RAK magazine February 2020

FEBRUARY 2020

RaisingARIZONA Kids your partner on the parenting path PREGNANCY & BABIES Breastfeeding

WHEN YOU’RE OVER IT Baby essentials and

COOL GEAR Gardening with kids

FAMILY FUN: 80+ events, performances and Camp Fair AZ!

London Stewart holds her son Aiden (2 months), who was born at Mercy Gilbert Medical Center. They are shown in the hospital’s Healing Garden.

Learn more about Mercy Gilbert’s new five-story Women’s and Children’s Pavilion on page 3.

MYTH BUST THE CONSTRUCTION CAREER MYTHS!

There is little demand for construction workers.

FACT Construction in the United States, and Arizona specifically, is booming.

MYTH

MYTH

The construction industry isn’t for women.

Construction jobs do not pay well.

FACT Women are flourishing in construction sciences. More than 939,000 women were working in construction in the US in 2016, up from about 800,000 women in 2010.

Based on data from the United States Department of Labor

FACT Many construction workers earn more per hour than the average university graduate.

Entry-level employees in construction sciences earn an average of $31,910 annually, while the national average for entry-level salaries among all industries is only $28,000 per year.

Based on data from Glassdoor

The construction science industry is one of the highest in-demand industries in Arizona with a forecasted total of 163,510 jobs by 2026.

Based on data from the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity/ Arizona Commerce Authority

Level Up your child’s career planning

BYFAZ.org/LevelUp

CONTENTS

14

February 2020 FEATURES

14

FOUR REASONS GARDENING IS GREAT FOR TINY HUMANS Lisa Van Loo of Raising Outdoor Kids shares what her kids have learned from growing their own vegetables.

16

WORDS CAN CHANGE THE WORLD

20

A Q&A WITH SIMAN QAASIM, CEO OF CHILDREN’S ACTION ALLIANCE

Debra Citron shares favorite picture books, novels and short stories for Black History Month, and reminds us why we always need to be reading and talking about diverse books.

The Arizona child and families advocate shares news about the legislative session, plus how she balances a demanding job with four teenagers at home!

22

26

PREGNANCY AND BABIES Baby essentials and cool gear • Breastfeeding 101 • Birth to Five Helpline FAQs • 4th Trimester Arizona conference • Breastfeeding when you’re over it • Arizona’s most popular baby names SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Pregnancy and Birth Resources

DEPARTMENTS

2

DIALOGUE

4

AZ GROWN

32

Decades of parenting

• Great Wolf Lodge offers day passes to non-hotel guests • Kids Cactus Clubhouse opens at Desert Botanical Garden • Only clear bags now allowed at Chase Field • Children’s Cancer Network hosts fashion fundraiser • American Girl’s new doll: A surfer born with hearing loss • Children’s Museum of Phoenix hosts Children’s Dental Health Month • The secret babysitter: Try day dates with your significant other • Leap into Camp Fair AZ on Saturday, Feb. 29 • Choosing a school for a child with a disability • Sari on Science: How to make color-changing flowers

20

FAMILY TIME! • Top February events • Chocolate festivals • Around Arizona • Fun runs and walks • Onstage performances RaisingARIZONAKids.com February 2020

1

KATE REED

dialogue

Kids can try hands-on activities at Camp Fair AZ.

Decades of parenting IT JUST OCCURRED TO ME — while celebrating a new year and closing this issue — that it’s also the start of a new decade. The 2020s have arrived. My daughter will be a high school graduate in 2030, and my time with her will be winding down as she makes her way to college and into the world.

For the record, at age 7, our daughter has invited her dad and I to go with her when she leaves for college. (I’ve said we absolutely will, if that’s what she wants in 10 years. And I’m sticking to it!) But suddenly I’m feeling the time crunch of this parenting journey — of staying informed and prepared and trying to get it right, while embracing the many wonderful and trying moments, and working to model in a positive way what it is to juggle many things as a mom. In so many ways, I want these 10 years to count.

February is always our birth and babies issue, which makes us reflect on the infant stage of parenting — that first flood of urgency about getting it right! The baby stage doesn’t feel lightning fast in those early moments. It feels more like a never-ending study in sleep deprivation, with lots of unknowns, such as learning to breastfeed. And when you’ve figured out the infant stage, you

2 February 2020 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

have a toddler on your hands. And on it goes.

We turned to Stephanie Nguyen, owner of Modern Milk, to fill us in on some of the most common hurdles new moms face with breastfeeding. And an experienced mom of three, Maggie Zehring, explains a little-known physiological effect of breastfeeding and how she’s dealt with it. We also explore baby essentials, cool gear, and things that can only help, like Southwest Human Development’s Birth to Five Helpline.

For all parents — not just those of tiny humans — we’ve rounded up more than 80 ways you can enjoy family fun at events and performances this month, which brings the start of Major League Baseball spring training, Chinese New Year celebrations and Renaissance fairs … not to mention Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday and Valentine’s Day. Jessica Runberg offers a secret to finding quality time with your spouse during this Valentine’s season.

Because it’s the start of a new legislative session and an important election year, we checked in with Siman Qaasim, the new CEO of Children’s Action Alliance, to see what parents should be paying attention to at the state house and on the ballot. In the process,

we learned some fun facts about her work-life balance with four teens at home. Also in this issue, Amy Silverman tackles the tough subject of finding the right school for a child with a disability.

BECAUSE 2020 IS A LEAP YEAR, we want to remind everyone to leap into Camp Fair AZ, which is being held on Leap Day: Saturday, Feb. 29. It’s the perfect day to leap ahead on your summer planning, and get your kids into fun, engaging and creative summer camps that can help stop the summer slide in learning.

And because it’s the 17th year Raising Arizona Kids has hosted Camp Fair AZ, we guarantee there are great camps from around greater Phoenix, Arizona and the country waiting to share amazing programs with you and your kids. We’ll see you there!

Next up, in March, Raising Arizona Kids celebrates its 30th anniversary. We have some exciting things planned.

Kara G. Morrison, Editor kara@RAKmagazine.com

about the cover sponsor

DIGNITY HEALTH

February 2020 | Vol 30 | No 10 PUBLISHER Karen Davis Barr ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Lisa Morrell EDITOR Kara G. Morrison PROJECTS EDITOR Lisa Sorg-Friedman CALENDAR EDITOR Carrie Wheeler COPY EDITOR Debra Citron CONTRIBUTORS Sari Custer, Jessica Runberg, Amy Silverman, Lisa Van Loo, Maggie Zehring ART DIRECTOR Michèlle-Renée Adams COVER PHOTOGRAPHY Allen Patrou OPERATIONS MANAGER Tina Gerami-Bynum MARKETING CONSULTANTS Hilary Adams, Shannon Cornall, Kate Reed, Mary Vandenberg IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

R aising A rizona K ids magazine (ISSN 1051-4295) was created to connect Valley families to local resources and share real-life stories about the challenges and joys of raising children. Copy­ right © 2020 by R aising A rizona K ids, Inc. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. Subscription price is $20 for one year or $35 for two years. Back issues are $6 per copy. Make address changes on our website or mail changes to our office. Content guide­lines are avail­able at raisingarizonakids.com.

@RAKmagazine on Twitter; RAKmagazine on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube and Pinterest.

CONTACT US: editorial@RAKmagazine.com familytime@RAKmagazine.com advertising@RAKmagazine.com subscriptions@RAKmagazine.com 5229 N. Seventh Ave. #102 Phoenix, AZ 85013-1974 P: 480–991–KIDS (5437) F: 480–991–5460 raisingarizonakids.com

We’re Expecting!

EARLY NEXT YEAR, a new five-story Women’s and Children’s Pavilion is opening on the Dignity Health—Mercy Gilbert Medical Center campus. This state-of-the-art medical facility, located at 3555 S. Val Vista Drive in Gilbert, is a partnership between Dignity Health, part of Common Spirit Health — one of the nation’s largest health systems — and Phoenix Children’s, Arizona’s only nationally recognized pediatric hospital.

The Women’s and Children’s Pavilion will double the size of the hospital, offering care for all types of births, including high-risk pregnancies and the most fragile of newborns. Every woman hopes for a normal delivery, but complications are possible. “It will be a great advantage for our community to have maternal fetal medicine experts available for those moms needing specialized care,” said Meredith Hestand, Senior Director of Maternal Child Health, Mercy Gilbert and Chandler Regional Medical Centers. “We are also enhancing our services for those patients who desire a birth center experience, including labor tubs, birthing chairs, and other amenities.”

Slated to open next spring, the new facility will feature 24 labor and delivery rooms operated

by Mercy Gilbert plus 48 postpartum beds, 12 antepartum rooms with a hydrotherapy suite for floating and physical therapy, 12 OB private triage rooms, and an antenatal testing center.

Midwifery services will also be available, providing a birthing center experience many moms desire within a safe hospital setting.

Phoenix Children’s will operate a new 60-bed Level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to care for the most ill and premature babies, a 24-bed pediatric emergency department, six pediatric operating rooms and 24 pediatric beds. The expansion is designed to meet the needs of the rapidly growing East Valley and beyond. “We are proud to work with Phoenix Children’s on such a momentous project that will allow both of our organizations to provide the best possible medical care to families in the East Valley,” said Mark Slyter, President and CEO of Mercy Gilbert and Chandler Regional Medical Centers. “We are also thankful for the ongoing support from the Town of Gilbert. The Women’s and Children’s Pavilion located right here on Mercy Gilbert’s campus will be a gamechanger for our community.”

“It is encouraging to hear the positive response from the community on this project,” said Bob Meyer, President and CEO of Phoenix Children’s. “We continue to listen to our patients and address their needs to the best of our ability. This new facility is a response to that, and gives us and Dignity Health the ability to deliver exceptional care that is convenient to the growing families in the East Valley.”

Dignity Health and Phoenix Children’s have teamed up for several projects in the past. In 2014, Phoenix Children’s opened a 22-bed unit inside Mercy Gilbert. In 2011, Dignity Health and Phoenix Children’s worked together to improve access to high-quality care by participating in the Arizona Care Network.

RaisingARIZONAKids.com February 2020

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az grown good to know GREAT WOLF LODGE ARIZONA OFFERS

DAY PASSES TO NON-HOTEL GUESTS

GREAT WOLF LODGE ARIZONA, which opened near Salt River Fields in Scottsdale this fall, is now offering day passes and half-day passes to its 85,000-square-foot indoor water park. The passes start at $50 per person. Previously, the water park was only available to overnight guests at the 350-room, all-suite hotel.

The number of water park day passes will be limited based on hotel occupancy. Water park day passes must be purchased at least a day in advance and are only available online at greatwolf. com. Water in the water park is heated to 84 degrees year-round and offers body slides, tube slides, two large-scale raft rides, a wave pool and splash areas.

In addition to its water park, the lodge features a Great Wolf Adventure Park, where families can explore ropes courses, play miniature golf and go bowling. It also features MagiQuest — Great Wolf Lodge’s exclusive live-action adventure game played with purchased “magic” wands — and an arcade for a separate fee. Scottsdale’s is the 18th Great Wolf Lodge in North America; it’s located within the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community’s growing Talking Stick Entertainment District.

CACTUS CLUBHOUSE

for kids opening at Desert Botanical Garden DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN is inviting kids to engage with the outdoors at its new nature play space, opening on Saturday, Feb. 29. The 8,000-square-foot Cactus Clubhouse offers unstructured, child-led activities for kids ages 0 to 12 including climbing, creating and building with various organic materials. It’s free with general admission: $29.95-$12.95; free for ages 2 and younger. 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix. 480-941-1225 or dbg.org

4 February 2020 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

ONLY CLEAR BAGS ALLOWED AT CHASE FIELD LEAVE YOUR FANCY PURSE at home! Anyone attending an Arizona Diamondbacks game or event at Chase Field — starting at D-backs Fan Fest on Saturday, Feb. 15 — can bring only a clear-plastic bag into the stadium because of a new safety policy. Clear-plastic bags cannot exceed 12 inches square and 6 inches deep.

Small clutch bags and wallets (no larger than 6.5 inches wide and 4.5 inches tall) and diaper bags (11 inches by 15 inches or smaller and subject to inspection) are allowed. Banned bags include: backpacks, luggage, computer bags, camera bags, briefcases, fanny packs and cinch bags. See dbacks.com/bagpolicy

FASHION FUNDRAISER JOIN CHILDREN’S CANCER NETWORK for its annual fashion show, “Inspirations 2020: Desert Blooms” on Sunday, Feb. 23, and cheer on more than forty childhood cancer survivors and their siblings as they walk the runway. The fundraiser includes silent and live auctions, raffles and a scrumptious lunch. Proceeds help CCN support families of children with cancer — because most families spend an additional $10,000 annually in non-medical costs such as gas, parking and childcare during a child’s treatment. Fashion show tickets start at $95 at childrenscancernetwork.org.

AMERICAN GIRL’S

2020 Girl of the Year doll is a surfer born with hearing loss

AMERICAN GIRL’S 2020 Girl of the Year doll is Joss Kendrick — a surfer and competitive cheerleader who was born with hearing loss. According to the store, the 18-inch doll, who comes with her own storybooks, helps show girls the importance of trying new things, pushing past stereotypes and being a team player.

To debut Jess, Mattel-owned American Girl teamed up with 17-yearold surfing prodigy Caroline Marks, who is preparing to make history as a member of the first-ever U.S. Women’s Olympic surfing team this summer in Tokyo, Japan. In the two-book Joss Kendrick series, Joss grows up in Huntington Beach, California, as a fierce surfer. She accepts her brother’s dare to try out for the competitive cheer team, and is surprised to learn what a challenging athletic pursuit it will be.

The 18-inch doll, which sells for $98 at Scottsdale Quarter’s American Girl store, has long brown hair and brown eyes and comes dressed in a swimsuit, hoodie and shorts with a removable hearing aid. Other Joss products include a surfboard, an English bulldog and (this summer) a Volkswagen Surf Bus. American Girl will collect donations for Hearing Loss Association of America all year in its stores.

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF PHOENIX HOSTS

Children’s Dental Health Month ALL MONTH DURING FEBRUARY, the Children’s Museum of Phoenix hosts an educational celebration of oral health, with child-friendly sessions about tooth health, proper brushing and flossing, and information on what kids can expect during a trip to the dentist.

Enjoy performances of Totally Tooth-Ular Magic Show

by The Great Flossini, and puppet shows including “The Pirate and the Tooth Fairy,” “Little Dino’s Baby Tooth,” and “Baby Bunny Brushes His Teeth.” Kids also can make a tooth fairy pillow, paint on a pearly white tooth, and make a tooth-holder necklace during a Q&A with a pediatric dentist called “From First Tooth to Loose Tooth.” All activities and performances are included with museum admission and are made possible through a partnership with Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation. Find all Healthy Smiles events online at childrensmuseumofphoenix.org/events

RaisingARIZONAKids.com February 2020

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ISTOCK

az grown parenting

The secret babysitter

By Jessica Runberg

PSST. COME CLOSER. I’m about to let you in on a little secret about my favorite, mosttrustworthy babysitter — highly experienced, always available, great with kids, thoroughly vetted, and did I mention FREE? It’s your child’s school.

Now, let me be clear: I’m not talking about teachers — who do the weighty, worthy work of educating our children — as babysitters. I mean the epiphany my husband and I had a when our daughter started school: We could go on dates during school hours!

No more rushing back from dinner to relieve the sitter. Grabbing breakfast after preschool drop-off whetted our appetite for what was to come — SIX HOURS of uninterrupted Mommy and Daddy time whenever we had a PTO day to spare. There is a lot you can do in six hours. Here are a few of our favorite ways to spend a weekday together.

Hiking. When the weather’s good, this is our first choice. We pack two extra PB&Js when we make our daughter’s lunch and head for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. With more than 200 miles of trails, we haven’t gotten bored yet. If we’re feeling ambitious,

6 February 2020 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

we can get 12 miles in before the school bell rings. (The secret is picking a trailhead near your home so you don’t lose too much time driving.) Being in nature brings us back to our pre-kid selves and gives us hours of uninterrupted time to talk.

at the Arizona Science Center using the same date trifecta formula above. We always try to take advantage of being in a different part of town by patronizing a restaurant outside of our suburban bubble.

Movies. When the weather’s not so good (I’m

dates, but sometimes it’s easier to run errands without kids in tow. When we remodeled our house a couple of years ago, we used the school day to hit up slab yards (a place our daughter was unwelcome for safety reasons) and pick out paint colors. Breaking up the day with lunch gave it a date feel, and checking items off our to-do list freed up our weekend for family time. We still structure the occasional date around kid-free shopping when we feel like browsing the Melrose District’s vintage shops along Seventh Avenue or the like.

talking about you, August), we catch a movie.

This has never been our go-to — I’d rather chat over dinner or on the trail than sit silently in a dark theatre — but it turns out there are a few movies not made by Disney that are worth seeing on the silver screen. Last year we enjoyed “Downton Abbey” and “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.” If you catch a 10:30-ish show, you’ll have time for coffee before and lunch after — a perfect date trifecta.

Culture passes. Some of the best “date days” start with a culture pass from the library.

If you don’t know about culture passes, you should. Library cardholders are eligible for free admission at participating cultural institutions around the Valley, including the Desert Botanical Garden and the Phoenix Art Museum. Twice, we’ve caught special exhibits

Errands. OK, so not the most romantic of

No matter how you spend your time, it’s such a gift to spend a day with your partner.

Feel free to use my sitter anytime.

Jessica Runberg is a Scottsdale freelance writer and the mother of a 6-year-old daughter.

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RaisingARIZONAKids.com February 2020

7

az grown Camp Fair AZ

Leap into Camp Fair AZ!

Bring the kids, browse summer programs and enjoy hands-on activities on Feb. 29 IF YOU ARE LOOKING for ways to keep your kids busy, active, learning and exploring this summer, Camp Fair AZ is a fun place to discover a variety of programs available locally and around the country.

For the 17th year, Raising Arizona Kids is hosting this annual event, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 29 — Leap Day — at Ability 360 Sports & Fitness Center, 5031 W. Washington St. in Phoenix.

Families with children ages 3 to 18 will find a variety of organizations represented, with themes ranging from animals, arts and academics to sports, STEM, theater and more. Face-to-face conversations with camp staff offer parents peace of mind and a much better sense of what children can expect to experience at camp.

Camp Fair AZ is sponsored by: • YMCA’s Camp Sky-Y, which will host four hours of free rock climbing at the entrance to the venue’s gymnasium.

• Cactus Day Camp, which will host a Gaga Ball Pit set up in a corner of the gymnasium. (This fast-paced, high-energy sport is described as a “kinder, gentler version of dodge ball.”)

• Wild West Dentistry, which will have demonstrations and activities to teach kids about tooth care and oral hygiene.

Many of the dozens of other exhibitors will bring fun, hands-on activities for kids to try. Some camps offer day-of-event signing discounts. And some even raffle off a free session of camp!

Camp Fair AZ is free to families, and there is plenty of parking in Ability 360’s parking garage.

The Center is centrally located along the Metro Light Rail, which has a stop right across the street.

Registration is not required, but families are encouraged to do so to save time the day of the event. Visit campfairaz.com for more information.

8 February 2020 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

A growing list of participating camps As of press time, the following camps had committed to exhibiting at Camp Fair AZ. Find updates at campfairaz.com.

• Arizona Humane Society • Arizona Science Center • Arizona Sports Complex • Army and Navy Academy • As You Wish Pottery • Cactus Day Camp • Camp Hubbard

KATE REED

• Catalina Island Camps • Camp Wildwood • Carrie Curran Art Studios • Challenger Sports • Chapel Rock Camp & Conference Center • Children’s Museum of Phoenix • Childsplay Theatre Academy • Crazzy’s Wasewagan Camp & Retreat • Desert Botanical Garden - Garden Camp Adventures • Don Bluth Front Row Theatre • Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation • Friendly Pines Camp • Gateway Children’s Learning Center • Girl Scout Summer Camps • Mad Science of NE Phoenix • Meng Chinese Academy • Phoenix Center for the Arts • Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary • Phoenix Zoo - Arizona Center for Nature Conservation • Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak • Prescott Pines Camp • Rachel’s Young at Art Studio • Renewal by Andersen • Summer at Santa Catalina • The Be Kind People Project • The Phoenix Theatre Company Summer Camp • UU Kids Kamp • Valley Youth Theatre • Wild West Children’s Dentistry • YMCA Camp Sky-Y

RaisingARIZONAKids.com February 2020

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az grown education

Choosing a school

for a child with a

disability

By Amy Silverman

It’s the HARDEST and MOST IMPORTANT ADVICE I can give any parent of a kid with a disability:

BE READY TO PIVOT.

10 February 2020 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

WITH THE PUBLIC SCHOOL finish line in sight for my own daughter, you’d think that I’d be brimming with words of wisdom for parents of younger children. Instead, it’s the opposite. The older Sophie gets — she just turned 16 and a half, a junior in high school — the more I realize that really, I don’t know much at all. Not about school placement for a kid with a disability.

A few years ago, I would have told you exactly what to do. These days, not so much. That’s because the most valuable lesson I’ve learned from all this parenting stuff is that every single kid — indeed, every setting, every teacher, every peer, every parent, every day — is different.

It’s a little like gardening. Conditions are different in every garden, and you must adjust. It’s the hardest and most important advice I can give any parent of a kid with a disability: be ready to pivot. Watch the weather over your garden, the one in which you’ve planted your child. Be patient, but also be ready to react if the sun is too strong or bugs attack or your kid is obviously wilting. And water — don’t skimp on the water. We’re in the desert, after all, in more ways than one.

I can’t tell you what will be best for your kid. But I can give you some insight into what has worked (and not worked) for us. Sophie has Down syndrome. She has global challenges — she walked and talked late, and if you met her today, you still might not understand her speech. Like all people with DS, she has some cognitive disabilities, and Sophie’s got a raging case of ADD on top of that. She can do much of what her classmates do, but it takes her longer. And she needs more help.

ISTOCK

In the 1950s, ’60s or even ’70s, chances are good that the doctors would have advised my husband and me to send Sophie to an institution.

In the early 2000s, they sent us home with phone numbers for a cardiologist (like many babies born with DS, Sophie has a defect that required open-heart surgery), a support group and the state Department of Economic Security.

We figured out the rest on our own. That included public school, which Sophie started when she was 3. For us, it was important to get Sophie in a school setting as soon as possible. We were lucky to have an “inclusive” preschool in our area with a program that mixes kids with disabilities and typical kids. It was the easiest, best setting Sophie’s been in. Therapy was included in the mix, teachers were welcoming and understanding, Sophie got to know peers with and without disabilities.

Kumbaya. Enjoy it if you get it — if your experience is like ours, nothing will ever be that easy again.

Kindergarten is your first significant transition. The T-word.

Transitions are hard for all of us, but even harder, often, for a kid with a disability. To this day, Sophie still struggles with transitions, big (moving from junior high to high school) and small (getting out the door for school in the morning).

My best advice: plan. Do your homework. Consider the benefits of staying in your neighborhood (convenience, community, proximity to siblings, friends and neighbors) and in an inclusive environment.

If someone tells you to put your kid in a self-contained setting for kindergarten, ask a lot of questions. I can tell you that while it won’t feel that way in the moment, there’s no smoother school transition than the one to kindergarten. And it’s much harder to push into an inclusive setting than pull back from one. If you are going to try it, try it in kindergarten.

Confused about all the paperwork? Teacher and administrators giving you grief? Not sure if your kid needs an aide or maybe a private school setting? You likely need outside advice. Consider resisting advice from well-meaning friends and support group members and hiring some professional help. I know that sounds expensive, and sometimes it is, but we have been pleasantly surprised by how much good one session with an advocate or a couple hours with a lawyer can do. I never go to a meeting alone — well, not since a couple of disasters in the early years.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions, request a tour of the school or spend a day observing. Don’t sign any paperwork until you are ready. Don’t take no for an answer, but remember, too, that this is the place where you’ll be leaving your kid each day, without you there. You don’t want to foster a culture of animosity. (Well, not too much.)

Above all else: Listen to your kid. And don’t be afraid to break the rules, including your own. If you are anti-charter for political reasons, but the best setting for your kid is a charter, consider sucking it up. If you’ve committed to inclusion at all costs, but your kid is miserable in his or her classroom, consider some pull-out services.

Be flexible. Don’t get comfortable anywhere.

Most of all, don’t listen to anyone else’s advice. Irony intended.

Amy Silverman is a longtime Valley journalist and is on the advisory board of the National Center on Disability and Journalism. She is the author of “My Heart Can’t Even Believe It: A Story of Science, Love and Down Syndrome,” and is working on a second book about what it means to come of age with an intellectual disability. Learn more at amy-silverman.com

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RAISING ARIZONA KIDS

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11

az grown STEM

SARI ON SCIENCE

For Valentine’s Day, make

COLOR-CHANGING FLOWERS

By Sari Custer

WHEN YOU GIVE a flower a drink of water, where does the water go? My daughter and I recently investigated this very question, and thought it would be a fun way to combine science while making custom-colored flowers for Valentine’s Day.

Supplies: • 1 dozen white flowers; carnations work really well!

• Water • Vase • 4 glasses or large cups • Knife or box cutter • Food coloring (several colors)

different color of water.

4. Line up the cups next to each other. Using your split-stem flowers, place flowers straddling the cups so one side of the stem is in one color and one side is in another.

5. Place one non-split flower in each cup of colored water. Leave the rest of your flowers in the plain water as a control.

6. Leave all flowers for two to five days and make observations along the way! This is a good chance to make some predictions: What will happen to the flowers in colored water? Will the colors mix? Which colors will you see in the flowers first?

Directions: 1. With adult supervision, trim flowers to a workable length, and cut the ends at an angle.

Keep all flowers in plain water until you are ready for the next steps.

2. With an adult, use the knife to split three of the flower stems straight down the center. Return them to plain water.

3. Fill four glasses with water and up to 20 drops of food coloring. Each glass should have a

What’s happening?

Did any of your predictions come true? Take a look at the leaves, too. What do you notice?

There’s some very cool science happening here.

Flowers “drink” water almost like you would drink water through a straw. The flowers take up water through thin tubes called xylem in a process called capillary action.

As water evaporates from the leaves and petals of the flower (known as transpiration)

12 February 2020 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

and creates a low-pressure system, more water is drawn up through the tubes, because water molecules like to stick together. This is called cohesion. The dye in the water travels up the tubes, too, but doesn’t evaporate, so it remains in the leaves and petals. Splitting the stems allows us to see how the tubes are dispersed in the flower stem, and where they end. Try splitting your flower stem into thirds or swapping colors of dye after a few days. What happens then? Happy experimenting!

Did you know? Flowering plants have been around for more than 174 million years — they’re much older than the 66 million-year-old dinosaur, Victoria the T. rex, currently on display at Arizona Science Center through May.

Sari Custer is a lifelong science junkie, Chief Scientist at Arizona Science Center and mom to daughter Carson (5).

Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @SariOnScience.

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RaisingARIZONAKids.com February 2020

13

RAISING OUTDOOR KIDS

Four reasons gardening is great for tiny humans Story by Lisa Van Loo Photos by Ron Abelar

Nolan Abelar, 6, tends to the Brussels sprouts.

O

ur backyard is filled with 14 reasons for our kids to get their hands dirty.

And we encourage it. As often as possible.

Those 14 reasons are raised garden boxes. We call our little operation an urban micro-farm, because it is. And we’ve kicked around a couple of different names for it.

In those boxes are bunches of colorful carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumbers, squash, greens and Brussels sprouts. They didn’t grow overnight. It took us months of planning — dreaming, we’d call it — then a few more months of prepping, by reconfiguring the entire yard and bringing in truckloads of compost, and then a few more months of planting and watching things grow.

I never thought I’d get emotionally attached to a vegetable, but the day a cauliflower fell victim to the appetite of our veggie-loving blue heeler (Australian cattle dog), I almost cried. The plant had become a point of pride.

The cool thing about our farm is that our entire crew of kids has been involved from the get-go. They offered opinions on our plans. They helped move the artificial turf from one side of the yard to the other (which I can only compare to the chore of moving an unwilling elephant). They helped build the boxes, put them in place and plant seeds when we were ready.

It is their farm as much as it is ours. And the bigger point is — we did it. We live in a city, on a modest lot, and we got a little farm going. Chickens, for those who are wondering, are on the horizon.

We’re within a five-minute drive of at least four grocery stores, but those stores teach kids absolutely nothing — except patience in the self-checkout aisle and an unexpected appreciation for soft pop hits from the ’80s. More often than not, kids think food comes from the store, not from the ground or an animal that was once alive.

And that’s just one of the reasons we decided to start growing our own.

Here’s why we think our micro-farm is good for our tiny humans. Any tiny humans.

IT INSTILLS SELF-RELIANCE. Sure, in the event of a zombie apocalypse, we’ll all need to figure a few things out. But, short of that, having a microfarm, and getting kids involved with it, teaches them that they are able to do things themselves.

Not as kids, but as humans in general.

We don’t need to buy spinach at the store for

14 February 2020 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

14 February 2020 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

1. Ron Abelar and the kids positioning the garden boxes. 2. Lulu Nicita (9) and Riley Abelar (11) reference garden plans to see what plants will go where. 3. Nolan Abelar (6), Ron Abelar, Lulu and Riley begin planting basil seeds in the basil box. 4. Beginnings of a garden. 5. Lulu with a carrot from the garden.

our salad. We can harvest it from our own yard.

We don’t need to buy basil for our pasta, because we have a box full of it — more than we can even use. Our children may not start their own little farms when they are older, but they will know they are capable of doing it if they want to. And thanks to our compost, they’re learning how to make less waste and finding ways to use as much of everything as possible.

because we have it. And the kids can go right back there, just before dinner, and yank a few strands off the plants for us to use in our salsa or pico or on top of our sautéed peppers.

There is no waste, because we take and use what we need.

IT EXPLAINS THE FOOD CHAIN. When my oldest was little, she asked if grapes came from pigs. I can’t even make that up. And it’s a good joke now, but man — she had no clue. And I’d be willing to bet, if we quizzed kids on where food comes from, the majority of them would be stumped.

As our little seeds turn into plants that flower, and as those plants begin to grow edible goodness, they can see the entire cycle.

They can learn that root vegetables, like those rainbow carrots we have going, grow underground. They can see that cucumbers need to vine, that tomatoes need a little support, and that soybeans grow amazingly in 100 percent compost.

IT TEACHES PATIENCE. The day we planted our first “crop” of plants over the summer — horrible timing, we know — one of the kids asked if the plants would be grown by “tomorrow.” No. They wouldn’t. And so began a waiting game unlike anything they have had to experience in life, as our culture increasingly embraces immediate fulfillment.

The kids have to watch, every week, as the plants get bigger. They see us troubleshoot hungry caterpillars, pluck weeds, adjust watering and dust with vitamins. We have a couple of pickle-lovers who can’t wait for the cucumbers to do their thing, and we have a little girl who is anxiously awaiting the day she can pull a nonorange carrot from the ground in her own yard.

Those days will come. But until then, they have to wait and watch. And learn to be patient as nature follows its own timetable.

OUR BACKYARD HAS BECOME A MARKET. If I consistently forget anything when grocery shopping, it’s cilantro. I have a brain block on that herb. Which is why having a garden box full of cilantro in our own backyard is totally magical. I never have to remember it,

Lisa Van Loo is a Gilbert freelance journalist. Ron Abelar is an avid outdoorsman and photographer. Together, they are parenting five children.

Follow them on Instagram @ RaisingOutdoorKids

Gardening with kids Desert gardening has its challenges, such as learning techniques and the best times to plant (NOT summer). Seek help from your local plant nursery for the bigger questions. And let kids of all ages help. ❱ 1. LET THEM PLANT. Relax, planting isn’t rocket science. Help kids with seed spacing (which we’ve learned is important) and let them drop the seeds in and cover them up. ❱ 2. LET THEM WATER. There is likely not a kid on the planet who doesn’t like holding a hose. Especially during a plant’s first few days, allow the kids to use a watering can or hose to gently water your “crops.” ❱ 3. LET THEM PICK — AND PLAN MEALS WITH THE PRODUCE. We made a salad over the holidays with three different greens from our backyard — enough to feed all seven of us and then some. Send the kids out to pick the spinach or arugula so they can see the fruits of their labor.

RaisingARIZONAKids.com February 2020

15

WORDS CAN CHANGE THE

By Debra Citron

WORLD

WELL, THIS IS AWKWARD. I’m supposed to be recommending books for Black History Month, but I’m feeling pretty conflicted about the whole thing. It’s not because the very idea of Black History Month is controversial in some circles.

It’s been called racist, discriminatory, non-inclusive and unnecessary by people of widely differing political affiliations.

It’s also not that there is a dearth of excellent material about being, or having been, black in America. The last few years have been something of a golden age for writers of color writing about people of color thanks to loud and proud advocacy campaigns, like We Need Diverse Books, led and supported by some of today’s best and brightest authors — Ellen Oh, Nic Stone, Tracey Baptiste, Jason Reynolds, Angie Thomas and John Green, to name just a few.

And it’s definitely not that I don’t believe books make a difference.

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I passionately believe they can and do change attitudes and behavior. I wouldn’t do this work if I didn’t. Think of the impact of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” Upon meeting the author, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Abraham Lincoln reportedly said, “So you’re the little woman who wrote the book that started this great war.” Hyperbole, but not untrue.

Words can change the world.

Unfortunately, a lot of words today are sent into the world on social media without proper thought, care or deliberation, but can still produce frightening, immediate and consequential change. But a true paradigm shift is an uphill battle these days precisely because of social media’s design. Eliciting a knee-jerk emotional high that needs constant reinforcement is a feature, not a bug.

No, my ambivalence about Black History Month is because I’m sorry that it’s necessary — and I believe that it absolutely is — to draw

attention to the struggles and achievements of African-Americans.

American history should be the true and unvarnished story of all of us. Warts and all. It shouldn’t require carve-outs for racial, ethnic or religious groups in the name of fairness and honesty.

However, corporate-owned, profit-hungry mainstream media with its stripped-down newsrooms and its “if it bleeds, it leads” mantra has neither the interest in nor the ability to clean up our history books.

Many schools lack the funds for newer, more nuanced and inclusive textbooks. Some state boards of education happily sacrifice historically accurate textbooks for ones useful for political and religious indoctrination. So, yes. Omissions, over-simplifications and untruths require attention. If there is no spotlight, it’s easy to say you just didn’t see. If something is illuminated, looking away becomes your choice.

You own it.

President Gerald Ford officially designated February as Black History Month during the 1976 Bicentennial to encourage Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” Most schools responded by incorporating BHM offerings in their curricula, and have for many years, and most busy parents were and are happy to let schools shoulder the bulk of the burden of educating their kids about race relations. The result has been a kind of heroes and horrors approach.

Younger kids learn about the challenges and successes of outstanding

…relegating AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY discussions to classrooms, PBS and the History Channel, and TO A SINGLE MONTH has WARPED THE PERCEPTION and MINIMIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SUBJECT. African Americans and older ones learn about the evils of slavery, the Klan, lynchings and Jim Crow laws.

Ford’s declaration coincided with the last of the Boomer babies entering middle school. We know that Boomers (born 1946-1964), whose childhoods also tracked with the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education ruling, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Votings Rights Act of 1965, were markedly more tolerant in their attitudes toward race than any previous generation. We also know that every succeeding generation polls as more liberal than their parents. Study after study shows this. Can it be chalked up, even partly, to the remedial education provided by Black History Month? Association isn’t causation, but it sounds like something good is happening, right?

Maybe not.

When researchers Candis Watts Smith and Christopher DeSante (“Beyond Ideology and Resentment: The Dimensions of Whites’ Racial Attitudes”) drilled down into American National Election Studies data, they found that tolerance for diversity increased with Millennials and Gen Z partly because there are more racially and ethnically diverse individuals in the cohort. Levels of “white racial resentment” did not change significantly from the mid-1980s through 2014, although white millennials are much more nuanced in their

PICTURE BOOKS “I Am Enough” by Grace Byers. Illustrated by Keturah A. Bobo. Preschool-grade 3. A sweet prose poem celebrating friendship, kindness and knowing and loving who you are.

“Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History” by Vashti Harrison. Grades 3-7.

Adorable, clever illustrations anchor the short biographies of 40 remarkable women guaranteed to spark curiosity and discussion. There is a companion book for boys: “Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History.”

“Young, Gifted and Black: Meet 52 Heroes From Past and Present” by Jamia Wilson.

Illustrated by Andrea Pippins. Grades 2-5. The book’s creators believe “if you can’t see it, you can’t be it.” The one- or two-page biographies of diverse modern and historical figures were chosen to inspire and inform.

“Sing A Song: How Lift Every Voice and Sing Inspired Generations” by Kelly Starling Lyons.

Illustrated by Keith Mallett. Grades K-3. This lovely book follows five generations of a family who turn to this hymn in times of trouble and joy. Known as “the black national anthem,” it was written in 1900 to honor Lincoln’s birthday.

“A Ride to Remember: A Civil Rights Story”

by Sharon Langley and Amy Nathan. Illustrated

by Floyd Cooper. Grades 1-4. On the same day as the March on Washington, little Sharon Langley became the first black child to ride the carousel at an amusement park in Maryland, where Jim Crow laws previously kept her out. This is the story of the protest that ultimately integrated the venue.

“Sulwe” by Lupita Nyong’o. Illustrated by Vashti Harrison. Preschool-grade 3. Charming, partially autobiographical story of a little girl who learns to love her dark skin and that true beauty comes from within.

“Welcome to Jazz: A Swing-Along Celebration of America’s Music, “Featuring ‘When the Saints Go Marching In’ ” by Carolyn Sloan. Illustrated by Jessica Gibson. Preschool-grade 3. Besides being the longest book title in memory, it comes with its own push-the-button musical accompaniment. Some very cool cats introduce kids to basic jazz history and ideas while the band gets their groove on. Colorful and lots of fun.

RaisingARIZONAKids.com February 2020

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NOVELS and SHORT STORIES “The Jacket” by Andrew Clements. Grades 3-6. A story about the assumptions people make, almost reflexively, about others. Phil assumes the boy wearing his brother’s jacket stole it. When that turns out not to be true, he is brave and kind enough to try and figure out if he would have reacted the same way had the “thief” not been African-American.

“Ghost Boys” by Jewell Parker Rhodes. Grade 5 and up. A 12-year-old black boy is shot by a white cop. His lonely, restless spirit befriends the cop’s lonely, heartbroken daughter and is joined by others who have travelled the same path. Simply and elegantly written, this book broke my heart.

“Dear Martin” by Nic Stone. Grade 9 and up. An African-American teen with a foot in two worlds feels unwelcome in both. After an absurd run-in with police, he begins a written conversation with Dr. King and tries to emulate his commitment to non-violent activism, but another horrible incident tests his resolve.

“Long Way Down” by Jason Reynolds. Grade 8 and up. A jolt of adrenalin with a chaser of doubt in free verse. Sixty seconds on an elevator, with a boy armed and planning revenge against his brother’s killer. Astounding.

“On the Come Up” by Angie Thomas. Grade 8 and up. The follow-on to “The Hate U Give,” set in the same community after those events. Bri is a rapper desperate to succeed in order to stop her family’s slide into poverty. THUG is about telling truth to power. This is about telling truth to yourself.

“Black Enough: Stories of Being Young & Black in America” edited by Ibi Zoboi. Grade 9 and up. Contributors include a Who’s Who of celebrated young black writers. The stories portray minority teens of all shades and circumstances in all their glorious individuality.

“Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You”

by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi. Grade 8 and up. Possibly the most relevant book for Black History Month won’t even be available until March.

YA phenom Reynolds has created a narrative based on Kendi’s National Book Award-winning “Stamped from the Beginning” to start a conversation on race and racism in America. Keep an eye out for this book. It could be a game-changer.

18 February 2020 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

racial attitudes than their elders.

Sixty-nine percent believe racism is a major problem in the U.S., don’t approve of inequality and injustice and do not fear other races. That’s the good news. Now the bad: Seven of 10 believe that hard work is all it takes to be wealthy. They have “no concept or understanding of institutional racism and racial privilege.” Between 20 and 30 percent believe black people are lazier than whites. Ouch. So much for nuance.

So yes, I’m concerned that relegating African American history discussions to classrooms, PBS and the History Channel, and to a single month has warped the perception and minimized the importance of the subject. It’s like binge-watching a season on Netflix. There’s the build-up, the part where you try to remember what happened last season, the binge, and then the amnesia sets in again. History is difficult enough for kids to grasp without having it presented in the same way as mass market entertainment. History is not just what happened way back when to shadowy dead people. It’s a living, breathing continuum of human experience that includes them, that shapes them.

We are dutifully teaching to the test, but it’s the wrong test, and it disrespects our children’s intelligence. In hitting the high points over and over — the heroes and the horrors — we wear down and smooth out the peaks. We make the extraordinary, both good and bad, mundane. We don’t talk about what’s really going on, every minute of every day. We tell reality to shush.

Children, in age-appropriate ways, need an honest accounting and a thorough understanding of how and why our country acquiesced to the evils of slavery and developed laws and institutions that tipped the scales against recovery when it was gone. That means teaching about voter suppression, and legal, educational, and employment inequality. Kids need to know why our country is again experiencing a shocking amount of racial violence, especially against children and young adults, that is, in many cases, government sanctioned, if not initiated, and excused or defended by a sizable portion of our citizenry. We stunt their ethical and intellectual development if we don’t.

We need to do better.

Books can play a role in that effort. Use biographies and works of nonfiction that break down and explain governmental and economic policies.

Especially, use outstanding novels that tell the stories of relatable characters experiencing the effects of those policies. Make these books a part of your kids’ regular reading routine at home, in every month. Then talk.

I asked the women of Epiphany Book Club to help me compile this list. As African American mothers and educators, they are on the front lines of the current crisis. These are some of the books they share with the children they love. The titles they passed along are both fiction and nonfiction, for preschoolers through high schoolers. Some are simple, some are Solomonic exercises in ethical complexity. All are filled with pride, and especially, hope. I hope you will share them with the children you love.

“I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality.”

– Martin Luther King Jr., 1964 From his lips to God’s ear.

Debra Citron is a Phoenix writer, editor and lifelong supporter of children’s literature and literacy.

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RaisingARIZONAKids.com February 2020

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Siman Qaasim

Q&A with Arizona child and families advocate

By Kara G. Morrison This fall, Siman Qaasim (SIH-min KAH-sim) took the reins at Children’s Action Alliance — an Arizona nonprofit that advocates for family- and child-friendly public policies. Born in Somalia, Qaasim moved to Mesa as a second grader.

Her career has taken her from running a small community center that helped Somalis adjust to life in America, to a health and safety job in the Bahamas, to international policy work in Washington, D.C., and back to Arizona.

Qaasim ran the Office of School Health and Wellness Initiatives and the Office of Health Promotion and Education at the Maricopa County Department of Public Health before joining CCA as its director of health policy. In recent years, her work led to key victories at the state legislature and Congress — including protecting KidsCare for 35,000 children in Arizona and building advocacy efforts to protect the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid coverage.

Qaasim shares how she’s growing into her new role, what the nonprofit’s current legislative priorities are, and how she balances the job with having four teenagers at home.

20 February 2020 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

How has life changed since you became president and CEO of

It has been a whirlwind — very busy as I try to balance my home with four children and my husband and work life! But it has been incredibly exciting, too. I feel that I am learning new things every day and getting more comfortable in this leadership role. I’ve enjoyed talking with partners and community members and doing good work for children and families in Arizona, especially as we are in the midst of the legislative session. There really isn’t any other place I’d rather be right now than at this organization.

Children’s Action Alliance?

What has you most hopeful and/or concerned about the new

We have a full list of legislative priorities this session, all of which involve health, education and security of Arizona children and families. Just a few: • We have concerns the legislature [may try] funding online learning products targeted at preschool-aged children. It’s probably one of the more concerning proposals we’ve run into in some time. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA Pediatrics) found that any screen time in very young children is not only unhelpful, it’s detrimental to their development. There are other ways we can and should be spending public monies — on programs that are proven to work.

• We support the Department of Economic Security’s request to use $30 million in childcare funds to help low-income working parents cover the cost of child care so they can go to work.

• We want to see sustainable funding for public K-12 schools. The state has legislative session that is underway?

the money right now; let’s do it while revenues are in good shape.

• We want the legislature to provide kinship caregivers the same resources they [give] licensed foster care providers. So many kinship caregivers — grandparents and other relatives — have stepped up and taken in children whose parents couldn’t or wouldn’t for whatever reason (illness, addiction, homelessness, etc.). Yet, they are provided few resources from the state while licensed foster families are given much more financial assistance. We all know how expensive it is to make sure kids’ needs are met — that they have shoes that fit, clothes that keep them comfortable and enough nutritious food to eat. Kinship caregivers have been shouldering the cost on their own for too long, and we see so many of them who had retired who have no choice but go back to work or sell their homes to buy bigger ones with more space for the kids.

Arizona has the third highest rate of uninsured kids in the country

going to work and placing their child in a safe, quality environment.

In 2000, measles was considered eradicated in the United States. In 2019, more than 1,200 individual cases of measles were confirmed in 31 states, including Arizona, and vaccination rates are declining.

What are your thoughts on this, and what can we do as a society?

Arizona is losing critical community-level protection against really scary diseases. In many parts of the state, we no longer have “herd immunity,” because our vaccination rates have fallen below the threshold that protects those who can’t get vaccinated, such as young babies, pregnant women and people receiving chemotherapy. We are seeing more parents choosing not to vaccinate their children, and we have the most lax laws in the nation around immunization requirements. We are advocating against any efforts at the legislature to compromise the public health and are working with our partners to get good, solid information out to families.

(according to a Georgetown University report), with the number of uninsured Arizona children jumping by 10 percent between

It’s a big election year. Any advice for parents who want to be

It’s a disturbing trend. Arizona and the rest of the country had been making major progress. Many children had health coverage when the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was implemented. But just recently, the numbers of uninsured kids have started to creep up. There are a few factors at play.

One is that many ACA policies that helped families find affordable insurance were rolled back. Also, changes to immigration laws — particularly around the use of public benefits.

There is so much confusion and fear created by anti-immigration rhetoric, such as the “public charge” rule, that families who are legally here and are eligible for Medicaid or CHIP have withdrawn their children from coverage. We at CAA have been working to get reliable and factual information to parents so they enroll their eligible children in health plans through their employers, the ACA marketplace, Medicaid (AHCCCS), or KidsCare. Kids who are healthy and can have access to a doctor and dentist when they need it are more likely to do well in school and become happier, more economically successful adults.

informed voters on Nov. 3?

2016 and 2018. Why is this happening, and what can be done?

I understand you’re passionate about improving access to dental

There is a lot of research showing that oral health has a great impact on overall health, particularly during pregnancy, which is why pregnant women are told by their obstetricians to take good care of their teeth. Periodontal disease can be more prevalent during pregnancy, and women with untreated dental issues are at risk of having premature or low-birth weight babies. When moms-to-be have access to oral health care, their babies benefit. We want to see the legislature include oral health care for pregnant women participating in AHCCCS so they are more likely to have healthy babies.

Yes! Read and absorb as much information as possible about candidates and stay informed with us. We send out a questionnaire to all legislative and statewide candidates for office and ask about their positions on a variety of issues that affect Arizona’s children and families. Get registered at azchildren.org if you aren’t already, and most importantly, VOTE! On Twitter, you call yourself a “health policy nerd, proud mom, wife, Somali-American.” Tell us a little about your kids and family (you

I will tell you once I get there! Actually, I am on my way to figuring out all the life hacks to finding time to relax and enjoy myself and the family during my time off. I have a great executive assistant who has done a fantastic job of helping me organize and prioritize in the office so I can focus on being present when I’m not working. The good thing about having older children at home is that if I have to attend an event later in the evening or on the weekend, they can help out. My husband, Michael, is my rock.

His support has been tremendous, and I cannot imagine taking on this challenge without him!

have four teenagers!) and any secrets for work-life balance.

care for moms. Why?

Affordable childcare options is another issue CAA focuses on.

Is access to quality childcare improving in Arizona? It

is, but slowly. We worked with partners and lawmakers last year to get the state to authorize $58 million in federal dollars to be used to eliminate the waiting list for low-income working families to access child care subsidies, as well as raise reimbursement rates for child care providers.

Arizona is still far behind in how much providers are reimbursed — only at 25 percent of market rate — but the legislature has the opportunity to authorize another $30 million in federal monies so the Department of Economic Security can continue to bring reimbursement rates up and provide assistance to more working families. We don’t want families trying to make their way up the economic ladder to choose between

I understand you moved to Arizona in second grade, and have

I began my Arizona public education journey in the Mesa Public Schools at Helen Keller School. I graduated from South Mountain High School from the dance magnet. I went onto to New York to pursue a dance career after high school. lived and worked globally. Where did you attend school?

I enjoy gardening.

I haven’t had as much time as I would like to spend doing it recently, but I usually have a vegetable patch growing tomatoes, herbs, and carrots. Lately, my 15-year-old daughter got me on the Tik Tok app — very entertaining!

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

I hope that anyone reading this recognizes that you don’t have to be a policy wonk or a politician to translate your passion into change. Just check out the website of an organization you believe in and sign up for its alerts. Your voice truly matters to lawmakers. Just call your legislator or congressperson and leave a voicemail about something — anything — you care about. It’s practically like therapy!

What would like to add?

Kara G. Morrison is the editor of Raising Arizona Kids and the mother of Sofia (7).

Reach her at kara@rakmagazine.com.

RaisingARIZONAKids.com February 2020

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Pregnancy and Babies

LIUDMILA_FADZEYEVA

Welcome to parenthood!

This journey is magical, and challenging, and never uneventful! In our annual pregnancy and birth guide, we offer advice on baby essentials and cool new gear, tips on breastfeeding (with common and not-so-common breastfeeding hurdles), help for fussy babies and a directory of resources for parents and parents-to-be.

22 February 2020 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

5 NEWBORN ESSENTIALS

you’ll use right away (plus more cool baby stuff)

By Carrie Wheeler Diapers, onesies, a crib or co-sleeper; these are the things we know every baby needs. But walk into a baby superstore, and parents-to-be are confronted with a warehouse of potential must-haves: wipe warmers, diaper genies, complicated swings, shopping cart covers … the list is exhaustive and excessive.

While purchasing a long list of products might give a sense of preparedness and control in a time when parents feel anything but, loading up on so-called baby “essentials” before they are actually essential can add to the general chaos, not to mention a space and wallet suck.

Yes, your baby will likely require loads of stuff — some of which will be ordered in the wee hours of the night because you must have X, Y or Z. Right. Now. But new parents should recognize that babies are different and have different needs.

Parents are different, too, and have different needs.

For every mom who swears a certain baby carrier changed her world, there’s another who found that same item useless. While one baby might have paintpeeling poops worthy of a diaper genie, others can skip the fancy receptacle in favor of simply taking out the trash out on the reg.

Whether you are looking to pare down on excess gear in the name of sustainability, savings or personal aesthetic, here are five products to start your baby adventure that will be put to good use early and often. The rest you can wait to evaluate and purchase once you get to know your baby — and what you need as a parent.

1. A portable infant car seat. Mobile carseats make all the difference in having an independent life with an infant. They double as carriers, and in some models with the right attachments, a stroller and/or swing. Carriers can be popped in shopping carts or set onto upside-down high chairs when trying to dine or run errands. For new parents planning on transporting baby in multiple vehicles, each car can have a base rather than transferring a seat from car to car or buying multiple seats. Another Arizona-specific plus, during hot summers: Parents don’t have to worry about clipping baby into a scalding seat!

2. A bouncer for baby. Eventually new parents might want to shower, use the bathroom, make a meal or simply use both hands. When that time comes, they’ll need a place to set baby down. Known as “bouncers,” these bed/chair hybrids keep the baby somewhere between reclined and upright. Look for a model with a strap.

Once the baby is big enough to sit up, they become dangerous without it. Also, check reviews before making a purchase to make sure there are no recalls.

➊ Chicco KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat, $200 at buybuybaby.com and amazon.com.

➋ BabyBjörn Bouncer Bliss, $200 at babybjorn.com. ➌ Pivot Pack from Petunia Pickle Bottom ($158.94 at petunia.com) offers clever carrying straps, well-placed pockets, and insulated compartments with a bit of bling.

➍ Gerber Prefold Gauze Diapers ($12.50 at amazon.com) are 100 percent cotton and can be used as cloth diapers, burp cloths, lap pads, cleaning cloths or changing pads.

➎ aden + anais swaddle set 3-pack, $45 at adenandanais.com, or aden + anais muslin swaddles 4-pack at target.com

RaisingARIZONAKids.com February 2020

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3. An organized diaper bag with all the basics. Parents really only need one bag with the basics: diapers, changing pad, wipes, extra outfits — and maybe disposable bags, diaper cream, hand sanitizer and sunscreen. Paring down the contents makes it easier to keep track of what you have and figure out what needs replenishing. Unisex diaper bags and backpacks are big right now so either parent can use it.

4. Burp cloths. Burps, barf and blow-outs are part of the joy that is a newborn, so it’s handy to have something nearby to deal with those errant fluids. Patterned or plain, it’s good to have them next to the bed, on the couch — basically everywhere.

5. Muslin swaddle blankets. These light, versatile, breathable baby blankets have so many uses, including receiving, swaddling and as an easy nursing cover. Drape it over your baby carrier for a little privacy and/or sun protection or put it between baby and any questionable surface.

Calendar Editor Carrie Wheeler is the mother of Wilson (8).

MORE COOL BABY GEAR These may not be instant necessities, but here’s a roundup of some sweet, cool and cutting-edge new baby products:

➏ Hoodie Chew Chew. This chewable teether, made from medical grade silicone ($15.99, hoodiechewchew.com) attaches to any hoodie string, making it a great accessory for both new dads and moms to wear, letting baby grab and chew away.

➐ ABC Board Book. Teach your child her ABCs with the help of her favorite people, places and things. The customized board books ($40 at pinholepress.com) are made for little hands with thick, durable pages.

➑ Hands-free breast pumps. The hands-free Freemie Liberty Pump ($170 at freemie.com) was among the first to let working moms pump at their desks, with a system that fit inside a normal bra. Willow ($500 at willowpump.com) and Elvie Pump ($500 at elvie.com) also offer high-tech pumps that work hands-free, worn inside a standard nursing bra, and they can even track milk production via a smartphone app!

➒ Non-contact baby sleep and breathing monitors. Several new baby monitors feature technology that also lets you remotely monitor a baby’s breathing and sleep patterns, including Raybaby (raybaby.us), Miku (mikucare.com), Smart Beat (mysmartbeat.com) and Cocoon Cam (cocooncam.com). Look for more of the best baby tech coming out of the annual 2020 Consumer Electronics Show.

➓ Baby wraps for hands-free carrying. The award-winning MOBY Classic Wrap ($45, mobywrap.com) is made from a soft, durable, 100 percent cotton fabric. Offers multiple carrying positions as baby grows, plus one-size-fits-all comfort for parents and caregivers.

24 February 2020 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

Women’s and Children’s Pavilion Coming Soon to the Campus of Mercy Gilbert Medical Center Visit dignityhealth.org/PavilionAZ for more information.

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Breastfeeding 101 Modern Milk owner shares common breastfeeding problems and solutions

By RAK Staff STEPHANIE NGUYEN, a registered nurse and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, started Modern Milk as a gathering spot where new moms could find breastfeeding help, along with mom-and-baby fitness classes, parenting classes and a supportive community. Modern Milk — with locations in Scottsdale and Gilbert — offers breastfeeding support groups/ classes including Happy Boob Group and Happy Mom School. Here’s what Nguyen (a Scottsdale mother of two girls) shared about common breastfeeding hurdles and how to get help.

What are some of the most common problems moms have when starting breastfeeding? The most common problems I see in the early weeks of breastfeeding are related to a shallow latch and sore nipples. Breastfeeding shouldn’t hurt, and if it does, you probably need to work on getting a deeper latch onto the breast (not just the nipple). Having an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant help you with latching can be the best decision you ever make! Many moms who come into our office with sore nipples walk out smiling, because it doesn’t hurt anymore!

What’s your best advice for moms who find they are struggling? Don’t struggle alone! Find a support group (there are many across the Valley) or an IBCLC near you who can help. Oftentimes, you just need a little help and coaching to get you on track and feeling confident about breastfeeding. Another bonus of establishing a relationship with an IBCLC early on is you’ll have someone to contact should you have other issues during your time breastfeeding.

What are some of the biggest obstacles for moms for continuing to breastfeed, and how do you help them address those obstacles? There are always going to be challenges along the way, such as plugged ducts, decreased milk supply, thrush, breasts leaking, pumping at work, etc. One thing I like to remind moms is that breastfeeding is not “one-size-fits-all.” What worked for your mom, your sister or your friend may not work for you. When challenges arise, it’s best to consult a professional so they can get you back on track ASAP!

26 February 2020 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

Above: Happy Boob Group. Photo by Theresa Green photography.

Below: Stephanie Nguyen with her daughters Rilynn (8) and Rachel (6).

You built Modern Milk in part to give moms a supportive community and probably not necessary. What happens in classes like Modern Milk’s Happy Boob Group? We think it’s so important for new moms to get out of the house and connect with other moms and babies. In our technology-filled world, it’s easy to stay at home and Google all your mom questions, but nothing compares to sitting next to another mom and bonding over your lack of sleep and your baby’s feeding schedule. In our weekly Happy Boob Group, led by an IBCLC, moms take turns asking questions and sharing about their breastfeeding experience. Not only does our IBCLC lend advice, but the peer support in these groups is wonderfully helpful.

We travel to you!

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Try the Birth to Five Helpline

SOUTHWEST HUMAN DEVELOPMENT’S free Birth to Five Helpline is available to anyone who has questions or concerns about young children — parents, grandparents, caregivers and medical professionals. Common calls the helpline fields include questions about challenging behaviors, potty training, child development, sleep issues, colic or fussiness, feeding and nutrition and overall parenting concerns.

When you call 877-705-KIDS (5437), bilingual and compassionate early-childhood specialists will answer your questions from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Friday. You can also download the Birth to Five Helpline app in the iTunes App Store or on Google Play to one-click call, text or email a question to Helpline professionals. Learn more at swhd.org/ programs/health-and-development/birth-to-five-helpline/

4th Trimester Arizona hosts March 7 conference at i.d.e.a. Museum in Mesa

THE 4TH TRIMESTER ARIZONA — a nonprofit that works to support and empower Arizona families during their transition to parenthood — hosts its third annual conference on Saturday, March 7 at the i.d.e.a. Museum in downtown Mesa. It offers sessions on a wide range of topics moms and families face after baby arrives, including pediatric massage, pelvic floor health, marriage after baby and much more.

The conference theme is “communication,” during pregnancy, birth and in the postpartum time frame. Discussions include how parents can continue to feel heard and understood even as their world changes. Parents, parents-to-be, grandparents, support people and professionals are welcome to attend. Conference tickets are $25 at 4thtrimesteraz.org; free to WIC and AHCCCS participants. The conference is supported by the Arizona Department of Health Services, Southwest Human Development, the i.d.e.a. Museum and more.

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Breastfeeding when you’re over it

By Maggie Zehring

BREASTFEEDING MY BOYS has been a privilege and a burden. To be able to breastfeed and pump has both saved money and taken a lot of time and energy. I’ve had Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex with every baby I’ve nursed. D-MER is a little-known, physiological side effect of lactating that causes an intense emotional response. Every time my milk comes in, I am overcome with intense sadness.

On top of that, all of my children have been lactose intolerant while nursing. And I’ve always juggled some combination of in-office and at-home work obligations.

To say the least, it’s been a journey. For each infant, at every nursing stage, I’ve had to evaluate my ability to continue. Here are the biggest questions I’ve had to answer:

How can I alleviate some of the breastfeeding “burden”? Having your body be the sole provider of nutrition for your little one is an amazing feat and something to be proud of! But don’t let breastfeeding become a limitation. Each of my three sons had a bottle of breast milk by the time he was 6 weeks old.

It’s certainly not easy — pumping while caring for children is a bit like putting yourself on a leash. But the flexibility it provides for other

28 February 2020 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

adults to care for your baby is well worth the effort. Give that pump a try so you can give yourself some space. For me, incorporating pumping for the baby during naptime for toddlers was key.

How can I take better care of myself while breastfeeding? I have found D-MER and my metabolism to be the biggest obstacles in my breastfeeding journey. So protecting my emotional wellbeing and getting enough calories are non-negotiable for me. This means I’m meal prepping food the night before a full day of caretaking or loading the kids in the car five minutes in advance so I can have a few spare seconds of peace and quiet before the next activity. “Put on your own oxygen mask before assisting others” should be every mother’s motto, because self-care is the bedrock of good caretaking. Find the little habits that bring you peace and practice them daily.

when I haven’t had a second to myself all day, going to bed earlier has been a saving grace. Environment and habits can collude with hormones to boost or hurt your milk production and wear your body down.

Taking these factors into account is crucial as you plan for long-term breastfeeding.

What are my goals? Breastfeeding is not the be-all and end-all for my boys. All of them have had dairy-free formula at some point. One child was on formula full-time by six months, another was weaned entirely by 11 months, and my last little guy is hanging on to breast milk like it’s his full-time job. My goal is to feed my kids in the least expensive way possible without wearing me down to the bone. Defining your breastfeeding goals can be helpful as you consider how best to feed your child.

Am I struggling to nurse because of stress, sleep or nutrition? Being the

At the end of the day, “fed is best.” Breast milk is great, but formula can be, too. However you can ensure your child’s health and your own wellbeing is key.

sole nutritional provider for an infant can take it out of you if you don’t have enough rest. Although it kills me some nights to turn off the TV or put my phone down

Maggie Zehring of Scottsdale juggles her writing and social media skills with being a mom to three rambunctious young boys.

TOP 25 MOST POPULAR NAMES IN ARIZONA IN 2019: GIRLS 1. Olivia

8. Ava

15. Penelope

22. Avery

2. Emma

9. Charlotte

16. Scarlett

23. Violet

3. Isabella

10. Amelia

17. Abigail

24. Zoey

4. Sophia

11. Evelyn

18. Sofia

25. Aurora

OLIVIA and LIAM are most popular baby names in Arizona

5. Mia

12. Aria

19. Emily

6. Luna

13. Victoria

20. Elizabeth

7. Camila

14. Mila

21. Harper

OLIVIA IS THE top name for girls, and Liam — for the fourth year in a row — is the top name for boys, the Arizona Department of Health Services announced. The preliminary list of top baby names in 2019 comes from birth certificates submitted to the ADHS Bureau of Vital Records.

The top five girls names in Arizona for 2019 are: Olivia, Emma, Isabella, Sophia and Mia. The top five boys names for 2019 are Liam, Noah, Sebastian, Oliver and Elijah. An official count of the year’s top baby names will be verified and posted online at azhealth. gov in February.

1. Liam

8. Daniel

15. Michael

22. Anthony

2. Noah

9. Alexander

16. Ethan

23. Wyatt

3. Sebastian

10. Julian

17. Logan

24. William

4. Oliver

11. David

18. Joseph

25. Ezekiel

5. Elijah

12. Santiago

19. Gabriel

6. Mateo

13. James

20. Ezra

7. Benjamin

14. Mason

21. Isaac

BOYS

Come see your baby in 3D/4D!

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Dr. Cara, FNP-BC & All of our amazing IBCLCs look forward to meeting you!

480.508.0861

www.bfmedaz.com

7730 E. Greenway Rd. Ste. 101, Scottsdale, AZ 85260

Elective 3D/4D Ultrasound & Gender Determination Making memories and creating a bonding experience between you and your baby is our goal.

Come relax and enjoy seeing your precious baby with family and friends. Seating for mom plus 8.

Call for your appointment today! www.EnchantingBaby.com | 480-257-4108 1921 S. Alma School Rd. #109, Mesa, AZ 85210

RaisingARIZONAKids.com February 2020

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Special Advertising Section

2020

Pregnancy and Birth RESOURCES

Agave Pediatrics

Scottsdale • Glendale • Chandler • Goodyear (coming soon) • agavepediatrics.com Agave Pediatrics has been providing individualized and personalized care to children since 2005. Our patients receive holistic care focused on fostering their growth and development. We help set the foundation for good health early-on with our emphasis on the importance of breastfeeding and exceptional breastfeeding support from our providers, lactation consultants, tongue-tie team and SLPs. We are also actively engaged in research.

Agave gives back to the community with fundraising events and the Agave Community Center for educational initiatives. We are grateful to have received these awards: Best Pediatric office in the Valley, multiple Top-Docs awards, Most Compassionate Provider and Talk of the Town.

Arizona Breastfeeding Center

8400 S. Kyrene Road, Suite 126, Tempe • 480-442-8491 • azbreastfeeds.com Arizona Breastfeeding Center’s team of expert International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) provide one-on-one consultations, classes and support groups to solve breastfeeding issues and guide you on your parenting journey. Join us at our FREE Milk Mamas group, from 10-11:30 a.m. the first Tuesday of each month for snacks, community and laughter, or make an appointment and start making breastfeeding easier today! Weekend and evening appointments available.

Arizona Breastfeeding Medicine & Wellness 7730 E. Greenway Road, Suite 101, Scottsdale • 480-508-0861 • bfmedaz.com

Arizona Breastfeeding Medicine & Wellness offers free breastfeeding support groups, prenatal education and breastfeeding management specializing in laser tongue- and lip-tie procedures. Plus: weight check, breast assessment and infant oral exam. Personalized written care plan and follow-up correspondence. Dr. Cara, FNP-BC and all of our amazing International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) look forward to meeting you!

30 February 2020 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

Dignity Health Mercy Gilbert Medical Center

3555 S. Val Vista Drive, Gilbert • 866-572-8496 • dignityhealth.org/arizona/locations/mercygilbert The new five-story Women’s and Children’s Pavilion opens in late 2020 on the Dignity Health Mercy Gilbert Medical Center Campus. This state-ofthe-art medical facility is a partnership between Dignity Health — one of the nation’s largest health systems — and Phoenix Children’s, Arizona’s only nationally recognized pediatric hospital. The Women’s and Children’s Pavilion will effectively double the size of the hospital, offering treatment for the highest-risk pregnancies to the most fragile of newborns with: 24 labor and delivery rooms and 48 postpartum beds operated by Mercy Gilbert, and a new 60-bed Level III neonatal intensive care unit, a 24-bed pediatric emergency department, six pediatric operating rooms and 24 pediatric beds operated by Phoenix Children’s.

Enchanting Baby 3D/4D Ultrasound Studio

1921 S. Alma School Road, Suite 109, Mesa • 480-257-4108 • enchantingbaby.com 3D/4D Ultrasound & Gender Determination for pregnant moms. Making lasting memories and creating a bonding experience that you will cherish is our goal. Come relax on our plush comfy couches, and enjoy seeing your precious baby with family and friends on our 120” projection screen. Come see your baby move, maybe even smile, or suck his or her thumb.

Families in Bloom

623 572-7801 • familiesinbloom.net Families in Bloom Prepared Childbirth and Parenting Classes will prepare you for your amazing journey into parenthood! We offer a variety of classes to meet all your needs. All classes are taught by an RN, Certified Childbirth Educator and Certified CPR instructor. Our class offerings include: Breastfeeding, Infant Care, Infant CPR & First Aid, Childbirth Refresher and Prepared Childbirth. Visit familiesinbloom.net to learn more about our class offerings, pricing and inclusions. Call Lori Vraney to register for your class today!

LIUDMILA_FADZEYEVA

Modern Milk

13802 N. Scottsdale Rd, STE 162, Scottsdale • 480-999-1585 3244 E. Guadalupe Rd., STE 106, Gilbert • 480-534-8192 modernmilk.com Modern Milk is a parent and baby wellness center specializing in lactation, pre/postnatal education, fitness, retail, breastpump/scale rentals and our Happy Mom School! With locations in Scottsdale and Gilbert, we have offerings for all parents! Join us every Friday for our Happy Boob Group (breastfeeding support group) or schedule a one-on-one consult with one of our IBCLC’s. Looking for a mom community? Join our Happy Mom School.

You’ll love making new friends and learning from our experts.

Mountain Vista Medical Center

1301 S. Crismon Road, Mesa • 877-924-WELL (9355) • mvmedicalcenter.org Mountain Vista Medical Center, a Steward-family hospital, is a 178-bed, state-of-the-art hospital located in east Mesa, Arizona, offering comprehensive health care services for a broad range of medical conditions. Staffed by a team of highly skilled health care professions, Mountain Vista is committed to providing high-quality care in a friendly hospital environment. Mountain Vista is accredited by DNV GL Healthcare, a worldwide leader in quality management.

The Nurtured Mama

3295 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Suite 4, Scottsdale • Premier Women’s Health, 14239 W. Bell Road, Surprise • 480-208-9773 • nurturedmama.com The Nurtured Mama exclusively supports women through pregnancy and beyond. Services include prenatal and postpartum massage therapy, restorative healing massage, Yoni Hydrotherapy and The Arvigo® Techniques of Mayan Abdominal Therapy for fertility and overall women’s health. All therapists are trained and specialize in pregnancy massage. Massage can help you sleep, have fewer aches and pains and feel better overall.

PediaLabs LLC

4653 S. Lakeshore Drive, Suite 1, Tempe • 480-395-3972 • mypedialabs.com Concierge phlebotomy service catering to the needs of children and their parents. We ensure the comfort of our patients and their parents. Our goal is to make the process educational but fun, without it being so scary. We also work with labs across the nation. Some of our most popular requests are SNEAKPEAK Gender Reveal Tests, Noninvasive Prenatal Testing (Genetic and Paternity), Fingersticks Tests, Kit Draws (Spectracell, Vibrant America, Boston Heart, etc).

RaisingARIZONAKids.com February 2020

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family time!

Arizona Renaissance Festival (Feb. 8-March 29) east of Apache Junction.

Monster Jam (Feb. 1) at State Farm Stadium.

February 2020 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

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Camp Fair AZ (Feb. 29) at Ability 360 Fitness Center.

FEBRUARY TOP EVENTS

Felted Critters (Feb. 6) at Civic Center Library in Scottsdale.

By Carrie Wheeler

February brings Major League Baseball’s Cactus League spring training, the Renaissance Festival, chocolate fairs and Chinese New Year events to the Valley. From touching trucks to partying with princesses to exploring science, there are loads of cultural, educational — and above all, fun — family events happening in and around Phoenix this month.

NOTE: Because last-minute schedule changes can occur, please confirm dates and times on event websites.

Visit raisingarizonakids.com for President’s Day events and more Valentine’s Day activities.

FEB. 1 Monster Jam. The most action-packed motorsports event for families tears into Glendale’s State Farm Stadium. Experience a new level of high-flying, four-wheel excitement and freestyle stunts. The truck lineup includes icons “Grave Digger,” “Max-D,” “Bounty Hunter” and “Kraken.” Monster Jam Pit Party pre-show tickets available. 7 p.m. $15-$125. State Farm Stadium, 1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale. 800-745-3000 or monsterjam.com Girls in STEM. Calling all fourth- through eighth-grade girls! Explore science, technology, engineering and fields like robotics and biology through hands-on workshops and collaborate on real-world problem-solving activities with women currently working in STEM careers. Breakfast and snacks provided. 8:30 a.m. to noon. $5. Arizona Science Center, 600 E. Washington St., Phoenix. azscience.org Costume Storytime with Esteban the Magnificent. Listen to Drew Daywalt’s “The Day the Crayons Quit” and meet Esteban the Magnificent (Pea Green Crayon) for photos and hugs.

10 a.m. Changing Hands Bookstore Tempe, 6428 S. McClintock Dr., Tempe. changinghands.com Full Moon Lantern Fest. Bring in the Year of the Rat with this family-friendly event featuring lion dancers, drummers and martial arts demonstrations, plus an Asian-inspired fashion show and Moon Meditation Yoga.

Area shops and restaurants will offer activities, interactive demonstrations and special sales. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Free. Historic Downtown Glendale, 5800 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale. visitdowntownglendale.com Lunar New Year Festival. Celebrate the Year of the Rat with cultural performances by 9 Dragons Kung Fu, festival activities, art from Great Hearts Academy, games and more. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Desert Ridge Marketplace, 21001 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix. 480-513-7586 or shopdesertridge.com Local Author Book Sale. Find books for all ages and interests from dozens of local authors attending this event. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free. Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale. scottsdalelibrary.org

FEB. 1, 8, 22 AND 29 Arizona SciTech Festival – ASU Open Door. ASU Open Door is a signature event of the Arizona SciTech Festival. Children and adults of all ages are invited to visit ASU campus locations to explore offerings in science, technology, engineering, arts and math. See laboratories, living collections, museums and classrooms. Participate in hundreds of hands-on activities and talk with students, faculty and staff. 1-5 p.m. at select ASU campuses. Free.

Advanced registration required at opendoor.asu.edu

FEB. 2 Melrose Vintage Market. On first Sundays, this local neighborhood market features tons of local vendors, artists, handmade and upcycled goods, food, free activities and a kids zone. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free. Melrose Vintage Market, 700 W. Campbell Ave., Phoenix. melrosevintagemarket.com Intro to 3-D Printing. Kids ages 8-12 learn how to use 3D printing equipment to make their own 3D objects.

Participants must be supervised by an adult. $35. Located in CREATE adjacent to The Arizona Science Center, 105 N. Fifth St., Phoenix. azscience.org

FEB. 6 Felted Critters. Kids 12 and older can create their own felted creature with artist Christy Puetz. The class starts with felting wool, designing, cutting and sewing their own doll.

4-7 p.m. Free. Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale. scottsdalelibrary.org Movies After Dark. Enjoy a free movie every other Thursday at Desert Ridge Marketplace. This week’s screening is “Spider-Man: Far From Home.” 6:30 p.m.

21001 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix. 480-513-7586 or shopdesertridge.com

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family time! FEBRUARY TOP EVENTS

FEB. 8-9

PARADA DEL SOL

VNSA Used Book Sale. A bookworm’s dream. The Volunteer Nonprofit Service Association hosts its annual two-day sale to support Valley charities. Hundreds of used books and media are for sale at significantly reduced prices. All items half-price on Sunday.

8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m Sunday. Free admission.

Arizona State Fairgrounds, 1826 W. McDowell, Phoenix. 602-2656805 or vnsabooksale.org

Scottsdale Parada del Sol Parade and Trail’s End Festival (Feb. 8) in Old Town Scottsdale.

FEB. 7-9 Chinese Cultural and Cuisine Festival. It’s the Year of the Rat. Celebrate the sights, sounds and tastes of China during this three-day Phoenix festival. See the famous dragon and lion dances, watch martial-arts demonstrations, listen to musical performances and check out the children’s pavilion.

Plus artisan booths and authentic Chinese cuisine. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. SaturdaySunday. Free. Margaret T. Hance Park East, 1202 N. Third St., Phoenix. phoenixchineseweek.org

FEB. 8 Scottsdale Parada del Sol Parade and Trail’s End Festival. See one of the world’s longest horsedrawn parades with more than 100 entries, including floats, bands and individual riders. 10 a.m. parade starts at Drinkwater Boulevard and Scottsdale Road and heads south to Brown Avenue and Indian School Road. Stay for the free Trail’s End Festival with live music, food and a kids area with games and pony rides from noon to 4 p.m. in Old Town Scottsdale. scottsdaleparade.com

Arizona Indian Festival. The Arizona American Indian Tourism Association — in partnership with Arizona’s 22 Native American tribes and the City of Scottsdale — hosts its annual festival celebrating culture, traditional arts, crafts and food, as well as innovations and trends. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Free. Scottsdale Civic Center, 7375 E. Second St., Scottsdale. arizonaindiantourism.org World Championship Hoop Dance Contest. Experience the sport and culture of hoop dancing as 70 top Native American hoop dancers from the United States and Canada (including children, some younger than 5) compete in this 30th annual event. Frybread and other Native American foods for sale. $22-25; $9 for ages 6-17; free for ages 5 and younger. Heard Museum, 2301 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-252-8840 or heard.org/hoop Street Eats Food Truck Festival. Yes, it’s a food fest, but so much more. There’s live music, cooking demos, eating contests and lawn games. $8-$50; free for ages 12 and younger. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, 7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale. streeteatsaz.com

Touch-a-Truck. Camp Patrick hosts its third annual event to help send children with spina bifida to summer camp at no cost. Sit in the driver’s seat of a fire engine, climb into the cockpit of a helicopter or hold on tight to the steering wheel of a tractor or cement truck. Plus: bounce houses, face painting and food. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. $5 per person; $20 per family. North Phoenix Baptist Church, 5757 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. camppatrick.com

The Sahuaro Ranch Antique Tractor and Engine Show. Learn about agricultural history with an exhibit of antique tractors and engines and tractor-pulling exhibitions. Kids can enjoy the Pedal Tractor Corral and the Barrel Train and get a chance to drive big tractors at noon daily. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. $5; free for ages 12 and younger. Sahuaro Ranch Park, 9802 N. 59th Ave., Glendale. 623435-3955 or aedgeta.org

Queen of Hearts Valentine’s Tea Party. Jump down the rabbit hole and sip tea with the Queen of Hearts and her friends. Eat tasty food, shop, take mini photos with Alice characters and make “Mad About You Valentines.” 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free. The Teapot, 818 N. 5th Ave., Phoenix. enchanteddreamproductions.com

FEB. 8-MARCH 29

Free Movies in the Desert. OdySea in the Desert hosts a free 6:30 p.m. screening of “The Incredibles 2” along with music, games, prizes and activities. Bring your own blankets or folding chairs. Character meet-and-greets, crafts and giveaways start at 5 p.m. Free. 9500 E. Via De Ventura, Scottsdale. 480-291-8000 or odyseainthedesert.com Motoring Through Time & Heritage Festival. This free family event features classic cars, cultural crafts and demonstrations, live music, food trucks and a kids play area. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Heritage Square, 113 N. Sixth St., Phoenix. 602-262-5070 or heritagesquarephx.org

34 February 2020 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

Arizona Renaissance Festival. Huzzah! Travel back to the 16th century at the annual Renaissance Festival and Artisan Marketplace east of Apache Junction. See knights joust and explore the nonstop pageantry that fills a 30-acre village nestled in the shadows of the Superstition Mountains. Live entertainment, food and artisan shops. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday and President’s Day. $27; $17 for ages 5-12; free for ages 4 and younger. Discounted tickets online and at Fry’s Food stores and online. East of Apache Junction on U.S. 60. 520-463-2700 or arizona.renfestinfo.com

FEB. 15 D-backs Fan Fest. Meet and greet Arizona Diamondback players, coaches and broadcasters and enjoy baseball activities for all ages. Autograph and photo sessions available. A new policy allows only clear-plastic bags and small wallets/clutches inside. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free. Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix. 602-4623378 or dbacks.com/fanfest I Love Science Day at Arizona Museum of Natural History. Enjoy hands-on crafts and live science demonstrations at the Arizona Museum of Natural History’s pop-up science fair. Get ideas for a science project, observe ongoing scientific experiments and participate in activities. $7. 53 N. Macdonald, Mesa. 480-644-2230 or arizonamuseumofnaturalhistory.org

GET 10% OFF REGULAR TICKET PRICE WITH PROMO CODE “RAK”

Southwest Maker Fest. This collaborative one-day festival hopes to connect the community and encourage creativity. A signature event of the Arizona SciTech Festival, it offers interactive exhibits, workshops and demonstrations to inspire both kids and adults to make innovative new products, art, food, clothing and more in downtown Mesa. southwestmakerfest.com PBS Kids Day. Solve mysteries with the Odd Squad, explore space with Ready Jet Go and learn about famous historical individuals along with Xavier Riddle. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Online registration is required. Civic Space Park, 424 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. azpbs.org True Love Valentine’s Ball. Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a daddy/daughter and mother/son dance, shopping, treats and more. 1-5 p.m. Free for adults and babies 12 months and younger; $15 for kids. St. Katherine’s Orthodox Church, 2716 N. Dobson Road, Chandler. enchanteddreamproductions.com Wild About Arizona. Towering saguaros, watercolor sunsets, scurrying roadrunners … there’s so much to discover in the Arizona desert. Celebrate wild Arizona by exploring the Desert Botanical Garden’s trails, listening to stories and music and meeting with animal ambassadors. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. $24.95-$29.95; $14.95 for ages 3-17; free for ages 2 and younger. 2101 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix. dbg.org

FEB. 15-16 Arizona Vegetarian Food Festival. The sixth annual food festival explores all things plant-based. Sample vegan food, listen to expert plant-based doctors, authors, chefs, and fitness professionals and enjoy kids activities. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $30; free for ages 10 and younger. Scottsdale Civic Center Mall, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale. azvegfoodfest.com Arizona Vegetarian Food Festival. (Feb. 15-16) in Scottsdale Civic Center Mall.

Presented at Valley Youth Theatre

February 7 thru 23, 2020 Sponsored in part by

For tickets: Call 602.253.8188 x1 or visit www.VYT.com

Improvisation ★ Musical Theatre ★ Acting Whether your child is looking for a place to start or is already a seasoned performer, VYT classes are fun, engaging, and will give them a place to feel supported and encouraged to express themselves.

ONE WEEK SPRING BREAK THEATRE CAMP (AGES 7-15) Session I March 9–13 • Session II March 16–20 Monday–Friday, 9am–3pm • Cost $275 Located at Valley Youth Theatre

Story Telling ★ Creative Play ★ and More!

For camp information/registration or to purchase tickets, visit: www.vyt.com or call 602.253.8188 RaisingARIZONAKids.com February 2020

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Bisbee Chocolate Tasting (Feb. 8) in Bisbee.

Chocolate Walk (Feb. 1). At this one-day chocolate tasting adventure in downtown Flagstaff, families can enjoy chocolate treats while exploring downtown shops.

Get a stamp for your “chocolate passport” at participating locations and collect points to win a grand prize. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. $5-$8; free for ages 5 and younger.

Flagstaff Visitor Center, 1 E. Route 66, Flagstaff. 928-213-2951 or flagstaffarizona.org Art of Chocolate A’fair (Jan. 31-Feb. 2). This year’s event entitled “It’s all about romance” features arts, gifts, live entertainment and lots of artisan chocolate. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Gilbert Town Hall, 50 E. Civic Center Drive, Gilbert. carefreeazfestivals.com Bisbee Chocolate Tasting (Feb. 8). Help support the Friends of the Copper Queen Library at this 29th annual fundraiser. Families will melt for chocolates donated by local bakers and candy makers, including high school culinary arts students. Proceeds benefit Arizona’s oldest library. 6-9 p.m.

Details TBA. Central School Project, 43 Howell St., Bisbee. bisbeechocolatetasting.com The Chocolate Experience (Feb. 8-9). Formerly the Chocolate Affaire, this annual event is now inside Glendale Civic Center featuring chocolatiers

and confectioners, craft artisans, artistic performances, wine and chocolate pairings and live music on the fountain terrace.

Cerreta Candy Company will offer free tours and shuttle rides to its candy factory. Free admission and parking. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, noon to 5 p.m.

Sunday. Glendale Civic Center, 5750 W. Glenn Drive, Glendale. visitglendale.com Verde Canyon Railroad Chocolate Lovers Festival (Feb. 13-16). This delectable affair fills each car with intoxicating scents and tasty chocolate pastries, cakes and hand-dipped delicacies. Dip fruit, pretzels and marshmallows into free-flowing chocolate fountains, while enjoying the delicious scenery of the Verde Canyon. Details TBA. Verde Canyon Train Depot, 300 N. Broadway, Clarkdale. 928-6390010 or verdecanyonrr.com Sweets Festival (Feb. 15). Enjoy sweet tunes, fun and food at this day-long fest featuring cotton candy tacos, fudge, caramel, freak shakes, cupcakes, ice cream, funnel cakes, candy bars and cocktails for adults.

Kids Zone wristbands available.

Free s’mores for kids while supplies last. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. $7; free for ages 12 and younger. Civic Center Park, 50 E. Civic Center Drive, Gilbert. eventbrite.com/o/levitateagency-9875708413

36 February 2020 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

S COTTSDALE ARABIAN HORSE SHOW

JACQUI OATMAN OF PATISSERIE JACQUI

family time! chocolate festivals

Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show: Free Family Fun Night (Feb. 21) at WestWorld of Scottsdale.

FEB. 19 Make It! This monthly drop-in, family-friendly, hands-on art activity at the Phoenix Art Museum features an activity inspired by objects in the museum’s collection or current exhibitions. This 3:30 p.m. event is free and open to all. From 3-9 p.m. every Wednesday, general admission to the museum is free (donations accepted). Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-257-1880 or phxart.org

FEB. 21 Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show: Free Family Fun Night. Enjoy a free night at the 65th annual Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show. Horse owners from around the world compete Feb. 13-23. Activities include the chance to “meet” an Arabian horse, dog adoptions, ceramic pony painting and behind-the-scenes barn tours and demonstrations. WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale. scottsdaleshow.com Conservation Science Night at the Phoenix Zoo. Meet the zoo’s conservation scientists and learn about challenges they face. Participants will collect data, assess threatened populations and design solutions for endangered animals in Arizona and around the world. 6-8 p.m. Free with early registration. Phoenix Zoo, 455 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix. 602-914-4333 or phoenixzoo.org

FEB. 21-MARCH 24 Cactus League Spring Training. With 10 facilities hosting 15 Major League Baseball teams, there are plenty of opportunities for fans to catch a Spring Training game in greater Phoenix daily through March. Game times and ticket prices vary. For team schedules, tickets and stadium information, visit cactusleague.com

FEB. 22 Special Day for Special Kids. Families with children who have disabilities or special healthcare needs can enjoy a fun-filled day of food, games, vendors and kids activities at this City of Scottsdale train park hosted by the nonprofit Raising Special Kids.10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free. McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, 7301 E. Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale. raisingspecialkids.org Daddy/Daughter Dinner & Dance. The city of Tolleson hosts its annual Daddy/ Daughter Dinner and Dance with the theme “Night in Neverland” at the Tolleson Parks and Recreation Center. 6-9:30 p.m. $15 for Tolleson residents; $25 for non-residents.

9251 W. Washington St., Tolleson. 623-474-4992 or tollesonaz.org

around Arizona family time!

TUCSON

Tucson Rodeo - La Fiesta de los Vaqueros(Feb. 15-23) in Tucson.

Gem and Mineral Show (Feb. 13-16). The Tucson Gem and Mineral Show is one of the largest, oldest and most prestigious of such shows in the world. See displays, earn door prizes, take seminars and visit the junior education area. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m Thursday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. $13; free for ages 14 and younger with a paying adult. Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave., Tucson. 520-322-5773 or tgms.org

J. HALLAMEK

La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo (Feb. 15-23). Western heritage meets extreme sports when cowboys and cowgirls come to Tucson for the annual La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo, billed as one of the top 25 professional rodeos in North America. Includes barrel racing, steer wrestling, team roping competitions, a parade and barn dances (for adults) and kid events. Gates open daily at 11 a.m. daily. $16-$80. Tucson Rodeo Grounds, 4823 S. Sixth Ave., Tucson.

800-964-5662 or tucsonrodeo.com

APACHE JUNCTION Lost Dutchman Marathon (Feb. 16).

Apache Junction’s annual marathon is a scenic run at the base of Superstition Mountain. A favorite of serious marathoners, the run can be used as a qualifier for the Boston Marathon.

Options include a half marathon, 10K, 8K trail run and two-mile fun run/walk.

7 a.m. $20-$120. Prospector Park, 3015 N. Idaho Road, Apache Junction. lostdutchmanmarathon.org

CASA GRANDE Wuertz Farm’s Gourd Festival (Feb. 7-9). Family-run Wuertz Farm celebrates the annual “Running of the Gourds” in Casa Grande. This Arizona Gourd Society festival features 100 gourd artists and vendors, games, mini “gourdster” races, musicians and food.

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. $10; free for children.

Pinal County Fairgrounds, 512 S. Eleven Mile Corner Road, Casa Grande. 520-

WICKENBURG 723-4432 or wuertzfarm.com

FLAGSTAFF Chocolate Walk (Feb. 1). At this chocolate tasting adventure in downtown Flagstaff, families can enjoy chocolate treats while exploring downtown shops. Get a stamp for your “chocolate passport” at participating locations and collect points to win a grand prize. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. $5-$8; free for ages 5 and younger. Flagstaff Visitor Center, 1 E. Route 66, Flagstaff.

928-213-2951 or flagstaffarizona.org

SEDONA RunSedona (Feb. 1). Enjoy views of Sedona’s famous red rocks during this scenic 5K, 10K and half marathon that attracts athletes from around the world. 8 a.m. A Race Day Expo follows with local exhibitors/vendors, food trucks, local nonprofits and a beer garden. $50-$70.

928-204-1123 or runsedona.com

International Film Festival (Feb. 22-March 1). Movies rock at the annual Sedona Film Festival, featuring more than 160 films. Celebrate the best independent films from around the world: shorts, documentaries, animation and foreign and student films. Showtimes vary. Ticket packages begin at $135. Harkins Sedona Six Theatres, 2081 W. Highway 89A, Sedona. 928-282-1177 or sedonafilmfestival.org

Gold Rush Days (Feb. 13-16).

Enjoy three days of Western fun at the annual Gold Rush Days and Rodeo in Wickenburg to celebrate the town’s gold mining pioneers. Families can participate in carnival activities, arts and crafts, Gold Rush parade, food and more. $15. Times vary. Everett Bowman Rodeo Grounds, 935 Constellation Road, Wickenburg. 928-684-5479 or outwickenburgway.com

YUMA

TUBAC Festival of the Arts (Feb. 5-9).

Tubac Center of the Arts hosts hundreds of participating artists and musicians from around the country.

Families can enjoy the quaint streets of Tubac and watch artists weave, paint, hammer, build and create art.

Food trucks will be on hand and local restaurants will be open. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free. $8 parking. 520-398-2704 or tubacaz.com

Two Rivers Renaissance Faire Pirate and Faerie Festival (Jan. 31-Feb. 2). Step into another time at Yuma’s Renaissance Faire. Observe merchants and craftsmen at work, visit the queen in her court and experience the excitement of fire dancers, jugglers, musicians and jousting knights. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Sunday, 10 a.m to 10 p.m. Saturday. $5-$10. Yuma County Fairgrounds, 2520 E. 32nd St., Yuma.

928-257-2056 or tworiversfaire.com

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family time! family fun runs/walks FEB. 22-23 Arizona Matsuri. This annual Japanese festival has a new home at Steele Indian

Sprouts Mesa Marathon (Feb. 8). Run through residential neighborhoods and historic districts, past the Arizona Museum of Natural History and the Fitch baseball fields. Choose a marathon, half marathon or 10K; children can participate in a free 1K kids run. 6:30 a.m. $50-$135. Bus pick up for runners: Mesa Riverview Shopping Center, 1061 N. Dobson Road, Mesa. thephoenixmarathon.com Project PHX 5K Run/Walk (Feb. 8). The BEE Daring Foundation is collaborating with the Phoenix Suns for a fun-filled day of bringing awareness to mental health issues. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. $75 registration includes a shirt, medal and admittance to the after-race party. Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix. beeautifullyimperfect.com Chinese New Year Run and Wok (Feb. 15). Run or walk through Papago Park (Ramada 9 and 10) next to the zoo, then along the paved canal path behind the Desert Botanical Garden and back through the park. All ages and abilities are welcome on the stroller-friendly course. Participants get a Chinese New Year-themed medal and T-shirt. 9 a.m. to noon. $40. Papago Park, 625 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix. fieldworksevents.com Ryan’s Race: A Rally for Mental Health Superheroes (Feb. 22). This family-friendly 5K, 10K and fun run encourages everyone to get out and move to boost physical and mental health. Proceeds benefit the Andy Hull Sunshine Foundation, the Eagle Pride Marching Band and Mental Health Superheroes, a nonprofit promoting mental health awareness and suicide prevention. A Yoga For Mental Health Class is $25. Free activities include a pre-run stretch, children’s lollipop run, children’s movement dance class, presentations by Scottsdale Sports Medicine Institute on sports nutrition and training. Storytime, crafts, games and more. 8 a.m. $35-$40. Sandra Day O’Connor High School, 25250 N. 35th Ave., Phoenix. runnercard.com Unicorn Love 5K/Kids Race (Feb. 28). This family run/walk benefits Altered Tails, the largest nonprofit spay/neuter organization in Arizona. The course route is along the canal with the 5K race beginning at 6 p.m. and the kids run beginning at 7 p.m. Arizona Falls, 5802 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. racetimers.com

38 February 2020 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

Tres Rios Nature Festival (Feb. 29) Avondale.

FEB. 29 Camp Fair AZ. Summer planning doesn’t get easier than Raising Arizona Kids magazine’s free 17th annual Camp Fair AZ. Drop in any time between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to meet with representatives from local day camps and overnight camps from around Arizona and throughout the country. Bring the kids! Exhibitors bring fun activities, and many are offering exclusive sign-up discounts. Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center, 5031 E. Washington St., Phoenix. Ample free parking. 480-991-5437 or campfairaz.com PHX Vegan Food Festival. Taste delicious creations, find wellness items and shop for household products to fashion accessories from more than 100 vegan and veganfriendly vendors, restaurants and food trucks. Plus cooking demonstrations and a kids zone. $29-$69. noon to 10 p.m. Margaret T. Hance Park, 1202 N. Third St., Phoenix. phxveganfest.com Creative Saturdays at Phoenix Art Museum. On the last Saturday each month throughout 2020, kids ages 17 and younger get free admission to Phoenix Art Museum for special-engagement exhibitions in an effort to remove economic barriers for visitors of all ages. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 1625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. phxart.org Touch-a-Truck. Western Maricopa Education Center hosts its second annual Touch-aTruck event where kids can get hands-on with tractors, garbage trucks, military vehicles and construction trucks. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free. Northeast Campus, 1617 W. Williams Drive, Phoenix.

Tres Rios Nature Festival. Get to know the rich diversity of wildlife habitat, history and culture of the Gila, Salt and Agua Fria Rivers. From guided bird tours, canoeing on the river, archery, fishing and learning about Southwest wildlife, there is something for everyone. 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Free. Base & Meridian Wildlife Recreation Area, 7602 S. Avondale Blvd., Avondale. 623-333-2400 or tresriosnaturefestival.com Calendar Editor Carrie Wheeler is the mother of Wilson (8). Send calendar info to Carrie@RAKmagazine.com.

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL

FACEBOOK.COM/TRESRIOSNATUREFESTIVALAZ

School Park. This year’s theme “Samurai,” recognizes the rich history of Japan’s past, along with its new and modern influences. Listen to taiko drums, watch dance, comedy and acting performances, eat Asian-inspired food and shop the marketplace. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free. Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. azmatsuri.org

onstage family time!

Cirque du Soleil: OVO (Feb. 20-23) at Talking Stick Resort Arena.

DANCE A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Feb. 13-16). Ballet Arizona and the Phoenix Symphony bring Shakespeare’s most hilarious tale to life with fun-loving characters, quarreling fairies and mistaken identities in a production for the whole family. 7 p.m. Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Sunday. $34$168. Phoenix Symphony Hall, 2835 E. Washington St., Phoenix. balletaz.org Cirque du Soleil: OVO (Feb. 20-23).

Explore the nonstop energy of the insect world where creatures work, play, fight and look for love — performed as only Cirque du Soleil can. 7:30 p.m. ThursdaySaturday, 4 p.m. Saturday, 1:30 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday. $44-$145. Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix. cirquedusoleil.com

MUSIC The Music of ABBA with Rajaton (Feb. 7). The Phoenix Symphony Orchestra plays disco favorites from ABBA performed by Finnish pop group Rajaton. 7:30 p.m. $33-$101. Phoenix Symphony Hall, 75 N. Second St., Phoenix. phoenixsymphony.org Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons (Feb. 16). Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons play some of their greatest hits from the last 60 years made even bigger by the Broadway hit “Jersey Boys.”

7:30 p.m. $49-$179. ASU Gammage, 1200 S. Forest Ave., Tempe. asugammage.com

Sunday A’Fair (Feb. 16 and 23).

On select Sundays through March 29, Scottsdale A’Fair showcases Arizonabased musicians playing blues, country, jazz, R&B, rock, pop and more. Noon to 4 p.m. Scottsdale Civic Center Park, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale. scottsdaleperformingarts.org ABBA Mania (Feb. 29). The awardwinning ABBA tribute band comes to Phoenix singing some of the Swedish super-group’s hits: “Dancing Queen,” “Waterloo,” “Mamma Mia,” “Super Trouper” and more. 8 p.m. $29-$49.

Orpheum Theatre, 203 W. Adams St., Phoenix. phoenix.ticketforce.com Innings Festival (Feb. 29-March 1).

This two-day music festival features rock, pop and country performances from musicians like Dave Matthews Band, Weezer, Death Cab for Cutie and more.

Plus food vendors, family activities and appearances from professional baseball players. One-day general admission starts at $99; free for ages 7 and younger. Tempe Beach Park, 80 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe. 480-350-5200 or inningsfestival.com

PUPPETS Cinderella (Jan. 15-Feb. 1). The timeless tale of kind Cinderella, mistreated by her wicked stepmother and stepsisters, who is denied a chance to go to the royal ball. With a little help from her mice friends, and a lot of help from her Fairy Godmother, Cinderella’s dreams can come true. 10 a.m. Wednesday-

Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. $8-$12. Great Arizona Puppet Theater, 302 W. Latham St., Phoenix. 602-2622050 or azpuppets.org A Tangle of Tales (Feb. 5-9). Grey Seal Puppets presents a unique and witty telling of three well-known folk tales from around the world: “The Frog Prince,” “Three Billy Goats Gruff” and “The Three Little Pigs.” 10 a.m. Wednesday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. $8-$12. Great Arizona Puppet Theater, 302 W. Latham St., Phoenix. 602-262-2050 or azpuppets.org Hotel Saguaro (Feb. 12-March 1). Created in conjunction with Desert Botanical Gardens, this show for ages 5-12 explains the importance of saguaro cacti in the desert. 10 a.m. Wednesday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. $8-$12. Great Arizona Puppet Theater, 302 W. Latham St., Phoenix. 602-262-2050 or azpuppets.org

he discovers a magic potion that grows a tremendous peach, which rolls into the ocean and launches a journey of enormous proportions. 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. $17. Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre, 7014 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale. 480-4831664 or desertstages.org Elephant & Piggie’s “We are in a Play” (Jan. 26-March 8). Gerald the Elephant is cautious and Piggie is … well, NOT. They are the best of friends and have LOTS of fun together. But sometimes they face tough questions.

Should you share your ice cream? Can two friends play with just one toy? Get ready for Childsplay’s hilarious musical experience at Herberger Theater Center.

Times vary. $12-$32. 222 E. Monroe St., Phoenix. childsplayaz.org

Charlotte’s Web (Jan. 17-Feb. 2).

TheaterWorks captures E.B. White’s award-winning work about a friendship between a determined spider and a livestock pig in a heart-warming theatrical presentation. 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday. $16. Peoria Center for the Arts, 10580 N. 83rd Drive, Peoria. 623776-8400 or theaterworks.org

Fiddler on the Roof (Jan. 28-Feb. 2). A heartwarming story of fathers and daughters, husbands and wives, and the timeless traditions that define faith and family. Featuring Broadway classics “If I Were a Rich Man” and “Sunrise, Sunset,” the musical introduces a new generation to this uplifting celebration. 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. $40-$250. ASU Gammage, 1200 S. Forest Ave., Tempe.

480-965-3434 or asugammage.com

James and the Giant Peach, Jr. (Jan. 18-Feb. 16). Desert Stages Theatre introduces a Roald Dahl kid classic.

When James is sent by his conniving aunts to chop down their old fruit tree,

The SpongeBob Musical (Jan. 31-Feb. 2). The beloved Nickelodeon series comes to the stage with humor and heart. SpongeBob and all of Bikini Bottom face catastrophe — until an unexpected

THEATER

RaisingARIZONAKids.com February 2020

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onstage family time! continued hero rises to celebrate friendship and cooperation and learn the power of unity and inclusion. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m.

Saturday, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. $45$85. Orpheum Theatre, 203 W. Adams St., Phoenix. americantheatreguild.com Newsies (Jan. 31-Feb. 16). When the titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense in turnof-the-century New York, Jack Kelley rallies “newsies” from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what’s right. 7:30 p.m.

Friday-Saturday; 4 p.m. Sunday. $20.

Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre, 7014 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale. 480483-1664 or desertstages.org Princess and the Pea (Feb. 7-23).

Valley Youth Theatre presents Hans Christian Andersen’s tale of a prince looking for a princess and learning to not judge a book by its cover. 7 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 7; noon and 3 p.m. SaturdaySunday. $20. 525 N. First Street, Phoenix. vyt.com

Space Mission #5379: Saving Rachel Nevada (Feb. 13-23). There have been no alien sightings in Rachel, Nevada, for two whole years, which means trouble for its 50 townspeople. When the Coates family moves in, they are enlisted by the town kids to help stage an alien sighting to save their new home. Little do they know that the actual aliens of Area 51 have a plan of their own. This original play won the East Valley Children’s Theatre’s 2019 Playwriting Contest. 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 4 p.m.

Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. $15. Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St., Mesa. 480-644-6500 or mesaartscenter.com Guys & Dolls Jr. (Feb. 14-March 1).

A gambler tries to find the cash to set up the biggest game in town. His girlfriend, a nightclub performer, laments they’ve been engaged for 14 years. The show takes the audience from the heart of Times Square to the cafes of Havana. 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. $15. Fountain Hills Theater, 11445 N. Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills. 480-8379661 or fhtaz.org

F REE

40 February 2020 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

Wizard of Oz (Feb. 20-March 8).

When a tornado rips through Kansas, Dorothy and her dog, Toto, are whisked away to the magical land of Oz. They follow the Yellow Brick Road toward the Emerald City to meet the Wizard, and on the way they meet a scarecrow, a tin man and a cowardly lion. 7 p.m. ThursdaySaturday, 3 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 4 p.m.

Sunday. $13-$19. Musical Theatre of Anthem, 42201 N. 41st Drive, Suite B100, Anthem. musicaltheatreofanthem.org

Anything Goes (Feb. 21-March 8).

Stowaway Billy Crocker falls in love with an already-betrothed Hope Harcourt in this madcap musical featuring Cole Porter’s magical score. Come aboard the SS American and experience music, dance and laughs in this age-old tale. 7:30 p.m.

Friday-Saturday, 2:30 p.m. select Saturdays and Sundays and Wednesday, Feb. 26. $16-$37. Peoria Center for the Performing Arts, 10580 N. 83rd Drive, Peoria. 623776-8400 or theaterworks.org

Frozen, Jr. (Feb. 21-March 8). A tale of true love and acceptance between sisters, this story expands upon the emotional relationship and journey of Anna and Elsa. When faced with danger, the two discover their hidden potential and the powerful bond of sisterhood. 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sundays and on Feb. 29 and March 8. $16.

Spotlight Youth Theatre, 10620 N. 43rd Ave., Glendale. 602-843-8318 or spotlightyouththeatre.org

Annie Get Your Gun (Feb. 28-March 15). Annie Oakley, the sharpshooter known throughout the Wild West, meets her match both romantically and professionally in fellow gunslinger Frank Butler. They perform in the famous traveling show headlined by Buffalo Bill, where the two compete, flirt and have adventures along the way. 7 p.m. FridaySaturday, 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. $15.

Starlight Community Theater, 1611 W. Whispering Wind Drive, Phoenix. starlightcommunitytheater.com

"It was EXCELLENT! I learned about SO MANY DIFFERENT CAMPS..."

-Lauri M., Mesa

RaisingARIZONAKids 17Annual th

Saturday, Feb. 29 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

2020 THE VALLE Y’S BIGGEST AND BEST!

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FREE event for families with children ages 3-18!

Learn more at campfairaz.com SPONSORS

Making Our Community Better

from the very start.

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