July 2018

SUMMER F UN From A to Z

Bug Bites of Summer

July 2018 FREE Magazine

*Northwest Health Physicians’ Specialty Hospital is owned, in part, by physicians.

Be f

e or

Dr. Stacey and the staff at Northwest Arkansas Center for Plastic Surgery have exceeded all of my expectations, not just in my results, but also in their caring and friendly approach. This is by far the best decision I have made for myself and I only wish I had done it sooner. Their work is flawless and I am very happy with the outcome and my experience.

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At Pediatric Dental Associates and Orthodontics you’ll discover that we go the extra mile for our patients! From the moment you see our office, you’ll know what we mean. We have a fully themed environment that is comforting and fun for your children.

We offer preventive, restorative, and orthodontic services for kids ages 0-18.

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We accept all insurances and we are in-network with Delta Dental, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, ARKids, Delta Dental Smiles, and MCNA. July 2018

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The

Family KIMBERLY ENDERLE Editor-in-Chief editor@peekaboonwa.com | 479-957-0532

JONATHON ENDERLE Creative Director jon@peekaboonwa.com | 479-586-3890

Kim and Jonathon with Gwen, Holden, Grant and Ava Enderle.

PHOTO BY ASHLEY MURPHY IMAGES

FRANCES WILSON Assistant Editor

DISTRIBUTION/ CIRCULATION Joyce Whitaker Judy Evans Marcedalia Salinas

Jeremy Whitaker Michelle Dodson

BEN LACY Dad’s View

Columnist

Peekaboo Publications PO Box 1036 Bentonville, Arkansas 72712 Please send inquiries to: editor@peekaboonwa.com or call 479-957-0532 www.peekaboonwa.com 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.

PEEKABOO Northwest Arkansas accepts writing contributions

6 July 2018

MEAGAN RUFFING Columnist

DAVID HOVEY Story Design

When children need medical attention, they deserve special treatment. And Northwest Pediatric Convenient Care is here to help. A team of skilled providers will deliver the care your child needs in a comforting environment designed just for kids.

If your child needs care fast, come see us. To learn more, visit NW-Physicians.com.

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Whether you need prenatal care, an annual preventive exam, or gynecological screenings, Willow Creek Women’s Clinic is here for you. We also provide family planning and postpartum care as well as gynecological services for adolescents.

Call 479-757-1730 to ask about same-day appointments. Or, visit NW-Physicians.com.

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Being a patient shouldn’t test your patience. So, we’re making it easier to see a healthcare provider. You can book an appointment online with one of our primary care doctors. Or walk right in to any Northwest Health Urgent Care without an appointment. And convenient online check-in for ER and Urgent Care visits saves your spot in line, before you arrive. At Northwest Health, we’re taking your care in new directions.

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J U LY 2 0 1 8

14 16 20 22 24 26 38 40 42 46 On the Cover: Charlee Grace Saunders, age 3, daughter of Casey and Randi Saunders of Bentonville.

Photos by: Main Street Studios Mainstreetstudios.net

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56 58 60

My Endometriosis Journey to Charlee by: Randi Saunders

Better Together by: Michelle Wallace

Meet Bexley by: Aaron Webster

Life Lessons at Summer Camp by: Julie Grau

Help in an Instant by: Caralisa Richardson

Becoming a Survival Swimmer by: Sarah Gwin

Ann by: Kelly Krout

Parents Left Behind 2018: You Are Not Alone

by Susan Averitt, M.D.

Project ChildSafe by: Dwain Hebda

The Bug Bites of Summer by: Curtis Lanning

Dad’s View wtih Ben Lacy

Summer Fun A to Z with Meagan Ruffing

Peekaboo Pet Picks

Cover Sponsored by: Northwest Health www.northwesthealth.com 10 July 2018

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Peace of Mind

If you have a story to share, or an idea for a story, email editor@peekaboonwa.com and be a part of the Peekaboo family!

From the Editor

HERE IS A LOOK AHEAD! _____________________________ AUGUST welcomes students and teachers back to school and gives readers a look at all the great school options around the area!

If you have a preschool, after-school program, private school, or charter school to recommend, we want to include you in this special guide!

W

ith only one month left before our kids head back to school and we shift our lackadaisic days of summer back into the heavilyscheduled school year, we want to make sure that we help parents across the area finish off the summer while having fun and staying safe.

That is why we have dedicated this issue to summer safety, and packed it with great articles from experts on ways we can help keep our kids safe this season --and all year long. From bug bites, to dangers in the water, to gun safety, a variety of important information is presented, from the first page to the last. This is an important issue, meant to be saved and referred to all year long.

When it comes to summer, I always find myself in a panic, a race to do as much for and with my kids as possible. The end goal: to make it the best summer ever, without a drop of boredom. The end result of this lofty goal, however, is usually a lot of days where we overpack our day, only to find ourselves fussing at each other, tired, cranky, and missing every fun part of the “fun” day.

There is no question that kids need routine; but, when the last school bell rings, signaling the end of the year, all routines immediately go out the rolled-down car window. Reasonable bed time? Forget it, because the sun doesn’t even think about trying to set until past my own bedtime. Meals within a normal breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, and

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All you have to do is find the 3 creatures, then go on our Facebook page, check the post pinned to the top of the page, and tag the three businesses. On July 20th, we will draw a winner from the entries and one lucky reader will win $100!

12 July 2018

dinner schedule? Impossible. Most of the time, the first meal falls at the same time my preschooler was used to eating lunch at school, and, unless ice cream at Spark Cafe counts as lunch, then we have missed that meal, too.

Rules are also relaxed in order to keep the day moving forward. “So, you mean we can jump on the cushions that you said we couldn’t jump on yesterday?” my kids ask. Well, as long as they give me 15 minutes to edit a story, and as long as they don’t hurt themselves, they can do anything they want, within reason. Not exactly textbook scenarios for how to run a family smoothly and with consistency, but--it’s summer! My hope is that, at the end of this summer, the kids can say, “We had a fun summer!” – one that wasn’t filled with fights and bickering because I overbooked them and pushed them to just keep “doing for the sake of doing.” That is why a mental health day is vital. A day when Netflix and cuddles are on repeat all day, and pizza delivery is on the menu. A day like this is just what we need to counteract the heat and the side effects of overtime “sibling time.”

Here are other ways we are seizing summer: Accept boredom and free play: When the kids say that they are bored, don’t take it as a sign that you aren’t doing enough – take it as a challenge! Encourage your children to not see it as a problem, but as a way to get creative and find their own ways to change their state of mind. Encourage them to have time to play, discover their own interests, and to use their imagination.

Seize a slower pace: it is easy to want to pack in as much as possible, but remember your own childhood, with days when you could lay on the couch, and watch morning cartoons in your PJs. Give your kids that same opportunity without feeling guilty about being lazy. An unhurried pace is healthy, and a little time laying in the grass with the kids finding shapes in the clouds can be both good for the mind and for the soul – all while creating memories your children will take with them forever!

Happy summer! - Kim Enderle *In the June issue of PEEKABOO, we shared a story by the founders of Changer’s Ink and their pursuit to change hearts to end violence. To contact them, email changers.ink2@gmail.com

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On the Cover:

My Endometriosis Journey to Charlee by: Randi Saunders photo by: Main Street Studios

I

t was in high school that I remember the start of the excruciating pain, headaches and nausea. I have so much sympathy for anyone who suffers from the same chronic illness that I do -- endometriosis.

I remember being told that all girls have cramps, and that mine weren’t anything out of the ordinary, but my pain was so debilitating for me, and I just didn’t understand why. It wasn’t until I got older and had my first laparoscopic surgery that the cause was confirmed on the imaging. Endometriosis definitely wasn’t pleasant, but I learned to live with it the best that I could. I just came to the conclusion that I was going to lose one week out of every month, and that was how it was going to be. I tried a lot of different options to manage the symptoms-a few laparoscopic surgeries throughout the years to clean it out, and several different birth controls.

The only one that seemed to help, but not without its own side effects, was the Depo shot.

There is currently no cure for endometriosis, and it can affect everyone differently. I know people who have had it worse than me, and also people who didn’t know they had it at all until they couldn’t get pregnant.

It wasn’t until after I got married that it really affected my life again. A few years went by, and we were ready for a child. We tried for a few years with no success. When this happens, you go through so many emotions. I felt like everyone around us was getting pregnant -- everyone but us. We had hope, but we also had some heartbreaks along the way.

We decided to try Clomid, but, after a few rounds of me constantly feeling sick, I decided it was going 14 July 2018

to happen the all-natural way, or not at all. I was putting it in God’s hands, and I wasn’t going to stress myself or my husband out anymore.

I remember that it was a couple of days after New Year’s that I knew I was pregnant, even before the most sensitive test showed a positive. I actually went up to my work to get a blood test that came back negative. The poor co-worker of mine that had to tell me it was negative was probably thinking I was crazy, because I told her that even though it said negative, I was, in fact, pregnant-- it must just be 24 hours too soon for it to tell. Sure enough, I was right! I waited patiently (surprisingly) for a couple of more days before I gave a test the chance to tell me what I already knew. Then, after 6 positive tests, plus a doctor visit, we confirmed that I was, indeed, pregnant!

Despite having a sciatica, a broken rib, and having to sleep straight up for 9 months, I had the best pregnancy and delivery that I could have hoped for. None of that compared to having had the worst periods for most of my life, and all of it was worth it and beautiful to me because I had wanted to be pregnant for so long. Charlee Grace was born happy and healthy, and made our little family complete.

I get asked all the time if we will have more children, and I don’t know the answer -- or even if we would even be able to. All I know is that we are so fortunate that we got the privilege to be the parents of Miss Charlee. I know there are so many other women and families out there trying to conceive, and, from the bottom of my heart, I wish you the best of luck.

Teddy Bear Clinic and Open House

August 7, 2018 OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Teddy Bear Clinic 3-4:30pm Open House 4:30-6pm

Meet the doctors and staff of Best Start Pediatric Clinic in their new location! Children can bring their teddy bear for a checkup and be involved in the fun process.

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COMING SOON TO NWA! Let us get under your skin!

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Better Together

by Michelle Wallace

“Facebook should just be puppies and children!”

“I don’t post political stuff on social media.

I just stay out of it.”

I used to say those things, too. I used to try and stay in the middle -- ‘don’t rock the boat.’ But, political issues are only political issues until they become people. I realized this when one of my dear friends was served a deportation notice after entering the country legally, working under a valid work visa, and building a life for 22 years in Rogers, Arkansas.

Victor Galindo and his 5 children started attending our church about 6 years ago. Every Sunday he would enter the 8:30AM service quietly (hard to do with five children ages 5-13) and sit in the middle pew. I remember being in awe of him because, as a pastor’s wife, I also had to get children ready and to church by myself, but I only had three! Every statistic says that, no matter how much a mother attends church, if the father does not attend regularly, then less than 10% of those children will attend church as adults. In the face of that statistic, here was Victor, greeting and saying a few words to others before returning to his five well-behaved children in the pew.

Victor slowly began opening up, as he brought his children to the youth events and attended all the mandatory parent meetings. His partner worked

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as a waitress, so all weekends and evenings he was responsible for their children. Slowly, I learned about Victor’s gifts of painting and working on cars. He told us about his handyman skills, and how he had been in the process of building his own home in Mexico when he had the opportunity to come to the US and work. He used his gifts and began doing small projects around the church.

He humbly and quietly fixed, painted, and served.

Victor began working on cars for people in the church, and offering to do painting or other home projects--not only Victor, but his children as well.

Victor instilled in them that service is important.

He and his children volunteer to help improve homes in the neighborhood around the church by doing lawn work for our elderly neighbors. Both his humility and his kindness are inspiring.

In the fall of 2017, Victor received a notice that his work permit was no longer valid. In the month after that, he scrambled to follow the maze of rules and bureaucracy to renew it. He traveled to Fayetteville, and then Fort Smith -- only to be told he was given bad information and had to go back to Fayetteville. Luckily, he was finally able to weave through the red-tape and renew his permit. We all breathed a sigh of relief.

Then, in the spring of 2018, Victor received a

letter of deportation. As with any step in the cumbersome immigration process, there was much confusion and uncertainty about the letter.

There was a 30 day deadline--but did he have to respond in 30 days? Did he have to leave in 30 days? Did he have 30 days to appeal? Did he cross back over the border himself? Would he report to an ICE immigration center (a for-profit prison) to be imprisoned? It was amazing to see lawyers and legal professionals puzzle over the ever-changing and murky immigration laws to decipher the letter.

It was disheartening to see the confusion from professionals, and hear the advice that he should just “hide out” until things change. Victor would not consider the possibility of staying illegally and continued on in his search for a knowledgeable lawyer. With nowhere else to turn, my husband, Shawn, reached out to our congregation for help via phone calls and Facebook. That was when God breathed new life into Victor’s situation.

Shawn came home for dinner, and I could tell the day had been more stressful than normal. He sat down and explained that he had reached out to our congregation for help and wasn’t sure what kind of response he would receive. You see, our denomination is inclusive, and believes that, no matter what issues in this world seek to divide us, Turn the page …

we are all welcome at God’s table. While this is Biblical, it is very hard to navigate in the flesh. Our congregation consists of both very conservative and very liberal members, and everyone else in between! Shawn had very real fears that some members would question the help he was trying to extend to Victor. But then, Shawn’s phone started beeping… and beeping… and beeping. That night he had to disable the Facebook notifications from the church’s page so we could finish dinner.

Victor’s post had spread and been shared outside the members of our church; even outside the community of Northwest Arkansas. People were reading Victor’s story. Not only reading it, but being moved to share it. People were seeing this man as God sees him--holy, beloved, and of value.

The overwhelming support from the community was an act of God. Shawn’s fears quickly subsided as our congregation came together to proclaim that we know this man, Victor. He is a part of us.

He is a child of God, and this is not right.

Understandably, there were many questions from the congregation and the community! “Aren’t they only deporting criminals?”

No.

Since Victor’s story has been made public, we have heard of ministers, family members, community leaders, and parents that have been served deportation papers. People in your community or neighborhood that you probably know and work with are at risk of suddenly losing their immigration status. We were also asked, “Why didn’t he apply for citizenship, since he has been here 22 years?”

Unfortunately, his visa type did not possess a way to apply for citizenship; however, now that he has been given a deportation notice, he is eligible to apply for citizenship, and has--the laws don’t make sense, so don’t worry if that is hard to understand!

“Can’t he leave and come back in with legal status?”

If Victor leaves the country, he will not be allowed to return for 10 years, but, more likely, he won’t be allowed to return for more than 15 years because of the backlog of people trying to clear up their immigration status. The system is broken, and oftentimes leads to more questions than answers.

Thankfully, Victor has found a lawyer willing to

file an appeal. At the beginning of June, Victor was able to submit over 40 personal affidavits attesting to his good moral character. Those affidavits seek to explain the cycle of poverty that will be created if a father of 5, who financially supports his family, is removed from our community. Those 40 affidavits are a personal plea that we know this man, and we know the damage and heartache that will occur if he is removed from our lives. Those 40 affidavits now go to an immigration judge and ask for Victor’s case to be reopened. And so... we wait.

While we wait, we pray, and we look for the way to reach out and be the hands and feet of God to our immigrant neighbor.

This past week, Victor sat across the table from me and my family while eating lunch. He proudly told of his child passing the driver’s education exam.

Victor excitedly talked about the church’s youth mission trip he would attend the following week.

He even shared concerns that many fathers feel for their children. I could not help but feel empathy for the weight of the world that he carried as a father, but I cannot imagine how much greater it is when you have to consider the possibility of being separated from your family.

The worry of:

Did I teach them enough?

Is this my last kiss goodbye? Who will watch over them if I am gone? Sitting across the table from Victor, he sounded like a father--and a pretty great one!

Is immigration a political issue?

Immigration is only a political issue until Victor Galindo is ripped from his five children and his home of 22 years.

Is Immigration a hard subject to understand?

Immigration is only hard to understand when you can’t fathom a parent who decides it is safer to walk hundreds of miles for the slight chance that they might make it safely to another country rather than stay where they are.

Immigration is not cut-and-dry--whether legal or undocumented--but it is a human issue, and there are real lives trying to navigate this process every day.

If you would like more information about the facts of Victor’s case, Lowell Grisham wrote a wonderful article here: nwaonline.com/news/2018/may/15/lowell-grisham-how-anti-family-must-we-/

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by Aaron Webster In December of 2015, our pregnancy test came back positive. Already delighted with our firstborn son the year before, my wife, Stacy, and I were eager to add to the clan, create our own American dream, and start our new lives as a perfect little symmetrical family! But, as we were to soon find out, the next few months were not going to be the picture-perfect scenario we had in our minds; they would be a roller coaster of emotions that would test our faith and perseverance.

The first sign that caused us suspicion began in week 10 of Stacy’s pregnancy, when an episode left us wondering if we had miscarried. Frightened and concerned, we went to the hospital to find that everything was okay, and the baby was still alive. Shaken, but strong, we continued to press on with caution. All seemed to be back to normal, but never really seemed quite right. Our ultrasound nine weeks later revealed that we were having a girl! Right then, we started calling her by her name, Bexley Anne. However, that day also revealed something troubling that justified a visit with the doctor. Stacy was one centimeter dilated, which was unusual for this point in the pregnancy. The doctors felt she needed a small surgical procedure to keep anything from happening too soon. I kissed Stacy’s forehead, as she was wheeled back, assuming everything would go to plan. What seemed like minutes had passed before the doctor came back into the room to provide an update. What he said still leaves me in shock to this day. “We couldn’t perform the procedure because we discovered a fetal foot in the cervix.” I was in disbelief--I didn’t know what that meant, or even how to grasp the situation at hand.

20 July 2018

Through his explanation, and piecing the puzzle together, it started to become clear -- we did have a miscarriage in week 10: Bexley’s twin. We were disillusioned with the fact that we had had twins and didn’t know it. Heartbroken for the baby we had lost, we focused on Bexley, who was still with us. Needless to say, the next few weeks were going to be crucial, both for us and Bexley.

As we tried to pick up the pieces, we celebrated with the family at her gender reveal party. Her name was Bexley Anne – but it might as well have been Princess. She was to be the first granddaughter in a sea of boys, and was already spoiled! The next few weeks were filled with the joy of what comes with bringing a new life into the world: buying girl clothes and gearing up for the big day when she would arrive! Little did we know, the “big day” would come sooner than we realized.

We were informed of all the risks, and were advised to take every day with caution. As cautious as we were, we could not stop the inevitable, and her water broke on June 6th at 28 weeks. Confused and bewildered, we rushed to the hospital, got assigned a room, and a plan was put in place to keep Stacy pregnant for as long as they could. Bedridden, we weren’t leaving that hospital for the foreseeable future. Hours turned into days, and the time dragged on. Doctors were checking the fluid around the baby, and the neonatologists were prepping us in case of an early arrival. We were grateful that Bexley was healthy, but exhausted about what was shaping up to be a summer spent in a hospital room trying to make it to week 40.

June 15th was another normal day, with a couple of visitors and some routine checkups, and everyone

went to bed happy and healthy. It was 10:30PM, however, when Stacy woke up in seething pain, begging me to call the nurse. After assessing the situation and calling in the doctor, they discovered that Bexley was coming out, knee first. Chaos ensued, nurses pulling plugs and calling orders, and I was left in a panic as they hurried her down for an emergency cesarean section. Much to my relief, the next sight I saw was my daughter, Bexley Anne, wheeled out in an incubator with a nurse wearing a smile. “Everyone is fine.” She said, “Meet your daughter!” There I looked at the tiniest angel I’ve ever seen, at three pounds, three ounces, and followed them up to the NICU. What followed was a 7-week whirlwind of emotions. Between oxygen masks, feeding tubes, and PICC lines, it made our hearts ache to see our precious baby bound by so many life-sustaining devices. Within a few days, the doctors starting noticing irregular spikes in her heartbeat pattern, and she was diagnosed with SVT, a tachycardic condition that causes the heart to beat faster than it should. We spent every day with our baby girl.

‘Kangarooing’ for six hours a day was our way to let her know we were there for her. We got to know all the nurses and doctors, and attended all the courses that were offered to parents, including CPR training, infant massage, and infant therapy.

The March of Dimes was there for me on Father’s Day, giving me a goodie bag of treats to brighten my day and to let us know we were not alone in this fight. The NICU parents’ support group was also there for us to share our experience with others going through the same trauma. Not only was this experience life-altering for us, but it also impacted our 22-month-old son, who was being tossed from grandparent to grandparent until we could one day go home as a family.

Bexley kept growing and fighting.

We realized we had a strong-willed diva on our hands! As the weeks went on, more tubes came off and

her SVT subsided with medication. She was also feeding on her own! On August 4th (exactly 50 days from when she was born), we were released to finally take our baby girl home... just a couple of weeks shy of her actual due date!

She finally got to meet her brother and see her room. As she turns two this year, we still look back on her journey, shaking our heads, wondering how such a little girl can persevere through an experience such as this. We look towards the future with optimism, grateful that, in spite of her early arrival, she will continue to grow and live a happy and healthy life!

We have immeasurable gratitude for the care and concern given to Stacy and Bexley by all the nurses and doctors at Willow Creek Medical Center in Johnson. They will forever have a place in our hearts, and we couldn’t begin to thank them enough.

Stacy now leads the NICU parents’ support group on Thursdays. Every week, she helps struggling parents by sharing Bexley’s success story and giving them hope during their baby’s journey. I still wear my March of Dimes bracelet they gave me on Father’s Day--it’s there to remind me of Bexley’s perseverance, her twin whose life was cut too short, and the fact that parents just like me are going through this every day. The March of Dimes funds research to increase survival rates of premature births. It was through their advancements that the possibility for Bexley to be here today became a reality.

You can help support the March of Dimes and their cause to raise awareness and research of prematurity by visiting their website at www.marchofdimes.org.

Going away to camp showed me that my parents thought I could take care of myself, and I proved that I could. At camp, I was asked by someone other than my parents to eat whatever was served, clear the table, make my bed, and take a rest; unlike at home, I willingly did my part without argument. It helped me learn how to make friends quickly, how to get along with people different from me, and how to work through feeling sad or mad without my mom around to help me out. Camp was a chance for me to be me!

So, of course, when my own daughter was deemed old enough to attend Girl Scout Camp for a week after completing first grade, I was all in. Or was I? It is a different time, after all. As a whole, our children are more sheltered from experiencing discomfort. If they venture out from their airconditioned homes, they get covered in sunscreen and bug spray every few hours. They wear knee and elbow pads, not to mention a helmet, to ride their bikes. They require snacks and carry water bottles and seldom run around the neighborhood from morning until dark surviving on water from a hose. Additionally, our children are very wellsupervised. Many of my friends, me included, are hesitant to leave their children with anyone other than a grandparent or best friend. And the storylines of a few Lifetime movies make the idea of a slumber party give us all pause. We just want to keep our children safe... All. Of. The. Time.

by Julie Grau As a child, I loved summertime! But, even more than summer, I loved camp. I attended several day camps held by Dallas Parks and Rec, and a vacation Bible school or two, but what I remember most is the weeks spent overnight at Camp Ellowi Camp Fire Camp. Those simple summer days are full of fond memories and sweet friendships. I fondly recall making “God’s eyes” with yarn and Popsicle sticks, trading friendship bracelets, eating s’mores with a little ash on the edges, singing songs around a campfire, practicing strokes in the pool to earn my ‘polliwog certificate,’ and waiting for the ‘Ellowi Elf ’ to catch my elbows on the table.

22 July 2018

And that is exactly why I had to send my daughter to camp last year. Keeping my child under my supervision at all times may keep her safe, but it won’t allow her to grow. I want to raise a strong, confident child that can take care of herself, be a good friend, follow rules, solve problems, enjoy life, and generally be her own person. Maybe it is because she is an only child that I feel compelled to push her to learn how to make new friends.

Perhaps, as an older parent, I fear I may not have as many years with her, so I want to make sure she is self-sufficient. But how do I equip her with such skills without giving her a chance to exercise them? Where can she practice being fully herself without my expectations or corrections getting in her way? What activity gives her a chance to choose new skills to develop, practice being selfsufficient, problem-solve how to work with others, and experience being her own person for 5 whole days in a safe, fun environment? Camp!

So, I sent her. I was a wreck all week. Camp posted photos of her, and I analyzed her body language:

why is she standing alone? Why isn’t she smiling?

Why is she not with her group? I waited for a call to come pick her up early. I was sure she would come home with tales of being miserable all week, wetting the bed, being too hot, getting too many bug bites, and not liking camp food. But, I was wrong. She came home with tales of laughing, swimming, singing, hiking, cooking, shooting arrows, and generally having a blast with her new friends. And, though there was a tale of a girl putting rocks in her pillow, and she didn’t love camp food, she worked through it all and still loved camp. My little 7-year-old that left home requiring minute-by-minute directions when it came to getting herself dressed, showered, and fed came home more independent, more confident, more willing to try new things, and very excited about going again.

As I write this, my now 8-year-old is at one of two week-long overnight Girl Scout camps she is attending this summer.

She was initially nervous to attend because she didn’t have any friends going to her same session. However, she made fast friends with the girl in the car behind us as we waited for the gates to open. They quickly assessed that they were a perfect pair: the other girl wanted to be on the bottom bunk, while mine

was hoping to spend her first night ever on a top bunk. She quickly shooed her father and I away so she could enjoy her new friendship and all that camp would bring. I am confident that the ride home will be full of tales of fun. Even if there is a tale of woe or two, I know from experience that it won’t dim her increased confidence or growing independence. Camp is the one place she can be herself 24/7, without my input or supervision. And that is exactly why she will do it again next year.

HELP - IN AN -

INSTANT

By Caralisa Richardson

After finding their 20-month-old son Rob’s head caught in a wooden toy box at their Fayetteville home, the Bittle family feared the worst.

“We thought he was dead,” recalls Claire, Rob’s mom, “We called 9-1-1, and I started doing CPR. Thankfully, he started responding.”

An ambulance took Rob to a nearby hospital.

While in the Emergency Room, Rob had two seizures, and doctors called Angel One transport to airlift him to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock. “At that moment, I realized the seriousness of it. I think we just wanted it to not be that bad,” Claire says.

The Angel One transport team arrived within what felt like minutes. “The team was amazing.

One nurse in particular was like an angel herself.

She grabbed me by the arm and said, ‘I want you to know this was not your fault,’ and I just broke down. In the chaos of it all, I hadn’t allowed myself to cry. She was so comforting.”

Once Rob was admitted, his healthcare team hooked him up to an EEG, a test that detects electrical activity in your brain using small, flat metal discs attached to your scalp. The results of the test would help Rob’s neurologist evaluate how his brain was responding after being without oxygen.

“They monitored him all night, and, thankfully, he didn’t have another seizure. He woke up the next morning acting like himself again. We were relieved,” Claire says.

The next day was long. There was a lot of waiting and watching. After reviewing Rob’s test results, his pediatric neurologist prescribed an anti-seizure medication for 3 months.

PHOTOS BY BETH HALL

24 July 2018

When the family returned to ACH for Rob’s follow-up visit, he had another EEG. Everything looked normal, so he was taken off his medication and has done great ever since. As an active, energetic three-yearold, he loves soccer and his gymnastics class. He loves reading books, playing with Legos and doing puzzles.

“We were only at ACH for 48 hours; but, in that short

amount of time, we were so grateful that Rob was able to get care at ACH. Everyone was so nice and made everything easy. They explained what was happening each step of the way,” Claire says.

The Bittle family is excited to have a new pediatric hospital, Arkansas Children’s Northwest, so close to home. “ACNW is such a blessing,” Claire says, “Some things are so time-sensitive. Having Arkansas Children’s Northwest in our own backyard makes it possible for more children to have access to a higher level of pediatric care. And that is so important. Our children are our future.”

After all, no matter how small, every childhood emergency is a big deal.

Arkansas Children’s Northwest in Springdale has the only pediatric emergency department in the region. The Emergency Department is open 24/7, with fast access to pediatric experts, who provide

kid-sized care and peace of mind for parents. The Emergency Room is located directly across from Arvest Ballpark. Take Don Tyson Parkway off of I-49. For more information, visit archildrens.org/ emergency, or call (479) 725-6977.

And... don’t miss the 2018 Will Golf 4 Kids Tournament and Color of Hope Gala! This year’s Will Golf 4 Kids Tournament and Color of Hope Gala, held August 2–3, will support Arkansas Children’s Northwest, the new children’s hospital in Springdale.

The two-day tournament features shotgun starts at 7AM and 1PM both days, and registration includes breakfast, lunch and a goody bag. The gala includes a gourmet dinner; silent and live auctions; keynote speaker Mike Duke, retired president and CEO of Walmart Stores, Inc.; and entertainment by Lost Wax. Tables are selling fast!

Register your golf team or reserve your table by visiting golfandgala.com, or call (479) 725-0404 today.

Dr. Sarah Morter Rowden

Beyond Traditional Medicine

A Chiropractic P hysician who specializes in pre and post-natal care, treating the traumas of birth and starting mother and child off on the right foot.

Working to minimize symptoms of: Infancy: Trouble sleeping through the night Milestone developmental delays Difficulty latching Colic Ear infections Digestive and bowel issues Pregnancy: Sleeping discomfort Baby positioned poorly in utero Malnutrition Back pain Digestive complaints Carpal tunnel Plantar fasciitis Headaches

and Maximize Smiles!

Becoming a

Survival Swimmer

by Sarah Gwin Little Liza, just two years old, bobbed in four feet of water at the swimming pool, not touching anything. But, instead of being in life-threatening danger, she was content! Floating in such a way that she was safe, she could breathe and float on her own. I had worked with her for a few weeks, and now she could safely survive an accidental fall into any swimming pool.

As I looked at her parents, who sat on the side watching with wide, excited eyes, I smiled at them, feeling satisfied about what Liza and I had accomplished together. We then held our breath together, and turned her to swim to the edge and climb out on her own.

This is what drives me, seeing that children know how to survive the dangers of water.

But, the beginning of my story didn’t

have such a safe start, as I nearly died from drowning before being pulled from the bottom of the pool.

I was barely three years old when I had my first swimming lesson. Everything about the water looked so inviting and fun. I had one lesson in the little pool, and then I remember jumping to an instructor in the water. I also remember seeing the number “5.”

Not too long afterwards, my siblings and I visited my aunt’s condo while my mother ran errands.

They had a gated community pool, and the only thing I wanted to do was swim and be in the water.

I wore my swimsuit and begged my aunt to take us to the pool, but it was not in the schedule for that day. So, when my aunt was occupied in the kitchen, I quietly went out the door and down to the pool. It was closed and no one was there, so I climbed the 7-foot gate, determined to have fun!

I walked around the pool trying to decide which

part I wanted to get into. And then, I saw it: The number “5” on the other side of the pool! I figured I could just jump to it. After all, I had had a swimming lesson; I knew how to swim.

So, I jumped in, and somehow I couldn’t move the right way. My body wouldn’t go in the direction I wanted. I tried, and I tried to get to that number 5!

After that, my memory got fuzzy. From my mom’s account, the clubhouse maintenance man saw me at the bottom of the pool, jumped in, pulled me out, and proceeded to perform CPR on me. Once I was breathing again, he called 9-1-1, my aunt and parents were located, and an ambulance came.

I was hospitalized for two days. I was lucky. So, so lucky! No brain damage, lungs were okay, and lots of water had been pumped out of my stomach.

But, surprisingly, I never developed a fear of the water. I only wanted to understand it more. Why couldn’t I move the way I wanted to? What did I do wrong?

As I grew, I continued swim lessons and joined the swim team and dive team. Later, I did competitive swimming, life guarding, and then teaching. I obtained a degree in early childhood education, business, and therapeutic massage and body work.

I’ve studied with energy workers and therapists,

business gurus and educators, and have loved learning from some of the most amazing people.

I’ve been teaching children and adults how to swim for close to 20 years now, beginning when I was just 14 years old. Seven years ago, I wanted to know more about how to help very young children learn to survive in the pool, so I learned, studied, and taught Infant Survival Swimming. The youngest child I have taught to float on their back was just 4 months old. I now recommend waiting until they begin moving on their own, as the likelihood of an infant so small getting to the water is very low.

Like me, many children are drawn to the water. I was lucky, but, in my years as an instructor, I have heard numerous times of the heartbreak of losing a child in the water.

We can do better.

We can do more.

Read On...

The more a parent knows about life-saving skills, and movement in the water, the better-equipped they are to understanding the needs of their child in the water.

A few things that every parent can do: 1. Teach your child to hold their breath. We never teach a child to blow bubbles unless they are a proficient swimmer, ready to do rotary breathing with a swimming stroke. This is typically not any child under the age of 6. Breath control is the most important part of any swimming regimen or training. Without it, fear, anxiety, and pain from inhalation can/will occur. * Blowing bubbles empties the “oxygen tank” of the lungs, and preps them to open up again. We want them to stay full of air for as long as possible while in and around the water. This will give a child enough time to be rescued, or enough time to get themselves to safety.

2. Throw away flotation devices. Instead, get in the water with them. If you have more than 3 children, use a swim belt for older children who aren’t yet safe in the water, while you stay glued to your younger children. Amazon sells swim belts for $10. * Puddle Jumpers and arm floats can be the most dangerous thing you do for your child in the water.

They promote a backwards kick, limit arm mobility, and instill a false sense of buoyancy in the water.

Please, tell yourself, it’s just not worth it.

3. Help your child be in the water horizontally, not just vertically. This can be done in the bathtub as well as at the pool. This will limit the depth of the pool that the child will want to swim to. * If they are laying on their bellies and moving around using their hands, they will learn to control when their mouths and noses touch the water. You must have direct line of sight with them to ensure they do not inhale water accidentally. * Model good swimming practices. Swim around like a “snake” or a “mermaid.” Show them how Mom and Dad hold their breath, or put a big bubble in

their mouth. Put your lips into the water without letting any air escape, and show them they can do it, too.

4. Make going under the water a regular occurrence.

It is a dangerous disservice to teach your child that if they jump into the pool, their face will not go in.

Teach them to hold their breath, and allow their whole head to go under the surface of the water when they jump to you. Every time. The more they know what the true boundaries and limitations of the water are, the safer they will be around it, because they will keep themselves safe.

5. Learn to perform CPR. You never know when you might need to use it. This is your best insurance policy, and can mean all the difference in an emergency situation.

6. Finally, be calm and happy in and around the water. Your child will learn best from you how to feel about the water. Be a parent who shows that they can be confident when it comes to swimming! * Remember that learning to swim should never be forced, but rather guided with patience and love.

At Survival Swimmers, our goal is to save lives, one child at a time! We love our community, and we love teaching your little ones how to be safe, have proper form, and love the water. We have a strong background in helping post-traumatic near-drowning victims, as well as those simply terrified of the water. No words can express the true fulfillment of watching a child or adult completely transform how they feel about and move about in the water.

Sarah Gwin

Founder, Survival Swimmers

To learn more about our program, or to enroll, visit facebook.com/survivalswimmers or call (702) 600-4495.

We currently hold lessons at the Bentonville Community Center, have trained two other instructors here in NWA, and are looking to build our own training pool and facility within the next year!

28 July 2018

Your child is worth it!

NORTHWEST ARKANSAS

• School Assemblies & Workshops • Special Events & Camps • Corporate/Non-Profit Presentations • Awesome Party Concept

EDUCATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT FOR ALL AGES! www.super-sci.com • 479-444-0303

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29

Getting kids into fishing is easier than you might think

By Dwain Hebda There’s a lot of good that comes from some time on the water, or the riverbank, engaged in one of Arkansas’ most enduring pastimes – fishing.

According to the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, an estimated 154,000 Arkansas kids age 6 to 15 fish as all or part of their outdoor activity of choice... nearly 40 percent of the age demographic. Almost 25 percent of 6- to 15-year-olds reported fishing as their exclusive outdoor activity, demonstrating how deep the love for the sport runs.

In fact, while fishing has been on the wane in many states, Arkansas has held its own, particularly when it comes to lifetime participation in the sport. According to Clint Coleman, assistant coordinator for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Family and Community Fishing Program, Arkansas has a higher percentage of anglers who continue the hobby into adulthood than in other states.

“Fishing is an easier push, as opposed to, say, archery or gun season, because some people don’t have the ability to get outside and into the woods,” he said “But, in Arkansas, because we have so much water, we have the ability to push more children to get outside and go fishing.”

Coleman said that fishing provides a number of benefits to children and youth, from being outdoors in the fresh air to connecting with members of their family, making it the ideal 30 July 2018

outdoor activity. And, thanks to the Family and Community Fishing Program, getting into the sport for the first time has never been easier.

AGFC maintains 40 ponds throughout the state in communities large and small, stocked periodically with thousands of catfish and trout specifically for community and family fishing.

“What’s really helping the program is, first, having the locations,” he said. “That’s really nice, when you have locations like we have around the state being stocked on a regular basis.”

The Family and Community Fishing program builds upon these physical amenities with instructional programs and a slate of fishing events targeting youth and families throughout Arkansas, particularly underserved populations.

Held throughout the year, the full schedule of these events can be found on the AGFC website.

In northwest Arkansas, stocked family and community waters include Murphy Lake and Springdale Lake in Springdale, with another site, Lake Bentonville in Bentonville, under construction.

“Murphy Park was renovated a year before Bentonville, and it’s going to be our really big push to get everyone included so that everybody can feel welcome to come,” Coleman said. “That’s one thing that we really want with our program: that there’s no certain group that can say that the lake is for them only. It’s for everyone.”

– LEARN MORE AT –

www.agfc.com/en/fishing

FISHING WITH KIDS There are lots of resources online for making a family fishing outing fun for everyone. The following tips provide a mere sample of how to get the most out of this activity.

and sinkers. Or, consult your local library; many offer equipment that can be checked out.

SAFETY FIRST

The type of bait you use depends on the type of fish you’re after. A little research as to what catfish like, versus what attracts bream, can make all the difference between a day of fishing and a day of catching.

Hooks are sharp – as are catfish spines – and poison ivy may grow on the bank, so be sure to supervise beginners and children closely to avoid any painful incidents. Most AGFCstocked ponds provide dock fishing, but, if you choose to fish from a boat, be sure to observe all safety rules, including wearing life vests.

Bring a hat and sunscreen to keep everyone comfortable during (and after) the outing.

THE RIGHT TOOLS

A fishing rod, reel and tackle comprise 95 percent of the equipment a beginner needs.

Any sporting goods store can recommend a setup that’s appropriate in size and complexity for your youngster. Get a tackle box to contain the smaller attachments, like hooks, bobbers

BAIT

FISH LEGAL

Persons 16 and older must hold a valid fishing license.

WORDS FROM THE WISE

Bring snacks. Have stories and diversions for when things slow down. Watch the weather.

Remember kids’ ages, attention spans and stamina. These are all pieces of well-worn advice from those who have been there.

Remember that fishing with kids is about the experience, not the take-home, so catch all the memories you can, even if the fish aren’t biting.

32 July 2018

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Terrific Tuesday Nights

july

July 3 | 5-8pm Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks Everyone invited (but no pets, please). Free.

Through August, the botanical garden will be open to the public from 5:00 to 8:00pm on Tuesdays. Guests are invited to make a suggested donation of $5 to the garden.

This family-friendly series will allow the Northwest Arkansas community and beyond to experience the garden on beautiful summer evenings!

Freedom Fest

July 4 | 12-10pm Gentry City Park 611 W Main St. Gentry The 105th annual Freedom Festival will be held on Independence Day in the Gentry City Park. Free admission sponsored by the United Way of Gentry. Inflatables for the kids, a patriotic bicycle parade, games and activities, safari animals, a car show ,and much more! www.gentrychamber.com

July 4th Fireworks Spectacular

July 4 | 6pm The Walmart Amp 4th of July Spectacular featuring the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas (SoNA) under the direction of Paul Haas.

Rates/Admission Prices: Seats under cover range from $10 to $35.

General admission lawn tickets are $3.

An Evening at Orchards Park

July 4 | 7pm Join the City of Bentonville as we celebrate our Nation’s Independence at Orchards

Library Story Times: Bentonville Public Library: bentonvillelibrary.org Fayetteville Public Library: faylib.org Springdale Public Library: springdalelibrary.org Rogers Public Library: rogerspubliclibrary.org Siloam Springs Library: siloamsprings.com 34 July 2018

Park. Music will begin at 7:00pm with the Fayetteville Funk Factory. Following their performance, the Arkansas Winds Orchestra will play a Tribute to America, a series of patriotic songs. At approximately 9:30pm, the largest fireworks show in Northwest Arkansas will take place for all to see.

The event is free to the public. In addition, citizens may take advantage of the Melvin Ford Aquatic Center’s special swim day on July 4th. On this day, there will be no admission charged to swim at the public pool.

Springdale Independence Day Celebration

July 4 | 5-9pm Randal Tyson Recreational Ball Park Springdale Independence Day Celebration in the park hosted by Mercy & Grace Cathedral. Held at the Main Pavilion at Tyson Park. Hamburgers, hot dogs, watermelons, fun and games. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy these festivities. We will begin serving food around 5:30pm. For more information, contact the church office or find event through social media.

Summer Family Fun - Movie Night Disney Nature, Wings of Life

July 5 | 8:30 - 10pm Crystal Bridges Watch stunning cinematography of hummingbird flight, follow the brilliant story of migrating monarchs, and learn about the fascinating habits of other pollinators such as bees and bats. Enjoy free artmaking as part of this event! Free, no registration required.

Downtown Crit

Downtown Rogers July 7 For the kids’ race, bring your kids 10 and under to the registration tent on Saturday and sign a waiver at least 15 minutes (by 5:30pm) before the start of the free race at 5:45pm. Then, go to the start/finish line and have a blast. Finisher medals will be awarded, and maybe even some cool prizes. For the

Fat Tire Crit, treat your off-road rig to some on-street action (and maybe win some beer money) at this event at 6:20pm.

Scholastic Summer Reading Road Trip

July 14 | 10am - 12pm Walmart in Rogers on Pleasant Crossing Join the summer reading fun at Walmart in Rogers! Bring your reader to this free family event for crafts and activities, prizes, and photos with Peppa Pig, Captain Underpants, Dog Man, and Clifford the Big Red Dog!

History Resource Fair

July 14 | 1-4:30pm Shiloh Museum of Ozark History will host the Northwest Arkansas History Resource Fair, Saturday, July 14, from 1 to 4:30pm. Representatives from over fifteen museums, historical and genealogical societies, archives, and preservation groups will be on hand to offer tips on researching local history, genealogy, archeology, Native Americans, cemeteries, and historic buildings. The museum is located at 118 W. Johnson Avenue in downtown Springdale.

For more information, call 750-8165 or visit shilohmuseum.org

Woodcarving demonstration

July 21 | 10am-11am Shiloh Museum of Ozark History Woodcarver Joe Doster will demonstrate the craft of making wooden spoons during a program at the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History. For more information, call 7508165 or visit shilohmuseum.org

Firefly Fling

July 21 | 6-10pm Botanical Garden of the Ozarks One of Northwest Arkansas’ most anticipated midsummer events returns.

The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks will transform into a magical world of imagination for the 2018 Firefly Fling. Local groups will have fun activities for children and adults including fairy house building, giant bubbles, nature stations and more.

The garden will come alive with live music, and after dark there will be glowing games and fire dancing.

Forest Concert Series: Dom flemons,

featuring the annual lightning bug hunt

July 7 | 7-10pm $10 (Free for members and youth ages 18 & under) Join us for our annual Lightning Bug Hunt.

Catch fireflies and enjoy the magic of nature with Grammy Award-winning musician Dom Flemons, co-founder of the Carolina Chocolate Drops. He now tours as “The American Songster,” drawing upon the songster tradition with a wide range of styles of ragtime, spirituals, southern string, and jug band music.

Register online or with Guest Services at 479.657.2335.

Vacation Bible School

July 9-12 Cross Church - All Campuses VBX 2018 Join us for the most exciting week of the summer. VBX is a time where 3-year-olds through 5th graders have the opportunity to experience God in a fun and exciting way. This year’s theme is “Game On.” We will be teaching about how Jesus equips and prepares us for life’s big game! crosschurch.com/springdale/events/vbx-2018 July 9-13 Phillips Chapel Free Will Baptist Springdale phillipschapel.org/events July 9-13 First Baptist Church | Centerton Join us for VBS this summer as we gear up for life’s big game! fbccenterton.org/ministries/vbs-2018 July 16 – 19 First United Methodist Church | Downtown Bentonville Join us this July for Mission Station Vacation Bible School! This is the only VBS of its kind in Northwest Arkansas. Children 3 years old (must have turned 3 by August 1, 2017) through 5th grade will learn how to minister to those in need in our community through fun, hands-on mission projects. http:// fumcbentonville.org/ministries/children/ Amped Vacation Bible School July 25 - 27 New Life Church 1611 Cheri Whitlock Street| Siloam Springs peekaboonwa.com

35

n n A

By Kelly Krout

I have always loved writing poems. As a kid, my siblings and I would make up goofy limericks in the car on road trips. I often write poems for friends for their birthdays, retirement, etc. It’s just a fun hobby that comes easily to me for some reason. Only recently did I realize there might be a greater purpose for this random skill!

When we started fostering many years ago, I looked for books on the topic to read to my biological kids to help prepare them for the process. I came up short. After we adopted our first son from foster care, I looked for books that told adoption stories that were like his. I either looked in the wrong places, or they didn’t exist! So, I wrote him his own story about his adoption. That was over 5 years ago, and he still loves to read it.

I train future foster homes, and one of the most consistent questions I get is “How do I prepare my kids for this?” I decided that there just need to be more resources for questions like that! I wanted to explain the foster care process, terms, and different outcomes in a simple, child-like and fun-to-read way.

After all, I’m picky about the books I like to read to my kids. I want them to flow and be

enjoyable and easy to read. Not too short, not too long. And pleasant-to-look-at illustrations are a plus!

Recently, I was piddling around and started writing a story about a girl in foster care, in the same rhyming style I do for my more silly poems.

It pretty much just came together, and I thought, maybe I can make this a real thing! So, I reached out to my friend Meg, because I knew she’d written several books. I figured she would know what direction to point me in. Meg and I have known each other since the awkward middle school years, so I was sure she’d tell me the truth if she thought this wasn’t worth doing.

We met for coffee one day back in January, and I told her I’d written a little poem and would love some guidance on how to maybe get it published.

Well, lo and behold, Meg had started her own publishing company. By the end of that coffee date, we had a plan for a book! I didn’t realize when I went to ask her how to publish a book that I was actually meeting with my future publisher! As we talked more, and got more excited about the project, I mentioned that one of my main goals via these potential books was to tell the truth through a fictional story. She just grinned. Turns out, one of the taglines of her publishing company is “Telling truth through fiction.” I left that coffee shop on cloud nine. I had gone in with an idea, and left with a publisher.

My niece, Kyra, is a super-talented artist, so I asked

if she might want to try to illustrate it. She sent me some samples, and I was thrilled with how precious they were. I sent her the poem with a few picture ideas I had in my head, but mostly gave her creative liberty with it all. She beyond exceeded my expectations. Her pictures made the story come to life.

A few months later... and here we are! Watching it all come together has been so fun! From anticipating the illustrations, to the layout, to getting the proofs in, to having it look just the way I wanted it to, to having it in my hands, to having the pre-order blow us away, to packing up orders, to planning a launch party -- it has been such a fun ride. If there is a worst part, it’s how many grammar and punctuation edits can be found in a short piece! But, just like raising kids, apparently writing a book takes a village. I have precious friends and family who have read this book so many times for me that they could probably recite it (If there is a misspelled word in the final copy, please just don’t even tell me.) My goal is to make

ANN the first of a three book series. Each book will explain a different possible outcome of foster care. I want to be truthful with the process and how foster care can look. The Fostering Hope series is vague enough that it’s kid-friendly, while also ambiguous enough that kids could fit their personal stories into each book. I want children to know that there are other kids with similar stories, and that it is okay if your family needs help sometimes, or if it doesn’t look like everyone else’s.

Whether you foster, know someone who fosters, have children who go to school with a child in foster care, or just want your kids to know that not all families are just like yours, I think you will appreciate this book. I know you will love the illustrations!

ANN is available on Amazon, or can be purchased through my publisher’s website: www.megaphonepublishing.com I would be honored if you checked it out!

Follow Megaphone Publishing on Instagram and Facebook for events and future books!

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Parents

Left Behind 2018 YO U A R E N OT A L O N E

Do you know someone who has lost a child?

When a child dies, no one knows what to do. People call me and ask how to help their friends or loved ones after the death of a child, and it always breaks my heart. The person calling is asking me how she or he can make it better, but, the truth is there is no way to make it better. All we can do to help is to try to be there, attempt to understand how they might feel, and offer love and support as the world crumbles around them.

Merriam-Webster defines the word alone as: 1. Being separated from others, 2. Exclusive of anyone or anything else, 3. Considered without reference to any other.

Well, all three of those definitions described how I felt when my child died.

I am a mother--and, in an instant, I became separated from my child. This was an experience I never imagined and never considered. My child was such an integral part of who I was that instantly I was broken. The feeling of utter devastation and brokenness made me feel completely separate from my child, from the world, and even from the old me that I used to be.

As I started to exist in a world without my child, I felt truly excluded from the world around me. I could not relate to anyone who was doing anything but mourning. I didn’t think there was anyone in the world who could understand my pain. The only people who even came close to my devastation were my husband, my parents and family, and my closest friends. But, I was the mother, and I was there when she died, so I felt certain that I was alone, misunderstood, abandoned, and deceived.

I didn’t know anyone personally who had experienced this type of loss. I had no reference or knowledge of what it felt like to lose a

child. I didn’t know whom to talk to or where to go for help. When I would go to work or to church or to any events, I felt empty, like a ghost. There was nothing anyone could do or say to make me feel any better. No one could fix me. I was broken, and some of the pieces that were needed to put me back together were gone.

I went through months and even years of feeling alone. I held on to anger in order to keep myself separate from the world. I guess I did this because I didn’t ever think I was going to be okay, so I didn’t want to relate to people who were happy. Isolation helped to harden my heart a little so that I could start to heal. This may sound callous, but I couldn’t stay that raw forever. It has been twelve years since my five-year-old daughter died in front of my eyes. I will never get over it, but I have progressed enough in my grief journey to discover that I am not really alone.

In 2014, I found myself searching for a way to reach out to other parents who had lost a child.

I thought maybe I could do something to help parents feel less alone. I approached the head of the Chaplaincy training program through my hospital system and brainstormed ways to help bereaved parents. He put me in touch with some caring individuals who met with me and guided me in the process of developing the first seminar for Parents Left Behind in 2014. We created our mission statement—“To help parents on their lifelong journey of grief following the death of their child”-- and we put on the seminar: “Parents Left

Behind—Rebuilding Your Life After the Death of Your Child.”

This year, on August 25, 2018, we will have our 4th Parents Left Behind Seminar. This year our theme is “You Are Not Alone.”

Our approach this year is to really focus on helping parents connect with others who have been where they are. At our opening ceremony, we will introduce four parents who have lost children.

These parents have certain struggles in their grief journey. We have found over the years in working with bereaved parents that many parents share these same struggles. The struggles will be the topics of our breakout sessions. The topics will stimulate discussion, and perhaps help parents recognize that they are not alone.

We will be having lunch together this year, and the lunch groups will be divided into types of death.

This will allow parents to find others who lost a child in a similar way to their own loss. Some examples include pregnancy and infant loss, suicide, prolonged illness, and sudden/unexpected death. We will also have a lunch group for families and friends who are supporting parents on their grief journey.

WE BELIEVE WE BELIEVE EVERY CHILD EVERY CHILD IS IS

Uniquely Uniquely BRILLIANT BRILLIANT

The death of a child is an excruciatingly painful subject. It is one we would all rather not have to talk about, or really even think about it. But, for some of us, that is not a choice. All the parents left behind I know had beautiful, special children who didn’t deserve to die. These wonderful, loving parents didn’t deserve to be left behind to try and rebuild their lives. But, since the unimaginable happened, these brave souls are here trying to make it through. While we know this grief journey has no end, we can help these parents know that there are others here to help them. We can communicate the message that “you are not alone.”

Please visit our website at www.parentsleftbehind. org to learn more about our organization and this year’s seminar. There is also a link to register for this free event. It does not matter how long ago the child died, or the age of the child at the time of death. This seminar is for any parent who has ever lost a child. Please help us spread the word to anyone you think would benefit from our event.

Thank you.

Susan Averitt, M.D. We free, offerpersonalized, free, personalized, We offer K–12 online education.

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41

Education and responsible gun ownership driving accidental shooting deaths down

By Dwain Hebda For everything that’s concerning about gun violence these days -- from rising homicide and suicide rates to increased school shootings -accidental shootings are actually on the decline.

The Los Angeles Times reported earlier this year that the rate of accidental shooting deaths nationally was down 48 percent between 1999 and 2015, when adjusted for population growth.

In fact, accidents accounted for just 1.3 percent of the 489 gun-related deaths in 2015 nationally, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The statistics yielded a mixed bag when it came to the age of victims, though. For instance, the incidence of children under 15 dying by accidental shooting was dramatically less compared to other age segments, but nearly 30 percent of total accidental shooting deaths were suffered by males age 15 to 24.

This suggests that routine accidents among younger children were being successfully mitigated by education, responsible gun ownership practices, legislation or some combination thereto, while mental illness and suicidal tendencies may have played a role in the older age group.

Arkansas shared these steep declines in accidental 42 July 2018

gun deaths, an accomplishment tempered by the fact that the Natural State still ranks in the upper percentile of such incidents. Between 2006 and 2015, Arkansas ranked fifth nationally in the number of accidental shooting deaths per capita, with 0.47 per 100,000 people annually. Louisiana led the list with 0.71 followed by Mississippi, Alabama and West Virginia, respectively.

The prevalence of gun ownership in the state -Injury Prevention, the scholarly journal, reported 58 percent of the Arkansas population owned a firearm in 2015 -- means the need for continued wise use and storage of guns is still of paramount importance.

“It’s a wide range, as children go through developmental milestones,” said Dr. Robert Williams, chief medical officer at Arkansas Children’s Northwest. “It’s not the same thing as putting a gun in front of an adult person. As children are at different stages in their development, [guns] pose the same risk, but for different reasons.”

Williams said many children can’t understand danger and death when they gain access to a firearm, let alone have the presence of mind to weigh the consequences of their actions.

“The first part is, someone just picks up something that looks like something else they played with

before,” he said. “Triggers can be very sensitive, so they just lift it up, and it’s loaded, and they shoot someone or themselves.”

“As they get older, they can get into the situation where children don’t understand the permanence of death, so they may, out of anger, shoot somebody, and they don’t understand that that is a permanent, life-altering situation for someone.”

As for tweens and teens, the motivation may be different, Williams said, but no less dangerous-again, based on individual development.

“Children tend to be the most isolated in adolescence when they are branching on their own, and simultaneously don’t necessarily have all the social skills to incorporate themselves into a larger group,” he said. “Unfortunately, it happens at the same time when those same adolescents have a sense of immortality. They’re certainly susceptible to risky behavior; we see children at that age driving too fast, texting and driving, all of those things.”

Williams has his own theory on why Arkansas specifically, like the rest of the nation, is gaining ground on accidental shootings. “[Academy of Pediatrics guidelines] were for a long time pushing gun avoidance education.

Don’t tell your children about guns, let’s hide guns from children, et cetera,” he said. “I understand the rationale there, but there’s actually been some pretty good evidence on the contrary now that children who are around guns and who respect them understand how dangerous they can be.

With all that information, they’re probably less likely to have an accidental shooting.”

“I’m not someone who ever grew up around [guns] but my wife certainly was, and my father now collects them,” he said. “I think we are of the opinion that you shouldn’t be afraid of it, but you should understand and respect it.”

KEEPING KIDS SAFE AROUND GUNS The following are a sample of safety tips for households where guns are present. Parents should not only make sure their own home is thus secured, but initiate conversations with responsible adults in their child’s friends’ homes as to whether guns are present and how they are stored.

+ Firearms should be unloaded when not in use.

Whenever you pick up a gun, remember to point it in a safe direction.

+ Store firearms in a locked cabinet, safe, gun vault or storage case when not in use, in a location inaccessible by children. Store ammunition in a locked location separate from firearms.

+ Use a gun locking device that renders the firearm inoperable when not in use. Use these devices in conjunction with, but not in place of, secure storage.

+ Educate your youngsters on safety guidelines concerning firearms. Download and have them sign Project ChildSafe Pledge, whereby they promise not to touch any unattended firearm they may find.

WWW.PROJECTCHILDSAFE.ORG

Family Law · Criminal Law · Business Law www.danielsonlawfirm.com | 479.935.8313

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45

The Bug Bites of Summer

by Curtis Lanning

Most are probably familiar with the phrase “dog days of summer,” but Arkansans who spend any time outdoors from June to September know them better as the “bug bites of summer.”

Those red itchy bumps appear on arms, legs, and torsos, and everyone wants to know... “What bit me?”

Northwest Arkansas offers so many lakes, forests and trails that it’s easy to be drawn outside on a beautiful sunny day. But, guess what will be waiting in all of those places... yup, bugs.

Ashley Dowling, professor of entomology at the University of Arkansas, said the most common bugs biting people in Northwest Arkansas are ticks, chiggers and mosquitoes (though ticks are technically arachnids, not ‘bugs’).

“Those are our three big ones, especially this time of the year. They’re a problem,” he said. “Ticks tend to be my number one concern.”

The biggest threat in our area, Dowling detailed, is spotted fever, often transmitted from ticks.

“We’re typically number one in the country,” Dowling said.

Symptoms of tick-borne diseases in adults typically include fever and fatigue, and if someone goes to the doctor knowing they’ve been bitten by a tick, the physician will usually jump straight to antibiotics, according to Dowling.

The Arkansas Department of Health reported 1,201 cases of spotted fever in 2017. Dowling said another common tick-borne disease is ehrlichiosis.

The health department reported 208 cases of ehrlichiosis in 2017.

It might not make anyone feel better, but Dowling said ticks and mosquitoes don’t bite humans because they’re mean. Rather, mammals are food 46 July 2018

for the insects.

The professor said female ticks and mosquitoes need blood to breed and produce viable eggs, and chiggers aren’t even after blood. They feed on skin cells to survive and reproduce.

There’s no sufficient evidence to say if insects target anyone in particular, Dowling acknowledged. Age, gender, race... the bugs don’t care. All mammals are food to them. The bugs are sensing warmth, CO2 output, and more when selecting their meals.

“There’s a lot going on when they’re trying to find their host,” Dowling said.

But people aren’t helpless when it comes to keeping pests away. Dowling suggests bug spray with DEET, (though there are natural solutions without it) to repel mosquitoes, since they have to come down from the sky and land on people. Bug spray doesn’t work as well on ticks, since they merely latch on when people walk through vegetation.

Dowling also urged people to wear long sleeves and pants when going for a hike along the trails or woods.

“Shorts and sandals are the worst things to take,” he said.

Then there’s permethrin insect repellent for ticks and chiggers. This spray goes on clothing and tents, not skin. Dowling said it kills them once they’re latched. Permethrin isn’t harmful to people, and it’ll often stick with clothing through a couple of wash cycles, according to the professor.

Overall, just be aware when playing outside during the summer months.

“Be vigilant. Check your body and kids for ticks,” Dowling said.

If bitten, treatment depends on the bite. A red bump on the skin is likely due to mosquitoes or

chiggers, according to Dowling. Cortisone cream for itching should be sufficient until the bite goes away. Though, Dowling warns, chigger bites last a little longer than mosquito bites.

“Chigger bites last for weeks, typically,” the professor said.

Ticks usually embed and stay for a while. They need to feed for several days, Dowling said. The good news is, ticks usually have to stay latched on for a while to pass on diseases. So, check for them often, and remove quickly if found. If a bite is hot, swollen or painful, see a doctor.

“I want people to be aware of tick-borne diseases,” Dowling said.

They’re very common in Northwest Arkansas. But, if a tick-borne disease is caught early, typically nothing bad happens, according to Dowling. It’s when people wait to see a doctor that symptoms get worse.

There’s no reason Arkansans should let fear of bugs keep them from mountain biking, hiking or visiting the lake. Just take the proper precautions, knowing bugs are there looking for a meal.

Dowling said, “I want [people] to enjoy the outdoors, but... be aware.”

ACID REFLUX, GERD or ANGINA? How can I tell, and should I be concerned?

I

t’s your birthday, and you just finished celebrating with a big meal and cup of coffee.

What comes next is something that was definitely not on the menu – the worst case of heartburn you’ve ever experienced. But wait… could that pain be something more serious?

One of the more difficult tasks confronting physicians is distinguishing among the various possible causes of chest pain. Nearly 20 percent of patients who see their primary care physicians for chest pain have gastrointestinal problems. But, there are even distinctions between the possible GI-related causes. Heartburn, GERD and acid reflux are similar, but not necessarily the same conditions.

Acid reflux refers to the backward flow of stomach acid into the esophagus – the tube

that connects the throat and stomach. During an episode of acid reflux, you may taste regurgitated food or sour liquid at the back of your mouth, or feel a burning sensation in your chest.

GERD, or gastro-esophageal reflux disease, is a more severe and chronic form of acid reflux. The most common symptom of GERD is frequent heartburn. Other signs and symptoms may include regurgitation of sour food or liquid, difficulty swallowing, coughing, wheezing and chest pain, especially when lying down at night.

Occasional heartburn or reflux can be treated with over-the-counter antacids, or medications such as H2-receptor blockers (like Pepcid AC) or proton pump inhibitors (like Prilosec). But, if the condition becomes chronic, or you suspect you may have GERD, talk to your doctor about some of the new, minimally invasive procedures that can provide relief.

Angina, on the other hand, can be a signal of a more dangerous heart condition.

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While there is overlap in the various symptoms, there are some indicators both common and unique to GERD and angina. If your chest pain is centered beneath your breastbone, gets worse with exertion, improves with rest or radiates to both arms, it is more likely to be angina. Chest pain that gets worse when lying down or bending over is more likely to be caused by GERD. There are also certain diagnostics and physical findings that may point to one condition or the other.

You don’t have to live with heartburn or gastric discomfort. These conditions are more common than you probably think, and your physician can help you discover both the cause and the solution.

If you need help finding a physician experienced in the diagnosis or treatment of GERD or angina, call 800-734-2024 to schedule an appointment with a Northwest Health physician.

coolwag.com 48 July 2018

The bottom line is, unless you have significant risk factors for - or an existing diagnosis of - heart disease, the most likely culprit for your pain after that big celebration meal is heartburn. But if the pain is unfamiliar, and the cause is uncertain, call 9-1-1. Better safe than sorry.

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39

a Wish

Full Circle by: Lauren Ethridge

E

Every Make-A-Wish story is different, but mine is really out of the ordinary. It’s a story that goes full circle, continuing into my adult life once I found my home in Northwest Arkansas. It’s a story full of magic, sunshine, and several perfectly timed events.

It starts with me being born, a happy and healthy little lady, in a small town in the Texas Panhandle.

My dad was a wheat farmer, and we lived on the family farm with fuzzy sheep, cute kittens and wide-open spaces. I was a normal kid, doing her thing and having fun learning about the world.

Then, around the age of four, I started to complain of tummy aches.

Over the next couple of years the problems grew worse. We lived in a small town where specialty medical care wasn’t available, so we had to travel to seek answers. When I was eight, we moved to the Dallas/Fort Worth area. The reason we moved was not actually my medical problems, but DFW is a major medical center, and we took advantage of that. For several more years, we still received the same answers – “Lauren is too stressed, it’s all in her head,” or, another favorite, “Lauren eats too much cheese!”

After years of severe abdominal issues, hospital stays and no answers, my diagnosis finally came when I was thirteen years old. At the time, I weighed in at a little over sixty pounds and was four feet eleven inches tall. My diagnosis was that I had chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (try saying that five times fast!) Basically, my intestines act like they are physically obstructed and do not absorb nutrients.

Right after my diagnosis, I had a port placed and was put on IV nutrition. It’s called TPN (total parenteral nutrition) and puts nutrients directly 50 July 2018

into my blood stream. I was very thankful to be getting adequate nutrition, but did not realize that my difficult days were far from over. TPN was not my cure-all, and I would continue to find myself in lots of pain with many hospital visits. It was kind of difficult to accept, but my reality was that I had a chronic illness.

During one hospital stay when I was about fifteen, I remember returning to my room after spending time in the playroom. My mom was there, and told me that my doctor and some people had come by and talked to her about me getting to make a wish for something that would bring some sunshine to my gloomy days. It was such a special moment!

Ideas started flowing on the spot! What in the world would I pick? What a big choice! Being the indecisive adult that I am now, I can look back and see that that part of my personality started very early on.

If you know me, it would come as no surprise that I actually spent years pondering my wish. I had a lot of rules for my wish – it had to be out of the box, and ultimately be something that could bring me happiness for years to come. At the time, I was frustrated by my inability to make this amazing opportunity happen. Looking back though, I’m so glad that I waited for the right moment.

As a high school student, I enjoyed art. I immersed myself in doing creative things to make time pass when I didn’t feel well and missed school (and, believe me, I missed a lot of school). I attended a summer art course in Oakland, California, and was selected as one of the outstanding students.

My senior year, I spent a lot of time selecting the college I wanted to attend, and chose the Oregon College of Art and Craft. I packed my things and Read On...

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a Wish

Full Circle moved to Portland with high hopes. However, my health forced me to withdraw from school and return home after about eight months.

a longing in my heart to become involved with Make-A-Wish on the other end of things – as a wish granter.

When I was twenty years old, I still hadn’t figured it all out on the wish front. This is very atypical for most Wish Kids, and I wouldn’t recommend such a timeline if you’re not me, but just you wait.

I mentioned earlier that having my wish granted brought all the sunshine one could hope for. I don’t know how it’s possible, but granting a child a wish brings even more sunshine than that!

I’d been on TPN for about eight years, and it had started to cause some liver damage. So, it was decided that I would take a break and see how I did on oral intake. Unfortunately, this single decision led to some of the worst health problems I have ever had. It also happened to be the time that I had to make my wish, or I was going to be too old. Talk about perfect timing! While visiting my aunt in southern California, I landed in the hospital once again for an extended stay. My home base was still in the Dallas area, but my Make-A-Wish team called to discuss my wish with me during this time.

One favorite story and connection I’ve made while wish granting was with a sweet little girl named Karla. Karla had wished for a huge party, and I got to be a part of her “wish reveal” to let her know that her wish was coming true. To make her wish reveal even more special, I got to help her pick out some beautiful jewelry and a tiara to wear to her party.

I wished for an art studio in my backyard! When I finally returned home after a two-month hospital stay in California, there was an adorable white and yellow studio waiting for me to fill it with art goodies!

Going home to this blank canvas waiting to be transformed into my own art studio after such a trying time was an incredibly magical experience.

Getting to fill this little oasis with pieces picked out at my favorite vintage shops to make it perfect brought all the sunshine a girl could wish for.

I spent many days, even days when I was totally depleted, in my beautiful space surrounded by things that brought me joy. I got to be creative and feel the sunshine beaming in through the cute little windows. The studio made hard days easier, and good days even better. I will be forever grateful for that little oasis, and the people at Make-A-Wish who came together to make my wish come true.

In the summer of 2017, I found myself proudly calling Fayetteville, Arkansas home. I also had

While we were shopping, I leaned over to her and asked her if she knew anyone else with a feeding tube. She shook her head ‘no.’ Then, I asked her if she knew that I had a feeding tube just like hers.

She looked up at me with a huge smile and shook her head ‘yes,’ and giggled!

That day, I learned that “tubies” (some of us with feeding tubes refer to ourselves as “tubies”) have some magical way of knowing other “tubies.”

I’m pretty sure Karla helped me gain my magical power that day!

Having a deep understanding of the gloom that fills lots of days in the lives of children dealing with critical illnesses helps make my connection with wish kids even more special. I guess there really is some kind of instant connection and understanding between me being a wish kid myself and the wish kids I’ve had the pleasure of working with.

The power of a wish does not stop with the wish kid and his or her family. I have been on both sides, as a wish kid and a wish granter, and I have totally felt that magic--it is definitely real and strong.

Make-A-Wish Mid-South eschroeder@midsouth.wish.org

54 July 2018

I had a bit of an epiphany while walking the lunatic lab the other day. This dog... she’s clingier than a needy tick. Sleeps by my bed, cries like a newborn if I’m not in the same room as her, follows me around tighter than a remora (you know, those weird little fish that suction on to sharks; not the wisest sea creature, in my opinion) and basically goes on a hunger strike if I dare go on a trip.

Nothing but love for the magnetic mutt, but it does occasionally get old. Why is the canine so kooky?

The realization came to me as I sat there holding the 8-foot leash that separated us: she’s never really been anywhere except our backyard, our house and on a walk--all with me. We’re not quite umbilically connected; however, it was pretty easy to see who created this attachment issue. Yep, that would be me. If I never let her wander, she ain’t going to go anywhere but right by my side. Sure, she makes occasional valiant attempts to break free in a futile attempt to capture a squirrel, but her dimensions put the odds heavily in favor of the squirrel (honestly, the pooch is a little, uh, “thick”).

Three other members of the animal kingdom also hang around our house and have a similar sort of

orbital pull. I’m talking about the tikes, the urchins, the minions -- our kids. At this point, given their ages, I don’t think it’s really about the clutch factor-- it’s got to be more about conditioning.

We ask them constantly, “Leave… go outside… why are you here?” and they give us a blank, lablike stare that says “Um… we’re here ‘cause we’re always here.” Wonder who created this attachment issue? Yep, two for two; that would be me. What started as sleeping under a baby bed with my right arm stretched out through the rungs to keep in constant, soothing contact with our 6-month-old has now translated into three kids in double-digits who aren’t so infatuated with roaming the big blue marble we call Earth. We’ve tried to politely kick them out or lock them out, but they find a way back in.

I can’t take all of the blame; there’s plenty of it spread around, so let me dish it out. First, my favorite target: iStuff. Why go anywhere when the world is in your hands? No need to knock on your friend’s door. They are accessible 24/7/365 visually and audibly, across many different platforms (PSA: when/if you have kids and when/

if your kids get a phone and when/if you let them FaceTime or Snapchat teach them the importance of “checking their background.”) Another thing to blame -- schedules. We’ve all created this crazed culture of being so super, stupendously, and often superficially, swamped with our senseless schedules that our homes have somewhat become sanctuaries from the insanity. But, the main problem I’ve found is: me, us, and we, the parents.

If we don’t teach them, show them and encourage them to leave, then they won’t. Even when they do, it can get a little frighteningly hilarious. Case in point: One day, two offspring were being more annoying than a Geico commercial, so I dropped them off less than a mile from our house and told them to walk home. Now, we live in Bentonville, on a very major road and they were dropped off on the same aforementioned major road. All they had to do was walk north and they were golden.

Nope, instead they got into a C3PO/R2D2-esque argument, and one went south, and one went north. And yes, they had their iPhones and, no, I don’t know if they Googled their address.

Anyway, there’s nothing wrong with a tight, closeknit family, but there’s something wrong with never leaving the four comfy walls of the casa

--eventually, the nuclear family will go nuclear.

So, how do you “lengthen the leash,” or eliminate it entirely? I feel moderately confident about the teens’ abilities to drive away and go to a friend’s (with the help of GPS). But, what if we take it one step further? The queen and I are taking what we feel is appropriate action to detach; if they won’t leave, we will! No, not for good. But for a weekend. Yep, bailing! Leaving the inmates to run the asylum. Praying the pooch doesn’t skip dessert, or outright desert. Sure, there’s more than a tad bit of fear about nutrition and attrition, but, after living two years post-college solely on Cheerios and Sonic Route 44 Diet Cokes, I’m confident the kiddies can find something from the four food groups and avoid indulging in Tide pod milkshakes. This may not be the most appropriate response on our part, but action must be taken.

We need a break; they need to break away; two birds, one stone.

So, stay tuned! I’m sure a future story will contain the wonderfully strange, surreal, scary and silly events of our swift sabbatical. And pray that the story focuses on the opportunities given to all involved, but doesn’t involve the authorities.

Nurturing

DREAMS FOR LOCAL FAMILIES.

Member FDIC

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57

by Meagan Ruffing My kids are on summer break, and, to squeeze the most fun out of the time we have together, I have put together an A to Z Summer Bucket list. Having something like this on hand for my kids to see helps set the tone for what our break will be like.

It’s fun to check things off the list, and also to add things as we come up with new ideas. Here are 26 fun and easy ideas for things to do with your kids this summer.

C – Cook. This doesn’t have to be a full-course meal. Think simple! Let the kids help you make lunch today. They will love being able to jump in and make sandwiches, and you’ll love seeing their smiling faces.

A – Aquatics Center. We are spoiled with a beautiful aquatics center where we live, and my kids love it.

Check out your local swimming places and make a day of it.

E – Experiments. Kids love doing experiments. Look online for some simple ones that you and your kids can do together--like making slime, which seems to be the super popular thing to do right now.

B – Board Games. Kids love board games. Let each kid pick out their favorite game and take turns playing them. This is a great (and sneaky) way of working on your kiddo’s coping skills for how to work through losing a game.

F – Friends. Have friends over. Let each kid have a special play date with their friends on different days during different weeks. Spread it out. This is a great way to help your kids work on their social skills.

D – Dogs. Take the dogs for a walk. This is great exercise for the entire family, and kids love feeling like they’re contributing in some way.

G – Grocery Shopping. You have to do it anyway, so why not make it fun? Give each kid a list of five things to get, and let them put them in the cart.

They will enjoy this more than you realize.

H – Hammock. Get a hammock! It’s perfect for those relaxing summer days.

I – Ice Cream! Go out for ice cream at your local ice cream place, or buy some for home and make ice cream cones.

J – Jump Rope. Let’s face it. Our kids love seeing us adults do funny things, and I guarantee you that if you start jumping rope, they’re going to laugh.

Find your inner kid and see who can jump rope the longest.

K – Kindness. Challenge your kids to do something kind for someone else. This could be holding the door open for someone at the store, or helping a sibling clean up their room. It’s a free way to add so much value to your life.

L – Library. This is hands-down one of my favorite things to do with my kids. Most libraries have summer reading programs where your kids can earn prizes the more they read. Head to the library and get them signed up.

M – Movie Time. Either rent a movie at home during one of the days you’ve declared an SAHD (Stay-atHome Day) or go out to the movies.

N – Nap. Not all kids will take a nap, especially if they’re older, but you can still try. Maybe the little one takes a nap while the older ones read books.

O – Ocean. If you’re fortunate enough to live near the ocean, go to the ocean! Kids love looking for seashells and playing in the sand. If you live far from the ocean (like we do), consider doing an activity with an ocean theme. This could be coloring pictures of ocean animals, visiting an aquarium, making an ocean-related project or reading a book about the ocean. The possibilities are endless.

P – Picnic. Have a picnic. This can be in your backyard or at a park. Kids love picnics, and you can pack the meal they helped make (see letter C).

Q – Quarters. I give out a quarter each time I catch my kids doing one of their chores. They each have their own piggy banks in the laundry room, and the sound of “kerplunk” that the quarters make when their tiny hands drop them in their containers gets everyone excited.

R – Rain. The next time it rains, let your kids play in it. Really! Your kids will think you’re kidding, but let them do it. No umbrellas needed.

S – Scavenger Hunt. These are so fun! You can come up with your own things for your kids to find, or you can print out idea sheets online, via Pinterest, to send your kids on a scavenger hunt.

T – Travel. Take a short trip somewhere. This could be to a nearby family member’s house, or maybe an overnight trip to explore a new place.

U – Underhand. Work on throwing a ball around underhand with your kids. My daughters are always wanting to get in on the fun of playing football with their big brother, but they can get discouraged when their throwing techniques have them running around more than catching. Teach your kids how to throw underhand if they’re on the younger side, so they can enjoy a fun game of catch, too.

V – Volunteer. This is a great way to show your kids first-hand what it means to do something kind for someone else. You can volunteer to walk dogs at the animal shelter, or pack meals at the local food bank.

W – Watermelon. Watermelon is the perfect thing to eat on a hot summer day. Cut some big slices up and let your kids eat them outside as part of the perfect summer BBQ. X – X Marks the Spot. This is similar to a scavenger hunt, but this activity includes a map with a hidden treasure at the end. Take it one step further and encourage your kids to dress up as pirates.

Y – Yes. Have a YES day. Don’t tell your kids this, but try saying ‘yes’ to everything they ask (within reason). You’ll be surprised just how fun this activity can be, and I bet you’ll learn some things about your kids you didn’t know.

Z – Zoo. Visit your local zoo!

Summer is a great time to try new things. Take this list and see how many things you can check off with your kids. Drop a comment on my Facebook page, writermeaganruffing, to let me know what you did with your kids. I would also love to hear any ideas you have come up with.

Meagan Ruffing is a parenting journalist who loves sharing her kid-friendly ideas with other moms.

Visit her at www.meaganruffing.com to keep up on her latest tips and tricks. peekaboonwa.com

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PEEKABOO

PET

Picks Now in two locations! www.allpetsnwa.com

Serving pets and people in Bentonville since 1990

All Pets Animal Hospital has been serving people by caring Nowpets withfrom a second locationlocation in Rogers! for their our Bentonville since 1990.

In 2018 we brought that same level of professionalism Complete medical, surgical, and dental care and compassion to the Rogers community. The trust plusnearly boarding and pet care products care has built upon 30 years of compassionate allowed us to care for the second and sometimes third generation of friends in our community. All Pets Animal 209 N. Walton Blvd.two 5301 Hills Court Hospitals comprise of the S. tenSouthern hospitals in Arkansas accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association.

Bentonville Rogers We confidently provide the highest level of veterinary care 479-273-9299 479-202-4886 in an environment that values the important place your pet holds in your family. In all we do, we strive for excellence, operate with integrity, and compassionately treat pets as beloved family members.

Exceptional Veterinary Care in Two Locations Bentonville (479) 273-9299 allpets@allpetsnwa.com 209 N. Walton Blvd.

Rogers (479) 202-4886 greenway@allpetsnwa.com 5301 So. Southern Hills Court

60 July 2018

www.coolwag.com

When you head out of town, finding the right sitter or doggy daycare for your favorite pooch(es) can be a huge headache. Sure, you’ve found someone to come by once a day, but won’t your dog be bored and stressed with almost no interaction?

You don’t want them in a cage all day, waiting for a potty break. Take them to CoolWag! Coolwag is a doggy day care, hotel and spa run by firstclass dog lovers, dog trainers, and grooming professionals. It’s staffed 24/7 so they are never left alone and they aren’t put in a cage at night. In order to create the best environment for your pup, they separate all dogs by age, personality, and size, and provide them with a choice of a 12,000 square foot indoor space or the 4-acre outside property (with a doggy swimming pool) to run and get all their energy out. The staff at Coolwag promises to give your furry best friend the best of care, taking safety, social interaction, exercise, and relaxation all into consideration.

In addition, Coolwag has a great, conveniently family-friendly location, as its right down the street from Crystal Bridges and the Amazeum!

www.allpet 1100 NE J St, Bentonville (479) 273-3553

www.davidadams.com

100 West Center, Ste 101 Fayetteville 479-444-7778

SUMMER PROGRAMS Whether you’re an absolute beginner or a budding rock star, School of Rock has a Summer Program to help you get to the next level. From week-long summer camps to our Performance Program, that’s exactly what we do for over 25,000 students each year.

ENROLL NOW AND BE A MUSICIAN.

20% OFF

MENTION PEEKABOO AND RECEIVE 20% OFF ANY SUMMER CAMP OR YOUR FIRST MONTH

2603 W PLEASANT GROVE RD. 479-936-8838 BENTONVILLEROGERS@SCHOOLOFROCK.COM

offer valid until 8/1/18, only at location listed above. offer valid for Performance Program & Adult Program only. not valid with any other offers. see school for full booking details.

At a

To advertise email: editor@peekaboonwa.com

FAMILY FUN / ENTERTAINMENT ARTS and MUSIC

Amazeum (Pg. 68) (479) 696-9280 Crystal Bridges (Pg. 45) (479) 418-5700 crystalbridges.org Trike Theatre (Pg. 27) (479) 464-5084 triketheatre.org Wing Studios (Pg. 53) wingstudios.net

BANKS

First Security (Pg. 57) www.fsbank.com; www.onlyinark.com

CHILDCARE/NANNY SERVICES

ABC Happy Kids Learning Academy (Pg. 53) (479) 202-5691 abchappykids.com iNFiNiTi Childcare (Pg. 32) (479) 418-3116 Mary’s Little Lambs Preschool (Pg. 65) (479) 273-1011 Millwood Academy (Pg. 63) (479) 372-0871 Preschool Place (Pg. 55) 479-685-1891 www.preschool.place

CLOTHING

Oh Baby Boutique (Pg. 21) ohbabynwa.com

DENTIST

Pediatric Dental Associates & Orthodontics (Pg. 4) (479) 582-0600

DERMATOLOGY / SKIN CARE

Advanced Dermatology (Pg. 39) (479) 268-3555 Hull Dermatology (Pg. 15) (479) 254-9662 NWA Center for Plastic Surgery (Pg. 2) (479) 571-3100 nwacenterforplasticsurgery.com Women's Health Associates (Pg. 67) whanwa.com

EDUCATION/TRAINING

Rubalcava Jiu-Jitsu (Pg. 19) (479) 366-1897 Super Science (Pg. 29) (479) 444-0303 www.super-sci.com Thaden School (Pg. 13) (479) 268-5321 Wing Studios (Pg. 53) wingstudios.net Young Chefs Academy (Pg. 44) (479) 401-2006

64 July 2018

Botanical Garden of the Ozarks (Pg. 51) (479) 750-2620 Cross Church VBS (Pg. 62) crosschurch.com Crystal Bridges (Pg. 45) (479) 418-5700 Fayetteville Public Library (Pg. 17) (479) 856-7000 Rogers Historical Museum (Pg. 23) (479) 621-1154 School of Rock (Pg. 61) (479) 936-8838 Starlight Skatium (Pg. 31) (479) 444-STAR Strike Zone NWA (Pg. 66) strikezonenwa.com Super Science (Pg. 29) (479) 444-0303 www.super-sci.com Trike Theatre (Pg. 27) (479) 464-5084 triketheatre.org

FOOD / DRINK

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

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Arkansas Children's Northwest (Pg. 11) ARchildrens.org/nyla Friendship Pediatric Services (Pg. 37) fccare.org Northwest Health (Pg. 9) northwesthealth.com NWA Health Solutions (Pg. 25) (479) 636-1324

JEWELRY AND GIFTS

David Adams (Pg. 61) davidadams.com (479) 444-7778 Avery Jane Designs (Pg. 47) averyjanedesigns.com

law firm

Danielson Law Firm (Pg. 43) (479) 935-8313

LEARNING CENTER

Academic Math and Language Therapy (Pg. 5) (479) 253-3256 www.amltherapy.com ABC Happy Kids Learning Academy (Pg. 53) (479) 202-5691 abchappykids.com Elizabeth Richardson Center (Pg. 19) ERCinc.org K12 (Pg. 41) (877) 344-8785 Mary’s Little Lamb Preschool (Pg. 65) (479) 273-1011 Preschool Place (Pg. 55) 479-685-1891 www.preschool.place

PEDIATRICIAN

Best Start (Pg. 15) (479) 575-9359 Northwest Pediatric Convenient Care (Pg. 7) (479) 751-2522 Northwest Arkansas Pediatrics (Pg. 33) (479) 442-7322 Ozark Pediatrics (Pg. 47) (479) 544-9432

PETS

All Pets Animal Hospital (Pg. 16) (479) 273-9299 Coolwag (Pg. 48) coolwag.com

PHOTOGRAPHY

Main Street Studios (Pg. 49) (479) 524-2004

Friendship Pediatric Services (Pg. 37) (479) 524-2456 Necessary Play (Pg. 51) (479) 530-3514

ULTRASOUND

Baby Face & More (Pg. 13) (479) 270-7391

WOMEN'S HEALTH

Lifespring (Pg. 36) (479) 271-0005 Parkhill (Pg. 29) Parkhillclinic.com Siloam Springs Women's Center (Pg. 49) (479) 524-9312 Willow Creek (Pg. 8) (479) 757-1730 Women's Health Associates (Pg. 67) whanwa.com

THERAPY

Academic Math and Language Therapy (Pg. 5) (479) 253-3256 www.amltherapy.com

To advertise and become a part of the Peekaboo Family email: editor@peekaboonwa.com

peekaboonwa.com

65

2 hour facility rental includes your choice of activities, party room, party host, pizza, drinks and party supplies

ACTIVITIES INCLUDE Baseball, Softball, Soccer, Kickball, Flag Football, Batting Cages, Nerf Battle and Slime Making.

GAMES, PIZZA, FUN & MORE!

YOUTH SOCCCER SPEED & AGILITY

*30 minutes of strength and conditioning drills, speed work and agility drills for the beginner.

WHEN: Mondays TIME: 6:30-7:00pm AGES 7-10 CLASS SIZE IS LIMITED

www.strikezonenwa.com 1300 W. HUDSON RD, ROGERS AR Call 479-877-6877 or message us for pricing and to book your party

66 July 2018

500 SE Plaza Avenue Bentonville, Arkansas

peekaboonwa.com

67

What’s up at the

Amazeum?

JULY 2018

Pop-Up Adventure Playground until August 4

Summer Camp Rumor or Reality: Operation Hybrid July 9 - 13 Ages: 6 - 11

Amazeum’s 3rd Birthday July 15

STEAM Studio Thurs: 12, 19, 26 10am - 12pm Families with kids ages 6 and under

Summer Camp Tailoring with Tech July 16 - 20 9am - 3pm Ages: 9 - 14

Summer Camp Archi-TAPE-ture July 23 - 27 9am - 3pm Ages: 6 - 11

Summer Camp 3D Animaker July 30 - Aug 3 9am - 3pm Ages: 11 - 15

Summer Camp Zing into Kindergarten with STEAM July 30 - Aug 3

Zingfling!

A Summer Member Party 6pm - 9pm Aug 4

every

Ages: Enrolling in Kindergarten for fall 2018

day

For more info, visit amazeum.org/calendar.

amazing