February 2023 Momaha magazine

TEST ANXIETY

It’s not all bad, you just need to learn how to harness it

WILL YOU BE MY VALENTINE?

• Celebrating with grandparents

• Salt dough heart magnets

VOLUME 14

ISSUE 2

FEBRUARY 2023

editor in chief

KILEY CRUSE cruse@owh.com

402-444-1375

consulting editor

COURTNEY BRUMMER-CLARK cbclark@owh.com

402-444-3118

assistant editor

MARJIE DUCEY marjie.ducey@owh.com

402-444-1034 contributors

MARJIE DUCEY

RACHEL GEORGE

KORI RADLOFF

THE BOOKWORM

BOYS TOWN PEDIATRICS designer

EMILY WIRTZ

cover photo

KILEY CRUSE

custom publishing sales coordinator

NICK CAVALLARO nick.cavallaro@owh.com

402-444-1202

Opens January 28!

Join us as we celebrate the Indigenous People of the Heartland by learning about their culture and history in an original exhibit designed in cooperation with Omaha Children’s Museum and members of local Indigenous communities. Climb the Bur Oak tree, visit a school, imagine living in an earth lodge, make your very own winter count and a parfleche box, and more!

A Generation of Hope: Indigenous Peoples of the Heartland will be open through September 3, 2023.

Opens February 3!

pens

Magical Science explores the intersection between science and magic! You will lose your head with an optical illusion, learn about kinetic energy while soaring across a zip line, explore a house and find yourself in hidden spy holes and tunnels. And don’t miss the return of Thistle, our story-telling dragon!

Magical Science will be open through April 16, 2023.

THINGS TO TRY THIS MONTH

HILARIOUS ECO-FRIENDLY DISH TOWELS

Stressed momma. Wine drinker. Taco lover. Moonlight Makers has fun kitchen towels to please them all. The woman-owned business handmakes their screen-printed dish towels in North Carolina. They are absorbent, 100% cotton flour sack towels that come in either white or grey. But best of all are those quippy sayings that are sure to put a smile on your face. moonlightmakers.com, 14.99 each

ORGANIC COTTON PAJAMAS

These snug-fit organic pajama sets are made with super soft 100% organic cotton baby rib with room for stretch, safe dyes, and a fabric-enclosed waistband, so you don’t have to sacrifice safety for comfort. Made in the USA, City Threads is a clothing line with pieces for the whole family. You won’t find zippers, buttons, snaps or other fasteners on most of the clothes and waistbands are covered in soft, high-quality fabric to avoid irritating your child’s sensitive skin. citythreads.com, $29.99

BLANK SLATE

Blank Slate is the clever party game where you try to predict what others are thinking. Everyone secretly writes a word that completes a phrase on the cue card, but choose your word carefully, you score the most points for matching words with only one other person. This fun, easy to learn game is perfect for all ages. It’s a great multi-generational game too. amazon. com, $24.99

PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHER

StaySafe has created a small, portable fire extinguisher that is about the size of a can of hairspray. It’s tested to put out electrical, cooking oil, textiles, petrol/diesel and paper/card fires.

lifesafetechnologies. com, $34.99

MICROPLANE ZESTER/GRATER

Having a microplane grater, also called a “zester,” can be a huge asset in the kitchen, as it can handle zesting citrus, hard cheese, ginger, nutmeg, and even chocolate. For easy storage, this grater has a hole in the handle so you can hang it on a hook or knife rack. It’s also dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning after each use. “This tool is almost literally a life-changer. So easy to use and does a beautiful job,” said a tester. amazon.com, $15.99

SNUGGLE IN FOR THESE WINTER READS

‘THE STORIED LIFE OF A.J. FIKRY’

by Gabrielle Zevin

A. J. Fikry’s life is not at all what he expected it to be. He lives alone, his bookstore is experiencing the worst sales in its history, and now his prized possession, a rare collection of Poe poems, has been stolen. But when a mysterious package appears at the bookstore, its unexpected arrival gives Fikry the chance to make his life over — and see everything anew.

‘THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN’

by Garth Stein

“The Art of Racing in the Rain” is narrated by Enzo. Enzo is a dog who was adopted by a race car driver, Denny. When the book opens, Enzo is near the end of his life. He narrates the story about his life with Denny, plus Denny’s wife Eve and daughter Zoe, and everything that’s happened in their time together. It’s a heart-wrenching but deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of family, love, loyalty, and hope — a captivating look at the wonders and absurdities of human life

‘THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB’

by Richard Osman

In a peaceful retirement village, four unlikely friends meet weekly in the Jigsaw Room to discuss unsolved crimes; together they call

themselves the Thursday Murder Club. When a local developer is found dead with a mysterious photograph left next to the body, the Thursday Murder Club suddenly nd themselves in the middle of their rst live case. As the bodies begin to pile up, can our unorthodox but brilliant gang catch the killer, before it’s too late?

‘THE DEAD ROMANTICS’

by Ashley Poston

Florence Day is the ghostwriter for one of the most proli c romance authors in the industry, and she has a problem — after a terrible breakup, she no longer believes in love. Then she must return home for the rst time in a decade to help bury her beloved father. And even with her father gone, it feels

like nothing in this town has changed. She hates it. Until she nds a ghost standing at the funeral parlor’s front door, just as broad and infuriatingly handsome as ever, and he’s just as confused about why he’s there as she is.

‘STILL LIFE’

by Sarah Winman

As Allied troops advance and bombs fall around deserted villages, an English soldier, Ulysses, nds himself in the wine cellar of a deserted Tuscan villa. There, he has a chance

encounter with Evelyn, a middle-aged art historian who has come to Italy to salvage paintings from the ruins and recall memories of her own youth. In each other, Ulysses and Evelyn nd a kindred spirit amidst the rubble of war-torn Italy. As Ulysses returns home to London, re-immersing himself in his crew at The Stoat and Parot — a motley mix of pub crawlers and eccentrics — he carries his time in Italy with him. And when an unexpected inheritance brings him back to where it all began, Ulysses knows better than to tempt fate, and returns to the Tuscan hills.

‘LESS’

by Andrews Sean Greer

Who says you can’t run away from your problems? You are a failed novelist about to turn 50. A wedding invitation arrives in the

BOOKSHELF THE BOOKWORM

mail: your boyfriend of the past nine years is engaged to someone else. You can’t say yes — it would be too awkward — and you can’t say no — it would look like defeat. On your desk are a series of invitations to half-baked literary events around the world. How do you arrange to skip town? You accept them all. What would possibly go wrong? Winner of the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for fiction.

‘VIRGIL WANDER’

by Leif Enger

Movie house owner Virgil Wander is “cruising along at medium altitude” when his car flies off the road into icy Lake Superior.

Virgil survives but his

language and memory are altered and he emerges into a world no longer familiar to him. Virgil begins to piece together his personal history and the lore of his broken town, with the help of a cast of curious locals — from Rune, a pipe-smoking, kite-flying stranger investigating the mystery of his disappeared son; to Nadine, the reserved, enchanting wife of the vanished man; to Tom, a journalist and Virgil’s oldest friend; and various members of the Pea family who must confront tragedies of their own.

‘HOOK, LINE & SINKER’

by Tessa Bailey

Self-confidence lessons from a fierce puppy

Fox

Thornton

has a reputation as a sexy, carefree flirt. Hannah Bellinger is immune to his charm and wants to be friends? He likes her too much to risk a

fling, so platonic pals it is. Now, Hannah’s in town for work, crashing in Fox’s spare bedroom. She’s nursing a hopeless crush on a colleague and Fox is just the person to help with her lackluster love life. Armed with a few tips from Westport’s resident Casanova, Hannah sets out to catch her coworker’s eye … yet the more time she spends with Fox, the more she wants him instead.

CAMERON KIMBALL | BookTrib.com

“My family also calls me Little Miss because I’m a very small dog, only 5 pounds fully grown. But don’t let my size fool you, I’m the fiercest puppy my town has ever known!”

much as Sunshine loves her sister, she has a hard time expressing it. She is a dog, after all. It doesn’t help that her sister has been having a hard time at school. From bullies hurling cruel words to pushing her around, Sunshine’s sister just can’t seem to catch a break. Sunshine hates seeing her so upset, and Sunshine is determined to show her sister just how special she truly is.

Even though she is a dog, Sunshine shares wisdom that every human, young or old, can use in their daily life. Her advice to her sister rings true for anyone who’s dealt with negativity or judgment from others: “Don’t ever give anyone the power to take away your worth and how very special you are.” It’s a vital sentiment for children to hear in particular.

LORRAINE KAPLAN ARBETTER

Sunshine the dog brightens every room with her sunny personality, and she doesn’t take disrespect from anyone. She knows her worth: if only her human sister could feel the same way about herself. Lorraine Kaplan Arbetter’s empathetic book “Sunshine the Fearless Dog” encourages young readers to follow in Sunshine’s footsteps (pawprints?) and see the intrinsic value within themselves.

Sunshine makes sure that she gets the respect she deserves, despite her pint-sized presence. Even “the doormen in (her) building don’t call (her) Sunshine or Little Miss — they call (her) The Boss, as they should.” A firecracker in a 5-pound body, she struts her stuff and shares her love with everyone around her. But while she’s a friend to everyone she meets, her most treasured companion is her human sister. The problem is, as

By introducing these lessons on building self-confidence to young readers, Arbetter gives these readers a stepping stone to help them find the bravery to be themselves. Wrapped up in the appealing image of Sunshine the dog, thanks to illustrator Tanya Alyce, readers are compelled to follow this adorable dog’s guidance and absorb the lesson she teaches. The illustrations and text work in tandem, capturing the raw emotions of Sunshine’s sister, as well as the optimism and appreciation she feels upon gaining a new sense of self.

Together, all the aspects of “Sunshine the Fearless Dog” combine to create an empathetic and hopeful story of bravery and the power of self-worth. Readers of every age will come away with a renewed sense of their intrinsic value, and the importance of staying true to themselves. It seems that we all have a lot to learn from Sunshine.

Be fearless in the face of bullying, thanks to this four-legged mentor

Find these titles and many more by shopping locally at The Bookworm. Located at 90th and Center Streets, The Bookworm is an independent, family-owned bookstore with over 6,000-square-feet of space. The Bookworm offers an excellent selection of books, an outstanding children’s section and friendly, knowledgeable staff who know the books they sell. Learn more at www.bookwormomaha.com.

loveCelebrating with grandparents this Valentine’s Day

RACHEL GEORGE

Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil

With so many school activities centered around Valentine’s Day, the celebration of love sometimes misses those who matter most.

How do you include extended family — grandparents in particular — in the festivities?

“The best way to incorporate grandparents is to simply involve them,” said Michael Pollock, director of lifestyle and wellness at Hillcrest Country Estates Grand Lodge in Papillion, which provides independent and

assisted living for seniors, as well as memory care.

“After working in the senior population for many years now, I can tell you, the most frustrating thing for our elders is being treated as if they have no value and can no longer contribute. The best thing we can do for them on Valentine’s Day, any holiday, or any day for that matter, is to give them purpose.”

Molly George, life enrichment director at The Heritage at Fox Run in Council Bluffs, said Valentine’s Day is a “wonderful opportunity to spend time with grandparents and older adults to ensure that they feel loved.”

“ We try to capture the holiday’s warmth and positivity on our campus, to make sure it’s a special day for everyone in our community,” she said.

Similarly, Prairie Gate in Council Bluffs, which also offers of a wide range of senior living options, plans a number of themed activities for residents.

“Due to COVID, in past years some residents have stood outside while the kiddos are leaving school and we wave (in costume typically) as they leave for the day,” said Amy Muller, housing counselor at Prairie Gate . “It is an awesome sight, though — so many honks, ‘we love you’s’ yelled out of the car windows and exuberant waving both from the kids and our residents. We have also received many fun cards from our partner schools and churches next door.”

Senior living communities from throughout the greater Omaha metro shared ideas for how families can bridge the generational

ADOBE STOCK

gap, including children and grandparents in Valentine’s Day festivities and activities:

Send cards

“Your grandparents love getting letters and cards from kids,” George said. ”We typically receive hundreds of Christmas cards from local schools. Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity for the same kind of outreach. And don’t hesitate to mail them. Everyone loves getting mail.”

Pick up the phone or tablet

“There are so many ways your grandparents can use the benefits of technology to keep in touch with loved ones,” George said. “Whether it’s an old-fashioned phone call, a video chat, a digital photo frame or an appmanaged, refreshable photo display, you can brighten someone’s day in a few short minutes.”

Plan a Valentine’s dinner for the family

“Ask grandma and grandpa if they would like to cook or bake a portion or decorate a portion (or maybe make a flower arrangement or centerpiece),” Pollock said.

Involve them in a project

“Ask grandma and grandpa if they would like to help make kiddos’ valentine cards for school, or maybe make the valentine mailbox for school,” Pollock said.

Host a “Name That Tune” contest

“Play some love songs and see who can guess it the fastest, but make sure to pick music from many eras past and present,” Pollock said.

Similarly, Heritage Communities recommended dressing up to visit and sing love songs with grandma and grandpa.

Host a double feature movie night

“Have grandma/grandpa pick their favorite love story for everyone to watch, then have the kiddos pick their favorite for grandma/grandpa to watch,” Pollock said.

“Bring some ice cream to share,” added George.

Make grandma/grandpa your pen pal

“Something simple, especially for those that can’t be with grandparents on the holiday … have the kiddos write them a love letter and ask for a response,” Pollock said. “Do this the

old fashioned way and physically write out the letter and mail it.”

Think of area senior living facilities

“We received valentines from our partner schools and the residents are thrilled to receive them,” Muller said.

The residents also make cards for the students and participate in a campus-wide valentine exchange.

“They love it when children come into an assisted living or independent living community — even if they aren’t family members,” said George. “When the third grade class reads to our Heritage Communities residents, they will talk about it for days. Great for the students, great for the older adults. Win, win!”

George also suggested making special door decorations for senior living residents.

“Families and grandchildren can have a blast with arts and crafts as they make a special Valentine’s Day design on residents’ doors, patios and porches,” she said.

A love quiz

Bring a list of “love” questions to learn about your grandparents, George suggests. For example:

1. Who was your first love?

2. Who was your first kiss?

3. Where did you meet grandma/grandpa?

4. How long did you date before getting married?

5. Where did you get married? Get your dress? What type of flowers at the wedding?

Draw and color pictures for refrigerators

“These unique and cute designs are always heartwarming,” George said.

Gift candy

“A sweet and delicious candy heart or a homemade basket would make your grandparents’ day,” George said.

MARJIE DUCEY World-Herald Staff Writer

Dr. Ashley Harlow first wants parents to know that anxiety isn’t always a bad thing. A certain amount is healthy, says the licensed psychologist at Children’s Hospital & Medical Center. He’s part of the behavioral health team.

“Anxiety is our body’s effort to prepare us for dangerous or demanding situations. In fact, folks with somewhat elevated anxiety tend to be very successful — they are prepared for exams, work hard on assignments, show up to work on time and are generally well prepared for the demands of life,” he said. “It is when anxiety becomes excessive that it can interfere with performance.”

Oftentimes, that excessive anxiety shows up at test taking time. High schoolers talk about freezing when faced with a big exam.

But anxiety can affect kids at every age.

Younger children may be able to keep it together at school but become agitated and irritated at home.

Older kids start ruminating and catastrophizing, assuming they know what others are thinking and that people are judging them.

“There is a strong genetic component,” Harlow said. “A lot of times anxious parents will have anxious kids. Not only are they passing down the genes, but they are modeling some of the behavior.”

A parent may know a big test like the ACT or SAT lies ahead and mark it on the calendar, and check in often to make sure their child knows it’s getting closer. “That can contribute to the anxiety as well,” he said.

Anxiety shows up in a lot of ways.

Some children are such high performers that receiving a 98 instead of 100 on a test or project can cause anxiety. Or a teacher may unwittingly pass along her or his own anxiety because they know their job performance can be based on how the students do on the tests. Anxiety can’t be turned off, Harlow said. But it can be managed.

Take test-taking. Learning to handle the anxiety involves three phases: Before, during and after the test.

Before

1. Make sure your child knows the material.

2. Build healthy habits and that doesn’t mean starting the night before an exam. A good night’s sleep is always essential and a

ANXIETY ISN’T ALL BAD

good breakfast is the best way to start every day.

3. Practice testing at home in an environment as close to the testing environment as possible. “Take lots and lots and lots of practice SAT tests,” Harlow said. “If you are recreating the test environment, they can also practice effective coping skills.”

4. Build their tool kit for coping with anxiety. Have them practice deep breathing and muscle relaxation if they start to tense up. Have them think about being present in their body. “How do their feet feel in their shoes? How does the chair feel against their back? How does the air feel coming in and out of their lungs?”

5. Doing these things when they are young sets them up for success later. Test anxiety seems to hit hardest in the middle grades as the stakes of the tests increase. An eighthgrade entrance exam can be a prime example.

The day of

1. Show up early to allow your child to get

comfortable.

2. Make sure you’ve practiced those spelling words with them several times so they feel ready to take the test.

3. If their breath is coming faster and they’re sweating and having a hard time concentrating, it’s time to use the coping skills you’ve been practicing. Remind them about taking deep, slow breaths. Feel their body in the chair and their fingers on the keyboard or holding the pencil.

After the test

1. Parents should be very supportive afterward. “I’m really proud of you for working hard,” one could say. “I’m excited to see how you do.”

2. If your child didn’t do well for some reason, remind them that this is just one of many tests and they’ll have a chance to do better another time. Or maybe they can ask their teacher if they can do some extra work to help make up the grade.

3. If academics never come easy, remind

your child of their skills in other areas and help them develop those skills further. “School is important and it’s good to work hard,” Harlow said. “But a particular skill in math or reading doesn’t determine your value as a person.”

Some parents can try to do everything right and their children still are anxious; it’s just the way they are wired.

Talk to them about the way they feel and help them generate realistic expectations for themselves.

Remind them, too: Anxiety is their body’s attempt to increase focus, heighten their senses and prepare their body for fights or flights.

“Talking about some anxiety in a positive way can help a child reframe their experience away from something negative or problematic,” he said, “and help them understand anxiety is one of your body’s ways to support success.”

marjie.ducey@owh.com, 402-444-1034, twitter.com/mduceyowh

VANLEY, ADOBESTOCK

Just teach your children how to harness it for tests

BORN WITH A HE ART DEFECT, OMAHA TODDLER ‘ T HRIVING’ WITH NETWORK OF SUPPORT

BY JENNI BARENBERG SPECIAL FOR EARLY DEVELOPMENT NETWORK

Austin and I are originally from McCook, Nebraska. We have now lived in Omaha for a little over 10 years. Our daughter, Eleanor, was bor n with a congenital heart defect that was detected in utero in February 2020.

At 2 months old, Eleanor underwent an 8-hour open heart surgery at Children’s Hospital &

Medical Center during the height of the COVID pandemic. We finally were able to bring her home after being in the hospital for a month.

We heard about the Early Development Network through Children’s Hospital. They gave us their contact infor mation for when we were discharged. Once we got home, we were easily able to get in contact with them.

Even though we were in the middle of a pandemic, our services coordinator contacted us to make sure things were going OK.

We got Eleanor evaluated, and we have been receiving services for about 2 years. We currently are receiving direct services from our services coordinator, Christine; a physical therapist; an occupational therapist; a speech therapist; and teacher We have one great team consulting with us on her development!

Since beginning with the Early Development Network, we have seen significant changes in Eleanor Our daughter did not start crawling until she was closer to 1 and walking until she was 2. She will be 3 in February and is thriving.

She is constantly jumping, climbing and running around the house. For fun, we like to read books, color, play at the park and go to the zoo together It’s hard to believe she ever had delays with her developmental milestones.

Austin and I have also seen changes in ourselves thanks to the Early Development Network. They have provided us with not only other resources within the community but a team that we can lean on for help and support whenever we need them. We truly would not be where we are today without our team!

Words cannot describe how thankful I am for our services coordinator, Christine, and the Millard team. Our experience has been nothing but positive and uplifting. From the first day we met them, they have been one of our biggest supporters and advocates. At this point, they feel like an extension of our family

Research shows that the first three years are the most important time for lear ning in a child’s life. Providing support and services early improves a child’s ability to develop and lear n. Also, it may prevent or decrease the need for special help later The goal for early intervention in Nebraska is to “open a window of opportunity” for families to help their children develop to their full potential.

It is never too early to ask questions about your child’s development. Take advantage of free early intervention services through your school district. Call 402-597-4936 or visit our website at omahaedn.esu3.org.

Be Mine

Painted Salt Dough Hearts fun

Valentine’s Day craft for all ages

KILEY CRUSE | World-Herald Sta Writer

Finding a craft that appeals to all ages — from toddler to teen to adult — is often a tricky venture.

Salt dough magnets easily t that description. The hardest part of this craft is the need to plan ahead. The dough needs time to air dry so they have be made a few days ahead of decorating. (You could dry them quicker in a warm oven but the dough often curls and makes it more dif cult to adhere the magnets.)

Our crafters, all elementary-aged kiddos, had fun using a mixture of tempera paints, acrylic paints, permanent markers and paint pens. If you are brave, they would be really pretty decorated with glitter too.

KILEY CRUSE PHOTOS , THE WORLD-HERALD Salt dough heart magnets can be decorated with paint or markers.

SALT DOUGH HEART MAGNETS

• 1 cup flour

• ½ cup salt

• ½ cup warm water

• Paint

• Markers

• Mod Podge or clear glaze spray

• Magnets

• Hot glue gun

1. Whisk together our and salt

2. Add warm water and mix with a fork until combined.

3. Turn dough out onto the counter and knead until it’s the consistency of Play-Doh. Add our or water as needed to reach this consistency.

4. Roll out to 3/16 inch thick. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes.

5. Gather up and knead scraps. Reroll and cut until dough is gone.

6. Put shapes on a baking sheet lined with paper towels to dry. After about 24 hours, ip the shapes and continue drying. Ours took 2 to 3 days to completely dry but total time will depend on thickness of the dough and the humidity and temperature in your home.

7. Once completely dry, decorate with paint and/or markers.

8. We recommend sealing them when the paint is dry. Without it, the our and salt will naturally absorb moisture. You can seal with either Mod Podge or a clear glaze spray.

9. Glue a magnet on the back and share with your valentine.

Kylie Nash shows one of the salt dough hearts she decorated.

SAY ‘I LOVE YOU’ WITH A FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT featuring one (or more) of these titles

COURTNEY BRUMMER-CLARK

World-Herald Sta Writer

Valentine’s Day is all about love, which makes February a good month to plan special movie nights for the family. The cool winter month makes for the perfect time to grab some popcorn and snacks, snuggle in with some blankets and cuddle up with the kiddos. Here are a few cinematic suggestions the whole family can enjoy:

‘The Princess Bride’ (1987)

PG, 1 hour, 38 minutes. Streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV

This true classic features an amazing cast with Cary Elwes, Robin Wright and Mandy Patinkin. The movie centers around the quest for true love and the different ways we celebrate it. From IMDB.com, while home sick in bed, a young boy’s grandfather reads him the story of a farm boy-turned-pirate who encounters numerous obstacles, enemies and allies in his quest to be reunited with his true love.

‘Shrek’ (2001)

PG, 1 hour, 30 minutes. Streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Peacock

Featuring the voiceover talent of comedians Michael Myers and Eddie Murphy, as well as actors Cameron Diaz and John Lithgow, this animated fairy-tale-turned-sideways is about a ogre who, in order to save his land, has to rescue a princess trapped in a castle and then deliver her to a not-so-charming prince. Along his quest, he makes a friend he never wanted and falls unexpectedly in love. It is a great lesson in looking beyond appearances to nd the true person inside.

‘Ever After: A Cinderella Story’ (1998)

PG-13, 2 hours. Streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Hulu

Cary

and Robin Wright star in “The Princess Bride”.

You think you know the story of Cinderella, but maybe there is more to the tale than you know? Starring Drew Barrymore, Dougray

MGM

Elwes

Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) has a secret she is keeping from the ogre Shrek (Michael Myers) in DreamWorks Pictures’ computer animated comedy “Shrek”. DREAMWORKS

Scott and Angelica Huston, “Ever After” takes viewers on a sweet and adventurous journey beyond the fairy godmother and the glass slipper. You don’t even miss the talking mice or the “bibbity, bobbity, boo!”

‘The Princess and the Frog’ (2009)

G, 1 hour, 37 minutes. Streaming on Disney+

This Disney-animated film brings the classic fairy tale to life with amazing music and the charismatic vocal talents of Anika Noni Rose, Keith David and Oprah Winfrey.

‘Be My Valentine Charlie Brown’

(1975)

Not Rated, 25 minutes. Streaming on Apple TV, coupled with

‘The Peanuts Movie’ (2015)

G, 1 hour, 28 minutes. Streaming on Amazon Prime Video

No holiday is ever really complete without the Peanuts gang and Snoopy. Both “Be My Valentine” and “The Peanuts Movie” follow Charlie Brown as he tries with desperate

wholesomeness to get the attention of his crush, the little red-haired girl. Both shows are fun for all ages.

Honorable Mentions: “Enchanted”, “Clifford the Big Red Dog” and “Lady and the Tramp”

STEPHEN F. MORLEY, 20TH CENTURY FOX Drew Barrymore, right, and Dougray Scott, left, star in “Ever After”, an adaptation of the Cinderella story.

DISNEY

Princess Tiana, voiced by Anika Noni Rose, holds Prince Naveen, voiced by Bruno Campos, in a scene from the animated film “The Princess and the Frog”.

BLUE SKY ANIMATION , 20TH CENTURY FOX Snoopy and Charlie Brown from Charles Schulz’s timeless “Peanuts” comic strip in the CGanimated feature film “The Peanuts Movie”.

Lip balm is easy to make using organic ingredients.

KILEY CRUSE PHOTOS , THE WORLD-HERALD

PUCKER UP

Easy to make lip balm soothes your smackers

KILEY CRUSE World-Herald Sta Writer

In the winter when it seems I can’t hydrate my skin enough, lip balm is never far from reach.

When I looked at the ingredients in a favorite lip balm, it didn’t surprise me that it was loaded with ingredients I couldn’t pronounce. I already had two of the main ingredients on-hand, so I thought I’d give making lip balm a try. It was shockingly simple to make. You can control the ingredients and tailor them to your avor and texture preferences.

I tried, and slightly adapted, ve recipes. They all included beeswax and some combination of coconut oil, shea butter, avocado or olive oil, honey and essential oils. After trial and

error, I found the consistency I prefer includes about 1/3 beeswax to 2/3 other ingredients. Some like a more solid lip balm. If that’s you, add a little more beeswax. Some like a softer lip balm. For that, increase the liquid oils. The recipes make fairly small batches — between 2 and 5 ½-ounce containers. I recommend using organic products if you can nd them. Plan to use the lip balms within six months.

To make lip balm, these general directions will work for all the recipes. You will need a clean, small container you can melt the ingredients in. I sterilized a tomato sauce can and it worked perfectly. I found ½-ounce lip balm containers by the soap and lotion making supplies at a local craft supply store.

1. Put an inch of water in a small pan and warm over medium heat.

2. Add beeswax to the melting container and set in the warm water. Be very careful not to get any water in the melting container or it will cause the wax to seize up. Gently stir until the beeswax is all melted. We used a wooden chopstick as our stirrer.

3. Add all other ingredients except oils or extracts. Stir occasionally until melted.

4. Remove from heat, add oils and extracts. Stir until combined.

5. Pour into lip balm containers. The wax will cool fairly quickly. A few times we had to re-melt some of the lip balm mixture.

6. Allow to cool completely before putting the lid on.

RIGHT:

PLAIN LIP BALM

• 1 tablespoon beeswax

• 1 tablespoon

coconut oil

• 1 teaspoon raw honey

•

¼ teaspoon

SWEET ORANGE & VANILLA LIP BALM

• 1 tablespoon coconut oil

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 2 teaspoons beeswax

• 2 teaspoons shea butter

• 8 to 10 drops sweet orange

essential oil

beeswax pastilles or grated beeswax

coconut oil

honey

CHOCOLATE LIP BALM

• 1½ teaspoons coconut oil

• 2½ teaspoons beeswax

• 1 teaspoon cocoa powder

• 2 teaspoons avocado oil

• 5 drops peppermint

essential oil

COPYCAT BURT’S BEES BEESWAX LIP

BALM

• 2 tablespoons beeswax

• 2 tablespoons coconut oil

• 2 tablespoons shea butter

essential oils

CINNAMON HONEY LIP BALM

• 1 teaspoon + 1 tablespoon beeswax

• 1 tablespoon shea butter

• 2 teaspoons coconut oil

• 1 teaspoon avocado oil

• 1 teaspoon honey

• 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon oil flavoring (found with candy making supplies)

¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

• 12 drops peppermint

NOTE: Make sure the honey is well incorporated. On our rst try, the honey separated and settled to the bottom

• of the lip balm container. We re-melted, stirred it up really well and it was ne on the second pour.

essential oil

Common ingredients in homemade lip balm are (clockwise from bottom left) beeswax, shea butter, honey, coconut oil, olive or avocado oil and essential oils.

olive or avocado oil

shea butter

HOP TO IT

Environment for Young Children.”

KORI RADLOFF

The Rose Theater

An important life lesson combined with a hip-hop beat? That’s what audiences can expect when Havana Hop comes to The Rose this month. Audiences will be dancing in the aisles at the Rose Theater’s upcoming production of “Havana Hop,” while also learning important lessons about self-confidence and perseverance against a background of multi-cultural heritage. This interactive play performed by a single actor will help families learn a little about Cuban American culture, with a hip-hop beat.

“‘Havana Hop’ this is a mix of salsa, music and hip-hop all run through the lens of the story of a young girl who is trying to find her unique way of being in the world,” says Rose Artistic Director Matt Gutschick.

The show is just one way that families can use theater and the arts to introduce children to cultures other than their own, teaching them important skills such as empathy, respect for others and believing in yourself.

Writer and performer Paige Hernandez brings the story of young Yeila to life onstage in a dynamic participation play, where one actress creates three generations of family members on a discovery of her multi-cultural heritage. Yeila dreams of being a superstar, but her lack of confidence gives her awful stage fright. With advice from her mother and mentors, she begins a journey to find her roots, get confidence and be amazing.

Hernandez is an actor, dancer, choreographer, playwright and self-described “B-girl” who fuses theater and hip-hop. Her inspiration as a writer and performer comes from her own background. The show, “Havana Hop”, tells a story of a young girl’s passion and fuses it with culture and family history.

Child development experts share that giving children opportunities to experience a variety of cultural experiences can help them develop a sense of pride in themselves and a sense of understanding of people who are different from themselves.

“It is important to teach children that differences in people do exist and that these differences are not bad,” says A.C. Matiella in “Positively Different: Creating a Bias-Free

“Havana Hop” presents this serious topic in a light-hearted manner, inviting audiences to dance along as the story of self-discovery unfolds. The show draws on hip-hop culture to tell a story that is relatable to young audiences. This style of theater — known as hip-hop theater — incorporates a fun and innovative approach as a way of empowering young people through the tenets of the craft: DJing, breakdancing, emceeing, beatboxing and rap and the cultures of African, African American, Caribbean and Latino immigrant communities in the United States.

“The arts can be transformational in helping young people gain empathy and understanding for others in their community,” says Gutschick. “Hip-hop theater allows kids to think about important societal issues in a fun, engaging way.”

Hernandez is a multidisciplinary artist who is critically acclaimed as a performer, director, choreographer and playwright. She is also known for her effective fusion of theater, hiphop, dance and education. The Huffington Post named Hernandez a “classroom hero” because of her outstanding arts integration and work with STEM initiatives. She was recently named a “Top Theatre Worker You Should Know” by American Theatre Magazine and a “Rising Leader of Color” by Theatre Communications Group.

“We are thrilled to bring Paige to Omaha audiences to share this important work of theater,” says Gutschick. “It is The Rose’s mission to help young people discover their voice, and the message of ‘Havana Hop’ is a truly inspiring way to address ideas of selfconfidence and culture.”

“Havana Hop” is the first Rose production for Hernandez; she has been co-commissioned by the Rose and three other theaters to create a theater piece based on Maya Angelou’s poem, “Life Doesn’t Frighten Me,” which will be produced by The Rose in the near future. Hernandez will work directly with children in the Omaha community to generate the content of the play, using the poem and the illustrations by Jean-Michel Basquiat as inspiration and source material.

“To say that this project feels like a perfect fit is an understatement! I have been a lifelong fan of Maya Angelou, Jean-Michel Basquiat and specifically of Angelou’s poem, ‘Life Doesn’t Frighten Me.’ I have taught this poem for many years and look forward to putting my mindful hip-hop aesthetic into a devised children’s theatre piece,” says Hernandez.

“Havana Hop” will be presented Feb. 10 through 19, with performances Fridays at 7 p.m.; Saturdays at 2 and 5 p.m.; and Sundays at 2 p.m. Interpretation for the deaf and audio description services for the blind will be offered at the 2 p.m. show on Feb. 18. A

sensory-friendly performance will be offered on Feb. 18 at 5 p.m. The show is expected to run approximately 60 minutes and is appropriate for all ages.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit rosetheater.org/shows/havanahop.

‘Havana Hop’ combines a hip hop beat with lessons for life

ERIC P. MULL

6 tips for reducing your baby’s spit-up

1 Avoid overfeeding. Like a gas tank, fill baby’s stomach too full, and it’s going to spurt right back out at you. To help reduce the likelihood of overfeeding, feed your baby smaller amounts more frequently.

2 Burp your baby more frequently. As gas bubbles escape, they have an annoying tendency to bring the rest of the stomach’s contents up with them. To minimize the chances of this happening, burp not only after but also during meals.

WHY DO BABIES SPIT UP?

DR. ALEJANDRO VELEZ AND DR. CHRISTINE WAASDORP HURTADO American Academy of Pediatrics

All babies spit up. Some babies spit up more than others or at certain times.

Typically, babies spit up after they gulp down some air with breast milk or formula. A baby’s stomach is small and can’t hold a lot, after all.

With a full stomach, any change in position such as bouncing or sitting up can force the ap between the esophagus (food pipe) and stomach to open. And when that ap (the esophageal sphincter) opens, that’s when some of what your baby just ate can make a return appearance.

So, what can you do — if anything — to reduce the amount of your baby’s spit-up? How do you know if your baby’s symptoms are part of a larger problem?

Here are some common concerns parents have:

‘My baby spits up a little after most feedings.’

POSSIBLE CAUSE

Gastroesophageal re ux (normal, if mild)

ACTION TO TAKE

None. e spitting up will grow less frequent and stop as your baby’s muscles mature. It o en just takes time.

‘My baby spits up when I bounce them or play with them after meals.’

POSSIBLE CAUSE Overstimulation

ACTION TO TAKE

Keep mealtimes calm. Limit active play for about 20 to 30 minutes a erward.

‘My baby gulps their feedings and seems to have a lot of gas.’

POSSIBLE CAUSE

Aerophagia (swallowing more air than usual)

ACTION TO TAKE

Make sure your baby is positioned properly during feeding. Burp during and a er feeds. A di erent bottle may decrease air intake.

‘I found blood in my baby’s spitup or vomit.’

POSSIBLE CAUSE

Swelling of the esophagus or stomach (esophagitis or gastritis), or another problem that requires treatment

ACTION TO TAKE

Call your pediatrician right away.

‘My baby vomits with muscle contractions after every feeding. The vomit shoots out with force.’

POSSIBLE CAUSE

Pyloric stenosis or another health problem that requires diagnosis and treatment

ACTION TO TAKE

Call your pediatrician right away.

Hospital. Dr. Christine Waasdorp Hurtado is an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. For more information, go to healthychildren.org, the AAP’s website for parents.

3 Limit active play after meals, and hold your baby upright. Pressing on a baby’s belly right after eating can up the odds that anything in their stomach will be forced into action. While tummy time is important for babies, postpone it for a while after meals.

4 Consider the formula. If your baby is formula feeding, there’s a possibility that their formula could be contributing to their spitting up. While some babies simply seem to fare better with one formula over another without having a true allergy or intolerance, an estimated 5% of babies are genuinely unable to handle the proteins found in milk or soy formula, a condition called cow’s milk protein intolerance/allergy (CMPI and CMPA). In either case, spitting up may serve as one of several cues your baby may give you that it’s time to discuss alternative formulas with your pediatrician.

5 If breastfeeding, consider your diet. Cow’s milk and soy in your diet can worsen spit-up in infants with CMPI and CMPA. Removing these proteins can help to reduce or eliminate spit-up.

6 Try a little oatmeal. Giving babies cereal before 6 months is generally not recommended — with one possible exception. Babies and children with dysphagia or reflux, for example, may need their food to be thicker in order to swallow safely or reduce reflux. Note: In response to concerns over arsenic in rice, the American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends that parents of children with these conditions use oatmeal instead of rice cereal.

Dr. Alejandro Velez is a gastroenterology fellow at Cincinnati Children’s

What can cause reflux in infants and some preventive measures you can take

DREAMSTIME

MICAH RYAN, M.D. Boys Town Pediatrics

Organized sports are a great way for kids to stay active, while learning important skills such as teamwork, leadership and discipline.

It is estimated that more than 38 million children and adolescents in America participate in some sport. While sporting activities can improve both the physical and mental health of kids, injuries can occur. That’s why it’s so important to keep kids’ safety at the top of our mind.

According to Safe Kids, a nonpro t organization that works to keep kids safe from injury, more than 3.5 million children and adolescents under the age of 15 receive medical treatment each year due to sports injuries. Injuries range from muscle strains

PREVENTION IS KEY IN REDUCING SPORTSRELATED HEAD INJURIES

and fractures to more signi cant injuries such as head injuries that include mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) and concussions. The latter results from a direct hit to the head or neck that causes the brain to move back and forth in the skull.

Safety precautions are instrumental in preventing or lessening head injuries from organized sports, casual sports like neighborhood play, and individual activities such as biking, skateboarding and roller sports.

You can help reduce the risk of your child suffering a head injury by following these easy safety tips.

 Always require your kids to wear helmets or appropriate head gear when:

 Riding a bike, skateboard or scooter

 Using in-line skates

 Batting and running the bases in baseball or softball

 Soft shell protective headgear for ag football.

 Participating in winter sports like skiing or snowboarding and even sledding

 Riding a horse

 Make sure your play areas are safe by removing any potential hazards.

 When participating in team sports, ensure that your children know the rules of the game and play with children of similar age, size and development level.

 Always have your children wear the right safety gear and equipment when playing a contact sport.

 Proper tting equipment is just as important. A batting helmet that is too loose or football

helmet not contacting the skull properly could lead to injury.

It is not just the coach’s responsibility to spot a potential head injury, it is also every parent, referee and teammate’s as well!

It’s important to know that the method or severity of an injury does not correlate to the presence nor severity of a TBI or concussion.

If your child does sustain a head injury during play, watch for symptoms that include headaches, vision changes, nausea and/or vomiting, fatigue, balance problems, sensitivity to light or noise, numbness, changes in thinking, emotionality and disturbances in sleep. Have a low threshold if there are any concerns to have them evaluated by a medical professional immediately.

By following these simple guidelines, you can reduce head injuries and help your children to stay safe.

ADOBE STOCK

You can help reduce the risk of your child su ering a head injury by making sure they wear helmets when riding a bike, skateboard or scooter.

Diaper duty

How many diapers do newborns need?

Whether you choose disposable or cloth diapers, you’re going to need a lot of diapers when starting out. On average, expect to use between 2,200 and 3,000 diapers in the rst year, but keep in mind that the number of diapers needed depends more on weight than it does age.

Unlike disposable diapers, cloth diapers can be washed and reused as long as they provide a comfortable t for the baby. Many are also adjustable, so they continue to t even as the baby grows. To be on

the safe side, always keep one or two dozen reusable diapers on hand, rotating in new ones when current ones wear thin or no longer t. Whether you’re using washable or non-washable diapers, you should change your baby’s diaper every two hours or when soiled. Neglecting to do so could result in diaper rash or more serious problems like a yeast infection.

Here’s a size guide for what diapers you may need, and how many.

Baby’s weight: Premature babies tend to weigh no more than six pounds.

Number of diapers: Preemies need between six and 10 diapers per day. Because they’re born at a lower birth weight, it could take several months for them to catch up to other babies their age, meaning the number of diapers they require will change as they grow.

Baby’s weight: Most newborn babies weigh less than 10 pounds for their first few weeks.

Number of diapers: Prepare to use eight to 10 diapers a day during this time.

Baby’s weight: Over the first three or four months, babies gain weight at a steady pace. The average 3-month-old can weigh around 13 or 14 pounds.

Number of diapers: During this period, the majority of babies still need eight to 10 diapers a day.

Baby’s weight: By the time they’re 8 months old, babies can weigh up to 18 pounds, and go up a size in diapers.

Number of diapers: For some babies, the number of diapers used daily may decrease by one or two at this point. For others, expect the same number of diaper changes as in the previous months.

Baby’s weight: At this point, babies typically weigh 16 to 28 pounds, and there’s a more noticeable change in how often they need a new diaper.

A guide for figuring out how many your newborn will need

Many soon-to-be parents prepare for their baby’s arrival in advance, like making a registry or stocking up on what the baby might need, such as a bassinet, baby wipes or onesies.

But while many of these newborn essentials are easy to pick out, there can be some confusion when it comes to diapers. In fact, one of the most common questions many expecting parents ask is: how many newborn diapers do I need?

The short answer? Many. The long answer? It varies based on the baby’s starting weight and size. Here’s how to gure out how many (and what size and type) diapers your newborn will need.

Washable diapers

Number of diapers: They usually stay in this range for the first year or, in some cases, two years of life. Expect to use six or seven diapers daily.

How much do diapers cost?

If you want reusable diapers, look for a set that has adjustable snaps, absorbent inserts and machine-washable fabrics.

ALVABABY Adjustable Cloth Diapers, starting at $29.99 for a six-pack at Amazon.com

The cost of diapers depends on the brand, type, material and number of diapers in the pack. Disposables can range from 20 cents to 30 cents per diaper. At 10 diapers per day, your monthly costs could reach $100, or about $1,200 in the rst year. Reusable diapers can cost upwards of $20 each, but with proper care, they can last several months. This makes the long-term costs of diapers cheaper than the reusable option by several hundred or thousand dollars.

ANGELA WATSON | BestReviews

Angela Watson is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.

CHALKBOARD

A glimpse at what’s happening in our local schools

Art students at Papillion-La Vista High School installed a new mural in the high school’s art and media hallway. Seven students were selected to work on the mural during art class or after school. The mural features “MONARCHS” in Hollywood-style lettering in front of a dramatic sunset. Each student was responsible for filling in a letter with a vignette representing an aspect of student life, including academics, activities, and athletics. Students first painted over the old mural, which was painted by PLHS students 20 years ago. Their sponsor, art teacher Shawn Blevins, facilitated and supervised the student project.

PAPILLION-LA VISTA COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

ELKHORN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Students at Westridge Elementary spent time time learning about recognizing emotions and strategies for managing them during guidance lessons recently. Kindergarteners worked on bubble breathing to learn the importance of deep breaths. Second graders created Power Cards using positive self-talk statements.

SARPY COUNTY

Mary White of Gretna Elementary School’s “Be Prepared: Storms Pop Up Anywhere” won second place in a statewide poster contest in 2022.

WENDY KENDEIGH

Stampede, the Millard North Middle School show choir, earned first place at the Ralston Ramageddon 2023 competition. Lewis Central’s Titan Force finished second, Millard North’s Cavallo third and Grand Island Central Catholic’s Genesis finished fourth.

We’re Here with Specialized Care for Kids, Too

You know us for pediatric care, but the medical home you’ve come to know and trust also provides life-changing specialty care for kids. Backed by more than 40 years of research, the experts at Boys Town National Research Hospital provide patient-centered care with the most advanced treatments close to you.

Here, you’ll find the region’s leading pediatric specialists and clinicians specializing in:

• Allergy, Asthma and Immunology

• Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

• Craniofacial

• Critical Care

• Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics

• Ear, Nose and Throat

• Gastroenterology

• General and Thoracic Surgery

• Hearing and Balance

• Infectious Disease

To find a Boys Town pediatric specialist near you, visit boystownhospital.org or call 531-355-1234.

• Neurology

• Neurosurgery

• Ophthalmology

• Rheumatology

• Speech-Language Therapy

2023 Upcoming Rose Shows

-

FEB 10 - 19

-

MEMBER EVENT

Appropriate for ALL AGES (Younger Audiences)

60 minutes

Rose Members receive FREE tickets

eamsdr om her awful stage With advice fr oots,r eila as she visits her in ravel Y and be amazing! T

audienc

eila dreams of being a superstar but her lack of confidence gives her awful stage fright. With advice from her mother and Y begins her journey to find her roots, get confidence T with Yeila as she visits her grandmother in salsa to her own hip-hop style! The audience along dynamic participation play where one ee generations of lively women, written and Paige nandez with music by Nick the 1da.

e gets to dance in this wher ee of women, written and nandez with music Nick the 1da. performed by Her

TICKETS

Rose members receive FREE tickets (402) 345-4849

Show

Written, choreographed and performed by Paige Hernandez With original music by Nick “Nick tha 1da” Hernandez