Family & Kids Bayou Region August 2016

AUGUST 2016

Wise Choices for Moms & Families

© JoAnn LeBoeuf Photography

BAYOU REGION

Sponsor S ee

Pag e9

GDC YOUNG LEARNERS

Building FIT Kids - Mind, Body and Spirit- for over 25 years!

2

Children’s Clothing Girls : Pre -16 Boys : Pre-8

Locations

Boutique hair bows Skin & Hair Care • Gifts & toys Monogramming • Baptismal supplies

CUT OFF LOCATION 17020 West Main St. Cut Off, LA 70345 985-325-7327 M-F 10-6 Sat. 10-3

HOUMA LOCATION 1795B MLK Blvd, Suite B Houma, La 70360 986-868-5280 M-F 10-6 Sat. 10-3

www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com

HOO’s PARENTING Allowing

social media accounts

It is the first week of school, and your child comes home and asks if you will set up a social media account so she can connect online with her new classmates. Here is what you need to consider before you create that account for her and allow her to enter the sometimes dangerous world of social media for the first time.

First, if you don’t have a social media account yourself, become familiar with the different types of social media your child is interested in. There are texting and chatting sites, photo sites, networking sites, and video sites.

Become familiar with how to control the privacy settings and with the privacy policy.

Next, now that you know how the social media site works, it is time to decide if she is mature enough to have her own account.

Legally, commercial social media sites can’t allow kids under 13 to create their own account without parental consent. This law was put into place to protect kids from being tracked and marketed to online.

Parenting experts recommend that a child should have the maturity to do the following before using a social media account: 1. Discern what is OK to post and what is not.

Many kids younger than 13 may not have the maturity to understand that what they post online now may affect them in the future, such as when they are applying to schools, scholarships or for a job.

2. Have the ability to protect her privacy online.

She must be mature enough to know what personal information she should never share with someone that she has never met in person, such as the town she lives in or what school she goes to. Also, your child must understand the importance of using the privacy settings to keep her profile and her posts from being viewed by someone she does not know. You may need to set them up for her initially, but she should understand how they work and know not to change them.

3. Properly handle any instances of cyberbullying.

In the instance of someone posting negative or disturbing comments about her online, does your child know to share her concerns with you instead of posting nasty comments back?

If you decide to create a social media account for your child, set some ground rules before allowing her to use it. She must let you follow her by connecting with you on the site, let you track what she posts, and allow you to view the list of people who can see her profile. Instruct her to never ‘friend’ anyone she has never met in person. To prevent her account from being hacked, instruct her to never share her user name and password with anyone. Also, set a limit on the time she can spend on social media, and have her use a computer located in the living room so that you can keep an eye on what she is doing. The access to her social media account should be treated as a privilege that can be revoked if she breaks the ground rules you have put in place to keep her safe.

33

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

4

Tammy Usie Publisher

sDigest.com

Sales@FamilyandKid

253-212-7270 Cell

Dear Parents of Terrebonne & Lafourche Parishes, Welcome to your handy, local, parenting resource guide. I hope you will find lots of helpful choices on products and services for you and your family, along with some informative articles, fun features, handy resources and things to do.

If you like our magazine, then you’ll enjoy our website too, www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com. There you can read our digital magazine and use our ONLINE SHOPPING DIRECTORY. This virtual buying guide will provide you with a list of local, family-friendly businesses that we intend to grow into something more comprehensive in time. Plus with the ability for consumers to leave reviews on these businesses, it will help other parents make buying decisions. I invite you to go leave a few reviews to help us build this resource and share them with other parents like yourself.

AD DEADLINES

1st of the Month for the Next Month’s Issue

Tammy Usie

HOO KNOWS SPECIAL FEATURES Hoo’s crafty.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 25

Hoo’s Helpful.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 8 & 31

HOO’S Fit.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 13

Hoo knew.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 7

HOO’S Fun.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 15 & 23

Hoo’s Hungry.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 26

HOO’S healthy.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 9 & 29

Hoo’s parenting.. . . . . . page 3, 19 & 27

HOO KNOWS® Community Digest does not assume responsibility for products and services listed in this magazine. Ads may not be reproduced, in any way, without written consent. HOO KNOWS® is a trademark of Cinah Media Group LLC. For information on operating your own digest, contact us at 1-888-HOO-5609.

Where to Find HOO? Check your local kid-friendly doctors, dentists, attractions, retail shops and restaurants. Plus grocery stores, coffee shops, and many more places of business in Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes.

Plus read our digital edition at:

www.familyandkidsdigest.com Find us on Facebook

Family & Kids Bayou Region

www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com

5

6

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

SHOPPING guide Activities A Time to Dance..................................... 30 Alstarz Cheerleading Academy........ 28 Bayou Country Children’s Museum. 25 Bayouland YMCA....................................10 Bricks 4 Kidz..............................................8 Brushworks Art & Music......................21 Carol Bruno’s Cheernastics................. 22 Greenwood Gator Farm & Tours........ 23 Guerrilla Jiu-Jitsu....................................5 Houma Christmas Festival................. 27 Inspired 2 Dance.................................... 30 James Academy of Gymnastics.........14 Margo Battaglia Studio of Danse...... 30 Martial Arts Studio................................ 23 TELL THEM Mix It Up....................................................10 St. Matthew’s Fishing Rodeo...............14 STAGE Performing Arts School......... 22 Tiger-Rock................................................

SENT YOU! 26

Food & Beverage Chick-fil-A on MLK.................................13

healthcare Center for Pediatric Therapy.............. 28 Ellender Orthodontics.............................7 Pelican Medical Supply..........................8 Thieler Orthodontics.............................18 Total Urgent Care....................................18

Home/ Handy Champagne Organizing Solutions......8

party Beauty/ Spa

Bayouland Inflatables........................... 28

Elizabeth Pulaski, Stylist.....................14

Shopping/ Retail Childcare/ education Adventure Awaits.................................. 22 GDC/ Merry Oaks...................................... 9

TELL THEM

Clearwater Pools & Spas.......................18 Felger’s Foot Wear..................................31 Lil’ Sweet Pea’s Boutique........................2 Southland Mall....................................... 32

SENT YOU!

www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com

HOO knew?

. . . y a s e w o d y h W ...”put a sock in it” when we want someone to be quiet?

It comes from the time of the earliest windup phonographs, in which the sound emerged from a horn. These early acoustic record players didn’t have electronic controls or any muting device, so the only way to soften the sound was to stuff something into the horn, and a sock was the perfect size.

...”hitting the hay (or sack)” when it’s time to go to bed?

When going to sea, early sailors had to provide their own bedding. To fill their need, dock merchants would sell them canvas sacks filled with hay for a shilling. When heading off to sleep, they would say they were going to “hit the hay.” Early North American settlers also used hay to stuff mattresses and pillows, so they too would say the same phrase when heading off to sleep.

7

8

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

Birthday Parties • Kidz Night Out Enrichment Classes • Summer Camps Holiday Camps • Field Trips

For a full description of each event and to register online, please visit our website at

bricks4kidz.com/houma

488 Corporate Dr, Ste 8 • Houma, LA 70360

(985) 872-2772

Hoo’s helpful Keeping plants indoors has many benefits.

They enhance your decor, purify the air and improve food taste if they are of the herbal variety. However, some houseplants plants are toxic to the touch and taste of humans and pets, so they should be placed well out of reach or given away to a friend who does not have young kids or pets. It is not only the leaves on toxic plants that are poisonous, but the flowers, berries, and soil can contain toxins also, as well as the water in the plant dish.

Also check your patio and garden for any of these plants. It can be hard to identify a plant that is given to you as a gift or as a cutting, so keep a new plant out of the reach of kids and pets until you are certain of its identity.

dangerous

plants

Here are some of the most common houseplants that are considered toxic to humans and pets: • Philodendron • Dieffenbachia • Azalea • Arrowhead • Oleander • Hydrangea • Ivies • Lilies • Rhododendron Though many easy-to-grow houseplants are tropical in nature and tend to contain toxins, there are some non-toxic plants suitable for growing inside that don’t require a lot of gardening expertise, such as • • • •

Boston ferns Spider plants African violets Wandering Jew

www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com

HOO’s HEALTHY Nutritious Nutritious

Snacks Snacks

Drive-through windows, convenience stores and vending machines can become the main source of food for families on-the-go. Making a list of favorite, nutritious foods to keep on hand can make life easier and healthier for the entire family. To make it simple, let’s look at some easy-to-fix foods from each food group: Dairy Foods

Protein foods

Fruits & Vegetables

• Yogurt can be kept in a cooler with ice.

It’s a great substitute for ice cream, which is high in fat.

• Reduced-fat cheese, like string cheese, is another easy snack. Serve with wholewheat crackers, whole-wheat pita bread, fresh fruit or a rice cake.

• A fruit and yogurt smoothie, prepared ahead of time in a blender with in-season fruit and packed in an insulated cup, is a quick and healthy drink.

• Unsalted, dry roasted nuts are a simple snack for kids over 5 years of age. They provide protein, fiber, magnesium and many other nutrients. Since they are high in healthy fat, keep portions to a tight fistful.

• Hard-cooked eggs are great as long as you keep them cold.

• Hummus comes in spicy and mild varieties which are great on crackers, pita bread or cut-up raw vegetables.

• Fruit is the original fast food. Some is always in season, so it doesn’t have to be expensive.

• 100% juice pops are popular on warmer days. Since they are frozen, kids eat them slowly and consume fewer calories than if they drank a similar amount of juice.

• Vegetable soups can also be snacks.

Look for reduced sodium, or make large batches of your own homemade favorites and freeze them for the future.

Whatever your snack idea may be, let’s keep it healthy.

9

10

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

Soccer: Ages: 2-12 Parents’/Coaches' Meeting: Sept 15 @ 7pm Season: Sept 19-Oct 26 Cheerleading: Ages: 3-12 Parents’/Coaches' Meeting: Sept 15 @ 6pm Season: Sept 17-Oct 22

Youth Flag Football: Ages: 5-12 Parents’/Coaches' Meeting: Sept 15 @ 6:30pm Season: Sept 17-Oct 22

www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com

HOO’S at the Movies

11

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS Rated PG | Ok for kids 7+

Set in Japan, this story features Kubo (Art Parkinson) who enjoys a humble living, telling stories to the people of his town. But his quiet existence is shattered when he summons a spirit from his past which storms down from the heavens to enforce an age-old vendetta. Now on the run, Kubo joins forces with Monkey (Charlize Theron) and Beetle (Matthew McConaughey), and sets out on a thrilling quest to save his family and solve the mystery of his fallen father, the greatest samurai warrior the world has ever known.

Kubo must battle gods and monsters, including the vengeful Moon King (Ralph Fiennes) and the evil twin Sisters (Rooney Mara) to unlock the secret of his legacy, reunite his family and fulfill his heroic destiny.

PETE’S DRAGON PG | Ok for kids 7+

This wonderful reimagining of the 1977 Disney classic, blends live action and CGI to tell the story of the special bond between an orphaned, 10-year-old boy named Pete (Oakes Fegley). Pete claims to be an orphan who lives in the woods with his best friend Elliott, who just so happens to be a dragon. Directed by David Lowery, this film also stars Bryce Dallas Howard as Grace, a park ranger who discovers the existence of Elliott; Wes Bentley as Jack, a local mill owner; Karl Urban as Jack’s brother, Gavin; Oona Laurence as Natalie, the young girl who befriends Pete and sets out to investigate if this fantastic claim can be true; and Robert Redford as Grace’s father.

nine lives Rated PG | Ok for kids 7+

Tom Brand (Kevin Spacey) is a billionaire at the top of his game. His company FireBrand is nearing completion on its greatest achievement yet - the tallest skyscraper in the northern hemisphere. But Tom’s workaholic lifestyle has disconnected him from his family, particularly his beautiful wife Lara (Jennifer Garner) and their daughter Rebecca (Malina Weissman). For her 11th birthday, Rebecca wants what she’s always wanted - a cat. So Tom buys a cat named Mr. Fuzzypants at a mystical pet store run by eccentric owner Felix Perkins (Christopher Walken). One thing leads to another and after a car accident, Tom finds himself trapped inside the body of Mr. Fuzzypants! Will he be able to return to his family as a newly energized husband and dad?

florence foster jenkins PG-13 | Ok for kids 14+

Set in 1940s New York, this musical comedy is the true story of the legendary New York heiress and socialite (Meryl Streep) who obsessively pursued her dream of becoming a great singer. The voice she heard in her head was beautiful, but to everyone else it was hilariously awful. Her “husband” and manager, St. Clair Bayfield (Hugh Grant), an aristocratic English actor, was determined to protect his beloved Florence from the truth. But when Florence decided to give a public concert at Carnegie Hall, St. Clair knew he faced his greatest challenge. Directed by Stephen Frears, this movie also stars Simon Helberg and Rebecca Ferguson.

suicide squad PG-13 | Ok for kids 15+

Created by Robert Kanigher and Ross Andru back in 1959, the Suicide Squad team has included countless DC villains among its ranks, including Deadshot (Will Smith), Captain Boomerang (Jai Courtney) and Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), among others. The story centers on the imprisoned supervillains recruited by a secret government agency to execute a mission, to defeat an enigmatic, insuperable entity, in exchange for clemency. Directed by David Ayer, this action thriller also stars Jared Leto, Viola Davis, Common, Scott Eastwood and Joel Kinnaman. Once they realize they weren’t picked to succeed but chosen for their inevitability to fail, will the Suicide Squad resolve to die trying, or decide it’s every man for himself?

12

Dining Deals

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

With deals this good, save the mess and dine out!

MONDAY

wednesday

Cajun Critters. 1029 W Tunnel Blvd, Houma. Kids eat free from kids’ menu. Balloon art and face painting.

Big Mike’s BBQ. 3034 Barrow St, Houma. From 4pm to close. Kids’ meals $.99.

El Paso Mexican Grill. 602 N Canal Blvd, Thibodaux.

Kids10 and under. Free kid’s meal with adult entrée.

Face painting.

El Paso Mexican Grill. 4560 Louisiana 1, Raceland.

6-8pm. Free balloon art and face painting.

IHOP. 1719 MLK Blvd, Houma. 4-9pm. Free kid’s meal with adult entrée.

La Casa Del Sol. 141 Westover Rd. Thibodaux.

5-8pm. Kids’ meals $2.99 for12 and under. Face painting.

Santa Fe Cattle Company. 632 Canal Blvd, Thibodaux. Kids 12 and under. Free kid’s meal with adult entrée.

Tuesday Applebee’s.1039 W Tunnel Blvd, Houma. Kids eat free from kids’ menu from 3-9pm (1 kid per adult).

Chick-fil-A. 1741 MLK Blvd, Houma. Free 4 count kid’s meal with any meal purchase from 5-8pm. First Tuesday of each month is Kid’s Craft Night.

La Casa Del Sol. 4647 Louisiana 1, Raceland. Every other Tuesday night, kids 11 and under eat for $2.99.

Face painting.

thursday Dynasty Buffet. 6425 West Park Ave, Houma. Kids 3-6 eat free. Free balloon art and face painting.

Moe’s Southwest Grill. 1826 MLK Blvd, Houma.

From 4pm to close, free kid’s meal with adult entrée over $5. Dine In only.

sunday Crabby Crab. 5726 LA 1, Lockport. Free ice cream for kids, live mermaid, balloon art and facepainting. from 6-8pm.

everyday Foundry on The Bayou. 15 West 1st St, Thibodaux.

For brunch (10:30am-2pm), free ice cream for kids and free face painting.

Dave’s Cajun Kitchen. 6240 West Main, Houma. Kids 10 & under get kid’s meal for $.99 with a purchase of a drink. Dinner only.

Pepper’s Pizzeria. 600 W 3rd St, Thibodaux. Kids 12 and under get $1.99 pizza and free ice cream.

Santa Fe Cattle Company. 632 Canal Blvd, Thibodaux. Kids 12 and under. Free kid’s meal with adult entrée.

Golden Corral.1724 MLK Blvd, Houma. Free balloon art and face painting.

Specials are subject to change without notice. Please verify them directly before dining. “Family & Kids” and the restaurants listed accept no liability, so please call them first to verify. If you know of a kid’s special not listed here, contact Sales@FamilyAndKidsDigest.com.

www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com

HOO’s FIT

Fill Up, not Fillout When it comes to losing weight and taking care of your body, it’s really about a couple of basic principles: eat smart and move more.

Most fruits and vegetables are naturally low in calories and fat. Many contain lots of water and fiber to give you a feeling of fullness.

A deliciously simple way to fill up without filling out is to eat watermelon, which contains 92% water. Every cup packs a gram of fiber for only 46 calories. It’s fat, cholesterol-free and has no sodium.

Here are some easy ways to fill up your plate with watermelon:

T Kids CRAF NIGHT FIRST TUESDAY OF THE MONTH From 5-7pm. Free 4 count nugget with any meal purchase

• Spoil your appetite with a slice of watermelon before your meal. It will help curb your hunger by satisfying your taste buds.

• Top grilled salmon with a watermelon salsa.

• Start a meal with a watermelon soup seasoned with mint, ginger and lemon.

PEANUT PANDEMONIUM! RESULTS OF A RECENT STUDY

A recent study suggests that the current theory for preventing peanut allergies, which instruct parents not to expose babies to peanuts until age 3, is incorrect. The study involved two groups of babies determined to be at risk for developing peanut allergies.

One group of babies was introduced to peanut products between the ages of four months and 11 months and then fed peanut products at least three times a week until age 5. The other group was never introduced to peanuts. At the age of five years, 17.2% of the babies not exposed to peanuts had developed a peanut allergy, while only 3.2% of the babies exposed to peanuts developed a peanut allergy. However, if your baby is at risk for peanut allergies, consult her doctor to ensure it is safe to go ahead and introduce her to peanuts.

13 13

14

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

Elizabeth Pulaski Master Colorist & Stylist Mirror Mirror 6652 W Park Ave Houma, LA

985.746.5911

Mention this ad for

$10 Off any service

$5 Off any davines product

HOO’s Fun

15

Spot the 12 Differences

Can you find all 12 differences between these pictures?

Can you find all 12 differences between these pictures?

Copyright © 2010-2011 2011-2012 by Education.com Copyright © 2010-2011 2011-2012 by Education.com

More worksheets at www.education.com/worksheets More worksheets at www.education.com/worksheets

16

AUGUST E

Legend: TM - Terrebonne Main Library TD - Thibodaux Branch Lib

1 STEM LittleBits Electronics.

Ages 8+. TD. 2pm. RSVP 985447-4119 1-5

Art Camp. Creative U. 9am-1pm Cartooning & Anime, 1-5pm. Star Wars. creativeuart.com.

2

TPD Internet Safety Seminar.

How to keep you & your kids safe on the net & awareness of hidden apps. 11am. TD.

2 Community garage sale at Bayouland YMCA. 7am-noon.

985-873-9622 to reserve a booth.

2 - 4 Tumble Boot Camp.

Alstarz Cheer Academy.1 3347 W Main St, Larose. 985-693-7109.

2-9

RSVP for tumbling classes. Carol Bruno’s Cheernastics.

2-7:30pm. First class free. 985872-0339

3 How to use the library during

the school year, such as databases, homework help & ebooks.

11am. TD.

3

Pokémon Gym. TM. 4pm.

Open play to build decks, trade and battle

4

Crafternoons at TM. 4pm.

PreK-6th grade. RSVP 876-5861.

4 Open Gym & Back to School

Sleepover. Alstarz Cheer Academy. Larose. 985-693-7109.

5 Craft night at Chick-fil-A on MLK, Houma. 5-8pm 6

LEGO Robotics. TM. 11am for 2nd-3rd Grade and 3pm for 4th7th grade. RSVP 985-876-5861

6

17 Gears Building. STEAM activ-

7 Noise Makers: Movement and Music. TM. 3pm. Build reading skills through movement.

19 Minion Mayhem Parents Night Out. Mix it Up. 10am. RSVP at mixituphouma.com

8

18

10

19 Pokemon Gym. TM. 4pm.

Open play to build decks, trade and battle

Movie Madness: “Cool Runnings.” 1pm. TD.

Crochet instruction course.

5pm. TD. RSVP 447-4119.

RSVP for fall classes which start Aug 22. Alstarz Cheer Academy. 6-9pm. $10. 13347 W Main St, Larose. 985-693-7109.

10

Pokémon League at Thibodaux Library. Ages 10 and up.

4pm.

11

Crafternoons at TM. 4pm.

PreK-6th grade. RSVP 876-5861.

ity. Ages 3+. 11:30am. TD.

Tween Craftaganza at the TM. 4-6 grade. RSVP 876-5861

20 LEGO Club. TM. 11am for PreK-1st graders and 3pm for 2nd-6th graders.

22

Movie & Craft. “Kung Fu Panda 3.” 11am. TD. RSVP 4474119

12 Pokémon Gym. TM. 4pm.

Open play to build decks, trade and battle

22

12 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pizza Party. Ages 11-15. 6-9pm.

TD. RSVP 447-4119.

24

13 Twisted Cooking Beach Par-

24 Anime Club at Thibodaux Li-

ty. Mix it Up Houma. 10am. RSVP at mixituphouma.com

13

Second Saturday Storytime for Families. TM. 3pm.

Art Appreciation Activity.

“Paint w/ marbles.” 4pm. TD. RSVP 447-4119.

MoboRobo Robotics Lab for 4-6th graders. TM. 4pm. RSVP 876-5861.

brary. Ages 12 and up. 4pm.

26 - 27 St. Matthew’s Fishing Rodeo. HQ Coco Marina. fishforsmes.eventbrite.com

15 Simply Sewing beginner in-

27 LEGO Robotics. Ages 8-15.

10am. TD. RSVP 447-4119.

16 - 18

27 Couponing Tips & Tricks.

1pm. TD.

struction class. 1pm & 5pm. TD. RSVP 447-4119.

Open Dance Workshop. Ages 6 & Up. A Time to Dance. 985-851.2623.

17 MoboRobo Robotics Lab for 4-6th graders. TM. 4pm. RSVP 876-5861.

28 Science Rocks! Science experts are on hand to consult with children on their science fair projects. TM. 2pm.

EVENTS

17

brary BCCM - Bayou Country Children’s Museum

29

Free Kids Bully Prevention class. Evolution Training. Ages 6 & up. 4:30-5:30pm. Wear athletic clothing. 407 N Hollywood Rd, Houma. 226-8846.

31 MagnaTiles Activity. STEM structure activity. 11:30pm. TD.

WEEKLY EVENTS MONDAY

Family Toddler Time. TM. 10am and 6pm for 19mon-3yrs.

TUESDAY

Storytime. TM. 10am for newborns-18mon, and 6pm for 4-8 year olds and their families. (not on 3rd or 10th) Toddler Storytime.

1:30pm. bccm.info

BCCM.

Bingo. TD. 10am. All ages. Prizes awarded.

Board Game night. TD. 5pm. All ages. Prizes awarded. Snacks provided.

Yoga. Alstarz Cheer. 4:30pm for kids and 5:30pm for adults. 13347 W Main St, Larose. 985-693-7109.

WEDNESDAY

Summer reading storytime for PreK-3rd grade. TM. 10am.

Eat, play, grow at BCCM. 1:30pm.

Pre-K storytime. TM. 10am for 3-5 year olds.

Storytime with craft. TD. 10:30am & 2pm. All ages welcome.

Baby OHM/ Prenatal Yoga. Anela’s. 4pm. 7720 Main St, Houma. anelaslounge.com.

Thursday

Lafourche Central Market. Farmers, fishermen, artisans and activities. 8a-noon.

Thibodaux Main Street Market.

8am-12:30pm next to Jean Lafitte Park. Buy fresh, buy local.

Open Gym. Alstarz Cheer. 6-9pm. $10. 13347 W Main St, Larose.

985-693-7109.

Kids’ Club. Michael’s, Houma.

10am-12pm. $2. Adult required.

985-872-3132.

Toddler Time. BCCM. 1:30pm.

Reading and craft. bccm.info

Build and Grow Clinic. Lowe’s, Houma. 10am. Free. RSVP lowes.com/buildandgrow. 985-2237575.

Interactive Storytime.

TD. 10:30am. Ages 2 and under.

Crafternoons. TM. 4pm. PreK6th. RSVP 985-876-5861.

Free kids’ yoga. Anela’s. 6:30pm.

7720 Main St, Houma. anelaslounge.com Prenatal yoga. Anela’s. 6pm. anelaslounge.com.

Friday Wiggle, Move & Giggle. BCCM. 1:30pm. bccm.info Open Gym. JAG. 7-9pm. $7-$10 for non members. Ages 5 and up.

Adult required. 308 Venture Blvd, Houma. 985-851-3001.

SATURDAY

Community Garage Sale. Bayouland YMCA. 7am-noon. 985-8739622.

Downtown Houma Market.

Courthouse Square. 8am-noon.

Local produce and artisans.

Kids’ Workshop. Home Depot, Houma. 9am-12pm. Ages 5-12.

Adult required. Free. RSVP homedepot.com/workshops/ kids-workshops. 985-223-1485.

JAG Open Gym. 7-9pm. $7 for members, $10 for non-members.

Ages 5 and up. Adult must accompany. 308 Venture, Houma.

985-851-3001.

Please call ahead to confirm event dates, times and age appropriateness, in case changes were made after the info was obtained.

18 18

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

Pools – Spas – Billiards – Drinking Water Systems

Braces for Children, Teenagers, and Adults Nicole Thieler, DDS, MSD 206 Mystic Boulevard Houma, LA 70360

Call for a complimentary consultation!

Cornelius above ground pools • Sundance spas •

Toys, inflatables & swimwear • Drinking water systems •

6868 W. Park Avenue, Houma 985.868.4809 306 Jackson Street, Thibodaux 985.446.7418 www.clearwaterswimmingpools.com •

•

(985) 876-4484

Ready for August?

School and sports physicals.

314 Hwy 3162 Cut Off, LA 70345 (985) 632-1820

Mon-Fri 8AM-8PM Sat & Sun 8AM-5PM MyTotalUrgentCare.com

www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com

HOO’s PARENTING

FROM CRIB TO BED

One of the largest steppingstones for your child as he transitions from babyhood to toddlerhood is the move from a crib to a bed. For some toddlers, safety concerns determine when this transition should occur. Most young toddlers become agile enough to climb out of the crib between the age of 18 and 24 months, but some may be nimble enough to scale over the crib rail before then. If

your toddler’s crib mattress is at its lowest setting and he is trying to climb out, you need to move him from the crib to the bed right away.

If your toddler seems comfortable in his crib past the age of 18 months and shows no interest in trying to climb out, it will be up to you to decide when to make the transition. Select a time when your toddler is not

going through any other big milestones, like potty training.

This will make the transition less stressful. In the instance that your toddler has a new sibling on the way and will need to vacate the crib, initiate the transition a couple of months before this new sibling is due.

This will give him some time to detach himself emotionally from the crib.

First, shop around for a sturdy toddler bed. They come in all sorts of fun designs, such as fire engines and princess castles. It should have rails and be low to the ground. Most toddler beds are designed to hold a crib mattress. Check to see that the mattress fits inside the bed frame snugly and there are no gaps. Also, choose a bed that doesn’t have any sharp edges, cutouts, or ornaments that could injure your child. Also, look for a sticker that indicates it’s certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA).

Before setting up the new bed, start talking with your toddler about the transition and help him get excited about it. Read him books about moving to a big-kid bed, and involve him when you pick out some fun, colorful new bedding. Also, you may want to remove the crib from his room and put it in storage at the same time you set the new bed up. That way, you are not overwhelming your toddler with choosing between the two. This is especially important if the crib will be used by a new sibling in a few months and he needs to be fully transitioned to the new bed both physically and emotionally by then.

When setting up your toddler’s new bed in his room, choose a safe location for it. The headboard should be pushed up against the wall. Install a rail on the side of the bed that is against the wall to prevent your toddler from becoming trapped between the bed and the wall. Recheck the childproofing in the room to make sure it is safe. The bed should be in a place where your toddler cannot use it to get near blind cords, drapes, or windows.

19 19

A Page In A Book

20 20

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

Recommending the Best Books

for Children and Teens By Gerry P. Smith

The Magic of an Unlikely Friendship

For small children, making friends is often a matter of simply sharing the same interests. Common ground is certainly the most fertile soil to nurture a fast and easy friendship. But there is also great value in the friendships that develop between more unlikely pairs.

The following titles inspire kids to also look outside the box for new companions, and to put in the extra work that make these special friendships so worthwhile.

Pig and Small

By Alex Latimer (Peachtree)

Although there are big differences between big Pig and small Bug, they want to try doing some things that friends do together. But tandem bike riding with Bug makes Pig feel like he’s doing all the pedaling. And a game of chess with Pig leaves Bug exhausted from simply moving a single piece. Just when it seems like they won’t be able to bridge the gap in their budding relationship, the winds of fortune change and they find an area of interest they can both explore together. Readers will discover along with Pig and Bug many things that friends can share no matter their differences!

Felix Stands Tall

By Rosemary Wells (Candlewick Press)

Felix doesn’t have a best friend until Fiona walks up and asks him.

He’s excited, but to keep up with the outgoing Fiona, the timid Felix will have to step outside of his comfort zone. Friendship with Fiona generates an interest in theatre which also produces bullies the next day who tease Felix about wearing a costume and singing.

When Fiona quickly steps in and banishes the bullies, Felix wants to learn how to stand tall like her. Highlighting the bravery that unique friendships can generate together, this title is a gentle inspiration for kids to stand together against bullies.

Two Speckled Eggs

By Jennifer K. Mann (Candlewick Press)

When Ginger’s Mom says she can invite all the girls in her class to her birthday party, she’s delighted. She even invites Lyla, the odd girl in her class that smells like old leaves and brought a tarantula to show-and-tell. But on Ginger’s big day, her birthday plans go awry when her classmates become wild and rowdy, except for Lyla who is calm and who quietly shares her perfect home-made gift with Ginger. Against a chaotic background, a peaceful connection is made. Celebrating the small commonalities that can form the beginnings of great friendships, this title is a moving testament to true camaraderie.

www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com

21

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

22

HOO’s CUTE

CONTEST Visit our website to enter:

w w w. F a m i l y A n d K i d s D i g e s t . c o m

Gabrielle, 10 years Houma

Abram, 7 months Thibodaux

Emery, 8 months Thibodaux

www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com

23

s Houmtae’r Af ol

#Pr1ogram Scho

Membership Includes:

• Martial arts, dance, gymnastics • Daily A+ homework assistance • Open during school closings • Fun & safe environment • Exciting outdoor sports activities F • Free Transportation each day from: Mulberry, Oakshire, Houma Christian, Maria Immaculata, Lisa Park, Parents like you Broadmoor, St. Bernadette, are ru shing to save a sp St. Francis & Messiah Montessori o

t!

Call to save a spot! I 985.262.3321 I HoumaAfterSchoolProgram.com

HOO’s FUN Jokin’ Around about BACK TO SCHOOL

Why was the library so busy?

It was overbooked!

Why don’t fish get a summer vacation?

They spend every day in schools!

Why did the boy eat his homework?

His teacher said it would be a piece of cake!

Why did the girl stop using her pencil?

It was pointless!

What is a soda’s favorite subject in school?

Fizzics!

TERRITORIAL GAINS FOR KIDS!

24

Kids find something universally attractive about having a space all to themselves.

Blanket forts, closet clubs, and tiny tents are some of the small territories that kids claim as their own. Some kids like having a space where they can enjoy solitude. Others prefer the camaraderie of pals in the close quarters that a clubhouse or tent creates. The following child-sized spaces are great starts to help kids carve out their own small territory in an adult-sized world.

Crazy Forts

(Crazy Forts)

Going way beyond the limitations of sofa cushion walls and card table roofs, Crazy Forts is a 69-piece kit that allows kids to craft their own vision of the ultimate blanket fort. Reminiscent of Tinker Toys assembly, one kit contains 25 ball joints and 44 sticks that join together in a multitude of structural possibilities. The ball joint’s multiple openings allow for a variety of unique angles and connections that foster the creative vision of young architects. Once the framework is created, just add your own bed sheet and an original Crazy Fort is ready for occupants. With endless design options, each fort can be crazier that the one before it.

Galactic Bed Tent

(Hearthsong)

Sleeping under the stars has a whole new meaning with the Galactic Bed Tent! Creating an enclosed personal space right around a child’s twin-size mattress, this tent offers both a marvelous interstellar tableau for waking hours as well as a cozy celestial surrounding for the slumber hours. The dark blue interior is decorated with silver stars and features a starburst LED light in the apex. Giving a small inner space the big outer space treatment, the Galactic Bed Tent is a stellar choice for creating an inspirational personal place for both rest and play!

Pirate Ship

(Box Creations)

Designed for high-seas adventure, the Box Creations Pirate Ship combines durable cardboard with easy assembly to create an ideal play space for young buccaneers. The ship is covered with fantastic graphics of a pirate ship while also hinting at creatures of the deep.

While the ship comes with four markers, these graphics really deserve a broader range of colors (adding a full pack of markers will enhance this kit’s appeal). Building on the versatility of the cardboard box, the Box Creation Pirate Ship takes this popular recyclable medium and adds all new avenues of creativity and pretend play.

www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com

25

HOO’s CRAFTY sand and shell

beachy keepsakes This craft is a great way to take all the sand and shells you brought home from your summer beach trip and turn it into a cute memory for your wall.

Directions Mix together the sand, flour, and salt in a large bowl and slowly add the warm water, mixing as you go with a large spoon. Add the water carefully and add more flour or sand to keep it from being too sticky.

supplies 2 cups of sand

Now roll the dough into a circular shape about 2 cm thick. I rolled mine onto a large baking sheet so they wouldn’t need to be moved.

1 1/2 cups of flour

Then, let the kids push their hands into the dough. You may need to help push their fingers down to get a better imprint. Then let them push their shells and beach finds into the clay around their handprints. If you are going to hang them, take a straw and poke a hole through the top of your discs.

1 cup warm water

Then bake them in the oven at 250° for about 4 hours, or until hardened.

Afterwards, let them cool until your keepsakes are ready to be displayed.

1 1/4 cups of salt seashells baking sheet

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

26

HOO’s HUNGRY

chickpeas parmesan garlic Roasted

These parmesan garlic oven-roasted chickpeas are crunchy, warm, and add a punch of protein. Instead of snacking on crackers or chips, these are a great (and flavorful) replacement.

DIRECTIONS Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Rinse and drain the chickpeas and remove the skins. To remove, pinch the chickpea between your thumb and index finger. Discard the skins.

Toss the chickpeas in a bowl with olive oil, grated parmesan, garlic salt, and pepper until they are fully coated.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and pour the chickpeas in a single layer on top.

Bake 35-40 minutes until golden and crispy, shaking the tray halfway through to toss them. Enjoy!

Ingredients • 15 oz can chickpeas (drained) • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese • 1 teaspoon garlic salt • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper • baking sheet • parchment paper

www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com

HOO’s PARENTING When kids reach school age, they become more aware of mistakes and failures and may react strongly, as if each mistake is the end of the world. Here are some tips on how to teach your child to cope and learn from them.

Create environment that encourages resilience Let your child know that your love for him is unconditional and is not based on his performance. Knowing he is loved and accepted, no matter what, provides him with the confidence he needs to venture out and try again after suffering a failure.

Also, set a good example for your child by not letting fear of failing keep you from trying again when you experience a setback.

Don’t try to ‘smooth it over’ Right after your child has made the mistake, don’t say things like ‘There is always next time’ in an effort to try to take away the hurt and calm him down. Instead, help him manage his emotions by asking him if he would like to share his feelings with you. After he has calmed down, turn his mistake into a valuable learning experience by asking him what he thinks he could do to avoid the same mistake and how he could cope with it if it does occur.

how to teach

Making Mistakes Put an emphasis on the effort your child makes instead of how he performs If you only praise positive outcomes, such as scoring the winning goal, he may feel only his performance is valuable and that all his hard work goes unnoticed unless he performs perfectly. In a research study, when students were praised for their intelligence, they did not cope as well with mistakes or perform as well as students who were praised for their effort.

27

28

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com

The

HOO’s HEALTHY

Ear pulling not always sign of infection I see a lot of parents who bring their baby/toddler/child in to the pediatrician with concerns that their child might have an ear infection. One of the reasons for their concern is often that their baby is tugging on their ears.

Babies find their ears, just like their hands and feet, around 4 to 6 months of age. I guess a baby must think “this ear tugging is fun and feels good,” as maybe babies have “itchy” ears just like adults.

It also seems to be a self-soothing habit for other children who seem to pull on their ears when they get tired and cranky.

Maybe it is related to new molars coming in at the back of the jaw line?

Whatever the cause, it often concerns parents who are told by their friends or relatives, “This ear pulling probably means the child has an ear infection.” So, being a good parent, off you go to your pediatrician only to find out that the ears are beautiful and clear.

Most babies and children do not get an ear infection without ANY other symptoms besides ear pulling. In most cases, infants and toddlers will get a secondary ear infection during cold and flu season. Basically, the multitudes of viral respiratory infections that children

29

Kids

Doctor

Sue Hubbard, MD kidsdr.com

get in the first three years of life often cause continuous runny noses and congestion. This congestion then causes fluid to build up in the middle ear space, which connects to the nasal passages via a small canal called the eustachian tube.

Infants and children have “immature” eustachian tubes that are soft and don’t drain well. The tube gets inflamed and swollen from the viral infection, and at times this fluid gets secondarily infected from bacteria that find their way to the middle ear. Voila -- an ear infection ensues.

So, if parents bring their children in for “pulling on their ears” and they are otherwise well (no cough, congestion, runny nose and sleeping well) I usually ask if they want to “wager” if their child has an ear infection. That is really not fair, as these sweet parents are only concerned because typically someone else told them they should be. But, in this case a quarter bet is usually made. And I end up with a lot of quarters. Bottom line: Don’t worry about simple ear pulling, especially when you see it happening all of the time.

Dr. Sue Hubbard is an award-winning pediatrician, medical editor and media host. “The Kid’s Doctor” TV feature can be seen on more than 90 stations across the U.S. http://www.kidsdr.com.

30

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

DANCE

y r o t c e r i D

An Uplifting Christian Atmosphere!

a ime to dance DANCE EDUCATION

18 mos. - Advanced Level Boys and Girls

Sharing and growing in God's love through the art of dance!

Ecclesiastes 3:4

401 Bayou Gardens Blvd I 985.851.2623 I AT2D@att.net

www.FamilyAndKidsDigest.com

Hoo’s helpful

Battement tendu - To stretch the leg and foot out from one position to another.

Adagio - Slow, refined, very flowing series of movements in a dance, where one movement transitions seamlessly into another.

Dance Terms If you have ever watched your child’s ballet lesson, you probably have wondered what all those French words the ballet instructor uses mean. To help you interpret them, here is a glossary of some commonly used dance terms.

Arabesque - Dance position where one leg supports the body while another leg is extended horizontally backward.

The arm on the same side of the body is also held behind the body while the opposite arm is held in front of the body.

Plié - To bend the knees.

Grande allegro - The term allegro is used to refer to

brisk, fast movements, like jumps. The grande allegro is the exciting part of the dance show full of these quick, dynamic movements. In a class, the students usually save jumps and other types of allegro movements until the end.

Croisé - Dance position where the dancer stands with legs crossed, at an angle to the audience.

Assemble’ - When a dancer throws a leg up into the air and then brings the other leg up to meet it and ‘assemble’ in the fifth position.

Grand jete’ - This is a large jump, with one leg fully extended forward and the other extended backward and the toes pointed.

31