Family Life 2015

Healthier Lunches

Adoption Services

Learn to swim Safe Environment First day of School

Fit Family

FALL 2015

FAMILY LIFE

Fall 2015

Family Life

FROM THE PUBLISHER The many meanings of family Family has always been a central focus in my life. I come from a family of 10, my wife a family of nine and together we decided five children

was the perfect number for us.

Family is more then just having your own kids. As a child, others had such a pivotal role in my life that today I still think of them as family.

One of the first phrases others use to describe this area is “family oriented.”

That is a big reason why I am drawn to this area.

There are many definitions for what constitutes a family. No matter what definition you go by, family is important. For me, family means those who stick by you through the tough times as well as the good times. They are your advocate when you need an advocate most. Family helps make life that much better.

inside...Family Life How to make school lunches healthier

Benefits to a healthy diet..........................3

Adoption Service

Adoption.org opens in community............4

Youngsters learn to swim

How parents can help..............................6

Homework Help

Creating a helpful atmosphere.................8

Video games

Cutting down on video games................10

Emotional expression

Creating a safe environment for kids......12

Staying ahead of the curve

Preparing for that first day of school.......14

Fit family

Fun ways to keep a family fit..................15

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That is why we are celebrating family with our new Family Life publication. In this magazine we touch on ways to strengthen family. We cover strengthening families emotionally with our “create a safe environment from emotional expression” on page 12. We even cover on how to strengthen your family, literally, with “fun ways to be a fit family” on page 15. We also discuss how to teach your children to swim on page 6.

These are just some of the topics we cover here. No matter what type of family you have, our hopes are that this magazine will help strengthen that family.

Scott Anderson, publisher Standard Journal Publisher Scott Anderson Circulation Director Jeremy Cooley Advertising Sales Lisa Widick Kristen Wheeler, Tiffany Harrison Graphic Design Jim Ralls

Randal Flamm Editorial Content Greg Little

Caleb Despain, Heather Randdall

Amanda Beal, Matt Johnson

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Fall 2015

Family Life

How to make school lunch healthier The benefits of a healthy diet are clear and well documented.

In addition to providing the nutrients a growing body needs, consuming a balanced diet helps children maintain a healthy weight. Obesity continues to be a growing problem among schoolaged children and can contribute to the onset of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, and many other adverse medical conditions.

Children attending school will eat at least one meal away from home each day. A healthy lunch provides sound nutrition to give students energy to do well in school and for the rest of the day. Children who do not eat well at lunch may have difficulty concentrating, while others may feel sluggish or tired.

As part of the 2010 Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, the United States National School Lunch Program was revised to guarantee healthy, nutritionally sound choices, as established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, for lunch. America’s school menus were altered to be healthier than ever, including more fruits and vegetables while limiting calories. Despite some controversy through the years, including some students saying the smaller portions and food choices aren’t always satisfying, states suffering from high child obesity rates have seen marked improvements.

Canada is one of the few leading industrialized countries that does not have a national nutrition strategy to implement healthy school lunches. It’s estimated that only 10 to 15 percent of Canadian children

have access to school meals. These meals are not provided by a well-funded national program, but by a patchwork of individual volunteer efforts, some provincial government funding and corporate donations.

Whether students purchase lunch from school or bring lunch from home, there are ways to guarantee a more diverse offering and better nutrition. Here are some guidelines to follow.

• Offer nutrient-dense foods. Foods should contribute to the daily recommended amounts of protein, iron, calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin C. Provide a selection of foods, such as lean protein, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, that will give children the nutrients they need. Nutrient-dense foods also help kids feel fuller, longer.

• Limit fat intake. Avoid foods that do

not get their fat from polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. Saturated fats can lead to obesity and clogged arteries. The American Heart Association recommends kids get no more than 25 to 35 percent of their calories from fat. Fish, nuts and olives are healthy fat sources.

• Let kids choose some of their food. Allow kids to pick some of the healthy foods they will be eating. Giving kids a say in their diets will make them more likely to enjoy their lunches and cut back on snack foods. Eating meals regularly will keep energy levels up during school and make kids less likely to reach for unhealthy snacks to fill hunger gaps.

• Make small changes that add up. Switching from white bread to whole grain breads, and opting for low-fat dairy products instead of fullfat dairy products can make a world of difference. Kids may not notice a change in texture or flavor, and many of kids’ favorite foods, such as chicken nuggets, pizza and macaroni and cheese, can be made with healthier ingredients.

• Remember, beverages count, too.

Giving children a healthy lunch and then packing a sugar-filled, high-calorie drink negates your efforts. Calories from beverages can quickly add up. Water is always the best option for a healthy drink. Lowfat milk and real fruit juice consumed in moderation also make healthy alternatives to sugary beverages.

Offering healthy school lunches is an important step to raising healthy kids.

New guidelines and offerings make it easier for kids to get the nutrition they need for their growing bodies. MCS ❧ 3

Fall 2015

Family Life

Adoption services office now open in southeastern Idaho Amanda Beal amanda@uvsj.com

M

elissa Williams thought this day would never come.

But the day has come.

Adoption.org, a non-profit organization, has opened an office in Rexburg, offering its services to southeastern Idaho.

That makes it the only adoption agency with a physical office in southeastern Idaho. Before the opening of the local office, the only adoption agency offices in Idaho were in the Boise area.

“It’s really the only service that’s available locally,” Williams, Chief Administrator of Adoption. org, said.

Williams said it was a difficult process to get the license required for the office.

“It’s a lot of effort and a lot

4

of work,” she said.

Every state has rules with which an adoption agency must comply before obtaining a license. The agencies have to write policies and procedures and create a solid program.

Williams and her team worked with officials in Boise, communicating extensively before everything was finally submitted and approved.

It took about seven months to get it all done.

Now that it is done, Williams is excited.

“We know adoption,” she said. “We love adoption.

We’re really excited to help families connect with each other.”

Adoption.org also has an office in Utah, where they were first licensed. Currently

the agency is trying to get licensed in Arizona, California and Texas as well.

Arizona’s license process has taken about five months so far, while California is expected to take up to two years.

In the past LDS Family Services offered adoption services in Idaho, but it discontinued said services Dec. 31, 2014. Then in March of this year LDSFS teamed with Adoption.com to increase opportunities for hopeful adoptive parents.

Williams explained that Adoption.org and Adoption. com are two separate entities.

Adoption.com is a for-profit adoption website that helps link hopeful adoptive parents with children to adopt.

Adoption.org is a non-profit adoption agency and focuses more on social service.

“What we do really well is adoption,” Williams said.

“What they do really well is media.”

Though separate from the for-profit entity, Adoption. org has a strategic relationship with Adoption.com to help with marketing and to use the reach Adoption.com has to gain exposure for Adoption. org families.

Services Adoption.org provides are counseling, home studies, support for parents, help finding the right match for parents, training, preparing for adoption and post-placement services.

“We strongly emphasize options,” Williams said.

Fall 2015

Family Life

Adoption(continued)

Adoption.org helps families see what their options are and supports whatever choice they make.

The agency works with people of all faiths and in many different situations. There are certain requirements for people hoping to adopt or place for adoption, but Adoption.org is willing to work with families based on their needs.

The main way an adoption agency like Adoption.org determines whether a family should adopt is through a home study. A licensed professional comes to a family’s home and conducts interviews and evaluations to see if the home is a good fit for an adoptive child.

It’s a positive thing, Williams pointed out, as it helps prepare a family and help them explore whether adopting is a good decision for them.

“It’s a lifelong choice,” Williams said of adoption.

She said adoption is not for everyone, and families should have proper understanding before taking on such a responsibility.

Adoption.org hosted an open house on Aug. 13 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 343 East 4th North, Suite 120 in Rexburg.

At the open house, hopeful adoptive parents were be able to enter a drawing for a free home study, a value of $1,000. The open house was also be an opportunity for the community to meet other people who are looking for adoption services and to see the new office where adoption services will be provided.

“We love Rexburg,” Williams said. “We’re excited to be part of the business

community in Rexburg.”

Adoption.org strives to make the adoption process as seamless as possible, as well as create a comfortable environment for all those involved.

“Adoption’s really come a long way,” Williams said.

She said she heard the story of a man who, at age 36, found some papers in his vehicle and asked his mother about them. She told him they were adoption papers and he had been adopted.

The adoption.org agency works to get rid of stigmas and to replace the secretive, shameful, fearful nature of adoption of the past with an open, positive experience.

“We want to create an environment of love and acceptance,” she said. “No shame, no fear.”

Williams believes open adoption is the way to go.

“It’s really better for the child,” she said. “It’s a better outcome for kids.”

But whether families choose open or closed adoption, the agency supports the decision and creates a plan for the child.

There is a special place in heaven, Williams believes, for people who choose to place their children up for adoption.

“It actually shows so much strength and so much thought,” she said. “These are amazing people who really love their children.”

Williams is an adoptive mother herself, and as such she feels a lot of empathy for parents who want to adopt.

“Having lived it myself … adoption really is a miracle,” she said. “It really is a miracle for all parties.” ❧

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Fall 2015

How parents can help youngsters learn to swim What would summer be without days spent frolicking at the beach or afternoons spent splashing in the pool? Fun in the water makes hot days more enjoyable and bearable, and few summertime activities do not involve water play in one aspect or another.

Although time spent in the water can be refreshing and entertaining, water does present certain hazards, particularly for those who do not know how to swim. Learning to swim, especially at a young age, is adviseable and a great way to remain safe around the water.

The World Health Organization says drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury death across the globe, accounting for 7 percent of all injury-related deaths. Children, males and individuals with increased access to water are most at risk of drowning. In general, children under five years of age have the highest drowning mortality rates in the world.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, parents should consider swimming lessons for most children between the ages of one and four. New research has revealed that swimming instruction for children between the ages of one and four may decrease drowning risk.

However, parents should be advised that swimming lessons do not remove all risk. Children still need constant supervision when in and around water. Additionally, learning CPR can be a life-saving measure.

When enrolling children in swim lessons, parents should look for safety-certified instructors who have first aid and resuscitation training and certification. Many programs offered are sponsored by the American Red Cross or the YMCA. Private swim clubs may have their own instructors.

Children between the ages of one and three typically do not have the motor coordination to swim effectively. These children can benefit from swim lessons that emphasize getting used to the water, safety and learning some swimming readiness skills. Instruction may involve teaching children how to move their legs and arms and strengthen muscles used for swimming.

Fall 2015

Family Life

Swim (continued)

Children between the ages of four and five may be more developmentally ready for swimming. Such youngsters may move from water-safety lessons to actual swimming with or without support.

A study titled “Children’s readiness for learning front crawl swimming” published in The Australian Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport showed that whether kids “started lessons at two, three or four years of age,” they learned to swim well at “approximately the same mean age of five and a half years.”

In addition to swimming lessons, parents and other adults can ensure water safety by taking the following precautionary measures: • Children should never be left unattended in the water.

It takes mere inches of water for a youngster to drown.

• In the pool or another body of water, caregivers should be within touching distance of young swimmers to provide help if needed, even if the child is wearing a floatation device.

• Keep rescue equipment by the pool.

• Remove toys from the pool when it’s not in use.

These toys can attract children who will go in after them.

• A fence around the perimeter of the yard may be mandatory, but a fence around the pool itself is another safety barrier to consider. The fence should

feature a self-latching gate.

• Even adults should be watched while swimming. It is always a safe idea to swim with a buddy, so that the other person can get help if something goes wrong. MCS

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Fall 2015

Family Life

Homework help: Creating a helpful homework atmosphere for your children

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lassrooms conducive to learning may go a long way toward helping students understand the subjects they study in school, but the environment kids encounter at home also plays a big role in how well kids do in their studies. A homework-friendly atmosphere at home can facilitate learning, and there are many ways parents can create such an environment for their school-aged children.

• Designate a homework zone in a distraction-free area of your home.

Some youngsters are easily distracted, and those distractions come in many forms.

A living room where the television is blaring, a noisy kitchen where dinner is being prepared and a room where pets can roam free are not ideal homework areas, as each can take kids’ attention away from their assignments. Designate a room in

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• Choose the right location for the homework room. When choosing an area of your home where kids will do their homework, avoid rooms adjacent to the kitchen and living room, as these rooms tend to be popular and subject to heavy foot traffic. But don’t choose a room that’s too far away from the hustle and bustle, such as the basement, as that may make kids feel as though they are being punished. In addition, you want to be able to periodically check in on kids to see if they need help and make sure they aren’t spending their homework time surfing the Internet or procrastinating.

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Fall 2015 • Keep the homework room clean. A cluttered homework room may be less appealing to children, and such disorganization also can distract kids from the tasks at hand. Encourage kids to keep their homework rooms clean, and help them clean up if need be. Supplies and other items kids need should be easily accessible in the homework room so kids are not wasting time looking for items they need to complete their homework.

• Let kids rest or relax before starting their homework. Another element of a good homework atmosphere is letting kids unwind between getting home from school and cracking open the books. A break between school and homework time can help kids focus better on their studies. In the interim between

Family Life arriving home from school and starting on their homework, give kids a healthy snack that can provide an extra jolt of energy they can use once they start their homework.

• Evaluate how the homework zone is working.

Once an ample amount of time has passed, examine how kids are performing on their homework assignments. If they are doing well, then there is no reason to break up the current routine. If they are struggling, ask them if there is anything about the current setup they dislike and address those issues accordingly.

Kids rarely look forward to doing their homework.

But the right atmosphere can make homework seem like less of a chore and more of an opportunity for kids to apply themselves. ❧

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Cutting down on video games

Matt Johnson • sjsports@uvsj.com

Fortunately for people in Eastern Idaho, there are ample opportunities to get off the sofa and out enjoying wholesome recreational activities.

S

ome parents might think that video games are a serious epidemic. Some kids might disagree.

According to Nielsen, the average U.S. gamer age 13 or older spent 6.3 hours a week playing video games during 2013. That’s up from 5.6 hours in 2012, which was up from 5.1 hours in 2011.

If the trend continues the way it’s going, soon people will be logging more than 10 hours a week with videogames. It’s important to break this cycle for

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several reasons.

One of the foremost reasons is physical health. The Mayo Clinic suggests that as a general goal, people should aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day. If you want to lose weight or meet specific fitness goals, you may need to exercise even more.

Another reason is social wellbeing. Many gamers spend their time alone, not receiving positive interaction with their peers.

Playing video games for over six hours a week doesn’t leave

much time for relaxed social interaction, especially when things like work, homework and family obligations are all added on top of the video game usage.

Fortunately for people in Eastern Idaho, there are ample opportunities to get off the sofa and out enjoying wholesome recreational activities.

In Rexburg, the Rexburg Rapids features water slides, a water playground, a lazy river and more. Nature Park, Smith Park and Porter Park are all public parks that have ample room to spread out and start a game of baseball, basketball, tennis, football, or whatever sport you might have in mind.

Marathons, 5Ks and other races are also being held regularly, giving people a chance to run in one of the most scenic parts of Idaho.

Jeff Crowther, Events and Program Coordinator of the Rexburg Recreation Department said that the city has many chances for people to get out and get involved.

“There are a lot of options out there. We’ve got lots of amazing parks and there are a lot of great facilities, some not owned by the city, some are,” Crowther said.

“We would always love to have more people at our events.

Just having people come out for those, whether or not they want to participate, we can always use volunteers to help out with our events,” said Crowther. “It’s always great to have families come out and show some service for their community. It’s a great thing to do.”

Crowther recently moved to Rexburg to take his job with the city after having attended

Fall 2015

Family Life

Video (continued)

BYU-Idaho in the past. He said one factor in deciding to come to Rexburg was the many recreational options it had to offer.

“One thing I looked at was the quality of life. I remember when I went to school here, it was enjoyable to have these parks close by. Also, with a young family, I think the recrecation department puts on a lot of quality programs, whether

it’s sports or running events,” Crowther said.

Crowther said the city continues to be pleased with the growth of events such as the Rush Triathlon and River Rock Youth Triathlon.

“People are seeing the value in having their kids come out and participate,” Crowther said.

Fremont County also features many options for recreation.

The Henry’s Fork Green Way,

also known as the Green Belt, is located in St. Anthony, right off the highway, and provides a walking path next to the beautiful Henry’s Fork. The trail is lined with gorgeous trees, especially when fall changes the colors of the trees. It’s about a two-mile walk.

Ashton also has numerous trails and sightseeing opportunities. Mesa Falls is one of the most gorgeous waterfalls

in the area, with the Upper Falls measuring about 114 feet high and 200 feet wide. Warm River allows people the chance to soak some sun out on the water, whether it’s canoeing, kayaking or floating on the water.

Whether you live in Madison or Fremont County, there are plenty of opportunities to get out and experience some healthy recreation. ❧

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Fall 2015

Family Life

Creating a safe environment for emotional expression Amanda Beal • amanda@uvsj.com

A

home can be a safe haven, but it takes some work to make it that way.

DaLynn Moore, LPC, a local counselor, shared her expertise on dealing with emotions in the home.

“I think what’s really helpful is to create an environment where people feel safe to talk about their feelings,” she said.

She explained that when it comes to emotions, people either fight (attack the problem) or flight (withdraw from the problem).

But, she said, there is a

like, “I understand how you would feel that way.”

But, Moore pointed out, validating another person doesn’t mean invalidating

“I think what’s really helpful is to create an environment where people feel safe to talk about their feelings,”Moore said

third option: to talk about the problem using “I feel” phrases when you’re not upset.

It’s important to create an environment to talk about the issue and validate the other person’s perspective. People can do that by saying things

12

yourself.

It’s not about who’s right and who’s wrong. It’s about both parties feeling like they are heard and validated.

Moore suggested a book on parenting called “Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child”

by John M. Gottman.

It’s a “fabulous parenting book,” she said, to help children deal with emotions.

Moore talked about a situation where a child comes to a parent crying. In an ideal situation, according to the book, the parent asks the child what happened, and the parent responds to the child’s response with a statement like, “That must have been really sad.”

The child will then either say something like, “Yeah, I was sad,” or correct the parent and say how he or she really felt.

Conversations like this, Moore said, help children label their emotions.

Moore recommended another book called “Hold Me Tight” by Sue Johnson, which

focuses more on adult relationships but also applies to families as a whole.

Moore explained how in a relationship one person is the pursuer and the other is the withdrawer.

Pursuing may take the form of nagging, Moore said, and the more a pursuer “nags” the more the withdrawer pulls away and avoids the pursuer.

The two trigger each other and end up in a vicious circle.

At the core of the problem, according to Moore, is that the two parties are not feeling an emotional connection.

But it helps greatly to recognize what you are doing and say, “By nature, I do this.”

Moore said once a person recognizes what he or she does by nature, he or she can say, “If I’m doing this, there’s a good sign I’m not feeling safe.”

She said oftentimes the fight is not really about what’s going on. There’s a story going on behind it where someone is not feeling connected.

It’s about “really answering the question, ‘Are you there for me?’” Moore said.

It is important, she said, to be aware of needs in order to

Fall 2015 help meet those needs.

She said there are workshops based off the book “Hold Me Tight” — workshops for marriage enhancement called Hold Me Tight Workshops that take place all over the country.

There will be one in Rexburg on Oct. 23 and 24 at the Marriott. It will be presented by Moore and Geoff Winfree, LMFT. For more information or to register, visit http://www. centerpointcounseling.com/ hold-me-tight-workshops. html.

Moore said these workshops teach couples about the pattern of interacting and help them determine how to talk about issues. When parents improve in these aspects, she said, children are in an environment where they feel safe to talk about emotional issues.

The parents’ emotional effectiveness creates a base for the children to be emotionally effective as well.

The best method to deal with emotions in the home, Moore said, is to have a conversation about what’s going on. There are seven different conversations “Hold Me Tight” talks about. One is “When I (fill in the blank) I don’t feel connected to you.” Another is “I tend to (fill in the

Family Life blank) when we feel distant to try to cope with difficult feelings.”

A key to these conversations is to not blame the other person.

Moore said seven out of 10 couples come out of the “Hold Me Tight” workshops no longer in distress. The couples who go to the workshops take pre and post surveys, and follow-up surveys show the couples still feel better years later because of the workshop.

There has been a lot of research in the past 20 years about what love is and how to create secure love, Moore said.

She said love is not by chance. There are things people can do to strengthen bonds of love and make it last.

Research shows that people’s brains light up in the same way in response to a loved one whether the couple has been married recently or for many years — if that couple has learned how to be supportive and engaged with each another.

“There’s some really exciting research out there,” Moore said.

In couples where one person feels less inclined to work out marital issues, Moore said when those people start going through these workshops, they recognize their needs will be met as well and become more involved.

“No one wants to feel lonely,” Moore said.

Moore specializes in a wide variety of issues, including anger management, family conflict, sex therapy and depression.

To contact her, call 208359-4840. ❧

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Family Life

Fall 2015

Staying ahead of the

Heather Randall / heather@uvsj.com

curve

Preparing for the first day can be a little intimidating, but with some planing, a budget and proper expectations, it can be more fun than stressful.

A

s children get started back to school, experts maintain that staying involved in your child’s dayto-day life is one of the most important aspects of fostering future success.

North Fremont counselor, Richard Law, and his wife, Linda Law, who is the librarian at Henry’s Fork Elementary, said being prepared that first day will help lay a strong foundation for your student’s school year.

The Laws recalled earlier years of sending their four, now adult children, to school.

“Making ‘back to school’ fun will get the kids excited,” Linda said. Richard recommends

14

making sure students have supplies like pencils, notebooks and a backpack for the first day.

Depending on the age of students, teachers will often have a syllabus for their class, which establishes expectations, important due dates and other pertinent information such as the teacher’s contact information and when they can best be reached.

“Review the syllabus and assignments with your child early on,” Richard said. An involved parent will be able to more easily identify if their child begins to struggle with something and be in a position to address a problem before it

gets too overwhelming.

The Laws are also big proponents of encouraging recreational reading.

“From day one, you want to read to them every day,” Linda said.

The four Law children could often be found with their noses buried in a book. Richard and Linda definitely credit the voracious reading with being a good portion of their children’s success.

Richard said getting children in the habit of reading stories helps to stimulate their creativity and curiosity about what is happening around them and in other parts of the world.

According to healthychildren.org, establishing healthy habits in the beginning can greatly improve a child’s chances of success in school.

Basic tips include making sure your child eats a nutritious breakfast every morning, encouraging them to be active, and limiting the amount of time they spend watching television and playing video games.

Some examples of healthy breakfast ideas should include complex carbohydrates and a protein to keep your child energized through their morning at school.

Hard boiled eggs, whole grain toast, yogurt and fruit are some good staples to start with.

Linda encourages parents to check into the lunch program at their child’s school as well.

“It’s important to know what kind’s of options kids have to eat for lunch at school,” she said.

Preparing for the first day can be a little intimidating, but with some planing, a budget and proper expectations, it can be more fun than stressful.

Care.com recommends allowing your child to choose a planner their excited about to help them keep track of assignment and activities.

Obtain a list of supplies your children need for the first day to keep shopping time focused and productive.

Make sure to check with your child’s school about any dress-code requirements.

Children can be sent home for being dressed inappropriately, so it’s best to find out what attire is acceptable before hitting the stores.

Find time for family activities, relaxation and fun to diffuse stress! ❧

Fun ways to be a fit family O

besity is a global epidemic affecting people of all ages. According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one-third of Americans are considered obese, while Statistics Canada notes about 25 percent of Canadians are obese. Being overweight or obese has been linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some forms of cancer, and children who are overweight are likely to be overweight or obese adults.

While eating a diet that is low in fat and high in whole-grain fiber, vegetables and lean proteins is important, exercise remains one of the key factors in maintaining a healthy weight. However, many adults and children simply do not get enough exercise during the day. An active lifestyle is often hampered by the prevalence of digital devices or sedentary jobs that encourage more screen time than fitness time. But there are ways for the entire family to get fit. Exercising together is not just a great way for families to get healthy, but also a great opportunity to spend time together. The following are a handful of ways families can work together to incorporate more exercise into their daily lives.

• Tackle chores. Yes, tasks around the house can count as exercise.

Working together not only gets you moving but also cuts down on the time it takes to tackle tasks around the house.

Mowing the lawn, vacuuming the rugs, sweeping the floor -- all of these activities can get the heart pumping. Make it fun by setting chores to music or competing against one another to see who gets their task done first or the best.

• Compete in the pool.

Swimming is a low-impact activity that works many muscles in the body. Taking a dip in the pool can be both relaxing and beneficial to your health. Compete with family members to make the most of the time spent in the water. Host relay swimming races, see how long each member of the family can tread water or create any other competitions that keep everyone in the pool moving.

• Create an outdoor obstacle course. Set up a series of obstacles in your yard and host your own triathlon. You can jump through tires, climb through tubes and scale trees.

Make it fun by having adults try to ride tricycles or pair up an adult with a child for sack races. The opportunities for fun

are only hampered by your imagination.

• Go for family bicycle rides. Traverse your neighborhood or blaze new trails by riding bikes together.

Young children can be strapped into trailers that are pulled behind the bike or ride in seats attached to the bike itself.

This gives everyone a chance to enjoy the great outdoors and hone their cycling skills.

• Go hiking. Hiking is another fun family activity that also happens to make for great exercise. Choose a trail that may not be level and push everyone’s endurance to the test.

• Stroll the beach. Walking or running on sand offers more resistance than walking on pavement. Take a stroll at the seaside. Break up the walk by collecting shells or stopping by the water to observe marine wildlife.

• Hit the dance floor. If you’ve been invited to a wedding or a Sweet 16 party, cut a rug and take advantage of the DJ and dance floor. When enjoying yourselves, you probably won’t even realize how much you’re exercising.

MCS ❧

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Watch her grow in the Art of Ballet

Photographer: David Hinck

Rexburg Ballet Arts • 356-3758 • www.rexburgballetarts.com