that stage ... for yourself and for your family.

-www.terrastudios.com

“Terra Studios is a wonderland of art, a popular Northwest Arkansas tourist attraction and a family friendly destination.”

hether you love viewing and making art, or if you’re just looking to have a great family outing, Terra Studios is the place to be.

Known in the area as a wonderland of art, Terra Studios is a popular Northwest Arkansas tourist attraction that draws approximately 50,000 new visitors each year. People come from all over to stroll the statue-decorated grounds, play life-size checkers and chess, view and purchase art created by more than 100 regional artists, and create art of their own to either take with them or leave on the property for other visitors to enjoy. Val Gonzales, one of the managers of Terra Studios, has a passion for “using art to create a better world,” as the soon-to-be non-profit organization’s mission states. “Terra Studios really is enchanting,” she says. “It has a sense of wonder. It’s easy to be a kid here.” With all there is to do and see at Terra Studios, it is easy to see what she means. For starters, after a beautiful drive through the countryside, you arrive at the site to see whimsical gazebos, a lake with a fountain, arched bridges, picnic tables, outdoor sculptures and grassy areas, with the entire lot surrounded by trees. Once you park your vehicle, you might begin by exploring the outdoor art park. The sculpture garden is full of artist-created animals, trolls, and magical creatures, such as Terrance the Dragon, who guards the waters next to a cave entrance.

58 April 2014

by: Marisa Lytle “Kids will go up to statues and make up their own stories about them,” Gonzales said. “There’s this one statue of a little [troll] girl on a bench that’s actually a little creepy, but the kids don’t see her as creepy. They sit down beside her and say, ‘Oh, she’s wearing pajamas’ or something like that. It’s really sweet.” Next, relax and unwind with a walk through the seven-channel Wedington limestone labyrinth meant to encourage personal, psychological and spiritual serenity and transformation. Because labyrinths have traditionally been used for individual and group walking prayer or meditation, the Terra Labyrinth is a popular destination for church groups. “Christians, Muslims and Wiccans all come and walk the labyrinth for spiritual reasons,” Gonzales said. “I really like that because it brings people together.” Upon exiting the labyrinth, roam through the nearby mural garden, comprised of wall art created by local artists and art class participants. Some of the murals are even interactive. For instance, everyone is invited to create a masterpiece on the giant chalk Wonderwall or to leave a sweet, funny or inspiring message in the glass bottles of one of the murals. If you feel hungry after wandering the premises, you can head to the nearby Gallery, a unique building with everything from the carved entry door to the floor tiles and light fixtures handcrafted by 20 artists. The Gallery houses a café that offers light savories, quiche, lasagna, sandwiches and desserts made by local chefs and serves locally roasted Arsaga’s coffee. You may choose to eat inside the gallery in one of the artfully handcrafted booths, or to go outside to sit in a gazebo or at a picnic table by the pond.

If you come to Terra Studios on a Sunday from 1:00PM to 4:00PM, you will enjoy the added bonus of listening to live music by local musicians playing a variety of genres, including bluegrass, blues, reggae, rockabilly, Irish, indie, folk and classical. While in the Gallery, you may choose to browse the collection of local art in the gift shop. You can purchase handcrafted teapots, coffee mugs, jewelry, clay and glass vases, bird houses, casserole dishes, rice bowls, wooden ships, masks, scarves, paintings and more. Before going back outside, you will probably want to take a peek in the back room of the Gallery, where you can watch skilled glass artisans transform glowing molten glass into bright Bluebirds of Happiness and Pink Birds of Hope, both of which are for sale in the gift shop. Once back outside, a giant game of chess or checkers awaits you. Kids will love that the playing pieces are as big as they are! Then, if you want to show your creative side, or just focus your energies on a character-building task, be sure to check the Terra Studios class schedule and sign up for a session. Head over to the Center for Creativity, where instructors teach classes for all ages

at prices ranging from free to about $40. The Center for Creativity even offers mini-workshops, leadership and team-building classes and day-long retreats. Some of the classes for children include making painted pet rocks, polymer clay pixie doors, pinch pots, tie-dye, clay animals, dragons, trolls, rattles, tiles and wall plaques. “Two-year-olds will sit on their moms’ laps and paint their pet rocks,” Gonzales said. “They get really into it and stay focused.” Classes for adults and children age 12 and up include making clay bird feeders, bird houses, coil pots/ planters, polymer clay jewelry, stained glass suncatchers, wire-wrapping and more. After exploring Terra Studios, you may leave having had a great experience for the whole family. Terra Studios is open every day from 10:00AM to 5:00PM with live, heritage art glass demonstrations from noon to 4:00PM. Admission is free. It is located at 12103 Hazel Valley Rd. in Fayetteville.

For driving directions, class schedules and more information, visit www.terrastudios.com, call (800) 255-8995, or visit Terra Studios’ Facebook page.

Kids and Chiropractic Colic

Dr. Ashley adjusting her nephew, Parker Shane

hiropractic is one of the most overlooked health professions in our nation! Messages from the brain are sent through the spinal cord, the lifeline of the body, to every single organ, tissue, and cell, but when the brain cannot send messages to our body due to some sort of interference, optimal health cannot be reached! Who wants to limit the body’s selfhealing capabilities?! Though always important, there are times when these capabilities are crucial : pregnancy, infancy, and childhood. Chiropractors treat the nervous system by adjusting bones, muscles, and ligaments. Chiropractic care seeks to correct any misalignments found in the body to allow the nervous system to function as it was designed. It truly is as simple as that.

Ear Infections So many children suffer with the painful symptoms of the inner ear fluid not being able to drain. Fortunately, chiropractic adjustments help release the miniscule muscles that control this process of draining, leading to pain relief and prevention, plus treatment of continued ear infections. Equipped with this knowledge, so many parents are choosing to pursue a better approach than antibiotics and ear tubes.

60 April 2014

The intestines are controlled by small nerves that receive information from the brain and absorb nutrients we need to stay alive. If the message is too much, or not enough, these symptoms can occur: increased gas, bloating, sore abdomen, irritability, decreased appetite, severe vomiting. In as little as TWO chiropractic adjustment, infants respond with decreased symptoms!

Pregnancy It is crazy (and exciting) to see how quickly a woman’s body changes during the 40 weeks of pregnancy! Ligaments relax and stretch due to increased hormone production, which causes spinal joints to become subluxated and can cause significant pain. However, regular chiropractic care during pregnancy can help women see reduced levels of pain as well as reduced and easier labor times.

Newborns In the excitement of the baby’s arrival, parents are often unaware of the stress of the birthing process on the infant. Sometimes medical intervention is required, in which forceps, vacuums, and medications are utilized. Often these procedures can cause the neck and spine to be compromised due to their increased flexibility. A chiropractic doctor can check your baby’s spine with a complete exam, including a detailed history of pregnancy and labor, orthopedic and reflex tests, and palpation. Additionally, chiropractors are trained extensively regarding when and when not to adjust, regardless of the patient’s age. Chiropractors do not treat these ailments, but instead implement adjustments designed to simply treat the nervous system. This, in turn, affects overall health and every system of the body! Often children respond best and most quickly to chiropractic. Chiropractic is not limited to just pain management -- it’s about living an optimally healthy life! Dr. Ashley would love to speak with anyone that has any questions about chiropractic and pediatric chiropractic care. Ashley Rhoades, DC, (479) 236-3606, 1177 W. Sunset #2, Springdale, AR

Dad’s View

[

Get up, turn off your bedroom lights, make your bed, take a shower, actually use soap in the shower, dry off after the shower, hang up your towel, put your clothes in the hamper, quit hitting your brother, brush your teeth, comb your hair, put on deodorant, still quit hitting your brother, match your clothes, eat breakfast, drink your milk, put the Cocoa Pebbles up, leave your sister alone, feed the dog, water the dog, pack your bag, pack your lunch, don’t spin on the barstool, pick up your stuff, still leave your sister alone, put the milk up, take the dishes to the sink, put your shoes on, etc.

ow many rules, instructions or directions do you lob at your kids each day? I made a valiant attempt to count, but quickly ran out of fingers and toes and couldn’t remember how to calculate the powers of a number.

This is just a small sampling of the directions given during the first 30 minutes of an average day at our house: Get up, turn off your bedroom lights, make your bed, take a shower, actually use soap in the shower, dry off after the shower, hang up your towel, put your clothes in the hamper, quit hitting your brother, brush your teeth, comb your hair, put on deodorant, still quit hitting your brother, match your clothes, eat breakfast, drink your milk, put the Cocoa Pebbles up, leave your sister alone, feed the dog, water the dog, pack your bag, pack your lunch, don’t spin on the barstool, pick up your stuff, still leave your sister alone, put the milk up, take the dishes to the sink, put your shoes on, etc. Surely there is an easier way. Obviously this onslaught of orders isn’t a very effective method, as it is repeated daily with minimal retention. It isn’t fun for us, doesn’t appear to be much fun for the kids and is downright annoying to all. Imagine if this was applied to the “grown up” world--wouldn’t it be so boss to have a boss sit right by you and instruct you every minute of your day? Didn’t think so. Occasionally I referee the 1st/2nd grade Upward

62 April 2014

by: Ben Lacy

Church League Basketball that features maybe 2 or 3 rules, and I still routinely foul it up (pun intended). On the other hand, a friend of mine used to referee big-time high school football games in Oklahoma and Florida where there are dozens of rules, many future NFL players and just a bit more pressure. He told me that despite the stakes and the massive rule book, he would always bring the coaches together before the game and tell them that the officials might miss a few violations here or there; however, they were DEFINITELY going to watch for and call any and all safety violations. Meaning, player is an inch off-sides? Not a problem. Player goes for the knees? Immediate whistle. Interesting concept. I wonder if this minimalistic approach to mandates would work in my rugrat realm. Maybe, but I needed the proper environment to conduct the test. In other words, I had to wait until Mrs. Lacy was out of the house because she would put a quick and fierce end to this experiment. Why, you ask? Well, we were raised under different statutes. I didn’t have a curfew in 7th grade. She still had one in college ... while getting her Master’s. Different strokes, different folks. If I were going to call only safety violations, then she had to be out of here, lest my own safety come into question. Oh, and my 13-year-old daughter was gone too, which was key. This newly minted teen has less patience than Custer and punches harder than Tyson--not someone you want around for a reduced rule experiment. Before we continue, a disclaimer: I’m a quasi-only child. I have one sibling, a sister who is 13 years older. Of course, as she would tell you, we look the same

age – yes, I beat you to the punch, Pam. We never fought because she was gone when I was in preschool and married when I was in 2nd grade. I mention this because I don’t have a definitive view of what is allowed and not allowed when it comes to brotherly beat downs. I decided for the experiment that the line is between being hurt and being injured. I throw the whistle on, and the experiment begins: play ball! Hypothesis for the Experiment: Bedlam Results of the Experiment: 1. When given leeway to hurt each other, the boys didn’t take full advantage. Maybe because it was a one day experiment or maybe it was because one was hopped up on chocolate fudge Pop Tarts and the other on Chips Ahoy (remember Mom was out of the picture), thus their hierarchy of needs was in balance. 2. The blowing of a whistle (I’m not kidding; I had a whistle) was much more startling than my voice, even my “mean dad voice” as they call it. Like in a sporting event, attention was immediately given to a blown whistle. Meaning, they didn’t ignore me and “play on.” 3. Hygiene is a major repetitive rule at our roost, especially deodorant application and teeth brushing. I didn’t blow the whistle on this one. Instead, I let society do my dirty work. As you are likely quite aware, kids don’t have a filter, so when one stranger kid said to one Lacy kid “Get away, your breath stinks!”

that counted for more than twenty dozen “Go brush your teeth!” commands from me. Also, after playing outside for several hours, both boys said to each other, “Dude, you stink.” 4. Had to call an audible on the “No leaving stuff out” rule. While leaving your shoes in the middle of the room could technically be grounds for a safety call, that was a stretch. So, instead of harping on it I decided anything left out ended up in Narnia (aka hidden in the closet in the garage). Realizing this, they quickly brokered deals to get the items back and constantly reminded each other to be cautious of clutter. 5. Vision could also be a safety concern, but I decided the Xbox was free game (again, pun intended). I even turned off the Family Timer. The result? After 6 straight hours they came to me literally in tears asking to take away the “burning fire” emanating from their eye sockets. Sorry boys, we are fresh out of Visine. So what did I learn or prove? First, I think as a parent and a person I’m a much better producer than director. Meaning, monitoring the progress of the project is vital, but not involvement in every single detail. Second, leave some of the officiating to society. As I found out, friends don’t let friends reek like rhinos. And finally, buy a whistle -- I’m onto something here. The kid whistle was über effective. Hmm, hey Walmart, do I have a product for you!

Northwest Health System Hospital Patients Now Have Secure Online Access to Health Information - My Health Home

www.NorthwestHealth.com My Health Home patient portal is a secure online home for Northwest Health System hospital inpatient health information. It is designed to help you be a more active partner in your healthcare -- conveniently. From any device with internet access, Northwest Health System hospital patients can now view their

hospital records on this special, password-protected website. During any future hospital stay, when patients sign up for My Health Home, they will be able to: • View and share online access to information about their hospital stay. • Have electronic access to an updated list of medications, diagnoses, allergies, lab test results, patient history and other healthcare information. • Access their hospital discharge instructions for better after-discharge care. • Manage family members’ health records once they are authorized. And Northwest Health System will be adding helpful new features regularly, so check the portal often. Registration is quick and easy! Be sure to start the registration process at the hospital.

Our patients’ privacy is important All patient personal and medical information in the My Health Home portal will be kept confidential. My Health Home uses a secure, encrypted connection that meets the highest industry standards. All health data is stored on a secure server and managed with the protection of your information in mind. Only patients – and those they authorize – will be able to see or gain access to the information in their Portal. We will not share, sell or lease a patients personal information with any outside party not affiliated with Northwest Health System.

It’s easy to sign up!

My Health Home is available to patients of Northwest Health System hospitals. And it’s free.

computer, tablet or mobile device with internet connection. The portal has user-friendly navigation.

Here are the few simple steps to sign up while you are at the hospital.

It’s free.

1. Present your photo identification at Registration, and provide your email address 2. We’ll send you an email with a link to the portal: www.northwesthealth.com.MyHealthHome.com 3. Select the link to go to the portal and finalize your account set-up. 4. Enter your name as it appears in the email you received, and your date of birth. 5. Create a password and choose a security question. 6. Log in to view, download and send your information! Your username will always be your email address. Each time you enter your Portal account, you also will need to enter your password and answer your security question for extra security.

It’s easy to use. You don’t have to download or install any programs. You can access My Health Home from any desktop

Setting up and using an account on My Health Home Patient Portal is absolutely free! The service is provided by Northwest Health System hospitals to help you become a healthier, more informed patient.

It’s all about you. We hope that this online service enhances your experience with Northwest Health System hospitals and helps you become a healthier, more informed patient.

Your information, at your fingertips. With the launch of our portal, for the first time you will be able to have online access, day or night, to your inpatient hospital records – your personal health record related to hospital stay, test results, medication list, diagnoses, procedure information and discharge instructions. Remember that only you – and those you authorize – will be able to see or gain access to the information in your Portal.

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2014

Camp Guide Preview

Here are a few of our favorite camps for kids this year! The full guide can be found in the May issue of Peekaboo and online at www.peekaboonwa.com

Want to see your camp listed?

Email editor@peekaboonwa.com to be a part of this amazing resource for parents across Northwest Arkansas!

Rogers Activity Center --

Summer Day Camp and Summer Sports Camps 315 West Olive Street -- www.rogersarkansas.com/recreation

Choose the weeks you want. Camps run from 6:30am to 6:30pm -1st through 7th grade. Field trips, fun activities, breakfast, lunch and snack! Also offering Summer Sports Camps to enhance your childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s skills in their favorite sport.

School of Rock -2890 West Walnut, Rogers, 479-936-8838 bentonvillerogers.schoolofrock.com

SCHOOL OF ROCK offers rock music camps for musicians of all skill levels who play guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, and vocals. Students ages 7-18 can develop their musicianship and learn new skills in a creative and fun environment. Our camps emphasize live performance through workshops, clinics, and group rehearsals, where students learn about playing together in a band and develop stage presence. Our camps are a great introduction to School of Rock, or a perfect complement to our year-round program. Contact us or check out our website to find out about camp schedules and special discounts!

Mad Science -- www.madscience.org -- Ages 4-13 Summer Camps 2014: Let your child spend a day learning about all kinds of cool science and have a blast doing it! Kids participate in handson learning, and take home a sack full of science goodies!

Downtown Activity Center on June 17, 18, 19, and 20th, in Bentonville - call: 479-464-7275. Hobbs State Park Visitor Center Camp is July 25 - call: 479-444-0303. Fayetteville Public Library on July 15 Call: 479-856-7170

New Life Ranch, 918-422-5506, 160 New Life Ranch Dr. , Colcord, OK

Summer camp at New Life Ranch is a unique way for campers going into 3rd through 12th grade to experience Christ. At NLR campers spend a whole week doing things like riding horses, mountain biking, rock climbing, worshiping God, and studying the Bible, all while building relationships with peers, counselors, and ultimately Jesus Christ. Those relationships are what make New Life Ranchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s summer camp thrive. Campers spend quality time with an incredible staff dedicated to exemplifying Christ. And through them, they get to see that a life lived for God is fun, exciting, and full of purpose.

www.newliferanch.com

2014

Camp Imagine Studios 5212 Village Parkway, Suite 11, Rogers 479-619-6085 imagine-art-studio.com

Candyland Art Camp: Inspired by sweets, treats and the old favorite Candyland board game. Draw landscapes made of candy, like lollipop woods, sculpt cupcakes, paint ice cream cones on canvas, and more! Ages: 4-up Dates: July 7-10 or August 4-7 Artrageous Afternoons: Get artrageous making witty and whimsical art work! From clever sculptures to funky canvas paintings, campers will explore a variety of art mediums in a variety of unique ways. Ages: K and up Dates: June 30-July 3 or July 21-24 All-American Art: All-American themed projects in this super fun camp! Make a hamburger collage, tiedye a red, white and blue T-shirt, draw Lady Liberty and make soda straw rockets that really fly! Ages: 5-up Dates: June 30-July 3 Peace, Love, & Art: Projects will include flower power frames, tie-dying t-shirts, and painting peace sign pottery. Ages: 5-up Dates: July 7-10 or July 28-31 Raining Cats & Dogs: The art in this camp will be inspired by our favorite pets! Learn about artist George Rodrigue and paint your own Blue Dog canvas. Ages: K and up Dates: July 14-17 Crafty Chicks: Keep calm and don’t be afraid to cover it in GLITTER! I’m calling all crafty chicks, ’cause this camp is all about you, GIRL! We’re making T-shirts, flip-flops, jewelry, purses and more. Ages: 5-up Dates: June 16-19 or July 21-24 Gourmet Gallery: This is a campers’ favorite! If you love both art and being in the kitchen, this camp is for you! Campers will make food art such as turtle bread and “Pop Art” suckers, plus a dessert plate and your very own chef ’s apron. Ages: 5-up Dates: June 23-26 or July 14-17 And many more ... See www.imagine-art-studio. com for complete listing and details.

Guide Preview Ozark Natual Science Center www.onsc.us 479-789-2754

Summer Camps 2014 at Ozark Natural Science Center are all about learning and fun -- in the woods, under the stars, at the creek, around a campfire. Camps include: Naturalist Camp - nature, crafts, games, astronomy, cookouts, and more. Bug Camp investigate them all, check out their habitats, and learn about bugs! Family Camp - a family getaway exploring the Ozark hiking tails. And many more!

Trike Theatre,

106 NW 2nd St, Bentonville, www.triketheatre.org

Trikeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2014 Summer Camps From superheroes to superstars, young actors to musical theatre, we have something for everyone! Register now and create memories that will last a lifetime.

www.accessfayetteville.org Fayetteville Parks and Recreation is offering eight one-week long summer camps. ALL CAMPS WILL BE FROM 9 AM - 12 PM. Each week is themed after an activity. Tennis, Soccer, Drama, and Camp Wilson are open to all children between the ages of five (must have completed kindergarten) and twelve. Outdoor Adventure Camps are open to all children ages 8-12, and our Outdoor Advanced Camp will be for youth ages 12-15. For additional information, please contact Julia Roe at 479-444-3474 or jroe@ci.fayetteville.ar.us

2014

Camp Guide Preview ATA Martial Arts Fayetteville – 1271 N. Steamboat Dr. 479.443.5425 Bentonville – 1400 SE Walton Blvd. #34 479.273.1212 Most amazing and original summer camp ever! Make new friends! Martial Arts Action! Pizza Party! Bullying Prevention! Board Breaking Tricks! Games! June 23-27 and July 21-25 from 7:30am to 3pm

The Little Gym -- 2603 W. Pleasant Grove, Suite 118, Rogers 479-636-5566

Little gym’s expert instructors fill each three-hour camp day with fitness and fun. Obstacle courses challenge them. Arts and crafts engage them. And group activities, snack time and special events give them time to interact and build their social skills – all in a non-competitive, nurturing environment.

Crystal Bridges Summer Camps, www.CrystalBridges.org Crystal Bridges Museum of American ArtSummer Camps! Register now for Crystal Bridges summer camps for kids 6 to 12! Explore the museum galleries and grounds, enjoy art-making and theatre activities, make friends, and have fun! All materials and healthy, nut-free snacks are included in camp fee of $150 ($120 for Members), Register online or at Guest Services.

Larson’s Language Center Summer Camp and Summer Club! (Ages 3-13) 479-633-9900, www.larsonslanguagecenter.com 1730 W. Poplar St. , Rogers Learn Spanish while playing -- Foreign language, crafts, cooking, games and more!

Mining and Crafting 2: Steve is jumping for joy as he introduces the newest members of his Minecraft® world. Campers will be challenged to bring their virtual designs to life by building new mob figures, mosaics and custom models, incorporating LEGO® Bricks. Angry Birdies/Bad Piglets: Campers will be challenged to physically build and destroy a level from the popular game of Angry Birds. Bricks 4 Kidz Village on the Creeks, Rogers (479) 268-4345 www.bricks4kidz.com/rogers

72 April 2014

Bricks 4 God: Explore great stories of faith as we build models with LEGO® Bricks of the tree in the Garden of Eden, Noah’s ark, a lion such as Daniel faced in the lion’s den, the Ark of the Covenant, the whale that swallowed Jonah, and a house of worship. These models engage students’ imaginations as they retell the stories from Scripture and identify key lessons from each account. Other camps include: Comic Creators, Chi Challenge Camp and More!

479.659.0999 1117 N. Dixieland, Lowell

At a Glance ARTS and MUSIC

At a Glance

Crystal Bridges (Pg. 61) (479) 418-5700 crystalbridges.org/KidsDirectory Imagine Studios (Pg. 34) (479) 619-6085 imagine-studios.com Rogers Museum (Pg. 63) (479) 621-1154 School of Rock (Pg. 11) (479) 936-8838 Trike Theatre (Pg. 53) (479) 464-5084 triketheatre.org Walton Arts Center (Pg. 18) www.waltonartscenter.org

BANKS

First Security Bank (Pg. 26) www.fsbank.com

CHILDCARE/NANNY SERVICES

ABC Happy Kids Learning Academy (Pg. 65) (479) 621-6126 www.abchappykids.com Bentonville Christian Academy (Pg. 80) (479) 616-4880 bentonvillechristian.org Better Beginnings (Pg. 8) 1-800-445-3316 arbetterbeginnings.com The Kid’s Studio (Pg. 23) (479) 268-6675 www.thekidsstudio.com Larson’s Language Center (Pg. 20) (479) 633-9900 www.larsonslanguagecenter.com Mary’s Little Lambs (Pg. 47) (479) 273-1011 Seeking Sitters (Pg. 30) (501) 203-3097 www.seekingsitters.com Walnut Farm Montessori School (Pg. 79) (479) 271-9424 walnutfarmmontessori.com

CHURCH

Unitarian Universalist (Pg. 71) www.uubcar.com

CLOTHING / FURNITURE

Little Darlings (Pg. 27) (479) 464-8492

DANCE/CHEER/TUMBLE/STRETCH

The Little Gym (Pg. 52) (479) 636-5566 tlgrogersar.com

DENTIST / ORTHODONTIST

Dr. Brown - Orthodontics Exclusively (Pg. 21) www.drbrownbraces.com Smile Shoppe Pediatric Dentistry (Pg. 43) (479) 631-6377

DERMATOLOGY

NWA Center for Plastic Surgery (Pg. 2) (479) 571-3100 nwacenterforplasticsurgery.com

EDUCATION

Bentonville Christian Academy (Pg. 80) (479) 616-4880 bentonvillechristian.org

Central Children’s Academy (Pg. 35) centralchildrensacademy.com (479) 443-4037 Ozark Kids, Inc. (Pg. 54) (479) 935-9992 Shiloh Christian School (Pg. 5) (479) 756-1140 Walnut Farm Montessori School (Pg. 79) (479) 271-9424 walnutfarmmontessori.com

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT

Epic Inflatables (Pg. 70) (479) 270-9982 Fast Lane Entertainment (Pg. 75) (479) 659-0999 www.fastlanebowl.com Mad Science (Pg. 47) (479) 444-0303 www.madscience.org/nwa New Life Ranch (Pg. 9) NewLifeRanch.com Ozark Natural Science Center (Pg. 4) (479) 789-2754 The Party Place (Pg. 67) thepartyplacear.com (479) 230-9494 Rogers Activity Center (Pg. 33) (479) 631-0336 Rogers Museum (Pg. 63) (479) 621-1154 School of Rock (Pg. 11) (479) 936-8838 Starlight Skatium (Pg. 73) (479) 444-STAR Trike Theatre (Pg. 53) (479) 464-5084 triketheatre.org

FOOD / DRINK

TCBY (Pg. 3) (479) 636-8229 (TCBY)

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

A. R. Chiropractic (Pg. 23) (479) 236-3606 ARchiropractic.com Dr. Jim Elkins (Pg. 31, 59) (479) 636-0300 Ginn Foot and Ankle (Pg. 64) (479) 254-1975 www.nwafoot.com Laser Partners of NWA (Pg. 71) (479) 271-5355 laserpartnersnwa.com Morter Health Corner (Pg. 69) (479)636-1324 morterhealthcorner.com Tate HealthCare (Pg. 77) (479) 271-6511 www.tatehealthcare.com

HOME and YARD

Carpet Smart (Pg. 49) (479) 750-0117 / (866) 795-8520

JEWELRY AND GIFTS

David Adams (Pg. 69) davidadams.com

LEARNING CENTER

ABC Happy Kids Learning Academy (Pg. 65) (479) 621-6126 www.abchappykids.com Bricks 4 Kidz (Pg. 17) (479) 268-4345 Larson’s Language Center (Pg. 20) (479) 633-9900 www.larsonslanguagecenter.com LearningRx (Pg. 17) Bentonville: (479) 715-6870

MARTIAL ARTS ATA (Pg. 39)

Bentonville: (479) 273-1212 / Fay: (479) 443-5425

OPTOMETRIST

Pediatric Vision Development Center (Pg. 37) nwavisiontherapy.com (479) 795-1411

PEDIATRICIAN

Best Start Pediatric Clinic (Pg. 15) (479) 575-9359 Bentonville Pediatric Clinic (Pg. 29) (479) 273-5437 The Children’s Clinic at Springdale (Pg. 19) (479) 751-2522 Harvey Pediatrics (Pg. 55) (479) 254-1100 harveypediatrics.com MANA NWA Pediatric Clinic (Pg. 66) Wellness: (479) 443-3471 Urgent: (479) 442-7322

PLASTIC SURGEON

NWA Center for Plastic Surgery (Pg. 2) (479) 571-3100 www.nwacenterforplasticsurgery.com

ABC Happy Kids Learning Academy (Pg. 65) (479) 621-6126 www.abchappykids.com Bentonville Christian Academy (Pg. 80) (479) 616-4880 bentonvillechristian.org The Kid’s Studio (Pg. 23) (479) 268-6675 www.thekidsstudio.com Larson’s Language Center (Pg. 20) (479) 633-9900 www.larsonslanguagecenter.com Mary’s Little Lambs (Pg. 47) (479) 273-1011 Walnut Farm Montessori School (Pg. 79) (479) 271-9424 walnutfarmmontessori.com

PRESCHOOL/ PRE-K

SALON - HAIR AND NAILS

Pigtails&Crewcuts (Pg. 27) (479) 935-4121 pigtailsandcrewcuts.com

SURROGACY SERVICES

Gifted Journeys (Pg. 28) (818) 505-3026 www.giftedjourneys.com

THERAPY

ABC Happy Kids Learning Academy (Pg. 65) (479) 621-6126 www.abchappykids.com Dr. Thomas Terry Lawson (Pg. 51) (479) 444-1400 www.terrylawson.com Tate HealthCare (Pg. 77) (479) 271-6511

WOMEN’S HEALTH

Life Spring Women’s Health (Pg. 25) (479) 271-0005 lifespringhealthcare.com Northwest Women’s Heatlh Center (Pg. 13) (479) 503-2525 Northwest Willow Creek Women’s Hospital (Pg. 7) (479) 684-3000 Parkhill Clinic for Women (Pg. 45) (479) 521-4433 Siloam Springs Women’s Center (Pg. 56) (479) 524-9312 siloamwomenscenter.com Washington Regional Her Health (Pg. 48) (479) 463-5500 wregional.com