June | SAVVY

THE LIFESTYLE MANUAL FOR THE MODERN MOM

SUMMER FUN BUCKET LIST

25+ THINGS TO DO!

THE GIRLS OF SUMMER & THEIR LEMONADE! SEE PAGE 20.

SPEND THE DAY WITH A STAY-AT-HOME DAD

JUNE 2016 路 THESAVVYMOMS.COM

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JUNE

MODERN MOM 16 MAINTAINING SANITY ...

18 FOOD FOR THE SOUL

SAVVY FAMILY 20 HONEYSUCKLE LEMONADE 24 DOMESTIC DAD REFRESHING HONEYSUCKLE LEMONADE!

28 SAVVY STYLE: FATHERLY FASHION 30 PASSING THE TORCH 32 ARKANSAS SUMMER FUN BUCKET LIST

IN EVERY ISSUE 6 EDITOR’S NOTE 12 NEWS & NOTES 38 BAG CHECK

THE LIFESTYLE MANUAL FOR THE MODERN MOM

ON THE COVER: ABBIE CARLSON, KATHERINE CARLSON, AVERY DEROQUE AND VIOLET GUICE ENJOYING THEIR SUMMER LEMONADE STAND. PHOTOGRAPHY BY KERRY GUICE

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JUNE 2016 | THESAVVYMOMS.COM

JUNE 2016 · THESAVVYMOMS.COM

SUMMER FUN BUCKET LIST

25+ THINGS TO DO!

THE GIRLS OF SUMMER & THEIR LEMONADE! SEE PAGE 20.

SPEND THE DAY WITH A STAY-AT-HOME DAD

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DID YOU

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I’m glad for the opportunity to put the spotlight on dads this month. In honor of Father’s Day on June 19 (put it on your calendar!) we’ve filled some pages in Savvy with dad-friendly content. Dads are an important part of the family unit, and countless studies show that involved father figures help to create more well-adjusted kids.

Dads have a unique way of being larger-than-life, completely invincible, absolutely terrifying and lovingly gentle—sometimes all in the same day. I have a few favorite stories about my own dad. He is an invincible hero that (as the family fable goes) one time caught an enormous rock that was sure to crush me, after my 4-year-old self leapt off of it. When I was 5, he chased the kids who cut down our rope swing for more than a mile just to laugh and show them a 35-year-old man could catch a 15-year-old punk.

Even as an adult, all I have to do is call and say, “Dad, something broke,” and he’s there within the hour tinkering and teaching me how to fix it. These are the stories you hopefully remember about your dad. He’s there for you, he’s the strongest guy you know, he can fix anything, and beat anyone in a footrace.

I loved meeting Chris Nick in our Domestic Dad feature. He’s a stay-at-home dad who happily devotes his life to his two daughters, Caroline and Cate. He opened up about his decision to take a break from his career to stay home with his girls, and the reactions from his friends, family and the moms at the park.

If you are looking for a Father’s Day gift, we have quite a few great local options in our Fatherly Fashion roundup.

You’ll also find some new monthly features in this issue. In our Road Trip section, we’ll take you on quick, family-friendly getaways throughout the region. This month we travel to Memphis to explore endless opportunities for adventure.

Mind, Body & Soul is a new feature that explores ways for moms to get centered and focus on their own well-being. Lord knows we can all use a healthy dose of that, especially now that school is out and the kids are underfoot!

If you need some ideas on ways to get them out of the house and having fun, check out our extensive Arkansas Summer Fun Bucket List. It’s full of fun, creative and even FREE things to do with the kids. We’d like to challenge you to see how many items you can cross off the Bucket List! Now get to reading, then get outside and enjoy the summer!

Amy Gordy Editor, Savvy @SavvyAR

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JUNE 2016 | THESAVVYMOMS.COM

PHOTOGRAPHY: LILY DARRAGH

DEDICATED TO THE DADS

High quality child care looks like

IMAGINATION.

Imagination is essential to the learning process.

When teachers model play, read and tell stories,

It allows us to solve problems. It enables creativity.

children learn to imagine.

Imagination allows us to see what is not there and

Visit our website to find child care that nurtures your

to create it. It is a skill for life.

child’s imagination.

www.ARBetterBeginnings.com • 1-800-445-3316 Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education

PUBLISHER BLAKE HANNAHS | blake@arktimes.com EDITOR AMY GORDY | amy@arktimes.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR MANDY KEENER | mandy@arktimes.com EDITOR AT LARGE REBEKAH LAWRENCE | rebekah@arktimes.com MANAGING DIRECTOR PHYLLIS BRITTON | phyllis@arktimes.com SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE LESA THOMAS | lesa@arktimes.com ADVERTISING TRAFFIC MANAGER ROLAND R. GLADDEN | roland@arktimes.com ADVERTISING COORDINATOR JIM HUNNICUTT | jimhunnicutt@arktimes.com SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR LAUREN BUCHER | lauren@arktimes.com

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ARKANSAS TIMES PUBLISHING ALL MATERIALS ARE HANDLED WITH DUE CARE; HOWEVER, THE PUBLISHER ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR CARE AND SAFE RETURN OF UNSOLICITED MATERIALS. ALL LETTERS AND PICTURES SENT TO SAVVY™ WILL BE TREATED AS INTENDED FOR PUBLICATION AND ARE SUBJECT TO SAVVY'S™ UNRESTRICTED RIGHT TO EDIT OR TO COMMENT EDITORIALLY. 201 E. MARKHAM ST. SUITE 200, LITTLE ROCK, AR 72201 501-375-2985.

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We take your child’s education With quality public schools like College Station Elementary, the education you want for your child is close at hand.

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501.234.2000 THESAVVYMOMS.COM | JUNE 2016

9

contributors JUNE 2016

DWAIN HEBDA is a writer and editor living in Little Rock. He and his wife, Darlene, are the parents of four grown children.

The empty nesters spend their time traveling, working out and spoiling their two dogs.

KERRY GUICE is a food blogger and photographer living in Little Rock with her husband, two kids and their dog. When she’s not sharing her latest meal on Instagram, Kerry is planning her family’s next Arkansas adventure or crafting with her creative tots.

Social Media We can help you use it.

Small businesses across Arkansas use social media to connect with customers and sell their products and services.

Do you want to connect with your customers on social media?

Let’s get started.

To find out more, contact Lauren Bucher, Director of Arkansas Times Social Media

laurenbucher@arktimes.com

10 JUNE 2016 | THESAVVYMOMS.COM

LILY DARRAGH is a photographer in Little Rock. She studied photography at Parsons the New School of Design in New York. Currently working out of a photography studio in downtown Little Rock, Lily loves to shoot people and places unique to Arkansas.

FOLLOW US FOR A GLIMPSE BEHIND THE SCENES @SAVVY_AR

Some of Our ‘Red Carpet Clients’ Would Rather Be on the Green T H E L AT E S T I N T E C H N O L O G Y. T H E B E S T I N C A R E .

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Academic Signing Day 2016

74 graduates from �ive LRSD high schools were recognized for outstanding academic achievement at the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion on May 23, 2016. Students who were honored achieved one or more of the following: 4.0 GPA, Class Rank 1-4, National Merit Semi�inalist, and/or National Hispanic Scholar distinction.

Michael Tran Sophia Ordaz Raymond Harris Nathaniel Abraham Sarah Turner Foster Perry Taylar Hasberry Kerlisa Adams Tony Wang Anirudh Pidugu Alexander Herndon Diana Basnakian Angela Wang Kyra Rattler Kristin Howard Chloe Berjot Jiaqi Wang Nicholas Rose Caroline James Sarah Brandon Shahnur Fatima Said Abigail Wikoff Norah Jones Erica Braswell David Xiang Paloma Salazar Charles Jones Faith Brown Kevin Yuen Riley Sangster SooJeong Jung Daniel Chan Emy Zapata Burhan Sarwar Ryan Kaufmann Rodshnelle Cole Daniel Seo Andrew Labay Nikita Das Brittany Seymore Casey Labbate Rafael Del Carmen Nemi Shah Eamon Lauster Gabriel Del Carmen Rebecca Sherman Anastasia Lendel Hanna Detar Taylor Smith Yupeng Liu Jeffrey ‘Ethan’ Dial Worthie Springer, III Oussama Makhoul Mason English Nivetha Srinivasan Malcolm McSwain Anna Grace Estes Whitleigh Montgomery Chuang Tang Nathaniel Felan Dejah Taylor Emma Moore Samantha Fish Little Rock School District Zoe Tollette Nikhil Nair Natalie Fortner PERFORMANCE WORKPLAN Courtnei Toney Sarah Nicholson Emi Gillum lrsd.org Terri Tran Anna Norman Elisabeth Graf Ashley Tran Mounusha Nunna Rachel Green W CE FOR TOMORRO

LLEN CREATING EXCE

THESAVVYMOMS.COM | JUNE 2016

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NEWS & NOTES

THE LATEST FOR PARENTS & KIDS FOR MOM!

Enjoy discounts and ice cream at this weekend-long event that encourages families to get out and have fun together!

As part of Family Fun Days look for discount offers through participating venues including: Hiland Dairy, Wild River Country, Arkansas Travelers, Little Rock Zoo, USS Razorback, Magic Springs, Big Rock Fun Park and Playtime Pizza. Visit arfamilyfundays.com for more information.

Comic fans won’t want to miss the River City Comic Expo at the Statehouse Convention Center with 90,000 square feet of artists, guests, vendors, gaming, panels and entertainment. This year, the Little Rock Picture Show joins to deliver maximum entertainment.

Admission is $15 for two days; $10 for one day; kids under 12 are free.

Visit rivercitycomicexpo.com for more information.

Kids can learn how to fish for free this summer at the Discover Fishing Camp held at Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center.

Students entering the sixth through eighth grades discover the basics from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at this fourday fishing camp. This camp is a great way to learn new skills, connect with friends and have a good time. Call 501-907-0636 or email hollie.sanders@agfc.ar.gov for more information.

12 JUNE 2016 | THESAVVYMOMS.COM

SUMMER SOLSTICE PADDLE

Stand up paddleboard yoga is the latest trend in exercise. It’s excellent for balance, strength and peace of mind. SUP 501 is hosting a Full Moon Summer Solstice Paddle on Lake Norrell June 20 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. It’s a fun way to kick off the summer season. Visit sup501.com for more information.

MOVIES IN THE PARK

Round up the kids, a picnic basket, oversized blanket and bug spray for this free family event at Riverfront Park.

Movies begin at sunset. Here’s the June lineup: June 8 Monsters University (G) June 15 Guardians of the Galaxy (PG-13) June 22 Brewster’s Millions (PG) June 29 The Lego Movie (PG)

ZOOFARI SUMMER CAMP

This day camp at the Little Rock Zoo is the perfect place for animal-crazy kids. This year’s theme, “Foggy Bog: Wetland Conservation” is sure to please. Classes are three days long.

Ages: 5-7 and 8-10. Dates and times: June 13-15, June 2022, June 27-29, July 11-13, July 18-20; 9 a.m.-noon. Visit littlerockzoo.com for more information.

SUPER SUMMER SATURDAY

At Super Summer Saturday kids can enjoy fun, free educational activities at the Clinton Presidential Center Saturdays in June from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. This summer, in conjunction with the Center’s temporary exhibit, Saturday programming will include sporting and Olympicthemed activities on June 11, 18 and 25. Activities are free, however admission fees to tour the Center still apply. Visit clintonfoundation.org/clinton-presidential-center for more information.

PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF VENDORS

DO THIS!

KIDS EAT In celebration of National Donut Day on June 3, we got an expert's opinion on the best donut in town! Donut devotee Carter Wallace sampled the goods at a few of the best bakeries in central Arkansas including Shipley Do-Nuts, Dunkin Donuts, Mark's Do-Nut Shop and Community Bakery.

Here are his findings:

NAME: Carter Wallace

we

all about safe summer travels

AGE: 9 FAVORITE COLOR: Blue WHICH DONUT WAS YOUR FAVORITE AND WHY?​ Dunkin Donuts and Mark’s Do-Nut Shop tied. They both had great creamy, chocolate glazes on top, and the dough was very tasty!​ ​ WHICH RESTAURANT HAD THE BEST DONUT SELECTION? Shipley.​ WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DRINK WITH DONUTS? Milk!​ IF YOU COULD PUT ANYTHING ON A DONUT, WHAT WOULD IT BE?​Pistachio​s.

RANK YOUR FAVORITE DONUTS 1. Dunkin Donut and Mark’s Do-Nut (tie). Both were equally good in taste, Dunkin Donuts’ frosting stayed on better. I Dunkin like how it is old school inside Donut Mark’s Do-Nut—my mom went there when she was a kid.

It’s important to remember the sunscreen and shades, but there are other safety tips to consider before your family heads out for their favorite summer vacation spot.

“Remembering essentials and key tips means you can all enjoy your family vacation to the fullest,” said Chuck Smith, M.D., a family medicine specialist at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).

Before you hit the road, make sure to follow these recommendations: Car Safety. Make sure everyone is buckled properly and all car seats are installed correctly, with children under 2 in rear-facing seats and any child under 13 in the backseat. It’s also important to secure all luggage and remember to pack basic tools and supplies in case of emergency.

Limit Screen Time. Electronic games and movies can help make for smoother travel, but make sure the entire family is engaged and interacting as well by limiting screen time in the car.

Make Time for Rest. Look for rest stops or historic sites where everyone can get out and stretch their legs. If you ever feel tired behind the wheel, pull over immediately.

Don’t let a few shortcuts get in the way of your family enjoying every part of summer vacation.

​ . S​hipley. I loved the chocolate 2 glaze, but the dough didn’t have much sweet taste to it.

3. Community Bakery. The donut had a very odd shape to it and when I ate it, all of the chocolate fell off in pieces.

Donuts on the way to school

For an appointment, call 501-686-8000 UAMShealth.com/centerforprimarycare

THESAVVYMOMS.COM | JUNE 2016 UAMS June advertorial Savvy.indd 1

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2/4/16 10:13 AM

MEMPHIS

Load up the kids and take a quick road trip this summer! Memphis is a short distance away, and offers endless opportunities for fun.

TAKE SNA A QUICK CK B REAK !

MUDDY’S BAKE SHOP

MEMPHIS ZOO

The kids will love this 70-acre zoo that is home to more than 3,500 animals. You can fill an entire day watching animals, playing on the playground, stopping for cold treats and exploring all the special exhibits. Don’t miss Sting Ray Bay! For an extra fee, kids and adults can feed and pet stingrays and sharks living in a 17,000-gallon saltwater pool. Admission: $15 ages 12 and up; $10 ages 2-11; $5 parking. Visit memphiszoo.org.

A one-stop shop for all your sweet tooth needs.

The beautiful little home-turned-bakery on Cooper Street hosts an assortment of madefrom-scratch cookies, cupcakes, muffins and pies, and a expertly staffed coffee bar. It’s also a bakery that gives back—no tips are accepted here, instead all the change in their jar goes to a different local nonprofit each month. Visit muddysbakeshop.com.

PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF VENUES/ILOVEMEMPHISBLOG.COM

road trip

Throw a party!

Make it star-spangled spectacular!

LITTLE ROCK

NORTH LITTLE ROCK

501.223.4929

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11218 N. RODNEY PARHAM RD. 14 JUNE 2016 | THESAVVYMOMS.COM 0516-21M_ PATRIOTIC_SavvyMag.indd 1

4822 N. HILLS BLVD.

PINK PALACE FAMILY OF MUSEUMS

This popular destination is one of the largest facilities of its kind in the Southeast. Consisting of the Pink Palace Museum, a CTI 3D Giant Theater, the AutoZone Dome at the Sharpe Planetarium, Lichterman Nature Center and the historic Mallory-Neely and Magevney houses, there is plenty to do to keep the whole family busy. Through dioramas and lifesize exhibits, you can trace Memphis' development from the time of Spanish explorers through the Civil War and the yellow fever epidemics. You can also walk through a replica of the first self-service grocery store in the country, Clarence Saunders' Piggly Wiggly. Visit memphismuseums.org.

BASS PRO SHOPS AT THE PYRAMID

This is a great place to cool off and have a look around. The Memphis Pyramid has been completely renovated into a Bass Pro Shop complete with a meandering indoor stream filled with fish, an archery range and elevator ride (admission costs apply) to the 32-story-high overlook. Stay the night in the Big Cypress Lodge, or grab a bite to eat at Uncle Buck’s Fishbowl and Grill on the top floor.

Visit basspro.com for more information.

THESAVVYMOMS.COM | JUNE 2016

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5/6/16 4:31 PM

mama said...

MAINTAINING SANITY IN THE SUMMERTIME IS POSSIBLE, IT’S JUST RARE

A

h, summer. No school, no organized sports, no making lunches or homework, or worries about laundered uniforms.

Wait. No school? No sports?

Each June I feel the same way: a mix of excitement and dread. On one hand, life is easier. It’s slower, less scheduled, and we have plenty of free time. There won’t be fights over sock seams in the mad rush to dress for school. We can stay up and sleep late—not that my early risers ever do.

But with all this free time and lack of structure comes boredom, arguments and, all-too-frequently, an over-stressed mama. Having the kids home together all day, every day challenges my patience. And, OK, I’ll admit it: Sometimes I lose my cool.

Have you ever seen a mama dog growl, bark and even nip at her own puppies? She never really hurts them, of course; only scares the bejesus out of the little heel-biters. Summertime often puts me in the same mood. Someone asks for a second popsicle for the umpteenth time and I turn around snarling. I know what I look like. I’ve recoiled from the mirror. Lips pulled back and teeth bared—I scare the bejesus out of my little heel-biters.

I want summertime to be fun and free. I want my kids to explore and imagine and create—to get dirty like I did. Growing up on a working cattle ranch in west Arkansas, my sister and I were often left to our own devices. We climbed trees, made mud pies, hiked through the forest, and bathed the cats. Our generation of helicopter parenting is so different than the one I grew up in, and irrationally so since the crime rate is as low as it’s been in decades. But I digress. We’re talking about staying sane in the summer.

So, what can we parents do to keep our cool in the hot summer months? I’ll tell you what works for me, and for some others I’ve quizzed about the topic. First, I think it’s important to say that at least some of the problem is a direct result of my actions. It’s tough, but I have been making a conscious effort to adjust my expectations. It’s so

easy to get angry when my kids don’t hop in the car (or put on their clothes, or eat their breakfast) the first time I ask. I have to remind myself to slow down, that there’s no real rush except the one I’m imposing. Adjusting expectations and slowing down hopefully means less stress, both for the kids and for me.

Another strategy for avoiding an entire summer in which mommy is a meanie is creating diversions. A friend says if she doesn’t have her kids out of the house by 10 a.m., whether they go on a walk or out for smoothies, all heck breaks loose. To avoid clashes between them, they make sure to leave the house at least for a little while each morning.

As for my family, sometimes we go to the park before it gets too hot. We walk the dog or wander the aisles of Target. We are so lucky to live in central Arkansas where there are plenty of free things to do.

From the city-operated splash pads, to Two Rivers Park Bridge, to the Game and Fish Commission’s Nature Center, to the Clinton Children’s Library, there are a multitude of options out there to have a fun day exploring, creating and imagining. And then ideally, after a full day of diversions, everyone crashes into bed exhausted and happy.

Maybe your kids are at school while you work, and beg for the pool the moment you pick them up. Do you get tired of saying “no?” One friend suggests keeping a fully packed pool bag in the back of the car, complete with swimsuits, towels, sunscreen, toys and cash. You could say, “yes” on a whim and not face the stress of rushing home to pack and change.

When I remember my summers as a child, I think of snapping peas with my Granny, of finding crawdads in the creek, of watching movies and sleeping late. I remember picking flowers and warming my face in the sun. I recall thinking that if I just swung high enough, I could fly right into the cool water of the pond. I hope my kids look back and remember some of the same simple pleasures. I’m going to try to slow down and help them make those memories. I’m going to try to stay cool—and keep my cool—this summer.

MY BROOD ENJOYING THE SUMMER!

Jen Holman is often irreverent and frequently imperfect. But she’s happy, by God, and that’s what matters. She lives in Little Rock with her husband and three children, striking that delicate balance between inspiration and frustration.

Jen has published three novels under the pen name Jen Crane, the second of which was selected by iTunes/iBooks as “Our Pick” in fantasy sci-fi.

16 JUNE 2016 | THESAVVYMOMS.COM

ADVERTORIAL

LIVING SOUL“FULL” BY WENDY COOK

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LET YOGA FILL YOUR SOUL TANK!

Do you know someone who lives their own life and gives to others from an abundance of energy? This person seems to always have a radiant smile, a contagious giggle, a hug you want to hang on to, and words that lift you into a brighter way of seeing the world. This person’s soul tank is full! This person knows what fills their soul, lives vibrantly, and shares profusely.

To live a soul“full” life you must first identify what fills your soul. Then, bring your what into action. In Baptiste Yoga we call this being a YES! My practice of meditation and physical yoga over the past 14 years has given me the insight into what my own YES for life is…what fills my soul!

As a beginner, my yoga practice created the mental strength and flexibility to start living with the purpose of an adult and the playfulness of a child.

My YES is to live life in a way that empowers others to know what gives them a soul“full” life. To do this I must first keep my own soul tank full.

Filling my soul tank is as simple as practicing yoga, listening to others, hiking, biking, growing flowers, sharing what I am passionate about with anyone who will listen, a good book, a glass of wine with an old friend, and spending time with my family.

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Stretch your hands and feet 3-4 feet apart in space. Spread your palms wide and toes wide. Ground through the base knuckle of each finger and toe to strengthen your arms and legs. Send your hips high to the sky. Let your head, neck, and jaw soften.

2. PLANK (5-8 inhales and exhales) Shift your shoulders directly over your wrists. Create a straight line from your heels to the top of your head. Press down through your hands while you keep your elbows at ease. Breath out to pull the pit of your belly in towards your spine. Breathe in to expand out through your mid-back.

3. LOW PLANK (3-5 plank to low plank) Shift forward to the tips of your toes (or modify with your knees on the mat).

Lower shoulders to elbow height with your elbows 1-2 inches from your ribs.

Hug in your legs and core.

4. SIDE PLANK

From plank, step your feet together at the back of the mat. Keep the inner edges of your feet sealed as you spin your feet to the right (or modify with your bottom knee on the mat). Lift your left hand to the sky. Stack your top shoulder and hip directly over the bottom shoulder and hip.Contract your leg muscles to the bones and squeeze them towards one another to lift your hips.

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mind, body & soul

FOOD FOR THE SOUL

In this new Savvy series we'll examine ways to focus on your Mind, Body and Soul. Becoming a centered mom is essential to balancing work and home life.

The quest to enrich your mind, body and soul is a lifelong process that can be so fulfilling!

Meditation is a great way to practice mindfulness.

“FOOD FOR THE BODY IS NOT ENOUGH. THERE MUST BE FOOD FOR THE SOUL.” —DOROTHY DAY

To lead a balanced life, you must give some attention not only to your mind and body, but also to your soul. It’s important to find ways to connect with, and replenish, your spiritual side. A great way to do that is to block out some time each week to do the things that fill your spiritual “cup,” whether it’s gardening, dancing, creating art or meditating. It’s important to find an activity that speaks to your soul, and practice it often! Here are a few ideas to get you started:

GARDENING

There is something intensely therapeutic about digging in the dirt, planting and watching your garden come to life. Gardening is a highly addictive hobby that gets you back in touch with nature, and provides exercise, sunshine, education and solitude, and produces beautiful and satisfying results. If you’re just getting started, drop into a local nursery or garden center for some direction and dig right in!

DANCING

“You can dance if you want to, you can leave this world behind.”

Yeah, we went there. It’s true, though! Take this advice from Men Without Hats, and just get out there and move. Whether you take up adult ballet, salsa, Zumba, ballroom dance, or just hit the club with your girlfriends or spouse on the weekends, dancing is a great way to free the soul and burn some major calories—just be sure to dance like no one’s watching.

ART

Nothing moves the soul like viewing an extraordinary work of art. There are tons of museums and galleries in Arkansas where you can find nationally renowned paintings, drawings, sculpture and more. Spend the afternoon walking through a quiet gallery alone and you may find your soul fully recharged and become inspired to create your own art. Don’t be afraid to pick up a drawing pad or paintbrush and express yourself.

MEDITATION

Express your creativity through art.

18 JUNE 2016 | THESAVVYMOMS.COM

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, practicing meditation can reduce blood pressure and symptoms of anxiety, depression and insomnia. Meditation is a practice of using focus and breathing to center the mind and promote calmness, relaxation and psychological balance. You can practice elements of meditation at home, in a meditation group, at your desk, in the car—anywhere you can steal a quick moment to yourself without distraction. If you want to learn more on your own, we recommend the book, “Peace Is Every Step” by Zen monk Thich Nhat Hanh, or for a guided meditation try the app Headspace.

YOGA WORKSHOPS

DAD’S WITH KIDS PLAY FREE MINI GOLF

ON FATHER’S DAY

OPEN EXTENDED HOURS

PHOTOGRAPHY: BRIAN CHILSON

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501-455-3750

www.bigrockfunpark.com 11411 Baseline Road, Little Rock (near Bass Pro Shops)

Kino MacGregor at Dreamland Ballroom.

Even if you are intensely loyal to your yoga studio (there are so many great ones in Arkansas!), yoga events are a great way to “step outside the mat” and try something new. Last month Kino MacGregor, international yoga instructor and author (she has 1 million Instagram followers!), held a weekend workshop at the Dreamland Ballroom where she covered topics like strength and lifting, mastering backbends, inversions, handstands and the art of balance.

Here are a few yoga and meditation workshops and events to check out this month:

BEGINNING KRIYA YOGA MEDITATION WORKSHOP AT ARKANSAS YOGA COLLECTIVE

This weekend workshop on June 10-12 with Grace Shivers focuses on Kriya yoga, which is a simple technique of deep meditation and self-realization that gives continuing positive results for the development of the body, mind, intelligence and soul. Visit arkansasyogacollective.com for more information.

YOGA FOR HEALTHY AGING WEEKEND INTENSIVE AT ARKANSAS YOGA CENTER

The Arkansas Yoga Center in Fayetteville welcomes Baxter Bell, MD, eRYT500 and co-creator of the blog, “Yoga for Healthy Aging,” for a workshop June 24-26. Get his unique insights on yoga and the aging process as he presents the scientific background that explains how and why yoga works to foster healthy aging. Learn essential yoga poses, yoga sequences and other practices that will set you up for a lifetime of practice.

Visit aryoga.com for more information.

YOGA NIA AT BAREFOOT STUDIO

Nia is the art of movement and, much like yoga, integrates the body, mind and spirit. This workshop on June 25 features 45 minutes of yoga transitioning into 45 minutes of Nia led by Sherri Youngblood, owner of Sage Yoga School.

Youngblood holds a white belt in Nia and is a registered nurse at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Visit barefootstudio.com for more information.

501-315-4414

Visit our website for information on services, upcoming events, and access to our resources!

Kidsourcetherapy.com Services We Provide: •Early Intervention Services •Therapy Evaluations •Speech/Language Therapy •Occupational Therapy •Physical Therapy

Supportive Programs: •Sensory Integration •Feeding & Swallowing •Hippotherapy •Aquatics •Special Olympics

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NOW ENROLLING STUDENTS IN PK4 THROUGH 8TH GRADE. • Located Downtown in Beautiful Historic District • Oldest elementary school in the city of Little Rock • Diverse School environment • A legacy of rich Catholic education, academic excellence and service for over 130 years 501.374.9166 | 805 Sherman St., Little Rock, AR 72202 www.saintedwards.net THESAVVYMOMS.COM | JUNE 2016

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good eats

*ENCOURAGE YOUR KIDS' ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT WITH A HOMEMADE LEMONADE STAND!

20 JUNE 2016 | THESAVVYMOMS.COM

A NEW SOUTHERN TRADITION STORY & PHOTOGRAPHY BY KERRY GUICE

THESAVVYMOMS.COM | JUNE 2016

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good eats *FURNISH YOUR LEMONADE STAND WITH COLORFUL CUPS, NAPKINS AND STRAWS.

I

f you live in the South, you probably know what honeysuckle is. If you were born and raised in the South, you know what to do with that honeysuckle! So many of my childhood memories include spending my warm, lazy summer days with the neighborhood kids, picking the delicate blossoms off the vine, pricking the bottom with your thumb and forefinger, and carefully pulling the stamen out from the bottom. When that bubble of nectar appeared, you quickly licked it up. That sweet taste and the fragrant scent of the vines signal that another Arkansas summer is here.

I used to daydream of having a whole jar full of honeysuckle nectar, because one drop was never enough! After some experimenting in the kitchen, I’ve discovered the next best thing— honeysuckle simple syrup. It’s made with wild honeysuckle tea, sugar and honey to help boost that floral sweetness. It will keep in your refrigerator for at least a month. That means that even after the last honeysuckle bloom fades away, you can still help the kids set up a late summer lemonade stand and share this twist on a nostalgic Southern summer treat. It’s the perfect way to relive those childhood days when summer seemed to last forever.

lemonade stand tips • Don't forget to grab plenty of change • Extra ice is a must on hot days • Get a container with a tap to make pouring easy for small hands

• Invite neighbors, friends and family ahead of time • Involve your kids in the entire process 22 JUNE 2016 | THESAVVYMOMS.COM

HONEYSUCKLE LEMONADE Makes six servings

Juice of 10 lemons (1 cup) 4 cups ice water HONEYSUCKLE SIMPLE SYRUP

2 loose cups honeysuckle blossoms, ranging from white to yellow, no leaves or stems 2 cups steaming hot water 2 cups sugar 2 tablespoons honey For the simple syrup, collect 2 loose cups of blossoms in a clean bowl. Carefully pour 2 cups of steaming hot water over the flowers, cover, and keep in refrigerator overnight. Strain the honeysuckle “tea” through a fine sieve or cheesecloth (discarding wilted blooms), and place in saucepan with 2 cups of sugar and 2 tablespoons honey. Bring to a boil and let reduce until mixture has thickened and sugar is dissolved, stirring often. Mixture will further thicken as it cools.

To make lemonade, combine 1 cup lemon juice, 4 cups ice water and 1 cup Honeysuckle Simple Syrup. Stir to combine.

Serve over ice, garnished with a honeysuckle blossom. *HONEYSUCKLE SYRUP CAN BE STORED IN AN AIRTIGHT JAR IN THE REFRIGERATOR FOR UP TO A MONTH. IT’S GREAT FOR FLAVORING ICED TEA, SLICED FRUIT, PANCAKES OR COCKTAILS!

Working a lemonade stand is a great way to teach kids about philanthropy.

If they aren't sure what they want to do with their earnings, suggest donating it to a local charity and let them choose the cause. Be sure the kiddos are the ones to hand over the cash so they get all the good warm fuzzies that go along with helping others.

THESAVVYMOMS.COM | JUNE 2016

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Stay-at-home dad Chris Nick and his daughters, Cate and Caroline, spend their days climbing, reading and having endless tea parties together.

24 JUNE 2016 | THESAVVYMOMS.COM

HOMEMAKER, CARETAKER, HOUSE-SPOUSE. CALL HIM WHAT YOU WANT, BUT DON’T DARE CALL HIM 'BABYSITTER'. THIS STAY-AT-HOME DAD COULD GIVE LESSONS.

BY AMY GORDY PHOTOGRAPHY BY LILY DARRAGH

C

hris Nick can do it all. He can cook, clean, pack lunches, sew a button, build a tree house, host a tea party, chaperone field trips and coach his daughters in tennis.

He’s been a stay-at-home dad for daughters Caroline, 8, and Cate, 4, for four years, and wouldn’t have it any other way.

Before his career as caretaker, Nick worked for a medical supply company and ran the warehouse for 16 years. That job moved him and his wife, Laura, to Memphis where they lived for eight years, until Laura was offered a job that brought the growing family back to her hometown of Little Rock.

“Laura was pregnant with Cate, and we were on the way to the hospital to deliver her when Laura got the call from the recruiter offering her the job in Little Rock,” Nick said. “She immediately said yes, then turned to me and said, ‘Is that OK?’” With a 4-year-old and a new baby, the couple was happy to move back to be closer to family, and the change gave Nick the opportunity for a fresh start on a new career. He had always been interested in teaching, so he went back to school to get his degree and got a job teaching English and writing in England, Arkansas.

After only two years teaching, the family came to a childcare crossroads. Laura was advancing in her marketing job, which required more out-of-town travel—she’s gone typically three to four nights a week—and Caroline was about to start school. The couple looked at the cost of childcare and decided it made more financial sense for Nick to stay home and take care of the girls. “We added up all the costs and the length of my commute to England every day, and Laura just turned to me and said, ‘Why don’t you stay home?’”

The idea took some getting used to. Nick had worked a full-time job for as long as he could remember, and being a stay-at-home dad just wasn’t something the men in his family did. “My dad worked from the time he was 15 in my granddad’s auto shop. Then he was the fire chief for 20 years in my hometown. My granddad was the fire chief before that. My cousins were all firefighters. I’m the only one who hasn’t been a firefighter.”

He faced some naysayers in the beginning—he said his mother’s main concern was whether or not he knew how to wash and dry the girls’ hair. Determined to prove them all wrong, Nick accepted the challenge, which he admitted is a lot more work than he had anticipated.

“I do all the cooking and cleaning, I take the girls all the places they need to go and get them dressed in the mornings. We go to tennis practice six days a week. I’m building them a tree house in the back yard right now. I thought it was going to be a cush job—that I’d get to go for runs and play golf sometimes­—but I’m always busy with the girls. When I have them, they are my focus, and I wouldn’t have it any other way,” he said.

He admitted the transition from full-time work to a stay-at-home job wasn’t easy, and the financial balance took some time to get used to.

“It was weird at first. I was used to buying whatever I want and doing whatever I wanted, and suddenly I felt like I couldn’t spend the money.

Laura is great, though, she never tells me that I need to talk to her before I buy something. It’s all our money.”

Nick also had to get used to the isolation one can feel when daily adult conversations become a luxury. “I do miss the adult conversations you get at a full-time job, but I’ve met good friends since we’ve moved back, and our neighbor Joy has been a huge help if I ever need anything for the girls.”

While Nick admitted to having a good support system with his wife, neighbor and mother, he still sometimes feels like an island when it comes to his place in society. “I have only ever met one other stay-athome dad in Little Rock. I take the girls to the park, and there are only ever moms, and I do wonder what they think about me. It’s odd to see a man at the park during the day. Some moms will talk to me, but for the most part they stick to their clique.”

Nick is not wrong in feeling like a rarity. The Pew Research Center recently found the national number of stay-at-home dads to be close to 16 percent. According to Huffington Post research, Arkansas’s average is closer to 10 to 15 percent.

THESAVVYMOMS.COM | JUNE 2016

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e up.

Dad wakes everyon

"I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE A CUSH JOB—THAT I’D GET TO GO FOR RUNS AND PLAY GOLF SOMETIMES­— BUT I’M ALWAYS BUSY WITH THE GIRLS. WHEN I HAVE THEM, THEY ARE MY FOCUS, AND I WOULDN’T HAVE IT ANY OTHER WAY." —CHRIS NICK

He takes breakfast requests.

He gets Caroline ready for school.

26 JUNE 2016 | THESAVVYMOMS.COM

Nick’s oldest daughter, Caroline, is beginning to understand that her dad is a little different from most. “She’s noticed that I’m the only dad at the park, and I just explain that ‘Mommy goes to work to make money so we can be together.’ I think it’s good for them to see this dynamic. It’s empowering for them, as girls.”

The girls value their time with their mom, and Nick is quick to step back and let Laura take over when she’s home. “When Laura comes home from a trip, it’s like I just fade away. They love their time with Laura, and I get that.”

Nick is happy taking care of the day-to-day stuff with the girls. He knows their picky eating habits, how to soothe them when they fight, and discipline them when they push boundaries. “Caroline is so much like me, always cracking jokes. She loves 'Star Wars' and watching old movies. She likes the music I listen to. And Cate is just so sweet. She needs love, and hugs and kisses constantly.”

Nick grew up in a home where both parents worked and remembers coming home from school with his older sister who was in charge. “I just can’t imagine leaving Caroline and Cate to watch themselves. It’s just a different world now. I love being able to stay home with the girls, and I don’t know if I would know them as well as I do if I didn’t. I would have loved to have my dad stay home with me, it’s a special bond.”

MEN'S GUIDE TO GOOD HEALTH The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s list of top threats for men is relatively short, and the good news is that there are many lifestyle changes one can make to nip some of them in the bud. Sometimes it’s hard to get husbands and fathers to slow down and get in touch with their symptoms. National Men’s Health Week, June 13-19, is a great opportunity to familiarize your family with the facts to make sure the men in your life are in tip-top shape.

TOP 6 MEN’S HEALTH THREATS 1. Heart disease 24.6% 2. Cancer 23.5% 3. Unintentional injuries 6.3% 4. Chronic lower respiratory diseases 5.4% 5. Stroke 4.1% 6. Diabetes 3.1%

TIPS FOR HEALTHY MEN

• Get enough sleep. Adults need 7-9 hours of sleep each night.

• Quit smoking to lower your risk of heart disease, cancer, lung disease and other smoking-related illnesses.

• Get at least 2½ hours of aerobic exercise each week.

• Eat healthy and limit foods and drinks high in calories, sugar, salt, fat and alcohol.

A SCHOOL AND AN OUTPATIENT PEDIATRIC THERAPY CLINIC’ A place where children with developmental disabilities and learning differences can grow and develop in an environment tailored to meet their unique needs.

OUTPATIENT THERAPY SERVICES

OCCUPATIONAL • PHYSICAL • SPEECH

IF YOUR CHILD HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH A Autism DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDER: • Asperger Syndrome

Pervasive Developmental Disorder Down Syndrome • Apraxia • Other Language Disorders Sensory Integration issues

Contact us today for more information or to schedule an evaluation for your child.

• Reduce stress levels.

• Visit the doctor and schedule regular checkups. Keep track of your blood pressure, blood glucose, cholesterol, body mass index, and make sure all vaccines are up to date.

(501) 663-6965 • AcademyAtRiverdale.com 1600 Riverfront Drive, Little Rock, AR 72202 We work with a variety of private insurance providers as well as ARKids 1st, Medicaid, TEFRA and TRICARE.

Visit cdc.gov/men/nmhw for more information.

THESAVVYMOMS.COM | JUNE 2016

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savvy style

1

3 UPGRADE HIS SIGNATURE!

KEEP YOUR DAD RAD IN NEW KICKS!

5

Fatherly Fashion Father’s Day, June 19, is approaching and you’ll need more than just the average necktie! These picks from local retailers are sure to get Dad’s attention.

ALL THE DADS LOVE COOL SOCKS!

28 JUNE 2016 | THESAVVYMOMS.COM

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4

PHOTOGRAPHY: BRIAN CHILSON

2

1. This versatile sneaker can easily go casual or dressed up. The Nike SB Zoom Stefan Janoski canvas skate shoe is low profile and perfect for a trendy dad. Available at Rock City Kicks, Little Rock.

2. This biography of one of the greatest rock legends of all time is sure to be a page-turner for Dad. “Paul McCartney The Life” by Philip Norman is more than 800 pages of McCartney’s life story complete with color pictures. Available at WordsWorth Books & Co. 3. It’s easy to jot down notes in style with this Retro 1951 Popper “Surfin” twist top rollerball pen. It has an acrylic body and antiqued silver finishes for the smoothest writing. Available at Vanness, Little Rock.

4. Help Dad get nautical with this Southern Tide 100 percent silk pretied bow tie. The aqua color pops with a funky pelican and seagull print. Adjustable sizing. Available at Mr. Wicks, Little Rock.

5. No need for a shoeshine when you have this Jason Markk Premium Shoe Cleaner. Kit comes with a 4-ounce bottle of cleaning solution and brush to clean any shoe surface including leather, suede, cotton, canvas and more. Available at Rock City Kicks.

6. Even if he has to wear a suit on the job, he can still let his personality shine with a pair of Stance socks. This pair from the Anthem line is made of colorful combed cotton to put a little pep in his step. Available at Rock City Kicks.

ALL NEW thesavvymoms.com

DID YOU KNOW?

THE IDEA FOR FATHER'S DAY WAS CONCEIVED IN 1909 BY SONORA DODD OF SPOKANE, WASH., TO HONOR HER WIDOWED FATHER WHO WAS RAISING SIX CHILDREN. IT WASN'T CELEBRATED ON AN ANNUAL BASIS UNTIL 1972, WHEN PRESIDENT RICHARD NIXON SIGNED THE HOLIDAY INTO PUBLIC LAW. *census.gov

everything for the

MODERN MOM in one place. stay in the loop. sign up for our enewsletter.

THESAVVYMOMS.COM | JUNE 2016

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savvy family

PASSING THE TORCH SICKLE CELL WARRIORS LAKISHA JOHNSON AND SONS CONTINUE DAD’S LEGACY

BY DWAIN HEBDA

(From left) Jaleel, LaKisha holding a poster from the first Sickle Cell Services blood drive, Josiah and Judah.

Germaine and Lakisha Johnson at an event in 2012.

A treasured Johnson family photo with (from left) Jaleel, Germaine Jr., Judah, Germaine Sr., LaKisha, Josiah, Glorie (Javan's wife) and Javan.

30 JUNE 2016 | THESAVVYMOMS.COM

PHOTOGRAPHY: LILY DARRAGH/COURTESY LAKISHA JOHNSON

I

t’s been said we begin dying the day we are born; that every minute and milestone represents another sheaf of life unmoored and fluttering to the floor. Most of us can’t bear to think in those terms even metaphorically, but for some the spectre of impending mortality only serves as a motivator for which they accelerate their life’s work.

These people, those who have been given more life than time, streak through us like the last of summer’s fireflies, burning even brighter for the knowledge that their season is shorter—over, it seems, before it began.

Germaine Johnson Sr. was one of those people.

“He was just my best friend,” said LaKisha Johnson, Germaine’s wife. “You just had to meet him, he was a great person and not just because he was my husband. Just to know him was to love him.”

The two met attending Parkview High School and were closeknit friends for years after graduation. Reunited at the 10-year class reunion after a long absence, they were startled to discover friendship had ripened into deeper feelings and they began “kinda dating-not dating,” as LaKisha put it. Both had a child from a previous relationship when they married in 2001, and they’d have three more together in the years to follow.

“When he came into the room he brought sunshine with him,” LaKisha said. “He just had this bigger-than-life personality. He loved everybody he met, and he found good in everybody he met.”

Fifteen years later, LaKisha still talks of Germaine with something akin to wonder in her voice. It’s a tone you generally hear during giddy infatuation, not from a widow time-wised from watching her husband shrink to nothing under the weight of sickle cell anemia, from watching insatiable medical bills mount, from years pouring equal measures of energy into swaddled babies and a husband gripped in jagged shards of pain.

No, hers is a voice completely and utterly unexpected given the path the Johnsons have walked—the voice of hope.

“Well, first of all, I tell people all the time that this disease is intrusive,” she said. “It doesn’t care. It doesn’t care what your life is like, it doesn’t care that you have five kids, it doesn’t care that you have bills to pay. It just doesn’t care at all.

“[MY SONS] ARE DEFINITELY STRONGER. THE ONE THING THEY WILL TELL YOU IS, ‘DAD WASN’T A QUITTER AND WE WILL NOT QUIT.’” ­—LAKISHA JOHNSON “So the disease, whether you want it to or not, is very present in your life. What I learned, and what I know my sons have learned through [Germaine], is no matter how present this disease is, either you let it get you or you decide ‘No, I’m gonna fight against it.’”

Sickle cell disease (SCD) affects roughly 100,000 Americans. A disproportionate number of cases—1 out of 365 according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—affect African Americans.

By contrast, the rate of occurrence among Hispanics, the second mostaffected group, is 1 out of every 16,300.

The disease gets its name from the way it distorts red blood cells from plump and round to crescent-shaped and hard. Such cells clog up blood vessels, which can lead to stroke, and die off early creating a chronic lack of red blood cells to deliver oxygen throughout the body.

Crippling episodes of debilitating pain become a way of life.

“Sickle cell disease is very prominent in Arkansas,” said Dr. Suzanne Saccente, medical director of the Sickle Cell Clinic at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock. “Every child born in Arkansas is screened for sickle cell disease; currently at Children’s Hospital we have about 450 patients between 0 and 21 years of age.”

For the vast majority of patients, there is no practical cure, meaning once a child is diagnosed, the name of the game is treatment to manage symptoms and stave off more serious outcomes. Such regimens are highly individualized, as no two patients’ conditions are exactly the same. Even the impact of race has been blurred, by the continued growth in the number of interracial children.

“Just because you have a gene for something, other genes also modify how much of it is expressed in that individual person,” Saccente said. “From a hematologic standpoint, we see the signs and symptoms in patients as soon as fetal or baby hemoglobin goes away. That’s when the manifestations of sickle become evident, and some people are more affected than others because they have other genes that make them more or less anemic or give them other features.”

In the 20 years Saccente has been working in the field, she’s seen a lot that’s encouraging, such as new medicines and technologies that help identify issues and provide a means of control. Among these improvements have been the creation of the Sickle Cell Clinic at ACH and the Adult Sickle Cell Clinical Program at UAMS, a facility Germaine and LaKisha were instrumental in getting open.

“Having a Sickle Cell Adult Clinic now up and running, with a wonderful staff behind it, is amazing,” said Germaine in a quote displayed on the center’s website. “For the first time ever, it gives more hope, something to look forward to. I can see more lives being changed and saved.”

The same could be said for Sickle Cell Support Services, the organization Germaine and LaKisha founded, and which she now leads as executive director. Through SCSS, the Johnsons gave other families

an understanding ear, funds for medicine, a summer camp for affected children and anything else Germaine saw that he thought they could improve for others.

The couple landed grant money and established support programs through SCSS. In legislative chambers and on the steps of the statehouse, Germaine sounded the call for awareness and research funding, a tireless voice towing an oxygen tank.

“When he formed the support group, it was good that they were getting together, but then he started noticing all the other facets individuals living with the disease were struggling with,” LaKisha said.

“We had some major financial struggles of our own, but he was like, ‘If we’re going through this, then I know somebody else is going through this and we need to give more. We need to figure out how to do more for them.’”

Even as Germaine grew weaker, the urge to help grew stronger and it swept the family along in its wake. By virtue of having a parent with the disease, four of the five Johnson sons—Javan, 23; Germaine Jr., 21; Jaleel, 19; Josiah “JoJo,” 11; and Judah, 6—are trait carriers, but that’s hardly the most significant thing they inherited from their father. Each has his determination and draws from the same well of faith. “Dad would have been proud of you,” is the family’s highest compliment to one another.

Helping to care for Germaine the last six months of his life was intense, but gave the boys the gift of compassion and let them see courage up close. Though their father was physically deteriorated, his message and example were powerful enough to lead them through their grief, which each has navigated differently through music, sports, humor or prayer. JoJo even told his mother he will take over SCSS one day.

“They are definitely stronger. The one thing they will tell you is, ‘Dad wasn’t a quitter and we will not quit,’” LaKisha said. “I’ve seen them surpass many hurdles holding onto Germaine’s ability to push past hurdles, and follow his passion and mission in life.”

True to its word, the disease didn’t care when Germaine’s earthly self finally fell silent; it didn’t care much when LaKisha struck back the only way she knew how, either.

“Germaine left me June 11, 2015; that week we kicked off our golf tournament,” she said. “I had a golf tournament to put on and that Monday we kicked off camp and I never stopped. Somebody asked me the other day how did you carry on, or why did you continue, and I told them ‘No matter how bad this hurts, we were never created for ourselves.’

“Matter of fact, it just makes me want to do more because I know how much he sacrificed and how much he suffered. I’ve seen firsthand what it’s like to live with this disease. For me, it’s now time to pick up that cross and carry it the next mile of the way.”

THESAVVYMOMS.COM | JUNE 2016

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Arkansas Summer Fun

Bucket List

GET READY TO CHILL THIS SUMMER!

CENTRAL ARKANSAS HAS SO MUCH SUMMER FUN TO OFFER! WHETHER IT’S TOO HOT TO GO OUTSIDE, RAINING, OR YOU’RE SIMPLY STUMPED FOR IDEAS ON HOW TO ENTERTAIN YOUR KIDS ALL SUMMER, CONSULT THIS SUMMER FUN BUCKET LIST THE NEXT TIME YOU HEAR THOSE DREADFUL TWO WORDS, “I’M BORED." STORY & PHOTOGRAPHY BY KERRY GUICE

32 JUNE 2016 | THESAVVYMOMS.COM

U-Pick Farms AND Orchards

Always call ahead to make sure they're open. When they've received extra traffic they will close for a few days for ripening.

Some of our favorite farms are Cadron Crest Orchard, Bo Brook Farms and Wye Mountain.

*USE THESE TO MAKE THE POPSICLES ON PAGE 36.

Kick your sprinkler game up a notch and take the family to a splash pad!

River Market Splash Pad at Riverfront Park, close to the First Security Bank Ampitheater. Free admission, open all the time.

War Memorial Splash Pad at War Memorial Park. Free admission, open all the time. Picnic tables and small playground available.

If you don’t have time to leave your house, cover your trampoline with water balloons and let the kids have hours of free fun and burn off a ton of energy!

Look at the Moon and Stars Through a Telescope

Don't have a telescope? No problem! The Central Arkansas Astronomical Society hosts free, family friendly Star Parties once a month where several professional-grade telescopes are available for public viewing, pointing at different spots in the sky. Join them June 6 at the Pinnacle Mountain Visitors Center parking lot from 9-11 p.m., and on July 2 at Woolly Hollow State Park from 9-11 p.m. Visit caasastro.org to learn more and sign up for updates. Later this summer, thanks to CAAS and NASA, you will be able to rent a telescope for a week at any public library branch in Little Rock. All you need is a library card!

THESAVVYMOMS.COM | JUNE 2016

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NIGHT FUN!

Chase Fireflies

Relive your childhood by chasing fireflies with a jar! Let the kids stay up a little late and run around outside chasing the seemingly magical insects, and if you catch one, bring it inside and look at it with a magnifying glass and talk about why and how it glows.

Big Rock Fun Park

Challenge your family to a game of putt-putt golf! Big Rock Fun Park offers an 18-hole putt-putt course that was renovated in 2014. They also have bumper boats, arcade games and batting cages. Also renovated in 2014, their party rooms available to rent are bright, clean and reasonably priced. Visit bigrockfunpark. com for more information.

Fishing is a great way to get the family together. Arkansas has no shortage of great places that are sure to get you a bite or two. Plan to go the weekend of June 10-12 for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Free Fishing Weekend, and save on fishing license fees! MAKE A DAY OF IT AT THE LITTLE RED RIVER. Plant an Herb Garden

This is a great introduction to gardening for kids without taking up much space. Buy a large planter and let them plant herbs and watch them grow. Don’t forget to snip them and use them in your cooking! Great herbs for the summer are basil, oregano, thyme, sage, mint and lavender.

Keep the pot in the sun and water frequently.

34 JUNE 2016 | THESAVVYMOMS.COM

INDOOR FUN!

Museum of Discovery

Located in the River Market District downtown, this ever-changing museum is a must for locals and visitors alike. With exhibits changing every few months, being a member proves to be worth the money. Every Tuesday and Saturday at 10 a.m., and every Thursday at 3:30 p.m., catch Wiggle Worms, which is a program geared toward kids 12 and under (free with admission) that explores a certain facet of science. The newly renovated children’s room (for kids 6 and under) is full of sensory activities and creative outlets that will leave kids inspired. Admission is $8-$10, children under 1 are free. Visit museumofdiscovery.org for more information.

Altitude Trampoline Park

Popular for birthday parties, this west Little Rock fun destination will ensure a nap in the future for your kid, and maybe for you!

All ages are welcome on the trampolines with a small-child-only area, as well as two dodge ball courts for small and big kids.

There are days and times on their calendar that cater to specific age groups. Visit altitudetrampolineparklr.com for pricing and more information.

LITTLE ROCK CLIMBING CENTER

If you want an adventurous indoor activity, you’ve found your place here. For kids 5 and older, this is a fantastic way to build a child’s confidence and encourage physical activity. There are auto belay and partner belay setups throughout the gym, with routes for every skill level. Birthday parties are also available, and punch cards can also be purchased. Admission is $15 for ages 13 and older; $12 kids 5-12; additional $8 for harness and shoe rental may apply. Visit littlerockclimbingcenter.com for more information.

Extra Indoor Fun GO Bowling OR Roller skating MAYBE EVEN Ice Skating See a movie OR A PLAY Read a book AND PLAY A GAME!

TRY THESE ON A RAINY DAY! Mid-America Science Museum

As the 2016 winner of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service, this newly updated museum is one to visit.

There is something for everyone at this hands-on, open-floor-plan museum in Hot Springs. The kids will love the two-story rope hammock and maze. While you’re in Hot Springs, don’t forget to stop by DeLuca’s Pizzeria Napoletano, less than 15 minutes away from the museum, before you head home! Admission is $8-$10. Visit midamericamuseum.org for more information.

Streamer Boobie Trap

Wake the kids up with a surprise down the hallway! Using paper party streamers, simply cut and tape strips across each wall down the hallway, going in all different directions. See if they can find their way to breakfast without tearing any down! This is a favorite, and you can find the streamers at the dollar store!

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Fly Kites

Grab a kite (try The Toggery or Toys' R' Us), then find an open field (Pinnacle Mountain State Park, Burns Park or Murray Park) and have fun!

Biking the River Trail

If you don’t have a bicycle, rent one at Bobby’s Bike Hike downtown at 400 President Clinton Ave. You can hop on the River Trail from there and go as long as you want around the 88-mile looped trail. A popular route for ambitious families is the loop from the Clinton Presidential Center Bridge to the Big Dam Bridge and back (15.6 miles). This well-maintained trail is a treat for sight seeing along the river.

Visit arkansasrivertrail.org for more information.

Homemade Popsicles

Using a blender, mix 16 ounces of yogurt with 8 ounces of fruit, adding small amounts of orange juice or water to create a smooth blend. Pour into popsicle molds and freeze overnight.

For a swirl of different flavors, use a squeeze bottle to squeeze alternate flavors in each mold.

DIY FUN Frozen Toys

Another activity that costs nothing at all! Using a cake pan, mixing bowl or any large container, add several waterproof small kids’ toys, then fill halfway with ice.

Freeze overnight, then add more water to cover the toys, and freeze overnight again. Turn the container over and remove the ice block, then place outside near the hose.

The kids have to “rescue” their toys from the ice using nothing but the water hose! This is a great sensory activity that kids really enjoy.

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Watch the Sunset at Two Rivers Bridge

After dinner, load the family in the car and head to Two Rivers Bridge Park (turn down River Mountain Road, just west of the I-430 bridge). Walk to the top of the bridge (that’s part of the Arkansas River Trail), and you’ll catch a spectacular view of Pinnacle Mountain and a sunset that’s hard to beat. Pets are welcome but must remain on a leash at all times. Walking traffic stays to the right, and watch out for cyclists.

Make Sidewalk Paint

Mix one part cornstarch to two parts water. Add a drop or two of food coloring and mix.

Divide into different bowls to mix different colors, or use an empty egg carton for a whole palette of colors! Paint on the driveway or sidewalk and watch the colors get brighter as they dry in the sun. The paint easily washes away with a water hose.

GET OUT OF THE HOUSE! Share the Love Kids' Club

Share the Love Kids’ Club opened just this year in Conway, and is already making waves by providing an interactive and creative space for kids, as well as helping foster kids in need of a family of their own by giving back 5 percent of all sales to The Call and Project Zero. They also cater to parents by offering coffee and snacks to enjoy in any of the several adult seating areas, along with a nursing room. They also advertise that extra diapers and wipes are available if you need them. It’s the perfect place for kids to play with toys that are new to them, in a place that you don’t have to clean. Call 501-499-9859 for more information.

Painted Pig Pottery

Check the calendar on their website for events, or walk in their shop nestled in the Heights in Little Rock and choose something to create. They have pottery, glass mosaic, silver jewelry, clay prints and more. It’s a great activity for a rainy day (or any day), and it makes the perfect, personalized gift. It does take 1-2 weeks before you can pick it up from being fired, so keep that in mind. Visit paintedpigstudio.com for more information.

Heifer Village at Heifer International

Heifer Village, located next to the Clinton Presidential Center, is a place for all ages to learn about the organization's projects hands on. Tour Heifer’s facility and visit them on the second Saturday of every month for a school-aged activity. After the tour, have a bite to eat in their cafe, which supports local farmers. Visit heifer.org for more information.

Kids’ Yoga Series at Barefoot Studio

Barefoot Studio in Little Rock offers tween yoga classes every Wednesday and will offer a six-week kids’ yoga series during the summer. Studies show that yoga helps kids manage stress in a healthy way, and it builds confidence and body awareness. Visit barefootstudio.com for more information.

Arkansas Travelers Baseball

There’s nothing like enjoying America’s pastime with your family on a warm summer night at Dickey-Stephens Park. There is a kids’ zone with bounce houses for $4 admission. The berm is great for those don’t want to sit in a seat for the whole game, and it’s right next to the kids’ zone. The stadium is nice, the beer in the beer garden is cold, and the ticket prices are reasonable. Just remember to bring extra cash for cotton candy! Admission is $4-$13. Visit milb.com or travs.com for more information.

GO FOR A RIDE!

Library Storytime

Check your local branch for days and times of summer events, but be sure to visit the Hillary Rodham Clinton Children’s Library and Learning Center at least once this summer! They’re located at 4800 W. 10th St. in Little Rock. They have a large community garden and kitchen, and this summer will be hosting a “Seed to Table” club on Mondays at 10 a.m., where kids will help plant, harvest, cook and eat what they grow! They’ve also just installed a view-safe beehive for kids to observe. There are storytimes for every age group throughout the week as well as a music and movement class on Friday mornings at 10 a.m.

For an extended Arkansas Summer Bucket list visit thesavvymoms.com

TROLLEY

Kill some time and see the sights on one of the city's electric streetcars. Board the trolley at any of its stops in Little Rock or North Little Rock. Get a day pass and use it to hop around, or ride the entire loop and sit back and enjoy the ride. Day passes are $2. Visit rrmetro.org for more information.

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Bag Check with LINDSEY MILLAR THE NEW YORK TIMES SENT THEIR VERSION OF GOOGLE CARDBOARD OUT TO SUBSCRIBERS. MY KIDS LOVE TO PLAY WITH IT, TOO.

"MY WIFE IS A TWIN SO I’M READING THIS BOOK RIGHT NOW. I ALWAYS CARRY A BOOK AROUND IN CASE I GET STRANDED."

THIS IS MY THIRD PAIR OF MY FAVORITE SUNGLASSES.

NE HO WS P RO VIE MIC INTER R FO

BLOOMBERG IS A REALLY COMPELLINGLY DESIGNED MAGAZINE. I LIKE TO READ IT TO GET GOOD IDEAS.

ET CK O IS P D TH SIZE OOK R B FO TE NO OOD G G S IN I S OT T OT E J NN O. W HE-G O D -T ON

AUGUST IS A BUDDING ARTIST! AUGUST KNOWS ALL THE "STAR WARS" CHARACTERS. HE ASKS ME QUESTIONS LIKE, “WHAT’S YOUR FIFTH FAVORITE STAR WARS VILLAIN?”

LINDSEY MILLAR is editor of the Arkansas Times. He and his wife, Caroline, and sons, August and Emmett, like to go to the zoo, dig in the dirt, throw rocks in bodies of water and hang out on their new screened-in back porch.

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"THIS BRIEFCASE WAS MY GRANDFATHER’S. HE WAS THE PROJECT MANAGER WHEN THE STATEHOUSE CONVENTION CENTER WAS BEING BUILT, SO I LIKE TO THINK WE CARRIED THIS BRIEFCASE THE SAME PLACES."

PHOTOGRAPHY: LILY DARRAGH

AUGUST HAS OUTGROWN HIS SUPERHERO ACTION FIGURES, SO EMMETT HAS HIS HAND-ME-DOWNS.

THI

now open!

THIS JEROME DREYFUSS GRAY LEATHER PURSE GOES WITH EVERYTHING.

Test your paper airplane in the flying gallery, create beats in the sound lab, test the speed of materials in the friction zone, create a stop motion animation masterpiece and much more! made possible by

500 President Clinton Ave

Little Rock, AR 72201

www.museumofdiscovery.org

501.396.7050

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