Southern Child Magazine - June/July 2010 by Southern Child Magazine

June/July 2010 10 Ways to Unlock the Fun of the Great Outdoors With Your Kids this Summer American Idol Winner Hits The High Nail

Kyleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Story: Booster seat tragedy

southernchildmagazine.com

features American Idol Winner Hits The High Nail 67 10 Ways to Unlock the Fun of the Great Outdoors with Your Kids This Summer 70 Kyle’s Story 77 83 Days Until School Starts 87

departments Hoof & Paw : Brain Games for Buster 15 Stuff We Love : DIY Printable Holiday Tags 18 Fashion : Adorable styles from Pink Junebug 20 Healthy, Happy Family : 7 Simple Summer Treats for your Family 29 Arts & Entertainment : Great summer reads and dvd’s

32 Working Moms : Home Cooking for Babies with Jack’s Harvest 37 Seeing The South : Panama City Beach 40 Chattanooga 48 Hilton Head Island 54 Craft : Make a 4th of July Bean Bag Toss 61 Food : Be the Star of Your Backyard Berbeque with These Tasty, Healthy Recipes 81 Super Southern Child : Gigi’s Fabulous Kids! 94 Inspiration Station : I Got Nothing! 100

For advertising info, contact advertising@southernchildmagazine.com. Media kit available at www.southernchildmagazine.com Cover photo courtesy of Paul Johnson Photography. www.pauljohnsonblog.com graphic designer: Aimee Roberts web designer: Rich Gaither

Artistic eco-friendly toys that promote learning and play. Shop now at OliveandMyrtle.com

Also featuring beautifully-designed sustainable products for your entire home. Shop now at OliveandMyrtle.com

Hi! Wow! First, I want to say a HUGE thank you to so many people who made Southern Child Magazine a true success, coming out of the gate! I am truly amazed by how quickly the concept was embraced and by the support I have been shown by readers and advertisers. I have been blessed beyond measure with family and friends who believed in my dream and here it is! Welcome to our online, debut issue. In it you will find stories, articles and information by moms just like you and I; moms on a mission to help other moms. Starting a magazine isn’t easy. Especially when you are trying to homeschool a first grader, chasing a toddler, caring for nine rescue animals and rentlessly working to get every animal on the planet spayed or neutered! Kyle’s Story on page 77 , I will have to say, has been my driving force. It is a must read and a must share story. And I am so thankful to Christine for being able to share her son’s tragic story with moms, like myself; a mom who considers myself some what intelligent and would have never dreamed that I knew so little about car seat safety! In the past few weeks, I heard another story I want to share, in hopes of saving even one child’s life. Actually, there were two. A six year- old girl fell out of a golf cart, driven by her 17 year-old sister, when it hit a bump. That little girl is in Heaven. About a week later an almost three-year old sustained head injuries when he fell out of a golf cart in Alabama. We are here to inform, educate and our biggest mission, to support. And we hope you will join us in our mission. We want to hear from you. Lastly, as a resident of the gulf coast, I want to send out a heart felt thanks to those volunteers working tirelessly on the oil spill. I am thrilled to report that at this time, the only oil on Panama City Beach smells a like coconuts and is coming from a bottle marked, Coppertone! Traveling is perhaps one of the activities my family enjoys most. Learning and being able to tell you about all of the awesome places to see in our neck of the woods (aka, the South) is perhaps my favorite part of this job! Again, thank you for sneaking a peek and I look forward to seeing you again in August! Southernly yours, Amy editor@southernchildmagazine.com

A Complaint Free World What exactly is a complaint? Why is complaining destructive? How can I get others around me to stop complaining? How can we affect social change if we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t complain? Why is it so hard to stop complaining? What happens once I no longer complain? You may have pondered these questions yourself. Since the Complaint Free program began, Will Bowen has received hundreds of calls, letters and emails asking these and other important questions. In A Complaint Free World: How to Stop Complaining and Start Enjoying the Life You Always Wanted, he provides practical answers and includes inspiring and touching stories from people just like you who have transformed their lives by becoming Complaint Free.

Over 6 million people in more than 80 countries have taken the Complaint Free challenge and their lives are a testament to the positive effects of this simple idea. Find out how forming the simple habit of not complaining can transform your health, relationships, career and life. Find out how you can become complaint free, we are accepting the challenge, will you? AComplaintFreeWorld.org

When my daughter was 3, we

“Does anyone remember

Carter had a long list of thank

were pulling out of the church

Noah’s wife’s name?” I

yous when he was saying the

parking lot. Our pastor was

asked my third grade Sunday

blessing the other night. He

standing at the mailbox. As we

school class. “I do,” chimed

thanked God for our family, he

passed him, she very calmly

Michael, “she was Joan of

named atleast fifteen friends,

said, “There’s

Ark.”

then he began the list of items on the table.

God.”

Amy, Wetumpka, AL I went to Kentucky for spring vacation. When school started again, I

asked my preschoolers if anyone had been to Kentucky. “I have,” said Halle, “I love their chicken!” Nora, Jackson, Mississippi

Pam, Montgomery, AL

Trent is always one up on me, I tried to explain to him what the census is all about. Before I could make a sentence, he said, “I know mom, a census taker is a man who goes house to house increasing the population.” Mary Anne Gainesville, FL

Suddenly there was a long pause, “Mommy,” he whispered, “if I thank God for the broccoli, will He know I am lying?” Megan Valdosta, GA Jacob was watching me sift through and delete a long

list of E-mails one morning.

just love it when they point to

“This reminds me of the Lord’s Prayer,” he said,

God.” I think he was trying to

“you know that part about

pened to be sitting beside us.

impress his teacher who hap-

‘deliver us from E-mail.”

Karen, Dallas, TX

Becky, Atlanta, GA My friend asked my four year I accompanied my son, Steven

old daughter if she was excited

and his preschool class on

about the new baby coming,

a field trip to the fire sta-

“Oh yes,” my daughter said,

fireman doing the

demonstation, set off a

I know what we are going to name it, Christina

smoke detector alarm and

if it is a girl and if it is a boy

asked the children if anyone

we are going to call it Quits.”

knew what that sound meant.

Needless to say, she overheard

“In our house it means supper

a private mommy and daddy

is ready, “ comment one little

conversation.

tion. The

“and

boy.

Sara, Norcross, GA Kelly, New Orleans, LA When Jarod was five, my

Chase, our four year old, was

mother in law tried to introduce

watching his older sister and

him to one

the first basketball game this

of their family favorites, saurkraut and dumplings. He loudly pro-

year. As the

claimed after one bite, “Maw

the cheerleading squad at

cheerleaders raised one finger to signify their team was number one, Chase said, “I

Maw, I don’t like this sour crap and dumb things.” Jennifer Knoxville, TN

Please send us your child’s funny comments! Email to: editor@southernchildmagazine.com

COOL WEBSITES Hours of creative craft fun at chicoandjo.com < < Bean bag toss featured on page 61

June is National Candy Month.

These beautiful Felt Flower Houses are perfect for so many uses: store a doll and her clothes in it, it’s a fairy’s home, use it as a gift box, brighten up a room, or put a child’s travel toys in it. Made in Nepal, Fair Trade. aToyGarden.com

boxes & briefs >>

American kids wear down 730 crayons by the time they are 10!

Flying Fish Whisk

Pushing For Green Embark on a cruise across the bathtub. Navigate the wading pool. Even splash around in the occasional mud puddle. There’s no end to the Good Green Fun™ young sailors can have with the Green Toys™ Tugboat. greentoys.com

This fish will whisk you into the kitchen! The handy LockRing allows for adjustable sizing and easy storage. Each whisk has a high-density plastic handle with a soft grip and stands on its own for convenience. 11” long. Dishwasher safe. b2c.bwtc.com

Celebrate our stars and stripes, fly your flag high on flag day: June 14.

Blossom Bright Sprinkler Here’s a switch: instead of kids watering the flowers, the flowers water the kids! This mini flower patch easily connects to most standard size water hoses. chasing-fireflies.com

Ladybug, Ladybug Ladybug, ladybug roll away home! This familiar insect friend will soon become a favorite in your little one’s hands. Watch as the detachable spotted ball spins as the ladybug is pushed across a flat surface. hazelnutkids.com

July 20th is National Lollipop Day.

Ahoy, Maties! It’s the perfect play set for every little Pirate! Pop-up Pirate Ship tent is super-easy to set up. Includes Bandanna and Eye Patch for pretend play fun! Ages 3 and up. Alextoys.com

Children’s Art Contest The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) invites children to enter its art contest with a chance to win a trip to San Francisco, CA, this year. The theme is “Protecting the World’s Children from Tobacco and Secondhand Smoke.” In the U.S.A., the contest is open to boys and girls in three groups, grades 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12. Group winners and their parents/guardians will be invited to a presentation ceremony before several thousand pediatricians at the 2010 AAP National Conference & Exhibition in San Francisco, CA on Sunday, October 3. Each first-place winner will receive $500 cash prize and up to $1,000 for travel-related expenses. The three second-place winners will each receive $250. The six winners’ schools will be awarded matching cash amounts. Some artwork will be featured on the AAP Web site and in promotional materials. “Secondhand smoke is dangerous to children’s health and all of the world’s children deserve to be protected from tobacco,” warns AAP President Judith Palfrey, MD, FAAP. “This is an opportunity for children’s voices to be heard to help prevent addiction to tobacco, and for children to exercise their creativity to alert others to the dangers of tobacco and second-hand smoke.” This year’s contest is an initiative of the AAP’s Julius B. Richmond Center, supported by the Flight Attendant Medical Research Institute, and dedicated to the elimination of children’s exposure to tobacco and secondhand smoke.

To enter, children should submit original artwork to:

Children’s Art Contest, American Academy of Pediatrics, 141, Northwest Point Boulevard, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007, U.S.A. Rules, official entry forms and consent forms must accompany all entries and are available online at www.aap.org . Entries must be postmarked by July 30, 2010. Winning entries will be selected by a panel of judges including pediatricians, and announced in the summer.

The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical sub-specialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. (aap.org)

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Silly Billyz USA carries a wide variety of fashionable and functional baby essentials: bibs, play mats, painting aprons and nylon outerwear. All Silly Billyz bibs are pvc free, lead free, stain-resistant, machine washable and dryable. These high quality bibs are preferred by daycare centers for their stain resistance and durability. Our biblets, plain bibs and pocket bibs are made in two different fabric choices.

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hoof & paw

Brain Games For Buster

Nina Ottosson started Zoo Active Products AB in 1993, with development and design of dog activity toys and games for dogs and owners. The purpose is to mentally activate the dog in a positive and educational manner.

Brain Exercises for Dogs The activity toys are increasingly popular and are used by dogs and other animals and their owners all over the world. The dog activity toys are recommended by dog psychologists, veterinarians, dog-trainers and many dog-owners. “I, have worked with and been interested in dog almost all my life. When I had children, I did not have the same amount of time to train and acti-

vate my dogs, the way both I and they were used to,” said Ottoson. “ My bad conscience made me start thinking about what I could do to activate my dogs in a simple and fun way indoors. Since 1990 I have worked with the development and design of dog-activating toys/games that will mentally stimulate the dog, i.e. “brain exercises” in a fun and creative way. The toys are easy to use indoors or outdoors, and are developed to match the dog’s natural movements and instincts.” >>>

If dogs are not provided with an outlet for their energy in the form of different types of activity or other stimulation, they can sometimes find their own “activity”

Activating – Problem Solving The dog activity toys are designed for the dog to work with problem solving in different ways, by finding hidden dog treats, e.g. to lift blocks, turn discs, push blocks, put blocks inside something etc. All dogs need to use their brain in order to keep healthy. Some dogs need more brain activity than others. If dogs are not provided with an outlet for their energy in the form of different types of activity or other stimulation, they can sometimes find their own “activity” which we as dog-owners often do not appreciate, like chewing things to pieces, becoming aggressive or just generally hyperactive. The activity toys are also very good to use when the dog for various reasons cannot move about freely, e.g. when injured or limping. Activating a dog can be anything from letting the dog do tracking in the woods, teaching it different tricks, obedience training or hiding treats in a room and letting the dog find it. In the summer when the weather is good and it is not raining, the dogs normally get more stimulation, it is easier and more fun to be outside and play and come up with activities for your dog. In the fall and winter it can be boring when it is raining or snowing, or cold and windy. At the same time it is often hard to vary the activities indoors and think of fun activities that are entertaining, simple and stimulating. This has inspired me to continue developing dogactivating toys or “party games”, as I sometimes call them, for dog and dog-owner.

Dog Tornado

Dog Brick

Learning, Contact Ottoson’s toys/games are easy to get out and fun to use both for the dog and the owner. While the games are being used, the dog and the owner will get a chance to have more contact with each other. At the same time, there is a learning process of common everyday obedience during fun and positive moments, like for instance: sit, lie down, stay and wait, while you are hiding the treats in the games. Search, when the dog can start looking. Stop, stay, or back up when 16

Dog Smart

the dog is too rough or is doing things the wrong way. Fetch, for lifting the blocks. Finished, when you think the dog or the exercise is finished and it is time for the dog to stop and relax. Inactivity is just as important as activity, i.e. the dog has to learn to lie still and be able to relax when you tell it to do so. Brain exercises with these activity toys/games are suitable for all dogs, young or old, big or small. The activity time that fits most dogs is approximately 15 minutes at a time, shorter for puppies. The dogactivating toys are also recommended by veterinarians when the dog for various reasons is not allowed, or cannot move freely due to illness etc. Dog psychologists and instructors also use these games in their courses and training sessions. For more information, visit nina-ottoson.com.

Dog Spinny

Black Dogs Black dogs, particularly large black dogs like Labradors or Lab mixes, have a very difficult time getting adopted, and if they are taken to a “kill” shelter, are euthanized at a staggering rate at many animal control facilities throughout the country. The sad truth is they are overlooked in favor of lighter colored dogs. Some of the reasons given by wouldbe adopters are that it is more difficult to see and connect with a black dog in a poorly-lit kennel, that they don’t photograph as well -- and thus are passed-over by internet viewers, or that they are perceived as menacing. There are even those who believe black dogs will bring them bad luck. In the Harry Potter series, everyone knows that the “grim” which is a sign of death is the black dog. There is absolutely no scientific evidence to support the position that color has any bearing whatsoever on temperament, health, or overall quality of any dog, regardless of breed! If you are thinking about adopting a dog, please don’t overlook black dogs. They are every bit as wonderful as lighter-colored dogs, and make just as loving and faithful companions! For more information on the unfortunate stereotyping of black dogs, please visit blackpearldogs.com.

Nina Ottoson 1/2 page ad

stuff we love

DIY Printable Holiday Gift Tags

Attending a BBQ, cookout, block party or all around shin- dig this holiday weekend? Don’t even think of showing up empty handed! This FREE printable holiday gift tag can be attached to hostess gifts, wine, spirits, side dishes, etc. 8.5”x11” page contains 4 tags measuring 2”x3.5”. The artwork is black and can be printed on whatever color

Download 4th of July tag at http://www.erinvaledesign.com/leo_on_the_ loose/2009/07/diy-free-printable-holiday-gift-tags. html

cardstock or scrapbook paper {cardstock weight} you would like. Trim out, hole punch and attach. There is even a line to fill in your name. What a great way to meet your neighbors!

More great downloadable tags like these available at ErinValeDesign.com

WINNER Best Independent Feature for Ages 8-12

Available at

For Rude Humor and Mild Language

Bonus Features Not Rated

• “Fun with Finn” Behind-the-Scenes Footage • Also includes an Official “Finn on the Fly” Mini-Comic

Amazon, Amazon.com and the Amazon.com logo are registered trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

Social Butterfly BLING Shirt Set- Sparkling Yellow, Orange, and Fucshia Rhinestones Complementing Social Butterfly Diva Boutique Bow BLING Shirt, Bow, TuTu Set $44.50 20

Pink Junebug Designs delivers adorable custom diva-designed custom boutique bows, “fru fru” tu tu’s, and sassy Rhinestone BLING shirts for any age! photographed by Michelle White www.pinkjunebug.com 21

Above: Personalized Birthday Cupcake with Number BLING Shirt Set- Sparkling, Clear, Pink, Yellow, Blue, Green, and Purple Rhinestones. Features a yummy Cupcake Cutie Diva Boutique Bow w/ Center Embellishment BLING Shirt, Bow, TuTu Set $47.15 Left: Happy Hoppin’ Frog BLING Shirt SetSparkling Green, Black and Pink Rhinestuds This adorable BLING shirt comes with a matching Light Pink, Lime, and White Fru Fru TuTu. Happy Hoppin’ Frog Diva Boutique Bow BLING Shirt, Bow, TuTu Set $47.75 Right: Personalized Script Birthday Number BLING Shirt Set- Sparkling, Clear and Pink Rhinestones. This adorable Personalized birthday BLING shirt comes with a matching Blue/Orange/Fuchsia/Lime Fru Fru TuTu. Blue, Orange, Fuchsia, Lime With Crown Diva Boutique Bow. BLING Shirt, Bow, TuTu Set $48.50

www.pinkjunebug.com

Left: Dollface BLING Shirt Set- Sparkling Silver and Yellow Rhinestuds BLING Shirt, Bow, TuTu Set $42.25 Right Top: Princess BLING Shirt Set- Sparkling Smoke Gray Rhinestones. This adorable Princess BLING shirt comes with a matching Light Purple and Light Pink Fru Fru TuTu. Fairytale Princess Diva Boutique Bow w/ Center Embellishment. BLING Shirt, Bow, TuTu Set $45.05 Right Bottom: Pink, Fuchsia, Yellow, Turquoise Mix Diva Boutique Bow- $8.50. This bow is a fabulous match with the Dollface BLING Shirt Set Bottom: Girly Skull With Bow BLING Shirt Set- Sparkling Clear Rhinestones and Pink Rhinestuds. Outfit is not complete without the matching Girly Skull and Crossbones Diva Boutique Bow. BLING Shirt, Bow, TuTu Set $46.65

www.pinkjunebug.com

>> 28

At age eleven, Frank Epperson left a stir stick in his soda, making it the first Epsicle, known today as the Popsicle.

healthy, happy family

Simple

Summer

Treats

for your

Family

By Amy Shepherd, MOM

The eating habits of children have substantially changed over the past two decades. Children are obtaining a greater proportion of their calories from fast foods and snacks that are typically high in fat, salt and sugar. We want to help you shift their cravings from pizza, french fries, shakes, chips, bars,

and to

candy

fiber-rich

foods such as fruits and vegetables.

Smoothies Now itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to drink, drink, drink! Smoothies serve as multi-purpose drinks. Investing in a high-powered blender, such as a Vita-Mix, Champ HP3 or TurboBlend 4500 is a worthwhile investment! You can mix a few spinach leaves and protein powder in with your childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favorite fruits and he will never taste the spinach. The number one health complaint in children is tummy aches, spinach leaves are an excellent source of fiber. Fruit Ka-Bobs Children love to eat anything on a stick. Slice up apples, cut up some melon, stick on some grapes and blueberries. Wild Blueberries 29

deliver a potent antioxidant punch, they have the highest antioxidant capacity per serving, compared with more than 20 other fruits. Sweet Potato Fries My oh my, those sweet potato fries! Sweet potatoes are rich in Vitamin A (beta-carotene) and Vitamin C. Both vitamins are powerful antioxidants that work in the body to remove free radicals, chemicals that damage cells. Since these nutrients are also antiinflammatory, they can be helpful in reducing the severity of conditions where inflammation plays a role, such as asthma, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Slice potatoes, cover in cold press olive oil, a sprinkle of salt, bake on 400 degrees till brown. Dip in WHOLEMATO Agave Ketchup, YUM! Avocados I crave avocados! My toddler begs for every morsel I put in my mouth. I thought I was safe sharing a bite of my coveted avocado one evening. Wrong! He LOVED it! Avocados are off the charts when it comes to health benefits! One cup of avocado has 23% of the recommended daily value of folate. Studies show that people who eat diets rich in folate have a much lower incidence of heart disease than those who don’t. The vitamin E, monounsaturated fats, and glutathione in avocado are also great for your heart. Toss an avocado or two in the food processor with a few spinach leaves, peeled apple slices, splash and a half of salsa, chill and serve with multi colored corn chips. 30

Homemade Popsicles YES! Tupperware still sells those flat, oblong homemade popsicle makers. Another great way to keep children hydrated in the heat of summer and they love to “cook” them. You can use Kellogg’s™ Special K2O™ Protein Water Mix Pink Lemonade for added extra dose of protein and fiber. Ants on a Log Easy as 1, 2, 3. One slice of celery, two dollops of peanut butter, topped with three raisins. Researchers from Pennsylvania State University found that men, women, and children who ate a daily dose of peanuts or peanut butter were better able to meet the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for vitamins and nutrients than those who steered clear. Chocolate Covered Bananas Bananas are energy boosters. They contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin. Slice a peeled banana in half horizontally. Stick a popsicle stick in each half, then freeze for two hours, until sticks are firmly set. Melt vegan chocolate in the microwave or on stove until it has the shiny, creamy apprearance. Dip frozen bananas in chocolate, place on wax paper and freeze two more hours. Dip in crushed nuts after chocolate for added protein. Added note, it has been said that rubbing the inside of a banana peel on a mosquito bite is very effective in reducing itching and swelling.

Learn More at: www.HealthIsWealthFoods.com/vegan_awareness

Health is Wealth Foods are available at Whole Foods and other Natural Food Stores

arts & entertainment

Who’s in the Ocean? By Dorothea DePrisco Who hides in the coral? How has a fluke? Who lives in a shell? Guess who in this lift-the-flap and learn book. Piggy Toes Press, $5, Ages 2-4.

Remembering Mrs. Rossi By Amy Hest Eight-year-old Annie lives in a sunny apartment in Manhattan with her father, Professor Rossi. Life would be pretty good if only Annie didn’t so achingly miss her mother. When Mrs. Rossi died suddenly, she left not only Annie but also a class full of students -- who pour out their hearts in a scrapbook Annie will treasure forever. With tenderness and humor, Amy Hest reveals the struggles of a father and daughter as they forge a new life together. Candlewick Press, $7, Ages 8-12.

Are You Eating Something Green? By Ryan Sias Meet Greenie, a new mealtime mascot for young diners everywhere. GREENIE LIKES TO EAT: red strawberries, green peas, yellow peppers, purple plums, and orange carrots! With 36 full-color placemats, Greenie helps little eaters choose from a rainbow of different fruits and vegetables. It’s a fun way for kids to learn colors and what foods are delicious and nutritious. On the back of each placemat, the food is drawn in black line for coloring. Chronicle Books, $10, Ages 0-3.

Leo the Lightning Bug By Eric Drachman Children will identify with Leo and grasp the importance of believing in themselves as they follow Leo’s adventure to make his very own light. The other lightning bugs tease him, but with determination, motherly support, and a little luck, Leo eventually lights up in the night. Transformed by his newfound confidence, he now laughs at himself, plays with the others, and enjoys a good night’s sleep! Kidwick Books, $19. Ages 3-7. It’s Me! By Eric Drachman Patricia basks in the spotlight of her imagination with her joyful game of dress-up. She takes on different roles from a beautiful princess to a wicked witch to “Little Mommy”... but who is that last character? With her insistence that “It’s me!” her family finally realizes that It’s their very own Patricia! Children will delight in the distinction between play and reality with Patricia and her happy family. Kidwick Books, $19. Ages 3-7.

Little Crab Finger Puppet Book By Image Books Kids will go crazy for these quirky books featuring lovable characters, bright and simple art, charming rhymed text, and best of all, adorable finger puppets! Each darling book has a permanently attached plush finger puppet and peek-a-boo holes in every page, presenting a super-fun way for parents and children to play and read together. Chronicle Books, $7, Ages 0-2.

arts & entertainment Barney: Let’s Play Outside Join everyone’s favorite purple dinosaur and his playground friends as they branch out under the sun and stars to fill each day with outdoor fun adventures in Barney: Let’s Play Outside. Whether it’s imagining shapes in the clouds, eating ice cream, fishing, singing songs around a campfire or catching lightning bugs, Barney, Baby Bop, BJ and the rest of the gang celebrate the warm weather and let their imaginations soar! $14.98

Barney & Thomas And Friends Portable DVD Sets Ready to make summertime travel more fun for the kids - and easier on the parents? Introducing two perfect cases packed, stacked and ready to go! All new On-the-Go DVD Packs for Thomas & Friends™ and Barney™ feature three DVDs inside an easy-to-carry portable DVD carrying case! The packs are available now from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment. There’s even room to hold an additional nine DVDs per pack, providing hours of attention-holding DVD entertainment. $19.98

working moms

Home Cooking for Babies with

Jack’s Harvest The South is well known for its great food and the home cooks that make it. I was lucky enough to be raised by one of these great cooks. Dinner at our house was always something to look forward to and our friends would clamor to see who would get to stay for my mom’s cooking. My mom didn’t use recipes ever and wasn’t afraid to experiment. (We could always call for pizza if it didn’t work out.) I inherited a bit of this kitchen recklessness, and love to try unconventional combinations. 37

When my first daughter, Lucy, was born and started solids I was appalled by the over-processed flavor, texture and color of the food that came from the jar. And Lucy wasn’t a big fan either. Her lack of enthusiasm combined with her health issues prompted me to start making my own baby food. Her health improved with the introduction of organic foods, and when I saw her face light up as she tried my homemade sweet potatoes, I knew I had found my passion. By the time my third child, Jack, was ready for solids, I was ready to get adventurous with his meals. I thought if I could help train his palate to enjoy fresh, flavorful foods, then hopefully I could steer him away from future cravings of salt and sugar. I spoke with my pediatrician who gave me the green light on adding anything but nutmeg to Jack’s meals. I started out with cinnamon because, let’s face it, everything is better with cinnamon. It not only tastes and smells good, it gives tiny immune systems a little boost. I made gorgeous purees of organic sweet potatoes, apricots and apples flavored with a shake of cinnamon. I added turmeric, another great antioxidant, to organic cauliflower with cheddar cheese and pears, and mint, a good tummy soother, to organic peas. He loved them all! My experiment of creating sophisticated baby food, including milk poached Haddock with organic kale and cauliflower, was not just a success with Jack – but his playgroup friends, as well. Through word of mouth I started getting requests for my baby food and in 2007, with the help of my friend and 38

fellow mom-preneur, Connie Pope, I turned my passion into a business by launching Jack’s Harvest, a frozen organic baby food company. Our philosophy is the same today as it was the day I made Lucy’s first puree. From the very first bite, babies deserve nutritious and delicious food.

Apple Apricot Blueberry Puree 4 apples 10 dried apricots Filtered water 1/4 cup blueberries 1/4 tsp cinnamon Soak your apples for 5 minutes in water. Peel, core and cube the apples. Add to a saucepan with the apricots and cover with filtered water. Cook on medium heat until the apple is fork tender (about 10 minutes). Add the entire contents of the saucepan, water included, to your blender along with the blueberries and cinnamon and blend to desired consistency. Add to silicone ice cube trays and freeze for later. About Jack’s Harvest: Inspired by their quest to find the healthiest, most nutritious and delicious baby food for their babies, friends Heather Schoenrock and Connie Pope founded Jack’s Harvest (www.jacksharvest.com) in late 2007. Gently prepared in small batches using organic produce, Jack’s Harvest baby food is pureed to perfection, then quickly frozen to capture nature’s fresh flavor, vibrant color, rich texture and essential nutrients. A dash of organic herb or spice tempts little taste buds and adds extra health benefits. Ten delicious flavors please the pickiest of tiny palates and adorable heart-shaped frozen cubes bring smiles. Jack’s Harvest baby food is USDA certified 100% organic and contains no preservatives, artificial flavors or colors, salt, sugar or fillers. Jack’s Harvest frozen organic baby food is the first step toward a lifetime of healthy, adventuresome eating for your child - because your baby has good taste! Based in Atlanta, GA, Jack’s Harvest frozen organic baby food is available through Whole Foods Market stores and gourmet retailers throughout the southeast, and for purchase nationally with FREE shipping on Amazon. For more information, please visit our website at: www.jacksharvest.com.

If you love cooking as much as I do, you may want to try to make your own baby food. Below are some great tips for making your own baby food at home.

and introduce harmful chemicals.

1 Use organic produce. Baby’s organs are still developing and are less efficient at eliminating toxins.

6 When in doubt process again. You do not want lumps for beginning eaters.

2 Soak all produce with skins in water for 5 minutes and rinse well. This method is a great way to clean produce without chemicals. 3 Cook until heated through, but not overcooked. The more you cook it, the more nutrients are lost. In some cases, like blueberries, you don’t have to cook them at all. 4 Use only stainless steel no aluminum cookware. Aluminum can leech into food

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5 Utilize the cooking water for processing. This adds back any nutrients that may have been lost during cooking.

7 Don’t be afraid to experiment. Babies will eat a lot of flavor combinations we wouldn’t think about trying, like peas and mango. 8 Try some no cook purees like avocado. Fast, easy – and fresh. 9 Make sure your plastic tray are BPAfree. We recommend avoiding plastic altogether and using silicone trays. 10 No microwaving in plastic. Use glass or ceramic to avoid leeching of toxins into food.

panama city beach

photo by Paul Johnson

Panama City is located along the coast of the Florida Panhandle about 350 miles northwest of Orlando, Florida and approximately 350 miles east of New Orleans, Louisiana. Panama City Beachâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legendary pure white sand is attributed to quartz crystals washing down from the Appalachian Mountains centuries ago. Along their journey, the crystals were bleached, ground, smoothed, and polished. The surf and >>>

tides of the Gulf of Mexico is responsible for depositing these millions of grains of sugar-white sand onto the pristine shoreline,the result of this rigorous process is the beautiful, renowned beaches of Panama City Beach. Gotta Go to Gulf World! Whether it be the whiskers of a sea lion touching your nose or tasting the salt from a dolphin splash, Gulf World Marine Park creates memories for your entire family. At Gulf World, you’ll see live animal shows, fascinating exhibits, and you’ll experience hands-on interaction with amazing animals. So, take a deep breath and introduce yourself to the experience of a lifetime! Your family will be entertained by live shows featuring dolphins, sea lions and tropical birds. Explore fascinating exhibits showcasing penguins, flamingos, sharks, otters, alligators, sea turtles, iguana and much more. Make reservations today to Swim with a Dolphin, become a Trainer for a Day, attend Dolphin Day Camp or Snooze with the Sea Life! (gulfworldmarinepark.com) Sea Dragon Pirate Cruise Only if you dare, step in a pirate’s shoes, look through a pirate’s eyes, aboard the panhandle’s family adventure cruise. Good clean family fun for young, old and in between. Cruise away to the fantasy world of friendly swashbucklers and spirited pirates aboard a real 85’ pirate ship. You will cruise within cannon shot range of the shores of Shell Island. Frequent sightings of the playful dolphins, gliding seagulls, pelicans, and other mysterious marine life adds to the excitement. BEWARE MATEYS! You may be required to do a little sword fighting or fire the kid cannon. After you and the other pirates have discovered the treasure and take your share of the loot, you will be invited to party hearty with festive music, games, and dancing all the 42

way back to dock. (piratecruise.net) Zoo World Where fun in never endangered! Zoo World is a non-profit educational facility. Open to the public daily except Christmas Day and New Years Day. Zoo World is home to over 200 animals including exotic and endangered species. Zoo World offers everyone the opportunity to view many animals up close in a lush tropical setting. Educational opportunities for the whole family are provided by our informational signs and animal shows. (zooworldpcb.net) Shipwreck Island Waterpark The tropical theme water-park is filled with attractions and food and beverage outlets to bring smiles to every member of your family. The twenty-acre park features lush landscap-

announcing the

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THE WORLD’S LARGEST, MOST MAGICAL AQUARIUM has re-opened Georgia-Pacific Cold Water Quest. Now your imagination has an even bigger playground. Don’t miss the Beluga Whales and amazing new Penguin and Sea Otter exhibits. Get tickets today at GeorgiaAquarium.org | 404.581.4000 WHERE IMAGINATIONS GO TO PLAY.

The park’s beautiful landscaping provides the perfect setting to enjoy our two, 18-hole Mini–Golf courses and the Gran Maze. The Gran Maze, a giant labyrinth about the size of a football field, is the first of its kind in America. Sometimes called the Human Maze, the Gran Maze, offers unique and fun challenges. Children under 6 play free! (coconutcreekfun.com)

ing, a professionally trained aquatics staff, and is one of the most hospitable attractions in all of North Florida. Shipwreck Island has been entertaining families for twenty-five years on Panama City Beach. Don’t settle for a sprinkle, come make a big splash at Shipwreck Island water-park. (shipwreckisland. com) ScottyBoat Rentals Watch the friendly dolphins, fish and snorkel the bay waters and jetties, picnic on the locals best kept secret hangout, Shell Island. Shell Island is a seven mile, undeveloped barrier island, which lies between the Gulf of Mexico and St. Andrews Bay. Pontoon and center console-style fishing boats for the novice to the professional. Dad will love being called Captain for the day. They also have kayaks, snorkeling gear, ice and cooler rentals. (ScottyBoatRentals.com) Man in the Sea Museum Discover the old ways of deep sea voyaging. Man in the Sea Museum illustrates early attempts to work underwater through interpretive drawings, dioramas and written records. The large collection of rare diving equipment highlights Man’s success in developing ways to live in underwater habitats for weeks at a time, including the famous SEALAB-1, as used by the United States Navy (U.S.A.). We are using the past to build the future. (maninthesea.org)

Coconut Creek Family Fun Park A great place for children and adults. The tropical island theme is complete with cascading waterfalls and a lake with native fish.

Holiday Inn Sunspree Kids will also love the beach side Aqualand Water Playground, the Pirate’s Den Game Room, kiddie pool, and free equipment/ games rental program! The FREE Splash The Dolphin’s Kids’ Club offers pirate-themed lunches, d.j. games, bracelet making, arts and crafts, kids’ night out with pizza, carnival day, zoo world day and just plain fun with Splash, the dolphin mascot. While many of the activities are done on the pool deck so the kids can enjoy the outdoors, some activities are held in the Under The Sea Activities Center to give them a break from the sun and heat of summer. This spacious room will have even more great things for kids to participate in during 2010, with an 180” movie screen, X-Boxes, new games, new prizes and much more! (hipcbeach.com) Bay County Junior Museum Inspiring and educating children through interactive exhibits and programs focusing on science, history, and cultural studies. Created in 1967, the 12-acre Junior Museum’s exhibits are designed for use by preschool through middle school-aged children. Adult

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guidance and participation is recommended. In addition to its permanent and special exhibits, this Children’s Museum offers educational and entertaining programs and classes. (jrmuseum.org) Mr. Surf’s Since 1980 Mr. Surfs Surf Shop has provided the Gulf Coast & Panama City Beach with the best customer service, and selection of surfboards, skim boards, skateboards, accessories, and surf & beach apparel for girls & guys. Plus, Mr. Surfs offers Surf Lessons, and provides the most accurate & up-to-date surf reports for the Gulf Coast and the Panama City Beach area. It’s not just for surfers, but also for boaters, fisherman, golfers, vacationers, property owners & others.

photo by Paul Johnson

The Sandpiper Beacon Beach Resort The Sandpiper offers a wide variety of beachfront accommodations as well as an incredible choice of family friendly activities and live entertainment, making this the perfect vacation destination for family fun. From the lazy river ride, to poolside, hot tub and kiddie pool, pool tables, putt-putt golf and indoor arcade games, there is always something to do for guests of all ages. (sandpiperbeacon. com) Miracle Strip at Pier Park The original Miracle Strip Amusement Park closed for good in 2004. Now, it is being revived all be it in a much smaller venue. New owners purchased the remaining rides from MSAP, refurbished them and are now back for a new generation. The Hangout Party Pavilion is completed and available for birthday and sport team parties, school functions, picnics, weddings, meetings, etc. 2 hour pavilion rental (includes 2 picnic tables) and up to 10 All-Day Ride passes for $150. Additional passes available for $12 each (regular $15).

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cha

photo by Jesse Guardiani

attanooga! Chattanooga offers citywide fun for everyone, outstanding accommodations, eclectic shops, unique dining and a variety of world-class attractions. And when you are ready to soak in some nature, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be surrounded by breathtaking mountain vistas. There are so many things to do in Chattanooga that you will find it takes several days to fit them all in.

The Tennessee Aquarium The Tennessee Aquarium is the highest rated aquarium in the USA and one of America’s top ten tourist attractions for overall guest satisfaction! Enjoy a remarkable journey with 10,000 animals. See 3D IMAX movies in the only Chattanooga movie theater with a sixstory screen. Ride the River Gorge Explorer, the most thrilling Chattanooga riverboat cruise. Creative Discovery Museum Creative Discovery Museum is recognized as one of the premier hands-on children’s museums in the region. Visit for a couple of hours or a whole day, time spent at the Museum is sure to be worthwhile learning for the whole family. Creative Discovery Museum offers a wide variety of hands-on, interactive gallery exhibits for children ranging in age from toddlers to 10 year-olds. The exhibits, such as the Inventor’s Clubhouse, the Bee Garden, the

above: The Tennessee Aquarium and downtown Chattanooga waterfront. Photo courtesy CVB.

Lookout Tower, and so many more, provide extraordinary opportunities for children and families to gain exposure to the arts and sciences. Ruby Falls Ruby Falls holds the distinction of being America’s deepest commercial cave and most-visited underground waterfall. Transformation of the 80-year-old natural attraction, listed in the National Register for Historic Places, into a more sustainable and environmentally friendly business operation was a challenge but they did it! Ruby Falls is committed to the reduction of our environmental footprint while providing a better experience for visitors. They have four main environmental initiatives: the production of renewable energy, reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, recycling and waste reduction, and land use planning. And now, a “new adventure above the rest” with a never-before-seen view of the Scenic City from the tree tops at Ruby Falls! This is the first adventure experience of its type to hit Tennessee! This challenge is made up of suspended obstacle courses built in trees that include ladders, nets, walkways, bridges, tunnels and zip lines! A ZIPstream course gets the adrenaline pumping and allows people to step out of their comfort zones and experience things they never believed they could do. And it’s great fun! The ZIPstream Aerial Adventure is a partnership between The Adventure Guild and Ruby Falls, and is the flagship location for The Adventure Guild’s new national ZIPleft: Walnut Street Bridge, the world’s longest pedestrian bridge. Photo by Jesse Guardiani.

stream brand of aerial adventures. Rock City Rock City will amaze you...it’s in their nature! Located atop Lookout Mountain, just 6 miles from downtown Chattanooga, Rock City is a true marvel of nature featuring massive ancient rock formations, gardens with over 400 native plant species, and breathtaking “See 7 States” panoramic views. Take an unforgettable journey along the Enchanted Trail where each step reveals natural beauty and wonders along the woodland path. Experience the magic of Fairyland Caverns and Mother Goose Village, visit one of our regional gift shops and dine at the Big Rock Grill. Rock City is splendid year-round “Each season there’s a new reason to visit!” The Chattanooga Ducks More than just a ride it’s an adventure! Begin at the corner of 5th and Market where you will board an authentic WWII amphibious landing craft built specifically for the DDay invasion. Enjoy an historic tour through downtown Chattanooga and just when you think you have seen it all, splash into the Tennessee River at Ross’ Landing for an historical and ecological tour of the river and the Chattanooga Waterfront. The tour lasts about 1 hour. Tours start and end at 503 Market. Bluff View Art District Within walking distance of downtown Chattanooga, Bluff View Art District is a creative haven that specializes in the visual, culinary and landscape arts. The historic neighborhood sits high atop a bluff overlooking the Tennessee River and offers visitors a oneof-a-kind experience. While there, you can browse through River Gallery, which exhibits fine art and museum quality crafts from local, regional, national and international artists. Whether you are meandering through the sculpture garden or watching the local artisans bake breads, make chocolates or roast coffee through the large paned windows throughout the district, there is something for everyone to enjoy. You can also find right: Bluff VIew Art District. photo by Jesse Guardiani. 52

something to suit any taste at one of the three restaurants, including authentic Italian at Tony’s Pasta Shop & Trattoria, elegant global cuisine at Back Inn Cafe or European style desserts, pastries, coffees and sandwiches at Rembrandt’s Coffee House. Spend an hour, an afternoon or an entire day discovering all there is to do in Bluff View Art District, and be sure to spend at least one night in the area’s beautifully restored Bed and Breakfast, called Bluff View Inn. Chattanooga Market Local is better at the Chattanooga Market! Featuring live musical entertainment every week. Enjoy the open-air ambiance while you savor food from local eateries and shop for fresh produce, herbs and cut flowers. You’ll find fantastic buys on handcrafted works by local and regional artisans. The kids will love the climbing wall and tactile area. It’s a place to enjoy the local Chattanooga flair! Runs Sundays April 18 - December 5, 2010, 11am - 4pm in the First Tennessee Pavilion (covered), downtown Chattanooga - located next to Finley Stadium. Free admission and free parking!

Coolidge Park Coolidge Park is a popular downtown park located on Chattanooga’s NorthShore waterfront. Coolidge Park features a beautifully restored carousel, a pavilion, an interactive play fountain, and lots of open space. Coolidge Park is adjacent to local entertainment, art galleries, shops, and restaurants and serves as a venue for numerous civic events and festivals. It is part of the Tennessee River Park, a 15 mile long public greenway along the Tennessee River. Delta Queen The Legendary Delta Queen, the last fully operational, overnight passenger steamboat in the country is Chattanooga’s newest boutique hotel. This grand lady had logged over two million miles, carried over half a million passengers and is the only boat to be inducted into the National Marine Hall of Fame while still in service. She has entertained Presidents, foreign dignitaries and a multitude of celebrities. left: Fountain play at Coolidge Park. Photo courtesy CVB.

Chattanooga Summer Events Riverbend: June 11-19 An internationally award winning 9 day music festival held on Chattanooga’s riverfront! www.riverbendfestival.com Nightfall: May 28 - September 24 Free live music every Friday night downtown in Miller Plaza. www.nightfallchattanooga.com Chattanooga Market: April 11 - December 5 Every Sunday, 11 am - 4 pm, the region’s largest authentic outdoor market. www.chattanoogamarket.com Riverfront Nights: July - August Free summertime Saturday concert series on the riverfront. www.riverfrontnights.com Pops in the Park: July 3 The Chattanooga Symphony & Opera celebrate Independence Day at Coolidge Park with their Pops on the River spectacular fireworks show. Movies in the Park: July 10, 17, 24 & 31 Free movies shown in Coolidge Park Saturday evenings in July. www.firstthingsfirst.org

photo courtesy CVB

SwingFest: September 6 On Labor Day in Chattanooga, the best local swing bands perform at Swingfest in the city’s Coolidge Park. Evening activities include one-hour concerts and dance workshops, enabling partygoers to enjoy a spot of dancing.

hilton head island

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina is well known for world-class golf and pristine beaches, but they also boast some of the Southeastâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finest saltwater fishing, kayaking, birding, biking, hiking and sailing to name a few.

All photos courtesy of the Hilton Head Island Visitor & Convention Bureau. Pictured here: The Harbour Town Lighthouse at The Sea Pines Resort.

Inspire your kids’ creativity with shells and sandcastles as they frolic on the wide shores of Hilton Head Island beaches. Bring your kids to the newly remodeled Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn, which offers a butterfly pavilion nature tours and cruises, as well as Island history and ecological programs. While at the museum, learn about the rich Gullah history of the South Carolina Lowcountry, through art displays and an interpretive, historic bus tour.

Hilton Head Island provides nearly 80 miles of pathways and nature trails for the enjoyment of pedestrians and cyclists. In addition, the Island boasts 12 miles of the world’s finest beach. Low tide is an ideal time to enjoy the coastline by bicycle. Water Dog Outfitter offers bicycle tours of Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge, one of the top bird watching sites in South Carolina. Leisurely explore the island’s diverse ecosystem. A highlight of the tour is Ibis Pond. This freshwater pond is bustling with the activity of herons, egrets, ibis, and many other birds as well as alligators and turtles. This tour has been very popular and bikes are a great way to see the flat but otherwise fascinating terrain of Pinckney Island. A variety of public boat marinas are located throughout Hilton Head Island. Many charter boats are available for rental as well as excursion tours. Popular tours include kayaking, dolphin-watching tours, fishing charters, dinner cruises, eco-tours, and even day trips to Savannah, Georgia. HiltonHeadIsland.org offers a list of reputable boating companies in the area. Hilton Head Island provides a safe, natural environment for all types of visitors: as a relaxing yet fun-filled setting for your family or as a casual, laid-back atmosphere for friends. With enchantments for both the young, and the young-at-heart, Hilton Head Island is an ideal place for all who seek to refresh, renew and relax. 56

In the evenings, make a trip to the picturesque Harbour Town Yacht Basin, where you can climb the famous candy-striped lighthouse, savor a delicious ice cream cone, and enjoy the delightful lyrics and songs sung by renowned musician Greg Russell, who has been entertaining children in Harbour Town for more than 30 years. Or, from June through August, your family can also listen to an outdoor concert by Shannon Tanner who has performed at Shelter Cove for more than 20 years. Shelter Cove Harbour is also home to a brilliant summertime fireworks display. In addition, each of the hotels and resorts offers exciting camps and activities for children all summer long.

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craft

make a fourth of july

bean bag toss

craft and photos courtesy www.chicaandjo.com 61

TOOLBOX pockets from old jeans scissors gloss outdoor acrylic paint paint brush small dry beans or split green peas straight pins sewing machine and thread terra cotta saucers

Gather the supplies To make the bean bags, you’ll need the pockets from some old jeans. If you’ve used your old jeans to make some of our past denim projects (like our water bottle holder or quilt), then you should have plenty of pockets left over, and this is the perfect way to use them up. You’re also going to need some ordinary supplies like scissors, some gloss acrylic paint (Plaid’s Apple Barrel Gloss is my favorite by far), a paint brush, straight pins, and a sewing machine and thread. For the bean bag filling, go to the dry beans section of your grocery store and pick out whatever you can find that’s as small and cheap as possible. For me, the smallest and cheapest available was split green peas, which ended up working perfectly. Finally, you’ll need from three to five terra cotta saucers in nested sizes. I used four saucers measuring 6”, 8”, 10”, and 12” for my game. Sew the bean bags Now get ready to make the easiest bean bags ever. Grab your old jeans and trim around the back pockets with a pair of scissors, right along the pocket’s edges. For the top of the pocket, just cut straight across the top. You’ll end up with pouch that’s already sewn shut for you on three sides. If you want to decorate your pockets, take a few minutes now to paint them using the 62

Apple Barrel gloss paint. Since I was making this game for the Fourth of July, I painted a star on each pocket.

Paint the saucers You can paint the saucers in any color or design you like, to match the occasion. I painted mine in a simple red, white, and blue design. I painted scores on each saucer, with the lowest score for the largest (easiest to hit) saucer, and the highest score for the smallest (hardest to hit) saucer. The finished game

Now fill the pockets about 2/3 full of the dry beans. Don’t make them too full, or else you won’t be able to sew them shut. Use two straight pins to hold the top closed, then sew it shut with one or two rows of stitches on the sewing machine.

To play the game, just line up the saucers with the largest one closest to you, and the smallest one farthest away. The distance between the saucers can vary depending on the age and skill level of those playing. Then have the kids take turns tossing the bags onto the targets of their choice, and score them for any successful hits. Easy and fun!

That’s it. Your bean bags are done! If you don’t have a sewing machine, you could sew the pockets shut by hand. (Or you might even get away with using hot glue, but I don’t think they would last very long!)

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get involved Reuse-A-Shoe

Wanna Play?

Not afraid to get your hands dirty? If you’re part of a group such as a school, university group or non-profit organization, you could collect worn-out athletic shoes for your own Reuse-A-Shoe drive.

The Wanna Play Fund seeks public donations to support programs and activities that strengthen music education in schools and provide opportunities for people of all ages to learn to play music.

Reuse-A-Shoe is a program developed by shoe company, Nike, to recycle old athletic shoes using a process called the “sliceand-grind” technique, where each shoe is cut into three slices - rubber outsole, foam midsole and fabric upper. These slices are then fed through grinders and purified. Once purified, these substances become three unique types of Nike Grind:

Specifically, donations to the Wanna Play Fund will:

• Nike Grind Rubber, made from the shoe’s outsole, is used in track surfaces, interlocking gym flooring tiles, playground surfacing and consumer products, such as new footwear outsoles and trim items like buttons and zipper pulls. • Nike Grind Foam, made from the shoe’s midsole, is used as a cushion for outdoor basketball and tennis courts, as well as futsal fields. • Nike Grind Upper, made from the shoe’s fabric upper, is used in the creation of cushioning pads for indoor basketball, volleyball courts and equestrian surfacing products. As an approved drive partner, you’ll have access to Reuse-A-Shoe marketing materials like posters and fliers to promote your athletic shoe drive. We’ll also give you all the details on when, where and how many shoes you can collect. To register, go to NikeReuseaShoe.com.

Support community-based programs that provide new and innovative ways for people to learn and play music. Donations support the NAMM Foundation’s competitive program grants given to non-profit service organizations that offer high-quality, innovative music learning opportunities as well as to those programs that expand opportunities for people of all ages and skill levels to learn and play music. Provide musical instruments to schools that are expanding or reinstating music education programs. Instruments will be provided to schools that demonstrate commitment to expanding opportunities for all children to learn music as part of the core curriculum and to schools that employ quality music teachers. The NAMM Foundation will also provide instruments to individuals whose circumstances inhibit their ability to meet their full musical potential. Instrument donations will also be considered for nonprofessional music makers in community-based music programs and people pursuing professional music careers. Learn more at NAMM.org.

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In 1976, Habitat for Humanity was founded on one principle: that everyone, everywhere deserves a simple, decent place to live. Since then, through the generosity of our supporters and the hard work of our homeowners, Habitat for Humanity has been able to provide more than 1.75 million people around the world with safe, decent, affordable shelter. Become a part of this lifechanging ministry and help us eliminate poverty housing from the world.

American Idol Winner Hits the High Nail! American Idol winner and Birmingham, Alabama native, Taylor Hicks turned a visit to his hometown into an opportunity to help a low-income family realize the dream of homeownership by building with Habitat for Humanity. The singer worked alongside volunteers installing siding and painting on a Habitat build site in Birmingham. Hicks, who won season five of the popular show American Idol, grew up in the area and was in town visiting family. “Coming to Birmingham really makes me appreciate the importance of having a place to call home,” said Hicks. “I wanted a way to help someone else experience this wonderful sense of home, and Habitat is a natural fit. Our work on the build site makes a tangible difference in the lives of these families

and to be able to do this in my hometown—a place that has so many memories for me— makes it that much more special.” The homes under construction in the Habitat subdivision Wylam Oaks are part of Building on Faith, a service opportunity for dozens of area churches in the Lenten season. The six homes will be dedicated on Good Friday so the homeowners can move in and celebrate during Easter weekend. “We are excited that Taylor is taking time out of his busy schedule to work with us,” said Charles Moore, president and chief executive officer of Habitat for Humanity Greater Birmingham. “His generous commitment to bringing attention to the issue of poverty housing is so important, and we are grateful for his dedication.”

About Taylor Hicks Birmingham native and American Idol Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks is currently touring the country in Grease. His new DVD, “Whomp at the Warfield,” was just released.

About Habitat for Humanity International Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built, rehabilitated, repaired or improved more than 350,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1.75 million people. For more information, or to donate or volunteer, visit habitat.org.

Habitat for Humanity operates in nearly 90 countries around the world, including more than 1,700 communities in WKH 8QLWHG 6WDWHV 7R Ă&#x20AC;QG WKH +DELWDW DIĂ&#x20AC;OLDWH QHDUHVW you, visit us online at habitat.org/local.

habitat.org 800-HABITAT

Becky, age 17 Sabrina, age 15 Scarlett, age12 Victoria, age 9 Oklahoma Becky, Sabrina, Scarlett, and Victoria are courageous sisters. They are in need of a family who will adopt them together. Becky has a very outgoing personality. In conversation, her sweetness captivates all of those around her. Tops on her list include going to the movies with her foster mother, the color blue, Chinese rice, pizza, country music, and R&B. While excelling in the tenth grade (making As and Bs), Becky is also involved in the drama club and her church choir. She is very artistic and loves to draw, something she does extremely well! This past summer she held a job at a fast food restaurant. A perfect time for Becky happens when she is with her sisters or listening to music. Goals and dreams include going to college and getting a family for all of her sisters. Sabrina projects her confidence in her personal appearance, always taking the time to look her best. She loves coloring, doing needlework, swimming, playing her Game Boy DS, the color pink, and animals. The family dog is a very close companion of Sabrina's. When it comes to food, pizza, steak, fried chicken and casseroles can't be topped. Now in the 8th grade, her favorite class is art. Times spent at the mall and shopping with her foster mom are Sabina's favorites. Someday, she hopes to be a veterinarian technician. She understands that it will take a lot of work but is willing to do whatever it takes. Scarlett enjoys watching movies with her foster mother and playing with her dolls. She is kind, compassionate and loving, which is evident when she plays with others. This preteen is a shy, quiet girl who enjoys rollerskating and going to the lake. She does well in the sixth grade, and really likes her science classes. Scarlett's future plans are to be adopted into a loving family and to be with her sisters. Victoria is a happy and easy-going child. She enjoys playing with her friends, and values the time she spends with her dogs as well. She loves going to the park, riding her bike, playing with her dolls, watching movies and going to the mall with her foster mom. Victoria is in the second grade and would appreciate attention and patience when she does her school work. In the future, she wants to be adopted into a loving home with her sisters. All of the sisters benefit from counseling, which will need to continue after placement. Each youngster is on an IEP (Individual Education Plan) and will benefit from a supportive and understanding environment. Their caseworker prefers either a two-parent or single-mother family who are Native American; however, all family types will be considered. For Oklahoma children, both homestudied and non-homestudied Oklahoma families are encouraged to inquire; only homestudied families from other states should do so. Financial assistance may be available for adoption-related services. We only accept inquiries on the entire sibling group, who will be placed together.

For more information about this sibling group or other waiting children like them, please contact The Adoption Exchange at 800-451-5246 or visit our website at www.adoptex.org.

10 Ways To Unlock the Fun of the

GREAT OUTDOORS With Your Kids This Summer

Summer…the days are long and the weather is warm. Yet, studies show that kids aren’t spending as much time outdoors. You can reverse this trend and help your kids (or grandkids) enjoy the outdoors again. The best way to guarantee that kids are having fun and ensure the adventure is successful, is to be sure to pick something that excites you about being outside. Grab the RV to make it a true family adventure and deliver healthy fun and memories to last a lifetime. Let your imagination run wild… this summer that are guaranteed to deliver great memories and healthy fun. 71

Geocaching Join millions in a new outdoor adventure that utilizes hand-held GPS (global positioning system) devices to locate hidden “treasures” around the globe. Geocaching connects the Great Outdoors with youth’s interest in technology. Geocachers have created “caches” all over the world and have posted “how to find” information on the Internet. Help your child look up the location of a cache in your town (there are over 400,000 caches hidden around the world right now at www.geocaching.com) and use a GPS device to track it down. Your hunt could take you hiking through the woods, to a historical monument, or to a scenic overlook. It’s always a mystery and always an adventure. Once found, a cache may contain a variety of rewards or interesting information. It’s a modern day treasure hunt. Digital Photo Scavenger Hunt Another way to turn your child’s interest in technology into an outdoor exploration is to create a list of “nature things” you can find locally – a red flower, a stream, or a fallen tree. Then, visit a nearby park or nature reserve, and see how many of the items your kids can spot. Let them use a digital camera or a cell phone camera to take a photo of everything on your list – and encourage your kids to snap a few extra shots of the beautiful surroundings. After your outdoor adventure, upload the photos onto the family computer and create a Nature Hunt Scrapbook. Label each photo by having your kids identify the animal or plant using the Internet. And help your kids share their memories with their friends and encourage them to enjoy the outdoors through “social networking” sites like MySpace, and photo-sharing sites like shutterfly.com and snapfish.com. Cruise a Bike Path Virtually every community has safe, fun, paved bike trails that are level and situated away from busy roads, making them ideal for family-friendly cruising. Many are history-rich conversions of old railroad lines and everyone in the family can participate in this activity. Adults can bicycle and pull up to 72

two toddlers in a bike trailer. Older kids can bike along or even go inline skating. If you don’t own bikes, find one of hundreds of shops that rent bikes and safety equipment. Search the Internet for “bike trails” within your zip code, or start with pavedbiketrails. com, trails.com, and americantrails.org. Visit a Park Parks and other public lands cover one in three acres of our nation. Discover sites near you at www.recreation.gov and through your local park and recreation department. In addition to great scenery, you are likely to find opportunities to learn more about nature through friendly park rangers who can answer questions and steer you toward interesting sites around the park. And more and more recreation sites have great, free planning tools on the Internet – try the iTunes store for podcasts on national park units. Fishing Fishing is one of the nation’s favorite pastimes and is something the whole family can enjoy. Visit takemefishing.org/PlacesToGo for information on places to fish, license requirements and other regulations. There is great variety in fishing – start simple with a closed face reel, a rod and a few lures along a riverbank. Then explore more adventures – fishing from a boat rented at a local lake, or learning to cast a fly fishing rod. There are countless sites to try including rivers, lakes, and the ocean, and there is true diversity in the kinds of fish to catch in each venue. Tubing Tubing is a perfect way to introduce children to water fun. Many outfitters rent tubes to go down river and then return you to your car. You can take a cooler with snacks, and remember the sunscreen. If you have access to a boat, a tube towed behind virtually any boat is great fun and doesn’t require much skill, only the ability to hang on. Tubing is not as demanding as waterskiing or wakeboarding, and you can easily find a large tube for two or more people that allows adults to accompany children until they

are comfortable on their own. Always wear a suitable PFD (personal flotation device) when out on the water. Canoeing If your kids love the water, canoeing is a great adventure. After building up a little experience at a lake or pond, you can add activities such as fishing or choose a canoe route with some riffles and movement. Canoes are great for exploring the Great Outdoors because they can travel in shallow water, allowing kids to step out and explore a riverbank or approach a water bird feeding along the shore. You can rent a canoe, all the needed safety equipment, and get instruction from outfitters and liveries across the country. Many will even pick you up and return you to your car after a journey downstream. Locate an outfitter at paddlesportsindustry.org. Trampoline Campout That jumbo trampoline in your backyard can find a new use. Get your kids back outside by setting up the trampoline for an overnight campout. Set up sleeping bags, have a battery-powered lantern and flashlights, and brush up on your ghost stories. Perched above the ground, kids can enjoy the outdoors without worrying about critters and creepy-crawlers below. Many trampolines come with side rails that can convert the trampoline into a cozy cave by throwing a large blanket or tarp across the top. And you can add a “sideshow” to this adventure. Help your kids pitch a tent next to the trampoline. Plug in an extension cord, and hook up a television and DVD player right inside the tent. Watch your child’s favorite movie and your favorite childhood flick. For added outdoor effect, roast marshmallows over a small fire in a charcoal grill next to the tent. Horseback Riding Most kids love horses and there are places to go on controlled rides near every community. One great introduction to riding is a guided trail ride. These are offered all over the country, not just on dude ranches, and

are a great way to introduce your children to horses and the outdoors. Get your kids their very own cowboy hat to make them feel like regular Buffalo Bills. Check your local yellow pages for public stables in your area. Attend a Boating, RV, or Outdoor Adventure Show There are hundreds of shows each year across the country, some indoors, some outdoors. You can climb in boats and walk through an RV and talk about great adventures, and then talk with the marina, campground, and resort operators at the show to discuss making those conversations into real outings. You may be surprised to discover that you get a good deal of exercise just touring the show and you will certainly get a good feeling for where the kids in your life would like to travel and the activities they might enjoy. Two good sources for shows are gorving.com and discoverboating.com Give your kids an alternative. Today’s kids spend an average of 6.5 hours per day watching TV and on computers. This physical inactivity is sending rates of obesity, diabetes, and other health concerns soaring. Help today’s kids discover the outdoors early in their lives and begin a lifetime of benefits – mental, physical, and spiritual – and build memories of shared adventures that will last a lifetime. Grab one of these 10 simple ideas today and your entire family can reap rewards. Once you’ve tried each of these 10 ideas, we’ll help you find many more outdoor adventures for the months ahead. Get Outdoors USA! will release ideas for healthy outdoor fun for every season. For many more fun things to do with your family this summer visit www.getoutdoorsusa.org. Get Outdoors USA! is a national movement dedicated to helping children live healthy, active outdoor lives. Through outdoor activity children receive benefits of mind, body and spirit and are able to experience the national treasures that belong to all Americans.

Rand McNally’s MUST SEE. COTTON THEN & NOW…Comprehensive narration, owner-guided tour. Extensive southern history 1700’s–today. 1800 acre working cotton plantation. Furnished slave cabins; Smithsonian quality antique steam gin; 19 historical bldgs. New computerized gin & farming operation. NOW OPTIONALLY WITH MUSIC Journey through the South with Song – features outstanding live vocalists intertwining the history of gospel music and plantation culture with wedding re-enactment.

Frogmore is 20 minutes west of Natchez, Mississippi on Hwy 84 Tours Begin Upon Arrival and Should Be Completed By Closing Spring & Fall Hours: Mon-Fri 9-3 Sat 10-2 • Summer Hours: Mon-Fri 9-1 “WINTER HOURS BY RESERVATION” 318.757.2453 • 1.800.647.6724 www.frogmoreplantation.com • email:frogmore@bayou.com

photo by Jesse Guardiani

kyle’s story

Kyle was born March 13, 2002 and from the moment he was born he filled our lives with such joy and sense of completion. His big sister Katie was so happy to have a little brother, she had been talking about him for months before he was born and as soon as he came home she was his little “Mommy”, always worried about him and looking after him.

Katie and Kyle soon became inseparable. They were only 21 months apart and grew into best friends very quickly. Kevin and I felt so incredibly blessed to have these two perfect children, a girl and a boy. Our family was so perfect and complete. So many times I would watch them playing or sleeping and it just wouldn’t even seem real, how could we be so blessed and lucky?

than most boys. He never enjoyed play fighting and typical boy things. He had such a compassionate and kind soul. His favorite things were ALWAYS animals. When we took him to the toy store he would immediately pick out a toy animal and be ready to go. His favorite movies and books were also about animals; he loved them all, especially Hippos, Elephants, Crocodiles, Turtles and Sharks.

Kyle was such an amazing and special little boy. From a very early age he was different

May 29th 2005 was a Sunday that started out to be what seemed like a wonderful day. My

Dad came up for the weekend to see my play, which had wrapped the previous evening in which I had just gotten rave reviews. I had just gotten the lead role in a film that was starting the following month, we had just signed a lease on a house we were going to rent that had a huge yard for the kids to play in and we had just sold our old car that we were afraid would be hard to sell. It had finally warmed up and we decided, since it Memorial Day weekend and Kevin had Monday off, we would follow my Dad back to San Antonio and take the kids to the lake; what a great kick off to summer! We packed up our bathing suits, life jackets and clothes, hopped into the van and took off. We stopped at a gas station right up the street before starting the long drive. I opened Kyle’s door and stood there for the kids to get their snacks open. At that point both the kids had their seat belts on, I can still picture them so clearly in my mind. I had no idea that would be the last time I would see my son alive. We were driving on Hw. 47 when we came to a flashing yellow light at the intersection of Villa Maria (cross traffic had a HUGE stop sign and a flashing red light). From the corner of my eye I saw a car approaching the intersection at a high speed, too fast to stop at the red light, but by the time I started to say “watch out”, it was too late. We were through the intersection and the car had run the red light and broadsided us going approx. 45 miles an hour. It all happened in a split second but I replay it in my mind in slow motion a hundred times a day. Our van was knocked off the road and into a ditch and started rolling several times. When we finally stopped with the van laying driver’s down the first thing both Kevin and I did was whip around to look in the backseat and check on the kids. As I was turning around I heard Kevin saying “Are you guys okay?” As I turned around I saw Katie behind Kevin and felt a sigh of relief. If she was okay I knew Kyle was too. Then I all the way around to look behind me at Kyle, all that was there was an empty seat. There are no words to describe the horror and 78

million things that flew threw my mind at that instant. I remember screaming, “He’s gone! Kyle’s gone!” and the next thing I knew Kevin had climbed into the back seat and jumped out through Kyle’s broken window. I quickly followed out of my broken window and immediately saw my baby boy laying about 30 feet away on the hill. I raced to Kyle and when I got to him I almost collapsed; he was lying on his back with blood pouring out of his ears and mouth. I started screaming and crying “NO!” - this just could not be happening, two seconds ago he was fine, eating a granola bar and watching SpongeBob, and now he’s dead??!! Kyle was an angel on earth. An expert examined the seat belt, van and car seat that Kyle’s seat belt was ON and latched when we were hit but came off sometime during the rollover. Both Kyle and his booster seat were thrown from the vehicle. Seat belts do NOT always work, especially in rollovers, so please keep your children in a 5-point harness secured and tethered to the car for as LONG as possible. We found seats that have 5-point harnesses to 80 pounds, the Britax Regent and Frontier and Sunshine Kids Radian80. They both can use the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children system to 48 pounds and can be secured using the seat belt and top tether thereafter till 80 pounds. It is WORTH the investment. It is your child’s life you are risking every time you put them in the car. Another crucial thing to have is side curtain airbags in the front and back seats in your vehicle - it is only an OPTION in most vehicles that you have to request. A 5-point harness tethered and anchored to the car and side curtain airbags would have saved our son’s life. Editor’s note: I read Kyle’s story when searching for a new seat for my son. At six years old he had not yet reached 40 pounds, therefore I kept him in a 5-point harness car-seat. I was horrified however, when I realized the seat he was in went up to 40 pounds, yet he outgrew it height wise two years prior! This information is vital! Please visit KyleDavidMiller.org.

Eco-Friendly Wooden Building Blocks Winner of over 20 awards!

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速

stirring up fun! 速

A new way to bake with kids!

zebramix.com

Kids follow fun fold-out instructions to make delicious all-natural treats!

For a complete list of retailers or to purchase Zebra Mix, please visit zebramix.com

Roasted Vegetable Black Bean Burgers Cold Tomato Zucchini Pasta Vanilla Bean Frozen Custard Strawberry Dutch Baby Blueberry Mint Lemonade

Be the Star of Your Backyard Barbeque with these Tasty, Healthy Recipes! Roasted Vegetable Black Bean Burgers 1 onion 1 bell pepper, any color 4 cloves garlic 1/2 cup frozen corn Light olive oil 1/2 teaspoon salt Fresh cracked pepper Sprinkle of garlic powder Sprinkle of onion powder 1 cup pulverized Keebler Club Crackers 2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained well 2 teaspoons Tapatio Hot Sauce, or to taste

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees and line a

rimmed baking sheet with foil. 2. Slice the onion and bell pepper into wide

strips and place on the foil. Add the garlic and corn. Drizzle with enough light olive oil to coat well and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt, lots of fresh cracked pepper, and a good sprinkle of garlic powder and onion powder. Toss to coat. 3. Bake vegetables for 35 to 40 minutes tossing twice while cooking for even browning. Vegetables are done when there are some black spots and the vegetables are soft. Let cool on the baking sheet until about

photos and recipes courtesy of thecookingphotographer.com

room temperature if you have time. 4. In a food processor, pulverize enough Keebler Club Crackers to make one cup. Place in a large bowl. Then add the rinsed and drained black beans to the food processor and pulse quickly two or three times, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t crush all the black beans, just about 2/3rds of them. Place them in the bowl with the crackers. 5. Place the roasted vegetables in the food processor and process until chopped into very small pieces. Add to the bowl and add the hot sauce. Mix everything together gently with a spoon and taste for seasoning. Important: Add more salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and/or hot sauce to taste here. 6. Brush a nonstick skillet or preferably a

cast iron griddle with oil and heat to medium. Scoop the mixture into patties and pat to shape as you cook. Cook each side until a nice crust forms. 7. Serve with soft buns and condiments of your choice.

Tomato Zucchini Pasta 1 pound riccioli shaped pasta, or any favorite shape 2 medium sized zucchini, or 1 large thinly sliced into half moons 1 cup chopped scallions 3-4 ripe Roma tomatoes, chopped 1 tablespoon dried parsley 1 recipe Sherry Shallot Vinaigrette Salt and pepper to taste 1. Boil the pasta according to the package

directions in heavily salted water. Drain and rinse in cold water. 2. Meanwhile, prepare the Sherry Shallot Vinaigrette.

3. Toss the pasta together in a large bowl with the dressing and the rest of the ingredients. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately or store covered in the refrigerator until chilled. 82

Tomato Zucchini Pasta

Sherry Shallot Vinaigrette 1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1/4 cup Sherry Vinegar 1 Shallot, chopped 1/ 2 clove Garlic, chopped 1/2 teaspoon Salt Lots of fresh ground black pepper to taste Puree the ingredients together in a small processor or blender. Set aside. The vinegar base in this recipe would pair well with homemade buttermilk fried chicken, or even a store bought rotisserie chicken.

Vanilla Bean Frozen Custard 5 egg yolks 1 vanilla bean 1 cup sugar 2 cups whole milk 2 cups heavy cream 2 teaspoons vanilla extract Small pinch of salt Split the vanilla bean in half and scrap the seeds and add the pods to a large sized saucepan. Add the milk, heavy cream, and pinch of salt and cook over medium low stirring frequently until you start to see bubbles form. Immediately turn off the heat and set aside for 20 minutes to let the vanilla bean steep. Meanwhile add the egg yolks and sugar to a large bowl and beat with a spoon until combined and thick. About 1 minute. Pour the vanilla mixture into the egg yolk mixture a little at a time stirring briskly to temper. Pour in the rest of the milk after a

couple short pours and stir to combine. Pour the mixture back into the saucepan and heat over medium low stirring frequently until it lightly coats the back of a spoon. Don’t let the mixture come to a boil or bad things can happen to your beautiful custard! Remove from heat, stir in the vanilla extract, and divide into two storage containers equally with 1/2 a vanilla bean in each. Cover and store in the refrigerator overnight to chill and set up the custard. The next day, remove the vanilla bean and freeze according to the directions on your ice-cream maker. Store in a covered container in the freezer. Chef’s Note: I own a small 1 1/2 quart icecream maker and have to chill in two batches. I’d cut the recipe in half, but this is truly slow food as it takes two days to make correctly. Although not a difficult recipe, the waiting can be madness. It’s easier to refreeze my bowl, than to wait longer for the custard to set up properly a second time.

Vanilla Bean Frozen Custard

Blueberry Mint Lemonade For Lemonade Simple syrup from below 1 1/2 cups fresh lemon juice (Or lime juice if you prefer) 1 lemon sliced (Or lime) 1/2 cup frozen blueberries 20 small or 10 large mint leaves 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 cups water to taste Stir all the ingredients together in a pitcher. Chill until ready to use. Strawberry Dutch Baby

Strawberry Dutch Baby 2 eggs, at room temperature 1/2 cup milk 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup all purpose flour 3 tablespoons unsalted butter Powdered sugar 1 cup sliced strawberries Strawberry Rum Syrup (Recipe below, make syrup before starting Dutch Baby)

For Simple Syrup 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar 1 1/2 cups water Bring the sugar and water to a boil in a saucepan. Boil until the sugar is melted and the liquid is clear. Set aside. Chefâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Note: The recipe also works well with limes instead of lemons. At that point though, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re awfully close to making a pitcher of blueberry mojitos. So if you feel you need to take the next step, add a cup of white rum to the pitcher.

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. 2. Beat together the eggs, milk & salt.

Then beat the flour into the mixture until smooth. 3. In a 9 to 10 inch skillet melt the butter over medium heat on the stovetop. Pour in the mixture and cook for exactly 1 minute. 4. Place the skillet in the oven and immediately turn the oven down to 350 degrees. 5. Bake until puffed over the edges and nicely browned; about 15 minutes. 6. Remove from the oven and top with strawberries, powdered sugar, & strawberry syrup. Slide onto a plate, cut in half, and move half to another plate. Serve immediately.

Check out www.thecookingphotographer.com for more great healthy recipes! 84

Blueberry Mint Lemonade

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by Tracey Quinn

Days Until School Starts When summer vacation arrived last year, I became completely overwhelmed with the thought of having my three boys (ages 4, 7 & 9) home every day for 83 days. I knew it was coming. I knew I had to take it one day at a time. I knew I had to find something to do or I would lose my mind.

The first day I decided to take the boys to the nearest neighborhood park. That would at least get us out of the house. While they were enjoying the playground, it occurred to me that I should take pictures every day of what we do. I could document it on my Facebook page in order to challenge myself to get out each day. I was determined that my kids were not going back to school saying all they did was watch television and play video games. I took some pictures of them playing then had them stand by the park sign for our official first day picture. When we got home I posted the pictures in an album 87

titled “83 Days Until School Starts” with the first day as “Day 1 and 82 to go”. The second day it poured rain. Luckily it had cleared up by late afternoon so we packed a cooler and the dog and headed to the next nearest city park. Since we had not been to this one before, the kids had fun exploring what it had to offer. They soon found another boy who was alone with a parent and happy to have some company. He had a basketball so they decided it would be fun to let it roll down the slide. After a few times they started putting mulch on the bottom of the slide to make a ramp so the basketball would jump into the air. The ramp became larger and larger and the kids became dirtier and dirtier. After deciding that the dog had had enough fun for the afternoon I had to practically beg the kids to leave. Day 2 down and 81 to go! After posting the second day of fun playground pictures, my new mission was to see if we could visit a new park each day. Surely we could find 81 more parks in the remainder of the summer. We started in our own city of Safety Harbor, which has 4 city parks with playgrounds and 1 county park. I immediately turned to the internet to find other cities’ web-

sites and map out a plan for more parks. During the course of our adventure, we found many interesting things I had never thought about before. It seems that at first they were excited to explore and discover each playground structure. As we continued through dozens of them, the equipment started to become less impressive so I focused taking pictures on what was unique about each one (what did it have that we hadn’t seen before). The fun value to them became less and less about sliding and climbing and more about engaging in games with other children. The parks they enjoyed and wanted to go back to, weren’t always the ones with the newest and most innovative equipment, but where they remember playing chase or collecting pine cones. Some days my kids would complain about being hungry or hot, or when large groups would be there they would tire quickly and not want to stay. There is definitely a mood and chemistry needed to make the “fun” work that cannot be forced or controlled. We ended up completing our mission with 32 city parks, 11 county parks, 1 county trail, 1 state park/beach, 2 spraygrounds, 2 mall play areas, 6 beaches and 4 theme parks. That’s

a total of 59. Okay so I may have passed off bowling, the Rays game and Lightning FanFest for some of the days. But the great park pursuit certainly got us out of the house and was more fun than I ever imagined. The kids looked forward to each day and each new park. On the last day we went back to the first park where we started. This time they took pictures of *me* on the playground. I couldn’t believe we had actually survived 83 days of summer vacation! My advice to parents interested in embarking on a similar quest with their kids this summer is to first do research on the internet. Make a plan each week with a list of parks in a general area including addresses and maps. You need to be flexible in case a target park is closed, the playground isn’t available or it does not allow dogs for instance. Keep a cooler of drinks and snacks and recycled plastic bags for trash in the car. And don’t forget beach towels, sunscreen and bug spray. If you take a dog make sure to have a bowl to get water from the drinking fountain. All during the school year the kids have been noticing new parks to put it on the list for this summer. Since we hadn’t even worked our way through half of the county there are still many playgrounds left to discover. Now that we’ve formulated a proven plan of action, this summer doesn’t seem nearly as overwhelming to me. And this summer we only have “75 Days Until School Starts”

super southern child Gigi’s Fabulous Kids! Typically this section is reserved for one Southern child who has achieved extra ordinary feats, done something to make a difference in the lives of others, etc. However, this time we are recognizing super southern children! Hats off to the volunteer staff who worked the lemonade stand in front of Gigi’s Fabulous Kids’ Fashions and Toys. A business set up to raise money for Alaqua Animal Refuge. Gigi’s Fabulous Kids’ Fashions and Toys is located in the quaint little Rosemary Beach Community. Rosemary Beach is located off of County Highway 30A, in between Panama City Beach and Destin, Florida. Gigi’s offers fabulous kids’ fashions in sizes 0-16 for girls and 0-10 for boys. They also have fresh and fun toys and accessories for babies, toddlers, kids, and kids at heart. Alaqua Animal Refuge is a non-profit organization located on Florida’s Emerald Coast that advocates the general welfare and humane treatment of animals by providing shelter, prevention of pet overpopulation and adoption services. Located down a winding gravel road on a picturesque, 10-acre farm in Freeport, Florida., once homeless, lost and abused animals run and play in sun-soaked pastures, swim in cool, clean ponds, relax on breezy screened porches and graze in lush, green fields. Moving forward, Alaqua Animal Refuge is positioned to build a private animal sanctuary and expand its services to include additional educational and community services through significant and innovative outreach programs. The summer lemonade stand maintained by this month’s super southern children raised $2,405.00!

National Park of the Year 2008 and 2010

Resort and Campground

RV PARK AND LEAVE $325.00 per month

May 1-November 30, 2010

Includes electricity

Keep your RV at Sun-N-Fun and visit on your days off!

12 DAYS OF FUN EACH MONTH

SUMMER FUN PASS

FAMILY OF 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $225.00

Extra child under 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 35.00 Individual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $125.00 Day Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 7.00 (Plus sales tax)

10AM-10PM 7 DAYS A WEEK MAY 1-LABOR DAY WEEKEND 2010

Includes the use of pools, hot tubs, playground, tennis, volleyball, mini golf, shuffleboard, putting green, basketball, disc golf and our fishing lake

y3-1/2 STORY HIPPO SLIDE yDAY SPA yPOOLSIDE BAR & GRILL MONDAY-FRIDAY $5 SATURDAY, SUNDAY AND HOLIDAYS $10 PACKAGE OF 20 SLIDE PASSES FOR ANY DAY USE: $100 WITH FAMILY PASS $140 WITHOUT (all plus Florida sales tax)

7125 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, Florida 34240 Become a Fan on Facebook for specials and prizes.

941-371-2505 or 800-843-2421 www.sunnfunfl.com

in return When you buy from these companies, you also support a worth-while cause. Kudos to those who share their blessings! Hazelnut Kids Through buying from Hazelnut Kids you are supporting the health of children and our planet. They donate 1% of sales to land conservancies, so future generations have places in nature to explore, learn about, and enjoy. Runaway Rabbit A proud sponsor of the Gift of Adoption Fund. When you purchase a pair of Runaway Rabbit Bunny Slippers, some little bunnyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life gets better! Graffiti Zoo I bought Margarita Manatee chocolate for all the wrong reasons: because I like manatees and I like margaritas, and I like good white chocolate. The right reason is Graffiti Zoo donates a portion of the proceeds to the American Zoos and Aquarium Conservation Fund.

A d ver t i s em en t

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inspiration station I Got Nothing!

by Monica Hawkins

“I got nothing!” Have you ever felt that way? A little while back we were praying as a family. You know...Mommy starts, then Matthew, then Joshua, then Caleb, Jacob mimics a little and then Daddy closes. That is if everyone can make it around without giggling, talking, or having a bodily function slip out which then erupts in laughter. Usually we do pretty well, but some nights it is more comedic than anything. This particular night everyone was paying attention, holding hands and really focusing on the Lord. I prayed my long (word quota for the day, as Matt calls it) prayer, Matthew his serious (convict us all) prayer, Joshua his sweet (the world is beautiful and shiny and we all love Jesus) prayer, and then it was Caleb’s turn. We all sat waiting for Caleb, hoping that God was really working in him during the silence, and waiting to receive a blessing when we hear...”I got nothing!” The other boys thought this was hilarious and of course Jacob mimicked...”I dot notin!” I have had days when “I got nothing!” Do you ever feel that way? Do you ever approach the throne, but in your heart you got nothing? Maybe you have been waiting a long time for a request to be answered and you are becoming weary. Maybe you have been so busy you have been out of the daily discipline of talking to God. Maybe you have

some things in your life that you are holding on to so tightly that you are terrified to truly approach your Father. Maybe the situation is so delicate that you truly do not even know how to pray. Whatever the case, at some time we have all been there- “God, I got nothing!” Romans 8:26 “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” God knew we would have those “I got nothing” days. What should we do? We go before Him anyway and we tell Him...”God, I am weary, I got nothing and I am relying on your Spirit to help me in my weakness.” What a comfort it is to know that even though “I got nothing” God has and knows it ALL! I REST in that! I answer to many names, mommy, baby, honey, crazy friend, dork, pastor’s wife, daughter, grand-daughter. Of all the names I am honored to have “My Child” is my favorite one. I became “His Child” 31 years ago and without that name the rest would not matter. I love my Jesus, I love my wonderful husband of 13 years and I love my 4 little boys. God uses all of these things to change and conform me Moment by Moment and I look forward to sharing these moments with you.

next issue... Back to School : Helping your child transition from summer to school. Backyard Booty Busters! : Get in shape with simple techniques and objects right in your own backyard! Cyberbulling : Identify and help your kids deal with online bullying 100