XYZ Winter 2010-11

xYz [everything for Topeka families]

cool kid’s room Nola, 10, gets a space that screams “Mine!”

winter magic activities for snow days + ice skating...at the zoo

RATIONAL LIVING: a family’s tale of living for a year within the guidelines of WWII rationing WintEr 2010 - 2011 $3.95 xyztopeka.com

separate states

how grandma + papa stay connected XYZ xyztopeka.com 1

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XYZ Magazine | Vol. I • Issue III | Winter 2010-11

[ what’s inside ] lifestyle

18 capable hands

When a baby cries and there’s no evident solution, baby massage just might be the thing that’s needed, for baby’s body and brain.

20 snow day fun

Eight ideas for a fun-filled day indoors, plus some helpful tips on sledding safety.

22 the great electronic deprivation experiment

Janice yanks the wires, stuffs the phones and remotes in a safe and steels herself for the silence.

Read about how her family survived a day with no electronics.

32 separate states

When grandchildren live hundreds, even thousands, of miles away, it’s hard to make and keep a connection, but two local grandmothers make it work.

16 connections Big Brothers Big Sisters forms connections between mentors and the kids who need them most.

arts + entertainment

local flavor

10 musical rescue

The Americana Music Academy is a new haven for students of music who aren’t exactly classical fans.

A handful of XYZ favorites from restaurants around town that have significant amenities for our fickle little dining companions.

28 music the whole family can enjoy

25 dining out w/o the junk

A Youtube sensation - OK Go will impress at least visually, and the Nields make folk that rocks.

12 cheap eats

Chelle has some local faves for eating out with children and doing it healthy, for a change.

40 rational living

One Topeka family lives on a WWII diet for a full year, and lives to tell the tale.

IN EVERY ISSUE 4 letter from editor 6 community events 14 the picky eater goes out to eat 16 resource feature 26 cool bday 28 music reviews 31 cool kid’s room 38 recipes 45 imagination section

[ letter from the editor ]

shore up

by Leah Sewell

In September, on a warm, gentle fall morning, the contributors of XYZ all sat down and tried to decide what to write about for our Winter issue. Once we had a long list of for-sure content, I noticed a couple items that talked about deprivation. It’s present in Janice Watkins’ article wherein she and her family ditc h the electronics for a full 24 hours.

It’s in Cale Herreman’s story of the Stottlemire family, who c hose to live like a family would have during WWII when it came to their diets. The winter issue may be the most fitting place to write about things withheld, things pined for and a lack of excess.

But as muc h as winter is about a lack of things, it’s also a wonderful time to shore up, get comfortable, eat foods like the ones you’ll find in our recipes, where butter plays a starring role. It’s a time to reconnect with family, even if they live far away (like my dad, pictured), whic h I explore a little in my article about long-distance grandparenting.

In winter, the outdoors turn into a simultaneously harsh

xYz [everything for Topeka families]

xyztopeka.com XYZ

Kerrice Mapes Publisher Leah Sewell Editor-in-Chief Writers Rio Cervantes-Reed Chelle Decker Alice C. Hunt Melissa Sewell Cale Herreman Bailey Marable Janice Watkins Erin Wynkoop Photographers Lydia Barnhart EJ Drake Sarah Hamlin Colin MacMillan Brie Martin Matt Porubsky

and magically surreal place, fit for exploring (from beneath 80 layers) with your kids. So, we’ve got a little of that splashed throughout this issue as well, with sledding, snow day activities and ice skating in the plans for those winter days that the Kansas climate allows for temps above the single-digits.

Thank you for finding XYZ at one of our distribution points. I hope it provided you with windfall against the biting gales. Or, if you subscribed and your issue came right to your door, just know that I owe you a high-five. I’d come over and give you one, but are you nuts? It’s freezing out there!

on the cover Winter 2010-2011 photo by EJ Drake Nola’s room has a lot of character, and that’s just how she likes it, with ecclectic, but well-thought-out additions that add up to who she is. See story page 31

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[ everything for Topeka families ]

Art + Production Karli Davis Kerrice Mapes Justin Marable Leah Sewell Advertising xyztopeka@gmail.com 785.249.3126 Kerrice Mapes Melissa Sewell Jennifer Falley Rio Cerventes-Reed calendar Heather McKee Marketing / Website Social Media / Distribution Rio Cervantes-Reed Tish ColÓn Alice Hunt Leah Sewell Kerrice Mapes Erin Wynkoop Administration Elizabeth Bell Reprints + Permission No part of XYZ may be reproduced in any form without prior consent from seveneightfive designs. For permission requests, call 785.249.3126 or email kerrice@seveneightfive.com Opinions or advice of columnists are not necessarily those of the publication.

XYZ MAGAZINE xyztopeka@gmail.com P.O. Box 750491 Topeka, KS 66675

XYZ Contributors

[ our gang ] kerrice mapes was born with a thick-head of dark brown hair and vocal cords that wouldn’t quit. In school, checkmarks quickly became her favorite glyph. She has always pushed the rules and socialized too much - things that don’t get her into as much trouble now. She is also an honorary, self-proclaimed “cool” aunt to all her friends’s children. leah Sewell Leah used to make magazines out of construction paper, glue and cut-up family photos. She was grounded a lot as a kid. Today she’s the editor of seveneightfive magazine, XYZ magazine and mother to Sylvia, 4, and Oliver, 2. brie martin Brie is a born and raised Kansan who is a corporate office monkey by day and a hobbyist photographer by night (and any other times she can fit it in). She is mother to Baby J (due in December) and a pseudo-aunt to many of her Topeka friends’ awesome kids. matt porubsky Matt is a born and bred Topekan, co-director of “Porubsky’s Transcendent Deli” and sometimes drives a choo-choo train.

He is daddy to Sylvia, 3, and Oliver, 1 colin macmillan Colin is a professional photographer right here in Topeka, where he currently heads the Wedding Division for Nathan Ham Photography. You’re sure to bump into Colin, his wife Grace, and 2-year-old son Liam at any of the numerous events going on in Topeka. heather mckee Heather, stay-at-home mom to three youngsters, has always dreamed of a unified Halloween costume theme for her family, but has yet to convince her boyfriend and kids to take part. When she isn’t busy with everything else, she also runs TopekaParents.com cale herreman ► Cale Herreman is a Topeka-based father and writer. He is left-handed and enjoys cookies.

Alice hunt Alice Hunt’s favorite subjects in school were (and are) English and journalism, and she’s still in touch with her favorite teacher Miss Glozier, who taught her that life is about showing up, being honest and doing your best. The rest takes care of itself. melissa sewell (pictured with sister Leah) Melissa is a writer, editor and poet, but mostly a mother to a sassy three year-old girl. Melissa grows her own tomatoes, purposefully embarrasses herself at social events and rearranges her furniture when she’s upset.

Janice watkins Janice is a Topeka-native and mother of two. By day she is a non-profit guru and by night she is the bearer of many hats, including aspiring writer. justin marable Justin currently resides in the Kenwood neighborhood of Topeka with his wife and two daughters. He works full time at his home as an artist, husband and father. Visit www. justinmarable.com to see more of his artwork. bailey marable Bailey is mother of Olive, Willow and Kassy, and an Art Teacher at Royal Valley High School. She teaches metalsmithing classes for adults, makes jewelry and is very involved with the ReThink Topeka Movement. ande davis Ande enjoys playing with Legos and GI Joes, eating pizza, reading essays on comparative literature, and recently completed potty training. When he grows up, he wants to edit magazines and teach English. karli davis Karli has long since kicked her apple juice addiction, and today is a productive member of society, contributing her design skills to XYZ and seveneightfive magazines. She’s married to a much hairier version of Ande Davis these days, chasing their cat and dog around the house.

Chelle Decker Chelle is the marketing director for Topeka Civic Theatre + Academy, Radio Personality for Country Legends 106.9 and Mom to Teddy Mac. EJ Drake Born and raised in Topeka, EJ loves the art of photography.

Sarah Hamlin “Specializing in visual poetry,” Sarah is passionate about photography and telling a story. Her works can be seen in various locations around Northeast Kan. Her best friend and amazing husband Zac and her are proud parents to Maebelle and Orion.

Rio Cervantes-Reed A born and bred Kansan, Rio’s sense of wonderment as a child matured into typical adult confusion. She’s active in too many local groups, watches too much tv, and spends too much time on social media pursuits, but she’ll be okay. She serves as a “Tia,” to three nieces and a nephew.

Erin Wynkoop Erin is a born and raised Topekan who paints the town red as make-up artist by day, writer, photographer, party-girl supreme by night. Erin’s favorite song lyrics describe her best: “I shall never grow up, make believe is much too fun.”

[ how to get XYZ ] $20 a year

Use your Smartphone and a QR reader, like Scanlife and sign up for a year subscription to XYZ today!

business subscriptions available

www.xyztopeka.com/subscribe/ XYZ xyztopeka.com

5

Community Events compiled by Heather McKee • designed by Karli Davis

Have an event you want to see featured here?

We want to get your family-friendly events listed in our calendar. It’s free! Just contact our calendar editor at mckee.xyz@gmail.com. Your event will be located online and/or in print.

Please keep in mind that we publish on a quarterly schedule, so we try to fit a season’s worth of top events into each issue.

Winter Wonderland Through Dec. 31

Public Ice Skating @ Expo Dec. 18 - 23 + 26 - 31 Jan. 1 + 2 Bring the family inside, for some cold fun! Either skate before a Topeka Roadrunners game, spend a Sunday afternoon on the ice, or come during the week over the holiday break. Times vary. $5 admission, $2 skate rental. Go to ksexpo.com for times and more info.

NYE Cyber Bowl Party Dec. 31 A fun family party, with everything you need! Party favors, Cyber-Bowling, food specials and a lemonlime soda toast at midnight. Up to six people on a lane with a smoke + alcohol free atmosphere. For more info visit www.gagebowl.net.

Winter Wonderland, a benefit for TARC, is a Topeka holiday tradition. This 2.5 mile lighted display is a delight for the child in everyone. Hundreds of themed holiday displays are presented to dazzle your entire family.

Tours 6 - 10 pm every night @ Lake Shawnee Campgrounds / Tinman Circle. $7 per car at the gate or $5 for advanced tickets purchased at TARC, Educational Credit Union and Hy-vee.

Laughing Matters Jr. Show Jan. 29 + March 12 Laughing Matters Junior, an all-youth off shoot of the very popular Laughing Matters Improvisational Comedy Troupe offers comic sketches and games based on audience suggestions. Best of all, Laughing Matters Junior is performed by youth with humor that appeals to kids and adults alike! Bring your whole family for a night of fun with these super-talented comedians. 7 pm | Topeka Civic Theatre | $5 | www.topekacivictheatre.com

“Family and Friends” New Years Eve Party | 6 - 9 pm Gage Center Bowl and Gage Bowl North.

Prices vary by location.

Shawnee Co. Preschool Fair Feb. 7: 6:30 - 8 pm Parents are welcome to attend and meet with Topeka area preschools and find out about their programs all in one location. Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library | FREE

keep up with events - follow + fan us @xyztopeka @topekaparents

xyz magazine topekaparents

Kansas turns 150

Mulvane Art Museum Early 2011 Events

Jan. 29, 2011

And the entire state is celebrating!

Here are the Sesquicentennial celebrations going on around the Topeka area.

1/4 - 2/6 | Commemorating the Struggle for Freedom in Kansas, Brown vs. Board Historic Site 1/13 | Story of Music, Stories From Home, Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, Marvin Auditorium 1/15 | Topeka Symphony Orchestra Sesquicentennial Celebration “KS 150,” White Concert Hall 1/21 through 12/31 | 150 Things I Love about Kansas, Kansas Museum of History 1/23 | Kansas Music & Memories, Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, Marvin Auditorium 1/25 | Charles Curtis: His Life, His Politics and His Legacy, Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, Marvin Auditorium 1/28 & 29 | Kansas Day Celebration, Kansas Museum of History 1/29 - 3/18 | Kansas 150/150 Art Exhibit, Alice C. Sabatini Gallery 1/29 | Happy Birthday Kansas! (for children 3-8 years of age), Story Zone from 10-11am and The Wyandotte Constitution from 2-3pm. Both events at the Topeka Shawnee County Public Library For events in other cities, times and more info on the events listed above, check out www.ks150.kansas.gov

Visit the ArtLab on First Friday Artwalk to mark Chinese New Year and see the exhibition, Words with Different Scenes Four Artists from China.

February 4 | 5 - 8 pm Welcome 2011, the year of the Rabbit, and create watercolor paintings of Plum Blossoms (for courage and hope), Water Narcissus (for good luck and fortune), rabbits and other symbols for a lucky year. Free!

March 5, 1-4pm: A Magical Mystery Day, the Beatles Family Day at the Mulvane Art Museum’s ArtLab. Celebrate the exhibition, Remember My Name, at Family Day in the ArtLab. Listen to music by the Beatles while you design and paint your own album covers, records and posters. Free!

Beatles Family Day

Kansas Silent Film Festival Feb. 25 - 27 Bring the family and enjoy movies the way they used to be. All movies are presented on 16mm film with live accompaniment. This year is highlighting ‘The First Academy Awards - 1927-28’.

Visit www.kssilentfilmfest.org for full schedule and more details.

White Concert Hall, Washburn | Free

3 Billy Goats Gruff March 5

The 3 billy goat siblings just want to get across the bridge to eat the green grass on the other side, but there’s a problem. There’s a grouchy bully of a troll under the bridge, who is determined not to let them pass!

The Wichita Children’s Theater presents this musical version of the classic children’s tale.

For more info check out www.topekapafc.com Washburn University’s Andrew J. and Georgia Neese Gray Theatre | Tickets $3 at the door

Blarney Breakfast + St. Patricks Day Parade March 17

Start your St. Patrick’s Day with a hearty breakfast while supporting the Easter Seal Capper Foundation. Texas Roadhouse | $10 Adults, $5 for each child under 12 years of age | Children tickets are 2-4-1 from 6 - 8 a.m.

Continue the fun at the 32nd Annual St. Patricks day parade. The parade will start at high noon, in downtown Topeka. For parade route and more info check out www.topekastpats.com

prairie adventure

local children’s literature

J

ustin Marable is kind of prolific.

He is a local artist whose work seems ubiquitous in coffee shops, art galleries and at home with its definitively Kansas subject matter.

His band, Interior Sea, plays gigs here and there throughout town, spreading a soft and subtle message about conscientious living, and just released a CD in November (complete with hand-printed album art). The organization that he and his wife Bailey founded, ReThink Topeka, holds art events throughout the year. Heck, you can even find his art in each issue of XYZ in our “imagination” section.

Marable, for Topekans, is becoming a household name.

So, it’s no surprise that now young Topekans are getting their hands on “a Marable” in the form of a moving and book penned and stunningly illustrated by Justin himself. “Noco,” is the tale of a young prairie dog who dreams her way far from her home and, with help from her Papa, who has a history of adventuresome tendencies himself, finds her way back home. The

by Leah Sewell • illustrations contributed

narrative and illustrations depict Kansas, with the unique rock formations of Castle Rock Badlands, the capitol building, the Kaw River, Animal Land at Gage Park, the Kenwood neighborhood of Topeka and even the tract housing that can be seen on many city outskirts. For Kansas kids, the illustrations are of familiar places and the message one that resonates familial love and trust and an appreciation for the natural world.

For Justin, the inspiration for “Noco” came from the long drives across the state he took with his nine-year-old daughter Kassy, bringing her home from Colby, Kan. where she lives with her mother, to Topeka for visits. On the 12-hour drive, they often found themselves exploring off the beaten path.

Justin says, “I miss Kassy every moment from the time she is swooped away to Colby to the moment of embrace in my arms. To cope with the distance between us, I decided to write the story of Noco. It is a simple story of leaving home, exploring beyond, and returning back with a renewed sense of wonder and respect.”

Copies of “Noco” can be found at Warehouse 414 (414 S.E. 2nd Street) or online at www. justinmarable.com. XYZ TOPEKA

XYZ xyztopeka.com

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[ lifestyle ]

musical rescue In the basement of the Presbyterian Church at 400 SW Washburn, the sign on the door reads “Americana Jam in Here.” Diane Gillenwater, director of the Topeka location American Music Academy, is in the midst of a lesson with eleven year-old violinist Ethan Coleman. This diffident sixth grader tackles a tango and shrugs, “Classical music was never my thing.”

by Melissa Sewell • photos by Colin MacMillan / Nathan Ham Photography

valentines

Americana Music Academy

d.i.y.

.org

T

by Leah Sewell

Gillenwater laughs, “I think my specialty is saving kids who are burnt out in orchestra.” She admits to feeling the same way when she was growing up with music.

This understanding of orchestra burnout comes from a woman who wore cowboy boots under her dress while performing with the symphony. Her years of experience are evident; she plays alongside her students while coaxing them effortlessly through the sheet music. The Americana Music Academy specializes in all forms of American music - bluegrass, with instructors for everything from fiddle and mandolin to piano and voice.

he school part of V-Day is less important than the home one for under-11 year olds. The people your kids love the most are their grandparents, their cousins, siblings and, of course, their mamas and dads. So why not make it an extra special holiday with D.I.Y. valentines? Here are a few ideas to get you started.

The concept isn’t a new one - the Americana Academy in Lawrence has been going strong for Lawrence for years.

But the Topeka branch is still a baby, born at the first of October, and still garnering its students and holding events to raise money for student scholarships. Even at $80 per month (for 4 30-minute lessons), some families are unable to afford lessons for their children.

From scratch – glue, colored paper, stickers and markers are a few of the tools your kids can use to make an old-school message for a loved one. Local dollar stores typically carry valentine merchandise starting in late January, so you can stock up on ribbons, stickers and glitter to add a bit more flair.

Gillenwater feels that a background in music is crucial to setting children on the right track. “If kids don’t have the chance to express themselves, they will find something,” she explains. “Music is a huge influence on children; if they come come to learn and play together, they will be healthy.” XYZ TOPEKA Diane can be reached for more information at 785-2498830.

Open acoustic jams are held every Saturday from 3-5pm.

Make it personal – create a small photo album with “reasons I love you” for grandparents, moms or dads or aunts and uncles.

If you want to get fancy with it, shutterfly.com offers amazing photo book templates, or have Topeka Blue Print (more info on page 27) help you create custom wrapping paper or gift bags.

Bake it up – a heart-shaped cookie cutter, sprinkles, white or pink frosting and a pretty box from a local craft store can make a sweet gift for a loved one. The best way to anyone’s heart is through the stomach.

A virtual message – teach your favorite love song to a little one and record the performance, burn it to a disc and mail it to a loved one who lives far away. Look up “I Love You a Bushel and a Peck” from the musical “Guys and Dolls” on Youtube, go to the old favorite “You are My Sunshine” or try out “Love Me Do” by the Beatles. Kids love that song, it’s oh-so-catchy.

Soft hearts – craft stores sell small rectangular sheets of different colored felt that can be easily cut by older children and with some guidance and a few sewing stitches, you have a valentine that will make you feel all fuzzy. XYZ TOPEKA XYZ xyztopeka.com

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C

heap eats

Dentistry For Infants, Children & Teens Member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

Sedation Available

785-272-6060 6231 SW. 29th StrFFU t Topeka, KS 66614

Kansan Grill 705 S. Kansas Ave. EVERYDAY $3.99 - $4.99 kids’ meals that include the entree, a side and a drink.

XYZ LIKES Photographs of famous Kansans line the walls and provide a history lesson.

Topeka Steakhouse 526 SE Dupont Road (East on 6th St.) EVERYDAY Children’s plates $4.49 XYZ LIKES: Long tables in the big room allow for large family gatherings.

Perkin’s Restaurant + Bakery 1720 SW Wanamaker Road EVERYDAY Kids’ Perks Breakfast $3.79, Meals (+ free drink + crazy cookie) $4.79 XYZ LIKES: Healthy choices for meal sides, including fruit cup and steamed broccoli.

Sign your child up for the Birthday Club online and get a free meal during your little one’s birthday week.

magazine

art

entertainment

lifestyle

THEATRE CLASSES FOR AGES 4 TO 104! your Winter Session: January 10 - March 4, 2011 guide to Spring Session: March 21 - May 13, 2011. www.TopekaCivicTheatre.com Topeka

+local flavor

pick me up

[ local flavor ]

Blind Tiger Brewery 417 SW 37th Street SUNDAY 1/2 price kids’ meals all day XYZ LIKES: You can watch sports and feed the family.

Boss Hawgs 2833 SW 29th Street SUNDAY $2 kids’ meal w/ purchase of adult meal and beverage XYZ LIKES: It’s Boss Hawgs - horrifying vegetarians for years. Your kid hates veggies? - then it’s utopia.

Jade Garden Chinese 2038 SW Gage Blvd EVERYDAY Kid-friendly choices on the appetizer menu, including fried chicken strips and shrimp. Prices begin at $3.99 XYZ LIKES: They are open everyday, except Thanksgiving, so parents have back-up if something goes horribly wrong on any other holiday.

Lupita’s 1306 S Kansas Ave. 785.234.6340 EVERYDAY Mini-Me menu - most items are less than $2.50 XYZ LIKES: That it’s downtown.

O’Dooley’s 1930 SW Westport Dr # 100 MONDAY $1.99 kids meal XYZ LIKES: Sing-a-long with Kyler.

Sweet Pea’s 1306 S Kansas Ave. EVERYDAY Kids 3 & under eat for FREE Kids up to age 11 are $3.99 XYZ LIKES: They serve up their delish Southern cooking family style.

[ everything for topeka families ]

xyztopeka.com It’s like a slumber party where the juice is flowing and it’s raining M&M’s. 24-7. check out our blog action!

Janice Watkins gets herself into a lot of literally sticky situations in mommyhood. But she’s ready to confess to her shortcomings, just go easy on her in the comments.

HuHot 5900 SW Huntoon MONDAY Kids 12 and under eat free after 4 pm XYZ LIKES: That you can make your own dish. You’re the chef...and it’s fun to watch the cooks.

We call each place before print to ensure accuracy, however, things change. Please do not hold us responsible for specials. If you do have a correction, let them/us know. Happy Eating.

Buffalo Wild Wings 1227 SW Wanamaker WEDNESDAY Kids meals $1.99 XYZ LIKES: They have those cool trivia machines for brain challenges.

Some questions might be 20+ years before their time - but who doesn’t like a little history lesson during dinner?

Jason’s Deli 6121 SW 12st Ste 400 WEEKENDS Kids eat for $.99 XYZ LIKES: A organic salad bar option for kids and lot of other fresh choices on their menu.

Food blogger Chelle Decker lives the life organic, but still eats pretty dang good.

Read up on how to raise a healthconscious kid and how to do so in the tastiest of ways. + The Editor’s dilemma with a perplexed Leah Sewell, results May vary with a reflective Cale Herreman and What have you with a sassy Melissa Sewell

web-only features + family news and what to do

Go there! You won’t regret it. www.xyztopeka.com

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Submit your favorite foodie discount: xyztopeka@gmail.com

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x

[ local flavor ]

the picky eater

goes out to eat b y J a n i c e Wa t k i n s photos by EJ Drake

E

ntering the ring is Gabe – a particularly odd picky eater, as he once would gobble down anything in front of him until he suddenly hit the prepubescent stage where he became cognizant that vegetables were indeed good for him and mom’s cooking became, to quote, “something gag worthy, that’s for sure”.

In an effort to prove that our picky eater does not suffer to an aversion to all of “mom’s cooking,” was there a more worthy opponent than Sweet Pea’s?

Sweet Pea’s, heralded as the “Home of Good Eats” reminds you of a good ole’ family picnic, complete with wooden tables and a red and white checkered tablecloth. With a dinner menu that ranges from smoked brisket to catfish and chicken fried steak, accompanied with endless sides of mashed potatoes with gravy and made from scratch biscuits, Sweet Pea’s is a true throwback to traditional family meals where no one leaves wanting more.

So enters Gabe, a food critique in the making. “There are a lot of old people in here,” he first comments. Well, if you can say

Picky Eater Gabriel “Gabe” D.

14

age: 9 1/2 height: nearly as tall as his step-dad weight: 73 lbs eyes: ornery and always looking for his next move. hair: once a shiny blonde but now turning (gasp!) brown with age. certified picky: currently refuses to eat nearly xyztopeka.com XYZAmerican-kid staple, including pizza every

vs.

Sweet Pea’s 1306 S. Kansas Ave. (785) 354-9115 Dine-in/Carryout/ Made-to-Order

A Topeka Favorite.

- Offering a unique lunch, dinner and catering menu - LIVE entertainment every Friday -

<< what Aunt Rio had. Yum. - Historic atmosphere - Home of the greatest steaks in Topeka byway of Kansas Premium Black Angus Beef -

He mulls over the dinner menu for what feels like forever and has our waitress hovering silently when he finally announces that he has not found one thing he might want. Until...

- Kid friendly menu and atmosphere - Full bar and wine list -

appetizers salads seafood sandwiches pasta ORDER ONLINE

www.kansangrill.com M - Sat 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., Sun. 11 - 2 p.m.

705 S. KANSAS AVE. | 785.233.0086

one thing – the kid doesn’t lie. Much like his mother, he tends to say exactly what he thinks at the exact moment he thinks it.

He mulls over the dinner menu for what feels like forever and has our waitress hovering silently when he finally announces that he has not found anything that he might want. I guess the lure of never-ending sides is not something that appeals to his small frame, or it could be that two out of the four of those never-ending sides are vegetable selections. Never-ending vegetables are clearly enough to send him into a tailspin. Luckily for me, he must have missed the section that states that some lunch items are available for order during the dinner hours.

“Hey dude, what about The Big Dog, or The Big Kahuna?” I casually offer.

He considers my suggestion and adds, “Mom, duh, I don’t like hotdogs anymore.”

This coming from a kid that ate hotdogs one year for what seemed like each meal of the day.

I think the knockout is coming, with the picky eater emerging victorious, until he adds, “But a giant hot dog, I find this intriguing – I’m in.”

Ten minutes later, here comes the biggest hotdog I have ever seen. Gabe’s eyes open wide and I can see he is elated at the possibility of trying to conquer “The Big Kahuna,” more of a giant sausage than a hotdog, sandwiched between what appears to be a large buttered, split baguette. He sinks his teeth in and immediately proclaims, “Delicious. The best hot dog I’ve ever had.”

In the end, he was not able to finish, but the leftovers alone stayed true to the slogan of Sweet Pea’s, and gave him “good eats” for the rest of the week, giving my kid-complaining ears a break and handing this gem among restaurants the easy knockout. XYZ TOPEKA

XYZ xyztopeka.com

15

[ resource ]

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Topeka

the connection b y J a n i c e Wa t k i n s • p h o t o b y S a r a h H a m l i n

C

aden is waiting. This adorable six-year old, lover of Wolverine and glad to take on an opponent in a light saber dual is waiting. He is not waiting for a specific time of the day, or a magic phrase, or even a special occasion – he is waiting for his life to change.

Caden, like 125 other Shawnee county youngsters, is waiting for a match through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Topeka. Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS), bannered as the oldest, largest and most effective youth mentoring system in the United States, seeks to match children ages 6-18 with mentors in the children’s communities. Generally, the kids are from single parent homes, or are being raised by a grandparent caregiver and would benefit from a strong adult mentor.

“Think about it – when you are eight years old you just want attention and you don’t care where it comes from, but if an adult pays attention to you, that eight-year old will go on and on and tell you stories and open up, but if you don’t get that attention, I guarantee that it will be found in other ways,” says Nancy Kopp Daniels, executive director of BBBS. “The community has a choice. Children are going to want and crave attention and we can either give that to them or make that choice.”

Daniels dotes on the program’s ability to decrease gang violence and early pregnancy and increase school attendance and future enrollment in advanced education for children receiving mentorship, but knows there are still numerous children out 16

xyztopeka.com XYZ

< Caden meets with a prospective Big Couples match, Thomas and Lisa Fulbright. > Big Brother/Sister matches that have proven to be positive, lasting friendships (photos contributed by BBBS Topeka)

there waiting for that chance, specifically boys. With over two-thirds of the waiting list as boys, the program is seeking to recruit adult male mentors frequently.

BBBS has looked to increase its volunteering by offering a variety of programs and ways in which individuals and families can volunteer, aside from the more recognized community-based program. Bigs in Schools, a program where the mentor meets with the child for a half hour during the traditional 1-hour lunch hour, each week, is designed to accommodate those that have less free time to commit to volunteerism, while still impacting the life of the youth recipient. That program is so successful there are now two times as many Bigs in Schools than in the traditional program, but for Daniels and the BBBS staff, it’s not just about the numbers, it’s about the impact and change.

“Quality is always better, no matter what the definition is. For us, what matters is mentoring the match and supporting and nurturing that relationship,” Daniels gleams. “It’s about creating long-lasting friendships.” XYZ TOPEKA

big time • how to volunteer Traditional Community-Based Program – Matches an adult mentor with an in-need youth, with volunteers typically spending 1 hour, around 3 times a month, taking the youth to community activities and spending time with the youth one-on-one Big Couples - A spin on the community-based program, by matching a couple with the youth in need. “A great way for a couple to spend time with a child before they have one themselves, or strengthen a relationship,” Daniels says.

Big Families – Yet another spin on the traditional program, with a whole family being matched with a youth in need. This could provide the youth an opportunity to bond with a family and their child(ren) as “siblings” and even have the youth act in the role as mentor to younger siblings.

Bigs in Schools – Matching adult mentors with youth in the school setting for a half an hour each week, during the typical 1-hour lunch break. The mentor sees the child only at school.

Bigs Plus – Allowing the bond of a Bigs in School and youth to grow, by allowing them to spend time outside of the normal school-setting, by going to community events or spending one-on-one time outside of the classroom now and again.

For more information – visit the website at www.topeka.kansasbigs.org, call 785-234-5524 or visit the office at 1119 SW 10th Ave, Suite 3, Topeka. BBBS staff will come to you, if necessary!

each issue, XYZ features an accredited local organization that serves children and/or parents. We do not necessarily endorse the organization’s policies. Have an idea for an organization to spotlight? Email us: xyztopeka@gmail.com XYZ xyztopeka.com

17

[ lifestyle ]

capable hands

b y J a n i c e Wa t k i n s • p h o t o s b y B r i e M a r t i n

It’s the middle of the night and the monitor blares with the deafening cries of the baby. Again. The parents, delirious from the lack of a solid night’s sleep, spring to their feet in action, ready to change a soiled diaper, or prepare for a feeding. Only this time, the baby is not wet and not hungry.

T

he unknown cries of a baby are every parent’s living nightmare, as they mull over what could possibly be making the baby cry and curse at the inability of babies to just say what is the source of those heartbreaking tears.

Although many parents might not be aware, the solution can often be right on the tip, of their very own fingertips, in fact. Baby massage may just be the answer to every parent’s sleepless night.

“There are a plethora of reasons to do infant massage,” says 18

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Danielle Huckins, a parenting educator for Stormont-Vail Hospital. “Skin-to-skin contact actually encourages a baby to grow - not only physically, but in their brain growth as well.”

Huckins, who teaches a section on infant massage in all of her classes, believes it’s never too early to start.

“You can even start that connection prenatally by talking to your baby inutero and establishing that connection,” Huckins asserts. “That first day at home with baby you can then start that massage. It doesn’t have to be a big spectacle with candles

endorphins

massage 101 and music and oils, like people think. You just have to take note of your baby’s cues and start that massage.”

Infant massage, a known homeopathic remedy for gastrointestinal problems and digestion issues, can be superhero to a colicky baby, or a baby plagued with gas problems, through the release of natural endorphins that massage triggers, increasing feelings of happiness and calmness. Huckins encourages parents and their support team to just dive in and not worry about certification, or specific techniques.

“It doesn’t have to be any specific technique - just touching your baby in general and skin-to-skin contact. What you do is that you have to gauge it off what your child likes. For instance, when you have a toddler sometimes they just prefer their back being rubbed or massaged, or their feet being rubbed or massaged,” notes Huckins.

Aside from the natural physical benefit, massage brings an alternative bonus to the time with baby - connection.

“General touch is key and important when connecting with your baby,” Huckins nods with experience. “Using that time to bond, to talk with your baby when you have their attention in that quiet-alert phase, can have a lot of responses.”

The Bicycle Technique - Move your baby’s legs in a circular motion, similar to that of riding a bike, the natural movement will help to relieve gas and gas discomfort.

The “Love Sprinkle” - Lightly use the tips of your fingers to “sprinkle” your baby from head to foot.

The foot massage - “Our feet have a significant number of nerve endings on the bottom of the feet, so it is very beneficial when you are talking about receiving the most stimulation,” says Huckins. Use your thumb, for this fan favorite, and repeat circular motions from the top of the feet all the way around.

Get dad or partner involved too for an excellent bonding session and remind your support system that massage is beneficial at any age!

for more information about classes on infant massage, visit www.stormontvail.org

Infant massage, a known homeopathic remedy for gastrointestinal problems and digestive issues, can be a superhero to a colicky baby through the release of natural endorphins that massage triggers, increasing feelings of happiness and calmness.

XYZ TOPEKA XYZ xyztopeka.com

19

[ lifestyle ]

Snow Day = Family Fun Day

S

now days don’t have to be boring days spent in front of the television. Take advantage of the extra time stuck in the house by declaring a Family Fun Day!

by Chelle Decker

• p h o t o b y Tr e v o r G o o d w i n

snow day fun Puppet Time

Strike up the Band

Put those mismatched socks to use by making sock puppets and preparing a show for when the rest of the family get home from work. For older kids, this is also the perfect opportunity to learn how to sew on buttons by creating eyes and noses for particularly cute and crafty sock-friends.

Dig through drawers and cabinets and come up with instruments to start your own band. Pots and pans are the obvious choice for drum sets.

Grab squeaky half-inflated balloons to create a woodwind section, and fill glasses with various amounts of water to tap lightly with spoons for various bell tones.

It’s in the Mail

Indoor Camping Fun

Create custom made cards for loved ones, especially those out of town. In this age of electronic correspondence, there is nothing as cool as getting a homemade card in the mail for no particular reason except to say you care.

Put those encyclopedias you forgot you had to use as weights for an indoor tent. Stretch old blankets across the room and use heavy books for anchors. Create a tent and tunnels all over a room and burrow in for fun.

• Find school closings from WIBW, KSNT or KTKA. All stations post them on air and on their websites.

The Guessing Game

Make History

Talk about the five senses and then play games associated with each. See if your child can figure out what various tastes and smells are while wearing a blind fold. Try playing the memory matching game while using only the sense of touch with objects such as cotton balls, quarters, crayons and more.

Get out your old family photo albums and talk to your kids about your genealogy. Encourage older children to journal about your family for future family members to read years later.

Let it SNOW!

Look Ahead

Toddlers love to pour and measure. Take a storage tub outside, scoop up some snow and bring it in for measuring fun. Bring out some measuring cups and let tiny toddlers enjoy pouring, measuring and playing with the snow.

Do some creative writing with your child. Have them write a story about where they will be in ten years, in twenty years and in thirty years. Be sure to keep copies in a safe place to have fun pulling out later in life.

XYZ TOPEKA

sledding time

by Rio Cervantes-Reed

As with anything fun, parents should remind their children to play it safe, slow down, and be aware of their surroundings. – Your child should have a responsible friend or adult with them in case of an emergency.

Also, children should be encouraged to take frequent breaks and stay hydrated. Drinking water may not occur to them because it’s cold out there, but it’s still very important while playing in the snow.

Other safety tips recommended by Children’s Mercy Hospitals & Clinic of Kansas City are:

* Keep sledders away from motor vehicles. * Sled feet-first or sitting up. It may prevent head injuries as opposed to lying down, and sledding down, head-first.

Print your digital photos at Wolfe’s!

Our Expanded Digital Print Stations help you create everything from books to photo shirts. 16 print stations are available.

No waiting in line.

Bring toddlers to our children’s play area.

* Use steerable sleds, not snow discs or inner tubes. * Sledding slopes should be free of obstructions like fire hydrants or fences. * Avoid sledding in overcrowded areas.

• some safety reminders

7th & Kansas Downtown Topeka (785) 235-1386 • www.wolfes.com XYZ xyztopeka.com

21

[ feature ]

what happens when a family ditches the distractions

the great electronic deprivation experiment b y J a n i c e Wa t k i n s • p h o t o s b y E J D r a k e

In mulling over ideas for this issue, discussion commenced regarding research and children’s overwhelming jealousy for inanimate objects that their parents use (i.e. “Crackberry”). As the discussion continued, I quickly did an inventory of my own home – mulling over my stack of at least seven different remotes that are used on a daily basis, at least three gaming systems, a TV in nearly every room, and with the exception of the baby, every member of the household has a cell phone. I knew during the course of this discussion that I didn’t want to admit out loud that Gabe has texted me from his basement bedroom to request a drink of cold water at night. The gauntlet was thrown - go at least 24-hours without any technology. For the sake of my family and my inability to say “no” to any challenge, I was the first to volunteer and accept the task.

In preparation for what we were casually referring to as the “electronic deprivation,” I repeatedly reminded my boys (my husband and pre-teen) of all of the great things we could do without electronics, while silently assuring myself that I could indeed weather through this one-day storm.

The night before the big day, I was met with shrieks and heart-wrenching pleas to not go through with it. “I will die if I don’t have TV,” my son protested. “I would rather lie in front of a train than do this.”

Definitely overdramatic, but I wondered if I would feel the same way?

My husband nearly went into seizures at the idea of being denied the ability to re-arrange his Fantasy Football lineup in the coming day in the event that there was an NFL shocking injury, and my own mother squawked at how inconvenient it was going to be for her to not be able to text me if she needed something - this coming from the lady that made us endure childhood with four channels and non-battery required toys.

Their reactions, of course, only assured me that this was the necessary thing to do.

Hours 1-7 Sleep.

Hour 7: Dora denied.

Hours 8-9 Home-cooked breakfast.

Hours 10-11 Deep cleaning.

Hour 12 Reading.

Ten minutes to midnight, I safely gathered up all remotes, handheld gaming systems and cell phones, and locked them in the safe. I fell asleep with the day ahead of me, looming over me like a B movie villain, one that you shouldn’t be afraid of, but for some reason you are, even though you are not sure exactly why. Thus began our “electronic deprivation.”

Hour 13 Uprising.

Hours one through seven flew by easily, as we were preoccupied with sleeping rather than worrying about checking Facebook.

Hours 15-18 Reading some more.

Hour 14 Saved by the newest “Wimpy Kid” book.

Sometime during hour seven, the baby woke up. I expected the task of going 24hours without electronics to be easy for her - she preoccupies herself more with books and figuring out how to disassemble small objects and put them in her mouth, than she does cartoons. On this particular day, however, she immediately pointed to the television and began incessant calls for “Dora.” I can’t believe that darn bilingual explorer was going to hand me the first black mark of the day.

Hours eight and nine continued easily with pancakes and eggs. I thought that maybe the lack of electronics was not such a bad thing, as I greeted full bellies and actual smiles across the table.

My smile continued into hours ten and eleven, as my husband and I preoccupied ourselves with doing cleaning that is “We were all a little tired of reading and beginning never done on a regular basis. With the to show the signs of a breakdown. I nearly convinced lack of dust shadow streaming down from myself that I needed to turn on the TV or flip the switch our living room lights, the new brightness

hour 19: stir crazy

on the computer because it was too quiet.”

>> continued on next page

games to the rescue!

“Jenga spills and Chutes and Ladders battles turned hours 20 and 21 into belly fits of laughter.”

>> continued from previous page

inspired me to head down to the basement library and pick up a book I had been meaning to read since the previous holiday season. I was well into my book into hour twelve, when it dawned on me that we were halfway done and really it had been relatively easy. Everyone knows there’s always a ‘but’ right? And this one, well it happened to be a big one but Gabe had not yet returned home from his overnight with his bio dad.

He returned in hour thirteen and boy, oh boy, did he return.

He immediately threw himself to the ground in opposition of the day without electronics. His fit continued well into hour fourteen when I was saved by the Scholastic book order and the reminder that a new “Wimpy Kid” book had just hit the shelves. Gabe, while not an avid reader, is engrossed by the tales of the “wimpy kid.” The new book took us easily through hours fifteen through eighteen.

By hour nineteen, we were all a little tired of reading and beginning to show the signs of breakdown. I was going a bit crazy and had nearly convinced myself that I needed to turn on the TV or flip the switch on the computer because it was too quiet and what if, I mean really what if, we were in the middle of some national crisis and we didn’t even know it?

My husband calmly talked me down from my ledge and we 24

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began to preoccupy ourselves with board games.

Jenga spills and Chutes and Ladders battles turned hours twenty and twenty-one into belly fits of laughter and hours twenty-two and twenty-three became preoccupied with building the longest “domino-effect” out of Jenga blocks, much to the chagrin of my once beautiful, now Jenga-domino marked, dining room table.

Before I knew it – it was nearly the end of our road. I couldn’t believe that I was so careless to let my children stay up till midnight, but I convinced myself we were living in an alternate universe, so it would be okay this one time. With jammies on and kids ready to hit the sack, books were once again in hand and I watched the clock inch past midnight and expected the shouts of joy, but heard nothing in return.

My brood had not even noticed the task was over. Well, at least until about 12:05 when Eden brought me the remote and asked for “backpack.” This time I handed the explorer and her talking gang of accessories the win.

We did survive and it wasn’t so bad. As I sit here typing in the reflection of my shiny computer screen, bobbing my head to Itunes, I think to myself - never again. Well, maybe only in small doses, I do love homemade pancakes. XYZ TOPEKA

[ local flavor ]

dining out w/o the junk

ALL KID’S CLOTHES 99¢ EACH

the merchant

by Chelle Decker

T

he first thing my son looks for as we enter any restaurant is whether the host stand has stacks of kids menus piled high with a highly coveted cupo-crayons next to it for him to proudly march to our table. Kids’ meals at restaurants with their cartoonish menus and promise of toys, ice cream desserts and prizes have kids hooked. What kid would want to order off a boring old “adult menu” when they can have fun choices from a menu complete with word-finds, mazes, and cartoon vegetables just asking to be drawn on with crayons?

I applaud the restaurants now offering healthy options for kids eating out including healthier side items such as mandarin oranges, apple slices and steamed broccoli where chicken nuggets, pizza, and macaroni and cheese used to be the norm.

If you are at a restaurant where pre-processed foods seem to be the only option (in other words everything looks like it’s just being deep-fat fried after they take it out of a freezer), don’t be afraid to ask your server if a healthier option adult meal can be converted into a smaller portion kids meal for your child.

If your child is willing to get a healthier adult meal, but is disappointed they won’t get the toy that comes with it, offer to pick up a toy elsewhere for your child if they are willing to order the healthy option. Silly bands and Bakugan cards work great for bribery and are much cooler toys than many fast-food options.

Here are some local eateries getting an A+ for healthy kid options: Jason’s Deli – A salad bar option for kids and lots of fresh choices on their menu.

Plus, kids eat for 99 cents on weekends. | 6121 SW 12th St. Ste 400 | 785.478.4144

the merchant 728 s kansas ave 357.1444 Open M-F: 10 am - 5 pm Sat: 11 - 2 pm (Thurs Open ‘Till 8)

www.themerchantonline.com

O V E A LL B A Books & Gifts, LLP

“Dedicated to Giving the Highest Service.”

Blue Planet Café – Bierocks is a fun food to eat with your hands and they make it fresh on Mondays | 110 SE 8th Ave. | 785.783.8883 Weller’s – Offering chicken strips that are hand breaded and baked with yummy green beans. | 222 NW Independence Ave. | 785.783.3191 HuHot – Offers a special kid night and kids can have a great time picking out their own meat, noodles, and veggies with the opportunity to watch it being cooked in front of them. | 5900 SW Huntoon Ste E | 785.271.8190 Via’s – Personal sized pizzas with a wheat crust option, hearty veggie toppings, and lower-fat turkey pepperoni option. They even have a play area for kids who need some entertainment while waiting for their food. | 738 SW Gage Blvd. | 785.215.8421 XYZ TOPEKA

If you like Chelle’s writing and no-nonsense approach to healthy eating, follow along with all her food adventures on her blog, The Lunch Box at xyztopeka.com

Your family’s source for Bibles, books, music, church supplies and inspirational gifts.

Locally owned and operated.

2607 SW 21st Street Plaza 21 Shops (785) 266 - 6107 OPEN Monday - Friday 9 am - 7 pm Saturdays 9 am - 6 pm

[ cool bday ]

kick it up a notch

by Alice C. Hunt • photos by Adam Koger

If you want to throw your boy (or girl) a birthday party that’s a total knock out, consider a birthday party at United Martial Sciences in downtown Topeka.

T

he gym, owned by Bo and Shelby Bowen, offer birthday opportunities to boys and girls who have a lot of energy to burn and an interest in the marital arts and MMA (mixed martial arts).

The club specializes in Tae Kwan Do, boxing, MMA and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Tae Kwan Do and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu parties are appropriate for children ages 4 and older, said Mark Brown, the gym’s Tae Kwan Do instructor.

“The birthday boy or girl gets to be a black belt for the day,” Brown said. The children are taken through an introductory class and learn the basic moves, he said. They also play games using some martial arts principles.

The boxing birthdays are recommended for children ages 6 and older, said boxing instructor Dominque Alexander.

“We’ll show them the hand wraps and let them try hitting the bags, get in the ring, let them get a feel for it,” Alexander said.

Share your unique or favorite kid’s party with us at xyztopeka@gmail.com.

It’s a great way for them to get some energy out and learn about the martial arts and have playtime, Shelby Bowen said. XYZ TOPEKA

party plans Place: United Martial Sciences Address: 628 ½ S. Kansas Ave., Downtown Topeka Phone: 785-220-8961 E-mail: Shelby.bowen@sbcglobal.net Website: www.rhodd.com/unitedmsc Cost: $10-$15 per child depending on age, party planned, etc.

Food: Parents can bring in food and a cake, or United Martial Sciences can arrange the cake for you.

Decorations: Parents must provide their own.

Music: There are CD players and speakers on site.

cool bday parties

“It’s really playtime,” Brown said. The birthday boy or girl also gets to cut the cake with a sword.

Groups for any party should be about 10 to 15 children, Bo Bowen said, although that number can vary a bit depending on age, experience and other factors. Parents do need to sign a waiver for their children beforehand, Shelby Bowen said.

[ seen + noted ]

wrapped with love b y E r i n Wy n k o o p • p h o t o b y E r i n Wy n k o o p

Holidays and birthdays just got a little more personal, thanks to the creative genius at Topeka Blueprint, who are now offering gift-wrap suited to meet your every gift-giving need.

make a present special from the outside in.

Y

The amazing folks at Topeka Blueprint have made it so easy this holiday to personalize your wrapping paper and gift bags. Stop by and see the oh-so-friendly gang downtown and check out your choice of designs for wrapping paper (Peppermint Santa and Noel Snowflake) or gift bags (Red Peppermint, Blue Snowflake or Green Holly) and submit your photo and within a couple days you will be all set to wrap all those gifts. You can just pretend you are awaiting a gift from Santa!

Don’t fret if all the gifts left to wrap are the ones from Santa, Topeka Blueprint can personalize any gift, from your sweetie’s Valentine’s Day present to gifts for Mom’s and Dad’s on their special day. I bet they will even let you embarrass your teenager on her Sweet 16 with the most incriminating photos to wrap up everything on her never-ending list. XYZ TOPEKA

Topeka Blue Print | Monday-Friday 8-5 785.232.7209 | www.topekablue.com

IMPORTANT

Haircut IS FREE

ou waited in line for three hours on Black Friday for that fancy red Wii the kids put on the top of their list, so wrap that red box up in the gifts you cherish the most, your loved ones. Grandpa and Grandma will be more excited to see the sweet faces of their grandchildren on their gifts that they might not even want to see what’s inside.

Your Most

FULL SERVICE SALON for the whole family Baby’s first haircuts are free for Envy customers.

baby Jack son’s first hair cu t, 10 mo.

785.233.5577 17th & Medford

[ entertainment ]

EVEN THE BEST PARENTS NEED A LITTLE HELP SOMETIMES

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video adventure

by Cale Herreman

One could raise the question, what business is OK Go in? The music business, in which they craft energetic pop-rock? Or the video business, in which they periodically bring the internet to a halt and get people asking, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Is this for real?â&#x20AC;?

Their music is all right. Fuzzy guitars, and few sharp edges. Fine to listen to for (mostly positive) energy, but not a whole lot to distinguish it.

Follow their videos on YouTube, though, and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll see four men embarking on a series of small adventures for your entertainment. Bring the kids, they will appreciate the silly dance routine of â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Million Ways,â&#x20AC;? crazy contraptions of â&#x20AC;&#x153;This Too Shall Pass,â&#x20AC;? animal routines of â&#x20AC;&#x153;White Knuckles,â&#x20AC;? and the spirit of exploration behind it all. You will marvel at the logistics of staging the huge stop-motion dances of â&#x20AC;&#x153;End Love,â&#x20AC;? (and may notice a toddler in there who wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t going to sit still), and wonder how many pieces of toast were used for â&#x20AC;&#x153;Last Leaf.â&#x20AC;?

Much of the appeal here is the bandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s can-do attitude. If these guys are musicians first, they are certainly willing to try anything to put on a good show, whether that means dancing on treadmills, high-fiving dogs, or being shot by paint cannons.

These videos are fun enough to warrant multiple viewings, and packed with enough details to ensure that there are new things to notice each time. And the music isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t bad, either. XYZ TOPEKA

Music the whole family can dig.

folk that rocks

by Cale Herreman

by Cale Herreman • photos courtesy DanZanes.com

photos courtesy thenields.com / by Robin Bowman

College-girl folk-rock sister act The Nields teetered at the edge of stardom in the late 90’s. In the years since, Nerissa and Katryna Nields slowed down enough to have kids, but have kept up a healthy output of character-driven songs informed by folk traditions and pop melodies. In the middle of all this, they recorded an album for children, almost as a gift to their fellow parents.

“Rock All Day, Rock All Night” covers all the bases: Traditional sing-alongs, like “Alouette,” goofy banter, between verses of “The Muffin Man,” originals, like “Percy on Pluto,” and good old teaching songs, like “ABC.” The star in our house is definitely “Organic Farm,” which is really an “Old MacDonald” for the 21st Century.

Many of the songs are recorded with a full band, and some of them even rock. The traditional songs are performed with total sincerity, but a playful sense of humor pervades the album. “Superhero Soup,” a song about a boy getting on his father’s nerves, has

cartoonishly shrewish adult characters, the kind that parents hope they don’t sound like, but probably do, sometimes.

There’s enough here for everyone. If a kid (or a parent) doesn’t care for one song, they still might love the next one. Some songs are more folk, some more rock. Some are old-fashioned, some are modern. I get the feeling that they were all tested and approved by the Nields’ children, before they could make the album. Those kids have good taste. XYZ TOPEKA thanks to Lissa Staley for the album suggestion

XYZ xyztopeka.com

29

30

cool kidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s room

when a preteen designs her own room, her personality shines through.

xyztopeka.com XYZ

all mine

by Leah Sewell â&#x20AC;˘ photos by EJ Drake

Nola, age 10

N

ola is a confident kid who knows what she likes. Whether it’s nature, the table of elements, sock monkeys, viola practice or Michael Jackson, it all has a place in her room, where mom Stephine and dad Marc gave Nola nearly free reign on the design ideas when they moved to their new home.

“I had faith in her decisions,” says Marc. “For the most part, I think she has a pretty good eye.”

Nola’s dad freehanded the butterflies and dragonflies that take flight behind her reading chair. On a bulletin board, Nola pins up her favorite memories and friends beside a tiara and tutu-sporting piggy bank that also serves as an eyeglass perch. She has an affinity for color and simplicity. She considered many swatches before finally settling on a light plum shade, and the clean, minimalist room somehow feels spacious in relatively small quarters.

The room is a work in progress, and Nola and her parents keep adding touches here and there, like the green yoga mat that Nola recently turned into an area rug. She snagged it from her mom, she confesses, then adds, “What? She wasn’t using it!” XYZ TOPEKA XYZ xyztopeka.com

31

[ lifestyle ]

separate states

when Skyping falls short of the real thing.

by L e a h S e wel l • photos by Lydi a B ar n har t

It’s 8 a.m. on a Sunday morning, and I’ve just cleaned the sticky spots off the dining table before setting the laptop there and opening it up.

Within moments, my dad’s kitchenette in Carol Stream, Illinois is on the screen, and then my stepmom, C.J.’s face dips into the camera, then my dad’s. They’re drinking coffee.

C.J. isn’t wearing makeup and my dad’s hair is sticking up in three places. They say hi to me, there’s a little chitchat, but they really want the kids. I move over and get them seated in front of the webcam. For the next twenty minutes, or until the kids get wiggly and wander away, my parents’ laughter fills my dining room and my kids are performing for two people with bed-head and giant grins on a computer screen.

It’s weird, yes, but it’s something. It’s something in between the two times a year my kids get to see their Grandma C.J. and Grandpa Sewell, two people who I wish were more inside my kids’ lives. But they are there and we are here. It’s a fact of life, and one that is true for many grandparents in the nation. According to a poll conducted by grandparents.

com in 2009, 40% of grandparents do not live close to their grandchildren. * The exchange occurs at the McDonald’s in Bethany, Missouri.

It’s an easy, familiar place and not too far off the highway. For Gina and Ried Millsap, the place doesn’t really matter. When they pull of the highway and into the restaurant, they only have eyes for their grandchildren. Two children who still have a little chub in their cheeks and wispy blonde hair, Austin, 5, and Allie, 2, are equally excited to see their Grandma and Papa. After a little meal and a visit with Austin and Allie’s mom or dad, the happily reunited grandparents and grandchildren head back to the road to make the remainder of the trip to Topeka.

• Gina and Ried Millsap with their grandson, Austin (5) and granddaughter Allie (2)

bridge the distance Skyping Yeah, it’s a computer screen.

But it is a more relatable form of interaction for younger children who might swat the phone away when you insist on holding it to their ear. And there is something more personal in seeing a smile form on a grandparent’s face for children who aren’t as schooled in conversational nuances as grown-ups. If you’re not sure your wiggle worm will be able to sit still for video chat, try doing it during a regular meal.

“We didn’t want to be occasional grandparents.”

“The interesting thing is, at McDonald’s we see a ton of grandparents and what seem like divorced parents doing the exchange,” says Gina.

More and more parents are raising their children in different areas of the country from where their own parents reside. But does this mean that the relationships between grandchildren and grandparents have deteriorated?

Not if you’re a grandma like Gina. She goes to the ends of the earth, or at least 124 miles to Bethany, which is the halfway point between Topeka and her grandchildren’s home in Iowa, to keep that relationship strong and her visits with her grandchildren frequent.

“We didn’t want to be occasional grandparents,” Gina says while sitting in a toy-littered family room where Austin and Allie romp and play and delight in teasing from their grandfather. “I walked into the hospital room an hour after Austin was born. They handed him to me, and, I mean, that was it. That was my baby.”

From the time he could crawl, Austin was spending days on end with his Grandma and Papa at their home near Auburn, just outside of Topeka. Gina, who is the executive director of the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, makes time in her schedule to spend with the kids when they visit.

“When the kids aren’t here, I put in my traditional long hours, and when they are with us, I don’t,” says Gina. >> continued on the next page

Photos For kids, pictures and illustrations are incredibly symbolic. If an image recurs often, it must be important.

Try making magnet cutout photos with magnet paper from a craft store, make a special pocket album or use an electronic photo frame to show frequent pics of gram and gramps. the Quick Text Keep your parents informed about what your children are up to. With a camera and a videocamera in your pocket, you can capture the moment that will say a lot about your child, and the grandparents will get to know more about their daily lives. for more tips on connecting despite the mileage gap, visit xyztopeka.com and contribute your own tips, too.

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>> continued from the previous page

Ried and Gina have also taken long trips up to Iowa to help out their daughter-in-law (who is now divorced from their son) when extra hands with childcare are needed. It’s the kind of relationship many grandparents enjoy, but one that has a 4-6 week rhythm. Gina and Ried start pining for Austin and Allie after a few weeks, and Austin and Allie start asking after their grandparents more and more, then they reunite, spend a blissful few days together, and another trip to that McDonald’s in Bethany occurs. It could definitely be worse. * My mother-in-law, Patti Porubsky, is the kind of grandma you hear about. She’s the scrapbooking grandma, the one who bakes cookies with them, buys them special, thoughtful gifts, and takes them to the pumpkin patch, to Worlds of Fun, to the swimming pool. The woman gives them special valentines complete with balloons, musical cards, chocolates and teddy bears and makes sure it’s the first thing they see when they wake up on Valentine’s Day. I don’t know about you, but a valentine from your grandma? Doesn’t that just kill you?

“Family is what I feel I was put on the earth for,” she tells me, and I can vouch for that. She really means it.

So nearly four years ago, when her daughter’s husband got a job offer in Buckeye, Arizona and the family moved nearly a thousand miles away from Topeka, taking their 3, 5 and 7-year-old kids with them, Patti took it pretty hard.

“I had seen them on an every-other-day basis, so our lives changed tremendously. There was a little hole in my heart when they moved away. It’s just that we were together all the time, and then we – well, it was awful.”

Since then, she’s tried to maintain strong relationships with the children, and has worked it out to see the kids at least four times a year, with an average of 5 days per visit. But things have changed since the daily interactions halted, and part of that has to do with the kids just growing up. But the other part is that Patti is missing out on the little things.

“Little kids don’t like to talk on the phone,” she says. “And even with Skyping, they don’t want to share a bunch of stuff.

When we get together, we spend too much time trying to have fun and do fun things and go shopping and catch up in that way.”

I’ve seen Patti when the kids are visiting, and she’s a little frantic – trying to shower them with all the grandmothering 34

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1,000 miles “I had seen them on an everyother-day basis, so our lives changed tremendously. There was a little hole in my heart when they moved away.” she does to my kids over the course of a year, but with only five days in which to do it with the Arizona kids.

“They expect something special,” she says. “The ones that you see all the time, you buy them little things here and there, you go to the park, you go to the carousel, do all those special things on a weekly basis.”

A lot of Patti’s friends are in a similar boat, with grandchildren in Kansas City, Des Moines, Florida, Wichita.

“Family is so important to us,” Patti stresses. “We never dreamt we wouldn’t have our families with us. Nowadays,

children go off to find their own independence.” * Gina sends the kids books in the mail. “I’m a librarian,” she laughs. “In my opinion, you can never have too many books.”

She keeps close tabs on the kids and appreciates their mom sending her quick text messages to keep her informed.

“The nice thing about texting or emails is that if something occurs you don’t really have to spend twenty minutes on the phone with someone and just say, this happened today and I thought you would like to hear it,” she says.

Patti bought a Hallmark book where you can record your voice reading the words and mailed it to the kids. Every once in a while, they can hear Patti’s voice in Arizona, and this, she says, is a small comfort. She makes sure to call the kids at least once a week, and with her oldest granddaughter, Morgan, now having a cell phone, they can text. The kids will visit in late December, and she’s counting down the days.

My four-year-old daughter Sylvia holds up her collage to the webcam and says, “This is my bestest one ever.” Pretty soon she’s doing karate kicks, dancing her own version of ballet and running around the house looking for random objects to show her grandma and grandpa. It’s not the full Sylvia, the one who can play pretend for hours, the one who is given to fits of giggles, the one who often sighs heavily and grumbles, “I wish I could really fly like a fairy.” But here she is smiling for them, kicking high in the air in her princess jammies and tangled bed hair.

It’s time to log out. We say goodbye, close the laptop and carry on with our lives in separate states. It’s not so bad, really. But when we see them in person, there will be tractor rides, deepdish pizza, hours of pretend play, real live bed-head hair, the smell of maple bacon and hugs. Lots and lots of those.

XYZ TOPEKA

Thanks to Scarlett Herreman for being the catalyst for this article.

READ WITH ME,

A PROGRAM FOR NEWBORNS AND THEIR PARENTS This program guides new moms and dads through the ABC’s of BUILDING LITERACY skills with infants. It’s simple. sk for a Read With Me library card application.

egin your baby’s library experiences with a library card, free t-shirt and information on reading to little ones.

uddle up and start reading.

Children birth to 18 months qualify for the READ WITH ME program.

your place stories you want. information you need. connections you seek.

1515 SW 10th Avenue | Topeka, KS 66604-1374 | XYZTOPEA Magazine add FALL REVISED SIZE.indd 1

785

580-4400 | M–F 9 AM–9 PM | S AT 9 AM–6 PM | SUN 12 PM–9 PM | www.tscpl.org 9/13/10 8:46 AM

[ lifestyle ]

winter magic

by Leah Sewell • photos by Leah Sewell

lace up The rink is open during regular zoo hours: 7 days a week, 9 a.m.

- 5 p.m. and in the evening hours on Thursdays and Saturdays from 5:30-8 p.m.

During evening hours, only the mall area of the zoo will be open, so visits to the animal exhibits will be limited to that area. The concession stand will be open with sales of hot chocolate, a limited menu and s’mores kits for creating treats over a fireplace soon to be installed adjacent to the rink. The Animal and Man building with its newly renovated education room will be open as a place to warm up.

Ice skating is included with the price of admission during regular hours.

Friends of the Topeka Zoo members can skate for free anytime, and evening hour skating price hadn’t yet been determined as of this writing, but is expected to be around $3.

Skate rental is available for sizes 9 child through 13 adult. The skates are brand new so the zoo staff recommends doubling up socks to reduce those nasty ice-skate blisters.

Rental is $2.50 for all skaters, including FOTZ members. The public is welcome to bring their own skates too.

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“It’s not every day you can hear a lion roaring while you’re ice skating,” said Kate Larison, the executive director of Friends of the Topeka Zoo. But now, with the addition of the Topeka Zoo’s Polar Ice Cap exhibit and ice skating rink, Topeka kids can skate outdoors with animals in the backdrop, every day that the zoo is open and during extended evening hours, too.

the rink & beyond “It’s much more than just ice skating. It’s centered around the idea of conservation.”

• Zoo director Brendan Wiley announces the zoo’s new attraction, and exhibit signs go up.

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For Topeka kids, the zoo’s ice rink has numerous benefits. It will present them with a chance for outdoor, fresh-air exercise in a season when the stir-crazy can hit on a daily basis. The attached Polar Ice Cap exhibit provides them with education about how individual behaviors can contribute to climate change and how animals and people are being effected on a global scale.

e. it m Att Ho ew N

“It’s much more than just ice skating,” Wiley said. “It’s centered around the idea of conservation and global warming and climate change. We’re making an opportunity for Topekans to realize that they truly can have a conservation-based effect that reaches around the world from right here in the capital of Kansas.”

w Ne

The rink, which opened to the public Dec. 11, is an effort to get Topekans coming to the zoo during the winter, when visitors are historically fewer. It’s also a way to attract older kids back to the zoo, since research shows that children tend to stop visiting the zoo as frequently at about age 9. And it’s also part of a bigger message that zoo director Brendan Wiley feels Topekans can embrace.

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And, lastly, it’s going to be a magical experience for these kids. On Thursdays and Saturdays throughout the winter, the rink will be open from 5:30-8 p.m. The lights will twinkle overhead, their breath will billow out before them as they glide across the flat plane. They’ll stop to rest with mittened hands holding hot cocoa.

There is just something inherently memory-making in a visit to an outdoor ice skating rink. The Topeka Zoo is one of only five or six zoos in the country with an ice skating rink, and now we can add that to the ever-growing list of why it’s an awesome time to be a kid in Topeka. XYZ TOPEKA XYZ xyztopeka.com

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[ local flavor ]

recipes

Two indulgent recipes that will warm up your kitchen this winter. The extra calories? For insulation.

apricot bars

recipe by Becky Senogles photo by Matt Porubsky

I

can’t remember where I got the recipe, but it looked like such an easy, infallible one that I knew it had to be good! Who doesn’t like a four-ingredient recipe? Most ingredients are on-hand and you can use any kind of jam you or your kiddos like. My faves are apricot or (seedless) raspberry. I do recommend using butter in this recipe, as I do in most recipes. You can tell the difference! These bars don’t require a lot of time and they are very economical, which is good these days. They also make very nice gifts. I have made these many times and had my husband take them to the work “for the boys” at the Union Pacific Railroad. They always returned very nice compliments.

1 box yellow cake mix

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2 1/2 cups quick or old fashioned oatmeal

In a bowl, mix together the dry cake mix, oatmeal and butter until crumbly and butter is well incorporated. Press evenly 3/4 of this mixture into a 9’’ x 13’’ pan. Spread the jam evenly over this to within 1’’ of the edges. Top with the remaining oatmeal mixture and gently press into jam.

1 1/2 sticks melted butter!

1 - 12 oz. jar of jam

Bake 18-23 minutes. Take it out and immediately run a knife around the edges. Cool completely and cut into bars.

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from scratch

buttermilk pancakes recipe by Leah Sewell photo by Matt Porubsky

M

y daughter spent the night at her grandma’s house and was served Bisquick pancakes in the morning. She ate them, but made sure to announce to my mother-in-law, “These are good, but my mom’s are the best pancakes in the whole wide world.” I have to agree with you on that one, Sylvia.

I come from a big family that would’ve plowed through that expensive box of pancake mix in one sitting. The griddle and mixing bowls were fixtures in our kitchen on the weekends, along with big ol’ stacks of from-scratch pancakes.

It’s one of those things occupying a high place on the list of Things You Shouldn’t Skimp On. Because homemade pancakes are heavenly, and even my two very small children recognize that.

Brrrrr!

Don’t waste it.

Freeze it.

Your freezer can be an all-you-caneat buffet when you make a little extra and freeze it. But make sure you do freezing and thawing the right way or you may wind up with bland, freezer-burned food, or worse yet - a bacteria fest.

Here are some tips from familyeducation.com: •Don’t let food stand longer than 30 minutes at room temp before freezing.

•Seal the storage container so that no air is inside, unless it’s liquid (think soup), where you should leave about 1 1/2’’ for expansion. This minimizes freezer burn.

•Thaw any precooked foods with meat, dairy, poultry or seafood in the fridge. Breads, cookies, cakes can be thawed at room temp.

Makes 16 saucer-sized pancakes 2 cups buttermilk 2 eggs 6 Tbsp butter, melted

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (feel free to substitute wheat, or do a combination of wheat and white flour) 1 tsp salt 2 tsp baking soda

Preheat a griddle to 350 degrees or preheat a frying pan. I use a nonstick griddle, but if you’re using a pan, you may want to melt a little butter in it so the batter won’t stick.

Combine the buttermilk, eggs and melted butter in a large bowl and whisk together until smooth. Combine all the dry ingredients in a small mixing bowl and whisk together. Using a spoon or a small measuring cup, add the dry mix to the wet mix one scoop at a time, stirring or whisking constantly to combine (It’s okay if there’s lumps in the batter).

Use a ladle to drop the batter onto the heated surface. The batter should spread out into disc shapes without much help. Wait until bubbles appear and pop before flipping. Cook a few minutes longer. Make sure to pile them high in presentation for maximum awe.

Notes: Because there’s so much butter in the batter, I’ll usually skip it on top of the finished pancakes. There are always leftovers, but these freeze really well, just make sure to let them cool before freezing and to reheat, just pop them in the toaster (which makes them nice and crisp on the outside, but still soft inside).

rational living A Topeka family took on an experiment to live a full year within the guidelines of WWII rationing. And lived to tell the tale.

by Cale Herreman • photos by Brie Martin

I

t is Historical Recipe Night in the Rational Living household. In the center of the dining room table is a plate with a dozen small brown patties. Phoebe, 9, squints her eyes at it. She’s the picky one. Her sister Zosia, 7 going on 8, loads up her plate and eats quietly. Her mother, Michelle Stottlemire, keeps referring to her as “adventuresome.”

This meal, this journey into America’s history, is anchored by nutburgers.

The recipe came from Michelle’s trusty 1943 Betty Crocker cookbook.

“Many of the dishes call for ‘white sauce,’” she says. “It took me a while to figure out just what that was!” White sauce is on the table, as are green beans and squash. It all smells good enough to overcome skepticism.

While they don’t eat a vintage recipe every night, the Stottlemire family is living in the past. They are spending the year subject to the restrictions of World War II-era rationing: meat, cheese, oils, canned goods, and gasoline are limited. At the time, this was done to ensure that there would be enough material for the war effort, and enough food for both soldiers and civilians.

Without rationing, there could have been famine or hyperinflation; with it, America’s millions had enough, most of the time.

making do “It’s not such a bad life, to get by on enough. You give up a little bit of convenience, but it’s not really hardship.”

- Glenn Stottlemire So why would a modern family put itself under those restrictions? They wanted to see if they could limit themselves to ‘enough.’

Glenn, the father, says, “It’s not such a bad life, to get by on enough. You give up a little bit of convenience, but it’s not really hardship.”

Knowing that there are many people in the country, and so many more in the world, who are facing true hardship, puts it in perspective for them. Glenn ponders “Maybe if more people made little changes…”

“We wouldn’t have to talk about poverty in our society as much,” Michelle finishes.

Each household limiting their intake would leave more resources for others, just as it did in wartime.

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1943 wartime recipe

The family has restricted some things that weren’t formally rationed, either for the sake of historical accuracy or nutrition.

They try to use only seasonally-available produce, and eschew processed foods. They also have restricted making big purchases. New appliances wouldn’t have been available during the war, since the factories had been converted to making war materiel. This became an issue over the summer, when the family’s propane grill was on the fritz. Just buying a new one would violate the spirit of the rationing project. So Michelle went online. “We got a new part for twenty bucks,” thus extending its useful life.

This rationing experiment has meant a lot of food adventures and misadventures. When they started last winter, the available produce was cabbage and potatoes. “We tried Cabbage Del Monica,” Michelle says. “Cabbage in a white sauce, and it was horrible.” Then there was the liver debacle. The less said of that, the better.

On the flip side of that, Phoebe had a definite favorite of the historical recipes: Jellied ham loaf. The picky eater loved that for its resemblance to Spam. Glenn speculates, “I guess if you’ve been on a diet that is low in meat and oil, those are the things that hit the spot.”

Zosia offers that her favorite part of this project is, “Trying new things.” But then admits that when rationing is over, she’d like a Totino’s frozen pizza. Her parents wilt a bit at that, as Glenn wonders about a “rubber band effect.”

“I suspect that some things will creep back into us,” he says. “The convenience: no planning, no preparing, no rolling dough.”

“No nutrition,” Michelle groans.

Their continuing adventures can be seen at rationalliving.blogspot.com.

XYZ TOPEKA XYZ xyztopeka.com

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[ lifestyle ]

upromise

S

Turn everyday spending into college savings

by Kerrice Mapes

hopping while you save is the simple, yet powerful idea of Upromise, a company that is helping over 10 million consumers save for college.

It’s simple - go to upromise.com and register your debit card. Then shop online or eat at local restaurants and earn cash back rewards towards college savings.

The company was launched based on the philosophy that everyone should be able to afford a college education. Not only can you save for your child’s education, but you can harness the purchasing power of extended family and friends. Members direct their spending to Upromise partners, which include more than 800 online stores, 8,000 restaurants and thousands of grocery and drugstore items across the country.

Everyone can earn money, including parents, students and graduates with eligible student loans to pay.

“Through Upromise earnings and low-cost college savings plans, we make it easier for people at all life stages and income levels to help pay for college,” said David Coppins, president of Upromise.

Start spending and saving - and encourage your favorite local restaurant to get on board. XYZ TOPEKA

!"#$%&' ()*+!",'"-+ %&. !"#$%&

where you can shop Local Restaurants •

The Blind Tiger (2%)

•

New City Cafe (2%)

Dot Coms on UPromise include: • Walmart (1%) • Barnes & Noble (3%) • JC Pennys (3%) • Kohl’s (3%) • Sears (2%, Now 3% thru 12/31) • Macys (3%) • Best Buy (2%) •

Harry and David (3% - 6% thru 12/31)

Look, Create, Understand!

Hours

Tues. 10-7, Wed.-Fri. 10-5, Sat. & Sun. 1-4 Admission to the Museum and ArtLab is FREE! 785-670-1124 Check out our web site for more information. www.washburn.edu/mulvane

Family Fun Days

First Friday Family Night Out in the ArtLab--Chinese New Year!

Earth Day Family and Community Day The Beatles Family Day at the ArtLab - Magical Mystery Day

42

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SATURDAY AFTERNOON CLASSES for PEOPLE of ALL AGES For the Birds!

Our Fine Feathered Friends Backyard Bird Feeders Birds in our Backyard - Metal Repousse Bird Art Fused Glass With Cassandra Cohen BirdWhistle Workshops with Jim DeSelms

[ art ]

circular

photos and project by Bailey Marable B a i l e y i s a n a r t t e a c h e r a t R o y a l Va l l e y H i g h S c h o o l and mom to three girls.

Supplies: Brown Paper Bag (or any heavy paper) Scissors craft paint pencil marker lids and other items that will print a circle or dot paint brush (optional) plate for palette Steps: 1. Prepare paper (if using a bag, cut it into rectangles) 2. Draw a rectangle- leaving a border of about an inch.

3. Separate that rectangle into 6 or 8 sections by drawing one curvy vertical line and 2-3 curvy horizontal lines.

4. Prepare paint palette with several colors. Only a small amount of paint is needed.

5. Stamp large circles in each section. Use a different color in each space. Pencil erasers, marker lids, and the backs of pens make great tools for this step. Let them dry before going to step 6!

6. Using a different color, stamp a smaller circle inside the larger one.

The tip of a pencil or pen and the backs of paint brushes are helpful for this step. You can also fill in the space between larger circles with these dots in each section. Try not to use more than 3 colors in each section, so they stand out from each other.

7. After all sections are full, allow paint to dry and erase pencil marks.

(Optional) 8. Show off your masterpiece!

XYZ TOPEKA

XYZ xyztopeka.com

43

winter reads While it is cold outside, it is always a great time to curl up with a good book. The Youth Services staff at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public LIbrary recommends the following titles.

Moo Baa La La La by Sandra Boynton

Goodnight Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann (2-6) Look what happens when the gorilla decides to follow the zoo keeper as he says goodnight to all the animals. This is a great story to read over and over just before bed and have your child say the goodnights to each animal as well.

(0-3) spend time with silly words and rhyme that will make your child laugh and smile.

We are in a Book! by Mo Willems (ages 3-8) In We Are in a Book! Gerald and Piggie discover the joy of being read. But what will happen when the book ends?!

Muncha! Muncha!

Muncha! by Candace Fleming

Mouse’s Snow by Thompson

(Ages 4-8) Mr. McGreely does his best to keep persistent bunnies out of his garden.

(Ages 4-8) Mouse and Poppa spend time skating and playing in the snow.

Round Like a Ball by Lisa Campbell Ernst

Piggy Pie Po by Audrey and Don Wood (ages 3-7)

(Ages 4-8) Play a guessing game by using the clues to see if you can figure out what is Round Like a Ball.

young adult / preteen

It’s Snowing, It’s Snowing (ages 4-8) Master of rhyme, Jack Prelutsky, celebrates winter with 16 poems

First Lauren

He’s silly! He’s creative! He’s full of adventures.

Go on an adventure with Piggy Pie Po!

Mercy Watson Fights Crime by Kate DiCammillo (ages 9-12) Mercy Watson, “porcine wonder,” just wants a little toast, with butter of course. Instead, she finds a slippery little man with sticky fingers.

The Magic Treehouse series (ages 5-8) Join Jack and Annie as they explore the world and history by jumping into a mysterious book.

Help them find the clues to help.

Brian’s Winter by Gary Paulsen (ages 9-12) - If you have read Gary Paulsen’s Hatchet you know that Brian survives his summer lost in the wilds of Canada. But what would have happened if he had not been found before winter? That is the story of Brian’s Winter, a great book to read as you sit warm and safe.

If I Stay by Gayle Forman- (young adult) A tragic car accident leaves teenage cellist Mia in a coma and her family dead. While her body is unconscious, Mia’s mind reflects on her life in this intense and uplifting novel.

Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen- (young adult) Enter the glamorous world of New York City in the Roaring Twenties with this addictive historical fiction novel. The three endearing heroines run into plenty of fun and scandal as they look for love, family and fame.

XYZ TOPEKA

[ imagination]

by Justin Marable

what’s the story?

Imagine the story that goes with this illustration and write it out. Email your story to xyztopeka@ gmail.com and you may see it in our next issue or on our website: xyztopeka. com

heard + noted McCartney (4), thoughts on Tori Spelling: “That girl looks like a boy with lipstick on.”

--submitted by Lauren Mommy (in preparation for girls’ night): “I’ve got to run by the liquor store later.”

Alec (4): “They got candy there?”

Mommy: “No...”

Alec: “Well, how ‘bout suckers?”

Mommy: “Why? Why would you think they have suckers?”

Alec: “It’s the LICK store.”

--submitted by Amie My 3-year-old son slammed his door shut twice because he was mad at me. When I told him that wasn’t allowed, he said, “Yes, that was loud.” --submitted by Jennifer I was putting on lotion and forgot my wedding ring on the shelf. When I told Anna about this on the way to school, she said, “Mom, can I say dammit to that?” Uh, NO! At least she understands its context.

--submitted by Cherie My daughter (5) still says some words in really funny ways.

Me: “Hey Maya, say ‘bulldozer.’”

Maya: “Bo-zozer.”

Me: “Say ‘hand sanitizer.’”

Maya: “Ham samatizer.”

-- submitted by Erin

Your children say the weirdest things. Don’t save that! Share it on Facebook and you may see it here in print. Check it out: XYZ Topeka - Heard and Noted or email a quote to xyztopeka@gmail.com

[ imagination ]

by Colin MacMillan / Nathan Ham Photography

keen eye

There are 9 little differences between these two photos. Can you tell what they are?

Answer key at xyztopeka.com

WE ARE

DOING GOOD THINGS. We can do anything we set our sights on because Topeka is a

community of doers. We’re doing little things to make life better. We’re doing big things to make our community stronger. Let’s all keep doing good things to help Topeka grow.

GoTopeka.com

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