Today's Family magazine by Today's Transitions

CONTENTS 16

October/November 2010 4

Introduction

On the Cover

Parent Perspective

Compiled by Elaine Rooker Jack

16 The Well-Child Physical By Nadyne Lee

20 Family Dynamics: The Davis Family By Lisa Hurt Kozarovich

24 If Mama Ain’t Happy By Carrie Vittitoe

27 Service Directory 28 Things to Do Big Bat By Caitlyn Hack Schools Add Archery to Sports Options

By Caitlyn Hack

Time Out with Paula Blumenschein By Elaine Rooker Jack

E YOU SEE ANY WHER IN THIS S BALLOON A CONTEST IS E R E , ISSUE, TH GO AHEAD ! R E T N E O T EM ALL! ENTER TH

Read These Special Online-Only Stories @ www.todaysfamilymag.com

A-Z Halloween Costume Ideas By Barbara Tyler

Take A Trip: Fall Outings

By Kelly Watkins and Ethan Worrall

PUBLISHER

Cathy S. Zion

publisher@todayspublications.com EDITOR

Anita Oldham

editor@todayspublications.com ASSISTANT EDITOR

Elaine Rooker Jack

elaine@todayspublications.com ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

Susan Allen

addirector@todayspublications.com SALES DIRECTOR

Cheryl Suhr

cheryl@todayspublications.com ACCOUNT ExECUTIVES

Teri Hickerson

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SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER

April H. Allman

april@todayspublications.com

Volume 19 • Number 6

PHOTOGRAPHER

Melissa Donald

Published bi-monthly by:

melissa@todayspublications.com

Zion Publications LLC 9750 Ormsby Station Road, Suite 307 Louisville, KY 40223 (502) 327-8855 Fax (502) 327-8861 www.todaysfamilymag.com

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

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY

Melissa Donald

Today’s Family magazine is published bi-monthly by Zion Publications LLC and distributed free to the people of metropolitan Louisville and Southern Indiana. Circulation 30,000 guaranteed. The opinions expressed herein are exclusively those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the position of the publisher. Today’s Family magazine does not endorse or guarantee any advertiser’s product or service. Copyright 2010 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. MEMBER Greater Louisville, Inc., Metro Chamber of 2 0 1 0 Commerce, Area Chambers of Commerce, Better Business Bureau.

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For advertising tinformation o d a yfor ’ Today’s s F aFamily, M I call (502) 327-8855.

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Staffsays

INTRODUCTION BY ANITA OLDHAM

What have you done to live healthy?

Cathy says, eat your vegetables, not M&Ms. Growing up, I had to clean my plate, which always included a green vegetable — even lima beans, brussel sprouts, and kale! My Mom contended not only was it healthy, but the plate of food looked inviting because it was much more colorful! Trying to get my grandchildren to eat green vegetables is a different story. They each have one vegetable that they’ll tolerate, but don’t even think about introducing something as exotic as brussel sprouts! And I’m not thinking green M&Ms count on the nutritional scale. — Cathy Zion, publisher of Today’s Family

Editor, Today’s Family

Taking our Temperature

here is a lot of pressure when you are a parent. Right now, we hear about the declining health of children in our area. How can this be?

We have access to all the information, but we must not be following through. As we hit a season of flu and colds, we have whole new worries. Does my child need to see a doctor? Do I need to take him to the emergency room? Is there something wrong or is this just normal? In this issue we touch on health subjects of all kinds. We have all sorts of parental opinions about dealing with different childhood illnesses. We also feature a family who has had to deal with an unusual illness, and a pediatric nurse practitioner gives us her take on well-child checkups. Let’s take this health discussion to our Facebook page. We would like to hear from you about some ways you are making your family healthier. While you are there, you can join our page to get a chance to win a wonderful two-day stay at Gaylord Hotel in Nashville (see page 6).

The Oldham kids would have liked to plan a revolt against healthful food. It wasn’t like I banned ice cream. But it was a BIG DEAL. The very disgruntled children in my house wailed that it was the last “good” thing to eat. It is true that I had slowly eliminated the sugary cereal and the white bread, but my kids all still enjoyed regular Pop-Tarts. The problem is that they would choose those before anything healthful — and I might choose it too. A community of people has been convinced by my whining children to be astounded at my lack of love and occasionally gift them with their favorite cookie dough flavored Pop-Tarts. — Anita Oldham, editor of Today’s Family

My dentist, Dr. Kimberly Westermann, gets my vote for best bedside and desk-side manner. She’s a great dentist with a gentle touch and her staff is topnotch. Once when a scheduling snafu kept

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Elaine is thankful for Dr. Westermann.

Kids can be so different in their tastes.

me waiting for 30 minutes, she presented me with a gift of Godiva chocolate to make amends! I referred a friend to her practice and she thanked me with a gift card for gas. She and her staff are great with kids, too. My 7-year-old — who comes home with a mask and pretend hand mirror for doing dental checks for her stuffed animals — thinks two visits a year are not nearly enough.

I did so well with my first child. I wouldn’t allow him to have soft drinks or McDonald’s. But when my daughter came along, I was busier, and some of the healthful rules I’d instilled with my son fell to the wayside, and I can tell a difference. On his own, Ben still chooses water over soda, and apples over fries, but Carly craves her Sprite and french fries. So I’ve seen firsthand that starting your child with healthy habits right away is important.

— Elaine Rooker Jack, assistant editor of Today’s Family

— April Allman, graphic designer of Today’s Family

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On the Cover

Advertorial

our models for this issue’s cover are Ben allman (8) and Carly allman (5), who were quite the actors for our photo shoot. they are not strangers to the magazine business — their mother, april allman, is the graphic designer of this magazine and their father, Ron allman, is a journalism professor at Indiana University southeast. Because we were close to Halloween, we played a little dress-up to help our readers realize that our theme this month was related to health and health care. though Ben especially was interested in using some fake blood for the shoot, he still put on a pained face for the sake of the camera.

Win a 2-Day Trip to Christmas at Gaylord Opryland “Like” our Today’s Family Facebook page for a chance to win a vacation package to Christmas at Gaylord Opryland. The package includes: • Two-night room accommodations (Sun-Thurs) at Gaylord Opryland Resort for two people • Two tickets to ICE! featuring Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town • Two tickets to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular • Two tickets to Louise Mandrell’s ‘The Gift’ Christmas Dinner & Show • Tickets to Treasures for the Holidays and Hall of Trees • Two tickets for a ride on the Delta Riverboats inside Gaylord Opryland • a Gaylord Opryland VIP Coupon Book valued at more than $250, as well as all applicable state, hotel and motel taxes and complimentary daily resort fee. Total package is a value of $1,200. www.christmasatgaylordopryland.com

JOin Our FaCebOOk paGe and be auTOmaTiCaLLy enTered TO win!

CoNtEst 6

deadLine: nOVember 17, 2010

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Parent Perspective TOPICS:

H E A LT H Y E AT I N G A N D N U T R I T I O N • E A R LY D E N TA L

‘You’re raising them vegetarian?

Beyond Celery:

Healthy Snacks for Kids

any of us are making mealtime healthier, but what about snacks? Here are some easy ideas for improving snack time: • Make a big snack mix and put individual portions in containers for grab-and-go snacks. The mix changes every time I make it, but it often includes raisins, dried mixed fruit, nuts, sunflower seeds, and cheerios or pretzels. • Serve fruit parfaits in clear glasses. Layer strawberries and blueberries and top with granola or whipped cream. It looks like a fancy dessert! • Fill a whole wheat tortilla with shredded cheese and heat in your George Foreman grill or microwave for an instant quesadilla. • Put peanut butter on a banana for a simple and filling snack. • Make a smooth guacamole angel Nance by mashing up an avocado and and family squeezing some lime juice over it. Serve with tortilla chips, pita bread, or bell pepper slices. Mix it with salsa for a little kick. • Homemade muffins can be a healthy snack. During the fall, it is easy to find canned pumpkin, so try this Pumpkin Muffin recipe: 2 c whole wheat flour 1 tsp baking soda 2 tsp baking powder 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice 1/4 tsp salt 1/4 c softened butter 1/2 c honey oR sugar 2 eggs 1 c pumpkin puree 1/2 c plain yogurt 6 oz mini chocolate chips Preheat oven to 350. Mix together wet ingredients; add dry ingredients. Bake 13-16 minutes in a greased regular muffin tin. In a mini-muffin tin, bake for 9-11 minutes. — Angel Lyn Nance, 31, mother of Elijah (7), Malachi (6), and Lydia (1)

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Compiled by Elaine Rooker Jack

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But they look so healthy!’

f I had a nickel for every time I’ve heard that…Many people expect vegetarians to look like waifs, and some worry we’re hurting our kids. Our pediatrician assures us that our girls are developmentally ahead of the curve and that their well-balanced diet is very healthful. We follow a lacto-ovo vegetarian diet (eggs and dairy), which is a bit easier for the challenges of two busy working parents with limited spare time. Some parents lament that their kids won’t eat vegetables, but we’ve never had trouble getting Isabel and Audrey to try a variety of foods beyond kid favorites like french fries. We make food fun — and a learning experience. When we pick up our Misty Meadows community supported agriculture (CSA) share box each week, there’s always a new food for them to try. Sometimes our box includes something that Mom and Dad had previously considered “icky.” We never would have bought beets, but discovered the amazing “Five Minute Beets” recipe because we didn’t want to waste them. Shredded and cooked in yogurt sauce, they turn PINK — perfect for our little girls. We involve the girls in cooking when it’s safe and practical,

What’s Cookin’?

y daughter’s health has always been important to me, from conception to present day: from making the choice to be a pregnant vegetarian, to breast feeding for 16 months, to toya downs and now preparing fresh meals daily. daughter Nayya Our family time in the kitchen is educational and nutritious, and the dishes we prepare are absolutely delicious. Nayya likes to watch the Food Network, and often she teaches me about the latest and greatest on the culinary scene. I heard her advising a woman in the produce section that “thyme has a distinct fragrance and tastes great in vegetables.” To the surprise of other parents and adults, Nayya prepares baked fish with red and yellow peppers, turkey burgers, sautéed spinach with fresh mushrooms, onions, garlic, and peppers, spinach salads with carrots, cucumbers, and broccoli, or oatmeal for breakfast. A friend of the family was floored when he witnessed my 10-year-old standing over the stove preparing a mushroom sauce for her turkey burger. I have no magic wand that coerces her into eating vegetables. I was the example. As my lifestyle incorporates healthy choices, hers really has no choice. She either eats organic wheat bread, or she doesn’t eat bread. I feel a sense of accomplishment when I hear my daughter say she’s craving a spinach salad and a smoothie, which she blends herself with mangos, bananas, and blueberries! — Toya Downs, 36, mother of Nayya (11) t o d a y ’ s

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Attention, DADs AnD MoMs! We’re looking for guest writers. email a little about yourself and your family, and you might see your byline in an upcoming issue! You can view topics on our website. email elaine@todayspublications.com and put “i can write about parenting” in the subject line.

AL HEALTH

• TRUSTING YOUR GUT

like measuring, pouring, and stirring, and they are more apt to try something they’ve helped prepare. We’ve always emphasized the “Eat your colors” mantra, trying to have three to four different colors of foods with each meal. Brown might be almonds, brown rice, baked beans. Red could be tomatoes or raspberries. Orange could be Angela Hagan and family squash or carrots. Dinner can be a social studies lesson. Middle Eastern and Asian foods, for example, are full of great choices for vegetarians. Our girls love falafel and hummus and Indian dishes such as Malai Kofta with Peshawari nan. Sometimes, playing with your food isn’t such a bad thing when the kids pretend to be giants, eating tiny trees (broccoli) or snow-covered mountains (cauliflower). And, thankfully, supermarkets offer tasty alternatives such as soy-based “Chik’n” Nuggets and veggie burgers and “dogs” for when you just need some comforting “fast food.” — Angela Stallings Hagan, Ph.D., 35, mother of Isabel (4) and Audrey (2)

A ‘Raw’ Deal

grew up in the family of “clean your plate.” I was the master of holding the lima beans in my cheek and excusing myself to the restroom to spit them out so I could still have dessert. I was a pro at hiding eggplant in my napkin and making it to the trash before anyone noticed. Now that I’m the tricia Williams and family grown up, we do things a little differently. My philosophy as a parent: eat some vegetables, fruit, protein, and starch. But do I care if you eat the vegetables I prepared that night for dinner? No. I always have bowls of raw options on the table. Do you have to try a bit of the squash casserole that we’re serving with dinner? Yes. If you don’t like it, don’t eat it. Eat raw carrots or sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, strawberries, or cherries. Eat the “extras” that are on the table. I want to empower my children to make smart choices, let them feel the gratification, and yes, earn dessert. This year we’ve tried to change our children’s experience with food. When we walk through the CSA farm we joined and the strawberries are ripe, we try one. YUM! If the snap beans are ready to be picked, we pick one and taste it. I’m hoping my kids learn the trick of “I gorged on carrots and cucumbers and strawberries to avoid eating squash casserole,” not the napkin trick or any others they might conjure up. The “raw extras” become the saving grace, and over time, they like them. If children have choices that allow them to pick the better of the “evils,” I am convinced they will diversify their palates and have the foundation they need to enjoy a long life of healthy eating. –Tricia Williams, 42, mother of Harrison (13) and David (7) w w w . t o d a y s f a m i l y m a g . c o m

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Parent Perspective TOPIC:

E A R LY D E N TA L H E A LT H

But They’re Baby Teeth!

y 2-year-old Emmy gave me the “I’ll-never-forgive-you-for-this” look as we placed her in the dental chair for the first time. The bright lights, the strange people wearing masks, the drilling from the next room — could this be the trauma that increases the backtalk I’ll receive in 10 years? My wife and I have an ongoing disagreement over the whole tooth-care process. What’s the big stink over baby teeth that are going to fall out anyway? That’s one remark I’ll never make in the dental office again. (The other would be to point out that the toothbrush was invented in Kentucky. If it had been invented anywhere else it would be called the teethbrush!) I got hammered by those wearing scrubs. I got hammered by the civilian-dressed. I got hammered by my wife. Even the waiting patients reading old magazines chimed in, kicking a helpless father while he’s down. You would think I insulted the Tooth Fairy or something. I had no idea that tooth decay was the single most chronic disease of childhood, five times more common than asthma and hay fever. I was also shocked to discover The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research estimates that children in the U.S. will miss 51 million hours of school John G. Warren and family each year due to oral health problems. The bigger surprise was learning there was an organization with a name like that. I came away with some education on oral health, regardless of age, as well as a tongue scraper. Emmy survived the chair and seemed to enjoy it. I don’t think she’ll harbor ill feelings that will emerge as a teenager. With new toothbrush and stickers in tow, she came charging out to the waiting area and hugged me in front of the tropical fish. — John G. Warren, 47, father of Mary (9), Anna (6), and Emily (3)

Tips to having a cavity-free kid Compiled by Stacy Westray Tackett

• Wipe baby gums. A quick once-over with a damp cloth before bed removes bacteria that can harm soon-to-erupt teeth.

• Brusha brusha. Once those pearly whites pop, brush once (realistically) or twice a day (ideally) a day with a soft, toddler brush. Use a pea-size drop of non-fluoridated toothpaste until age 4, or when your child can reliably spit it out (swallowing fluoride regularly could make him sick and cause spots on the adult teeth ). • Floss. OK, I might as well be asking you to trim a wild bear’s claws. But start using those plastic flossers now and your kid just might get used to it. • Visit the dentist by age 1. • Say cheese! And eat some, too. The protein in it, casein,

helps prevent tooth decay, so pass the cheese stick. Another tasty idea: lollipops with xylitol (for kids over 4), a natural sweetener that prevents plaque buildup. 10

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Parent Perspective TOPIC:

E A R LY D E N TA L H E A LT H

Finding the Right Dentist

t’s difficult to convince a child that the dentist’s office is a safe place after he has had a terrible experience in a dentist’s chair. My selection criterion for a dentist: convenient location, flexible office hours, the doctor on call 24/7, and a friendly and professional staff. My youngest son Gib first visited the dentist at age 3. In the waiting room – a brightly colored miniature playground – we were greeted by a friendly receptionist. She explained that my son would go back by himself with the hygienist and later they would call me into a private room where the dentist would explain the results of the visit. It seemed like it went well. Later, in the car, my son told me that he hated the taste of the cleaning paste they used and that he was gagging from the chocolate flavor. Before his next appointment – six months later – I confirmed they would use something minty instead. On the day of the appointment, Gib was clearly anxious and very specific about the bad-tasting cleaning paste. I reassured him that I had spoken to the hygienist the day before and would remind her again when we arrived. When the hygienist came out we discussed Gib’s anxiety about the cleaning paste flavor. She told me that they have a minty flavor and she would use it when cleaning his teeth. About 30 minutes later, I was called to the private room where I met the dentist and a hysterical child literally shaking and sobbing. Gib told me that the girl who cleaned his teeth used the “yucky” kind of cleaning paste, even after she promised to use a mint-flavored paste.

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After asking neighbors and friends for recommendations and receiving no rave reviews, Gib at the dentist we landed in the office of a dentist whose name was mentioned several times. The waiting room was dark and not welcoming, which should have been the first sign. This particular dentistry practice had no patience whatsoever. They used something uncomfortable to prop the child’s mouth open and the dentist was abrupt and all business. Both of us left in tears. Looking back now, I wonder why I was looking for a pediatric dentist when I have always loved my own dentist, Dr. James Howell in Dupont Square. Dr. Howell has been practicing dentistry for 17 years, is extremely laid–back, and speaks in a quiet, comforting tone. Jennifer, the dental hygienist, is one of the sweetest, most patient people I have ever met. I made an appointment for Gib, and Jennifer cleaned my son’s teeth for the first time when he was 5 years old. She used me to demonstrate to him exactly what she would be doing. The entire dental practice was willing to work with my son, even if it meant taking very small steps at first. Their goal was to show him that you could love to go to the dentist. Gib just turned 8, and believe it or not, his fears associated with going to the dentist are slowly going away. We are blessed to have found the “perfect” family dentist! — Stacy Westray Tackett, 46

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Parent Perspective TOPIC:

TRUSTING YOUR GUT

Finding a Pediatrician

y the time my son Asher was 1 year old, he had seen four pediatricians. Finding a trustworthy pediatrician has been difficult. After all, when four pediatricians give different advice, who’s to be trusted? With Asher’s first pediatrician, I quickly found out that he knew very little about breastfeeding – my son’s primary activity. Actually, two of the four have been clueless about it, recommending supplementing with formula (which decreases milk supply) and weaning between six to nine months (which is unnecessary and not the healthiest choice). Asher’s doctors have also given conflicting information regarding solids. The first recommended cereal at four months of age, and the second said not until at least six months. The third encouraged starting with vegetables and was shocked that at five months old, Asher had barely begun solids. She said he Casey Barlage and family would sleep better if fed three solid meals a day. She was wrong. He has five meals a day and he still doesn’t sleep. Another difference among doctors is their vaccination philosophies. I have appreciated that all of Asher’s doctors have encouraged vaccinating, but their ideas about how to promote and schedule vaccinations have differed. Asher’s first two pediatricians worked for the same practice, and there, no one brought up vaccinations until I started asking about their policies. They offered to do all the vaccinations at once or make a few more appointments to spread them out. Asher’s third pediatrician, though clueless about breastfeeding, was admirable in her pursuit to promote vaccinations. In our initial meeting, before addressing anything else, she mentioned that she is a firm believer in vaccination and that she requires her patients to be vaccinated unless there is some medical reason why it’s not possible. After being unhappy with my first three choices of pediatricians, I made a more conscious effort to choose a pediatrician with whom I agreed on philosophical issues when my family relocated again. I chose Asher’s current pediatrician because she supports vaccination (while encouraging questions about it) and because she is also a breastfeeding mother. Asher has only seen her once, but I believe that she will be guided more by scientific facts than cultural norms. My motherly intuition tells me I made a solid choice this time. — Casey Barlage, 28, mother of Grace (8) and Asher (1)

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Parent Perspective TOPIC:

TRUSTING YOUR GUT

Kristina Harrigan and daughters

For information about First Steps, visit http://chfs.ky.gov/ dph/firststeps.htm or call 877.417.8377.

When to Step In

y oldest daughter, Megan, was 3 when my triplets, Abigail, Brigid, and Caroline were born. By then I was a seasoned professional. I had been through it all with Megan, and I knew when the triplets should be hitting their developmental milestones. When the girls were three months old I noticed that Caroline wasn’t progressing like her sisters. I kept thinking something wasn’t quite right. I was familiar with First Steps, Kentucky’s early intervention program for children ages birth to 3 who are experiencing developmental delays, so I called. I set up an initial evaluation. During the evaluation in our home, Caroline showed mild delays in two areas but not enough to qualify for services. I was told I had to wait six months for Caroline to be re-evaluated. During that time frame, Caroline fell farther and farther behind her sisters. She wasn’t rolling over or lifting her head while she was on her stomach. She was, in effect, exactly as she was as a newborn. I called First Steps several times and was always told I had to wait six months. I kept calling. Finally Caroline was evaluated again. This time she had such a huge developmental delay she qualified for speech, physical, occupational, and family therapy. Each therapist came separately to our house for an hour at a time. At 2 1/2, she began preschool at Carriage House Preschool, which provides specialized preschool services for children with developmental delays, two mornings a week. During that time we noticed that Brigid was delayed in her speech so she received speech therapy also. At the age of three, both girls were referred to Jefferson County Public Schools for further evaluation to see if they would need continued services. They passed with flying colors! Now at 7, Caroline continues to test above her peers in school. Brigid tests several grades ahead of her peers. I fully believe that if I hadn’t pushed to have Caroline evaluated as an infant, she would never be where she is today. Brigid’s speech delay might not have been caught either. My advice? Always trust your mother’s intuition! — Kristina Jorgensen Harrigan, M.Ed., mother of Megan (10), Abigail, Brigid, and Caroline, (7)

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To Blow or Not to Blow...

Warning Lights

That’s not really the question in my house. We blow and blow and repeat. Stuffy sinuses are a fact of life, and we’ve gone through a myriad of treatment attempts. I have always had environmental allergies so when my children developed various similar symptoms at young ages that was my first thought. My daughter’s woes began in early toddlerhood with head colds that would not clear without antibiotic intervention. Testing came back negative, so after multiple Barb Hartman and children courses of medication I took her to an ENT who diagnosed an antibiotic-resistant bacteria. After being assured by the infectious disease specialist that “more people than you care to think about” harbor these germs, we removed her adenoids and tonsils. That was six and a half years ago and she has remained well. My next child had the same issues and, based on my experience with my daughter and the fact that he didn’t seem very allergic, I went almost straight to the adenoidectomy. I bypassed the tonsils because recuperation with my daughter was quite horrific. Lo and behold he stayed healthy until this year, when at age 6, his tonsils joined his adenoids in a jar somewhere. The jury is still out as to whether he is “fixed.” My youngest was medically quirky from the beginning, with all sorts of nonlife threatening, but irritating issues such as reflux, constipation, recurrent sinus issues, fluid in the ears. We tried allergy testing and he was nearly allergy free. We had his adenoids removed when he was two, but it didn’t help much. I waited almost a year and re-tested him and the boy who had been almost allergy–free nine months earlier was allergic to over twenty environmental triggers. He now takes weekly allergy shots and seems to be on the right track. As parents, we often second–guess ourselves when it comes to taking our kids to the doctor. Since we’re not the ones experiencing the symptoms, it’s hard to know how “real” they are. My best advice is to remember what has come before. When it comes to kids’ health problems, history does repeat itself and the way you treat one child’s illness will not necessarily work for another. — Barb Hartman, 42, mother of Maeve (9), Liam (7), and Sean (5)

If you drive a car, you know the red blinking “oil” light is a warning that something is wrong with the engine oil. If you’re a parent, you are equipped with a ‘warning light’ when it comes to your children. It’s called your ‘gut.’ It’s that niggling, gnawing feeling in the pit of your stomach when you know something is wrong even if you can’t prove it yet. For me, my warning light went off when my son was 14 months old. He was beginning to behave very oddly and was doing things that we could not understand. He wasn’t like other kids. He didn’t like to be touched. He was very sensitive to sounds and movement. He could hear and smell things that we could not. I had an uneasy feeling that something was very wrong. After a call to his pediatrician to express my concerns, my ‘gut’ turned out to be right and the process of diagnosing his condition began. He was ultimately diagnosed with a form of autism called Asperger Syndrome and a laundry list of other things. I have continued to trust my gut throughout his years of therapy and doctor visits, and he has made tremendous progress. Today his diagnoses are virtually invisible. Always trust your gut – after all, you know your child the best! — Stacie L. Martin, 39, mother of Taelor (11), and Andrew (9)

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Health Matters:

The

4Well-Child Physical

By Nadyne Lee

larita Raupple was cleaning the mess that 4-year-old Norma had made with her lunch of spaghetti and meat sauce. The floor was slick with goopy tomato sauce and long, stringy noodles. Clarita was miffed. Then, to make matters worse, the phone rang. With

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a spaghetti-laden paper towel in one hand, Clarita answered the phone with the other. “Is this Mrs. Raupple?” asked the caller. “Yes,” said Clarita in a tone reserved for telemarketers. “This is Dr. Floyd’s office. You missed Norma’s well-child physical this morning. We need to schedule another visit.” continued on page 18 t o d a y ’ s

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Clarita had completely forgotten. After rescheduling, she wondered if well-child physicals were really that important. If Norma were sick, it would be one thing. But by definition, this was a WELL-child visit. Plus, Dr. Floyd’s waiting room was always full, so “waiting” was the part of the process. But if Clarita had been in Dr. Floyd’s waiting room that morning, she might have had the opportunity to chat with Donna Phelps and her son Ricky. At his preschool physical, Ricky was diagnosed with diabetes. Donna could have told Clarita how early diagnosis had spared Ricky complications. Or Clarita might have talked to 18-year-old Aaron Greenburg, who was diagnosed with hypertension and a heart murmur at a well-child visit 12 years earlier. He was referred to a cardiologist who treated his life-threatening heart abnormality. Or perhaps Clarita would have spoken with Anne Kelly and her 13-year-old daughter Kinsey. Anne thought wellchild physicals were God’s gift to humanity after Dr. Floyd discovered a malignant abdominal mass during Kinsey’s twoyear-old physical. Fortunately, the tumor was removed before it spread and now Kinsey will live a normal life. These families, and countless others, could assure Clarita that well-child physicals are worth the time and effort and they save lives. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that our

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children have routine well-child physicals. During these examinations, health care providers will conduct a number of evaluations including measurement of height and weight, blood pressure, urinalysis, hearing and vision screening, blood tests, and a complete physical exam. Your doctor or nurse practitioner will ask about your child’s diet and exercise, behavior, school performance, and sleep problems. You may be referred to another specialist such as a dentist, eye doctor, or psychologist for further evaluation. Your child’s immunizations

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will be updated at every well-child exam. Immunizations are one of the most significant success stories of modern medicine. In the past, many children were crippled or killed by childhood illnesses that are now preventable by immunizations. Unfortunately, some parents have become complacent about or even afraid of immunizations. They believe that the illnesses have disappeared, or parents have become frightened by erroneous reports of possible side effects. However, the risks of not receiving vaccines are immense. The American Academy of Pediatrics believes that immunizations are the safest and most effective way to prevent disease, disability, and death from dangerous childhood diseases. Today’s vaccines are safe and side effects are mild — usually only fever or localized redness. Severe adverse reactions are rare. Because research is ongoing, new immunizations to protect children from serious illness are being developed. Therefore, guidelines change. For the most current recommendations, consult your health care provider. Your pediatrician can offer advice on behavioral issues such as potty training and how much screen-time is appropriate. And your teenage daughter might be more willing to discuss her sexual behaviors with her doctor. The most common problem seen during the well-child physical is obesity. It is the fastest-growing threat to our children’s health. In Dr. Floyd’s office, 25 percent of the patients who come in for a well-child visit will leave with a diagnosis of being overweight or obese. Childhood obesity can lead to a life-long battle of the bulge. It predisposes children to hypertension, diabetes, heart disease,

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The well-child physical is The besT way To head off problems aT The pass: • With a few drops of urine in a cup your pediatrician can determine if your child has a urinary tract infection or diabetes. • When your child jumps on the scale, your pediatrician can tell you if she is growing as well as her peers. • With a few drops of your baby’s blood, your pediatrician can diagnose anemia and infectious disease. • With developmental assessments, your pediatrician will rule out autism, speech delay, and behavior problems. • With a blood pressure check, your pediatrician can diagnose high blood pressure and hypertension, often a silent symptom of serious illness, even in little ones.

and social problems. Unlike urinary tract infection, strep throat, or pink eye, obesity isn’t a quick fix. It requires longterm commitment. Obesity is one of the most problematic, preventable childhood diseases that we face today. The causes of childhood obesity are multifaceted: genetics; parental influence; fast foods; high-sugar drinks; and a sedentary lifestyle. The bottom line is that children gain weight if they eat more calories than they burn. The treatment starts with recognizing the problem. Then the whole family has to commit to lifestyle changes — making healthy food choices and increasing calorie-burning activities. Busy parents have many responsibilities, but parents’ foremost job is keeping our children healthy. One of the best ways we can do this is by preventing problems before they occur and by recognizing illnesses before they progress. The well-child physical is an invaluable tool to help us give our children the gift of health.

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By Lisa Hurt Kozarovich Photographs by Melissa Donald

The Davis Family Kevin and Lori Davis, daughters Madeline (9) and Camille (7) LIve: Okolona work LIves: Kevin, a former minister, is a financial adviser with Edward Jones. Lori, a former elementary school teacher, is a stay-at-home mom who homeschools her daughters.

o see them today — riding bikes together through their neighborhood or attending a service at Highview Baptist Church — one would never know the years of struggle the Davis family endured while trying to diagnose and treat the chronic health problems that had plagued their daughters since they were babies. After a specialist at Kosair Children’s Hospital diagnosed the girls with Tethered Cord Syndrome (a rare neurological disorder that interferes with movement of the spinal cord) and performed corrective surgery on the sisters two years ago, the family has discovered a normalcy they once wondered if they’d ever know.

after the long struggle to diagnose and treat your daughters’ conditions, what did you learn from it? Lori: “I learned to slow down and enjoy life more. I’m Type A, so that was something I always struggled with. And we focused more on being thankful. We didn’t know how lucky we were to have a place like Kosair Children’s Hospital here in Louisville. Every specialist we needed was within 20 continued on page 22

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minutes of our driveway. In the waiting rooms, we met people who had come from three or four states away and had to stay in hotels.” Kevin: “Perseverance pays off. We were going from one diagnosis to another with both daughters. My wife kept digging and asking until she found the root cause of all of the symptoms we were treating. It was a long, drawn–out process, but we really learned that good things come to those who persevere and don’t give up.” How has life changed for the girls after their surgery and treatments? Lori: “Oh, it’s just incredible — they can do anything. They do gymnastics, they can ride bikes, hula hoop, jump rope and just enjoy being kids.” Why was it important for your family to visit Washington, d.C., this summer for the National association of Children’s Hospitals Family advocacy day? Lori: “We benefited so much from Kosair so we wanted to say thanks to our Congressmen and say keep the money coming please, and we wanted to advocate for better pediatric health care across the country and for better Medicaid rates. The girls felt like rock stars, and they felt so good that sharing their story could help other kids.”

How do you keep the household running smoothly? Lori: “I have a Daytimer on the counter; that’s where I keep the family calendar. It’s color coded for each of the girls. At the beginning of the week, I set goals for us, and I look at it every night to be sure we’re on track. Back when we were going through everything, things at the house were O c t o b e r / N o v e m b e r

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falling apart, so I started typing up a list of morning responsibilities and put it on their doors. Simple things: make your bed, put your breakfast dishes in the sink, put your clothes in the hamper, bring me the hair bow you want to wear. Now one loads and the other unloads the dishwasher, they bring in the groceries. They’ve always been great helpers. Now they get an allowance.” What do you do for fun? Lori: “We swim, we take bike rides, have playdates. The girls have wanted to start recycling so now that’s become part of the bike rides — whoever picks up the most cans ‘wins.’ Then we use the money for a special pizza night. We’re big on traditions — we go to the beach with their grandparents in North Carolina and every Labor Day we go to Holiday World.” Kevin: “It’s the little things. I try to play games or watch movies or TV shows (mainly “America’s Got Talent” or “American Idol”) with the girls after dinner. We try to do inexpensive things as a family, like this weekend we went to Atlantis water park. My wife does a good job at finding free, discounted and inexpensive events for our family.” t o d a y ’ s

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What’s your family’s motto? Lori: “Our motto is as Christ said, ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’ We’re not perfect at all, but we are constantly trying to emulate that. We also talk about thankfulness all the time — we call it an attitude of gratitude. We want the girls to be other-centered, not self-centered.” What does your family do to stay connected? Lori: “We always eat dinner together and we like to go for walks afterward. Right now Kevin’s schedule is crazy and he’s working late, so when he gets home we all sit down with him while he eats and talk about our day. We both try to schedule some one-on-one time with the girls also.” Kevin: “One of the ways we try to communicate is through “Daddy Dates,” where it’s just me and one of them. We either do a frosty at Wendy’s or breakfast on Saturday at Bob Evans or movie at the theater. I try to use that time to ask them questions about either a recent event in their life or about how we are doing as parents.” What is non-negotiable in your home? Lori: “Lying, hitting, outright disrespect. And there are other things we’re strict about. We’re not prudes, but we think children should dress like children not 20 year olds, so they wear modest clothes. We’re very careful about what they’re watching. We like Hannah Montana and we’ll watch it with them, but sometimes we’ll pause it and say, ‘Do you see what she just did to her dad?’ Then we explain, ‘It may look cool on TV, but here’s why it’s not cool at home.’” If there was one thing you’d want your children to remember and pass on to their own children some day, what would it be? Kevin: “Because we are Christians and our faith is our greatest asset, I want our children to embody their faith and pass that along to their children. I want them to glorify God in their families, their church, and their community. If that happens we have been successful.” w w w . t o d a y s f a m i l y m a g . c o m

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If Mama Ain’t Happy. . . By Carrie Vittitoe

ohnson & Johnson was right on the money with its slogan, “Having a baby changes everything.”

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Becoming a mom changes your sleep habits, your priorities, the strength of your abdominal wall, and how much love you can hold in your heart. For me, becoming a mom to Norah in February 2004 changed my brain

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chemistry and forced me to see just how important a mom’s mental health is to the well-being of her family. During my first year of motherhood I learned all about Norah’s temperament, sleep habits, and interests, but I also learned some unpleasant things related to childbearing. I learned that postpartum depression/anxiety can manifest up to two years following the birth of a child. I learned that hormonal changes related to breastfeeding and weaning sometimes wreak havoc on a mother’s mental state. And I learned that it is utter torture to know something is wrong with you but to be scared to death to ask for help out of fear someone will take your child from you because you are “crazy.” Looking back, I had many traits that made me susceptible to developing a postpartum mood disorder. I was a perfectionist, a textbook type-A personality, and a worrywart. I experienced numerous short-term bouts of depression during college. And I had extremely high expectations for myself as a mom. I had been anxious throughout the pregnancy. I worried early on about miscarriage. At my 20-week ultrasound, my husband and I were told that our daughter could have Down Syndrome. At 28 weeks I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes and t o d a y ’ s

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Resources For Women With Suspected Postpartum Mood Disorders Postpartum Progress, a clearinghouse of information coordinated by Katherine Stone, who suffered from postpartum OCD — http://www.postpartumprogress.com/ Postpartum Support Kentuckiana — http://postpartumsupportkentuckiana.org/getting_ help.html or 502.541.1818. The Postpartum Stress Center, which offers information and treatment for women with postpartum mood disorders — www.postpartumstress.com/ The Online PPD Support Group, for women who do not have access to a local support group — www.ppdsupportpage.com

began a rigorous diet/exercise program to keep my glucose levels in check. And planning to become a stay-at-home mom meant the loss of my paycheck and a teaching position I really enjoyed. Every facet of my life was going to change. Norah was delivered naturally, was completely healthy, and it seemed like the anxiety lifted, but pregnancy had filled my worry bucket to the brim. Norah was diagnosed at two months of age with torticollis, a condition in which the neck muscles tighten causing head and facial misshaping and requiring physical therapy. There were small anxiety–inducing events and the normal day-to-day stressors of parenting an infant. In August I started Norah on baby food and slowly cut back her nursing sessions. By mid-October, I had completely lost my appetite. I began suffering from insomnia. When I was able to fall asleep, I would awaken in the process of having a panic attack. I cried multiple times a day. I worried almost constantly that I would die soon and leave my sweet daughter. I remember wanting to just walk into an emergency room and cry out that I needed help, but I was terrified my baby would be taken away from me. I really thought I was going crazy, but I didn’t know why. Norah was eight months old so I couldn’t possibly have a postpartum psychological issue, right? Right? I thought if depression/anxiety didn’t show up within the first six weeks after birth, it wouldn’t happen. I knew I’d hit rock bottom when I told my husband he needed to call my doctor and get me in TODAY or I was going to end up in the hospital. At that point, I was prescribed a low-dose of an antidepressant, some anti-anxiety medication and also began seeing a cognitive-behavioral therapist so I could figure out what was going on with my mind. It wasn’t enough just to take a pill. I wanted to understand what the heck had happened to my head and why. Therapy helped me understand that I had full-blown anxiety and obsessive/compulsive disorder, probably since continued on page 26 w w w . t o d a y s f a m i l y m a g . c o m

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childhood but made unbearable by the hormonal changes of pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. The challenges of caring for a baby coupled with my unrealistic expectations of what a mom should be made me ripe for a fall. During my recovery, I read every book I could find on prenatal and postpartum mood disorders. I found an online support group for women like me who had their babies and then had nervous breakdowns. I eventually started writing my blog, Mood-Disordered Mama, as a way to talk myself through my anxious feelings, irrational thinking patterns, unrealistic goals as a mom, and stresses associated with being a full-time caregiver. I wish I could say that within a few months of treatment I was golden, but there were still a few bumps in my road to mental wellness. It wasn’t until September 2006 that I felt mentally secure enough to consider having another child. Fast forward to the present. I am now a mother to three children: Norah, (6), Graeme, (3), and Miles (1). I am content with my life and have finally accepted that I have a mood disorder. And I now know a sense of empathy for people with mental illness. I know that asking for help showed my strength, not weakness. I know that I have to be gentle with myself and forgive myself in my continual effort to stay “recovered.” And those are some good lessons to share with my children as I guide them through their lives. Carrie Vittitoe lives in Louisville with her husband Dean Langford and Norah (6), Graeme (3) and Miles (1). Read her blog at http:// mooddisorderedmama.blogspot.com/. This is her first feature for Today’s Family.

JOin Our FaCebOOk paGe and be auTOmaTiCaLLy enTered TO win!

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DIREC T ORY

Adoption

Adoption Bridges A non-profit adoption agency providing full services for birth parents and adoptive parents. Please visit our website at adoptionbridgesofkentucky.org and see us on Facebook and YouTube.

eduCAtion/speCiAltY sChools

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Meredith-Dunn School

Babyology Breastfeeding Resource Center & Boutique

4-C is the central point of contact for community child care needs and serves as a VOICE FOR CHILDREN and families. Call or visit our website if you are looking for child care, and/or need help in paying for child care.

Meredith-Dunn School is an independent school that offers prescriptive education for students with learning differences in grades 1-8. We help children with learning differences develop academically, socially and emotionally. We value each child as an individual with unique strengths, weaknesses and learning patterns. So, we personalize each child’s instruction and create an environment rich in learning, growing, and confidence-building opportunities. We believe in the potential of all learners. Meredith-Dunn School is recognized as a School of Distinction, by the All Kinds of Minds Institute. Contact us for additional information about our school, tutoring, and diagnostic services.

1215 So. 3rd St., Louisville, KY 40203 • 502.636.1358 www.4Cforkids.org • facebook.com/4CVOICE

3023 Melbourne Avenue., Louisville, KY 40220 • 502.456.5819 • www.meredithdunnschool.org

ChildCAre/presChool

eXtrACurriCulAr

St. James Catholic School

Louisville Ballet

Come soar above with St. James Elementary and Monsignor Horrigan Pre-School/Pre-K Programs! We encourage and support the development of every child by enhancing a positive self-image through education.

Val Caniparoli’s The Seasons, part of Director’s Choice (Oct.); new Brown-Forman Nutcracker (Dec.); Coppélia, a family fav (Mar.) & Rite of Spring (Apr.). Classes (18 months-adult) from creative movement, pre-ballet, ballet, jazz, tap, modern, hip hop, flamenco, Pilates & Zumba®.

1818 Edenside Avenue • 502.454.0330, Ext. 11 • www.stjamesbluejays.com

315 E. Main St. Louisville, KY 40202 • 502.583.3150 www.louisvilleballet.org • facebook.com/louisvilleballet

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Barefoot Books

Marshall Women’s Health & Education Ctr.

We specialize in multicultural, earth-friendly children’s books that celebrate art, story, imagination, and creativity. Fundraising is available for schools and churches. We have great gifts for classroom birthday parties, special occasions, and showers.

Free wellness classes, health risk assessments, prevention info and education, to navigation and physician referral services. We’re meeting needs of women of all ages–adolescence to menopause. Created to empower women to take charge of their health.

502.509.3336 • www.KidsNeedGreatBooks.com • facebook.com/KidsNeedGreatBooks

Norton Medical Plaza III - Suburban, #108, 4121 Dutchmans Ln. • 502.629.1234 • www.nortonhealthcare.com

401 West Main St #1710, (40202) • 502.585.4369 • 1.800.542.5245 • www.adoptionbridgesofkentucky.org • facebook.com/adoptionbridgesofkentucky

ChildCAre

Community Coordinated Child Care, Inc (4-C)

We rent and sell a full line of breast pumps, maternity/nursing bras 32B to 50L, nursing covers, baby carriers, and a lot of unique mommy/baby gift items. If you need help, we also offer lactation consults by IBCLCs, latch checks, and more. Plus, we offer FREE weight checks and Gift Registry. Classes — Lamaze, Breastfeeding, Cloth Diapering, Introducing Solids, and many other classes for expectant and new parents. Please find a listing of all our classes on our website. BaBy showers — For facility rental and planning information contact Andrea at andrea@lyricalhands. com or 502.640.9698. Hours M-F 9a-7p & Sat. 9a-6p. 3934 Dutchmans Ln., Louisville, KY 40207 • 502.721.7727 • www.babyology.com

Choose A Gender Have you ever wondered if there was a way to influence the gender of your next child? Choose A Gender, LLC. allows families to do just that. We offer a laboratory procedure that can increase the odds of producing a male or female child at an affordable cost. Our website contains information on our process, other gender selection methods, costs, forms to get started, and contact information to submit any questions you may have about our services. Since gender selection is possible, there is a demand for the service. Some of the reasons for using a gender selection service include: Family Balancing or the process of bringing the number of children of each gender in one family closer to equal. 8814 Linn Station Rd. (40222) • 502.767.1942 • www. chooseagender.com • facebook.com/chooseagender

Norton Women’s Pavilion Norton Women’s Pavilion is here for you, from free prenatal classes to breast-feeding support and everything in between. Because of our specialized services, more expectant parents choose to deliver their babies with us than any other birthing facility in the region.

Reach more than 99,000 readers. Advertising Norton Hospital • 200 E. Chestnut St., 40202 rates as Norton Suburban Hospital • 4001 Dutchmans Ln., 40207 low as $50. 502.629.1234 • www.nortonbaby.com For more information call 502.327.8855 or email advertising@todayspublications.com

FamilyFinds

Wild Strawberry Hair & Nail Studio

We believe in real BEAUTY! True BEAUTY is timeless and you don’t have to follow trends to be and feel beautiful. Make an appointment to discover new ways to look and feel beautiful. 104 Bauer Avenue • St. Matthews 502.897.9453 www.wildstrawberrystudio.com

Things To Do take photos at your family activities! Operation: PARENT

This non-profit organization is dedicated to helping the parents and guardians of teens and preteens. Join “The Smart Step-Family” and get the tools you need that will benefit the entire family. WHEN October 26 @ 10am and 6:30pm WHERE Operation: PARENT Headquarters,

Photos should be sent in high resolution to editorial@todaysfamilymag.com with “calendarphotos” in the subject line. You will need to include your name, phone number, and mailing address. Keep in mind you need to think ahead. If it is an activity that they enjoy in the summer, you will need to send it two months ahead. Go to our website at www.todaysfamilymag.com for more information.

13029 Middletown Industrial Blvd, Ste. 100

COST $10 per registrant CONTACT

operationparent.org or 502.245.7154

The Disappearance of Daniel Hand

The disapparance of Daniel leads one boy, an aspiring filmmaker, on a mission to find truth. Enjoy Walden Theatre’s newest offering in its “Slant Culture Series.” WHEN November 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20 @ 7:30pm and November 13, 20 @ 2pm WHERE Walden Theatre COST $10-$15, varies by time. Student and senior discounts. CONTACT 502.589.0084

The True Story of The Three Little Pigs

See the other side to this classic fairytale adapted from the popular book. Do we really know what happened? Should we question all fairytales?

TRICK OR TREAT!

WHEN October 9, 16, 23, 30, November 6 & 13 @ 10am and 1:15pm WHERE Derby Dinner Playhouse COST $16 CONTACT 812.288.8281

Yo Gabba Gabba

From left to right, Bumblebee Isabella Wilmes, daughter of Michael Wilmes and Niki Rodriguez of Louisville, gets ready for last year’s dreams With Wings Jack o’Lantern stroll at Bellarmine University, while Cassady and ashley Friedrich, daughters of david and april Friedrich of Jeffersonville, look tasty in their Jelly Belly and Popcorn costumes. Matti Fehr, daughter of Eric and Becky Fehr of sellersburg, clucks it up in her chicken costume.

The award-winning Nick Jr. show comes to the stage. Come see your favorite characters and dance and sing along with DJ Lance Rock. WHEN October 11 @ 1pm and 5pm WHERE The Louisville Palace COST $25-$35 CONTACT www.louisvillepalace.com

KaLightoscope

See amazing lighted holiday sculptures that have never been shown in the U.S. Inspired by Chinese artists, each sculpture is made of painted fabrics and enhanced by lights and colors. Stick around for a spectacular dinner show called “Colors of the Season.” Watch as the couple’s living room transforms into a world of magic, lights, and colors while the cast sings your holiday favorites.

Big Bat Anne Jewel, executive director of the Louisville Slugger Museum, recently had her book published. She wrote it while she was on maternity leave and it took a little while, because that child is now 9 years old. What was your inspiration for the book?

WHEN November 18-January 3,

I think it was a couple of things, to tell the truth. The first and obvious one was the Big Bat itself. The joy and wonder on people’s faces when they see it is special, and I wanted to create a book to convey that to everyone. The Big Bat really brings out the kid in all of us. From my office, I see kids and their parents approach the Big Bat every day, and I can see the amazement and excitement in their faces. The second would be my son; I wanted something I could share and read with him. I had grown up in a family of book lovers and when I was on maternity leave and the notion of having something to read with my son excited me as well.

KaLightoscope starting at 9am and “Colors of the Season” starting at 7:30pm WHERE Galt House Hotel COST Children 5-12, $14.95 and Adults $17.95. Children under 4 enter free. Senior citizens 60 and over, $13.95 CONTACT kalightoscope.com CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

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Are you planning on writing any other children’s books?

Take the Family to The Brown-Forman Nutcracker Ballet

I would love to, but I can’t say I have many far along at the moment. If the inspiration does come along, though, I would love to.

Have you been able to share the book with your son?

Yes. I read it with him and even to his class. Also a copy of the book was donated to many public schools in the area.

Win 6 tickets to The BrownForman Nutcracker on Friday, December 17 at 8pm

What was the overall goal of the story?

ENTER @ WWW.TODAYSFAMILYMAG.COM DEADLINE: NOvEMBER 15, 2010

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I wanted to try and make it accessible in a way that kids could understand. The different elements I used in the story to compare the Big Bat to were bright and fun. They were also in different shapes to give a variety of ways and numbers to see how big the Big Bat really is. — Caitlyn Hack

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Congratulations to the winners of the Today’s Girl Essay Contest “Which American Girl Am I Like?” Congratulations to the winners of the 2010 today’s Girl Contest. Each winner will receive two tickets to the american Girl Fashion show Preview Party on october 8. the fashion show is hosted by Children’s Hospital Foundation to benefit Kosair Children’s Hospital. Winner 7-8 age Group (tie): Ella Terselic Vivien Terselic

A sport that is for any size child and seems to help focus in the classroom? Sounds perfect, but archery

Winner 9-10 age Group: Jayla Johnson Winner 11-12 age Group: Rachel Claire Freeman

Vivien terselic, 8

Ella terselic, 7

Jayla Johnson, 9

Rachel Claire Freeman, 11

American Girl Fashion Show

October 8-10; preview party on October 8 @ 7pm; tea party noon and 4pm on October 9 and 10 WHERE Churchill Downs, Millionaires Row COST $50/ preview party; $35 tea party and fashion show CONTACT Children’s Hospital Foundation @ 502.629.5437. WHEN

Beargrass Creek Festival

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noogiefest

Don’t let the name fool you! This annual fall event is filled with safe Halloween fun for the entire family. Take your children trick-or-treating, decorate your own pumpkin, or have your face painted. Children ages 3-15 whose lives have been touched by cancer, whether their own or someone else’s, are welcome to join in the celebration.

Enjoy fishing lessons, canoe and kayak demonstrations, and music to celebrate Beargrass Creek. WHEN October 9 @ 10am WHERE Willow Pond in Cherokee Park COST Free

WHEN October 23 @ 10am WHERE Gilda’s Club Louisville, 633 Baxter Avenue COST Free CONTACT 502.583.0075 or gildasclublouisville.org

World’s Largest Halloween Party

Dress up in your Halloween best and let the lions, tigers, and bears be the ones to say “Oh, my!” For not-so-scary Halloween fun, bring your little ones by for an evening of trick-or-treating and magical storybook scenes around the zoo. WHEN October 8-10, 14-17, 21-24 and 28-30 @ 5pm WHERE The Louisville Zoo CONTACT louisvillezoo.org

Louisville Science Center, Louisville Ballet Join Forces

Children from the cast of The Brown-Foreman Nutcracker will teach kids dances from the ballet while the adults will learn the Flamenco from the faculty at the Louisville Ballet School. Your family will learn the importance of proper nutrition and how food choices affect the function of your body. WHEN November 14 @ 1pm WHERE Louisville Science Center COST $12 for adults, $10 for children 2 to 12 CONTACT

502.561.6100, ext. 6111 or louisvillescience.org

Win a Louisville Zoo family membership! You could win a family membership to the Louisville Zoo and 4 Halloween tickets when you go to our Facebook to answer a few easy Halloween trivia questions. Each Tuesday and Thursday we will post a Halloween trivia question on our Facebook page. If you answer at least one, you’ll be entered into the contest! Post your answer in the comment section of our Facebook page and include your first and last name. If you are the winner, we will contact you through your Facebook account.

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Schools Add Archery to Sports Options has not been the first sport to come to mind. It probably comes as a surprise that something like archery could even be considered safe enough for a child. Thanks to the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP), many have learned that not only is archery safer than any sport with a ball, excluding table tennis, but also that it can be taught to anyone. It all began when Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Commissioner, Tom Bennett suggested archery to be a sport available to kids in school. “It is creating a lifetime skill of target archery in kids,” says Bennett, “The most wonderful thing was when the teacher told us that kids were actually better behaved when they left archery class. Not only that, but less kids would miss school on archery days.” The kids learn discipline, focus, balance, and seem to take these skills with them each time they leave archery class. It is target archery and hunting is never mentioned. This program is not about hunting at all; it is showing many that archery itself is a sport and can be learned by anyone. Superintendent of the Madison County school system, Tommy Floyd, had nothing but good things to say about the program. “The impact it makes and what it does for the students is something else. The connection and the success are for everyone no matter the height, weight, or gender. It is what I like to see as an educator, and I think everyone should know about the NASP and what it can do for kids,” he said. Floyd also has personal experience in seeing what archery can do for kids. His own daughter participated in and did extraordinarily well in the program. The NASP holds the largest archery tournament in the world and the program continues to shoot up in popularity. Archery teaches kids real values and lessons that can be used productively outside of the classroom. It is even shown to improve attitude and attendance. It is sweeping across the nation and is capturing the attention of thousands of students, parents, and teachers, one arrow at a time.

— Caitlyn Hack

deadLine: OCTOBeR 14, 2010 2 0 1 0

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F a M I L y

w w w . t o d a y s f a m i l y m a g . c o m

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Why are you a good mom? “I try to love my kids for who they are, support them and get involved in the things that interest them. I quit work so I could do that: help them with homework, volunteer in their classes, be room mom, team mom, scout mom.” Where do you struggle? “I tend to be over–enthusiastic. I want them to do new things, try new things, and I just have to remember they are kids and need balance – and good ol’ playtime. I want them to do well, experience things, and not be afraid to take on challenges.” What makes you nuts? “The trail of shoes and clothes through the house – the backpacks, shoes, lunchboxes, and coats, dropped right inside the door that I trip over every time!” What are the values most important in your family? “That they be respectful, committed to whatever they’re doing, honest. That they are productive adults and make good decisions.” hoW do you teach those values? “By example, using everyday situations as learning experiences. Talk about ‘how did that person feel when you did that – and how did you feel when someone else did it to you? So don’t do that to them.’” do you have a “mom–theme”? Paula can’t stand it when her kids chew with their mouths open. She says the same thing her mother used to say: “You’re chewing like a cow!” What do you love to do and hope to pass along to your kids? “Travel. I want them to like to go to new places, try new foods, and not be afraid to step out of the box.” What does your Whole family love? “Baseball. Shai plays on a school team, John plays little league, and Katherine is trying machine pitch softball for the first time this fall. We love the Bats and the Phillies. We like watching baseball, and now they like playing. What you love rubs off on your kids.” What do you do for fun With your kids? “I love to bake and cook with them. I still remember Shai – standing on a kitchen chair in her diaper – helping me make cookies. I hope they will have good memories of our time together when they get older.”

Time OuT with

Paula Blumenschein

When do you see yourself in your kids? “John and Katherine are perfectionists, like me. That can be good and bad!”

By Elaine Rooker Jack • Photo by Melissa Donald

“Shai is stubborn like me – and she loves to have fun with good friends.”

Age: 38 • Lives: Goshen With: Husband John, stepdaughter shai (14), John, (9), Katherine (6) Birth order: oldest of three WorK LiFe: Full-time mom and volunteer, former travel agent

What do you Want for your kids? “To be happy in whatever they choose to do, to love life, and to be ‘good people.’”

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Online-Only Stories From A to Z, 26 Inspiring Halloween Costume Ideas By Barbara A. Tyler

ransform your child into something cute, clever, or creepy for Halloween this year. Start with a basic idea, then get creative and raid the toy box, recycling bin, and closets to add your own personal touches. Here are 26 inspiring suggestions, from A to Z.

A = Artist

Start with a smock (man’s dress shirt). Add washable marker “paint” splotches. Stick paint brushes in the pocket and make a cardboard palette to carry. Top with a beret (or ball cap worn backward), and a few colorful “smears” of face paint on the face.

D = Deep Sea Diver

Start with gray sweats. Add felt ears attached to a plastic headband with hot glue, and pin on a pompon tail. Make a heart-shaped tag threaded on elastic to wear around wrist. Draw whiskers with makeup.

Start with blue sweats as a “wet suit”. Add a scuba mask/snorkel. Make swim fins: cut craft foam into shape and pin to tongues of shoes with safety pins. Wrap a 2-liter bottle with colored tape for a scuba tank. Attach tank to child’s back with black tape “straps” around child’s chest.

C = Crazy Castaway

E = Evil Scientist

B = Beanie Bunny

Start with tattered old clothes. Add a bandana headband and use gel to fashion a scraggly hair style. Make a cardboard machete knife with an aluminum foil-covered blade. Paint stubble on cheeks with face paint.

Start with a lab coat (man’s white dress shirt). Add a toy stethoscope. Make a brain: fill plastic jar with pink water (use food coloring) and a chunk of raw cauliflower. Spike hair with gel, and wear safety or swim goggles atop head.

F = Football Fan

M = Mummy

G = Glamour Girl

N = Ninja

Start with clothes in a favorite team’s colors. Make a “We’re #1” hand with craft foam and fabric paint. Glue it onto a craft stick handle. Paint face with team colors.

Start with any sparkly dress-up clothes. Add feather boas, hat, and jewelry as desired. Carry a glittery gift bag to collect treats and tuck a small stuffed dog under one arm.

H = Hunchback

Start by stuffing a small backpack with crumpled newspaper. Add an oversized sport coat worn over the backpack and a pair of ratty pants. Use makeup to create a creepy face.

I = iPod

Start with a long solid-colored shirt. Make a gray duct tape “screen” on the upper part of the chest. Cut a circle from white Contact paper to make the control wheel and position it under the screen. Draw details with a permanent marker. Add ear buds crafted from foam ball halves and white plastic lacing.

J = Joker (Batman’s enemy)

Start with the Joker’s trademark purple jacket (adult dress shirt) worn over a bright green t-shirt and jeans. Use hair gel to get an unkempt hairstyle. Disguise face using white, black and red face paint.

K = Knight

Start with armor made by turning a cheap windshield sunshade (the shiny silver kind) into a vest. Fold the shade in half, cut a hole in the center for your child’s head and trim the shade so it hangs to mid-thigh. Your knight can wear the armor over street clothes and wrap a strip of colored tape around waist as a belt to hold it all together. Cover a baseball cap with aluminum foil and wear backward for a helmet. Add a toy sword.

L = Lawn Gnome

Start with blue jeans and a long shirt. Put a belt over the shirt tunic-style. Add a pointed hat made by gluing red felt into a tall cone (bobby pin hat to hair). Make a white beard and moustache with face paint.

Start with white clothes. Wrap gauze around the mummy’s head. Instead of wrapping the entire mummy, pin strips of criss-crossed gauze all over the white clothes with safety pins. Paint face white.

Start with black pants and black hoodie. Tie a black scarf around the face bandit-style (leave the ninja’s eyes showing) then put up the hood on the sweatshirt. Make a sash by tying a red necktie around the waist. Carry toy ninja weapons.

O = Opera Phantom

Start with black pants and a white shirt. Add a bright scarf tied around the waist as a sash. Make a cape by cutting open a black trash bag and trimming it into shape. Cut a Phantom of the Opera mask from white cardstock and add an elastic strap to hold it on.

P = Potato Head (Mr. or Mrs.)

Start with a brown shirt. Make facial features from craft foam and attach to the front of the shirt with fabric glue. Turn a brown paper sack into a hat by rolling the top down until it fits your child’s head. Paint face brown.

Q = Queen of Rock/Pop/Soul/Rap

Start with clothes like those worn by a favorite female singer. Add makeup, jewelry, temporary tattoos, and hairstyle appropriate for the singer. Carry a toy microphone.

R = Robot

Start with a box large enough to fit child. Paint silver and cut holes for head and arms. Make sleeves with dryer vent hose. Add details with colored tape, stickers, etc. Decorate face with face paint.

S = Scarecrow

Start with overalls, flannel shirt and a hat. Add patches to pants if desired. Cut fringed strips of brown paper. Staple the strips into headband, bracelets and anklets and wear so the fringe sticks out from sleeves, pant legs, and hat like straw.

T = Tombstone

X = X-ray

U = Ugly Mix-n-Match Monster

Y = Yankee Doodle Dandy

Start by cutting a piece of gray cardboard into a tombstone shape big enough to cover the child from the shoulders to mid-thigh. Add a funny name, like “Abby Normal” or “Manny Bones”. Paint face white for a ghostly complexion.

Start with leftover costumes from previous years. Play mad scientist and mix parts from multiple creatures to make a brand new one.

V = Venom Victim

Start with street clothes. Wrap fake spider webbing around the victim. Tie fake spiders onto the web with fishing line. Use makeup to paint spiders and “bites’ on face.

W = Waiter

Start with black pants, white shirt, bow tie. Use makeup to draw a moustache. Make a cardboard tray complete with a fake meal. Add a strap to the underside of the tray to make it easy to carry.

Start with street clothes. Add a piece of black cardboard the size of child’s torso and glue on white paper bones to make it look like a chest x-ray. Frame the edges with gray duct tape then attach it to the child’s shirt. Paint face like a skull.

Start with red pants, white shirt, blue jacket. Add a store-bought top hat, or make one from poster board. Include any red, white and blue embellishments you like. Make moustache and beard using white face paint.

Z = Zombie

Start with an old suit. Cut jagged edges into the ends of the sleeves and pants legs. Add fake blood splatters to shirt. Paint face green, then add dark circles around eyes and color lips with black face paint. Add scars and wounds with red.

FALL

for These Outings By Kelly Watkins

f this summer’s scorching heat kept you indoors more than you wanted, then I have two suggestions for outdoor activities you can enjoy this fall. My family had a great time at both places. For our first outing, we took a canoe trip down Blue River with Cave Country Canoes It took Ethan (age 11) and me a while to get the hang of working together with the oars in our canoe. At one point, I considered using the oar to beam him on the head. I’m guessing there were several times he wanted to beam me. Cave Country also rents kayaks, and next time, I’ll get Ethan one. Then he can paddle any way he likes! My husband, Ross Worrall, shared a canoe with daughter Autumn (age 8). Ross had an easier time because he did most of the paddling, although Autumn did her share for someone her size. The view was great as we paddled, floated, and good-naturedly bickered about oar direction (that

would be Ethan and me). The scenery changed from farmland to trees to limestone bluffs. Cave Country Canoes provided us with a handy map that labeled all the landmarks. My favorite name was “Buzzard Roost Hill.” Much of the property along the river is privately owned. The only downside is there aren’t many places to use the restroom. If you live on Blue River and would like to offer restroom service, I’d be happy to pay on my next trip! There were lots of people on the river. Some places were a bit too crowded for my taste. I was more interested in watching nature than people. However, there was one creative group we couldn’t help but enjoy. They had crafted a giant flotilla from five canoes and two kayaks. They were a boisterous and colorful group, both in their language and their dress. They were obviously having fun. We passed them once. Later on, they began to catch up with us. When Ethan looked over his shoulder and noticed them in the distance, he commented, “Look, here comes the circus!” Surprisingly, we had the most fun outside the canoes. We stopped at a sandbar and “parked” the canoes. The river was moving swiftly at that spot. So, Ethan and Autumn waded to the middle of

the stream, pulled up their legs, and went whoosh downriver. Then they walked back upstream and did it again, and again, and again. After four hours on the river, it took every ounce of remaining energy to pull our canoes – and ourselves – out of the river. The friendly folks at Cave Country were not only helpful as they waited on the shore, they had the decency not to laugh at us. Let’s just say we all slept well that night.

Our second outing was drier, but still a lot of fun. This adventure to Outside In Family Fun Center occurred in two stages. The first one wasn’t quite as popular with the kids. On our first trip, we went to work, not to play. The business is owned by my sister-in-law, Angie Doherty, and her husband, Larry Doherty. They had just purchased the property and were working hard to prepare it for opening. I volunteered our family to come help. We spent the afternoon weeding the front landscaping. If we’d been at home, Ethan and Autumn would have been whining and complaining. (The truth is – I’d have been whining and complaining a little bit myself.) Here? They

didn’t say a word. They eagerly went to work and did a great job. It was a great lesson for all of us: sometimes you do something you don’t like, and aren’t getting paid for, just because someone needs your help. And, when you’re doing work because you want to, it’s never as hard as the work you’re required to do. Our second trip to Outside In was all for fun. Ross and Ethan enjoyed some healthy competition on the miniature golf course. I was busy marveling at how different each of the holes were. We’ve played a couple of courses recently, and most of the holes had the same boring layout, but that wasn’t the case at Outside In. Their 18-hole course not only had varying layouts and pars, the landscaping was gorgeous: willowy trees throughout and a huge waterfall flowing down a stone wall and into several other water features. Admittedly, all that water wasn’t as nice when you hit a ball into it. Playing miniature golf always makes me a bit nostalgic because that’s what Ross and I did on our first date. He still doesn’t know for sure if I let him beat me on the first round or not. (Of course, I’ll never tell!) But, we both know I was winning the second round when he conveniently lost the score card. Autumn didn’t spend much time golfing. Instead, she opted to go inside and jump in the bouncy room. There’s even a separate room for toddlers, with age-appropriate bounce houses. I wish they’d had this business when my kids were younger. It’s so much safer not to have the big kids stampeding all over the wee ones.

Ethan’s Perspective By Ethan Worrall (age 11)

When you enter Outside In, the amount of things to do is overwhelming. There is golfing, bouncing, snacking, pedal car racing, relaxing, video game playing, partying, and slushie slurping. Me? I want straight to the bounce houses. My favorite was the obstacle course. It was the most fun because you have to weave, dodge, push, crawl, jump, climb, and slide. It’s exhilarating. The miniature golf was better than any outside miniature golf course I’ve ever played. Where to start? Great scenery, holes, fountains, and plants. I’ve been on racetracks a couple of times, but nothing like this one. It’s got awesome turns, fast vehicles, and endless fun. I chose to pedal the Green Machine. It’s fast, and you steer with levers, instead of a steering wheel. After all that, I was thirsty. I drank almost an entire slushie. If it’s my choice next time, I’ll totally pick there again, dude!

Both kids loved the race track. Ethan tore up the track on a Green Machine. Autumn began by racing around madly on several different pedal cars. She was especially fond of the pink Barbie car. Then, she finally tried the battery-powered car. She declared that both were fun. The track is long and filled with turns, which made it a thrilling challenge regardless of which type of vehicle they were riding. As I sat outside on the shady back porch, sipping my cherry slushie and admiring the picnic gazebo, I started thinking. Yes, we had great fun. But I believe we enjoyed ourselves just a little bit more because we had contributed in a small way toward helping the business open. Kelly Watkins’ speaking and consulting services have taken her all over the planet - to all 7 continents. Kelly

loves to write about her travel adventures. kelly@keepcustomers.com or www.KeepCustomers.com.

If you go . . . Cave Country Canoes www.CaveCountryCanoes.com or 812.365.2705 25 miles west of Louisville on Blue River in Marengo, Ind. In the fall, call first for openings, due to river conditions

Outside In Family Fun Center 812.283.8300 4601 Hamburg Pike Jeffersonville, IN