Today's Family

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CONTENTS

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8 12

28

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On the Cover By Anita Oldham

6 8 20

What’s Happening on TodaysFamilyNow.com

D.I.Y.: Derby Style By Miranda Popp

Family Night Out

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In Our Family By Carrie Vittitoe

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Parent Magic: Amazing ways some parents get their kids to do things 22 Dressed and Out the Door

By Amanda Beam

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By Meredith Ball

32 Socks Stink By Barb Hartmann

How to Survive Derby By Lorie Gant Leitner

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By Carrie Vittitoe

28 Providing Consequences for their Actions

My Kid’s . . . Allergies By Yelena Sapin

By Sandi Haustein

26 Conquering the Picky Eater

Family Wellness

Things to Do By Alissa Hicks

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Before We Go By DeLisa Cuiccio

IT’S KENTUCKY DERBY TIME!



on the cover Rock ‘n’ Roll Roots Our cover photo is Megan and

Billy Seckman’s family rocking it

out — something they regularly do to connect in a fun way. Read about three family night activities that you can use in your family now (page 8).

Intro... Eureka!

S

olutions to our everyday family problems often hit us out of the blue. It is so great to have found an answer to a problem and convince yourself that things are now running along smoothly. But each day brings new problems, and not one answer works for everything. In this issue of Today’s Family and this month on TodaysFamilyNow.com, we address some common problems with solutions that have worked for other, local families. A parent’s overall goal — something to keep in mind when coming up with solutions — is answered by this advice from Dr. John Duffy in his book The Available Parent:

As parents we serve as vessels through which our children find their way. The sense of competence they experience when they do so is far, far more powerful than the experience of having a decision made for them could ever be.

Win a ride on Float in Pegasus Parade on May 2! Go to TodaysFamilyNow.com to register to win. There will be five winners — one each ages 6-10. Name will be drawn at random for each age group. Deadline: Noon Monday, April 15.

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Know an Awesome Coach or Leader?

We need nominations for our Awesome Coach contest. We have four different categories: Sports, Arts, Education, and Personal Development. See page 18 for more information.

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Volume 22 • Number 2 PUBLISHER

Cathy S. Zion

publisher@todayspublications.com EDITOR

VolumeAnita 22 Oldham • Number 3

editor@todayspublications.com PUBLISHER ASSISTANT EDITORS Cathy S. Zion

Elaine Rooker Jack publisher@todayspublications.com elaine@todayspublications.com EDITOR Tiffany White Anita Oldham

tiffany@todayspublications.com editor@todayspublications.com ADVERTISING DIRECTOR ASSISTANT EDITORS

Susan Allen Jack Elaine Rooker

susan@todayspublications.com elaine@todayspublications.com SALES DIRECTOR Tiffany White Cheryl Suhr tiffany@todayspublications.com cheryl@todayspublications.com ADVERTISING DIRECTOR ACCOUNT ExECUTIVES Susan Allen Rose Helm susan@todayspublications.com rose@todayspublications.com SALES DIRECTOR

See You @ TodaysFamilyNow.com See You @

TodaysFamilyNow.com

Teri Hickerson Cheryl Suhr

teri@todayspublications.com cheryl@todayspublications.com

From the Mouths of Babes...

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER executives account

AprilRose H. Allman Helm

Read posts written by our

The Great Camp Adventure Giveaway! a different summer camp experience.

It’s Derby time...

A Mom’s Favorite Things Find fun for the family at the Learn about local things that you should try to help your family life get better.

Kentucky Derby Festival

PHOTO: JAMIE RHODES

Kid Reporters Every Wednesday you have a chance to win

april@todayspublications.com rose@todayspublications.com

Teri Hickerson PHOTOGRAPHER teri@todayspublications.com Melissa Donald melissa@todayspublications.com SENIOR graphic Designer April H. Allman ASSISTANT EDITOR/DESIGNER april@todayspublications.com Jessica Smith jessica@todayspublications.com photographer Melissa Donald COVER PHOTOGRAPHY melissa@todayspublications.com Emily Burke TODAYSFAMILYNOW.COM EDITOR ASSISTANT EDITOR/DESIGNER

Miranda JessicaPopp Smith

miranda@todayspublications.com jessica@todayspublications.com

Win stuff... Vote for a Beautiful Baby!

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY

Balloon Glow

Win

It is the only place you can votetickets for onetoofthe theRingling Bros. babies in this issue. The winner of the and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Beautiful Baby contest appearsDerby on theFestival cover Princess Tea, Kentucky of our June/July issue. and more!

Published bi-monthly by: Melissa Donald Zion Publications LLC 9750 Ormsby Station Road, Suite 307 TODAYSFAMILYNOW.COM EDITOR Louisville, KY 40223 Popp PhoneMiranda (502) 327-8855 miranda@todayspublications.com Fax (502) 327-8861

www.todaysfamilynow.com INTERN www.facebook.com/todaysfamily

Alissa Hicks

Subscriptions are available by sending $15 Published bi-monthly by: to the above address for 6 bi-monthly issues.

Bethany Clarke of Jeffersonville, Ind.

Let your voice be heard... Friday Free Things to Do Vote for the runner-up our out your weekend family fun You canofmake schedule by looking online every Friday. All the listings are either free or low-cost. sponsored by Derby City Pediatric Dentistry

Beautiful Baby Contest

Win Other Great Prizes Check out OUR faves...

Tickets to: what fun items our editor’s Home, Garden and See Remodeling Showare — making March 1-3 Lego KidsFest — April 5-7 list. Sesame Street Live — April 12-13

Favorite Things

Zion Publications LLC 9750 Ormsby Station Road, Suite 307 Today’s Family magazine is published bi-monthlyLouisville, by Zion Publications KY 40223 LLC and distributed free to the people Phone (502) 327-8855 of metropolitan and Fax (502)Louisville 327-8861 Southern Indiana. Circulation 33,000. www.todaysfamilynow.com The opinions expressed herein are exclusively those of the writers and do www.facebook.com/todaysfamily not necessarily reflect the position are available by sending $15 of theSubscriptions publisher. Today’s Family magazine to thenot above addressor forguarantee 6 bi-monthlyany issues. does endorse advertiser’s product or service. Today’s Family magazine is published

bi-monthly Copyright 2013by byZion ZionPublications PublicationsLLC LLC and distributed free to the peopleor with all rights reserved. Reproduction of metropolitan Louisville use of editorial or graphic contentand in any Southern Indiana. without Circulation 25,000. manner is prohibited permission The opinions expressed LLC. herein are from Zion Publications exclusively those of the writers and do MEMBER Louisville, Inc., the Metro Chamber notGreater necessarily reflect position of Commerce, Area Chambers of Commerce, of the publisher. Today’s Family magazine Better Business Bureau. does not endorse or guarantee any advertiser’s product or service. Copyright 2013 by Zion Publications LLC with all rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited without permission from Zion Publications LLC.

Steal this idea... 6

solutions other parents think work.

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For advertising information, call (502) 327-8855 or email advertising@todayspublications.com. BBB Rating of

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For advertising information, call (502) 327-8855 or email advertising@todayspublications.com.


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FaMiLyNiGhT By John G. Warren The whole Family loves playing HORSE because we can all play together, wearing whatever we want, and anyone can be the star. You don’t need to be seven feet tall with a five-foot vertical leap to excel at the game. And with a family full of Judo players, karate kids, and barefoot athletes, the relaxed attire of a HORSE match is a welcome challenge at our house. In case you can’t recall, HORSE is a basketball shooting game where the first player makes a shot and subsequent players have to attempt to make a basket while using identical technique, stance, and physical location as the first player. Contestants who miss earn a letter, and the first one to miss five shots, thus spelling out H-O-R-S-E, is the first one eliminated. This continues until you have a winner. All you need is a decent goal and an inflated basketball, and you can have a blast with family and friends. And there’s very little risk of turned ankles, poked eyes, or a good elbow shot to the ribs. In my younger years, I was in some basketball games that looked like professional hockey. page 10

#1

Horsing Around

Emily and Anna Warren PHOTOS BY MELISSA DONALD

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Anna, Emily, and Mary Warren play HORSE with neighbors and family. page 8

We actually had a huge HORSE game at my home on Christmas Day. As the winner of this chilly event, I was accused of everything from working the home court advantage to capitalizing on those partaking in too much Christmas cheer. Both are sound strategies and there is nothing wrong with looking for a weakness in your opponent. For example, at my home court there are several notorious spots that really put the pressure on the next player. The “Garden Party” shot is obviously from our garden at the end of the driveway. On a real court this would be WAY past the three-point line. My daughters have eliminated a few strong contenders by sinking this shot. I used “Hillsboro Hills” — standing on my neighbor’s hill and launching a shot while eye level

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with the goal — to send a few people packing as well. And when the shot falls, it’s so much fun to see the terror in your opponents’ eyes. We’re going to have several HORSE tournaments during the March Madness and Spring Fever of 2013. We even have Paul’s Fruit Market offering up a prize fruit basket to the one survivor who manages to keep from spelling HORSE. So I say good luck to all who may come and challenge our clan. Come out and see if you can defeat a bunch of girls with no shoes and an old man who was cut from every basketball team for which he ever tried out. John G. Warren’s home court is in Louisville, where he lives with his wife Cheri and their daughters Mary (11), Anna (9), and Emily (5). He is a frequent contributor to Today’s Family magazine. 4 4 4 todaysfamilynow.com 4 4 4www.facebook.com /todaysfamily 4 4 4 @todaysfamilynow


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FaMiLyNiGhT

#3 #2

Making a Meal

By Megan Willman We call ourselves Team Willman. We use our team name when we play a family game, watch a family movie, or take a trip to the bowling alley. But they’ve never cheered for Team Willman housecleaning, and they run when asked to pick up the multitude of shoes and socks scattered around the house. A year ago, I decided that cooking might be a good Team activity. I love to cook, but it’s hard to fix healthy food that all four of us will eat. Husband Rob is no problem; he likes everything. Lucas, the diplomat, never wants to offend. He tries everything, compliments every dish, and then mysteriously becomes terribly full and can’t eat another bite. Trace just gets up and grabs cheese from the fridge. It was time to get the Team involved. We were going to cook a family meal together, and I laid out the rules: • We each drew a piece of paper to find if we were fixing the Appetizer, Side Dish, Main Dish, or Dessert. • We were responsible for cooking our own parts, but could help each other as the need arose. AND we were all to cook at the same time. • Healthy food was NOT a requirement (much rejoicing). page 14

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Lucas creates a dessert using crescent rolls, chocolate chips, and cinnamon.

PHOTOS BY MELISSA DONALD

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(L to R) Megan, Lucas, Rob, and Trace cook food together as part of their family night. page 12

• The meal did not have to “go together” in terms of cuisine. • We had to at least take one bite of each dish (even if one’s brother fixed it). • We had to get our own grocery list together. Once home from the grocery, madness ensued. Eight hands reached for bowls, spoons, pans, and ingredients; four bodies tripped over each other as we crossed from refrigerator to stove to counter-top. One small dog treasured every dropped morsel! It was messy, loud, and confusing, and it was so fun! The boys even set a nice table including tablecloth, good dishes, and candles. There was a lot of excitement about this idea, far more than I expected. Both boys began talking about what they would like to fix. We have a big collection of cookbooks — several kid ones — and suddenly the entire cabinet was on the floor. They rifled through and each found something they wanted to try. Lucas found a dessert that has become a favorite. Trace opted for what the cookbook called a cheese fondue. I think that may over-state the grandiosity of the recipe. It was a lot of Velveeta cheese mixed in with some Swiss and mozzarella. He dutifully stirred as it melted and proudly tore up bread for us to dip in. We each got our own fondue stick,

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Lucas’ Tasty Treats Ingredients: crescent rolls, chocolate chips, cinnamon, and sugar How-to: Unroll the crescent and sprinkle the inside with cinnamon and sugar. Put in a generous amount of chocolate chips and then roll up the crescent. Sprinkle a bit more cinnamon on the outside. Bake according to the crescent roll package instructions. Melt some leftover chocolate chips and drizzle the chocolate over the roll after baking. and we got down to the business of trying to keep the cheese-soaked bread on our sticks. Bread dropped everywhere: in the pan, on the table, and — enter the happy little dog again — on the floor. Trace was proud to have brought us a meal that involved such active participation. He suggested that we would have to use chopsticks for his dish the next time we cooked. I picked up on that right away: the next time? “So, you guys, enjoyed this?” Yes! Yes! Yes! The boys promptly revised my paper slips, replacing side dish with second appetizer. Their theory was that I was would fix a salad no matter what (true), and they wanted to focus on the more fun aspects of the meal. Neither of them wanted to draw

something as “boring” as side dish. The next week we did it again, and we still do it every Saturday that we’re all home, which is usually about twice a month. The boys strike deals in trade with each other after drawing. Both of them want to fix the dessert most of all, and I stick firmly to allowing only one dessert per meal! They have become more advanced in their recipe planning. They look online, check out smartphone apps, and watch Food Network. One night we tried a chocolate fountain, each of us working to chop our fruits, cookies, and treats for dipping. The chocolate was scrumptious and the sugar-high tremendous, but we left it on too long and burned up the motor, and that was the end of that! I feel just plain lucky that this little idea took off with such rousing success. Perhaps we will continue cooking together as the boys grow older. Perhaps their future wives will be grateful they’ve learned to cook. They will need points in their favor, because from the way it looks right now, they aren’t going to be picking up their shoes and socks. Megan Schrieber Willman lives and cooks in Floyds Knobs with the rest of the team: husband Rob, son Lucas (14), son Trace (11), and Molly (canine). This is her first feature for Today’s Family magazine.

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FaMiLyNiGhT

(L to R) Megan, William, Nadine, and Billy Seckman have a rockin’ good time during their family time together.

#1 #3

Dance Party

PHOTO BY MELISSA DONALD

By Megan Seckman Picture this on family night: Your living room, epic dance party. Sweat pouring, sofa-stage-diving, hair whipping back-and-forth. The Lego fanatic of the house is suddenly transformed into a legendary leg-guitar soloist. The former shell of your quiet, pink-clad colorer becomes a wigged, high-heeled rock-goddess diva. This is Saturday Night Dance Party. A place where obsessive-compulsive soccer moms drop it like it’s hot. Our family dance parties started the moment my kids became interested in Kidz Bop. For fear of sending our little ducks into the world with poor taste, we decided to teach the life-skills of pop-culture, just as we’ve taught manners and compassion. You see, people, the family dance party is not just for fun. No, this is a serious educational lesson. One must know page 18

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page 16

the roots of rock and roll, R&B, and the evolution of RAP in order to enter the world and try to revolutionize it. Plus, we get exercise and learn to laugh at ourselves. My husband and I are from two different generations, so on dance party nights, we each take turns picking tunes from our childhoods, School of Rock-style. A child of the 70’s, Billy instructs the kids — using his mad air-guitar skills — on his first records: Neil Young, Bob Seger, and Kansas. I came from the 90’s, so I cover the Seattle grunge-head-banging as well as some Wu-tang and other old school rappers that existed before Lil’ Wayne got his first tattoo. This education of rock brings us closer together, each of us imagining the others as beings before our family existed. One of the best aspects of the evening is the inspirational research and video-clip modeling. For instance, “If you like Lady Gaga, you might also try David Bowie. Let’s watch a YouTube video.” Or “Like Taylor Swift? Meet Janis Joplin.” I revel in the joy of filling my children’s heads with images of The Talking Heads or Bowie’s ”Space Oddity.” To start the night, view the video “Man on Fire” by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes. You’ll see. Perhaps the most positive aspect of family dance night is the skill to laugh at yourself. In the midst of all of life’s pressures, it sure is nice to just dance. I learned that from Kid President. The best thing about our dance night is that no one is very good, and that makes it awesome. The guys rip off their shirts and jump from the couch or do the robot on the sideline. My daughter learns cool chicks don’t look like princesses. If aliens entered our living room on dance night, I’d like to think they’d head home perplexed and inspired by our unabashed freedom. They’d fly to their leader and shake it like a Polaroid picture. Megan Seckman lives in Louisville and dances with husband Billy, son William (8) and daughter Nadine (5). She is a frequent contributor to Today’s Family magazine.

Requirement:

Leave your inhibitions at the door!

Materials for a Rockin’ Good Family Night: • A music service like Spotify or Pandora to rapidly change tunes • An iPod or iPhone • Decent speakers • YouTube videos that once blew your mind when they actually played videos on MTV • Costumes from around the house

Nominate an Awesome Coach/ Personal Trainer/Teacher We know you know them: the men and women who are out there encouraging your children to raise their game and their knowledge. Without those who give of their time and talents to invest in our future generation, our children would be missing something very special. Take the time to nominate those you know. Categories:

Chosen nominees will be presented and voted on in our August-September issue.

Sports (all sports, school or out-of-school coaches) Arts (Dance, teachers, music) Education (teachers, tutors) Personal Development (Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, 4-H, etc.)

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In Our Family

A Temporary Separation By Carrie Vittitoe • Photos by Melissa Donald AMY AND BRENT CHARLEY ANDREW (14) and lindsey (11)

A

my’s husband was transferred to Columbus, Ohio for a position in the medical sales field with great opportunities. He began the job in early January. Amy and the kids are staying in Louisville until their house sells.

Deja Vu (All Over Again): Amy and Brent grew up in Louisville. This is the family’s third state-to-state move and will be their second stint living in Columbus. Amy says, “We know the area of town we want to live in, we have many friends we already know there, and the kids will hopefully be able to re-establish former relationships.” The Stress of Big Moves: Amy says, “The stress of a move can be extremely overwhelming, especially leaving family.” The Charley family also has the hassle of packing their items, keeping their Louisville home neat and clean for prospective homebuyers, and the costs associated with hiring a moving company and renting an apartment for Brent in Columbus.

The Stress of Staying Behind: In the past, the Charley family has moved together, so with this move, Amy is really feeling the challenge. “Being the one left behind is not a fun task at all,” she explains. Everything falls on her, from homework duty to pet clean up to scheduling house showings. She says, “Trying to juggle sports practices, games, homework, projects, and everything else is enough to send any sane person over the edge.” Soon after Brent left Louisville to begin his new position, a virus went through the family with Amy generally feeling under the weather, Andrew experiencing stomach flu symptoms, and Lindsey developing pink eye. Amy said, “I honestly wouldn’t wish this situation on my worst enemy. You never truly appreciate someone until they aren’t around!”

The Stress of Going On Ahead: While Amy gets lonely without Brent and carries the weight of temporary single parenting, Brent is feeling the stress of separation too. His work hours begin very early so he is often done for the day mid-afternoon. Without his family and items from home, he has little to do but sit in the

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The Charley family has had to adjust to Brent moving to Columbus for a new job.

Columbus apartment. Amy says, “Brent misses being able to go to practices and games or have a family dinner.”

Advice to Others: Due to the stress of separation, the Charley family decided within weeks to begin actively searching for a house in Columbus and moving on even though they would then have two house payments

until their Louisville home sells. Amy says, “Sometimes peace of mind is something you cannot put a dollar amount on. This all happened very quickly for us, and we didn’t have a lot of time to plan what we should do. My advice to others would be to think things through very well before making a decision on what to do.”

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PARENT MAGIC By Sandi Haustein Photos by Melissa Donald

#1

Dressed, Fed, and Out the Door!

AMAZING

ways some parents get their children to do things

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our husband hits the snooze button for the third time, you haven’t even thought about what to pack in your kids’ lunches, they’re still sleeping and need baths, and everyone has to be out the door in 15 minutes. Sound like mornings at your house? It doesn’t have to. You can reduce the stress of your family’s rushed mornings with these time-saving tips from several Louisville-area families. Get a head start the night before. Anything you can do ahead of time will help in the morning when time is tight. Start right after school by making sure all homework papers go right back in each child’s backpack after assignments are finished. Backpacks can then go to a designated spot whether it’s a corner by the front door or a more elaborate cubby system like at the home of Tara Baldwin. Tara, a mother of four in St. Matthews, has developed a nighttime routine that helps her family eliminate last-minute morning drama. Each evening, she makes sure her kids have hung their packed backpacks in their cubbies, taken baths or showers, and laid out their next day’s clothes. All they have to do when they wake up is get dressed, eat breakfast, and stop by their cubbies for everything they need to take to school. Teach your older children to get ready on their own. Taking charge of a morning routine is an important step in your children’s growing independence. Emily Hanauer, a mother of four in Fern Creek, says, “If you help your kids become as self-sufficient as possible, you only have to give them reminders or help hurry them along in the mornings.” Train your kids to pick out school clothes, fix an easy breakfast, brush their teeth and their hair, and get shoes and coats on, all by themselves. This way, you can focus on finishing any last-minute morning tasks or helping younger children get ready. Divide and conquer. If your children are young and aren’t able to get ready on their own, page 24

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The Baldwin family — (L to R) Tara, Bishop, Bennett, Emma, Savannah, and Brent — tries to eliminate morning drama. page 22

split morning responsibilities with your spouse, like Clarksville, Ind., mom Leia Rayman does. While Leia showers, her husband Cory feeds breakfast to Janelle (1), lays her back down for a short nap, packs her bag for the sitter, and leaves for work. Leia is then free to finish getting ready before waking Janelle up, dressing her, and dropping her off with the sitter on her way to work. If you have multiple young children, try playing man-to-man: each parent takes one child to feed, dress, and get to daycare or school. Institute a “No breakfast until shoes are tied” rule. In Carolyn Brednich’s house of four boys in Buckner, breakfast used to be the time-zapper of their morning. As the boys laughed and dawdled at the breakfast table, the minutes ticked by, leaving them in a rush to get dressed and gather backpacks. Now the kids have to be completely dressed — with shoes on — before they can sit down to eat. Since implementing this rule, Carolyn’s sons stay focused on getting ready quickly. “Boys are always hungry, so breakfast is a good motivator to hurry up!” she says. If one is shoes-on ready at the table with plenty of time to spare, Carolyn gives him choices for breakfast. But if he’s slow-moving, tough luck! He has to eat something quick or go without. You can implement a similar rule with technol-

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ogy. If your kids waste time texting or watching TV in the morning, allow them electronics privileges only after they are completely ready for the day. Make mass batches of your family’s go-to sandwiches. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches freeze great in individual sandwich bags, and ham or turkey work, too, if you hold the mayo. (Try a little butter for moisture instead.) Thirty minutes is all it takes to fill your freezer with a big batch of sandwiches that will last a couple of weeks. The frozen sandwich acts as an ice pack for the rest of the lunch but thaws by lunchtime. Add in a prepackaged yogurt, a piece of fruit, and a juice box, and you have a healthy lunch that’s easy to grab and pack in a hurry. Say no to Mr. Snooze Button. If you’re not a morning person, consider getting to bed at a decent hour so you’ll be less tempted to sleep in (and in and in). Tracy Webb, a self-described night owl and mother of two in Lagrange, enjoys staying up late but admits that her family’s mornings run a lot smoother if she goes to bed by 10:30 p.m. and gets up as soon as her alarm goes off. Because their daughter, Kirsten, has special needs, Tracy, and her husband David use the extra time to help Kirsten dress, brush her teeth, and fix her hair. When you get enough sleep, you wake

up refreshed and ready to face whatever your morning holds. Expect the unexpected. Whether your kindergartener spills milk at breakfast or your teen forgets his backpack at home, the unexpected happens, even with the perfect routine in place. Emily says, “Don’t beat yourself up if things don’t go perfectly. Sometimes my kids have to buy lunch because I didn’t realize we were out of bread, or my 4-yearold wears his favorite shirt three days in a row because I don’t want to fight him over it. Some things just aren’t a big deal in the long run!” Try setting your departure time 10 minutes earlier than needed to account for the occasional flat tire or that forgotten backpack. Use these tips to make your mornings less stressful, but remember what’s most important — that your mood, as the parent, sets the tone for the day. Take a tip from Emily: “No matter how crazy it is or how late we are running, I always pray for the kids and give them each a giant hug before we get in the car. I want their day to start on a good note, knowing that I love them.” That sounds like something worth waking up for. Sandi Haustein greets the morning in Crestwood with her husband and three sons. She is a frequent contributor to Today’s Family magazine.

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FAMILY FINDS — advertisement—

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PARENT MAGIC #2

Conquer the Picky Eater! Graeme Langford = The Picky Eater.

By Carrie Vittitoe

M

y middle child, Graeme, is the world’s pickiest eater. I, of course, worry about whether he’s getting enough of the basic vitamins and minerals. But I also stew over whether he’s getting enough fiber, too much sugar, or if any additives and colorings have harmed his genetic code. Beyond fretting about nutrition, I worry about his weight. In an age of childhood obesity, I see Graeme go through periods of sickly skinniness, and it freaks me out. I have tried and will try anything. Some things never worked, some worked for awhile, and some have worked far longer than I ever thought possible. So what have I tried? • Chocolate Pediasure drinks. He drank about two of these then decided he didn’t like them. • Naked brand Green Machine juice. I told Graeme it’s what the Incredible Hulk drinks to turn him green in the hopes that he might drink it. He didn’t. • Sweet potato fries. He refused. • Juice Plus gummy vitamins. He would eat the fruit ones all day long if I let him, but he wouldn’t touch the veggie ones. • Spinach brownies. I put chopped spinach in boxed brownie mix and slather it with chocolate icing. He loves it, but I don’t like to do it often because I’m not sure spinach is worth a diabetic coma. • V-8 Fusion drinks. He liked them, but they

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PHOTO BY MELISSA DONALD

contain so much sugar that I began to grow uncomfortable with serving them. • Milk shakes made with frozen strawberries, plain Greek yogurt, and a little ice cream. Sometimes he says he loves these, and sometimes he won’t touch them. • English muffins or homemade whole wheat pizza dough covered in pizza snack sauce and cheese. I will do anything to get some lycopene in him. • Plain and vanilla Greek yogurt combined in equal parts with either sprinkles or tiny chocolate chips on top. He likes this. • Pumpkin or banana or sweet potato or squash muffins with whole wheat flour, wheat germ, and mini chocolate chips. When he asks what is in them I say, “love.” He likes these. • Carrot whole wheat muffins with homemade cream cheese icing on top. He likes these, too. • I persist. I ask him if he wants to try a bean or a piece of corn. He always declines. Always. At the peak of my worry over Graeme’s nutritional health, it occurred to me that before the modern era, children did not have a wide variety of foods to eat. They ate what was available. The point of eating for them was not to be “optimal;” it was to survive. Since then, I have tried to accept that Graeme will eat what he likes, and I focus on getting him to survive rather than making him the best, most nutritionally fit Graeme he can be. Carrie Vittitoe pursues her nutritional quest in Louisville with her husband Dean Langford and their kids Norah (9), Graeme (5), and Miles (3). She is a regular contributor to Today’s Family magazine.

“Love” Muffin Recipe 1 egg 4 oz natural applesauce 1 tbsp olive oil 1 /2 cup sugar 1 and 1/2 tsp vanilla 11/2 cups whole wheat flour 1 to 2 tbsp wheat germ 1 /2 tsp salt 11/2 tsp cinnamon 1 /2 tsp soda 1 /8 tsp baking powder 1 /2 cup to 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips 1 to 11/2 cups veggie/ fruit of choice such as grated zucchini, grated carrot, cooked/ pureed sweet potato or squash, smushed banana. Throw it all in a bowl and mix. Pour into wellgreased mini-muffin pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

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PARENT MAGIC #3

Providing Consequences for their Actions Misbehaving can lead to cleaner walls for Meredith Ball, courtesy of her son Weston (and Coen, in upper left photo). PHOTOS BY MELISSA DONALD

By Meredith Ball

W

hen it comes to discipline, we don’t have much of an issue in our family because our boys are compliant, perfectly-behaved children… when they are asleep. As for the other times of day… Like most parents, we find ourselves in constant trial and error with strategies that will affect our kids’ choices. With two high-energy boys — one of them extremely strong-willed — a lot of the typical advice just didn’t work. We tried time-outs, redirecting, and taking away toys and privileges. When our oldest was 3, he managed to earn a spot for ALL of his toys in time-out. He was so stubborn that he didn’t even ask for them to be removed for two weeks. He would often rather do what he wants and just deal with the consequences. The best forms of discipline, in my opinion, are ones that allow our kids to see the consequences of their actions in reality and teach them to take responsibility for their choices. But how do you show

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someone the product of disrespectful speech? And how do you help them understand that they have a choice how they respond to parental directives? In the last year, we stumbled across a slightly different approach that is quite effective for our family. Out of near desperation, I decided that I was going to give the boys a chore to do every time they reacted to one of my requests with a disrespectful attitude. It sounds funny but the idea was either their attitudes would improve or I would have a really clean house. Somehow I was going to get a win out of this. First, the offender would have to go to his room to cool off. Then he would return for the chore. This would serve to give both of us time to calm down and think logically before talking to each other further. A lot of anger and arguing occurs in the heat of the moment that usually leaves both of us feeling generally frustrated. So the strategy became 1) take some time in your room and return when YOU know that you are ready to accept your consequence 2) return to face the music, so to speak. As a bonus for

me, I choose chores that are both simple and simply something I don’t want to do myself, like washing baseboards. The results? Surprising. My husband and I found that this is a great strategy for allowing our kids to decompress and think about the situation. I really expected the boys to react to chores with much weeping and gnashing of teeth. Instead, they surprised me with how well they could calm down on their own and approach their chore with maturity. They usually go to their rooms mad but return calmer and more civil. And the chore gives them a physical reminder that their attitudes have consequences. For high-energy, hands-on kinds of kids, manual labor is actually a great tool for working out frustration. Since my boys will likely know how to handle all sorts of household chores by adulthood, I’m going to go ahead and tell their future wives: you’re welcome! Meredith Ball lives in a spotlessly clean house in LaGrange with her husband Reggie and their sons Coen (7), Weston (5), and Kairo (4 months).

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APRIL/MAY 2013 29


PARENT MAGIC

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The Hartmanns keep track of socks. Pictured (l to r): Sean, Rob, Barb, Liam, foreign exchange student Kathrin Heinzer, and Maeve Hartmann.

PHOTOS BY MELISSA DONALD

By Barb Hartmann

SOCKS — the bane of parental existence! They lie around and they wreak havoc with your offspring who have tactile issues! Face it — THEY STINK! Here is my sock breakdown by age. Infancy — Don’t buy them! Our monkey-footed little kids never kept them on and people were forever chasing after me to give them back. Socks are just a lesson in making you feel like a failure as a new parent. I can barely contain my snort of derision at baby showers when the mom-to-be—pulls out the “sooooo advertisement— cute” little sockies! She doesn’t have a clueLittle what she’s getting into. Treasures Kid’s Sale Toddler — Buy the soft shoes with elastic andfor forget the socksway when Looking a smarter toyou shop can. You will be the one putting small for your kids? socks on small feet. The chances will be good by thethan time you have Look nothat further finished the installation, the first foot Little Treasures Kid’s Sale, you covered will have found it much the area’s seasonal more fun toleading be naked. consignment event held every Public Service Announcement — March and August. About this time in my oldest kids’ lives we had a broken washing machine We made promise brand names and an incredible discovery. and BIG savings anything The dryer is alwayson being blamed for and everything fornot baby, eating socks but it’s the culprit! My husband big kid, pulled teen the drum out of the washer and found six or more socks that and maternity. had wormed their way up in between the drum and the washer wall during Get in on the fun: laundering. You might want to check littletsale.com this if your numbers are forever odd... Little Kid-hood — Tired of socks lying around? I was too. Thus was born the sock cubby. I bought a little bench with three fabric bins. I put a first initial on each bin and each kid now had a sock holder. I parked it at the front door. The kids got into the habit of throwing socks there at

FAMILY FINDS

the same time they put their shoes away. Perfect? No. If I wasn’t diligent in checking the bins on laundry day, the possibility of two-month-old dirty socks getting up and walking around the house on their own did exist, but it definitely cut down on the spread. The cubby, coupled with the last strategy of buying different types of socks for each kid — so that I knew whom to berate if I found socks on the floor — helped immensely. Present Day — My kids — ages 12, 9, and 7 — have outgrown the bench, but the battle rages on. They all have hanging cubbies in their closets that are home to their socks now. They have improved but I have a new foe. Currently, my biggest sock-spreading culprit is our golden doodle. She must have something in her mouth when excited, and floor-dwelling socks become the perfect object. She has not learned to put them away when she’s done. Why don’t they teach this at obedience school? I guess if I find her gagging on one I know it’s time for it to hit the dirty clothes… Barb Hartmann lives in Crestwood. Her sockwearing family includes her husband Rob and their kids Maeve (12), Liam (9), and Sean (7). She is a frequent contributor to Today’s Family.

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Derby Style

d•i•y By Miranda G. Popp

PHOTOS BY JASON POPP

With a little hot glue and some creativity, you can make a one-of-a-kind fascinator just in time for Derby!

PHOTOS BY JASON POPP

1 2

By Miranda G. Popp

SUPPLIES: all found at

Glue gun (low temp) • 2 glue sticks Craft wire • Large ivory flower 1 yd- 4” wide light pink crinoline/horse hair 1 yd- 6” wide ivory crinoline/horse hair 1 pack ivory biot feathers 1 pack ivory coque feathers 1 pack pink stripped coque feathers Ivory headband • Ivory straw circle base White felt circle

INSTRUCTIONS: 1 Shape your ivory crinoline into a figure-8 and secure with a 2” length of wire.

2 Ruffle the pink crinoline by pulling the large thread at the bottom.

3 With a dab of hot glue, adhere your wired part of the ivory figure-8 and your pink crinoline ruffle to the straw circle base.

3

FINISHED PRODUCT: Enjoy your fascinating new creation!

5 With more hot glue, adhere the headband to the back of your straw circle base (slightly to one side) and give it a nice finish with a white felt circle glued on top of that.

4 Run a circle of hot glue around the back of your flower and press into your base.

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6 Place a dab of hot glue onto the end of each feather and stick them into the flower, as desired.

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Q&A

By Amanda Beam

Right on the Money Kentucky Derby Festival’s Aimee Boyd shares tips on how to manage work and family Things have changed a lot during the past 10 years for Aimee Boyd. When she started working for the Kentucky Derby Festival, the now vice president of communications lived the life of a single career woman in her late twenties. What a difference a decade can make. Since first joining the KDF, Aimee is happily married and has had two young children, 4-year-old Gage and six-month-old Melody. But taking care of her family doesn’t lessen her work responsibilities. “We work year-round planning the Festival, but it all comes together quickly in a few short months in the Aimee Boyd says simple planning helps spring. Sometimes you feel like you’re in the middle of a alleviate stress between family and work. tug-of-war between work and family,” she says. Commuting back and forth daily from Elizabethtown, Boyd especially feels the crunch in March and April as festival planning reaches its peak. She says relying on local family members helps a lot during this stressful time. Likewise, being able to talk to other working moms and dads in the office doesn’t hurt either. “Knowing I have family to depend on to help when I’m not able is a huge weight off my shoulders,” she says. “Having people to talk with also helps. I have several co-workers who are also new parents or parents of young children who understand the stresses during Festival. We all try to support each other.” In addition, Boyd also believes some simple planning makes her busy life much more manageable. Each school night, she and the kids lay out their clothes and prepare their backpacks before going to bed. On the weekends, she sits down and organizes the coming week’s meals. But despite the chaotic moments, she remains glad that she’s chosen this lifestyle. “As hectic as being a working mom can be, I wouldn’t trade it for the world,” she says.

Running as Fast as They Can

Do your kids sprint out the door just in time to avoid homework or chores? Fear not. The Kentucky Derby Festival has a plan to put these talents to good use. Taking off at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 28, children ages 3 to 14 will have a chance to show off these skills at the Kentucky Derby Festival’s miniRun. There are three distances for the different age groups with the oldest division running only a quarter of a mile. All runners will receive an event T-shirt and congratulatory medal. Visit derbyfestivalmarathon.com.

ADVICE FROM OUR

WELLNESS ADVISORY GROUP

What’s the best remedy for MEAN WORDS?

Becky Carothers, MD Pediatrician

UofL Pediatrics Children and Youth Clinic “For all ages, I think mean words have to do more with the individual speaking than whom they are spoken to. I try to use it as a lesson to teach kids how important it is to say nice things to others and stay positive.”

Rhonda Breischaft Mom

“We talk about why the person may have said unkind words. It’s always a good life lesson in how words can hurt and how we need to think twice about our choice of words. I am hopeful that my children will remember how they felt when someone was mean to them and then stop themselves when they’re tempted to lash out.”

Experience the Great Outdoors Provide time for your kids to be away from their electronics this summer Unlike the usual furry little creatures, a different type of FOX will be scurrying across local parks this spring. Through FOX: Families Outside X-ploring, Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation hopes to give kids a reason to set aside their electronic gadgets. Cost for a family of four to join one of the upcoming excursions is $8. 502.368.5404 to register. Next one: April 20 at 9 a.m. to noon: Features pond, hiking trail, Nature Explore Classroom, nature center, and picnic areas.

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My

PROMOTION

My Kid’s. . . My Kid’s. . . My Kid’s. . . My Kid’s. . . My Kid’s. . .

Kid’s. . . Allergies

Your Allergy Questions Answered By Yelena Sapin

I

f your child has allergies, you might be ready to try anything to help alleviate the misery. But how do you make sense of all the information out there and figure out what to do? Here are some answers to common allergy questions with input from a pediatrician, an allergist, and other parents who are deep in the allergy trenches.

Q:

I think my child has allergies. Where do we go for help?

Start with your pediatrician, who can help determine whether it’s a cold, allergies, or something else. A typical cold or respiratory virus will run about seven to fourteen days, according to Dr. Patrick Hynes of Prospect Pediatrics. If the symptoms are lasting longer than normal it could be a sign of allergy or even a sinus infection. Your child’s doctor can recommend prescription or over-the-counter medications to help control mild to moderate allergy symptoms, but when the usual course of treatment doesn’t seem to help, it might be time to see an allergist, says Hynes. Kids with severe asthma or with symptoms that are stumping their doctors should also be evaluated by an allergist to figure out what’s going on.

Q:

Could my child’s frequent colds and bronchitis be caused by allergies?

There’s definitely a link, says Hynes. “The lining of the nose is your body’s first line of defense,” so anything that disrupts that can make it easier for viruses and bacteria to get in and set up shop.

Q:

Is there a connection between allergies and enlarged tonsils and adenoids? Should my child have them removed?

Chronic allergy-induced postnasal drip and inflammation can lead to enlarged tonsils and adenoids. This can in turn make allergy symptoms worse, cause snoring and sleep disturbances, and create behavioral issues linked to being tired, says Dr. Joe Turbyville of Family Allergy and Asthma. Because tonsils sit right where the Eustachian tubes drain, enlarged glands can also lead to more frequent ear and sinus infections. But not every child with enlarged tonsils or adenoids needs to have them taken out if they’re not causing any problems, so Turbyville suggests an individualized approach.

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Q:

What exactly is allergy testing, and why should I get my child tested?

Allergy testing is the only way to get an accurate diagnosis when it’s not obvious what’s causing your child’s misery, says Turby ville. The most effective testing method involves pricking the skin of the back with trace amounts of different allergens. If an itchy red bump develops at the site, you’re allergic. The bigger the response, the more sensitive you are to the substance. (A blood test that screens for the presence of antibodies to allergens is also available, but the results can be a little tricky to interpret.) There is no age limit to allergy testing, and the procedure is safe for the smallest of infants. But because doing a full panel of allergens takes a while and involves a certain amount of discomfort, doctors usually limit the test for younger kids to specific substances of concern. “The clinical history is very important when figuring out who to test and what to test for,” Turby ville says. Testing may not be necessary if the allergy trigger is easily identifiable and there are no other issues.

Q:

Will my child ever outgrow his allergies?

Sorry, bad news on this one. “Once the immune system is skewed toward that allergic response, the tendency is to become allergic to more things,” says Turbyville. He sees a lot of patients whose once seasonal allergies have become year-round and who’ve picked up allergies to more things along the way. Some lucky few kids with allergies do get better once they hit their teens, he says, but the vast majority of people will tend to get worse, or at least stay the same. Barb Hartman can attest to that. A life-long allergy sufferer, she’s found herself becoming more allergic as she got older, testing positive for sixty-nine environmental allergies the last time she was evaluated. And on a repeated test less than a year after first testing negative for allergies, her youngest son showed a clear reaction to 20 environmental triggers. page 38

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PROMOTION

page 36

Q:

Q:

Can you explain how allergy shots work?

Allergy shots, or immunotherapy, work by introducing everincreasing amounts of the allergic trigger into the body to teach the immune system to be more tolerant of the substance. The treatment typically lasts for several years, going from a frequency of once a week, to every two weeks, to once a month. Rather than treating the symptoms like medication does, shots address the underlying problem and offer the prospect of long-term relief, Turbyville explains. They control upwards of 90 percent of symptoms in most patients and are the closest thing we have to a cure. After several years of immunotherapy, Hartman has seen her son’s allergies improve tremendously. “We still have our bad seasons,” she says, “but now it means that maybe I’ll just give him a Claritin in the morning, and before it meant constant medication.”

Q:

Do allergy shots hurt? How do I help my child tolerate them?

“It is generally not painful,” says Hartman, who’s been taking allergy shots herself for many years. The shots are administered with a very small needle that goes just under the skin, into a large pinch of upper-arm flesh, but it can get a little uncomfortable if too little flesh is pinched or if the shot goes into the muscle. It can also sting some once the dosage is increased and the syringe is fuller. “My son is skinny and scrawny, and there have been a couple of times that he’s actually cried about the shots hurting,” Hartman says. One or two bad experiences for a small child can turn every subsequent visit into misery and tears, so you have to be vigilant as a parent and ask that the person giving the shot be extra careful, she advises. And bribing your child with a reward or a special treat after the injection always helps.

Q:

Will my child have to have shots if she’s diagnosed with allergies?

Not necessarily. Allergy shots should be considered only after you’ve given other things a try, says Hynes. While effective in the long run, “shots are a big time commitment, and a lot of parents don’t realize that initially,” he says. In many cases, avoiding allergic triggers and using over-the-counter medications like Allegra, Zyrtec, or other antihistamines can help manage symptoms and provide relief. Stacie Martin’s daughter, for example, has many environmental allergies, but “it’s not been bad enough that we felt she needs to have shots,” she says. In addition to medication, Martin minimizes allergens in the home to help her child feel better.

Q:

What whole-home solutions help with typical environmental allergies?

Dust mites, molds, and pets are the most common allergy culprits in our homes. “A lot of things are common sense,” says Turbyville. “Getting rid of visible mold, decreasing the humidity level, using a good filter and changing it every three months, keeping windows closed when the pollen levels are high – all of these things can help.” So can getting rid of carpeting and drapes. For her daughter’s allergies, Martin has eliminated down comforters, pillows, and blankets, and uses dust miteproof covers for mattresses and pillows. Dust mites can also be controlled by washing bedding in hot water and drying on high heat. Stuffed animals should also be washed frequently. And if your child is allergic to dogs or cats, you might have to sacrifice pet ownership. Martin’s family researched the most allergyfriendly dogs, but her son couldn’t breathe when the puppy they brought home began to lick his face. “He was crushed,” says Martin, but understood that dogs are “something that we as a family just can’t have.”

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My child gets frequent rashes and has eczema. Is that allergies?

Some rashes and hives are caused by allergies, but others are manifestations of something else. It’s best to have your doctor take a look. Eczema and allergies, however, do often go hand in hand, says Hynes. Many cases of eczema can be controlled with creams, but stubborn cases should be taken to an allergist. “Sometimes there’s a food allergy that can trigger that,” says Hynes, and you need to figure out what’s going on.

Q:

Can you explain food allergies?

Food allergies are different from environmental allergies – they can actually be life-threatening, so any reaction to a food should be evaluated by a doctor. There are no shots for food allergies, and avoidance is the only method of control. “They tend to get worse with repeated exposures and can be very unpredictable,” cautions Turbyville. Someone who just has hives on one occasion may, on the next occasion, have a severe reaction and end up in the emergency room, or worse. Not all food reactions are allergic, however. If your child experiences gastrointestinal symptoms or headaches after eating something, it could be a food intolerance. Hives, itching, swelling and flushing, on the other hand, are signs of a true allergic response, Turbyville says. An allergist can help differentiate between a food intolerance and an allergy and advise on a course of action.

Q:

Is there anything I can do to prevent my child from developing allergies?

Not really. Allergies tend to be inherited, so there’s not much you can do. “It has to do with your genes and your family history,” says Hynes. For new parents, evidence suggests that breastfeeding may offer some protective benefits. “The current recommendation is to breastfeed for six months to a year,” says Hynes, “but we encourage parents to breastfeed for as long as they can, for as long as it’s feasible for their schedules, and then we go from there.” Studies are also looking at what role, if any, early exposure to potential allergens plays in developing sensitivity, but there is no clear consensus as of yet. “We would still say to be very careful with nuts and those types of things with younger children,” cautions Hynes.

Q:

What should I watch out for if my child has food allergies?

If the allergy is life-threatening, be vigilant about reading labels on all products – not just foods – and keep them out of your home, says Hynes. Many non-food items like cleaners and beauty products contain nut oils and can prove dangerous for allergic kids, says Tami Pyles, whose young daughter is severely allergic to peanuts. Pyles also educates the teachers at her daughter’s preschool to look out for nuts in things like potting soil and birdseed, items often used in classroom crafts and activities. “We rely on so many people to keep her safe,” she says, “so the more we educate people about this, the better.”

Q:

How do I keep my highly allergic child safe outside the home?

The Pyles family almost never eats out because of potential cross-contamination in restaurants. They never leave home without Benadryl and their EpiPens, always carry wipes to clean any surfaces their daughter may touch, and keep an eye on what people are eating around her. They only visit homes of people they know to be understanding about their daughter’s allergy and tend to have people over to their house rather than going out. Having a child with a severe food allergy can be challenging, Pyles admits, but she tries to keep it in perspective: “There are families out there who are dealing with far, far worse,” she says. “These are the cards that we’ve been dealt, but we can manage this.”

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APRIL/MAY 2013 39



if

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APRIL/MAY 2013 41


page 40

Great Steamboat Race My parents took me to cheer on the Belle of Louisville at the Great Steamboat Race. In my young mind, the rivalry with the Delta Queen was real, so securing those antlers was a big deal! I loved walking to the back of the boat to peek over the rail and watch the Lucas & Grandpa wheel roll over. at King Fish Today’s tradition is Parade attending King Fish to Preview fun! relax on the patio. When the Belle puffs by, we cheer out loud and wave to the passengers. We or my children, these photos are a time play miniature golf, listen capsule of Louisville and how we celebrate our to music, and enjoy a fish love for our hometown. dinner while waiting for the Belle to circle back. tend to, I attended Oaks last year. My seat Hints & Tips: This event is about relaxing was a section ahead of the finish line. When with your family. Find a great spot by the fillies entered the gate, I had a clear the river and enjoy a picnic dinner. Take view. As they rounded the final turn, I swore advantage of available entertainment or the bleachers vibrated, but maybe it was my pack your own football and Frisbee. heart pounding. What a rush! Pegasus Parade Hints & Tips: Buy a seat! Your feet will thank On the day of the Pegasus Parade, Mom you, and you will actually see the races. Wear would pack up the supplies and we would pink; attire is casual to dressy. Cell phones anxiously wait for Dad to come home. don’t work in the crowd, so decide on meetBecause Dad worked downtown, he knew ing places and times before entering. the best alleys for parking and a front The Kentucky Derby row seat. Excited for the parade to start, I Everyone should attend infield at least would strain my neck looking for a marchonce in his or her lifetime. My Kentucky ing band. A mix of smiling, waving, and Derby memories are of lugging a wagon sugary sweets: for two hours, the crowd full of food and snapping pictures of risqué was suspended in happiness. activities or bad outfits. Nothing compares to Nowadays, getting to the Great Pegasus Parade with my kids is impossible with my seeing a mudslide up close, but the work schedule. So, I recruit my parents Find a full schedule of walk through to take them. They enjoy themselves too Derby family events at the tunnel is my much to miss me. TodaysFamilyNow.com favorite part. HunHints & Tips: Recruit helpers to take the dreds of screaming kids or take time off work to prep and people are packed into a small area, traveling attend. Consider purchasing tickets to at a snail’s pace. Did I question coming out alleviate the anxiety of finding a viewing alive? Every time. spot. Be strategic about offering too many As a family, we’ve been fortunate to drinks to the kids; bathrooms are scarce. celebrate Derby with friends. The food is greasy or full of sugar and the drinks are cold, Kentucky Oaks allowing us adults to graze all day while our I remember when the Kentucky Oaks kids entertain each other. One year after a truly belonged to the locals. Dad and I huge rain, our kids found a hill and created had a tradition of attending. We would their own mudslide. visit the paddock in between betting on

F

the horses. Eventually we would visit the empty – and peaceful – infield: just my dad and me talking and watching the crowd on the other side of the track. While I’ve never taken my kids don’t in-

Hints & Tips: Derby is a time to gather with family and friends for a massive potluck. Entertainment is easy: think betting pots for the day’s races, designing paper Derby hats, and playing cornhole or horseshoes.

Lorie Gant Leitner celebrates living in Louisville with her husband Jeremy, and sons Noah (7) and Lucas (2). She is a frequent contributor to Today’s Family magazine. 42

April/May 2013

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Extracurricular

Kentucky Science Center

The Kentucky Science Center, formerly known as the Louisville Science Center, the State Science Center of Kentucky, is perfect for all ages. With three floors of interactive exhibits and a four-story IMAX Theatre, you’ll never be bored. Visit now through May 19 to experience BODY WORLDS Vital, presented by Spalding University. Vital tells the fascinating story of how to best fight, manage and prevent lifethreatening diseases - such as cancer, diabetes, and heart ailments - through healthy choices and lifestyle changes. Dr. Gunther von Hagens’ BODY WORLDS exhibitions are the original anatomical exhibitions of real human bodies and display authentic human bodies, willed by donors and preserved through plastination. The series is designed to educate the public about the human body and increase health awareness. Visiting the Science Center couldn’t be easier with affordable membership plans granting unlimited admission for the whole family! Enjoy fun in the museum, School’s Out Science Camps, Super Genius Birthday Parties, special events, family reunion packages, Scout programs, and more! 727 W. Main St. Louisville, KY 40202 • 502-561-6100 • KYScienceCenter.org

Childcare

Sullivan University Take the guesswork out of your nanny search. Hire your next nanny through Sullivan University’s nationally acknowledged Professional Nanny Program, an institution with more than 20 years experience training and placing qualified childcare professionals. Our graduates hold Certified Professional Nanny credentials from the American Council of Nanny Schools and are trained in CPR, First Aid and Water Safety. Available for in-home day or live-in services. Visit sullivan.edu and click “Hire a Nanny,” or call 502-413-8607. Sullivan University 3101 Bardstown Road • Louisville, KY 40205 502.413.8607 •sullivan.edu

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April sunday

monday 1

LF APRI

tuesday 2

wednesday 3

DERBY CITY MAGIC SHOW

Y S DA OOL’

oled!

fo Don’t get

The powers of prestidigitation are presented as some of the best in the world of magic gather to dazzle you with illusions and sleight-of-hand. Comedy Caravan 6:15pm, $10, Ages 13 and older comedycaravan.com

7

8

thursday 4

5 6 Through April 7 Kentucky Exposition Center Session times vary. legokidsfest.com/louisville

Bowman Field 5-9pm kdf.org

10

11

16

21

17

King Southern Bank KDF Foundation Pro-Am Golf Tournament Big Springs Country Club Noon Entry deadline: April 13 502.572.3856 kdf.org

22

23

EARTH DAY

28 children’s tea party Dress like a prince or princess for this royal social event with members of the Derby Festival’s 2013 Royal Court. The Crowne Plaza Hotel 1-3:30pm • kdf.org

44

APRIL/MAY 2013

18

pro-Am golf tournament

Traditional tea, pioneer games, carriage rides, and more! Blackacre For tickets, email: blackacre3200@gmail.com blackacreconservancy.org

29

D L AN DER R THE N O O Also, WPARTY Fpril 13-14 T E A A N E T! A PL Zo o

12 Through April 14

13

SESAme STREET LIVE

MARTIAL ARTS SHOWCASE

Elmo’s Super Heroes Brown Theatre at the Kentucky Center Tickets start at $15.75 sesamestreetlive.com/ louisville

from where are you going to watch it? sunday afternoon tea

Lego kidsfest

le Louisvillezoo.org Louisvil

9

15 1

saturday

McDonald’s thunder preview party

Thunder Over Louisville is April 20!

14 Also April 21 & 28

friday

30

Parade preview party This event offers a close-up view of floats and a taste of the entire Parade, including bands, giant character balloons, horses, clowns, and more! Kentucky Exposition Center North Wing • $8 parking fee. Sponsored by Republic Bank kdf.org

19

20

KDF BASKETBALL CLASSIC

thunder OVER LOUISVILLE

Freedom Hall 7pm kdf.org

24

25

taste of derby festival

GREAT BALLOON FEST

Sample some of Louisville’s best food and spirits while donating to Dare to Care Food Bank. Louisville Slugger Field 5:30-8:30pm Tickets $80 kdf.org

Sponsored by U.S. BANK kdf.org

Through May 1 KENTUCKY PROUD WINEFEST

Through May 1 shen yun 2013

Learn about and taste some of what the 50 wineries located in Kentucky and Indiana have to offer. East Belvedere at Waterfront Park 5-9pm • Tickets $40 • kdf.org

Hwang’s Martial Arts and the Children’s Hospital Foundation present the 2013 Martial Arts Showcase & Expo. Kentucky International Convention Center 11am-3pm, $5 children, $8 adults hwangsmartialarts.com/

26

One of the largest fireworks shows in North America and the start of the Kentucky Derby Festival. Ohio Riverfront

27 GREAT BALLOON RACE

Bowman Field • 7am Sponsored by U.S. Bank kdf.org

KDF MARATHON/ MINI MARATHON

Registration fees vary kdf.org

See a long-lost culture of 5,000 years come to life through traditional and classical Chinese dance and music. Kentucky Center’s Whitney Hall 7:30pm $62.75 and up 502.584.777 oror 502.584.7777 kentuckycenter.org

Through May 1 & 2 taste of dawn at the downs Watch the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby contenders go through their morning workouts and enjoy a Kentucky-style breakfast buffet. Gates open at 11am churchilldowns.com

OPENING NIGHT @ CHURCHILL DOWNS First post at 6pm churchilldowns.com

Through April 28 CHEROKEE TRIANGLE ART FAIR Visit more than 200 artists’ booths. Cherokee Parkway between Willow Avenue and Cherokee Road 10am-6pm, Free cherokeetriangle.org

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May sunday

monday

tuesday

wednesday

e

t

COMING UP: THE EAGLES The legendary band will be playing the KFC Yum! Center on July 6. ticketmaster.com

5

1

et! Dheosne’tevfoeinrngtgs oanre! lg stil

Great steamboat race

o

taste of dawn at the downs Through May 2 KENTUCKY PROUD WINEFEST Through May 1 shen yun 2013 Through May 1 See bottom of April calendar for more info.

The first race was in 1963. The winner is the vessel that accumulates the most points from performing a series of five tasks. 6 pm • Ohio River kdf.org

thursday 2

friday 3

saturday 4

Pegasus parade 5pm • $9-$26 Parade route available online Sponsored by Republic Bank kdf.org

9 10

11

13

15

18

cinco de mayo

12

14

Family fun day at the downs

16

17

HAPPY DERBY month!

Churchill Downs $3 Gates open @ 11:30am churchilldowns.com

mother’s day

19 Through May 20

20

21 20

22

dalai lama The Dalai Lama will give a public talk on Sunday and a BODY public teaching VITAL WORld event on Monday. EXHI S KFC Yum! Center BIT! 1pm Sunday, 9am Monday Sunday event sold out At the Kentucky dalailamalouisville.org Science Center kysciencecenter.org

Also, LAST

26

DAY to see

27

23 Through May 27

24 23

Enjoy a Caribbean atmosphere of live reggae music, ethnic food, and the Caribbean vendor market. Louisville Water Tower Sat. & Sun. 2pm-midnight Mon. 1-7pm • $10. (Kids 10 and under free.) • 502.583.0333 kentuckyreggaefestival.com

Galt House, Belvedere Festival Park and Muhammad Ali Center Times, tickets vary. arotr.com

28

29

30

25 Through May 27 louisville reggae festival

abbey road on the river music festival

31

eotn g r o f t ’ n o m Dour mo12!

y

may

memorial day

46

APRIL/MAY 2013

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Before

WeGO... By DeLISA CUICCIO

Photo by melissa donald

FAMILY ON THE GO

...Out the Door! Cynthia Knapek and her husband Mark work together to keep the morning routine “quick and light.” Setting out breakfast food, packing lunches, planning outfits, and having morning rituals makes for a good start to the day as this busy family heads out the door to work and school. 48

APRIL/MAY 2013

Cynthia and Mark Knapek; kids Tyler,ON 7; THE Trevor, FAMILY GO 4

LIVE IN Louisville, Ky. Cynthia and Mark Knapek; OCCUPATIONS Mark is regional sales kids Tyler, Promotions. 7; Trevor,Cynthia 4 is manager, Prosperity president Leadership LIVEofIN Louisville,Louisville. Ky.

WHAT’S FOR BREAKFAST

who does what

Low sugar cereals, oatmeal, whole wheat toast with Nutella, and fruit are quick yet wholesome choices.

Cynthia prepares breakfast for the boys, and Mark drives them to school.

WHAT TO WEAR

Youngest son, Trevor insists on ‘nose kisses’ each morning and Cynthia and Mark carve out about 10 to 15 minutes of morning chat time to catch up, plan for the day and all activities for the rest of the week.

The boys have school uniforms which make for easy planning. Cynthia describes herself as a minimalist and keeps mornings simple by planning her outfits the night before.

START-THE-DAY HAPPY RITUALS

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